EP1427646A1

EP1427646A1 - Dispenser closure for a container that contains a flowable product

Info

Publication number: EP1427646A1
Application number: EP02799395A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Gerhard F. K. JÄCKEL; Franz Lenz; Eldon Schaffer
Original assignee: Seaquist Loeffler Kunststoffwerk GmbH
Current assignee: Aptar Freyung GmbH
Priority date: 2001-09-20
Filing date: 2002-03-20
Publication date: 2004-06-16
Anticipated expiration: 2022-03-20
Also published as: RU2004111799A; CZ2004387A3; PL367505A1; WO2003026981A1; CZ297203B6; DE50204418D1; MXPA04002671A; CA2460786C; CA2460786A1; US20040238540A1; JP4230354B2; PL199555B1; EP1427646B1; CN1575249A; CN100333976C; DE20115488U1; BR0212900A; JP2005503302A; ES2248637T3; AU2002308179B2

Abstract

The invention relates to a dispenser closure (10) for a container that contains a flowable product, especially for a beverage container. Said dispenser closure comprises: a closing body (100) with a cover (120) from whose outer rim a jacket (110) extends downward that can be fastened via an opening of the container on the same, an outlet opening (126) in an upper face of the closing body (100), which communicates with the opening of the container, and a closure element (200) for opening or closing the outlet opening (126) of the closing body (100), and a dome-shaped raised section (124) of the closing body (100), which is disposed around the outlet opening (126) of the closing body (100). The closing body (100) is provided with a covering element (150) that covers at least partially an outer area of the dome-shaped raised section (124), the material of the covering element (150) being softer than the material of the dome-shaped raised section (124) and/or the cover (120) and/or the material of the closing body (100). The invention allows for an increased tightness of the dispenser closure and a pleasant feel when the user comes into direct contact with the dispenser closure.

Description

Dispensing closure for containers containing flowable goods

The invention relates to a dispensing closure for containers containing flowable material, in particular for beverage containers.

Such delivery closures are contained in the prior art in various designs and are used for beverage containers of different materials, in particular made of glass and plastic.

In particular in recent years, increased demands have been placed on such beverage containers and associated dispensing closures for different purposes and uses, while on the one hand the reliable tightness of the dispensing closure even under increased stresses such as e.g. occur when carrying the beverage container during sporting activities, is problematic, on the other hand it is desirable that the user of the container when removing the goods, especially when drinking, in which the user's mouth usually comes into direct contact with the dispensing closure, if possible is pleasant.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved dispensing closure for containers containing flowable goods, in particular for the beverage containers mentioned above, which on the one hand ensures increased tightness of the dispensing closure, and on the other hand a pleasant sensation in direct contact with the dispensing closure allows.

This object is achieved by a dispensing closure for containers containing flowable goods, in particular for beverage containers, the dispensing closure comprising: a closure body with a cover, from the outer edge of which a jacket protrudes, which can be fastened to the container via an opening, an outlet opening in a top of the Closure body, which communicates with the opening of the container, a closure element for opening and closing the outlet opening of the closure body, which has a dome-like elevation which is arranged around the outlet opening of the closure body, which is provided with a sleeve element which at least partially one Covering the outer area of the dome-like elevation, the material of the shell element being softer than the material of the dome-like elevation and / or the cover and / or the material of the closure body.

With this dispensing closure of the invention, the touch sensation of the user, e.g. when drinking essentially or exclusively comes into contact with the shell element consisting of the softer material, has a very positive influence. In addition, the tightness of the dispensing closure is increased by the softer material of the cover element. This is because the closure element closing the outlet opening preferably seals the outlet opening by direct contact with the casing element. Furthermore, due to the higher compressibility of the softer material, the dimensions of the components can be chosen so that, with a secure seal, the demands on the accuracy of the manufacturing tolerances do not have to be too high. If necessary, tamper-evident in the form of a closure of the outlet opening of the closure body can additionally be provided. In this way, in order to maintain the quality of the contents of the bag, any possibility of air or oxygen access to the interior of the container is excluded until the container is opened for the first time. This tamper-evident device can consist of the same material as the cover element and or of the material of the closure body. In addition to high quality assurance of the container contents, mass production of the dispensing closure can thus be significantly simplified and reduced in cost. The invention is therefore based on the surprising finding that the above-mentioned tasks and problems can be solved by the provision of the shell element consisting of softer material.

Another advantage of the dispensing closure with the cover element made of soft material is the noise insulation, because a disturbing noise development when opening and closing a cover, in particular a hinged cover, is avoided. This is particularly advantageous if, for example, in a quiet atmosphere, such as in a library or during a lecture, a corresponding container is to be opened as unnoticed as possible. Thermoplastic polymers, in particular thermoplastic polyester (TPE), high-pressure polymers (low density polyethylene, LDPE), but also other soft plastics, rubber and / or silicone are particularly suitable as preferred materials for the casing element. These materials can be adjusted to the desired softness of the cover element, but are resistant enough to ensure a long service life of the cover element and thus the dispensing closure.

Of course, it is possible to produce the cover element from a combination of two or more of the above-mentioned materials without departing from the subject matter of the present invention.

The closure body is preferably formed in one piece with a dome-like elevation which projects beyond the top or the edge of the closure body and which can serve as a drinking spout for the user. Furthermore, the dome-like elevation is preferably graduated in diameter over its height, it preferably having a smaller diameter towards its outer region and the opening at its outer end.

In a preferred embodiment, the envelope element is designed such that the dome-like elevation in its outer region is substantially completely covered by the envelope element, and thus possibly also the opening and / or its tamper-evident closure made of the material of the closure body. This ensures that the entire area that can come into contact with the mouth of a drinking person is covered by the covering element, so that the pleasant feeling of contact is completely retained. Furthermore, the closure element can thereby be designed to be more variable, because a counter-element of the closure element provided for sealing can engage at different points on the casing element and ensure a seal. Is e.g. the tamper-evident element is designed as a tear-off tab sealing the opening, the user can e.g. a cyclist, while driving without using one hand, tear off the tear-off tab with his teeth to open the container.

However, the envelope element can only extend over certain partial areas of the dome-like elevation, in particular over an upper area of the dome-like elevation. This configuration, in particular the size of the dome-like elevation, can be adapted as desired by the person skilled in the art to the desired use. In contrast to this, the casing element can not only extend over the dome-like elevation and, if desired, over its opening, but also cover further sub-areas of the closure body.

In a preferred embodiment, the closure element is a hinged cover which is hinged to the closure body in one piece. Thus, the closure element and the closure body form a unit that is injection molded in one piece from plastic and in which the closure element is not lost after it is mounted on the container.

Of course, instead of a closure element connected to the hinged lid, separate closure elements can be provided. Furthermore, without deviating from the subject matter of the invention, all closure possibilities are conceivable, e.g. a closure element which is attached to the closure body by a snap mechanism or a screw thread.

The invention is described below with reference to a schematic drawing of exemplary embodiments of a dispensing closure. Show it:

Figure 1 shows an opened dispensing closure in a central longitudinal section.

FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of a dispensing closure in a central longitudinal section as in FIG. 1;

3 shows a third embodiment of a dispensing closure in the same representation as that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 shows a fourth embodiment of a dispensing closure as shown in FIGS. 1-3; and

FIG. 5 shows a three-dimensional representation of the dispensing closure in FIG. 4. 1 shows a dispensing closure 10 for containers containing flowable goods with a closure body 100 and a closure element 200 designed as a lid. The closure body 100 and the closure element 200 are connected on one side to one another via a hinge 290 which is designed as a film hinge, so that the closure element 200 can be pivoted from the position shown in FIG. 1, which opens the closure body, about an axis formed by the film hinge 290 by 180 ° into the position closing the closure body.

The closure body 100 has a cover 120 on its upper side, from the radial outer edge of which a jacket 110 extends laterally. The jacket 110 is essentially cylindrical and has an internal thread 112 with which it can be screwed and fastened onto a container (not shown) with a corresponding counter thread.

Instead of the screw connection, other types of fastening of the closure body to a container can also be provided, e.g. Snap connections. It is also possible for the dispensing closure to be formed directly in one piece with a corresponding container

In the upper region of the jacket 110 of the closure body 100, in the vicinity of the outer edge of the cover 120 of the closure body 100, a sealing lip 114 is provided in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, which is designed in the form of a ring which is slightly inclined downward from the horizontal , so that this sealing lip 114 presses and seals the top of the container opening when the closure element 100 is screwed onto the container.

In the embodiment shown here, the sealing lip 114 is formed in one piece with the closure body, but consists of a soft material, in this case silicone, in contrast to the hard plastic from which the closure body 100 and also the closure element 200 of the dispensing closure 10 are made. It should be noted at this point, however, that in another embodiment the sealing lip 114 can be made of the same material as the closure body 100, which simplifies the manufacturing process.

The cover of the closure body 100 has an essentially horizontal annular shoulder 122, from which an area lying radially to the longitudinal central axis is located Dome-like and stepped outwards beyond the annular shoulder, the dome-like elevation 124 being stepped in diameter over its height and having an outlet opening 126 at its outer end.

The dome-like elevation essentially comprises a first (or upper) step 128, which, with regard to the cover 120, lies above a second (or lower) step 134. Each of the gradations 128, 134 is essentially cylindrical, the two gradations 128, 134 having comparable heights, but the first gradation 128 having a smaller diameter. The outside transitions between the first step 128 and the second step 134 and the second step 134 and the ring shoulder 122 are rounded, so that no sharp edges arise. Above the first step 128 there is a radially inwardly bent end edge 136 of the outlet opening 126, which extends almost horizontally in its uppermost region.

The inner region of the dome-like elevation 124 of the cover 120 is also graduated: below the smallest inner diameter of the outlet opening 126 within the dome-like elevation, the inner diameter of the dome-like elevation is enlarged in the downward or inward direction. After the first expansion of the inner diameter directly below the end edge 136, the inner region extends essentially cylindrically over the entire axial extent (in the direction of the height) of the first step and widens approximately at the level of the transition area between the first step 128 and the second step 134 further out.

The lower end of the first gradation 128 of the hose holder 180 forms an annular stop surface 130 in the inner region, which at the same time delimits an annular groove 132 in the upper region within the second gradation 134. The inner region of the second step 134 below the annular groove 132 runs in the shape of a truncated cone and widens in the downward direction and merges at its lower end into the lower side of the horizontally lying annular shoulder 122 of the cover 120.

The closure member 200 is deckelfb substantially ^'formed RMIG and includes a head plate 210 and extending therefrom page area 220, the side portion 220 is formed substantially so as to be in a closed position of the closure element 200 substantially coincides with the casing 110 of the closure body 100 escapes. Furthermore, the closure element 200 has on its side opposite the hinge 290 a groove 260 for receiving a quality assurance element 160, the groove 260 (in the position of the closure element 200 shown in FIG. 1 in the lower region, that is to say in the closed position in the upper region Area) is withdrawn inwards so that the quality assurance element 160 can be pressed into this withdrawn area for unsealing. The groove 260 for the quality assurance element 160 is delimited by a nose 262 and a projection 264 in its upper and lower area.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 has a sheath element 150 made of thermoplastic polyester (TPE), which extends essentially over the entire outer region of the dome-like elevation 124 of the cover 120 and follows the contour of the dome-like elevation 124.

The dimensions of the sleeve element 150 made of thermoplastic polyester and the dome-like elevation 124 as well as a squeeze organ 280 provided on the inside of the head plate 210 of the closure element 200, which is essentially circular, are coordinated with one another so that when the closure element 200 is closed virtually silently, the squeeze organ 280 overlaps the first step 128 of the dome-like elevation 124 with the covering element 150 applied to it and thereby seals off the outlet opening 126 from the outside.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the outer diameter of the shell element 150 at the level of the first step 128 in its uncompromised state is somewhat larger than the inner diameter of the circular pinch element 280 of the closure element 200, so that by closing the closure element 200 designed as a hinged lid Simultaneously easier compression of the sleeve element 150, a press fit is created between the squeezing member 280 and sleeve element 150, which leads to a secure seal at this point, even if slight manufacturing tolerances occur in the geometry or the dimensions of the individual elements, which in particular in mass production at least to a small extent Dimensions are unavoidable, or more expensive manufacturing processes are required to meet increased tolerances.

For the sake of completeness, it is pointed out that the embodiment of the dispensing closure shown in FIG. 1 is designed in such a way that a dispensing hose can also be inserted into the inner region of the closure body 200. NEN area of the dome-like elevation 124 is securely fixed and the outer end of which protrudes from the outlet opening 126 in order, if necessary, to make it even easier to remove the flowable material.

FIG. 2 shows a further embodiment of a dispensing closure which is essentially identical to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

In contrast to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, however, the envelope element 150 is designed such that it only covers an upper region of the dome-like elevation 124, namely the first step 128 and the transition between the first step 128 and the second step 134 of the dome-like Raising 124. In addition, the shell element 150 in this embodiment is made of a high-density polyethylene (LDPE, low density polyethylene).

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, a dispensing closure is configured essentially in accordance with the embodiment in FIG. 1. However, the outlet opening 126 in the upper side of the closure body 100 is provided with a tamper-evident closure 300. This tamper-evident closure 300 is a unitary part of the dispensing closure 10 and is made for this purpose from the relatively soft material of the cover element 150. A line of weakness 302, which follows the edge of the outlet opening 126 in the dome-like elevation 124, connects the tamper-evident closure 300, which seals the outlet opening 126, to the sleeve element 150. A tear-off tab 304 is advantageously connected to the tamper-evident closure 300 and is preferably produced in one piece therewith. The tear-off tab 304 enables the container to be opened easily by tearing off the tear-off tab 304 even if this cannot be done manually, e.g. in bike races or the like.

The tamper-evident element 300 thus ensures that air or oxygen cannot lead to a reduction in the quality of the container contents until the container or bottle is opened for the first time. Here too, the cover element 150, together with the tamper-evident closure 300, can consist of thermoplastic polyester (TPE) and / or of high-pressure polyethylene (LDPE) or of rubber, silicone, and / or a soft plastic or a combination of these materials. The embodiment of a dispensing closure 10 in FIG. 4 differs from that in FIG. 3 only in that a tamper-evident closure 400 is produced from the material of the closure body 100 and is produced together with it as a unitary workpiece in the plastic injection molding process. This tamper-evident closure 400 is exposed upwards or outwards and is connected or manufactured uniformly to the closure body 100 by a line of weakness 402 following the annular edge of the outlet opening 126. A tear-off tab 404, which, as in FIG. 3, protrudes obliquely from the upper side of the tamper-evident closure 400, is made of the same material as the closing body 100 and is intended to facilitate the opening of the container provided with the delivery closure 10, but up to this point of opening ensure the quality of the container contents by hermetically sealing the outlet opening 126 of the container. The connecting body 100 with the tear-off tab 404 is preferably made of polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene (PE) in an injection molding process.

Naturally, if necessary, the tamper-evident device 400 consisting of the material of the closure body 100 and its tear-off tab 404 can additionally be coated with the soft material of the casing element 150, in particular if a container equipped therewith is to serve a purpose in which the container is not or only can be opened by hand in difficult circumstances, as is the case with certain sports, such as cycling, etc.

FIG. 5 gives a general impression of the dispensing closure described in FIGS. 3 and 4, the dispensing closures in FIGS. 1 and 2 also being comparable to the illustration of the dispensing closure in FIG. 5, if one looks at the tamper-evident closure 400 and the tear-off tab 404 thinks away and imagines an open outlet opening 126 of the connecting body 100.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10 dispensing closure

100 closure bodies

110 coat

112 threads

114 sealing lip

120 cover

122 ring shoulder

124 cathedral-like elevation

126 outlet opening

128 first gradation

130 ring-shaped stop surface

132 ring groove

134 second gradation

136 final margin

150 cover element

160 tamper-evident element

200 closure element

210 headstock

220 page area

260 groove

262 nose

264 head start 280 crushing organ

290 hinge

300 tamper-evident closure

302 line of weakness

304 tear-off tab

400 tamper-evident closure

402 line of weakness

404 tear-off tab

Claims

claims

1. Dispensing closure (10) for containers containing flowable goods, in particular for beverage containers, the dispensing closure comprising: a closure body (100) with a cover (120), from the outer edge of which a jacket (110) protrudes, which opens over an opening of the container this can be fastened, an outlet opening (126) in an upper side of the closure body (100), which communicates with the opening of the container, and a closure element (200) for opening and closing the outlet opening (126) of the closure body (100), a dome-like elevation (124) of the closure body (100), which is arranged around the outlet opening (126) of the closure body (100), characterized in that the closure body (100) is provided with a covering element (150) which at least partially has a Covering the outside area of the dome-like elevation (124), the material of the shell element (150) being softer than the material of the dome-like elevation (124) and / or the cover (120) and / or the material of the closure body (100).

2. Dispensing closure according spoke 1, characterized in that the outlet opening (126) in the top of the closure body (100) is provided with a tamper-evident closure (300; 400).

3. Dispensing closure according to spoke 2, characterized in that the tamper-evident closure (300; 400) is a uniform component of the dispensing closure (10).

4. dispensing closure according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the tamper-evident closure (300) made of the material of the sleeve member (150) and is a uniform component thereof.

5. Dispensing closure according to spoke 4, characterized in that the tamper-evident closure (300) is connected by a line of weakness (302) to the envelope element (150).

6. dispensing closure according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the tamper-evident closure (400) made of the material of the closure body (100) and is a uniform component thereof.

7. Dispensing closure according to spoke 6, characterized in that the tamper-evident closure (400) is connected to the closure body (100) by a line of weakness (402).

8. Dispensing closure according to spoke 1 or one of the following, characterized in that the cover element (150) consists of thermoplastic polyester (TPE) and / or high-density polyethylene (LDPE) or a combination of one of these materials.

9. dispensing closure according to claim 1 or one of the following, characterized in that the sleeve element (150) made of rubber, silicone, and or soft plastic or a combination of these materials.

10. Dispensing closure according to claim 1 or one of the following, characterized in that the closure body (100) is made of polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene (PE).

11. Dispensing closure according to spoke 1 or one of the following, characterized in that the cover (120) of the closure body (100) has a radially outer ring shoulder (122) and the radially inner, dome-like elevation (124).

12. Dispensing closure according to spoke 1 or one of the following, characterized in that the dome-like elevation (124) over its height in

13. Diameter is stepped and has the outlet opening (126) at its outer end.

14. Dispensing closure according to spoke 1 or one of the following, characterized in that the envelope element (150) covers the dome-like elevation (124) in the outer area substantially completely.

15. Dispensing closure according to spoke 1 or one of the following, characterized in that the envelope element (150) covers the dome-like elevation (124) only in an upper region.

16. Dispensing closure according to spoke 1 or one of the following, characterized in that the closure element (200) is a hinged lid which is hinged in one piece to the closure body (100) by a hinge (290).