EP1465814A2

EP1465814A2 - Closing device for a container

Info

Publication number: EP1465814A2
Application number: EP02730203A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jörg Birkmayer; Ernest E. Kraxner
Original assignee: Prof Birkmayer Gesundheitsprodukte GmbH
Current assignee: Prof Birkmayer Gesundheitsprodukte GmbH
Priority date: 2002-01-17
Filing date: 2002-04-24
Publication date: 2004-10-13
Also published as: WO2003059773A2; WO2003059773A3; AU2002302571A1; AU2002302571A8

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for closing a container (B), said device comprising a screw cap (2) having a protruding edge (22), and a batch container (4) having a base (32). Said batch container base (32) comprises a region (32, 33b, 44) which is at a distance from the protruding edge (22), and a region (32, 33a, 46, 52, 54) which can be intersected by the edge (22) during the rotation of the screw cap (2) in the opening direction.

Description

LOCKING DEVICE FOR A CONTAINER

DESCRIPTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a closure for a container and, in particular, to a container closure device with substances accommodated therein which are introduced into a container when the closure device is removed therefrom.

Background of the Invention

For containers such as Bottles, cans, tubes and the like often require additives to be added to container contents shortly before use. Manual addition of the additives is complex and can result in the desired ratio of additive and container content not being obtained.

For this purpose it is known to use devices serving as container closures which have additives to be mixed with container contents in one or more chambers. When such a container closure is opened or closed, the chamber (s) are opened so that the additives contained therein can get into the interior of the container.

From US Pat. No. 4,024,952, a screw cap for a container is known, in which an additive for mixing with an insert having a container content is rotated relative to a lid during a rotary movement to open the closure. Due to the friction of the insert on the inside of the container opening, a predetermined breaking point of the insert is separated and a cover closing the insert is detached therefrom. As a result, the additives can get into the container from the insert, it being disadvantageous that the closure lid detached from the insert also falls into the interior of the container. EP 0 190 593 A2 discloses a closure cap for two-component packaging systems, in which a concentrate to be mixed with a bottle content is accommodated. In one embodiment, the closure cap has an inner cylinder with an external thread, onto which a cup-shaped container with the internal thread containing the concentrate is screwed. The thread of the cap for screwing onto a bottle and the thread of the external thread of the inner cylinder are selected so that when the cap is turned, the container is screwed onto the inner cylinder until the inner cylinder reaches a predetermined breaking line in the area of Severed the bottom of the container. Through the opening of the container created in this way, the concentrate contained therein can get into the bottle. Here, too, the bottom of the container is separated from it and thus reaches the inside of the bottle. In one embodiment of this closure cap, the opening of the container to release the concentrate is effected when the closure cap is rotated in the closing direction. In this case, the concentrate can be released into the bottle if the cap is turned too far in the closing direction.

From DE-82 14 974 U1 a closure cap for a container is known, in which a medium to be introduced into the container is contained. Turning the cap releases a channel in the cap through which the medium can get into the container. To open the channel, window surfaces of two cylinders lying one inside the other must be brought to cover. The disadvantage here is that the closure cap must be turned so that the window surfaces assume the positions required to open the channel.

US 5,984,141 discloses a screw cap for a drinking container. The screw cap contains a liquid to be mixed with a container liquid, which can be introduced into the container by rotating the screw cap. When the screw cap is turned, a channel is released through which the liquid from the screw cap enters the container. Here too, the screw cap must be turned exactly so that the channel is released. Furthermore, the extent of the twisting of the cap determines the amount of liquid in the screw cap that is to enter the container. This can result in the amount of liquid in the screw cap entering the container being too small.

Object of the invention

The object of the present invention is to provide a closure for a container which enables substances in the closure to be supplied to the interior of the container when the container is opened, the disadvantages of the prior art being avoided. So, apart from the substances contained in the closure, no components of the closure should be able to get into the interior of the container. Furthermore, the amount of substances contained in the closure, which is introduced into the container, should have a desired value in order to achieve a desired mixing ratio with the original container content. Furthermore, the closure should be easy and inexpensive to manufacture and assemble.

Brief description of the invention

For this, the present invention provides a device for closing a container according to claim 1. The closure device according to the invention, which can also be referred to as a charging closure, comprises a screw cap with a cutting edge and a storage container or batch container with a batch container base. The batch container base has an area which is spaced from the cutting edge and an area which can be severed by the cutting edge when the screw cap is rotated in the opening direction.

In particular, the area of the batch container base designated as spaced is distanced from the cutting edge when the screw cap is turned and then when the container is closed with the closure device according to the invention. It is only when the screw cap is turned in the opening direction that the cutting edge cuts through an area of the batch container bottom. In a preferred embodiment, the area of the batch container base which is spaced from the cutting edge is formed by a pocket formed therein which serves to receive the cutting edge.

Alternatively, the area of the batch container bottom spaced from the cutting edge can be achieved in that the batch container bottom is spaced overall from the cutting edge when the batch container is in a predetermined position relative to the screw cap.

The spacing of the batch container base or of regions of the batch container base is preferably achieved in that the batch container base at least partially forms a surface that is tilted with respect to the longitudinal axis of the batch container.

Furthermore, it is provided that the cutting edge through the end faces of a circular segment-shaped receptacle formed on the screw cap, through the free end of at least one abutment element extending inside the screw cap, through the free end of an inner cylinder extending inside the screw cap or is formed by a tongue-like extension of an inner cylinder extending inside the screw cap.

The cutting edge preferably forms, at least partially, a surface that is tilted with respect to the longitudinal axis of the batch container. This embodiment is provided in particular when the batch container base or at least areas thereof form a surface that is tilted with respect to the longitudinal axis of the batch container.

In order to support the severing by means of the cutting edge, the severable area of the batch container bottom can be shaped as a predetermined severing point or predetermined breaking point, for example by means of a material taper. In order to cut through the severable area of the batch container bottom when turning the screw cap in the opening direction by means of the cutting edge, the batch container is at least partially prevented from rotating with the screw cap when the screw cap is rotated in the opening direction by means of a turnstile. In this case, structures acting on the batch container as a turnstile are used which at least partially limit or prevent such rotations of the batch container.

It is also provided that the structures of the batch container acting as a turnstile are designed in such a way that rotations of the batch container together with the screw cap are possible in the closing direction.

The structures of the batch container which act as a turnstile are preferably formed as webs and / or sawtooth-like structures formed thereon.

If necessary, rotations of the batch container relative to the screw cap during rotations thereof in the closing direction can be at least partially limited by means of stops formed on the screw cap and the batch container.

Furthermore, the present invention provides a screw cap with one or more features of the screw cap described above, a batch container with single or more features of the batch container described above and a container for use with the closing device described above.

Brief description of the figures

In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying figures, of which show: Ila and Ilb are schematic cross-sectional views of the charging closure according to the invention according to a first embodiment,

12 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the charging closure according to the invention according to the first embodiment,

13 is a schematic representation along the section line III-III of FIG. 12,

14 is a perspective view of the screw cap of the charging closure according to the invention according to the first embodiment,

15 shows a perspective view of the batch container of the charging closure according to the invention according to the first embodiment,

16 shows a schematic illustration of the batch container of the charging closure according to the invention according to the first embodiment in the direction of the screw cap,

Fig. 17 is a schematic cross-sectional view along the section line

VII-VII of Fig. 16,

III shows schematic representations of a screw cap of the charging closure according to the invention in accordance with a second embodiment,

112 shows schematic representations of a batch container of the charging closure according to the invention in accordance with the second embodiment, 113 shows schematic representations of an opening area of the container according to the invention in accordance with the second embodiment,

114 is a schematic partial representation of the opening area of FIG.

113

Fig. 115 is a schematic representation of the in the opening area of

113 used batch container of Fig. 112,

Fig. 116 is a schematic representation of the on the screw cap of

III arranged batch container of Fig. 112,

117 further schematic representations of the batch container from FIG. 112,

118 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the screw cap of FIG. III arranged on the opening area of FIG. 113,

119 shows a schematic illustration of the screw cap of FIG. III arranged on the opening area of FIG. 113, in an external view,

IIIl and III2 schematic representations of a screw cap of the charging closure according to the invention according to a third embodiment,

III3 and III4 schematic representations of a batch container of the charging closure according to the invention according to the third

embodiment, III5 schematic representations of an opening area of the container according to the invention according to the third embodiment,

III6 to III9 are schematic representations of the screw cap of FIGS. IIIl and III2 and the batch container of FIGS. III3 and III4 in the assembled state and in states arranged on the opening area of the container of FIG. III5,

IV1 and IV2 schematic representations of a screw cap of the charging closure according to the invention according to a fourth embodiment,

IV3 and IV4 schematic representations of a batch container of the charging closure according to the invention according to the fourth embodiment,

IV5 and IV6 further schematic representations of the screw cap of Fig. IV1 and IV2 and the batch container of Fig. IV3 and IV4,

IV7 schematic representations of an opening area of the container according to the invention according to the fourth embodiment,

Fig. IV8 schematic representations of the screw cap of Fig. IV1, IV2 and IV5 and the batch container of Fig. IV3, IV4 and

IV6 in states located at the container opening of Fig. IV7, and

Fig. IV9 schematic representations of the screw cap of Fig. IV1, IV2 and IV5 and the batch container of Fig. IV3, IV4 and

IV6 in a position when rotating in the opening direction. Description of preferred embodiments

Embodiments I

Fig. Ila shows a cross-sectional view of a charging closure for a container B, for example a bottle and the like. The charging closure comprises a screw cap 2 and a batch container 4. In the batch container 4 and in particular in at least one chamber 5 defined by this together with the screw cap 2, substances can be accommodated which should get into the interior of the container B when the charging closure is opened.

As illustrated in FIG. 11 a, the screw cap 2 comprises a screw cap wall 6 with an essentially circular cross-section and a screw cap cover 8 connected to the screw cap wall 6. To secure the screw cap 2 against unintentional opening, the end face (not designated) of the screw cap wall 8 that is opposite the screw cap cover 8 can be used 6 can be connected to a tear-off ring or tamper-evident ring 12 via a connection designed as a predetermined breaking point 10. When unscrewing the screw cap 2, the tamper-evident ring 12 is torn off at the predetermined breaking point 10 by an active connection with an annular shoulder 70 of the container B.

The screw cap wall 6 has an internal thread 16 with which the screw cap 2 can be screwed onto a correspondingly shaped external thread 68 of an opening wall 66 of the container B. The chamber 5 of the screw cap 2 serves to hold a medium G, which is shown here in the form of solid granules or in the form of globules. Instead of a solid medium, a liquid or gaseous medium can advantageously be used, with appropriate sealing of the chamber 5. Furthermore, it is provided to subdivide the chamber 5 into a plurality of subchambers (not shown) and / or to use several mutually independent chambers 5.

The chamber 5 has an opening 7, through which the medium G, on the one hand, before the batch container 4 is arranged on the screw cap 2 in the chamber 5 introduced and on the other hand can be released into the container B (see Fig. Ilb).

The chamber 5 is defined by a receptacle 18, designated as a whole by 18 and shown in FIG. 14, which extends from the screw cap cover 8. The receptacle 18 comprises outer and inner lateral surfaces 18a and 18b, the radius of curvature of which corresponds approximately to the radius of curvature of the screw cap wall 6. In the circumferential direction, the receptacle 18 is delimited by surfaces 18c and 18d. At least one cutting edge 22 is arranged on the surface 18d, which points in the opening direction of rotation of the screw cap 2.

The surface defined by the end faces of the lateral surfaces 18a and 18b and the surfaces 18c and 18d is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the screw cap 2 and extends approximately helically around the latter.

On the inside of the screw cap wall 6 above the thread 16, a circular shoulder 20 is arranged, which serves to secure the batch container 4.

The batch container 4 has a batch container wall 30 with an essentially circular cross section and a batch container base 32 connected to it. A region of the batch container bottom 32 shaped as a pocket 36 serves to close the opening 7 of the chamber 5. A transition 54 between the container bottom 32 and the container wall 30 is designed, for example, by a material taper as a predetermined breaking point or predetermined separation point. This also applies to a transition 50 between the container bottom 32 in the area of the pocket 36 and adjacent inner areas of the container bottom 32. When the charging closure is opened by turning the screw cap 2, usually counterclockwise, the batch container 4 can be rotated relative to the screw cap 2 , whereby the opening 7 of the chamber 5 can be released. As a result, the medium G can get into the container B. In order to ensure that, apart from the medium G, no components of the charging closure get into the container B, devices for taking the batch container 4 through the screw cap 2 are provided on the screw cap 2 and / or the batch container 4, for example in the form of stops, retaining rings and like.

Fig. 12 shows a cross-sectional view of the screw cap 2 and the arranged in this batch container 4 from container B viewed. The chamber 5 is arranged outside the axis of rotation D of the screw cap 2 and has an annular segment shape. As stated above, the chamber 5 is delimited by the walls 18a to 18d, which are advantageously constructed with the screw cap 2.

As can be seen in FIG. 13, the opening 7 of the chamber 5 is covered by a batch container bottom region 33a in the region of the pocket 36 when the charging closure is in the closed position. The batch container 4 is dimensioned such that it creates a frictional connection with the inner wall (not designated) of the opening wall 68 of the container B. Due to the frictional engagement, the screw cap 2 can be rotated relative to the batch container 4 when the charging closure is opened. To twist the screw cap 2 and

To prevent batch container 4 relative to one another when the charging closure is closed, a stop 25 is provided on batch container 4, on which wall 18c of chamber 5 engages in the assembled state. As a result, the batch container 4 is secured against rotation with respect to the screw cap 2 when the charging closure is closed and thus prevents the medium G from being released into the container B when it is closed.

The batch container base region 33a is arranged in a helically increasing manner, while the remaining region of the batch container base 32, designated 33b, forms a surface that extends in the radial direction. As can be seen from FIG. 15, which shows a perspective illustration of the batch container 2 in the container direction, the slope of the helically shaped region of the batch container base region 33a has a smaller gradient from a certain point. tion as the thread pairing of threads 16 and 68. As a result, in the closed state, pressure is exerted on the batch container bottom region 33a through the end faces of the walls 18a to 18d delimiting the chamber 5, which pressure ensures that the chamber 5 is sealed by the batch container bottom region 33a.

To facilitate opening of the batch container bottom 32 in the area of the pocket 36, i.e. The at least one cutting edge 22 helps to cut through the batch container bottom region 33a. When the charging closure is turned in the opening direction, the batch container 4 initially remains in its closed position due to the frictional engagement with the container B, whereas the screw cap 2 rotates in the opening direction becomes. The at least one cutting edge 22 cuts through the batch container bottom 32 in the region of the pocket 36. In particular at the transitions 50 and / or 52 serving as a predetermined breaking point, and the medium G can get from the chamber 5 into the interior of the container B. The extent to which the batch container bottom 32 is opened depends, among other things, on the choice of the slope of the helically shaped region of the batch container bottom region 33a, the frictional connection between the batch container 4 and the container B, the design of the surface 18d, the design of the at least one cutting edge 22 or the number of cutting edges and the like.

If the frictional closure between the batch container 4 and the container B is ended when the charging closure is opened, the batch container 4 is removed from the container B together with the screw cap 2. This is caused by an arranged on the inside of the screw cap 2 paragraph 20 engaging behind the outer collar 56 of the batch container 4. This operative connection is established during assembly of the screw cap 2 and the batch container 4 and also serves to secure the batch container 4 on the screw cap 2 when handling the charging closure after filling the chamber 5 and when closing the container B. Instead of a frictional connection between the batch container 4 and the container B for securing the batch container 4 against rotation when the charging closure is opened, it is also possible, as explained in the embodiments described below, on the batch container 4 (for example in the region of the collar 56 designated 58 in FIG. 17 ) and / or the container B arranged rotation locks, sawtooth-like structures and the like can be used.

If the pressure applied in the closed state of the charging closure from the walls 18a to 18d delimiting the chamber 5 to the batch container bottom region 33a is not sufficient to optimally close the chamber, the screw cap 2 and / or the batch container 4 can be attached to the in FIG. 13 Places shown seals 23 may be arranged.

Embodiments II

The charging closure illustrated in the set of figures II comprises a screw cap 2 (see FIG. III) and a batch container 4 (see FIG. 112). In contrast to the charging closure explained with reference to the figure set I, in this embodiment a medium to be introduced into a container is introduced into the batch container 4 when the charging closure described here is filled.

As the illustrations in FIG. III show, the screw cap 2 has a screw cap wall 6 and a screw cap cover 8 connected to it. The screw cap wall 6 is connected to an originality ring 12 via a connection designed as a predetermined breaking point 10. If the screw cap 2 is unscrewed from a container closed with it, individual or more structures 14 formed on the tamper-evident ring 12 cooperate with structures correspondingly shaped on the container such that the connection of the tamper-evident ring 12 to the screw cap wall is separated.

The screw cap wall 6 has a thread 16 on its inside, around the screw cap 2 on a correspondingly shaped external thread of a container screwed. Furthermore, at least one vertically downward pushing element 18 extends from the screw cap cover 6. When several pushing elements 18 are used, they have different vertical extensions, the end faces 18b lying at their free ends 18a, which extend with respect to the longitudinal axis of the screw cap 2 extend helically, define a surface that is tilted with respect to the vertical extension of the push-on elements 18, ie a surface whose surface normal encloses an angle α with the vertical extension direction. In the case of a single push-on element 18, its end face 18b extends helically with respect to the longitudinal axis of the screw cap 2 and thus likewise forms one opposite the

Longitudinal axis of the screw cap 2 tilted surface. The end face (s) 18b is (are) provided as a cutting edge 22 of the push-on element (s) 18 and advantageously has a sharp edge.

On the outside of the push-on elements 18 there are arranged in the circumferential direction of the push-on elements 18 helically extending shoulders 21, which form a thread.

The outside of the screw cap wall 6 is advantageously at least partially provided with a structured surface 26 in order to support the handling of the screw cap 2 when arranging and removing it from a container.

The batch container 4 illustrated in the illustrations in FIG. 112 has a batch container wall 30 with an essentially circular cross section and a batch container base 32 connected to it. The batch container 4 is comparable to a pot-like container, the batch container base 32 being designed to run obliquely, ie it is tilted with respect to the longitudinal direction of the batch container 4. The angle β enclosed by the surface normal of the batch container bottom 32 with the longitudinal direction of the batch container 4 essentially corresponds to the angle α defined by the surface normal defined by the end face ^) 18b of the push-on element (s) 18. A transition 52 of the batch container bottom 32 to the batch container wall 30 is tapered relative to the thickness of the batch container wall 30 and / or the thickness of the batch container 32, ie has a smaller thickness. The transition 52 defines a predetermined breaking point or predetermined separation point at which the batch container 4 can be opened by the cutting edge (s) 22 of the pusher element (s) 18.

A thread 39 is formed on the inside of the batch container wall 6 for cooperation with the thread of the screw cap 2 formed by the shoulders 20. Furthermore, protruding drivers 15 are formed in the area of the batch container bottom 32 in the space enclosed by the batch container wall 30. The receiving volume of the batch container 4 can be varied by the design of the drivers 15.

On the outside of the batch container 4, spaced webs 37 are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the batch container 4.

As illustrated in FIG. 113, a container B provided for use with the charging closure described here, for example a bottle, has an opening wall 66 delimiting its opening. On the outside, the opening wall 66 has a thread 68 designed to interact with the thread 16 of the screw cap 2 and to interact with the tamper-evident ring 12 or the structures 14 formed thereon. Furthermore, wedge-shaped or sawtooth-like structures 72 are formed on the inside of the opening wall 66, the interaction of which with the webs 37 of the batch container 4 is illustrated in FIG. 114.

To fill the batch container 4, it is inserted into the opening of a container B delimited by the opening wall 66. After filling the batch container 4, the screw cap 2 is screwed onto the thread 68 of the container B until the state shown in FIG. 116 is reached. When the screw cap 2 is screwed onto the container B, the push-on element (s) 18 come into contact with the drivers 15. Due to the wedge-shaped or sawtooth-like structures 72, the batch container 4 can rotate relative to the opening wall 66 by means of the operative connection of the push-on element (s) 18 with the drivers 15 with the screw cap 2. As shown in FIG. 117, the drivers 15 are arranged in a wedge shape with respect to the circular path movement of the push-on element (s) 18. As a result, when the screw cap 2 is screwed on, an operative connection is established between the push-on element (s) 18 and the drivers 15, which enables the batch container 4 to rotate together with the screw cap 2.

In contrast to this, this arrangement of the catches enables the push-on element (s) 18 to traverse the catches 15 when the charge closure is unscrewed, possibly by elastic deformation. This enables the screw cap 2 to rotate in the opening direction essentially independently of a rotation of the batch container 4. When unscrewing the screw cap 2 from the thread 68, the batch container 4 is secured against rotation due to the wedge-shaped or sawtooth-like structures 72 in operative connection with the webs 37, i.e. does not rotate, at least initially, together with the screw cap 2 in the opening direction. As a result of this and because of the inclined design of the cutting edge (s) 22 and the tilted batch container base 32, the push-on element (s) 18 with the cutting edge (s) 22 move (s) into the material in the region of the transition 52 and open the batch container 4. Then a medium G arranged in the batch container 4 can get into the interior of the container B.

The thread pairing formed by the structures 20 and 37 advantageously has a greater pitch than the pairing of the threads 16 and 68. As a result, when the screw cap 2 is unscrewed from the container B, the batch container 4, as long as it is secured to the container B, is “screwed” onto the push-on element (s) 18 faster than the screw cap 2 is unscrewed from the container B. becomes. This supports the cutting of the transition 52 through the cutting edge (s) 22. Furthermore, the batch container 4 is thereby removed from the container. ter and in particular lifted from its structures 72, so that the batch container 4 is no longer secured against rotation after a rotation of the screw cap 2 which is dependent on the thread pitches. This can prevent the cutting edge 22 from completely severing the transition 33 and the container bottom 32 from entering the interior of the container. When the charging closure is unscrewed further, the screw cap 2 can be removed from the container together with the batch container 4 screwed into it.

Embodiments III

The charging closure illustrated in the set of figures III comprises a screw cap 2 (see FIGS. IIIl and III2) and a batch container 4 (see FIGS. III3 and III4). In the batch container 4, substances can be accommodated which, when the charging closure is opened, should get into the interior of a container closed with it.

As illustrated in FIGS. IIIl and III2, the screw cap 2 has a screw cap wall 6 with an essentially circular cross section and a screw cap cover 8 connected to the screw cap wall 6. The end face (not designated) of the screw cap wall 6 opposite the screw cap cover 8 is connected to a tamper evident ring 12 via a connection designed as a predetermined breaking point 10. If the screw cap 2 is unscrewed from a container closed with it, individual or more molded structures 14 act on the tamper-evident ring 12 with structures correspondingly molded on the container such that the connection of the tamper-evident ring 12 to the screw cap wall 6 is separated, i.e. the predetermined breaking point 10 is separated. In this way it is indicated that the screw cap 2 has already been removed from a container closed with it, whereas an originality ring 12 connected to the screw cap wall 6 indicates that the screw cap 2 has not yet been removed from the container.

The screw cap wall 6 has a thread 16 on its inside, around the screw cap 2 on a correspondingly shaped external thread of a container screwed. In addition, a tubular structure 18 extends from the screw cap cover 8, referred to below as the inner cylinder. The inner cylinder 18 has an essentially circular cross section and is aligned essentially coaxially with the screw cap wall 6. A shoulder 20 is arranged on the outside of the inner cylinder 18 and is essentially parallel to the screw cap cover 8.

The inner cylinder 18 is tapered at its free end 18a with respect to its longitudinal axis, i.e. defines a surface whose surface normal encloses an angle α with the longitudinal axis of the inner cylinder 18. As described below, the inner cylinder 18 serves as a separating device which interacts with the batch container 4. For this purpose, the end face 18b of the inner cylinder 18 is provided as a cutting edge 22 and advantageously has a sharp edge.

Also arranged on the inside of the screw cap cover 8 is an annular web 24 which acts in the longitudinal direction of the inner cylinder 18 and is arranged essentially concentrically with the screw cap wall 6 or the inner cylinder 18 and surrounds the latter in a circle.

On the inside of the screw cap cover 8 there is a stop 27, not shown in FIGS. IIIl and III2, but shown in FIGS. III6 and III7, which acts in the circumferential direction of the screw cap wall 6 or the inner cylinder 18.

The batch container 4 illustrated in FIGS. III3 and III4 has a batch container wall 30 of essentially circular cross section and a batch container base 32 connected to it. Advantageously, there is a transition 52 between the batch container bottom 32 and the batch container wall 30 relative to the thickness of the batch container wall 30 and / or the thickness of the batch container bottom 32 tapers, ie has a smaller thickness. The transition 52 is designed as a predetermined breaking point or predetermined separation point in order to support the interaction with the inner cylinder 18 described below.

The batch container bottom 32 is inclined relative to the longitudinal direction, i.e. the surface normal of the batch container bottom 32 includes an angle β with this. According to the figures, the angle β essentially corresponds to the angle α enclosed by the surface normal of the surface defined by the end face 18b of the free end 18a of the inner cylinder 18 and the longitudinal direction. As long as the interaction of the screw cap 2 and the batch container 4 described below is ensured, these angles can differ, i.e. the angle α can be larger than the angle β and vice versa. In the embodiment shown, the angles α and β are approximately the same and are approximately 20 °.

An outer collar 56 is arranged on the end of the batch container 4 opposite the batch container bottom 32, which has a sawtooth-like structure 58 on its end face directed towards the batch container bottom 32 and is designed on its opposite end face for the arrangement of sealing elements (not shown). In this embodiment, a shoulder 60 provided by the collar 56, optionally in connection with the batch container wall 30, is provided for receiving sealing elements (e.g. sealing rings).

The batch container 4 has a stop 35 which, according to the figures, is arranged in the area of the shoulder 60. If, for example, sealing elements shaped as sealing rings are provided for arrangement in the shoulder 60, it is possible to arrange the stop 35 radially further outward, for example on the end face of the collar 56 opposite the sawtooth-like structure 58. The stop 35 delimits an active connection (on contact) with the stop 27 of the screw cap 2 rotations of the batch container 4 relative to the screw cap 2 upon rotation in the closing direction. Furthermore, the batch container 4 has on its inside an upper, annular stop 62 and a lower, annular stop 64. The lower stop 64, as can be seen in the figures, can be achieved, for example, by reducing the cross section of the batch container wall 30, at least in the area provided for the lower stop 64. The distance between the upper and lower stops 62 and 64 in the longitudinal direction of the batch container 4 defines a play for movements of the batch container 4 relative to the screw cap 2.

To use the closure, a material G is arranged in the space (not designated) delimited by the batch container wall 30 and the batch container bottom 32, which substance G is to be introduced into a container used when the closure is actuated. Examples of such a substance include medical and non-medical globules, tablets, powders, fluids, etc. and combinations thereof. After filling, the batch container 4 is pushed over the inner cylinder 18 of the screw cap 2 until the upper stop 62 of the batch container 4 engages behind the shoulder 20 of the screw cap 2. In this way, the batch container 4 is secured to the screw cap 2. Movements of the batch container 4 relative to the screw cap 2, more precisely movements in the longitudinal direction of the inner cylinder 18, are operatively connected to the shoulder 20 by the upper and lower stops 62 and 64 of the batch container 4 and depending on that by the distance between the upper and lower stops 62 and 64 limited in the longitudinal direction of the batch container 4 game defined.

In particular, the play defined by the upper and lower stops 44 and 46 for movements of the batch container 4 relative to the inner cylinder 18 should be dimensioned such that the batch container 4 can be rotated about the inner cylinder 18 as far as it can interact with the stopper 27 Screw cap 2 provided stop 42 of the batch container 4 allows. In this way it is not necessary, when arranging the batch container 4 on the inner cylinder 18, to align them relative to one another such that the area defined by the free end 18a of the inner cylinder 18 and the batch container base 32 are aligned relative to one another, ie in the case of the same angles α and β lie essentially parallel to one another. Rather, the batch container 4 can be oriented as desired when arranged on the inner cylinder 18, since an alignment of the surface defined by the free end 18a of the inner cylinder 18 and the batch container base 32 relative to one another is achieved when the container is closed by the stops 27 and 35 ,

The web 24 serves to limit movements of the batch container 4 in the direction of the screw cap cover 8. The batch container 4 cannot be pushed onto the inner cylinder 18 so far that the shoulder 20 engages behind the lower stop 64. In this way, it is prevented that the bottom of the batch container 32 and in particular the material taper 33 is damaged by the cutting edge 22, for example when a force is exerted on the end cap 2 with the batch container 4 arranged thereon in the direction of the top cap 8.

Furthermore, the web 24 serves as a sealing cone or cylinder, which cooperates with the collar 56, the shoulder 60 or sealing elements arranged there, in order to seal the batch container 4 in a sealing manner, in particular with respect to a container closed with the charging closure.

In order to seal the interior space delimited by the inner cylinder 18 and the batch container 4, in particular in the case of fluids or substances of small particle size present therein, a sealing ring (not acting on the outside of the inner cylinder 18), for example, can act on the shoulder 62 of the batch container 4 (not shown) can be used. Furthermore, the shoulder 20, optionally with a sealing element (sealing ring) arranged on the shoulder 20, can be designed such that a seal between the inner cylinder 18 and the regions of the inside of the batch container 4 arranged between the upper and lower shoulders 62 and 64 is achieved , A coating suitable for sealing the inside of the batch container 4 between the upper and lower shoulders 62 and 64 is also possible. The details given below regarding the screw cap 2 and the batch container 4 are only to be understood as special examples (see also FIG. III8):

Screw cap 2

Material: PT

Weight: approx.3.2 g

Outside diameter: 30.6 mm

Height: 19.2 mm

Thread: pitch of eight turns per 3.175 mm about two turns

Batch container 4

Material: PT

Weight: approx.0.8 g

Outside diameter: 22.3 mm

Height: 13.8 mm

For use with a charging cap comprising the screw cap 2 and the batch container 4, an opening of a container B, for example a bottle (not shown), is provided which, as illustrated in FIG. III5, has an opening wall 66. On its outside, the opening wall 66 comprises a thread 68 designed to cooperate with the thread 16 of the screw cap 2 and a shoulder 70 designed to cooperate with the tamper-evident ring 12 or the structures 14 formed thereon. Furthermore, one is closed on the inside of the opening wall 66 The sawtooth-like structure 58 of the batch container 4 has a complementarily shaped sawtooth-like structure 72.

In particular, the sawtooth-like structures 58 and 72 are designed such that when they are brought into operative connection with one another or are Allow the batch container 4 in the closing direction, but prevent the batch container 4 from rotating in the opening direction.

To close the opening delimited by the opening wall 66 and thus a container B connected to it, the screw cap 2 provided with the batch container 4 arranged on the inner cylinder 18 is screwed onto the thread 68 by means of its thread 16.

The batch container 4 rotates relative to the inner cylinder 18 until the stop 35 of the batch container 4 touches the stop 27 of the screw cap 2. Due to the arrangement of the stop 27 on the screw cap 2 in relation to the arrangement of the stop 35 on the batch container 4, when these stops contact, the area defined by the free end 18a of the inner cylinder 18 and the batch container bottom 32, as in FIG. III6 and III7 shown, aligned to each other. As a result, when the screw cap 2 is screwed further onto the thread 68, contact of the free end 18a of the inner cylinder 18 with the inside of the batch container bottom 32, more precisely the cutting edge 22 with the transition 52, is avoided or limited so that forces not acting in a contact area are avoided are sufficient that the transition 52 is not partially cut by the cutting edge 22.

Another means of avoiding damage to the batch container 4 by the cutting edge 22 is the web 24 of the screw cap 2, which limits the movements of the batch container 4 in the direction of the cap cover 8.

When the screw cap 2 is screwed further onto the thread 68, the positioning of the batch container 4 relative to the screw cap 2 is maintained by the fixing by means of the stops 27 and 35, ie the batch container 4 rotates with the screw cap 2. This is also the case if the sawtooth-like structure 58 of the batch container 4 engages in the sawtooth-like structure 72 of the container opening, since their sawtooth shapes are designed in such a way that they enable movements of the sawtooth-like structures 58 and 72 relative to one another when the screw cap 2 is screwed on. After screwing on the screw cap 2, as shown in FIGS. III6 to III9, the container B is closed and can be handled without substances G contained in the container B contained in the interior space delimited by the inner cylinder 18 and the batch container 4 reach. This is achieved by unscrewing the screw cap 2.

When unscrewing the screw cap 2 for the first time, the originality ring 12 is separated from the screw cap wall 6 by means of the shoulder 70. Furthermore, the batch container 4 is secured against rotation due to the operative connection of the sawtooth structures 58 and 72, i.e. its post-screw position relative to sawtooth structure 72 is maintained. Accordingly, the inner cylinder 18 moves relative to the batch container 4.

The cutting edge 22 comes into contact with the transition 52 of the batch container 4 or, if there were previously contacting regions of the cutting edge 22 and the transition 52 or the batch container base 32, exerts higher forces, so that the transition 52 partially cuts through, pierce, cut and the like. Through the opening thus created in the area of the batch container bottom 30, the substances G contained in the space delimited by the inner cylinder 18 and the batch container 4 can get into the container B connected to the screw cap 2.

When the screw cap 2 is unscrewed further, the screw cap 2 moves relative to the batch container 4 until the shoulder 20 of the inner cylinder 18 touches the upper stop 62 of the batch container 4. The operative connection between the stops 20 and 62 causes the batch container 4 with the screw cap 2 to be moved away from the container B. This can be done, for example, as shown in FIG. 1119, after rotating the screw cap 2 by 180 °. In order to avoid that the batch container bottom 32 is completely separated from the batch container wall 30, the batch container 4 is moved from the container B in the embodiment shown in the figures away before the screw cap 2 is turned through 360 °. This is due to the fact that the cutting edge 22 of the inner cylinder 18 cuts through the batch container base 32 starting at the “lowest” point.

In order to limit the separation of the batch container bottom 32, it is also possible to provide the transition 52 between the latter and the batch container wall 30 with a material taper only as far as the cutting edge 22 is intended to cut through this transition. In this way, a mechanical limitation for cutting operations is provided.

Due to the movement of the batch container 4 away from the container B, the operative connection between the sawtooth-like structures 58 and 72 is broken. As a result, relative movements of the batch container 4 to the inner cylinder 18 are terminated or, if e.g. still possible due to friction, at least so limited that the forces exerted by the cutting edge 22 of the inner cylinder 18 on the transition 52 are not sufficient to sever the latter. This has the advantage that the batch container bottom 32 remains partially connected to the batch container wall 30 and thus does not fall into the container. The extent to which the cutting edge 22 cuts through the transition 52 depends, among other things, on the substances with which the batch container 4 is provided and / or at which rate these substances are to be supplied to the container B.

By further unscrewing, the screw cap 2 and the batch container 4 which is still connected to it can be removed from the container B and, if necessary, screwed back onto the container B in order to close it.

Embodiments IV

With reference to the accompanying figures, an embodiment of a charging closure for a container is described, which comprises a screw cap 2 (see FIGS. IV1, IV2 and IV5) and a batch container 4 (see FIGS. IV3, IV4 and IV6). Substances can be accommodated in the batch container 4, that should get into the interior of a container closed with this when the charging closure is opened.

As illustrated in FIGS. IV1, IV2 and IV5, the screw cap 2 has a screw cap wall 6 with an essentially circular cross section and a screw cap cover 8 connected to the screw cap wall 6. The end face (not designated) of the screw cap wall 6 opposite the screw cap cover 8 is connected to a tamper evident ring 12 via a connection designed as a predetermined breaking point 10. If the screw cap 2 is unscrewed from a container closed with it, individual or more structures 14 formed on the tamper-evident ring 12 cooperate with structures correspondingly shaped on the container such that the connection of the tamper-evident ring 12 to the screw cap wall 6 is separated, i.e. the predetermined breaking point 10 is separated. In this way it is indicated that the screw cap 2 has already been removed from a container closed with it, whereas an originality ring 12 connected to the screw cap wall 6 indicates that the screw cap 2 has not yet been removed from the container. The screw cap wall 6 has a thread 16 on its inside in order to screw the screw cap 2 onto a correspondingly shaped external thread of a container (see FIGS. IV7 to IV9). Furthermore, a tubular structure, hereinafter referred to as the inner cylinder 18, extends from the screw cap cover 8. The inner cylinder 18 has an essentially circular cross section and is aligned essentially coaxially with the screw cap wall 6. A shoulder 20 is arranged on the outside of the inner cylinder 18, which lies in a plane essentially parallel to the screw cap cover 8 and extends in a ring around the inner cylinder 18.

At its free end opposite the cap cover 8, the inner cylinder 18 has a blade 22 which extends like a tongue in its longitudinal direction. The cutting edge 22 forms an outer surface of an imaginary extension of part of the free end of the inner cylinder 18. Accordingly, the cutting edge 22 has the same radius of curvature as the inner cylinder 18. In the illustrated embodiment, the radial dimensions of the inner cylinder 18 and the cutting edge 22 correspond, ie both are approximately the same thickness. Furthermore, end faces of the free end of the cutting edge 22 can be chamfered or have a sharp-edged design in order to support the opening of the batch container 4. In particular, it is provided that the lateral end face 22a and / or the end face 22b, at least their region bordering the end face 22a, is formed with sharp edges. The other lateral end face 22c can be designed to be blunt in order to avoid undesirable damage to the batch container 4.

Also arranged on the inside of the screw cap cover 8 is an annular web 24 which acts in the longitudinal direction of the inner cylinder 18 and is arranged essentially concentrically with the screw cap wall 6 or the inner cylinder 18 and surrounds the latter in a circle. The outside of the screw cap wall 6 is advantageously at least partially provided with a structured surface 26 in order to support the handling of the screw cap 2 when arranging and removing it from a container.

The batch container 4 illustrated in FIGS. IV3, IV4 and IV6 comprises a batch container wall 30 of essentially circular cross section and a batch container base 32 connected to it.

The batch container base 32 has a batch container base region 32a and a pocket-like protuberance or pocket 36 which serves to receive the cutting edge 22 when the batch container 4 is arranged on the inner cylinder 18.

The pocket 36 is delimited by surfaces 38 to 46. The surface 38 extends in the longitudinal direction and in the radial direction of the batch container 2. The inner and outer boundary surfaces 40 and 42, viewed in the radial direction of the batch container, are curved surfaces with essentially the same radius of curvature, which is approximately the radius of curvature of the batch container wall 30 equivalent. The end face 44 lies in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the batch container 2, while the end face 46 extends from the end face 44 is an optionally curved surface that extends to the batch container bottom region 32a. The end face 46 forms a surface that is tilted with respect to the longitudinal direction of the batch container 32. The surfaces 38, 40, 42 and 44 define a receiving space for the cutting edge 22, in which the latter is received when the batch container 4 is pushed onto the inner cylinder 18 at most.

The batch container bottom 32 comprises a surface area 48 which is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the batch container 2. The inclined surface region 48, the boundaries of which are shown in FIG. 3 by dashed lines, extends from the surface 40 of the pocket 36 to the center of the pocket 36 Batch container bottom 32 tapering.

Furthermore, the batch container base 32 has a material taper 50 extending transversely through it. Various arrangements of the material taper 50 are provided, which are illustrated in the upper middle view of FIG. IV3 by the dashed lines denoted by the reference numeral 50, the effect of which is described below.

A transition 52 between the batch container bottom 32 and the batch container wall 30 is tapered relative to the thickness of the batch container wall 30 and / or the thickness of the batch container bottom 32, i.e. has a smaller thickness. The transition 52 is provided as a predetermined breaking point or predetermined separation point in order to support the interaction with the inner cylinder 18 described below. Such a tapering of the material is also provided at a transition 54 between the surfaces 44 and / or 46 and the surface 42 of the pocket 36.

The transition 52 extends helically with respect to the longitudinal direction of the batch container 4 or the screw cap 2, the pitch of the helical lines formed by the transition 52 essentially corresponding to the pitch of a thread pairing of the thread 16 of the screw cap 2 and one in the opening area a thread arranged with the charging closure to be used is formed. This design of the transition 52 can be achieved by, as shown in FIG. IV6, the batch container bottom area 32a forms a tilted, inclined surface with respect to the longitudinal direction of the batch container 4. The helical shape of the transition 52 can also be achieved in that the batch container bottom region 32a is so thick that the transition 52 can be formed helically in it. This helical design of at least the transition 52 allows a more compact design, in particular a slight extension of the cutting edge 22 in the longitudinal direction, since the position of the cutting edge 22 or of the area of the cutting edge 22 that separates the transition 52 due to the helical design relative to the transition 52 when unscrewing the screw cap 2 is retained.

Furthermore, the batch container 4 has on its inside an upper, annular stop 62 and a lower, annular stop 64. The lower stop 64 can, as can be seen in the figures, be achieved, for example, by reducing the cross section of the batch container wall 30, at least in the area provided for the lower stop 64. The distance between the upper and lower stops 62 and 64 in the longitudinal direction of the batch container 4 defines a game for movements of the batch container 4 relative to the screw cap. 2

To use the closure, a material G is arranged in the space (not designated) delimited by the batch container wall 30 and the batch container bottom 32, which substance G is to be introduced into a container used when the closure is actuated. Examples of such a substance include medical and non-medical globules, tablets, powders, fluids, etc. and grain combinations of the same. After filling, the batch container 4 is pushed over the inner cylinder 18 of the screw cap 2 until the upper stop 62 of the batch container 4 engages behind the shoulder 20 of the screw cap 2. In this way, the batch container 4 is secured to the screw cap 2. Movements of the batch container 4 relative to the screw cap 2, more precisely movements in

Longitudinal direction of the inner cylinder 18, through the upper and lower stops 62 and 64 of the batch container 4 in operative connection with the shoulder 20 and depending on the clearance defined by the distance of the upper and lower stops 62 and 64 in the longitudinal direction of the batch container 4 borders.

In particular, the play defined by the upper and lower stops 62 and 64 for movements of the batch container 4 relative to the inner cylinder 18 should be dimensioned such that the batch container 4 can be rotated about the inner cylinder 18, so that the cutting edge 22 does not fit into the pocket 36 extends. In this way, it is not necessary, when (at least initially) arranging the batch container 4 on the inner cylinder 18 to align them relative to one another in such a way that the cutting edge 22 and the pocket 36 are aligned relative to one another. Rather, the batch container 4 can initially be oriented as desired relative to the inner cylinder 18, since an alignment of the cutting edge 22 and the pocket 36 relative to one another is achieved by subsequent rotation of the closure cap 2 and the batch container 4.

The web 24 serves as a stop for limiting movements of the batch container 4 in the direction of the screw cap cover 8, so that the batch container 4 cannot be pushed onto the inner cylinder 18 so far that the shoulder 20 engages behind the lower stop 64. In this way, it is prevented that the bottom of the batch container 32 and in particular the pocket 36 is damaged by the cutting edge 22 if, for example, when handling the closure cap 2 with the batch container 4 arranged thereon, a force is exerted thereon in the direction of the closure cap cover 8. Furthermore, the web 24 serves as a sealing cone or sealing cylinder which interacts with the collar 56, the shoulder 60 or sealing elements arranged there in order to seal the batch container 4 in a sealing manner, in particular with respect to a container used with the charging closure.

In order to seal the interior space delimited by the inner cylinder 18 and the batch container 4, in particular in the case of fluids or substances of small particle size present therein, a sealing ring (not acting on the outside of the inner cylinder 18), for example, can act on the shoulder 62 of the batch container 4 (not shown) can be used. Furthermore, the shoulder 20, optionally with a sealing element (sealing ring) arranged on the shoulder 20, can be designed such that a seal between the inner cylinder 18 and the regions of the inside of the batch container 4 arranged between the upper and lower shoulders 62 and 64 is achieved , A suitable coating for sealing the inside of the batch container 4 between the upper and lower shoulders 62 and 64 is also possible.

The details given below for the screw cap 2 and the batch container 4 are only to be understood as special examples (see also FIGS. IV5 and IV6):

Screw cap 2

Material: PT Weight: approx.3.2 g

Outside diameter: 30.3 mm

Height: 19.8 mm

Thread: pitch of eight revolutions per 3.175 mm; about two turns

Batch container 4

Material: PT Weight: approx.0.8 g

Outside diameter: 22.2 mm

Height: 14.6 mm

For use with a closure comprising the screw cap 2 and the batch container 4, an opening of a container B, for example a bottle (not shown), is provided which, as illustrated in FIG. IV7, has an opening wall 66. On its outside, the opening wall 66 comprises a thread 68 designed to interact with the thread 16 of the screw cap 2 and a shoulder 70 designed to cooperate with the tamper-evident ring 12 or the structures 14 formed thereon. Furthermore, on the inside of the opening wall 66 a sawtooth structure 72 complementary to the sawtooth structure 58 of the batch container 4 is present.

In particular, the sawtooth-like structures 58 and 72 are designed in such a way that, when they are brought into operative connection with one another or are in operation, they permit rotations of the batch container 4 in the closing direction, but prevent rotations of the batch container 4 in the opening direction.

When the screw cap 2 is screwed onto the thread 68, the positioning of the batch container 4 relative to the screw cap 2 is maintained by the cutting edge 22 accommodated in the pocket 36, which engages with the end face 22c on the inside of the face 38. This is also the case when the sawtooth-like structure 58 of the batch container 4 engages in the sawtooth-like structure 72 of the container opening, since its sawtooth shapes are designed in such a way that they enable movements of the sawtooth-like structures 58 and 72 relative to one another when the screw cap 2 is screwed on. After screwing on the screw cap 2, as shown in FIG. IV8, the container B is closed and can be handled without substances G contained in the interior space delimited by the inner cylinder 18 and the batch container 4 getting into the container B. This is achieved by unscrewing the screw cap 2.

The cutting edge 22 comes into contact at least with the end face 22a, depending on the design of the cutting edge 22 and / or the pocket 36 also with the end face 22b, with the inside of the pocket 36 in the area of the surface 46 and exerts forces so that the Transition 54 is cut through, pierced, cut through and the like.

When the screw cap 2 is turned further in the opening direction, the end face 22a of the cutting edge 22 cuts through the batch container base 32 in the region of the transition 52. This process continues until the shoulder 20 of the inner cylinder 18 touches the upper stop 62 of the batch container 4.

Due to the severing of the transition 54 and the partial severing of the transition 52, the batch container base 32 folds down (ie in the direction away from the screw cap cover 8). Through the opening created in this way, the substances G contained in the space delimited by the inner cylinder 18 and the batch container 4 can reach the container B connected to the screw cap 2. This process is supported by the material taper 50 of the batch container bottom 32, which acts comparable to a hinge. The sloping surface area 48 causes the batch container bottom area 32a to fold down more or faster. An almost complete opening and an improved emptying of the batch container 4 is thereby achieved. Furthermore, the emptying can be supported by the inclined course of the batch container bottom region 32a provided as stated above. The emptying can be influenced by the slope or incline of the batch container bottom region 32a, for example depending on the type and shape of substances arranged in the batch container 4.

To support the opening of the batch container 4 and in particular that

To fold away the batch container base 32 or at least parts of the same, it is provided that the batch container base 32 is at least partially provided with a pretension. The pretensioning has the effect that when the transition 52 is cut and / or when it is terminated, the batch container base 32 or at least regions thereof, for example the batch container base region 32a, actively fold down. Such a pretension can be used to support the hinge effect of the transition 50 or can open the batch container 4 without the transition 50 or independently of this.

When the screw cap 2 is unscrewed further, the screw cap 2 moves relative to the batch container 4 until the shoulder 20 of the inner cylinder 18 touches the upper stop 62 of the batch container 4. The operative connection between the stops 20 and 62 causes the batch container 4 with the screw cap 2 to be moved away from the container B.

In order to be able to use the effect of the transition 50 as a hinge, it is provided that when the batch container 4 is cut by the cutting edge 2, the batch container 4 is secured against rotation to the container B until the transition 52 starts from one end of the transition 50 to to the other end of transition 50 is severed. As illustrated in the middle upper illustration of FIG. IV3, in the arrangement of the transition 50 shown according to the upper dashed line, the transition 52 starts from the point I to severed to site II. In the arrangement of the transition 50 represented by the lower dashed line, the transition 52 is severed starting from the point I to the III, while in the vertically extending transition 50 the transition 52 is severed starting from the point I to the point IV ,

Instead of folding down the batch container base 32 or at least areas thereof to open the batch container 4, for example using the transition 50 and / or an at least partial pretension, it is provided that the cutting edges 22 and / or the transition 52 are designed in such a way that when the batch container bottom 32 is cut through, an opening is generated which is sufficient to empty substances G contained in the batch container 4. For this purpose, the cutting edge 22 can be dimensioned in such a way that cutting through the bottom of the batch container 32 creates a sufficiently large opening. For example, the cutting edge 22 can be wedge-shaped and / or thicker than the inner cylinder 18. As an alternative or in addition, it is possible to make the transition 52 wider than shown in the figures and / or to design it such that when cutting by means of the cutting edge 22 a sufficiently large opening is created in the batch container 4, in which, for example, wider areas of the transition 52 "break away" when cut by the cutting edge 22.

Since the cutting edge 22 cannot cut through the end face 44 of the pocket 36, the batch container bottom 32 remains connected to the batch container wall 30 via the transition 50 and the inner boundary surface 40, the end face 44 and the outer boundary surface 42 of the pocket 36. This is the case regardless of how far the screw cap 2 is rotated in the opening direction before the operative connection between the sawtooth-like structures 58 and 72 is released and the batch container 4 together with the screw cap 2 are moved away from the container B. Thus, regardless of how far the cutting edge 22 opens the batch container 4, the batch container bottom 32 remains connected to the batch container wall 30 and cannot fall into the container B. The extent to which the cutting edge 22 cuts through the transition 52 depends, among other things, on from which substances the batch container 4 is provided with and / or the rate at which these substances are to be supplied to the container B.

By further unscrewing, the screw cap 2 and the batch container 4 still connected to it can be removed from the container and, if necessary, screwed back onto the container in order to close it.

In contrast to the above-described structural integration of the inner cylinder 18 in the screw cap 2, it is possible to connect the inner cylinder 18 to the cap cover 8 and / or the cap wall 6 by means of a plug, snap, snap or adhesive connection. This allows the use of differently designed inner cylinders 18 with cap covers 8 and cap walls 6 of a predetermined shape. It is also provided here that the inner cylinder 18 is releasably connected to the cap cover 8 and / or the cap wall 6 in order, for example, to reuse the structure provided by the cap cover 8 and the cap wall 6 and / or the inner cylinder 18.

Embodiments V

In order to avoid that the batch container bottom 32 is completely separated from the batch container wall 30, in the embodiment shown in the set of figures III the batch container 4 is moved away from the container before the screw cap 2 is rotated through 360 °.

A complete separation of the batch container bottom 32 from the batch container wall 30 can also be avoided by arranging the lower stop 44 and the shoulder 20 on the inner cylinder 18 relative to one another and / or the distance between the shoulder 20 and the free end 18a and / or the maximum distance between the lower stop 46 and the batch container bottom 32 is selected such that when the screw cap 2 rotates in the opening direction, the cutting edge 22 cuts through the batch container bottom 32 above the “lowest” point of the batch container 4. In this way, even when the screw cap 2 is rotated by more than 360 °, the batch container terboden 32 connected to the batch container wall 30 and can not get into the container interior.

Embodiments VI

Instead of the uses described above of an internal thread 16 of the screw cap 2 in connection with an external thread 68 for opening the container B, the screw cap 2 can be provided with an external thread and the opening wall 66 with an internal thread. In this case, the sawtooth-like structure 72 for the opening of the container B can be provided, for example, by a structure lying radially inward with respect to the opening wall 66, the screw cap wall 6, when the screw cap 2 is screwed on, between the inside of the opening wall 66 having the internal thread and the sawtooth-like one Structure 72 providing structure is introduced.

Embodiments VII

Furthermore, it is provided that instead of a threaded connection for screwing and unscrewing the screw cap 2, a connection comparable to a bayonet fitting or a helical groove and one or more cooperating nut blocks comprising connection are used. In general, the invention can be used for all closures of containers in which, in order to remove the closure from the container, a rotary movement of the closure relative to the container is carried out at least initially. As long as rotation of the closure upon opening causes the cutting edge 22 to open the batch container 4, as described above, there is application of the present invention.

Thus, closures according to the invention are provided which are plugged on, pushed on, impacted and the like for closing a container and are at least partially rotated only when removed from the container. Embodiments VIII

In order to introduce substances taken up in the batch container 4 into the container B, the batch container 4 is opened by severing (partially) the batch container base 32. Thus, only the batch container 4 is "damaged", whereas the screw cap 2 remains essentially intact. Accordingly, it is provided to design the screw cap 2 as a reusable component, for example made of metal, and to use it with several batch containers 4, which are provided, for example, as disposable articles made of plastic.

Embodiments IX

Container B can also be closed again with the charging closure. It is therefore provided that the batch container 4 and the screw cap 2 are designed in such a way that substances contained in the batch container 4 are each introduced into the container B in the case of more than one opening operation. This can be achieved in that the batch container 4 is equipped with a plurality of chambers delimited by the batch container wall 30 and the batch container base 32. In order to feed substances contained in the chambers into the container B each time the charging closure is opened, the area of the container bottom 32 that delimits the chamber, the substances whose substances are to get into the container B, is opened during an opening process. The limitation of the cutting process required for this can be achieved, for example, in that the operative connection between the sawtooth-like structures 58 and 72 and the moving away of the batch container 4 together with the screw cap 2 rotated in the opening direction is effected when the necessary to open a chamber The corresponding area of the batch container bottom 32 has been severed. For example, in the embodiment described with reference to FIG. III, it is possible to divide the batch container 4 into three chambers and to limit the cutting processes for the corresponding areas of the batch container base 32 to rotations of the screw cap 2 by 120 ° in the opening direction. To in In this case, to achieve chambers of the same size, the cutting processes for the chambers can be limited to rotations of the screw cap 2 of different sizes in the opening direction, for example rotations of 110 °, 120 ° and 130 °.

Embodiments X

The features of the above-described embodiments are not limited to these. Rather, it is provided that individual or more features of one embodiment are replaced by individual or more features of individual or several other embodiments. For example, the blade 22 shaped as a tongue-like extension of the inner cylinder 18 according to the set of figures IV can be combined with the inclined, tilted batch container base 32 according to the set of figures III. This also applies to the receptacle 18 according to figure set I and the push-on element (s) 18 according to figure set II. Comparable to these examples, the disclosure content of the above description of preferred embodiments therefore includes any combination of the features listed with one another.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. Device for closing a container (B), with: a screw cap (2) with a cutting edge (22), and a batch container (4) with a batch container bottom (32), the batch container bottom (32) being one of the cutting edges (22 ) comprises a spaced area (32, 33b, 44) and an area (32, 33a, 46, 52, 54) which can be severed by the cutting edge (22) when the screw cap (2) is turned in the opening direction.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the area of the batch container bottom (32) spaced from the cutting edge (22) is formed in the region of a pocket (36) encompassed by the batch container bottom (32), or the batch container bottom (32) that of the cutting edge (22) forms a spaced area when the batch container (4) is in a predetermined position relative to the screw cap (2).

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the batch container bottom (32) is tilted with respect to the longitudinal axis of the batch container (4) or has an area (33a, 46) which forms a surface tilted with respect to the longitudinal axis of the batch container (4).

4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the cutting edge (22) is formed by end faces of a circular segment-shaped receptacle (18) formed on the screw cap (2), or the cutting edge (22) by the free end (18a) of at least one is formed in the interior of the screw cap (2) extending abutment elements (18), or - the cutting edge (22) is formed by the free end (18a) of an inner cylinder (18) extending inside the screw cap (2), or the cutting edge (22) is formed by a tongue-like extension of an inner cylinder (18) extending inside the screw cap (2).

5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cutting edge (22) forms a surface tilted relative to the longitudinal axis of the batch container (4).

6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the severable area (32, 33a, 46, 53, 54) comprises a material-tapered area (52, 54).

7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the batch container (4) comprises structures (37, 56, 58) acting as a turnstile, which enable rotations of the batch container (4) together with the screw cap (2) in the closing direction and rotations of the batch container (4) together with the screw cap (2) at least partially prevent in the opening direction.

8. The device according to claim 6, wherein the structures acting as a turnstile (37, 56, 58) on the batch container (4) comprise webs (37) or sawtooth-like structures (58).

9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the screw cap (2) comprises a stop (18c, 27) and the batch container (4) a stop (25, 35) in order to rotate the batch container (4) relative to the screw cap ( 2) at least limit in the closing direction.

10. screw cap (2) with at least one of the preceding claims for a screw cap (2) features defined.

11. Batch container (4) with features defined in at least one of the preceding claims for a batch container (4).

12. Container (B) for use with the closure device according to one of claims 7 to 9, with structures (72) formed on an opening of the container (B) delimiting opening wall (66) for cooperation with the structures (37, 56) serving as a turnstile ) of the batch container (4).

13. A container (B) according to claim 12, in which the structures (72) formed on the opening wall (66) are designed in operative connection with the structures (37, 56) of the batch container (4) acting as a rotation lock. Rotations of the batch container (4 ) only in the closing direction.