EP1798192B1 - Auxiliary device for unscrewing threaded caps - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an auxiliary device for opening screw caps according to the preamble of claim 1 and as known from the GB 1 390 299 ,

Such auxiliary devices have, for example, a basic body which can be placed from above onto the cap, which is preferably grooved on the outer circumference, of a rotary closure with a slight lateral play. Such a base body is equipped with a receiving opening for placement on the cap.

For screw caps, such as Rotary closures of bottles, especially when opening the closure for the first time, problems arise that make the efficient opening of the closure impossible, or at least difficult.

In order to facilitate such an opening of screw caps auxiliary devices are known in which a band of a lever is placed around the closure and as close as possible to the cap is applied by appropriate shortening of the tape, so that by frictional engagement with actuation of the lever, the cap (eg lid) can be rotated in the opening direction. Although such devices have the advantage that they can be mounted on caps with different diameters, but have a relatively complex structure, are prone to failure and expensive to manufacture.

Next is from the GB 1 390 299 a cap-shaped auxiliary device for opening screw caps is known, which has an opening for placing on a screw cap. The opening has a circular opening cross-section, the diameter of which is designed to be reduced in depth in a plurality of levels in each case in a stepped manner. In the opening cross-section projecting radially, laterally slightly offset with respect to the center of the opening cross-section directed metal tongues whose free ends are also according to the gradation of the levels of the opening cross-section correspondingly stepped and sharp-edged. The thin metal tongues are part of U-shaped brackets, which are inserted in arranged on the inner wall of the auxiliary device recesses. Thus, the tongues can easily rebound in a radial direction, in the other direction they are practically rigid. Due to the sharp-edged design of the tongues profiled plastic lid can be opened without great effort and with different diameters and, if necessary, closed again, but in general the surface of the plastic lid is affected and locally damaged. When overwinding in one direction, ie at a radial relative movement between the tongues and the lid, the grooves of the plastic cover can even be completely destroyed by the sharp-edged tongues, so that a further opening or closing operation is no longer possible.

Object of the present invention, it was now a simple, efficient and inexpensive auxiliary device to create, which a multiple, reliable opening allows such closures without erosive or destructive interference with the surface of the closure.

The object is achieved according to the invention in an auxiliary device of the type defined by the features of claim 1. Further embodiments of the subject invention are defined in the further claims 2 to 10.

In the present auxiliary device for opening screw caps, having a base body with a substantially coaxial to the vertical axis of the body formed receiving opening with a curved inner wall extending from said inner wall of the receiving opening at least one gripper protrudes inwardly, which is radially offset with respect to the vertical axis is, the gripper is formed leaf-shaped with a substantially parallel to the vertical axis extending, continuously substantially straight free edge. In this case, the gripper consists of resilient material, wherein a surface of the gripper in the region of its projecting from the inner wall area only linearly with the main body resp. the inner wall of the body is in abutment. This design of the gripper on the one hand a particularly good spring action is achieved, which allows a gentle positive engagement of the free edge, for example in grooves of the openable lid of the rotary closure. Thus, the risk of damage to the surface of the lid is substantially reduced or even completely prevented. Continue with it generates an audible noise when the gripper in the opening direction resiliently from a recess in a further recess, for example, from one groove to the next groove, slips and springs. This will then be the case, for example, when the auxiliary device has completely closed the lid of the closure during closing, but nevertheless a closing force continues to be exerted in the closing direction. This can advantageously be displayed acoustically when the lid of the closure is closed and thus a possible violation of the surface of the lid is prevented.

For example, the linear stop is formed by an edge of a recess of the inner wall of the base body. It does not need a separate device for resting the gripper, but it is formed by the existing edge of the recess of the inner wall of the body.

For example, the gripper is formed from a substantially rectangular sheet, which is bent in its central region about its vertical axis to a partial cylinder and two free blade ends are formed as radially with respect to the vertical axis of the gripper outwardly projecting flags. Such an embodiment can be produced easily and inexpensively. By the sub-cylinder and the spread-out flags is achieved that the flags rest only on the edge of the corresponding receiving opening in the body and it is achieved the desired spring action.

For example, the partial cylinder is arranged in a round, parallelaxial to the receiving opening in the base body formed chamber which is connected to a substantially planar side walls having connecting channel with the receiving opening. Thus, the auxiliary device can be easily equipped with the gripper and this is reliably held in position in the body. The side walls can advantageously be formed, for example, parallel to each other.

For example, the gripper is connected via the sub-cylinder with a fastening means with the base body, preferably releasably connected by means of a screw. This can be reliably prevented that the gripper inadvertently or independently dissolves from the body, either during operation or during storage or transport of the auxiliary device. If the main body is made of wood, for example, a conventional wood screw can be used without further precautions, the head diameter of which is advantageously greater than the outer diameter of the partial cylinder of the gripper.

For example, the straight free edge is broken at least on their entry side of the receiving opening facing corner or with a rounding respectively. Arc in the radially to the vertical axis extending side edge of the gripper over. By rounding is prevented resp. the risk at least reduced that here with a sharp edge or corner of the lid of the closure when installing the auxiliary device is damaged.

For example, at least two preferably arranged diametrically opposite grippers are provided. By this arrangement, a reliable gripping and detecting the lid is achieved and also strongly closed lid can be easily and easily opened without the risk of slipping and thus the risk of damaging the surface of the lid. Advantageously, the radially extending to the vertical axis of the main body axes of the gripper are offset obliquely to each other, respectively. arranged offset to the vertical axis. Thus, an optimal opening effect is achieved in a direction of rotation of the body, which can solve even very tight-fitting lid with a corresponding application of force. In the other direction of rotation, a limited closing force can be generated, which is sufficient to close the lid, but does not allow too strong closure force, but the free end of the gripper rebound and almost slip through.

For example, the gripper made of metal, preferably in one piece of a metallic strip material. Thus, a high operating time of the auxiliary device is realized in a simple and cost-effective production.

For example, the base body has a smaller width than the diameter of the receiving opening and thus the receiving opening is formed radially open to the outer axis of the main body to the outside. It has been found that it is not necessary to completely enclose the lid of the closure, but it is already sufficient if this is done only partially. In order to Advantageously, the dimensions of the auxiliary device can be kept small.

For example, the main body is designed bow-shaped, each bracket end is provided with downwardly projecting jaws, wherein the cylindrical or partially cylindrical inner wall of at least one of the jaws is provided with at least one gripper. This form can be advantageous by leverage effect without great effort from the outside a strong opening effect on the screw cap. The main body can be in such an embodiment, for example, simply made of wood, which in addition to the ease of workability and great strength also provides a pleasing complacent appearance and pleasant grip properties.

Fig. 1

einen Vertikalschnitt durch ein auf einen Drehverschluss einer Flasche aufgesetztes Hilfsgerät;

Fig. 2

einen Horizontalschnitt durch die Ebene II-II von Fig. 1;

Fig. 3

einen Horizontalschnitt durch die Ebene III-III von Fig. 1;

Fig. 4

einen Vertikalschnitt durch eine Variante eines Hilfsgerätes;

Fig. 5

eine Draufsicht auf das Gerät von Fig. 4;

Fig. 6

eine weitere Variante mit durchgehender Aufnahme

Fig. 7

schematisch eine besonders vorteilhafte Halterung des Greifers;

Fig. 8

die Aufsicht auf die Unterseite einer weiteren Variante eines erfindungsgemässen Hilfsgerätes;

Fig. 9

schematisch die Seitenansicht auf das Hilfsgerät nach Figur 8;

Fig. 10

die Aufsicht auf einen Greifer nach Figur 8 im Detail; und

Fig. 11

die Seitenansicht des Greifers nach Figur 10.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to embodiments shown in the drawing. Show it:

Fig. 1

a vertical section through an attached to a rotary closure of a bottle auxiliary device;

Fig. 2

a horizontal section through the plane II-II of Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3

a horizontal section through the plane III-III of Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 4

a vertical section through a variant of an auxiliary device;

Fig. 5

a plan view of the device of Fig. 4 ;

Fig. 6

another variant with continuous recording

Fig. 7

schematically a particularly advantageous holder of the gripper;

Fig. 8

the top view of the underside of another variant of an inventive auxiliary device;

Fig. 9

schematically the side view of the auxiliary device according to FIG. 8 ;

Fig. 10

the supervision on a gripper after FIG. 8 in detail; and

Fig. 11

the side view of the gripper after FIG. 10 ,

That in the FIGS. 1 to 3 illustrated auxiliary device for opening screw caps, in particular screw caps of bottles 1 (plastic or glass) with preferably profiled resp. Grooved closure caps 2 has a base body 3, for example made of plastic, with a downwardly open receptacle 4, which latter has a part-cylindrical inner wall 5. The device can be placed from above on the cap 2 of the bottle 1 with a slight lateral play.

It stands out of the inner wall 5 of the receptacle 4 at least one gripper 6, here in the form of a gripper spring 6, from inside. The gripper 6 is made of a suitable resilient material, e.g. made of metal.

With respect to the geometric radial direction in the opening direction of the closure, the gripper 6 runs slightly inclined (obliquely), ie offset laterally with respect to the vertical axis H of the base body 3. This ensures that the gripper moves in the opening direction of rotation (see arrow A) into the opening direction Outer wall of the cap 2 engages (usually in one of the grooves, but it can also easily dig into a smooth surface of a cap).

The auxiliary device thus has a clearly correct, self-defined opening direction without looping. If the direction of rotation is "wrong", there is a noticeable noise (with grooved caps). Thanks to the resilient, inwardly projecting gripper end diameter tolerances can be collected; by turning in the "wrong", i. Closing direction of the gripper can be brought into operational position even with any excess length. Thanks to the resilient gripper 6, the auxiliary device can also be used for closing movements. Once the cap is closed, a loop through with corresponding noise, which indicates that the closed position has been reached.

The FIGS. 4 and 5 show one of the many possible variants of the auxiliary device. Instead of the actuating bracket 7 ( FIGS. 1 to 3 ) Here is a handle 8 is provided. Next, in this variant, two, preferably diametrically opposed gripper 6 ', 6 "provided.

FIG. 6 Finally, shows a variant with a continuous recording 4 ', which allows (with reversed device) to firmly close the screw cap. The operating pages can be marked, for example, by instructions such as "Open" or "Close".

As in practice even with a screw cap with a predetermined (standard) diameter deviations in Outside diameter of the cap may occur, a solution of the holder of the gripper is conceivable, which allows a variable within certain limits free length (effective length) of the gripper.

Fig. 7 shows schematically such a possible construction in that the gripper, here as a spring leaf 6 "'at the inner trapped end 9 is spirally bent and thus resiliently can escape within certain limits in. For this purpose in the guide gap 10 sufficient lateral clearance is present and the gap 10 ends in an eg cylindrical chamber 11, in which the bent end of the spring leaf 9 is held. By pressure on the free spring leaf end 12 projecting into the receptacle 4, the effective part of the spring leaf 6 "'will automatically shorten, contrary to the resilient action of the spring leaf end 9.

In FIG. 8 is further the view of the underside of another, inventive embodiment shown, which shows two opposing, equipped with part-cylindrical regions 20 gripper 19 and FIG. 9 shows the side view of this embodiment.

The gripper 19 has, as mentioned at the trailing end of a partially cylindrical portion 20 and thereof radially outwardly projecting lugs 21 and 22.

The axis A of each gripper 19 is arranged offset in the same direction of rotation by the angle α with respect to the vertical axis H of the base body 3 at an angle. Thus, in each case one lug 21 of each gripper 19 extends into the receiving opening 4 of the main body 3 and can thus in recesses of the cap 2 (not shown) engage.

The part-cylindrical region 20 of the gripper 19 is held in a chamber 30, which is formed substantially circular. From the chamber 30, a connecting channel 31 leads with substantially parallel walls to the receiving opening 4. The transition between the connecting channel 31 and the receiving opening 4 form two edges 32, which extend substantially parallel to the vertical axis H of the main body 3. At the in FIG. 8 shown edge 32 of the left chamber 30 is the side surface of the flag 21 linearly, while the free edge of the other flag 22 are supported on the corresponding side wall of the connecting channel 31. Due to the shape of the gripper 19 thus advantageously an optimum spring action is achieved.

The gripper 19 can be releasably fixed in this inventive embodiment, for example by means of a screw 23 which is screwed concentrically to the partially cylindrical portion 20 in the base body 3. This can be prevented in a simple manner unintentional or independent release of the gripper 19 from the base body 3.

In FIG. 10 is even more detailed the supervision and in FIG. 11 the side view of the gripper 19 after FIG. 8 respectively. FIG. 9 shown. It is readily apparent that the outer corners of the free edge 21 'of the flag 21 is formed, for example, broken. By this edge K, the risk of injury to the lid 2 is reduced or completely prevented. Alternatively, instead of the edge K at the corners, a radius could also be formed.

Claims (10)

1. Auxiliary device for unscrewing threaded caps (2) having a basic body (3) with a receiving opening (4) with a bended inner wall (5), basically formed coaxially to the vertical axis (H) of the basic body (3), at least one claw (19) protrudes from said inner wall of the receiving opening (4) inwardly, which is radially displaced in relation to the vertical axis (H), the leaf-shaped claw (19) being formed of a continuous basically straight free edge (21') basically parallel to the vertical axis (H) and being out of elastic material, characterized in that at least one surface (21) of the claw (19) contacts the stop of the basic body (3) or the inner wall (5) of the basic body (3), respectively, in the area of its area protruding from the inner wall (5), only line-shaped.
2. Auxiliary device according to claim 1, characterized in that the line-shaped stop is formed by an edge (32) at a recess of the inner wall (5) of the basic body (3).
3. Auxiliary device according to claim 2, characterized in that the claw (19) is formed of a leaf, basically rectangular, which is bended in its center area around its vertical axis forming a partial cylinder (20) and two free endings of the leaf are formed as flags protruding outwardly, radially in relation to the vertical axis of the claw (19).
4. Auxiliary device according to claim 3, characterized in that the partial cylinder (20) is arranged in a round chamber (30), provided parallel-axially in the basic body (3) towards the receiving opening (4), which is connected by a junction canal (31), basically with plane side walls, to the receiving opening (4).
5. Auxiliary device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the claw (19) is connected via the partial cylinder (20) to the basic body (3) by a fixing means, preferably detachably connected by means of a screw.
6. Auxiliary device according to one of the claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the straight free edge (21') is broken at least at its corner (K) of the entry side of the receiving opening (4) or passes into the side edge of the claw (19), radially passing towards the vertical axis of the claw (19), as a curve or a bend (R), respectively.
7. Auxiliary device according to one of the claims 1 to 6, characterized in that at least two claws (19) are provided, preferably opposing diametrically.
8. Auxiliary device according to one of the claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the claw (19) consists of metal, preferably of one-piece from a metallic strip stock.
9. Auxiliary device according to one of the claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the basic body (3) has a lower width than the diameter of the receiving opening (4) and therewith the receiving opening (4) is open sectionally, radially towards the vertical axis (H) of the basic body (3) .
10. Auxiliary device according to one of the claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the basic body (3) is bow-shaped, each end of the bow is provided with cheeks protruding downwardly, the cylindrical or the partial cylindrical inner wall is provided with at least one claw (19) of at least one of the cheeks.

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