EP1925564B1 - Fastening unit - Google Patents

Abstract

The closing unit has an insertion unit (10) inserted in a cap (14) of a container (20) e.g. beverage container, and a closing plate. A receiving sleeve with a feed-through channel (76) is provided for a tapping rod. The receiving sleeve is closed at its outer region that is turned away from an interior of the container by a closing unit. The receiving sleeve is provided on a side of the closing unit facing the interior of the container. The receiving sleeve includes a sealing element (110) rotating around the feed-through channel for sealing between the tapping rod and the sleeve.

Description

The invention relates to a closure unit for a container, in particular a beverage container, in the container interior pressurized liquids, in particular drinks, are arranged, comprising an insertable into a lid of the container insert part, which has a passage for carrying the dispensing nozzle, one in the Passage de insert part used as a separate part receiving sleeve with a passage channel for a dispensing drawer, which is closed at its inner side facing away from the container outer area by a closure element and on a container interior facing side of the closure element with a peripheral around the feed channel sealing element for sealing between the dispensing nozzle and the receiving sleeve is provided, and a detachable from the insert part closure part with which provided for the implementation of the drafting passage in the insert part is provided.

Closure units are for example from the EP 1 099 644 A1 or the EP 1 095 872 A1 known. These closure units have the problem that they allow only a venting of the container.

The DE 24 03 073 A1 discloses a closure unit for a container with a receiving sleeve seated in the insert part with a passage channel for the dispensing drawer, which is closed by a closure element.

The invention is based on the DE 24 03 073 A1 the object of improving a closure unit of the generic type such that it is universally applicable.

This object is achieved in a closure unit of the type described above according to the invention that the receiving sleeve is part of an engaging in the passage of the insert part ventilation part and that by moving the ventilation part, the closure part is removable from the insert part.

The advantage of the solution according to the invention is to be seen in the fact that with this it is possible to use a dispenser for tapping the beverage and thus tap the liquid by utilizing the pressure present in the container interior.

In this case, the closure element creates the possibility of preventing the introduction of dirt into the feed-through channel and on the other hand to protect the sealing element from penetrating into the feed-through dirt.

In order to ensure the greatest possible transport safety, it is provided according to the invention that the passage provided for the passage of the dispensing nozzle in the insert part is provided with a closure part.

According to the invention, the receiving sleeve is part of a ventilation part engaging in the passage of the insert part and by moving the ventilation part, the closure part is detachable from the insert part in order to be able to ventilate the container in a known manner with a ventilation part provided in this way.

The closure element may be formed in various ways. For example, it would be conceivable that the closure element is a film which closes the feedthrough channel, wherein the film may be a film bonded to the receiving sleeve or welded thereto.

However, in order to have sufficient stability in the region of the closure element, it has proved to be advantageous if the closure element comprises a closure plate.

Such a closure plate can be connected, for example, as a whole via a predetermined breaking edge with the receiving sleeve, so that the closure plate is removable as a whole by destroying the predetermined breaking edge.

The closure element can be even easier to remove if this has several interconnected by predetermined breaking points segments.

A favorable solution provides that the segments are interconnected by predetermined breaking points interconnected circular surface segments.

In order to avoid now that the closure element must be removed prior to insertion of the dispensing nozzle in the passageway by lifting, peeling or canceling, provides an advantageous solution that the segments can be folded when piercing the closure element with the dispensing nozzle in the receiving sleeve.

This solution has the great advantage that the closure element does not have to be removed separately, but can simply be pierced with the dispensing rod, with the segments of the closure element then folding into the receiving sleeve and thus not obstructing the insertion of the dispensing device.

In particular, when the segments are made of a material with a significant material thickness, such as segments of a closure plate, it has proven to be advantageous if the segments are folded into an annular space arranged around the feed channel for the dispensing rod in the receiving sleeve.

This annulus provides the ability to hinder the segments within the receiving sleeve in a simple manner, the further insertion of the dispensing device.

It is particularly advantageous if the folded into the receiving sleeve segments with their the tap end facing this lead, so that the dispensing drains on the one hand learns an additional guide and on the other hand by the adjoining this segments a the penetration of dirt preventing completion between the feedthrough and the dispenser is present.

The closure element according to the invention for the receiving sleeve can - as already mentioned - be held in any form on this. For example, it may be a glued, welded or only positively connected thereto element.

However, a particularly favorable solution provides that the closure element is integrally formed on the receiving sleeve, so that can be produced in one operation in an advantageous manner, the receiving sleeve together with the closure element.

With regard to the connection between the insert and the receiving sleeve so far no further comments have been made.

This closure part provides further security and is preferably designed such that it forms a pressure-tight closure, so that a build-up inside the container pressure can not lead to destruction of the closure.

In order to be able to remove the closure part from the insert part in a simple manner, it is preferably provided that the closure part can be detached from the insert part.

In particular, the closure part is expediently detachable from the insert part by destroying a predetermined breaking point between the closure part and the insert part.

With regard to the arrangement of the closure part on the insert no details have been given so far. For example, it would be conceivable to arrange the closure part in the passage.

With regard to the stability of the connection between the closure part and the insert part, however, it has proved to be particularly favorable when the closure part is arranged on a region of the insert part facing the container interior.

Appropriately, it is provided in this case that the closure part is movable in the direction of the container interior during detachment.

This constructive solution allows, for example, the insert part and the closure part to be designed in such a way that there is sufficient support when a pressure builds up inside the container and the closure part, however, can easily move in the direction of the container interior for detachment from the insert part.

In order to be able to remove the closure part in a simple manner when using a dispensing device, it is preferably provided that the closure part can be detached from the insert part by means of the dispensing device.

The closure part could also be formed as a separate part and connected to the insert frictionally or positively.

For reasons of a particularly simple production, however, it has proven to be expedient if the closure part is integrally formed on the insert part.

In all embodiments in which the receiving sleeve is connected to the insert part and the insert part has the passage for the dispensing nozzle, it is preferably provided that the passage of the insert part can be closed in a gas-tight manner with the receiving sleeve.

A detachment of the closure part from the insert part can preferably be achieved particularly favorable when the ventilation part is movable from a transport state to a tapping state relative to the insert part and when the closure part of the insert part is detachable from the insert part.

In this case, the movement of the ventilation part can be carried out relative to the insert part in various ways.

An advantageous solution provides that the ventilation part is movable in the direction of the passage relative to the insert part, for example, either from this withdrawable or can be pressed into this, thereby to release the closure part of the insert part.

Another advantageous solution provides that the ventilation part is rotatable relative to the insert part.

Such a rotatability of the ventilation part relative to the insert part can be realized, for example, in that the ventilation part is axially non-displaceable relative to the insert part rotatable and causes detachment of the closure part from the insert part in the course of this rotation.

However, it is also conceivable to design the insert part and the ventilation part such that a rotational movement combined with a displacement in the direction of the passage causes the closure part to be detachable from the insert part.

Such a combined movement of the ventilation part relative to the insert part can be achieved, for example, in that both the ventilation part and the insert part have cooperating and thread-like or backdrop track-like shaped positive-locking elements which provide both a rotation combined with a movement in the direction of the passage.

In order to achieve the gas-tight seal between the ventilation part and the insert part, it is preferably provided that in the passage an effective between the ventilation part and the insert part sealing element is provided.

Such a sealing element is expediently designed so that it ensures a tight seal between the ventilation part and the insert part in the transport position of the ventilation part.

But on the other hand, nevertheless, to be able to make ventilation by means of the ventilation part, it is preferably provided that the sealing element in the ventilation position of the ventilation part is at least partially ineffective.

Such, at least partially ineffectiveness of the sealing element can be achieved in that the ventilation part shifts in the transition from the transport position to the ventilation position in the direction of the passage and thus, for example, a peripheral region of the ventilation part can be moved in the region of the sealing element, which ineffective its sealing effect can be.

Further features and advantages of the inventive solution are the subject of the following description and the drawings of an embodiment.

Fig. 1

einen Schnitt längs Linie 1-1 in Fig. 4 durch eine erfindungsgemäße Verschlusseinheit in Transportstellung und wirksamen Verschlusselement sowie Verschlussteil;

Fig. 2

einen Schnitt entsprechend Fig. 1 durch das Einsatzteil;

Fig. 3

einen Schnitt entsprechend Fig. 1 durch das Belüftungsteil;

Fig. 4

eine Draufsicht in Richtung des Pfeils A in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5

einen Schnitt ähnlich Fig. 1 bei in Belüftungsstellung stehendem Belüftungsteil und

Fig. 6

eine Draufsicht entsprechend Fig. 4 auf die gesamte Verschlusseinheit.

In the drawing show:

Fig. 1

a section along line 1-1 in Fig. 4 by a closure unit according to the invention in transport position and effective closure element and closure part;

Fig. 2

a cut accordingly Fig. 1 through the insert part;

Fig. 3

a cut accordingly Fig. 1 through the ventilation part;

Fig. 4

a plan view in the direction of arrow A in Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 5

similar to a cut Fig. 1 in aeration position ventilation part and

Fig. 6

a plan view accordingly Fig. 4 on the entire closure unit.

An embodiment of a closure unit according to the invention, shown as a whole in Fig. 1 , comprises an insert part 10, which can be inserted into an opening 12 of a lid 14 of a container designated as a whole with 20, especially for drinks, wherein the liquids present in a container interior 22 of the container 20 are under pressure and, for example, a liquid level 24 is below the insert part 10, so that in a present on the liquid level 24 gas space 26 a standing under the intended pressure gas is present, which should not be able to escape through the opening 12 in the lid 14 in a transport state of the closure unit.

For this reason, the insert 10 has an insert sleeve 30 extending into the opening 12, to which a support flange 32 is formed, which is for fixing the insert sleeve 30 on the lid 14 on an outer side 34 of the lid 14 can be placed around the insert sleeve 30th support.

Furthermore, the insert sleeve 30 is provided with a recess 36 arranged following the support flange 32 and extending annularly around the insert sleeve 30, on which edge 16 enclosing the opening 12 the lid 14 rests, wherein the edge 16 digs with an end face 18 in a depression 36 forming soft material 38 in order to obtain a tight seal between the end face 18 and the insert sleeve 30.

Preferably, the soft material 38 is molded onto a correspondingly larger-shaped annular receptacle 40 in the insert sleeve 30, wherein the insert sleeve 30 is made of a preferably hard plastic material except for the soft material 38.

In order to facilitate the insertion of the insert 10 and to achieve a secure, especially in strong pressurization stable fixation of the insert 10 in the opening 12, a retaining ring 42 is provided on a support flange 32 opposite side of the recess 36, which is a conical Container interior tapered run-on slope 44 which facilitates a turning of the insert 10 into the opening 12 of the lid 14 and allows the edge 16 can be moved over the retaining ring 42 and then comes to rest in the recess 36.

The insert sleeve 30 has a passage 50, designated as a whole, which, however, in the production state of the insert sleeve 30 is closed by a closure part 52 which is plate-shaped and engages over the passage 50, wherein the closure part 52 is connected to the insert sleeve 30 via a predetermined breaking edge 54 is.

Preferably, the predetermined breaking edge 54 is formed by a thinned, break-sensitive material ring 56 which serves as a thinned web between an edge 58 of the closure part 52 and the insert sleeve 30 is produced, wherein in the illustrated embodiment, the closure member 52 is integrally formed with the predetermined breaking edge 54 integrally with the insert sleeve 30.

For reasons set out in more detail below, in the solution according to the invention, the predetermined breaking edge 54 and in particular also the closing part 52 extend in a plane 62 which runs at an acute angle to a central axis 64 of the passage 50, the acute angle being smaller than 90 ° and is in an angular range between about 45 ° and about 75 °.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the closure part 52 is not arranged in any region of the passage 50, but is held on an end region 66 of the insert sleeve 30 facing the container interior 22 and thus closes the passage 50 on its side facing the container interior 22.

In the embodiment according to the invention, a ventilation part designated as a whole by 70 is inserted into the passage 50, which in turn, as in FIG Fig. 1 and 3 shown, a Abdeckflansch 72 includes, from which starting a receiving sleeve 74 extends, wherein the receiving sleeve 74 has a passage channel 76 for a to be passed through this Zapfdegen 80.

However, in order to complete the passage duct 76 gas-tight before insertion of the dispensing device 80 and also to protect against contamination, the passage channel 76 is closed by a closure element 82 which is preferably arranged at the level of Abdeckflansches 72 and a the container interior 22 facing away from the top 84 which is approximately aligned with an upper surface 86 of the Abdeckflansches 72, so that the Abdeckflansch 72 and the closure member 82 in plan view, such as in Fig. 4 represented, form a continuous surface, which can be easily kept free of dirt.

In one embodiment of the closure member 82 for the feedthrough channel 76, the closure member 82 itself is formed of a plurality of circular surface segments 88 which together provide a closure lid 90 which is connected to the cover flange 72.

Preferably, the circular surface segments 88 are interconnected via predetermined breaking webs 92 and also connected via hinge webs 94 with the cover 72.

In the illustrated embodiment, preferably both the predetermined breaking webs 92 and the hinge webs 94 integrally formed on the circular surface segments 88 and the Abdeckflansch 72 and thus the Abdeckflansch 72 together with the circular surface segments 88 the predetermined breaking webs 92 and the hinge webs 94 is made as an integral part.

Only by acting on the closure lid 90 with the dispensing blade 80, the predetermined breaking webs 92 begin to break between the circular surface segments 88, so that the circular surface segments 88 in the region of the predetermined breaking edges 92 separate from each other. In addition, the hinge webs 94 permit pivoting of the circular surface segments 88 into the feedthrough channel 76, with the individual circular surface segments 88, as in FIG Fig. 3 shown in dashed lines, can be folded into an annular space 96, which is provided in the receiving sleeve 74, in the connection to the cover flange 72 and in the region of the Abdeckflansches 72, so that by folding the dissolved in the region of the predetermined breaking webs 92 circular surface segments 88 in the annulus 96 extend with their tops 84 approximately parallel to the central axis 64, but by the hinge webs 94 have a tendency to pivot in the direction of its not folded into the duct 76 position, but opposite to this. Thus, when the closure cap 90 is destroyed, the individual circular surface segments 88 are spring-loaded elements for guiding the dispensing agent 80 in the region of its outer side 98.

If, as already described, the closure element 82 is destroyed, the dispensing rod 80 can be guided guided on its outer side 98 through the passage channel 76 of the ventilation part 70, namely to a position in which the dispensing lever 80 with its inlet side 102 with the closure part 52 comes into contact.

By further pushing the dispensing nozzle 80, such a force can be applied to the closure part 52 with the inlet side 102 thereof that its predetermined breaking edge 54 tears and thus the closure part 52 is folded away from the insert sleeve 30.

Since after releasing the closure part 52 from the insert sleeve 30, the gas under pressure in the gas space 26 wants to escape, the passage channel 76 is provided with a circumferential sealing insert 110, which on the one hand comprises a sealing bead 112 and, for example, a sealing sleeve 114 on the other hand, made of soft material manufactured and formed on an inner side of the receiving sleeve 74.

This sealing insert 110 makes it possible to produce a gas-tight seal between the receiving sleeve 74 and the outer side 98 of the dispensing agent 80.

The sealing takes place under deformation of the sealing bead 112 in order to produce a gas-tight seal to the dispensing rod 80.

In order to be able to produce a gastight seal between the insert sleeve 30 and the ventilation part 70, in particular when the closure part 52 is at least partially detached from the insert sleeve 30 with the tap end 80, the insert sleeve 30 is likewise provided with a sealing insert 120 which is formed in the region of the passage 50 to the insert sleeve 30 to, as in Fig. 1 illustrated, in the transport state with a sealing bead 122 to produce a pressure-tight closure to the receiving sleeve 74, wherein the sealing bead 122, for example, on a ring around the central axis 64 provided on an outer side of the receiving sleeve 74 sealing surface 124 of the ventilation member 70 is applied, so that a pressure-tight seal between the insert sleeve 30 and the receiving sleeve 74 is formed.

Thus, by utilizing the gas pressure in the gas space 26 in the container interior 22, the liquid can be tapped via the dispensing nozzle 80, wherein the pressure in the gas space 26 above the liquid level 24 acts on the liquid in such a way that it enters the dispensing nozzle 80 via the inlet side 102 , and thus can be tapped by a dispensing device connected to the dispensing nozzle 80, wherein upon insertion of the dispensing means 80 - as already described - both destruction of the closure lid 90 by disassembling thereof into the circular surface segments 88 takes place and on the other hand, by depressing the dispensing means 80, a detachment of the closure part 52 from the insert sleeve 30 takes place so that the dispensing nozzle 80 can be immersed in the liquid present in the container interior 22.

If the dispensing rod 80 dips into the liquid present in the container interior 22, the pressure in the gas space 26 is maintained by a pressure-tight seal between the dispensing nozzle 80 and the receiving sleeve 74 by means of the sealing insert 110 and also a pressure-tight seal between the insert sleeve 30 the insert 10 and the receiving sleeve 74 by means of the sealing insert 120th

In the illustrated embodiment, a fixation of insertable into the insert part 10 ventilation part 70 is provided by means provided on the insert 10 form-fitting elements 130 and means of the ventilation part 70, in particular the receiving sleeve 74, form-locking elements 132 which are formed so that there is a possibility, the ventilation part 70th into the passageway 50 by movement substantially parallel to the central axis 64, and preferably substantially without rotation, the interlocking elements 130 and 132 being engageable in a position in which they reciprocally engage, and the venting member 70 preventing them from moving out of the passageway 50, while further inward movement of the ventilation part 70 is avoided by the Abdeckflansch 72 rests on a support side of the support flange 32.

Preferably, the interlocking elements 130 and 132 threads of a thread, thus allowing the seated in the passage 50 ventilation member 70 to rotate about a central axis 136 of the passage 50 and thereby the ventilation member 70 from its transport position, in which this with the cover 72nd rests on the support side 134 to move in a ventilation position in the direction of the central axis 136, in which, as in Fig. 5 shown, the Abdeckflansch 72 is lifted from the support side 134, that is, a displacement of the ventilation part 70 in the direction of the central axis 136 and away from the container interior 22 takes place.

However, since a ventilation of the container interior 22 is only possible when the closure member 52 is released from the insert sleeve 30, the receiving sleeve 74 is provided in the transport position with the closure member 52 facing lower edge 140 which, for example, approximately parallel to the plane 62 and thus has a lowermost region 142 and a highest region 144.

By turning the ventilation part 70 with respect to the in Fig. 1 illustrated transport position by 180 ° in his in Fig. 5 Although shown ventilation position takes place - as already described - a displacement of the entire ventilation part 70 in the direction of the central axis 136 of the container interior 22 away, causing the highest area 144 comes into a position in which this on a side facing away from the container interior 22 of the sealing bead 122 of the Seal insert 120 is, so that the sealing insert 120 unfolds no more sealing effect in standing in the ventilation position ventilation part 70 in the highest area 144.

At the same time the lowermost portion 142 of the receiving sleeve 74 acts on the closure member 52, in the direction of the container interior 22, so that the predetermined breaking edge 54 which surrounds the closure member 52, partially ruptures and thereby loses its sealing effect, at the same time the closure member 52 in the through the lowest region 142 acted upon portion is moved in the direction of arrow 104 in the direction of the container interior 22, so that the gas flow from the gas space 26 between the closure member 52 and the insert sleeve 30 into the passage 50 and in the region of the highest region 144 also between the receiving sleeve 74 and the ineffective in this area sealing insert 120 can flow through and then throttled through the interlocking elements 130 and 132 and between the receiving sleeve 74 and the insert sleeve 30 and at the height of the support side 134 from a gap 146 between the insert sleeve 30 and the receiving sleeve 74 can escape from the insert 10.

In order to convey to the user the position of the transport position and the achievement of the ventilation position after a rotation through 180 ° and thus also to determine the angle of rotation by 180 °, the cover flange 72 is provided with a latching element 150 (FIG. Fig. 4 . 6 ), which engages in the transport position in a latching receptacle 152 of a collar 154 and after rotation by 180 ° in a latching receptacle 156 of the collar 154 can be latched, so that thereby the position of the ventilation position is clearly defined.

Thus, in the case of the closure unit according to the invention, on the one hand, it is possible to reduce the pressure in the gas space 26 by turning the ventilation part 70, namely by throttling the gas between the insert sleeve and receiving sleeve 74 can emerge to tap with a conventional Zapfgarnitur with vented container interior 22, on the other hand with remaining in transport position ventilation part 70 the ability to dive directly with the dispensing blade 80 destruction of the closure lid 90 and detachment of the closure part 52 in the liquid without Gas can escape from the gas space 26, so that a pin of the liquid can be carried out at gas pressure remaining and maintained in the gas space 26.

Claims (19)

1. Closure unit for a container (20), in particular a drinks container, in the container interior (22) of which pressurized liquids, in particular drinks, are disposed, comprising an insert part (10), which is insertable into a lid (14) of the container (20) and has a passage (50) provided for the lead-through of the dispensing spike (80), a receiving sleeve (74), which is inserted as a separate part into the passage (50) of the insert part (10) and has a lead-through channel (76) for a dispensing spike (80) and which at its outer region remote from the container interior (22) is closed off by means of a closure element (82) and at a side of the closure element (82) facing the container interior (22) is provided with a sealing element (110) that surrounds the lead-through channel (76) for sealing between the dispensing spike (80) and the receiving sleeve (74), and a closure part (52), which is detachable from the insert part (10) and with which the passage (50) provided in the insert part (10) for lead-through of the dispensing spike (80) is provided,
   characterized in that the receiving sleeve (74) is part of an air inlet part (70), which engages into the passage of the insert part (10), and that by moving the air inlet part (70) the closure part (52) is detachable from the insert part (10).
2. Closure unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the closure element (82) comprises a closure plate (90).
3. Closure unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the closure element (82) comprises a plurality of segments (88) that are connected to one another by predetermined breaking regions (92).
4. Closure unit according to claim 3, characterized in that the segments (88) are segments of a circular area that are connected to one another by predetermined breaking regions (92).
5. Closure unit according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that upon piercing of the closure element (82) by the dispensing spike (80) the segments (88) are foldable into the receiving sleeve (74).
6. Closure unit according to claim 5, characterized in that the segments (88) are foldable into an annular space (96) in the receiving sleeve (74) that is disposed around the lead-through channel (76) for the dispensing spike (80).
7. Closure unit according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the segments (88), once they have been folded into the receiving sleeve (74), guide the dispensing spike (80) by means of their surface (84) facing the dispensing spike (80).
8. Closure unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closure element (82) is moulded integrally onto the receiving sleeve (74).
9. Closure unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closure part (52) forms a pressure-tight closure.
10. Closure unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closure part (52) is detachable from the insert part 10) by destruction of a predetermined breaking region (54).
11. Closure unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closure part (52) is disposed on a region of the insert part (10) facing the container interior (22).
12. Closure unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closure part (52) is movable in the direction (104) of the container interior (22).
13. Closure unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closure part (52) is detachable from the insert part (10) by means of the dispensing spike (80).
14. Closure unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closure part (52) is moulded integrally onto the insert part (10).
15. Closure unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that by means of the receiving sleeve (74) the passage (50) of the insert part (10) is closable in a gas-tight manner.
16. Closure unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the air inlet part (70) is movable from a transport position into an air supply position and that in connection therewith the closure part (52) of the insert part (10) is detachable from the insert part (10).
17. Closure unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that provided in the passage (50) is a sealing element (120) that is effective between the air inlet part (70) and the insert part (10).
18. Closure unit according to claim 17, characterized in that in the transport position of the air inlet part (70) the sealing element (120) ensures a tight closure between the air inlet part (70) and the insert part (10).
19. Closure unit according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that in the air supply position of the air inlet part (70) the sealing element (120) is at least in sections ineffective.

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