EP2429832B1

EP2429832B1 - Closure cap

Info

Publication number: EP2429832B1
Application number: EP10723506.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Karl-Peter KÄMPF
Original assignee: Stabilo International GmbH
Current assignee: Stabilo International GmbH
Priority date: 2009-05-15
Filing date: 2010-05-12
Publication date: 2018-06-06
Anticipated expiration: 2030-05-12
Also published as: CN102365177A; WO2010130450A1; EP2429832A1; DE202010018586U1; DE202009007039U1; CN102365177B; JP2012526673A

Description

The present invention concerns a closure cap, in particular for closing pens.
Closure caps of that kind are known in order for example to prevent pens drying out in the stored condition. They are usually fitted on to pens in such a way that the writing tip is air-tightly covered by the closure cap. To use the pen the closure cap is pulled off the pen and put to one side or - if provided - can be fitted on to the end of the pen, opposite to the writing tip.
Known closure caps usually have a small through opening in the longitudinal direction so that respiratory air exchange is still possible in the event of such a cap being inhaled by mistake; the position and size of that opening is regulated in the ISO standard 11540 concerning: 'Caps for writing and marking instruments intended for use by children up to 14 years of age - Safety requirements'.
US 2007/0031778 A1 discloses a writing instrument with a main body having front and rear ends and a writing tip at the front end, and a cap detachably attachable to a front portion of the main body to cover the writing tip and detachably attachable to a rear portion of the main body. A first opening is provided in the rear portion of the main body, and a second opening is provided in the cap.
DE 91 11 419 U1 discloses a cap for a writing instrument deaeration having means for preventing that a child, which has accidentally swallowed the cap, chokes on the cap.
A disadvantage with the known closure caps is that the safety function by virtue of the air opening is ensured only in a single orientation of the closure cap. Particularly in the case of relatively small closure caps it can happen that, upon being inhaled, they are not oriented axially in the trachea of a human being but transversely thereto, or they can become wedged therein. In the case of known closure caps such wedging results in worsening of the through-flow of air, down to complete closure of the trachea.
A further disadvantage with known closure caps is that, in the event of the opening being completely or partially blocked, the through-flow of air is also disturbed or prevented. Particularly when pens are used by children, such a blockage can easily occur, for example when playing with modelling clay or plasticine.
A problem of the present invention is to resolve the above-discussed problems in the state of the art or at least improve the known closure caps.
A possible solution involves a closure cap having the features of claim 1 and a pen having the features of claim 13.
A closure cap according to the invention, in particular for closing pens, has at least one opening for receiving an element to be closed and a closure cap axis which is substantially perpendicular to the cross-section of the opening. In addition the closure cap according to the invention provides at least one primary passage, wherein the closure cap axis is substantially perpendicular to the primary passage cross-section. In addition there is provided at least one secondary passage, wherein the closure cap axis of the closure cap is substantially parallel to the secondary passage cross-section.
The two passages, namely the primary passage and the secondary passage, thus supplement each other to afford an improved safety system for the case of a closure cap which is inhaled by mistake. The provision of the secondary passage, for example by means of a loop, additionally prevents the entry area of the primary passage from being closed off, on the one hand by the wall of the trachea and on the other hand by a foreign body such as plaything material, for example modelling clay.
The provision of a primary passage and a secondary passage is advantageous as, even in the event of one of the two passages being closed, there is at least a certain residual safety aspect due to the remaining open passage. The second, non-blocked passage thus represents a safety reserve both in regard to the risk due to a blocked passage and also in regard to the position in the inhaled condition.
A closure cap according to the invention has an outer portion and an inner portion. That division between the outer and inner portions means that it is possible in particular for the functions of 'sealing off the pen' and 'gripping the closure cap' to be separated from each other. Such separation has the advantage that both elements can be suited to the respective requirements involved, that is to say on the one hand sealingly closing the pen tip and on the other hand ergonomic gripping of the closure cap, without influencing each other.
Thus in a closure cap according to the invention the at least one primary passage is formed or arranged between the outer portion and the inner portion. In that way the primary passage on the one hand is concealed and on the other hand is also reliably spaced from the outer gripping surfaces of the outer portion of the closure cap. That arrangement affords additional safety in regard to blockage of the primary passage, that is to be avoided. The concealed arrangement is advantageous as blockage of the passage can be even better prevented in that way. The probability of dirt or fouling which could block the passage passing into the region between the inner portion and the outer portion is markedly less than if the passage were to be substantially free. It will be appreciated that further passages, for example the secondary passage, can also be disposed in the protected region between the inner and outer portions or other separately protected regions.
A closure cap according to the invention can for example further be of such a configuration that the outer portion is connected to the inner portion by means of at least one leg. The at least one primary passage can be formed between that at least one leg, the inner portion and the outer portion. When using a plurality of legs, there are a corresponding plurality of primary passages. That design configuration has inter alia the advantage that it can be relatively easily produced using injection moulding procedures. The fact that the primary passage is disposed between the inner and outer portions means that the inner portion can also be of a hermetically sealing nature for the pen tip. In that way a completely sealed-off separate space is provided for the pen tip and nonetheless the arrangement still retains the desired air permeability through the primary passage in regard to the overall closure cap.
In addition a closure cap according to the invention is of such a configuration that the at least one secondary passage is arranged substantially at the closure end that is in opposite relationship to the opening of the closure cap. Such an arrangement provides that the opening of the closure cap remains free, in a structural aspect, for receiving a pen tip, while the secondary passage at the closure end can also be of a structurally free design configuration. Both functions, closing a pen and providing a secondary passage, are thus structurally separate from each other.
In both configurations, the secondary passage of a closure cap is spaced from the closure end of the closure cap such that the secondary passage is arranged on an opposite side of the closure cap compared to the opening outside the outer portion, wherein the primary passage and the secondary passage are through passages that are independent from each other. That spacing is advantageous in particular in regard to the consideration of safeguarding the primary passage, by virtue of the configuration of the secondary passage. In that way further elements of the pen can be provided between the primary passage and the secondary passage so that, depending on the respective storage location of the closure cap in the opened condition of the pen, the probability of both passages, namely the primary passage and the secondary passage, becoming blocked, is still further reduced. The spaced arrangement of the secondary passage thus leads to a further increase in the safety factor when using a closure cap according to the invention.
The closure cap according to the invention can be of such a configuration that the axial extent of the secondary passage is substantially less than the outside cross-section of the closure end of the closure cap. That means that the secondary passage, in its overall geometrical extent, does not substantially project beyond the overall geometrical extent of the closure cap itself. In that way the secondary passage does not involve any limitations, either from an aesthetic point of view or from an ergonomic point of view, in regard to usability and the appearance of the closure cap.
A closure cap according to the invention can also provide walls for the secondary passage, which are of varying wall thicknesses and/or have axially varying wall lengths. Thus for example in the region of the junction of the secondary passage to the rest of the closure cap, there can be a relatively great wall thickness for the wall in order to prevent the secondary passage itself breaking away, while smaller wall thicknesses may be sufficient at the end of the secondary passage, that is spaced from that junction. Such a structure which is dependent on situation or is oriented in respect of loading thereon reduces the amount of material required for the overall closure cap and thus reduces the corresponding production costs. The different axial wall lengths or wall thicknesses can for example be used to still further improve the safeguard against blockage of the two passages. Thus parts of the walls of the secondary passage can be such that they project substantially in the form of a shield or a substantially flat cover means beyond the closure cap at the closure end and thus almost completely eliminate blockage of one or more passages.
Closure caps according to the invention can for example be made from thermoplastic material. That has the advantage that, when using such a material, relatively simple and inexpensive manufacture of closure caps according to the invention is possible. In that way the closure caps can be produced inexpensively in large numbers by thermoplastic processes, for example by means of injection moulding processes.
In the situation where a closure cap according to the invention, besides the safeguard in relation to possible inhalation into the trachea, also involves as little a harmful effect as possible or no such harmful effect whatsoever, in the case of being swallowed into the oesophagus, it can be advantageous for the closure cap according to the invention to be made from a material which is substantially digestible. In that way a closure cap according to the invention which has been swallowed can be at least partially digested or broken down in the stomach and excreted from the body. In principle any bioinert material such as for example polypropylene (PP) is also suitable for the closure cap.
Besides the at least one primary and secondary passages there can be provided at least one further passage, that is to say a tertiary passage. That tertiary passage can preferably be so arranged that the cross-sections of the primary, secondary and tertiary passages are substantially orthogonal to each other, that is to say to the two other respective passage cross-sections. That triple-axis configuration of the three different passages, namely primary, secondary and tertiary passages, provides for very substantially comprehensive safety for a closure cap according to the invention. Depending on the respective inhalation condition therefore there is an increased residual safety factor so that even when two passages are closed the third passage still allows air to pass therethrough.
To still further improve the compactness of the overall closure cap the secondary passage and the tertiary passage can have mutually communicating openings. That means that these passages are arranged in mutually nested or interlocking relationship. Such nesting relationship means that the individual passages, at least in partial regions, share walls, or entire wall regions. The passages are therefore disposed one within the other at least in partial regions. The nested arrangement serves to achieve a high level of safety in accordance with the invention, with at the same time further compacting of the overall structure.
A closure cap according to the invention can be used for example on a pen having a writing tip which in turn is closed with a closure cap according to the invention.
Further advantageous configurations of the invention and a number of embodiments by way of example in respect thereof are described in greater detail hereinafter with reference to the accompanying Figures. The terms 'left', 'right', 'top' and 'bottom' used in the description of the specific embodiments relate to the Figures in an orientation with the references and Figure identifications being normally readable. In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view through an embodiment of a closure cap according to the invention,
Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view through a further embodiment of a closure cap according to the invention, and
Figure 3 shows an isometric detail view of mutually nested passages.

Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a closure cap 1 having an outer portion 4 and an inner portion 6. In this case the inner portion 6 extends approximately over half the axial length along the closure cap axis 2 of the closure cap 1; it should be noted that the inner portion is also almost as long as the axial length and in particular design configurations can even be longer. In the region of the inner portion 6 the closure cap 1 is designed to receive a pen tip. The inner portion 6 and the outer portion 4 are connected together by means of legs 9. Formed between those legs 9 are primary passages 10, of which one can be seen in cross-section in Figure 1. The legs 9 are arranged in a substantially star configuration around the axis 2 of the closure cap 1 so that this affords a substantially symmetrical distribution of the primary passages 10 around the closure cap axis 2. The cross-section of the legs 9 is in this case smaller than the cross-section of the primary passage 10 so that on the one hand there is a sufficient area for respiratory air exchange while on the other hand the connection between the outer portion 4 and the inner portion 6 is also sufficiently mechanically stable. It will be appreciated that any other arrangement of the legs, than in star form, is also conceivable.
If a pen and in particular the writing tip thereof is closed with a closure cap then the writing tip is introduced into the opening 8 of the closure cap 1 until the writing tip comes to lie in the interior of the inner portion 6 of the closure cap 1. An inner portion sealing means 6* can be provided for example in the form of a ridge in order to seal off the interior of the inner portion 6 when the writing tip is inserted. It will be seen from the cross-section in Figure 1 that the region in which the writing tip of the pen comes to lie in the closed condition, namely the inner region of the inner portion 6, is completely sealed off. The inner portion 6 can however also be sealed off by a suitable fit between the surface of the inner portion and the surface of the writing tip, that is in contact therewith in the inserted condition. The primary passages 10 between the legs 9 are disposed outside that sealed-off region and therefore do not interfere with that sealing integrity. It is therefore not possible for the writing tip to dry out in the condition of being received in the inner region of the inner portion 6. A latching means 4* can be provided in the form of a peripherally extending ridge at the inside surface of the outer portion in the proximity of the opening intended for receiving the writing tip, for mechanically and releasably connecting the closure cap to a pen.
The secondary passage 20 is provided at the closure end 3 of the closure cap 1, that end being in opposite relationship to the opening 8 in the axial direction. That secondary passage 20 is substantially in the form of a hollow cylinder, the hollow cylinder being arranged by means of two lateral junctions at the closure end 3 of the closure cap 1. To ensure that the secondary passage 20 retains its inside opening and thus its passage action, even when relatively high mechanical loadings are involved, relatively large wall thicknesses are adopted. The outer arrangement of the secondary passage 20 and the large wall thicknesses thus also give the secondary passage 20 sufficient mechanical load-bearing capability.
The closure cap 1, in its view in Figure 1, can be made from a thermoplastic material, for example from bioinert polypropylene (PP). The hole for the secondary passage 20 can be added after the injection moulding procedure for example by drilling. The large wall thicknesses provided for the secondary passage 20 to afford the mechanical load-bearing capability thereof here afford the further advantage of simple and firm fixability of the secondary passage 20 to produce the associated hole. Alternatively however the hole can also already be produced during manufacture by means of a lateral pull.
Figure 2 also shows a cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of the following invention. The closure cap 1 shown therein is similar to the closure cap 1 of Figure 1 but in addition to the primary passage 10 and the secondary passage 20 it also has a tertiary passage 30. That is arranged above the secondary passage 20, at the closure end 3 of the closure cap. The orientation of the tertiary passage 30, in regard to its cross-section, is substantially also parallel to the axis 2 of the closure cap 1 and in addition substantially perpendicular to the cross-section of the secondary passage 20. The cross-sections or the associated centre lines of the passages 10, 20 and 30 thus define a triple-axis co-ordinate system which is substantially at a right angle to each other, that is to say orthogonal. In the case of inhalation of the closure cap 1 in the embodiment of Figure 2 there is now an increased safety aspect that at least one passage remains open, irrespective of the position of the closure cap 1 and a possible closure of individual passages.
In the Figure 2 embodiment the tertiary passage 30 is placed on the secondary passage 20 and fixedly connected thereto and thus indirectly also to the closure cap 1 by way of legs. As is already the case with the secondary passage 20 in the Figure 1 embodiment, the inner region of the tertiary passage 30 is also produced after the injection moulding process, for example by drilling, or during the injection moulding process by lateral pull. In this case also once again the relatively great wall thickness of the tertiary passage 30 and the large axial extent of the wall of the tertiary passage 30 help in regard to the mechanical loading, in the production of the inner region.
Figure 3 shows a detail view of a portion of an embodiment of mutually interlockingly nested tertiary passage 30 and secondary passage 20. In the Figure 3 embodiment the wall thicknesses of the passages and the axial extents of the walls are markedly reduced in comparison with the embodiments of Figures 1 and 2. The resulting overall system is not only more compact but also somewhat more filigree. In spite of the filigree configuration there is still a higher level of residual safety in regard to air interchange by way of at least two passage cross-sections.
A further advantage of the filigree configuration of the embodiment of Figure 3 is the high level of safety against blockage of the two passages 20 and 30. Possible materials which can be found in the region of the passage cross-sections of the tertiary passage 30 and the secondary passage 20 drop out of that region again relatively easily by virtue of that filigree configuration as they are frequently not sufficiently large to be wedged in the passage cross-sections. Contaminating items for which wedging would be possible because of their size however cannot pass at all into the inner region of the two passages precisely because of their size.
The above-described embodiments of the present invention concern a closure cap, in particular for closing pens, in which there are at least one primary passage and at least one secondary passage for safeguarding air exchange through the closure cap.

Claims

A closure cap (1), in particular for closing pens, comprising
at least one opening (8) for receiving an element to be closed and a closure cap axis (2) which is substantially perpendicular to the cross-sectional area of the opening (8),
at least one primary passage (10), wherein the closure cap axis (2) is substantially perpendicular to the primary passage cross-section, and
at least one secondary passage (20), wherein the closure cap axis (2) is substantially parallel to the secondary passage cross-section,
wherein the closure cap (1) has an outer portion (4) and an inner portion (6) and the primary passage (10) is formed between the outer portion (4) and the inner portion (6),
wherein the secondary passage (20) is arranged substantially at the closure end (3) which is in opposite relationship to the opening (8) of the closure cap (1),
characterized in that the secondary passage (20) is spaced from the closure end (3) of the closure cap (1) such that the secondary passage (20) is arranged on an opposite side of the closure end (3) compared to the opening (8) outside the outer portion (4) and in that the primary passage (10) and the secondary passage (20) are through passages that are independent from each other.
A closure cap (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the outer portion (4) is connected to the inner portion (6) by means of at least one leg (9).
A closure cap (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the axial extent of the secondary passage (20) is substantially less than the outside cross-section of the closure end (3) of the closure cap (1).
A closure cap (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the secondary passage (20) has walls whose wall thicknesses and/or axial wall lengths vary.
A closure cap (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the closure cap (1) is made from thermoplastic material.
A closure cap (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the closure cap (1) is made from a material which is bioinert and indigestible by the human being.
A closure cap (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that there is provided at least one further passage, that is to say a tertiary passage (30), which is so arranged that the cross-sections of the primary, secondary and tertiary passages (10, 20, 30) are substantially perpendicular to each other.
A closure cap (1) according to claim 7, characterised in that the secondary passage (20) and the tertiary passage (30) have mutually communicating openings and thus common wall regions.
A pen having a writing tip and a closure cap (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8 for closing the writing tip.