EP2468658A1 - Swallow-proof closure cap for container, in particular food container and in particular drink bag - Google Patents

Abstract

The cap (1) has a base body engaged with a container i.e. beverage bag, and a wing (5) laterally projecting over a lateral surface of the base body with respect to a closing direction for operation of the cap. The wing comprises two lateral sections (5a, 5b) aligned with one another. The wing comprises a bow-shaped section (5c) that connects the lateral sections, so that a recess (7) is formed between the wing and the base body, where the wing has a triangular form. The cap is screwable and formed as a wing cap, which is not swallowed by infants.

Description

The invention relates to a closure cap for containers according to the preamble of claim 1.

It is known to store drinks in containers with screw caps. When eating, or even afterwards, it may happen that a removed cap accidentally stored near an infant and may be forgotten. There is then the danger that the toddler takes the cap in the mouth. Likewise, toddlers come as a consumer target group for such containers into consideration, so that they then inevitably come into contact with the caps. Since the dimensions of conventional caps are usually only slightly larger than the diameter of the respective container opening, toddlers can swallow the caps. This causes a considerable health risk.

In addition, when selling foodstuffs, it may be necessary to comply with regulations concerning the closure safety of closure caps.

It is therefore an object of the invention to minimize the risk of the cap from health risks to infants.

This object is achieved in that a closure cap is designed as a wing cap that can not be swallowed by small children. Wing caps can be made in various shapes almost independent of the diameter of the container opening and thus optimally adapted to the anatomy of a toddler, so that a health hazard can be excluded by swallowing.

According to the invention, the closure cap comprises a base body which can be brought into engagement with the container, and at least one wing projecting laterally over the lateral surface of the base body with respect to the closure direction for actuating the closure cap. As a result, the cap is particularly suitable for screw caps.

According to the invention, the thickness of the wing is greater in a circumferential portion near the edge than in a central portion which forms the transition area to the base body. This can save material and improve ergonomics. In particular, the slipping of the fingers during actuation of the closure is made more difficult. In addition, it is characterized by the bottling avoided that in the present as a bulk material caps individual caps can wedged into each other, since the edge near the edge of the wing can not slip into the gap between the body and the lock fuse.

According to the invention, the width and the height of the cap is 3 to 6 cm. With these dimensions, the cap is particularly verschuckicher.

Preferably, the wing comprises two mutually substantially aligned lateral sections. This shape is particularly ergonomic with flat container bags and allows a high packing density.

It is also advantageous if the wing comprises a bow-shaped section which connects the lateral sections, so that a recess is formed between the wing and the main body. This saves material. In addition, the recess can be used as a fastening tab.

Preferably, the recess is arranged above the base body. An associated container can thereby be stored in a hanging position.

In a favorable development of the invention, the recess is arranged substantially symmetrically to a main axis of the main body. This facilitates hanging the container in a vertical orientation.

Preferably, the width of the wing decreases from the top. As a result, material can be saved and the cap can be adapted particularly ergonomically and visually appealing to a given container shape.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the wing has substantially the shape of a parabolic arch with top vertex, or the shape of an upright isosceles triangle with rounded corners, or corresponds to a combination of these forms. Thus, the Verschlucksicherheit the removed cap is independent of their spatial orientation in the mouth of an infant.

Preferably, the wing has substantially the shape of a triangle with a leg length of 2.5 to 6 cm. This embodiment is particularly verschluckicher.

In a preferred embodiment, the closure cap can be screwed. This allows a secure and tight closure, especially in containers for liquid or flowable food.

Preferably, the closure cap consists of an elastic solid material, in particular of PE, PP, a PP copolymer, a PP-PE copolymer or a PP-PE blend. This allows a tight fit of the cap even without additional seals.

Preferably, the closure cap is made of a biodegradable material. This protects the environment.

It is also advantageous if the closure cap comprises a closure security. This indicates whether a container has already been opened.

The invention also relates to a container for storing liquid goods according to claim 13, with a closure cap according to the invention.

Preferably, the ratio of a maximum dimension of the container, in particular its height or width, to the width and / or height of the wing cap is between 2 and 7.

Fig. 1a bis 1c :

die Hauptansichten (Vorderansicht, Seitenansicht und Draufsicht) der erfindungsgemäßen Verschlusskappe;

Fig. 2

eine Schrägansicht der Verschlusskappe von unten; und

Fig. 3

einen Querschnitt der Verschlusskappe aus Fig. 1, gesehen durch die Schnittebene A-A der Fig. 1.

Fig. 4

einen Querschnitt der Verschlusskappe aus Fig. 1, gesehen durch die Schnittebene B-B der Fig. 1.

An embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawing. Show it:

1a to 1c:

the main views (front view, side view and top view) of the closure cap according to the invention;

Fig. 2

an oblique view of the cap from below; and

Fig. 3

a cross-section of the cap Fig. 1 , seen through the sectional plane AA of the Fig. 1 ,

Fig. 4

a cross-section of the cap Fig. 1 , seen through the sectional plane BB of the Fig. 1 ,

As the Fig. 1a to 1c can recognize the non-latching cap 1 comprises a substantially cylindrical body 3 and a symmetrical with respect to its main axis 3a, from the lateral surface 3b of the body laterally projecting wings 5 for actuating the cap 1, wherein the closing direction is symbolized by the arrow C. The wing 5 comprises lateral, mutually aligned portions 5a, b and a bow-shaped portion 5c, wherein the portions 5a-c together with the base body 3 surround a recess 7.

Out Fig. 2 It is also clear that in the base body 3, an internal thread 9 is provided, with which the closure cap 1 on the external thread of a (not shown) container opening can be screwed on. Furthermore, a conventional closure 11 is provided on the cap 1. This primarily ensures that a sealed container has not previously been opened or that it can be detected whether a container has already been opened once.

Fig. 3 illustrates the cross section of the wing 5 below the recess 7, wherein the thickness D of the wing 5 from a minimum thickness D ₁ in a central transition region 5d to the base body 3 to a maximum thickness D ₂ in the peripheral edge region 5e of the wing 5 to the outside increases. This gives a particularly handy shape, so that the fingers, especially those of a small child, can slip off less easily when operating the closure. In addition, the thickened edge region 5e prevents closure caps 1, which are present as bulk material before filling and are then separated, from becoming wedged into one another, since the thickness D _{2 is} greater than the width of the gap formed between the base body 3 and the closure safety 11 , Thus, the wing 5 can not wedge in this gap despite a material-saving design.

Fig. 4 illustrates the cross section of the wing 5 at the level of the recess 7. Again, the maximum thickness D _{2 is achieved} in the bead-shaped outer region 5e, wherein the thickness D of the bow-shaped portion 5c to the recess 7 decreases towards. This profile allows a material savings with sufficient rigidity of the wing. 5

On the one hand, the recess 7 also makes it possible to save material. On the other hand, the recess 7 is suitable as a suspension lug for the closure cap 1 or a container with a screwed cap 1. This facilitates both the provision on store shelves and the storage or transport by the consumer ,

The recess 7 is also preferably arranged centrally above the base body 3 in order to facilitate a balanced, hanging storage. This is especially true for the upper portion 7a of the recess, which optionally rests on a mounting hook during storage.

However, it is conceivable despite the advantages described, the wing 5 without recess 7, with an asymmetrical recess 7 or with a plurality of recesses 7 form. The described cross-sectional profile of the wing 5 is not absolutely necessary.

Like the front view of the Fig. 1 can be seen, corresponds to the shape of the cap 1, in particular that of the wing 5, essentially a combination of an isosceles triangle with rounded edges (on the container-side underside of the wing 5) and a parabola with a vertex at the top. This substantially triangular shape of the wing 5 has the advantage that the Verschlucksicherheit the cap 1 is independent of their spatial orientation. This is achieved with comparatively low material usage. The rounded edges or corners of the wing 5 are not absolutely necessary, but they additionally reduce any risk of injury.

The leg length of the substantially triangular shape is preferably 2.5 to 6 cm. Accordingly, the width E and the height F of the blade 5 are preferably each in a range of 2.5 to 6 cm. An additional risk buffer is obtained if these dimensions are within a range between 3 and 6 cm.

However, the described shaping and dimensioning is not mandatory. It is Z. B. possible to adapt the shape of the cap 1 to a predetermined container shape, z. B. to achieve a particularly advantageous ergonomics. In particular, the wing does not necessarily have to be symmetrical with respect to the main axis 3 'of the main body 3; For example, it could survive on one side or on both sides of an associated container. The shape and the size ratio of the side wing portions 5a, b and the bow-shaped portion 5c may differ from the embodiment. For example, the recess 7 could be smaller, the bow-shaped portion thicker. It is crucial that the shape and size of the cap 1 is adapted to the anatomy of a toddler so that swallowing is reliably prevented.

While large containers are optionally provided with correspondingly wide openings and large caps, it is particularly important for smaller containers with portioned content to increase the security against swallowing, make the cap 1 sufficiently large compared to the container. The spill-resistant cap 1 is therefore particularly advantageous for containers up to 1 I content, especially for containers up to 500 ml content, and especially for containers up to 330 ml content. The ratio of the container volume to the volume of the closure cap 1, determined by its outer contours, is preferably 1 to 50, in particular 2 to 10. The ratio of a largest dimension of an associated container, such. B. its height to the width E and / or the height F of the wing 5 is preferably 1 to 10, in particular 2 to 7; Ergonomically particularly favorable and visually appealing is a ratio of 2 to 4.

In the example, the wing 5 is substantially plate-shaped, so that the lateral areas 5a, b are substantially flush with each other or lie in a common plane. This is advantageous from an ergonomic and packaging point of view, especially in the case of flat beverage bags. Depending on the container shape, however, it is also conceivable that the lateral wing sections 5a, b are not aligned with each other and / or that several, z. B. orthogonally aligned wings 5 are combined in a cap 1. It is crucial that the shape and dimensioning prevents ingestion of the cap 1 by children, especially infants prevented.

With regard to the orientation of the closure cap 1, the above is assumed to be a standing or hanging container with an opening provided on its top side. However, it goes without saying that the cap 1 is also suitable for side or bottom container openings.

The invention is particularly advantageous for screw caps. However, you could also for other closures, such. As bayonet, clamp or push-pull closures are used. The closure cap 1 according to the invention would also be advantageous if it were actually attached to a container and would have become detached from it, for example, after improper use.

The closure cap 1 is preferably made of an elastic, sealing material, such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), a PP copolymer, a PP-PE copolymer or a PP-PE blend. Depending on the intended use are as material for the cap 1 also polyamide, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene and poly-oxymethylene.

When used with food containers, the cap 1 must meet the relevant provisions and is made in this case of a food safe material.

However, the cap 1 is not limited to use in the food industry. It can also be used, for example, for containers for the storage of personal care products, household cleaning or technical application, such. As soaps, detergents and adhesives are used.

For reasons of environmental protection, there is a particular need for a lock-resistant cap 1, which is made of a biodegradable material.

The cap 1 is particularly suitable for containers in which liquid or flowable materials are stored and transported, and reliably prevents them from being swallowed by small children.

Claims (14)

Closure cap (1) for containers, in particular for containers for storing food, and in particular for beverage bags, wherein the closure cap (1) is designed as a wing cap, which can not be swallowed by small children, comprising
a base body (3) which can be brought into engagement with a container, and at least one wing (5) projecting laterally over the lateral surface (3b) of the base body (3) with respect to the closure direction (C) for actuating the closure cap (1),
characterized in that the width (E) and the height (F) of the closure cap (1) related to the direction of closure are 3 to 6 cm; and the thickness (D) of the wing (5) is greater in a peripheral edge-proximal portion (5e) than in a central transitional area (5d) to the base body (3). Closure cap according to claim 1, characterized in that the wing (5) comprises two mutually substantially aligned lateral portions (5a, b). Closure cap according to claim 2, characterized in that the wing further comprises a bow-shaped portion (5c) which connects the lateral portions (5a, b), so that between the wing (5) and the base body (3) has a recess (7). is trained. Closure cap according to claim 3, characterized in that the recess (7) is arranged above the base body (5). Closure cap according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the recess (7) is arranged substantially symmetrically to a main axis (3a) of the base body (3). Closure cap according to at least one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the width (E) of the wing (5) decreases towards the top. Closure cap according to at least one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the wing (5) has substantially the shape of a parabolic arch with the top lying vertex, or the shape of an upright isosceles triangle with rounded corners, or a combination of these shapes. Closure cap according to at least one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that the wing (5) has a substantially triangular shape with a leg length of 2.5 to 6 cm. Closure cap according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closure cap (1) can be screwed. Closure cap according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closure cap (1) consists of a resilient solid material, in particular of PE, PP, a PP copolymer, a PP-PE copolymer or a PP-PE blend. Closure cap according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closure cap (1) consists of a biodegradable material. Closure cap according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closure cap (1) comprises a closure safety device (11). Container for storing liquid goods, with a closure cap according to one of the preceding claims. Container according to claim 13, characterized in that the ratio of a maximum dimension of the container, in particular its height or width, to the width (E) and / or the height (F) of the wing cap (1) is between 2 and 7.

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