EP3016873B1 - Closure unit consisting of cover and vessel, closure cover and closing method - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a closure unit (container and closure lid), a closure (also: closure lid) and a method for a container (also: vessel) made of glass or plastic, consisting of a container with a container neck with external threaded elements, the closure lid being provided with an axial Pressing is applied to the container neck and is released from it by a screwing process. More precisely, it is a press-on / twist-off closure.

"Press-on, twist-off" (PT) closures have long been known for use on glass or hard plastic containers. The preferred form of the closure cover comprises a shell body made of metal with an upper mirror (panel) and an apron section projecting axially (downwards) therefrom. The generally cylindrical upper section of the skirts has a deformable plastic lining into which threads are formed when it is pressed vertically onto a mouth which is equipped with thread segments radially on the outside. The consumer can later remove the closure cap from the container body by means of a normal loosening movement, see
U.S. 4,709,825 (Mumford), summary, WO-A 2002/094670 (Crown Cork & Seal), reference numerals 20 and 16 and the straight axial skirt 28 with a cylindrical shape and
U.S. 4,552,279 (Mueller), there summary and PT cover 10 for the threaded sections 13 on the neck 12 of the container.

With these closures, the person skilled in the art achieves a hermetic sealing of containers for packaging and for preserving food, in particular baby food. The food can be filled hot (above 70 ° C) and after sealing and cooling, a vacuum is created that can make it more difficult for the consumer to unscrew the lid (the "opening value" as the torque to be used).

For decades it has been common and tried and tested state of the art to make the axially downwardly protruding skirt section and the mouth of the container relatively long axially so that a hermetic seal is ensured; on the other hand, the construction of the plastic lining (compound) must be designed in such a way that it the sealing conditions are met, but can also be opened in a satisfactory manner by the consumer. These two requirements can currently only be achieved by axially long sections and the consequent high use of material, see WO 2010/136414 A1 (Crown), paras. [26] and WO 2012/158937 (Stacked wines).

Out US3374601 a closure unit according to the preamble of claim 1 is known.

The invention has set itself the task of reducing the metal, glass and plastic consumption in the production of the closure lid, the closed closure unit (container and lid) and the associated processes without sacrificing quality and consumer benefits.

This was achieved with a surprisingly small aspect ratio of the closure lid, which also resulted in savings in the raw material glass (claims 1, 10, 19). The aforementioned object is thus achieved with a closure cover made of sheet metal (claim 10). It is suitable for a plastic or glass container and is also designed and adapted mechanically for this purpose (claim 1). The glass container has external, circumferentially offset threaded elements that replace a continuous thread, but are staggered on the circumference. These threaded elements are arranged on a container neck of the container body to which the closure lid (also "metallic" closure lid) is to be assigned. The assignment takes place within the framework of the PT concept, in which the cover is first pressed on axially (P component) and then removed by the user, as a customer (or consumer), by means of a rotary movement (T component). This is expressed by the features (a) in claim 1 and the features (a) + (b) in claim 10.

The closure cap is to be pressed axially onto the container neck and over the threaded elements. For this purpose, it is adapted and designed, with the closure lid having a plastic layer which, on the inside of the lid, rests against a circumferential transition zone and against the apron section, namely in a permanently adhesive manner. This plastic layer has an axial extension and a radial extension.

The mentioned transition zone is oriented circumferentially, connects the central area of the closure lid (usually called a "panel") with the axially protruding apron section. The latter leads over into a curling area, which can have an inner curl or an outer curl.

By means of a screwing process, the closure lid is released from the container neck and the threaded elements again, which is done by the consumer. This loosening movement must be easy, i.e. it must also be able to be carried out by older people and children, which is contrary to the wish that proper tightness and great durability must be given in the locked state. Both functions are part of a very difficult coordination process, which is between a proper sealing (axially pressed far down and therefore long axial sections on the glass neck and on the lid) and a smooth turning to break (iS overcoming) the vacuum that forms after cooling has to take place in the closed container.

This axial force transmitted to the compound via threaded elements is adapted very precisely and must be coordinated; if this force is too small, the cover remains down and cannot be unscrewed in the axial direction (due to the rotary movement). If the adhesion of the compound to the threaded elements is too weak, holding it for sealing during transport, in storage condition and during the duration of a sales offer on the shelf and also in the event of temperature fluctuations is not sufficient. If the force is too great, the closure will not be easy to open. The vacuum in the container must also be taken into account and influences the forces mentioned.

The claimed closure unit (claim 1) consists of a glass container with external, circumferentially offset threaded elements on a container neck of the glass container. A sealing cover made of sheet metal is also provided, the sealing cover having a circumferential plastic layer on the inside of the cover, which is arranged on it in a sealing and holding manner and also acts. The closure cap is (or: was) pressed onto the container neck and can be opened with a rotary movement via the threaded elements and a vertical section of the plastic layer. That describes its technical / structural design. So also for the container neck of the jointly claimed glass container (claim 1). The stressed state is the closed state after the closure lid has been pressed onto the container neck.

The container neck has a horizontally oriented "surface" (as the upwardly facing end face) on which a horizontal section of the plastic layer on the closure lid rests in a sealing manner under pressure.

The closure cover has a central area, an adjoining, circumferentially oriented transition zone and an axially protruding skirt section which leads into a curling area. The plastic layer is arranged on the inside of the lid, adhering to the transition zone and the apron section. An axial extension of the skirt section and a radial dimension of the horizontally aligned end face of the container neck form a first ratio, called v ₁ , which is less than 3.00. This results in the surprising effect that, despite a relatively short apron section, there is sufficient area available to permanently seal the closed assembly of closure lid and glass container (at least up to the best before date), although the shortening is also accompanied by a reduction in the effective sealing area. However, when turning the cap, sufficient lifting force can arise, which is formed as an axially directed decrease force as a result of the turning, and the force for turning, i.e. that Breakaway torque, is not too large and can also be achieved or applied by the elderly, measured in inches * lbs or Nm, and in the useful range below 50 inches * lbs, preferably 35 inches * lbs, with 70 mm (diameter) closures and 180 mbar to 300 mbar (18 kPa to 30 kPa) negative pressure, correspondingly below 5.64 Nm, preferably 3.95 Nm.

The separately claimed cover (claim 10) also achieves this combination task in that it implements a ratio of two functional elements which is defined as follows: an axial extension of the skirt section and a radial extension of the transition zone form a (second) ratio , called v ₂ , which is less than 1.00. This results in the surprising effect that, despite a relatively short apron section, there is (still) sufficient area available to permanently seal the closed assembly of closure lid and plastic or glass container. At the same time, when turning, sufficient lifting force can arise, which is formed as an axially directed decrease force as a result of the turning, and the force for turning, i.e. the breakaway torque, is not too great and can also be reached or applied by the elderly.

Shortening the skirt section seems to the person skilled in the art to produce too little force and there seems to be a sealing zone that is too short in the axial direction, but this has surprisingly not been confirmed in tests. Indeed, these tests have shown, very surprisingly, that - as a departure from the long-standing state of the art and many years of experience - an axially short design of the skirt section that is smaller than the radial extension of the transition zone in which the radially directed section of the plastic layer ( usually called 'compound'), a sufficient seal and sufficient axially directed removal force is achieved.

As a result, there is a compound and sheet metal savings, which is justified by the relatively short axial apron, and there is a saving in raw materials for the corresponding correspondingly shorter mouth section of the plastic or glass container, which is also shortened in the axial direction compared to the prior art Technology is - or can become.

The radially aligned section of the plastic layer presses in the same way, functionally accurate and reliable on the upper end face of a mouth area of the container. This opening area, or the upper end face, presses itself a little way into the plastic layer after the closure cover has been pressed on, so that not only pure contact but also sealing under pressure is given. In other words, the claimed ratio says that the radial extension of the transition zone, which is responsible for the axial sealing, is greater than the axial length of the skirt section. The skirt section means a straight, cylindrical section of the closure lid which can have a curl at its lower end. This can be an inner curl or an outer curl that adjoins the apron section; directly afterwards with the outside roll, or with the interposition of a widening transition section with the inside roll.

It is understandable that the transition zone, which gets its name from the transition between the panel (cover surface) and the axial skirt (skirt section), also has curved elements. A radially outer end section of the transition area is accordingly a 90 ° bend in order to merge it into the continuously straight skirt section.

If an inner curling area is arranged at the lower end of the apron section, which runs in a straight line and has no mechanical beads or threaded elements, there is a transition area between this inwardly reaching curling area (directed radially inward) and the lower end of the straight apron section. This transition area widens in the radial direction so that the subsequent, inwardly directed curl has a sufficient space outside the container wall (the lower end of the mouth area) formed by spacing.

The curling area (outer roller or inner roller) has at least a 360 ° curl, in a preferred embodiment. In the outer curvature area of the transition zone of the closure lid, an arch is preferably provided so that the preferably straight, axially protruding skirt section extends between said arch and the curl.

It should be noted that the term “curling” does not mean that it is an inwardly directed curl, but rather an outwardly directed curl is also claimed with this terminology.

In a preferred embodiment, the said ratio of the axial extent of the skirt section and the radial extent of the transition zone is greater than 0.85 and thus less than 1.0. Further preferred embodiments of the second relationship mentioned are described, the outer curling and the inner curling "playing a role", based on particularly preferred ranges of the second ratio. For the inside curl, the ratio is preferably 0.9 with a range of ± 5% deviation, in particular 0.89 with a more precisely specified second ratio of 0.89 with a deviation range or a tolerance band of ± 1%. These more precise tolerance ranges or catchment areas are intended to replace the terms "essentially", which are currently difficult to obtain in law, and are to be understood accordingly.

The ratio in the range of 0.98, which has a draw-in area or protection area of ± 2%, is preferred for outer curling, so that the person skilled in the art can also understand here that the second ratio is essentially 0.98. This is preferred in the case of outer curling, which does not have a bell-shaped widening after the axially extending apron section, as is preferably the case for inner curling.

Associated with the press-on / unscrew closure, a container is provided with an end section which has at least two, but preferably many, thread segments extending circumferentially (and inclined) thereon. Due to their large number, these inclined thread segments are nested with respect to one another or arranged in a staggered manner on the circumference of the container mouth facing outwards.

The closure cover is pressed open axially, that is to say pressed over the thread segments in the axial direction by a pressing force, the thread segments being pressed into the elastic plastic layer due to their rigidity. This ensures that, when it is subsequently loosened, the segments in the embossed tracks lift the closure cover axially upwards when it is rotated. As long as this torque does not occur, the pressed-on closure lid remains placed on the end section of the container (the mouth area) in such a way that the axial section of the plastic layer arranged on the cover side at the transition zone and the skirt section comes into axially locking contact with the threaded segments of the container.

In a method for detaching the sheet metal cover from the container arrangement, the thread segments are guided around the circumference in order to lift the sheet metal cover axially and detach it from the thread segments, with the result that the container comprising the closure cover and container is opened.

Claim 19 comprises a comparable closing method in which the glass container is also closed and has an end section with many thread segments extending thereon with a circumferential offset. The closure lid is designed in such a way that it has the circumscribed skirt section and the circumscribed transition zone. The radially directed transition zone forms the standard of comparison, the axially extending skirt section being adapted in the order of magnitude to the extent of the radially directed extent (or: the radial extent of the transition zone). This claimed order of magnitude encompasses a range of the ratio between 0.8 and 1.1, so it is not the "physical order of magnitude", but analogously a size adjustment that differs significantly from the prior art because the axial skirt section is significantly different in the prior art represents much longer or larger than the radially extending transition zone.

A comparison with the state of the art of a common closure cover is intended to show this. The axial length of the skirt section is approx. 6.5 mm, and the radially directed transition zone is approx. 4.6 mm, so that a relationship is formed that should not be covered by the concept of adjusting the order of magnitude, that is, one Represents a factor of approx. 1.4, on the other hand a ratio of a maximum of 1.1 is claimed for the much shorter axially directed skirt section.

The ratio of the axial extent of the skirt section with a view to a radial dimensioning of the horizontally aligned end face ensures a very compact closure area in the closure unit. A dimension of the metallic closure lid is related to an end dimension of the glass container. One is directed axially, the other radially. To form the horizontal end face, an imaginary plane can be added, which also allows dimensioning of the axially upper ends of the thread elements (= thread segments). The axial distance that can be defined in this way has a dimension that is less than 2.0 mm or even less. This stands for an axial section of the container neck that is significantly shortened compared to the prior art, with no threaded elements being provided on this section. The threaded elements are arranged on a section axially further down so that they are not omitted.

This is described with a horizontal plane which runs through the horizontally aligned end face of the container neck. Measured from it to the upper end of the plurality of circumferentially offset thread elements, it is only "a short distance", in any case less than 2.0 mm, preferably less than or equal to 1.6 mm and more preferably less than or equal to 1.3 mm.

It can be seen that this section intended for an additional seal in the prior art can be omitted without impairing the sealing effect effectively obtained, and thereby reducing the cost of materials in terms of glass, compound and sheet metal.

The description of the short apron used for the closure lid (claim 10) can be added in addition to the description of claim 1, last feature, within the meaning of claim 9. Then there is a multiple description of the "shortening", the axial extent of the skirt section being part of both ratios, the first and the second ratio.

The radially outer end section of the transition area can have a 90 ° curve. It goes directly into the straight apron section. In order to clarify the terms of the horizontal extent and the vertical extent or the axial extent, the axially straight skirt section is perpendicular to the plane in which the central area of the closure cover lies.

There are two variants for curling at the lower edge of the apron section, outer curling and inner curling. A “curl” should be understood to mean an essentially circular configuration. If this circular formation is an outer curl, it connects directly to the straight apron section. If the curl is an inner curl, there is a transition area between the straight apron section and the inner curl which causes the radial dimension of the apron to expand. With this internal curling, the first ratio is preferably designed so that it is below 2.70.

Another description of the press-on-loosen lock describes the central area as a metallic plate. A metallic apron protrudes from this at the bottom, the plate together with the apron circumscribing and delimiting a generally cylindrical inner recess. The metallic apron runs continuously in a straight line until it ends in a curled section. The axial shortness of the apron is also circumscribed by a ratio in this closure cover. An axial length of the metallic apron is smaller than a radial extension of a transition zone between the upper end of the metallic apron and a radially outer end of the metallic one Plate. This means that the course of this transition zone does not have to be straight and radial, but rather the sheet metal in this transition zone can circumscribe a trough which can have several radii of curvature and one or more inclined sections. When the lid is turned over, the transition zone acts like a kind of channel to accommodate a radial section of a compound. The axial section of this compound extends on the inside of the cylindrically shaped skirt and, in addition to a sealing function, also forms the holding function and screwing function of the PT concept. The compound is preferably a PVC compound or a TPE compound.

The curl can be directed outwards or inwards, adjoining the metallic skirt; In the case of an inner curl, the metallic apron is bell-shaped in the lower end area, there are three sections, a cylindrical section, the widening, bell-shaped section and then the inner curl. This is different with the outer curling, which is arranged directly at the lower end of the cylindrical section of the apron without an intermediate section being temporarily stored.

The method of closing the container assembly includes steps that involve the design of the closure lid. The container is provided and has an end portion with at least two, preferably several, thread segments extending circumferentially thereon. These thread segments can be arranged circumferentially staggered, preferably not more than two staggered thread segments are arranged one below the other in the axial direction, usually so when a first thread segment ends with an axially upper end, the next but one thread segment begins afterwards or shortly thereafter, below which further circumferentially and inclined middle thread segment.

Figur 1

veranschaulicht ein Schnittbild im Ausschnitt eines Mündungsabschnitts eines Glasgefäßes 50 (als Behälterhals), auf dem ein Verschlussdeckel 2 aufgesetzt ist. Der Verschlussdeckel ist ein PT Verschlussdeckel.

Figur 2

veranschaulicht ein anderes Beispiel eines Verschlussdeckels 1 in der gleichen Ausschnittsvergrößerung.

Figur 3

ist eine noch weitere Ausschnittsvergrößerung des oberen Endes der Mündung 52 des Glasbehälters (als Behälterhals), wobei die dichtende radial gerichtete Stirnfläche 52a als verbindendes Verständniselement dient. b₅₂* bezeichnet ein radiales Maß der wirksamen Dichtfläche und b₅₂ die horizontale Stirnfläche.

The closure lid is pressed onto the end section of the container, which is often also called the mouth section, but here is to be called the container neck, the plastic layer, which lies on the inside of the lid against a transition zone and the skirt section, comes into axially locking contact with the thread segments. Exemplary embodiments explain and supplement the claimed invention. Examples do not constitute a restriction of the claims, but do offer disclosure and are not to be understood in such a way that "necessary" features for claims are derived from them, which are supposed to be supplemented there.

Figure 1

illustrates a sectional image in the detail of an opening section of a glass vessel 50 (as a container neck) on which a closure lid 2 is placed. The cap is a PT cap.

Figure 2

illustrates another example of a closure cap 1 in the same enlarged detail.

Figure 3

is a still further enlargement of the upper end of the mouth 52 of the glass container (as container neck), wherein the sealing radially directed end face 52a serves as a connecting understanding element. b ₅₂ * denotes a radial dimension of the effective sealing surface and b ₅₂ the horizontal face.

The container 50 is preferably made of glass or a hard plastic. It has a mouth area 52 as a container neck, which in Figure 1 in detail and in an enlargement in Figure 3 is shown. The upper end of the container neck 52 of the container 50 is a radially directed end face 52a which is closed inwardly via a circumferential fillet groove 52b and outwardly via an axial piece h ₅₄ which extends to the axially upper end of the threaded web 54. After an axial section is shown, it can be seen that this sectional view can stand for any circumferentially further offset axial section, with the exception of the height position of the two illustrated thread segments 54, 55, which depending on the circumferential rotation of the vertical section in a different height position of the outer Surface of the container neck 52 lie. The attached closure cap 2 is also shown in the cutout, primarily in its holding area at the mouth 52.

For the 1 in Figure 2 The same applies, it is also shown in the excerpt. Two of its radial dimensions are given, D _i and D _a . The dimension D _{i is} the radial diameter dimension of the cover surface 11, which can also be referred to as the central area. It extends radially within a circumferential kink 11a ', which merges into the edge area, which is represented by the reference numerals 11a, 11b and 11c. The external dimension D _{a should be} described beforehand. It is the diameter of the skirt 12 which adjoins the transition zone 11a, 11b and 11c radially on the outside, but protruding downwards in the axial direction. In the representation of the Figures 1 and 2 the left side of the skirt section 12 cannot be seen, so that the beginning of the outer diameter D _a on the left edge also remains open, but the diameter dimension D _i can be shown on the left edge corresponding to the circumferential crease line 11a '.

The difference between the two diameters D _a and D _i describes the radial dimension dr as it is in the Figures 1 and 2 is shown, where D _a -D _i = 2dr.

The dimension dr comprises, starting from the circumferential kink 11a ', the first ramp section 11a, a slightly less inclined second ramp section 11b above the end face 52a of the neck 52 of the container 50, and the right outer end of this second ramp section 11b merges into a curved section 11c the skirt section 12.

The top of the skirt portion 12 is 12a in Figure 1 , and 12b is the lower end. Between these two ends or end points, the skirt 12 runs in a straight line in the axial direction and forms a cylinder, viewed in the circumferential direction.

Below the lower end 12b of the skirt section 12 there is an outer roll 22 which is directly connected to it.

A radially directed, horizontal section 30h of a sealing layer 30 is arranged in the radial transition section of the radial width dr, and the axial section 30v of the sealing layer consisting of a plastic is arranged radially inside the skirt 12.

The circumferentially extending plastic layer consists of these two sections 30h and 30v, whereby it extends up to the rolled area 22 in Figure 1 extends down, there named radially within the outer roll 22 with 32. The same is true of section 31 above inner curl 21 in FIG Figure 2 , radially inward of the widening portion 21a.

With regard to the dimensioning, further details are given below. First of all, it should be shown that the closure cover 2 pressed on by axial pressure in the Figure 1 has not yet been fully pressed on because the horizontal section 30h of the plastic layer has not yet been compressed. This only rests on the end face 52a, but in reality is compressed a little by the upper end face 52a, so that the horizontal section 30h of the sealing layer extends beyond the initial sealing face 52a Areas that extends in the Figure 1 left and right with a radius of curvature (edge breaking) can be seen. Links in the Figure 1 or Figure 2 the radial compound section 30h extends a little way into the inner keyway 52b. This can result in the enlargement of the Figure 3 can be seen taking this Figure 3 in the execution of the Figure 1 and Figure 2 can be used.

Figure 3 illustrates the upper edge of the neck 52. The horizontally aligned end face 52a, which has a width b ₅₂ , may serve as the connecting link. It is aligned purely horizontally and it defines a horizontal plane E _52a , with respect to which reference dimensions and relationships are explained below.

To the left and right of the horizontally aligned end face 52a there are radii of curvature which define a curvature 52 'and 52 ". They have an associated length of b ₅₂ ' and b ₅₂ ".

It goes without saying that these surfaces extend circumferentially and the concept of radial dimensioning must be viewed purely radially. The length b ₅₂ 'extends the pure radial dimension, for example, and must therefore be added to the _{radial dimension b 52 on the inside.} b ₅₂ 'extends to the turning point of the keyway 52b. Correspondingly radially outside with b ₅₂ ".

A still further, axially extending section 52 '''can be seen on the outside, which extends as far as the thread segment 54. In the example, this dimension is FIG Figure 3 very short compared to the radian dimension 52 ″, which has the actual length b _{52 ″} , but only a very much smaller radial dimension, which is added to the purely radial dimension b ₅₂ , if one considers the entire extending sealing surface, which is a purely radial Dimension of b ₅₂ *.

This is the radial dimension of the effective sealing surface, which itself can be longer. The purely horizontal and purely radially extending end face 52a with purely radial dimension b ₅₂ is therefore dimensioned more precisely.

The sum of the surface _{sections b 52} , b _{52 '} , b _{52 "} and b _{52"' is} decisive for the seal, the section 52 "'running practically purely axially and also being oriented a little radially with a very small angle of inclination Section 52 "'ends at the thread webs, here for the dimensioning at the upper end of the or all circumferentially extending thread webs 54, 55, including others that are not shown.

Understanding from the Figure 3 should refer to the Figures 1 and 2 be transferred, however, the inner curling in the example of the Figure 2 yet to be explained.

This inner curl 21 adjoins the apron section 12, with elements and functions that are otherwise used in the same way, as they are Figure 1 were explained. The associated reference symbols are also the same.

The lower axial end of the cylindrical skirt section 12 does not lead directly into a curl, but into a widening section 21a. Its upper end 21a ′ starts at the lower end of the cylindrical section 12. The widening section 21a merges with its lower end 21a ″ into an inwardly rolled-up section 21, which circumscribes a 360 ° curl. The indication of the diameter with d ₂₁ can circumscribe the curl 21 and the height h ₂₁ describes the height of the Transition section 21a, which is used for radial expansion and the creation of space or space for the inner curling.

A region 31 of the plastic layer is provided radially within the widening 21a, which area also extends below the axial lower end 12b Figure 1 , here in Figure 2 extends and thereby expands radially, but does not extend axially downward beyond the inner curl, but rather remains limited _{to the height h 21.} Correspondingly, the height section d _{22 of} the outer roller 22 can be made Figure 1 can be used, which defines a comparable plastic section 32.

The findings from Figure 3 should now be in the Figure 1 and 2 be transmitted.

Here in Figure 1 the radial dimension of the end face 52a is measured _{as b 52.} The effective sealing surface is wider and, in particular, also longer in the radial direction, but does not have a dimension corresponding to its actual "length", but the dimension b ₅₂ * shown. These two dimensions were in Figure 3 explained and are in Figure 1 and Figure 2 each entered, namely below the second ramp section 11b, which lies above the end face 52a, which is effective at the start of the sealing process.

The radial dimension dr of the transition zone consisting of the three elements 11a, 11b, 11c is in both Figures 1 and 2 drawn. It is greater than the axial height of the cylindrical skirt section 12. This height is _{measured with h 0} , it begins at the upper end 12a of the skirt section 12 which corresponds to the radially outer end 11c ″ of the arc of curvature 11c. The inner end 11c 'of the arc of curvature 11c merges into the second ramp section 11d. It is approximately level with the outer surface of the upper end of the container neck 52 and extends between the upper end of all threads, a corresponding imaginary circumferential line (and the plane E _52a ) which defines the position and orientation circumscribes the horizontal end face 52a, or vice versa.

The dimension and the distance from the plane E _52a to the upper end of the thread segments 54 (and accordingly also the segment 55 offset circumferentially) is indicated _{by h 54.} This dimension is particularly short. It ensures that, in the prior art, a significantly higher dimension of more than 2.8 mm in the exemplary embodiments of Figure 1 and 2 can be shortened significantly. This distance h ₅₄ is to be referred to as a threadless zone between the end face 52a and the thread area from the closer circumferentially offset thread elements 54, 55.

In the exemplary embodiments, this height dimension h _{54 is in} any case less than 2 mm, preferably less than 1.6 mm or even essentially 1.3 mm, which is intended to describe the “very small” extension in the axial direction. This is a significantly shortened axial section of the container neck in which there are no threaded elements and which in the prior art has been assigned a significant contribution to the sealing effect. According to the exemplary embodiments of the invention, these are no longer present, but the exemplary embodiments still provide a sufficient sealing effect.

Another dimension is the radial dimension dr in relation to the circumscribed axial height h _{0 of} the skirt section 12. Here, these two dimensions are of the same order of magnitude, or the height dimension is smaller than the radial dimension.

The radial extension is decisive for the sealing effect on the face of the mouth. The axial dimension is decisive for the opening mechanism.

This radial dimension can be the radial dimension dr of the sheet metal cover, which consists of the three sections 11a, 11b and 11c in the transition zone, or it can be the above-described radial dimension 52a on the glass, which makes the initial sealing contact and the plane E _52a defined. The latter is on the container, the former is on the lid.

The relationships are such that the height dimension h ₀ in one example of the outer curl 22 of Figure 1 4.405 mm can be specified, which is to be related to a dr of 4.48 mm for a lid with an external dimension of 60 mm. The result is a ratio v ₂ of the axial height of the skirt to the radial extent of the transition zone of 0.98.

This ratio v ₂ = 0.98 for identifying an axially very short apron 12 can have a draw-in area of ± 2%.

It is to be expected that other diameters of closure lids, not just the one with 60 mm, also have these ratios, since the sealing zone to the axial holding zone too for sealing lids with smaller and larger diameters remain practically unchanged.

The corresponding dimensioning and definition of the assignment can also take place with a view to the radial dimension b ₅₂ . Here the outer roller 22 has to Figure 1 an axial height dimension of the skirt 12 of h ₀ = 4.405, as indicated above. The used dimension of the container 50 in the neck portion 52 is a b ₅₂ = 1.5 mm. This relatively narrow dimension is supplemented by the in Figure 3 circumscribed further dimensions, which describe the effective sealing surface, so that the radial dimension of the effective sealing surface is given by b ₅₂ *, which is 2.35 mm. Within this dimension b ₅₂ *, the pure radial dimension of the end face 52a measures only 1.5 mm.

The ratio v ₁ from the axial height to the pure radial dimension b _{52 is} calculated in the example of FIG Figure 1 with the outside role from the above values to 2.94 and is less than 3.00. The comparable ratio for the inside role according to Figure 2 is that of the height dimension h ₀ to the extent b _{52 of} the end face 52a. Here the dimension b _{52 is} equal to that of the example of Figures 1 and 1 , 5 mm.

For the execution of the inner curl 21 according to Figure 2 For example, a relatively short apron section 12 can also be circumscribed by ratio specifications, once via the first ratio v ₁ and once via the second ratio v ₂ , or in a combination thereof. The first ratio v ₁ describes the ratio to the end face 52a on the glass vessel, the second ratio v ₂ describes the ratio to the radial extension dr of the transition zone 11a, 11b and 11c on the closure lid alone.

Here, too, the axial section h ₀ for the closure cap is shorter than the radial dimension dr, with the height h ₀ for the in the example Figure 2 is to be specified as 4.005 mm and the radial extension dr as 4.48 mm, as in the example of Figure 1 .

This results in a ratio v ₂ of 0.89, which is even smaller than that based on the example of Figure 1 explained ratio v ₂ .

This ratio can be specified in a larger tolerance range (catchment area) of 0.9 ± 5% as well as over 0.89 ± 1%, shown using the example of a 59 mm sealing cap in Figure 2 , which diameter dimension D _a does not play an essential role for the circumscribed ratio, since this ratio in the mouth area of the closed container 50 remains practically the same regardless of the diameter of different closures.

An upper limit can be named, which means that this second ratio v _{2 is} less than 1, but a lower limit can also be named that the ratio should be greater than 0.85, which in the case of a technical- functional limitation should always be circumscribed by an upper and a lower limit, the upper limit is decisive for the distinction from the prior art, since it is able to describe the small extent of the axial extent of the apron 12 in the best possible way.

The ratio v ₁ from the axial height to the pure radial dimension b ₅₂ is in the example Figure 1 with an outer roll that is 2.94 and is less than 3.00. The other ratio for the inside role after Figure 2 is that of the height dimension h ₀ to the extent b _{52 of} the end face 52a. Here the dimension b _{52 is} equal to that of the example of Figures 1 and 1 , 5 mm.

The radial dimension of the effective sealing surface b ₅₂ * is also given here - which has remained the same - as 2.35 mm. This can be seen because both glasses 50 are assumed to be the same, once closed with a closure lid 2 with an outer roller 22 and once closed with a closure lid 1 with an inner roller 21, each at the lower end of the apron section 12.

Because of the lower height of 4.005 mm in the case of the axial skirt section 12, a lower first ratio v ₁ of 2.67 results. This is also below the upper limit of 3.0 and can be specified with a more precise specification than below 2.70.

In the examples of the Figures 1 and 2 there are also other height dimensions entered, which result from the circumscribed height dimensions.

The height dimension h = h ₂ for the outer roller 22 according to Figure 1 , is composed of three components, the diameter d _{22 of} the curl 22, the axial height h _{0 of} the "short" skirt section 12 and an axial height h 'of the transition zone 11a, 11b and 11c, which has the radial width dr. The total height of the edge area of the closure cover 2 results here as h ₂ .

There is another component h ₂₁ in the Figure 2 in the case of the cover 1 with inner roller 21, in addition to the three components described Figure 1 , here for the formation of the height dimension h = h ₁ . The three components are correspondingly, the axial dimension h _{0 of} the skirt 12, the diameter d _{21 of} the inner roller 21 and the axial height dimension h 'of the transition zone 11a, 11b and 11c, the Figure 1 can be taken over. Dimension h ₂₁ is the axial height of the bell-shaped widened intermediate section 21a with its lower end 21a ″.

Claims (19)

1. Closure unit consisting of a container (50) made of glass or rigid plastic with outer, circumferentially offset thread elements (54, 55) on a container neck (52) of the container and a closure cover made of sheet metal, wherein the closure cover (1, 2) has a circumferential plastics layer (30, 30h, 30v) on the inside of the cover that is arranged and also acts in a sealing and retaining manner; wherein the closure cover

   a. is pressed onto the container neck (52) and may be opened by a rotational movement via the thread elements (54, 55) and a vertical section (30v) of the plastics layer;

   b. the container neck (52) has a horizontal end face (52a) with a horizontal section (30h) of the plastic layer sealingly resting on it under pressure;

   and the closure cover further has

   - a central portion (11) with an adjacent, circumferentially orientated transition zone (11a, 11b, 11c) and an axially downwardly and straight extending skirt section (12) leading into a curled portion (21a, 21, 22);

   - wherein the plastics layer (30, 30h, 30v) is adherently arranged on the inside of the closure cover at the transition zone (11a, 11b, 11c) and the skirt section (12);
   characterized in that

   - the axial extension (h₀) of the skirt section (12) and the radial dimension (b₅₂) of the horizontally orientated end face (52a) of the container neck (52) create a first ratio (v₁) that is smaller than 3,00.
2. Closure unit according to claim 1, wherein a radially outer end portion (11c) of the transition zone is a 90° curved arc (11c) whose radially outer end leads into a continuously straight skirt section (12) standing perpendicular to a plane of the central section (11).
3. Closure unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the curled portion (22) is an outward curl directly adjoining the skirt section (12).
4. Closure unit according to claim 1, wherein the curled portion (21a, 21) has a lower transition zone (21a) that is widened outwardly, adjoining a lower end of the skirt section (12) and leading into an inward curl (21) at the end of its widening.
5. Closure unit according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the curled portion (22) at least has a curl of 360°.
6. Closure unit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the axially downward extending skirt section (12) is continuously straight.
7. Closure unit according to claim 4, wherein the skirt section (12) between a lower end (11c") of an outer arc (11c) and the upper end of the transition zone (21a) is continuously straight and the first ratio (v₁) is smaller than 2,70.
8. Closure unit according to claim 1 or one of the other preceding claims 2 to 7, wherein an axial distance (h₅₄) of the axially upper ends of the circumferentially offset thread elements (54) from a horizontal plane (E_52a) through the horizontally aligned end face of the container neck (52) of the container (50) is smaller than 2,0 mm, particularly the axial distance (h₅₄) of the axially upper ends of the circumferentially offset thread elements (54) is smaller or equal 1,6 mm or the axial distance (h₅₄) is smaller or equal 1,3 mm, according to a clearly shortened axial section of the container neck (52) without thread elements.
9. Closure unit according to claim 1 or one of the other preceding claims, wherein an axial extension (h₀) of the skirt section (12) of the closure cover and a radial extension (dr) of the transition zone (11a, 11b, 11c) create a second ratio (v₂) that is smaller than 1,00.
10. Closure cover made of sheet metal for a plastic or glass container (50) with outer, circumferentially offset thread elements (54) at a container neck (52), wherein the closure cover (1, 2) is configured and suitable

    a. to be axially pressed onto the container neck (52) and over the thread elements (54);

    b. to be removed from the container neck (52) and the thread elements (54) by a screwing process;

    and has

    - a central portion (11), a circumferentially orientated transition zone (11a, 11b, 11c) and an axially downward extending skirt section (12), leading into a curled portion (21a, 21, 22);

    - a plastics layer (30, 30h, 30v) adherently fitting to the transition zone (11a, 11b, 11c) and the skirt section (12) at the inside of the cover;

    - wherein the central portion (11) extends within a circumferential bending point (11a') leading to the transition zone (11a, 11b, 11c), connecting the central portion (11) of the closure cover with the axially downward extending skirt section (12);
    characterized in that

    - the axial length as extension (h₀) of the axially downward extending skirt section (12) and the radial extension (dr) of the circumferentially orientated transition zone (11a, 11b, 11c) between the central portion (11) and the axially downward extending skirt section (12) create a second ratio (v₂) that is smaller than 1,00.
11. Closure cover according to claim 10, wherein the radial extension (dr) of the transition zone is greater than the axial extension as length (h₀) of the skirt section (12).
12. Closure cover according to claim 10, wherein a radially outer end section (11c) of the transition zone is a 90° curved arc (11c) whose radially outer end leads to a continuously straight skirt section (12).
13. Closure cover according to claim 10, wherein the axially downward extending skirt section (12) is continuously straight.
14. Closure cover according to claim 10, wherein the skirt section (12) between an outer arc (11c) of the transition zone and the curled section is continuously straight and perpendicular to a plane of the central portion (11).
15. Closure cover according to claim 10, wherein the second ratio (v₂) of axial length (h₀) to radial extension (dr) is greater than 0,85.
16. Closure cover according to one of the preceding claims 10 to 15, particularly claim 15, wherein the second ratio (v₂) is within the range of 0,9 ± 5 %.
17. Closure cover according to one of the above claims 10 to 15, particularly claim 15,
    wherein the second ratio (v₂) of axial extension (h₀) to radial extension (dr) is 0,89 ± 1%.
18. Closure cover according to one of the above claims 10 to 15, particularly claim 15,
    wherein the second ratio (v₂) is within the range of 0,98 ± 2%.
19. Method for closing a closure unit consisting of a container (50) made of glass or rigid plastic with outer, circumferentially offset thread elements (54) at a container neck (52) of the container and a closure cover made of sheet metal,
    comprising the steps of

    a. providing the container (50) having an end section (52) with many circumferentially offset thread segments (54) extending on it;

    b. providing the closure cover (1,2) made of sheet metal, with a plastics layer (30, 30h, 30v) adherently fitting to the inside of the cover at a transition zone (11a, 11b, 1c) and a straight skirt section (12) that is proportioned according to the dimension of the radial extension of the transition zone (11a, 11b, 11c) in axial direction, wherein a central portion (11) extends within a circumferential bending point (11a') that leads to the transition zone (11a, 11b, 11c) connecting the central portion (11) of the closure cover with the axially downward extending skirt section (12), and wherein the dimension of the axial skirt section (12) to the radial extension of the transition zone (11a, 11b, 11c) is defined by a quotient between 1,1 and 0,8;

    c. pressing the closure cover (1, 2) onto the end section (52) of the container (50), such that the plastics layer (30, 30h, 30v) adhering to the transition zone (11a, 11b, 11c) and the skirt section (12) on the inside of the cover comes into an axially locking contact with the thread segments (54) of the container (50).

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