EP3393927B1 - Closure for a fluid-filled container - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a closure with a sealing element for a container filled with fluid according to the preamble of claim 1.

Closure systems are known from the state of the art that use sealing film or tamper-evident strips to protect against counterfeiting of, for example, medicines or drinks in order to indicate the state of authenticity after the manufacturer's filling process. Films can also serve as protective barriers to extend the shelf life of sensitive contents by ensuring greater tightness than simple closure caps or caps with dosing inserts can achieve using the current state of the art.

Closure systems that include dosing elements applied to the container opening are also known from the prior art. Such closure systems cannot currently be protected by barrier films at the same time, especially when the container openings are relatively small.

In known closure systems from the state of the art, sealing foils are opened by the initial opening screw process or have to be removed afterwards. Tamper-evident strips visibly tear off when the screw cap is unscrewed for the first time. Sealing foils arranged under screw caps do not represent a reliable tamper-evident seal because they are not visible; instead, the cap itself has to be secured against opening. The publication DE 43 23 666 A1 describes a self-piercing closure device for vials. The closure device has a guarantee seal on the outside that must be torn off in order to gain access to the contents of the vial. The guarantee seal can therefore fulfil the function of an authenticity seal. However, by attaching the guarantee seal on the outside there is a risk that it will be damaged or tampered with during production or transport. The publication US2013/292275A1 describes a closure according to the preamble of claim 1.

The object of the present invention is to create a closure which is particularly tamper-proof, simple in design and as inexpensive to produce as possible and easy to handle.

This object is solved by the subject matter of claim 1. Further advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the subclaims.

According to the invention, a closure with a sealing element for a container filled with fluid is provided with at least one security mechanism that is designed to be visibly irreversibly changed when the closure is opened for the first time. The irreversible change can be shown, for example, by an element of the closure being torn off, broken off, permanently deformed and/or changed in color when it is opened. Such a security mechanism makes it clear to the consumer whether the closure is still sealed in its original state. This enables the consumer to see whether the contents of the container are still in their original state or whether their shelf life has been impaired by the closure being opened previously, for example, or whether they have possibly been tampered with and/or contaminated.

According to the invention, the securing mechanism comprises at least one visible securing element which is visibly irreversibly changed when the closure is subjected to a force with at least one force component along an axis normal to an opening plane of an opening of the container closed by the closure. The force mentioned is greater than the force that a user would normally apply to open the closure and in particular significantly greater than the forces normally occurring when transporting the closure and container. Due to its direction, the force causes the closure to move towards or away from the opening of the container. A visible, irreversible change therefore occurs in particular when an attempt is made to remove the closure from the container or to press it against the container, for example in order to gain access to the opening and thus to the contents of the container. The solution according to the invention also indicates an unintentional intervention in the closure, for example due to improper handling or improper transport.

The securing element can be arranged on the side of the closure facing the container and/or designed to space the closure away from the container. It can therefore be designed in a structurally simple manner so that it is irreversibly changed when the force mentioned is applied and/or reliably prevents the container from being opened.

The security element can be connected to the closure via at least one predetermined tear point, for example one that is tensile, in particular radially tensile. The predetermined tear point allows the security element to detach from the closure in a predictable and clearly visible manner when subjected to a force, in particular a targeted radial force. Alternatively, the security element can comprise a predetermined bending point. The bending of the security element defined by the predetermined bending point is preferably visible and irreversible. According to a special embodiment of a security element with a predetermined bending point, the security element can be pushed completely or only partially under the closure or in particular the first and/or second element by moving the first and second elements into the second position. In addition to the indication effect, this pushing under can also have a clamping effect in order to additionally secure the closure in the second (use) position.

The security element can enclose the opening closed by the closure, preferably essentially in a ring shape. This additionally protects the opening and thus the contents of the container against manipulation.

The securing element can be designed to be tearable from the closure, whereby the securing element can comprise, for example, a handle element, in particular a tab. By designing the securing element to be tearable, for example by predetermined tear points between the securing element and the closure and/or within the If the security element is removed, the consumer can remove it to open the closure without hindrance. With the help of a handle element, in particular a tab, tearing is particularly easy. As the tab connects the security element around the circumference with a tear-off element, accidental or premature tearing is also prevented, for example during handling or the closing process, especially since the tear-off element attached around the circumference is advantageously designed in such a way that it offers few points of attack for mechanical intervention.

The securing element and/or the first and/or second element can have locking means such as at least one locking lug, whereby the container can, for example, have at least one locking pin complementary to the locking lug. Alternatively, the at least one locking pin can also be arranged, for example, on the securing element and/or at least one locking lug complementary to it can be arranged on the container. The locking lug and the locking pin can interact in a form-fitting manner when the securing element moves along the axis away from the container and in a force-fitting manner towards the container. The terms "locking lugs" and "locking pin" are not to be understood as limiting the shape of these locking elements, but are merely intended to clarify their functional interaction. According to the invention, locking means between the first and second elements preferably secure two positions against engagement in two locking stages, namely in particular the first position set during production (e.g. "delivery position") of the first and second elements and a second position generated by the user of the container (e.g. "use position"). The securing element can, however, be designed according to the invention with only one locking step in a user-induced position, with the first element, second element and/or the container as locking partner. Advantageously, the securing element does not interact with the first element or at least only interacts with a weak force fit, so that the first element is at least largely decoupled from the force effects of the securing element.

The locking element can be reliably held in position on the container by means of locking lugs and/or locking pins. The frictional connection of the locking lugs and locking pins when the locking element is moved towards the container allows the closure with the locking element to be attached to the container while overcoming the resistance caused by the frictional connection during the filling process. The positive connection in the opposite direction prevents the locking element from and in particular the closure with the security element can be removed from the container. The resistance caused by the positive connection can advantageously be selected to be greater than the force required to irreversibly change the security element, for example by selecting a suitable material and/or shape. This ensures that the closure cannot be removed from the container without visibly and irreversibly changing the security element.

The security element can consist of at least one elastically deformable material, preferably a plastic. An elastic material ensures that the security element is not irreversibly changed, for example during filling or transport, but only when an attempt is made to open the container.

According to the invention, the closure comprises a second element and a first element for receiving the second

Elements. The first element and the second element can be moved relative to one another from a first position to a second position, with the sealing element being intact in the first position and with the sealing element being penetrated by the second element in the second position. The first element and the second element are preferably connected to one another in all positions. For example, the second element can be an insert for the first element. The sealing element can be attached to the first element by means of a sealing ring and in particular can be tensioned by the sealing ring. A sealing ring is also advantageous in order to obtain a reliable seal and to be able to remove the sealing element from the first element more easily. The size of the sealing ring is adapted to the circumference of the first element so that a reliable seal is ensured. The fluid can be, for example, a drinkable liquid, such as water or a drinkable or inhalable, in particular gaseous, or evaporating or sublimating medication under ambient conditions.

For example, at least one control element is attached to the second element as part of the security mechanism, which makes it clear whether the second element is still in the starting position. This should make it obvious and easy to see whether an opening process has already been carried out in order to indicate the authenticity status to consumers.

Furthermore, the at least one control element is irreversibly changed by moving the second element against the first element. The irreversible change of the at least one control element ensures that if the second element is returned to the starting position after the first opening, it is recognizable that the container has already been opened. In this case, so-called flaps, which visibly and irreversibly bend when the second element is pressed in, are particularly suitable as control elements. In particular, the previous opening of the container can be seen from deformations or material discoloration, for example due to material fatigue on the control elements. It is also conceivable to connect the first element and the second element to one another in an unopened initial state of the container, whereby the connection can be separated by moving from the first position to the second position with little effort for a user of the container. Such a connection can, for example, be an at least partial welding of the first element to the second element. However, other designs are also conceivable, such as a sealing strip attached between the first and second element, which tears off when pressed and thus indicates a first opening.

The second element can essentially completely envelop the first element, at least on the side facing away from the container. This means that the first element can be concealed and thus additionally protected against manipulation. This is particularly useful if the first element is used to fix a sealing element to the container. By concealing the first element, manipulation of the sealing element, which is essential for protecting the contents of the container, is also prevented.

In an advantageous embodiment, at least one cutting surface is arranged on the second element for at least partially or sectionally severing the sealing element. Such a cutting surface is advantageous in order to ensure reliable severing and to provide a sufficient opening through which the fluid can escape. It is conceivable to sever a section from the sealing element or to create an opening in the sealing element that is left intact by means of a preferably non-straight cut. In addition, it is advantageous that the cutting surface is part of the second element and is located on the part of the second element that is closest to the sealing element in the direction of displacement. However, it would also be possible to attach the cutting surface to the second element via an attachment or the like. element. It is also possible to provide several cutting surfaces on the second element in order to cut through the sealing element at several points simultaneously. The cutting surfaces are designed in such a way that the opening created by them can carry and ensure a fluid flow that is at least equivalent to that of a spout of the closure.

In a particular embodiment, the closure comprises a holding element for holding a movable section created by severing the sealing element. By holding such a movable section, the movable section is secured in a defined holding position so that a constant flow of fluid through the pierced sealing element is ensured. This prevents, for example, a flap-shaped movable section of the sealing element from being movable or fluttering in the fluid flow. The holding element can, for example, be designed in the shape of a skewer for skewering a section of the sealing element and is preferably movable in the piercing direction against the sealing element and even more preferably provided with barbs for holding the section of the sealing element in the piercing direction.

According to the invention, the closure has an internal thread that is complementary to an external thread of the container. Alternatively, the closure can also have an external thread that is complementary to an internal thread of the container. This allows the closure to be securely attached to the container by screwing it on. According to the invention, the closure has a locking mechanism that is designed to allow the closure to be screwed onto the container and to prevent the closure from being unscrewed from the container. The locking mechanism means that the closure can be easily screwed on during the filling process, but cannot be removed afterwards, so that unnoticed access to the container contents is not possible. In particular, a possible fixation of the sealing element on the container cannot be impaired by the closure.

The locking mechanism can comprise a number of, for example three, driver ribs and/or a number of, for example three, snap ribs, in particular the same or divisible by an integer or multiple number. In this case, the driver ribs can be arranged on a first part of the closure accessible from an outside of the closure and/or the snap ribs can be arranged on a second part of the closure connected to the internal thread. The first and second parts of the closure can in particular be the first and second elements of the closure. Alternatively, The arrangement of the driving ribs and snap ribs can also be swapped around. When the closure is screwed on, the driving ribs and snap ribs work together in a form-fitting manner so that a rotational movement of the first part of the closure is transferred to the internal thread so that the closure can be screwed on tightly. When an attempt is made to unscrew it, the driving ribs and snap ribs only work together in a force-fitting manner, with the locking mechanism preferably being designed so that the maximum torque that can be transmitted through the force-fitting manner is lower than the minimum torque required to unscrew the closure from the container. As a result, when an attempt is made to unscrew it, only the first part of the closure rotates, while the second part of the closure, which carries the thread, remains firmly attached to the container and in particular maintains the sealing effect of the sealing element.

The sealing element can be designed as a film, preferably as a multi-layer sealing film, in order to ensure a good seal of the container interior against the environment of the container.

It is possible that the sealing element is not materially connected to either the closure or the container. In particular, the sealing element can simply be inserted into the closure and/or placed on the container and clamped between the closure and the container by attaching the closure to the container. This eliminates the need for an additional fastening step for the sealing element during production and/or filling, for example by welding. The sealing element can advantageously be clamped into the closure in a movable but captive manner.

It is also advantageous that the sealing element is designed as a circumferential sealing element which is made of an elastic material. It is particularly preferred that the sealing element consists of a flat, closed-cell foam. PE foam is particularly suitable for this, in particular because of its elasticity and its low production costs. The use of a foam offers the advantage with regard to sealing the various elements that it has an even contact pressure on the various elements. This also makes it possible to ensure a reliable sealing effect even with larger manufacturing tolerances in the first and second elements. In particular, the flat, closed-cell foam is covered on at least one side with a film element. An additional attachment A film offers the advantage that the foam becomes impermeable, especially for alcoholic solutions, to ensure reliable sealing. Aluminum is the preferred material for the film.

In particular, the sealing element can be provided with weak points that are impermeable to the fluid and act as predetermined tear points for a defined opening of the sealing element. The defined opening occurs, for example, when the sealing element tears on only one side by moving the second element into the second position and/or is pressed to one side in such a way that the sealing element does not significantly reduce the cross-sectional area of the opening of the container closed by the closure. This makes it easier, in particular, to combine it with a dosing element that relies on the most unhindered possible flow of fluid from the container.

Furthermore, at least one, preferably exactly one, return flow channel is advantageously provided in the closure, in particular in the second element, through which air can enter the container. For this purpose, the closure, in particular the second element, can be equipped with at least one ventilation hole.

In a further advantageous embodiment, a channel for fluid is arranged in the closure, in particular in the second element, in particular eccentrically. An eccentric arrangement and also the largest possible cross-section of the fluid channel are each particularly advantageous in order to optimize the maximum flow through the return channel for a given design of the closure. In this way, a possible capillary effect can be greatly reduced or completely prevented. A central arrangement of the fluid channel would also be conceivable, which would result in an annular return channel. However, this is not advantageous, since a stronger capillary effect occurs in an annular return channel with little installation space. Furthermore, a central arrangement of the fluid channel allows several return channels. Several return channels offer the possibility of ensuring greater structural stability through more walls between the return channels. A circumferential return channel is advantageous in order to be able to better return any residual medium in the closure element back into the bottle.

It is also possible for the first and second elements to be sealed against each other via sealing surfaces at least in the second position. Such a seal is particularly advantageous in the second position, since in this position the sealing element is severed and the seal previously provided by the sealing element is no longer complete. For this purpose, the two elements are adapted to each other in size in such a way that outer surfaces of the second element in a certain area at least partially interact with complementary inner surfaces of the first element to form a seal, but at the same time it is possible for the two elements to be moved against each other. At least the first element is made of an at least partially elastic material, such as polyethylene (PE), to facilitate displacement. When using polyethylene, it can be an HD (high density; PE-HD) or LD (low density; PE-LD) type. PP and PE are preferred because types are available for these materials that are certified and approved for food or medicine. Alternatively, it is possible for the second element to interact with the sealing element and/or the sealing ring to form a seal in the second position. Such an interaction of these elements is advantageous because it ensures a more reliable seal after the first opening.

Particularly preferably, the first element and/or second element is equipped with at least one locking lug and/or with at least one locking pin complementary to the locking lug. Equipping the element with locking lugs and complementary locking pins is intended to reliably hold the second element in both the first and second positions.

In a further preferred embodiment, the at least one locking lug only acts in a form-fitting manner against a direction of displacement and/or in a force-fitting manner along the direction of displacement. A form-fitting connection against the direction of displacement is advantageous because it reliably prevents the second element from being accidentally pulled out of the first element. It also prevents the second element from slipping out of the first element on its own during transport. A force-fitting connection along the direction of displacement is advantageous because it requires a certain amount of force to be applied in order to carry out the initial opening process, which prevents the second element from accidentally and independently being pushed in or slipping, for example during transport. It is also advantageous that the second element is held in the second position by a number of locking lugs and complementary locking pins even after it has been moved on the first element. - e.g. the position of use - secured against being pushed back in order to reliably maintain the tightness between the first and second elements. The sealing effect can be created either between the first and second elements, the first element and the container and/or the second element and the container, preferably by pressing the sealing element between the respective sealing partners.

A cap is also advantageously provided for sealing, which preferably seals both the liquid channel and the return flow channel. This cap can be particularly suitable for reversibly closing the container again after the first opening. The cap is advantageously designed in such a way that it is attached to the closure, in particular to the first or second element, via a flexible element, for example a film hinge, and can thus be easily folded over the two channels. Closing the two channels is necessary to ensure that no fluid can escape from the container even if the container is not stored upright. The cap or at least a coating of the cap and the flexible element, but at least the flexible element, can be made of an elastic material, such as polyethylene (PE) or the like. Furthermore, various types of rubber are also conceivable, such as styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) or the like, which have sufficient flexibility to allow the cap to be pivoted.

The cap can advantageously be designed without its own safety mechanism. A safety mechanism according to the invention eliminates the need to secure the cap against improper opening. This means that the cap can be manufactured more simply and cost-effectively and can be opened more easily by the consumer.

Furthermore, a device for tamper protection is particularly preferably arranged in the fluid channel and/or in at least one return channel in such a way that there is no free, essentially straight path from a pouring opening or return opening to the sealing element. The device for tamper protection particularly advantageously has lateral openings and a closed underside and/or an overarching arranged towards the sealing element. The underside and/or overarching is, for example, a continuous or partially perforated surface which is designed to be puncture-proof for syringes, for example. A tamper protection designed in this way The aim is to reliably prevent the contents of the bottle from being manipulated from the outside, for example by means of a syringe for which the sealing element is accessible through an opening in the closure. The lateral openings ensure that the fluid passes through the fluid channel to the pouring opening after opening.

Further advantages and embodiments can be seen from the attached drawings.

Technical features with the same or similar effect are identified with the same reference symbol. For reasons of clarity, reference symbols are sometimes omitted for technical features that are shown repeatedly.

• Fig. 1 eine dreidimensionale Ansicht einer ersten Ausführungsform des Verschlusses in der ersten Position;
• Fig. 2 eine weitere Querschnittsansicht des Verschlusses gemäß einer ersten Ausführungsform in der ersten Position;
• Fig. 3 eine Querschnittsansicht des Verschlusses gemäß einer alternativen Ausführungsform in der ersten Position;
• Fig. 4 eine Querschnittsansicht des Verschlusses gemäß einer ersten Ausführungsform in der zweiten Position;
• Fig. 5 eine dreidimensionale Ansicht einer Ausführungsform des Verschlusses;
• Fig. 6 einen Querschnitt durch den in Figur 5 dargestellten Verschluss in einer ersten Position;
• Fig. 7 einen Querschnitt durch den in Figur 5 dargestellten Verschluss in einer zweiten Position;
• Fig. 8 einen Querschnitt durch den in Figur 5 dargestellten Verschluss und
• Fig. 9 einen Querschnitt durch einen wie in Figur 5 dargestellten Verschluss mit an einer Sollknickstelle abgeknickten und unter den Verschluss verschobenen Sicherungselement.

Show it:

• Fig.1 a three-dimensional view of a first embodiment of the closure in the first position;
• Fig.2 another cross-sectional view of the closure according to a first embodiment in the first position;
• Fig.3 a cross-sectional view of the closure according to an alternative embodiment in the first position;
• Fig.4 a cross-sectional view of the closure according to a first embodiment in the second position;
• Fig.5 a three-dimensional view of an embodiment of the closure;
• Fig.6 a cross-section of the Figure 5 illustrated closure in a first position;
• Fig.7 a cross-section of the Figure 5 shown closure in a second position;
• Fig.8 a cross-section of the Figure 5 shown closure and
• Fig.9 a cross section through a Figure 5 shown closure with a securing element bent at a predetermined bending point and moved under the closure.

Figure 1 shows a three-dimensional view of the closure 1 according to the invention. The first element 300 and the second element 100 are shown here. The cap 110 is also shown, which seals the second element 100 after the first opening. In addition, a form of the control elements 140 is shown as an example, which bend irreversibly when opened for the first time.

Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the closure according to a first embodiment. Here, the second element 100 is in the first position and the sealing element 202 is intact. In this figure, two locking pins 150 are provided, which hold the second element 100 in the first position relative to the first element 300. Furthermore, a metering element 120 is provided above the fluid channel 160. Because a closure according to the invention can have both a sealing element 202 and a metering element 120, a particularly high level of security is achieved by the sealing element 202 while at the same time the metering element 120 is easy to handle. In this embodiment, a return channel 170 is provided adjacent to the fluid channel 160. The sealing element 202 can be held and clamped using a sealing ring 201.

On the underside 163 and/or a vault 164 (see Figures 6 or 9 ) of the second element 100, a cutting element 130 designed as a cutting edge can be provided. In addition, locking lugs 180 are provided on the first element 300, into which, depending on the position, at least one of the locking pins 150 engages. In a preferred embodiment, the locking lugs 180 have at least one locking hump 181. A locking hump 181 according to the invention generates a defined resistance in the displacement direction R. In this way, a user of the container also has tactile and/or acoustic feedback about the first opening of the container.

Figure 3 is also a cross-sectional view of the closure. However, Figure 3 an alternative embodiment of the closure and is rotated by 90°. The cutting element 130 can be designed as a mandrel and/or cutting edge with which the Sealing element 202 can be pierced. Furthermore, the control elements 140 can be seen in this illustration, which bend when first pressed in. In addition, no locking lugs 180 for the locking pins 150 can be seen. The cap 110 is also not visible in this illustration.

Figure 4 corresponds to the cross-sectional view of the Figure 2 . However, in this figure, the second element 100 is in the second position and the sealing element 202 is severed by the cutting element 130.

Figure 5 shows a three-dimensional view of an embodiment of the closure 1. The closure 1 has a cap 110 shown open, which is connected to the closure 1 via a flexible element 111, for example in the form of a film hinge. The closure 1 shown comprises a second element 100, which completely encloses a first element 300 of the closure 1 except for the side (not visible) facing the container B. A securing element 410 is attached to the second element 100 via a predetermined tear point 412. The securing element 410 shown encloses an opening (not visible) of the container B closed by the closure 1 in a ring shape and has a handle element 411 in the form of a tab and a further predetermined tear point 412, whereby the securing element 410 can be torn off the closure 1 by a consumer. The additional predetermined tear point 412 prevents the securing element 410 from being torn off prematurely or unintentionally by handling or the production-side closing process without being noticed. According to the invention, the predetermined tear points 412 can be designed to be radially tensile with respect to the axis A.

Figure 6 shows a longitudinal section through the Figure 5 shown closure 1 in a first position, which corresponds to the delivery state of the filled container B except for the cap 110 shown open. In this illustration, the opening O of the container B, which is closed by the closure 1, is visible. A sealing element 202, for example a multi-layer sealing film, is placed over the opening O and is sealed, for example clamped, by the closure 1, which is screwed onto an external thread 501 of the container B with the aid of, for example, an internal thread 500. Sealing is also possible by means of a material-to-material connection, such as by gluing the sealing element 202 to the container B, for example by induction sealing.

The second element 100 of the closure 1 comprises a fluid channel 160 for removal a fluid from the container B, wherein the fluid channel 160 is connected to a pouring opening 161 via a lateral opening 162. In addition to the pouring opening 161, the second element 100 has a return channel opening 170 through which air can flow into the container B during the removal of the fluid. The second element is held in a first position on the locking pin 150 of the first element 300 of the closure 1 by locking lugs 180. The securing element 410 can also have corresponding locking lugs (not shown) so that the closure 1 cannot be pulled off the container B without causing damage, in particular not without tearing the securing element 410 off the second element 100 at the predetermined tear point 412. A securing element 410 according to the invention can have a sufficiently large extent along the displacement direction R so that the securing element 410 is deformed by contact with the container B when the second element 100 is moved from the first position to the second position in such a way that the securing element 410 is irreversibly and visibly changed. Such a change can take place in particular by the securing element 410 tearing off the second element 100 at the predetermined tear point 412, at least in sections. As a result, the second element 100 cannot be moved from the first to the second position without the securing element 410 being visibly and irreversibly changed. The safety element 410 thus indicates to the consumer whether the second element 100 has already been manipulated, for example moved into the second position, and thus the fluid in the container B has been accessed.

Figure 7 shows a longitudinal section through the Figure 5 shown closure 1 in a second position. After the securing element 410 has been torn off, the second element 100 can be moved along a displacement direction R against the first element 300 towards the container B from the first position to the second position. In doing so, the cutting element 130 cuts through the sealing element 202 and pushes it to the side, for example, so that a fluid can be removed from the container B through the fluid channel 160.

In the second position, the second element 100 is also held by locking lugs 180 on locking pins 150 of the first element 300. A positive connection between the locking lugs 180 and locking pins 150 prevents the second element 100 from being pushed back into the first position and thus prevents the risk of causing a leak within the closure 1.

Figure 8 shows a cross section through the Figure 5 illustrated closure 1. The first element 300 and the second element 100 enclosing the first element are connected to one another via a locking mechanism 510 which is formed by a number of driving ribs 511 and locking ribs 512. In the example shown, three driving ribs 511 are arranged on an inner side of the first element 300 and three locking ribs 512 complementary to the driving ribs 511 are arranged on an outer side of the second element 100. Due to the locking mechanism 510, the closure can be screwed onto the container B by a torque acting on the second element, but cannot be unscrewed from it.

Figure 9 shows a cross section through a Figure 5 illustrated closure 1 with securing element 410 bent at a predetermined bending point (not shown, position analogous to predetermined breaking point 412) and displaced under closure 1. The bending is preferably visibly irreversible. In the bent state shown, securing element 410 can, for example, interact with closure 1 in a force-fitting and/or form-fitting manner and thereby additionally secure the second (use) position of closure 1.

Advantageously, the securing element 410 is mechanically decoupled from the first element 300 even in the bent state in order not to transmit any external forces to ensure the sealing effect.

List of reference symbols

1

Closure

100

second element

110

cap

111

flexible element

120

Dosing element

130

Cutting element

140

Control element

150

Locking pin

160

Fluid channel

161

Pouring opening

162

lateral opening

163

bottom

164

Overarching

170

Return channel

171

Return channel opening

180

locking lug

181

Resting hump

201

Sealing ring

202

Sealing element

300

first element

410

Securing element

411

Handle element

412

Tear point

500

inner thread

501

External thread

510

Locked

511

Driving rib

512

Snap rib

A

Axle - not tightened

B

container

O

opening

R

Shift direction

Claims (13)

1. Closure (1) with a sealing element (202) for a fluid-filled container (B) with at least one safety mechanism, which is configured to be visibly irreversibly altered when the closure (1) is opened for the first time, wherein the safety mechanism comprises at least one visible safety element (410), which is visibly irreversibly altered by subjecting the closure (1) with respect to the container (B) to a force having at least one force component along an axis (A) normal to an opening plane of an opening (O) of the container (B) closed by the closure (1), wherein the closure has an internal thread (500) complementary to an external thread (501) of the container (B) or an external thread complementary to an internal thread of the container (B), wherein the closure has a second element (100) and a first element (300) for receiving the second element (100),

   a. wherein the first element (300) and the second element (100) are displaceable relative to each other from a first position to a second position,

   i. wherein in the first position the sealing element (202) is intact and

   ii. wherein in the second position the sealing element (202) is pierced by the second element (100), and characterized in that

   b. the safety mechanism comprises at least one control element (140) by means of which it is visible whether the second element (100) is still in the initial position, wherein the at least one control element (140) is irreversibly altered by displacing the second element (100) against the first element (300), and wherein the closure (1) has a catch (510) which is configured to allow the closure (1) to be screwed onto the container (B) and to prevent the closure (1) from being unscrewed from the container (B).
2. Closure (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the safety element (410)

   a. is arranged on the side of the closure (1) facing the container (B);

   b. is configured to distance the closure (1) from the container (B);

   c. is connected to the closure (1) through at least one, preferably radially tension-unstable, predetermined tear point (412);

   d. encloses the opening (O) closed by the closure (1), preferably substantially annular;

   e. is formed to be tearable from the closure (1), wherein the safety element (410) preferably comprises a gripping element (411), particularly preferably a tab;

   f. has a tension-unstable predetermined tear point (412) and/or predetermined score point in the circumference for connecting the tab-shaped gripping element (411) to the circumferential safety element (410),

   g. has at least one latching lug (180), the container (B) preferably having at least one latching pin (150) complementary to the latching lug (180) and/or

   h. consists of at least one elastically deformable material, preferably a plastic.
3. Closure (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a number of latching lugs (180) and a number of corresponding latching pins (150) interact during a movement of the safety element (410) along the axis (A) from the container (B) away in a form-fitting manner and on the container (B) in a force-fitting manner, and the safety element (410) is configured trough the latching lugs (180) and/or latching pins (150) with exactly one latching step in a user-induced position, with a first element (300) and/or a second element (100) and/or with the container (B) as a latching partner.
4. Closure (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second element (100) substantially completely envelops the first element (300) at least on the side facing away from the container (B).
5. Closure (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second element (100) has at least one cutting surface (130) for cutting the sealing element (202).
6. Closure (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second element (100) interacts in a sealing manner with the sealing element (202) in the second position or the first (300) and the second element (100) are sealed with respect to one another through sealing surfaces at least in the second position.
7. Closure (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the catch (510) comprises a number of, preferably three, dragging ribs (511) and/or a number of, preferably three, snap ribs (512), the dragging ribs (511) and the snap ribs (512) preferably interacting in a form-fitting manner when the closure (1) is screwed on and only in a force-fitting manner when a unscrewing attempt is made, and the dragging ribs (511) are arranged on a first part (100) of the closure (1), which is accessible from an outside of the closure (1), and/or the snap ribs (512) are arranged on a second part (300) of the closure (1), which is connected to the internal thread (500).
8. Closure (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing element (202)

   a. is sheet-like, preferably formed as a multilayer sealing sheet, and/or

   b. is not cohesively connected to either the closure (1) or the container (B) and a cap (110) is provided for sealing, which preferably

   c. seals both the fluid channel (160) and the return flow channel (170) and/or

   d. is connected to the closure (1) through a flexible element (111), particularly preferably a film hinge.
9. Closure (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one, preferably exactly one, return flow channel (170) is provided in the closure (1), preferably in the second element (100), for pressure balance between the container and an environment.
10. Closure (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first element (300) and/or second element (100) is equipped with at least one latching lug (180), and in that the first element (300) and/or second element (100) is preferably equipped with at least one latching pin (150) complementary to the latching lug (180),
    wherein the at least one latching lug (180)

    a. only acts in a form-fitting manner counter to a displacement direction (R) and/or in a force-fitting manner along the displacement direction (R), and/or

    b. locks two positions against engagement in two latching steps, preferably the first position of the first element (300) and second element (100) set on the production side and the second position generated by the user of the container.
11. Closure (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second element (100) cannot be removed non-destructively from the first position or pushed back from the second position into the first position.
12. Closure (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a device for preventing tampering is arranged in the fluid channel (160) and/or in at least one return flow channel (170) in such a way that there is no free, substantially straight path from a pouring opening (161) or return flow opening (171) to the sealing element (202).
13. Closure (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that the device for preventing tampering has at least one lateral opening (162) and preferably has a closed underside (163) arranged relative to the sealing element (202) or a vault (164) facing away from the sealing element (202).

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