EP3938290A1

EP3938290A1 - Container closure

Info

Publication number: EP3938290A1
Application number: EP20712497.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Michel GAUTHEY
Original assignee: Alpla Werke Alwin Lehner GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Alpla Werke Alwin Lehner GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2019-03-15
Filing date: 2020-03-13
Publication date: 2022-01-19
Anticipated expiration: 2040-03-13
Also published as: AR118370A1; US20220144500A1; CH715934A1; EP3938290C0; WO2020187781A1; EP3938290B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a container closure (11) having a pouring element (13), which merges into a container body or can be fastened on a container body, having at least one external thread (17), which is formed on the pouring element (13), and having a closure cap (15) for closing a pouring opening (19), which is provided within the pouring element (13). The closure cap (15) has a cylindrical threaded part (27) with an open periphery (29) and an internal thread, which interacts with the external thread (17) of the pouring element (13). The closure cap (15) also has a tamper-evident band (31), which is connected to the open periphery (29) of the threaded part (27) by means of a plurality of predetermined breaking lugs (33), wherein opening of the container closure for the first time is evident from the breaking of the predetermined breaking lugs (33). The tamper-evident band (31) has a first and a second end (35, 37), wherein the first end (35) is fixed to the open periphery (29) of the threaded part and the second end (37) can be connected to the pouring element (13).

Description

Container closure

Field of invention

The invention relates to a container closure according to the preamble of claim 1, a pouring element according to the preamble of claim 19 and a closure cap according to the preamble of claim 22.

State of the art

From the prior art in the field of plastic closure caps with a tamper-evident band, closure caps are known which are held captive on the container and close its pouring opening. The holding function is also important because legal provisions are being drawn up which will oblige the closures of beverage bottles to be permanently connected to the beverage bottle, even when open.

From DE 93 18 243 Ul, such a captive cap for locking a container is known. After the threaded part of the cap has been unscrewed, it is held on the guarantee band with a tether. The tether is integrated in the tamper-evident band when the cap is closed. Therefore, the guarantee strap must have an increased height, which corresponds to the sum of the height of a conventional guarantee strap and the height of the tether. The enlarged height therefore inevitably leads to increased material consumption in the manufacture of a corresponding closure cap.

At the end of the invention

The disadvantages of the described prior art result in the task of creating a captive closure cap whose material consumption differs only insignificantly from the material consumption of a conventional closure cap with a tamper-evident band.

Another object is to show a captive closure cap, which does not prevent any use of the container to be closed. Description

The object set is achieved in the case of a container closure by the features cited in the characterizing section of claim 1. Developments and / or advantageous design variants are the subject of the dependent claims.

The invention is characterized in that the guarantee strip has a first and a second end, the first end being firmly connected to the open edge of the threaded part and the second end being connectable to the pouring element. The closure cap is therefore held captive on the pouring element after it has been unscrewed from the pouring element. This solution makes it possible for the tamper-evident band to have a small height and accordingly little plastic material is required to produce the tamper-evident band or the closure cap. In known solutions for captively holding the closure cap on the pouring element, a retaining band is necessary, which is detached from the tamper-evident band. The height of the guarantee band must therefore be increased in comparison to other guarantee bands without the locking cap holding function. This leads to an increased amount of material used, which can be twice as high as with conventional guarantee tapes.

In a further particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the second end of the guarantee strip can be connected to the pouring element by a form fit. The connection can be established automatically by twisting the cap and, once the connection has been established, can only be released again if it is destroyed. Therefore, the closure cap is reliably held on the pouring element after opening.

It has proven to be particularly advantageous if a first hook is formed on the second end of the guarantee tape, which hook can be latched in at least one first recess which is provided on the pouring element and faces the first hook. The design of the second end as a hook enables the connection between the tamper-evident band and pouring element to be made automatically by rotating the closure cap in the opening direction, without a further manual step being necessary to establish the connection. Through the connection, a thrust force can be applied to the tamper-evident band during the twisting of the closure cap, which leads to breakage of the predetermined breaking webs. After opening the closure cap, the closure cap hangs on the pouring element via the tamper-evident band. The pouring element expediently has a neck and a collar that closes on the neck. This shape is common for pouring elements and has the additional advantage that the first recess can be formed on the neck or the collar.

It has proven to be advantageous if the at least one first recess is formed on the neck in such a way that the first recess lies in a plane oriented orthogonally to the collar and to the neck. As a result, the first recess is oriented in such a way that the first hook is inevitably rotated into the first recess when the closure cap is rotated.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the at least one first recess is formed on the collar in such a way that the first recess lies in a plane oriented orthogonally to the collar and to the neck. In this embodiment too, the first hook is inevitably rotated into the first recess. Whether the first recess is formed on the collar, the neck or at the transition between the neck and the collar depends on the design of the first hook. It is essential that the hook is automatically rotated into the first recess and that it is not missed or that it is rotated past the water outside the first recess.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, at the transition from the first end to the second end of the guarantee band, a recess is designed such that the first hook can be rotated into the at least one first recess when the threaded part is rotated in the opening direction. By cutting out or Ausstan zen the recess, the first hook can be made in any shape. At the same time, the cutout separates the first end from the second end of the guarantee band.

In a further particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one guide element is formed on the neck, which leads the first hook into the at least one first recess when the threaded part is rotated in the opening direction. The hook is positively guided when the closure cap is rotated and is reliably pressed into the first recess by the guide element. It has been found to be useful if the guide element is a ramp-shaped elevation on which the first hook can be guided by rotating the threaded part in the opening direction downwards in the direction of the at least one first recess. The ramp shape can be easily removed from the mold during manufacture and ensures precise, positive guidance of the first hook.

So that the first hook is not guided past the first recess by the guide element, it is preferred if the at least one first recess on the collar is formed such that the first recess lies in the plane of the collar.

Conveniently, a counter-hook is formed within the at least one first recess, which can be detachably hooked to the first hook. The barbed hook ensures that the tamper-evident band is held firmly on the pouring element and can no longer come loose. As a result, the closure cap is held captive on the pouring element. It goes without saying that the connection between the first hook and the first recess can be loosened under increased application of force, which leads to the destruction of the first hook. In principle, however, provision is made for the container to be disposed of together with the closure cap after use.

The invention is also preferably characterized in that the first end and the second end of the guarantee strip are connected to a guarantee web, which guarantee web breaks when the threaded part is rotated in the opening direction. The guarantee teg reliably shows whether the container closure is originally closed or not. It is conceivable that the breaking of the predetermined breaking webs when opening the closure cap can be avoided by manipulation. Therefore, the guarantee bar provides a further quality assurance for the container closure. The guarantee bar is preferably arranged at the lower edge of the guarantee band. The guarantee bar can, however, also connect the first and second ends of the guarantee band at another point, for example at the upper edge of the guarantee band. It is essential that the guarantee bar breaks when the closure cap is twisted or the guarantee band is manipulated.

In a further embodiment of the invention, a second recess is provided at the second end of the guarantee tape, which with at least one on the The pouring element, the second hook facing the second recess can be latched. This embodiment represents a further possibility to fasten the guarantee tape to the pouring element while the closure cap is being screwed on. In principle, this embodiment is based on the same functional principle as the embodiments described above.

It is advantageous if the second recess can be hooked onto the at least one second hook when the threaded part is rotated in the opening direction. As a result, in this embodiment, there is also an automatic connection between the Ga rantieband and the pouring element by rotating the cap.

The at least one second hook is expediently formed on the neck. In this position, the second hook is oriented such that the second opening is reliably hooked onto the second hook by turning the closure cap.

In a further particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the neck is free of a retaining ring for retaining the guarantee strip on the pouring element. After the second end of the tamper-evident band is held on the pouring element and the predetermined breaking webs break as a result, as described above, the container closure does not require any further device which holds the guarantee ring back when the closure cap is opened. The ability to omit the retaining ring, it allows a significant saving of plastic material in the manufacture of the cast element.

It proves to be advantageous if the pouring element is intended to be attached to a beverage carton or a container made from a composite material or is intended to be an integral part of a plastic container. As a result, the container closure can be used on almost all known beverage containers. The device features described above can be implemented using customary manufacturing processes. In particular, the first hook and the first recess, which interacts with it, can be implemented without great effort during the manufacture of the closure cap and the pouring element.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a pouring element which has one or more of the features described above. The pouring element interacts with a separately produced closure cap which is attached to the pouring element is adapted so that the closure cap is held with the tamper-evident band on the pouring element.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a closure cap which has one or more of the features described above. The closure cap interacts with a separately produced pouring element which is adapted to the closure cap so that the closure cap is held on the pouring element with the guarantee band.

Further advantages and features emerge from the following description of seven exemplary embodiments of the invention with reference to the schematic representations. It shows, not to scale:

Figure 1: a perspective view of a first embodiment of a

Container closure comprising a pouring element and a closure cap, the pouring element being attached to a beverage carton;

FIG. 2: a sectional view of the pouring element from FIG. 1;

FIG. 3: a second embodiment of the container closure in which the pouring element is formed on a preform;

FIG. 4: a third embodiment of the container closure in a side view;

FIG. 5: a perspective view of the pouring element from FIG. 4;

FIG. 6: a perspective view of a closure cap of the container closure in a fourth embodiment;

FIG. 7: a perspective view of a pouring element in a fifth embodiment which interacts with the closure cap from FIG. 6;

FIG. 8: a side view of the pouring element from FIG. 7 in a side view, a recess formed thereon being shown in a sectional view; FIG. 9: a perspective view of a pouring element in a sixth embodiment which interacts with the closure cap from FIG. 6;

FIG. 10: a side view of the pouring element from FIG. 9 in a side view, a ring formed thereon being shown in a sectional representation, and FIG

FIG. 11: a seventh embodiment of the container closure in a perspective view.

In FIGS. 1, 4 and 11, a container closure is shown which is designated as a whole by the reference number 11. The container closure 11 has a pouring element 13 and a closure cap 15. An external thread 17 is formed on the outside of the pouring element 13. The pouring element 13 encloses a pouring opening 19 through which the contents of a container can be poured out. The container can be a plastic container 21 or a beverage carton 23. The plastic container can be made from a preform 25. In the case of a plastic container 21, the pouring element 13 is an integral part of the plastic container 21 and consists of the same material as the entire plastic container. In the case of a Ge beverage carton 23, which can be made of a composite material, the pouring element 13 is attached to this, for example glued.

The closure cap 15 has a cylindrical threaded part 27. The cylindrical threaded part 27 has an internal thread (not visible in the figures) which interacts with the external thread 17. The closure cap 15 can therefore be screwed onto the pouring element 13 and closes the pouring opening 19 in the screwed-on state. The cylindrical threaded part 27 has an open edge 29 which faces the pouring element 13. 1. The closure cap is made of a plastic material, preferably PP or HDPE.

A guarantee strip 31 is arranged on the open edge 29, which serves the purpose of indicating whether the container closure 11 is originally closed or not. The guarantee tape 31 is attached in a known manner with a plurality of predetermined breaking webs 33 on the open edge 29. When turning the cap 15 in the opening direction relative to the pouring element 13, the predetermined breaking webs 33 break. The broken or torn predetermined breaking webs 33, when the container closure 11 is closed, indicate that the container closure 11 has already been opened.

The aim of the invention is to ensure that the closure cap 15 is held captive on the pouring element 13 even after it has been unscrewed from the pouring element 13 and that as little material as possible is required for the proposed solution.

The guarantee strip 31 has a first end 35 and a second end 37. In comparison to a tamper-evident band according to the prior art, which is a ring without a first and second end, the present tamper-evident band 31 has a recess 39. The first end 35 is formed on one side of the recess 39 and on the opposite side The second end 37 is formed in the recess 39. The first end 35 is firmly connected to the open edge 29. "Firmly connected" is to be understood as a connection which does not tear when the closure cap 15 is opened. Therefore, the closure cap 15 remains connected to the tamper-evident band 31 even if the closure cap 15 is unscrewed from the pouring element 13. For example, the first end 35 can with be attached to a web on the open edge 29.

In a first embodiment according to FIGS. 1 and 2, a first hook 41 is formed on the second end 37. The first hook 41 is provided so that it can be latched in a first recess 43. The first recess 43 is arranged and designed on the pouring element 13 in such a way that the first hook 41 can be latched in the first recess 43. The pouring element 13 has a neck 45 and a collar 47 adjoining the neck. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the recess 43 is formed on the collar 47 at the transition from the neck 45 to the collar 47. If the closure cap 15 is rotated in the opening direction, ie mostly counterclockwise, the first recess is arranged on the collar 47 in such a way that the first hook 41 has to penetrate into the first recess 43. The recess 43 therefore lies in a plane which is oriented orthogonally to the neck 45 and to the collar 47 or is oriented transversely to the first hook 41. As shown in Figure 2, a projection 49 or a barb 49 is formed on the first recess 43, with which the first hook 41 is latched and held positively in the first recess. When the closure cap 15 is rotated further, the tamper-evident band 31 is loaded on thrust and the predetermined breaking webs 33 break. After unscrewing the cap 15 The closure cap 15 of the pouring element 13 is therefore held captive via the Ga rantieband 31 on the pouring element 13 by the interaction of the first hook 41 and the first recess 43. It is preferred if the first hook 41 can only be removed from the first recess 43 with destruction once it has latched into the first recess 43.

It goes without saying that the pouring element 13 together with the first recess 43 can also be formed on the preform 25 (FIG. 3) and is an integral part of the preform 25. During stretch blow molding, for example for the plastic container 21, the pouring element 13 remains unchanged and interacts with the closure cap 15 in the same way as in the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 and 2.

In the third embodiment according to FIGS. 4 and 5, at least one guide element in the form of a ramp-shaped elevation 51 is formed on the neck 45. In this embodiment, the first recess 43 lies in the plane of the collar 47 or is provided within the collar. When the closure cap 15 is rotated in the opening direction, the first hook 41 is guided along the elevation 51 downward in the direction of the first recess 43 and pressed into the first recess 43. The hook 41 engages with the barb 49 in the first recess.

FIG. 4 shows that the first and second ends 35, 37 of the guarantee strip 31 are connected to a guarantee web 53. If the first hook 41 is forced downward by the elevation 51, the guarantee web 53 tears and indicates that the container closure 11 is no longer originally closed. The guarantee web 53 is provided in the third embodiment, since it is conceivable to remove the closure cap 15 from the pouring element 13 without the predetermined breaking webs 33 being destroyed. In FIG. 4, the width of the first recess 43 in the area of the barb 49 is denoted by “A”. The width of the first hook 41 at the transition to the guarantee strip 31 is denoted by “B”. Because the width B is greater than the width A, the Wi derhaken 49 is pressed upwards by the first hook 41 and biased when the first hook 41 is rotated into the first recess 43. As a result, the first hook 41 is reliably held in the first recess 43.

If a multiple external thread 17 is provided on the pouring element 13, a first recess 43 and an elevation 51 are provided for each thread so that the first hook 41 hooked in any case when opening the cap 15 in one of the first openings 43 Publ.

In a fourth embodiment according to FIG. 6, the first hook 41 is formed in such a way that it is not guided downwards in the direction of the collar 47, but to the side in the direction of the neck 45. In this case, the first recess 43 is on the neck 45 designed such that the recess lies in a plane oriented orthogonally to the collar 47 and to the neck 45. As shown in FIG. 7, the orientation of the first recess 43 makes it possible for the first hook 41 to be twisted into the first recess 43 when the closure cap 15 is rotated in the opening direction. The first hook 41 hooks into the barb 49, which is shown in the sectional view in FIG. This embodiment is particularly suitable for pouring elements 13 which are made of LDPE, since the recess 43 can be produced in the extrusion blow molding process, according to which extrusion blow molding process LDPE is processed.

As FIGS. 9 and 10 show, the first recess 43 can also be enclosed by a ring 54, which ring is formed on the neck 45. When the first hook 41 is rotated, it is pressed into the ring 54 and hooks into the ring 54. Since the first hook 41 can hook into the ring 54, the ring has a conical recess 43 which tapers away from the first hook 41 . This embodiment is particularly suitable for pouring elements 13 which are made from PET, since the ring 54 can be injection molded and can therefore be made from PET when a preform is injection molded.

In a further embodiment according to FIG. 11, a second recess 55 is provided at the second end 37. A second hook 57 is formed on the neck 45. When the closure cap 15 is rotated in the opening direction, the second recess 55 hooks onto the second hook 57. As a result, the closure cap 15 with the guarantee strip 31 is held on the pouring element 13 after it has been unscrewed.

Because the guarantee band 31 is held at its second end 37 on the pouring element 13, further devices which hold the guarantee band 31 on the pouring element 13 can be dispensed with. A retaining ring, which surrounds the pouring element in the circumferential direction, and the retention of the guarantee band allows the pouring element when unscrewing the cap is known from the prior art. According to the present invention, such a retaining ring on the pouring element can be dispensed with. This allows the plastic material required for the retaining ring to be saved.

Lee end:

11 Container lock

13 pouring element

15 Closing cap

17 external thread

19 pouring opening

21 plastic containers

23 beverage carton

25 preform

27 Cylindrical thread part

29 Open edge of the threaded part

31 Guarantee tape

33 predetermined breaking bars

35 First end of the guarantee band

37 Second end of the guarantee band

39 recess

41 First hook

43 First recess

45 neck

47 collar

49 protrusion, barb

51 Ramp-shaped elevation

53 Guarantee bar

A width of the first recess 43 in the area of the barb 49 B width of the first hook 41 at the transition to the guarantee strip 31

54 ring

55 Second recess

57 Second hook

Claims

Closure _V container (11) comprising

a pouring element (13) which merges into a container body or can be fastened to a container body,

at least one external thread (17) formed on the pouring element (13) and

a closure cap (15) for closing a pouring opening (19) provided within the pouring element (13),

having the closure cap (15)

a cylindrical threaded part (27) with an open edge (29) and an internal thread which cooperates with the external thread (17) of the pouring element (13),

a tamper-evident band (31) which is connected to the open edge (29) of the threaded part (27) by a plurality of predetermined breaking webs (33), whereby the first opening of the container closure (11) can be indicated by breaking the predetermined breaking webs (33)

characterized,

that the tamper-evident band (31) has a first and a second end (35,37), where the first end (35) is firmly connected to the open edge (29) of the threaded part (27) and the second end (37) can be connected to the pouring element (13).

Container closure (11) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first end (35) and the second end (37) of the guarantee strip (31) are connected to a guarantee web (53), which guarantee web (53) is detached when the threaded part is rotated (27) breaks in the opening direction.

Container closure (11) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the second end (37) of the guarantee strip (31) can be connected to the pouring element (13) by a form fit.

4. Container closure (11) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a first hook (41) is formed at the second end (37) of the guarantee strip (31), which is provided in at least one on the pouring element (13) first hook (41) facing first recess (43) can be locked.

5. Container closure (11) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pouring element (13) has a neck (45) and a collar (47) adjoining the neck (45).

6. Container closure (11) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the at least one first recess (43) on the neck (45) is formed such that the recess (43) in one to the collar (47) and to the neck (45) or thogonally oriented plane.

7. Container closure (11) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the at least one first recess (43) on the collar (47) is designed such that the recess (43) in one to the collar (47) and to the neck (45) is orthogonally oriented plane.

8. Container closure (11) according to one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that at the transition from the first end (35) to the second end (37) of the Ga rantibandes a recess (39) is formed such that the first hook (41) when the threaded part (27) is rotated in the opening direction into which at least one first recess (43) can be rotated.

9. Container closure (11) according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that at least one guide element (51) is formed on the neck (45), which when the threaded part (27) is rotated in the opening direction, the first hook (41) into which at least one first recess (43) leads.

10. Container closure (11) according to claim 9, characterized in that the guide element is a ramp-shaped elevation (51) on which the first Ha ken (41) by twisting the threaded part (27) in the opening direction downwards towards the at least a first recess (43) can be guided.

11. Container closure (11) according to one of claims 5 to 10, characterized in that the at least one first recess (43) on the collar (47) is designed such that the first recess (43) in the plane of the collar ( 47) lies. 12. Container closure (11) according to one of claims 4 to 11, characterized in that a Wi derhaken (49) is formed within the at least one first recess (43), which is nondetachably hooked ver with the first hook (41).

13. Container closure (11) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a second recess (55) is provided at the second end (37) of the guarantee strip (31) which is connected to at least one on the pouring element ( 13) formed second hook (57) facing the second recess (55) can be latched.

14. Container closure (11) according to claim 13, characterized in that the second recess (55) can be hooked on the at least one second hook (57) upon rotation of the threaded part (27) in the opening direction.

15. Container closure (11) according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the at least one second hook (57) is formed on the neck (45).

16. Container closure (11) according to one of claims 5 to 15, characterized in that the neck (45) is free of a retaining ring for holding the guarantee band (31) on the pouring element (13).

17. Container closure (11) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pouring element (13) is provided to be attached to a Ge beverage carton (23) or a container made of a composite material.

18. Container closure (11) according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized

shows that the pouring element (13) is intended to be an integral part of a plastic container (21).

19. The pouring element (13) which merges into a container body or can be fastened to a container body

a neck (45),

a collar (47) adjoining the neck (45),

- At least one external thread (17) formed on the neck (45) and a pouring opening provided within the pouring element (13)

(19),

characterized,

that a first recess (43) or a second hook (57) is provided on the pouring element (13), in which recess (43) or in which hook

(57) a free end (37) of a locking cap (15) formed Ga rantiebandes (31) can be locked.

20. The pouring element (13) according to claim 19, characterized in that at least one guide element (51) is formed on the neck (45) which, when the threaded part (27) rotates in the opening direction, moves the first hook (41) into the at least one first recess (43) can lead.

21. pouring element (13) according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that the neck (45) is free of a retaining ring for holding the guarantee band (31) on the pouring element (13). 22. A closure cap (15) for closing a pouring opening (19) provided within a pouring element (13)

a cylindrical threaded part (27) with an open edge (29) and an internal thread which cooperates with the external thread (17) of the pouring element (13) and

- A guarantee strip (31) which is connected to the open edge (29) of the threaded part (27) with a plurality of predetermined breaking webs (33), the first opening of a container closure (11) being able to be indicated by breaking the predetermined breaking webs (33) ,

characterized,

that the guarantee band (31) has a first and a second end (35,37), where- at the first end (35) with the open edge (29) of the threaded part (27) is firmly connected and the second end (37) can be connected to the pouring element (13).

23. Closure cap (15) according to claim 22, characterized in that the first end (35) and the second end (37) of the guarantee strip (31) are connected to a guarantee web (53), which guarantee web (53) when the Thread deteils (27) breaks in the opening direction.

24. Closure cap (15) according to claim 22 or 23, characterized in that the second end (37) of the guarantee strip (31) can be connected to the pouring element (13) by a form fit.

25. Closure cap (15) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a first hook (41) is formed at the second end (37) of the guarantee strip (31), which is provided in at least one on the pouring element (13) first hook (41) facing first recess (43) can be locked.

26. Closure cap (15) according to claim 25, characterized in that at the transition from the first end (35) to the second end (37) of the guarantee band, a recess (39) is formed such that the first hook (41) upon rotation of the threaded part (27) in the opening direction in which at least one first recess (43) can be rotated.

27. Closure cap (15) according to claim 22 to 24, characterized in that a second recess (55) is provided at the second end (37) of the guarantee strip (31), which is formed with at least one on the pouring element (13) second recess (55) facing second hook (57) can be locked ver.