EP3976496B1 - Closure device for a container - Google Patents

Description

field of technology

The invention relates to a closure device according to the features of the preamble of claim 1.

State of the art

Closure devices of the aforementioned type are known in the prior art. These serve to close a container and at the same time provide a chamber for the separate storage of liquid or powdery media, for example tea essences or the like, so that these are not immediately filled when the container is filled with the contents of the container, i.e. for example water. come into contact and / or are mixed, but only at the moment when the closure device is removed from the container. This is usually the moment at which the contents of the container should be consumed.

The publication WO 2007/129116 A1 relates, for example, to a closure device of the aforementioned type, which releases an additional liquid located in the chamber into the container when a container closed with it is opened. The closure device has a cover element, a chamber and an inner housing. The inner housing has a drain opening in which a closure means connected to the inner housing engages in a sealing manner. The closure means can be designed in the shape of a plug. The cover element and the inner housing can be connected to one another via a screw thread, with the cover element relative to the inner housing from a closed position, in which the closure means closes the drain opening of the chamber, into a drain position in which the closure means is at least partially withdrawn from the drain opening , is liftable to provide a communication path from the chamber into the main liquid space of the container. The medium stored in the chamber can escape into the container, whereby it is mixed with the medium in the container.

In addition, for example from the DE 10 2018 105 321 A1 known to form the closure means through the wall of the chamber as such, in particular through the area of the cantilevered closure edge, which points into the interior of the container when in use and runs annularly around the central axis of the chamber. This closure edge interacts with the inner housing, at least in the closed position. To release a bottom-side drain opening in the inner housing, the closure edge can be moved into a drain position, in particular due to an axial or rotational relative displacement of the closure edge to the inner housing. According to one embodiment, the chamber is locked to the inner housing above a lower tapering section which merges into opening means.

From the DE 10 2014 107 550 A1 a closure device is known in which a downwardly open gap between the chamber and a chamber end piece adjoining the chamber inwards is filled with an injected plastic seal.

From the US 6,003,728 A a closure device for a container is known, in which the locking of the chamber with the inner housing is formed on a lower section of the inner housing near the edge, which is generally cylindrical. The medium must be applied to a stamp guided in the chamber by applying pressure to the end face area of a closure cap, which thereby cuts through an upper wall of the inner housing. The stamp ultimately pushes a lid that is locked in the chamber into the open position.

Summary of the invention

Starting from a state of the art according to DE 10 2018 105 321 A1 The invention is initially concerned with the task of specifying a closure device which enables good handling, particularly if it is inexpensive to produce.

This object is achieved in the subject matter of claim 1, the aim being that the latching in the vertical direction is formed separately from a shoulder section of the inner housing which is formed on the bottom under the latching and is in an operative connection with the container opening.

The proposed novel locking of the chamber with the inner housing results in an improvement, particularly with regard to the emptying of the chamber when the cover element is removed. The inner housing is in operative connection with the container opening of the container via the shoulder section, in particular in a frictional connection, further optionally, as is also preferred, forming a seal against the container opening.

According to the proposed design, the chamber and inner housing as well as the assembly formed from the inner housing and chamber with the container can be assembled cheaply.

The radial displacement of the locking mechanism inwards can be given by an amount which can correspond to approximately one sixth to one half, for example approximately one quarter, of the greatest width of the chamber transversely to the vertical direction of the closure device.

The chamber can be composed of two parts, with a dividing plane that is perpendicular to a vertical central axis of the closure device, and the dividing plane can pass through an overlapping portion of the lower part of the chamber.

The two parts can be welded together in the parting plane, the welding being achieved by a supplementary section which is connected to the two parts and is formed by injection molding.

The two parts can also be welded together in the dividing plane, with the welding being covered on the outside by the upper part, with the upper part and the lower part of the chamber also being plug-connected.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the two parts are welded together in the parting plane, the welding being achieved by a supplementary section which is connected to the two parts and formed by injection molding, that the supplementary section is designed in a ring shape and that in the edge region of the upper part there is a external in cross section, circumferential wedge surface is cut free to accommodate the supplementary section produced by overmolding the area or that the supplementary section has a radially outward cross-section and accordingly protrudes beyond the facing outer edge boundary of the upper and lower parts.

The welding can be achieved by the supplementary section, which is connected to the two parts and is formed by injection molding. The supplementary section can, as is also preferred, consist of the same plastic material as the two parts forming the chamber or of a plastic material that enables welding to the two parts. In a further embodiment, the supplementary section can contain, for example, polybutylene terephthalate.

In addition to an optionally positive connection between the supplementary section and the two parts of the chamber, the overmolding can advantageously also weld the two parts to the supplementary section, if necessary also against each other, in the course of the overmolding.

In a further embodiment, the two parts of the chamber can also be welded together directly in the dividing plane. In this regard, ultrasonic welding is preferred.

In principle, the welding point, possibly formed using a supplementary section, can be covered from the outside by a section of the tank, in particular the upper part of the tank, so that the welding point (or the surrounding welding area) is hidden from view when looking at the closure device from the outside can. The upper part can extend like an apron beyond the welding point, preferably vertically downwards with respect to a usual position of use.

The further preferred plug connection between the upper and lower parts can be used in particular for correct alignment of the parts relative to one another before and during a welding process. In addition, this can increase the stability in the welding area.

In the subject matter of claim 2 it can also be provided that the latching in the vertical direction is formed separately from a shoulder section of the inner housing formed on the bottom under the latching and the two parts of the chamber are welded together in the dividing plane, the welding being carried out by one with the The supplementary section, which is connected to both parts and is formed by overmolding, is reached or the welding is covered to the outside by the upper part of the tank, the upper part and the lower part of the tank also being plug-connected.

The composition of the chamber in two parts proves to be advantageous in terms of both manufacturing and handling. According to this embodiment, a lower part of the two-part chamber can have structural means that would not be possible or would only be much more complex to produce if the chamber were manufactured in one piece in this form. For example, the two parts of the chambers can be made from different materials. When producing the chamber, preferably from a plastic material, at least partially different plastics or plastic mixtures can be used, but in addition, if necessary, different manufacturing processes, for example a plastic blowing process for a part of the chamber, for example a pot-like area of the chamber, and optionally a plastic injection molding process for producing the other part, which serves to fix the chamber as a whole to the inner housing and/or the cover element.

The lower part of the chamber in particular can offer the closure means to interact with the inner housing.

In comparison to a one-piece chamber, preferably produced using the plastic blow molding process, this also makes it possible to achieve cheaper, in particular significantly smaller, diameter dimensions in the area of the closure means of the chamber, which further has a positive effect on the frictional forces between the chamber and the inner housing on the one hand and the inner housing and a facing inner surface of a container neck on the other hand. The diameter ratio of the friction surfaces between the closure means and the inner housing as well as the inner housing and the inner wall facing the container neck can be influenced in a favorable manner due to the two-part production of the chamber with regard to the necessary maintenance of the frictional connection between the inner housing and the container neck in the course of a first opening rotational movement of the closure device.

Due to the two-part design of the chamber, a favorable arrangement of the latches between the inner housing and the chamber and between the chamber and the cover element can be achieved on such different diameters that their latching projections and latching recesses run in a projection into a common plane transverse to the vertical axis without overlapping one another.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the latching between the inner housing and the chamber can be formed on a free-standing cylinder section of the inner housing. Such a free-standing cylinder section can, for example, extend freely in the axial direction starting from a root area of the shoulder section into the circumferential wall of the inner housing, which is otherwise preferably pot-shaped on the bottom side, more preferably in such a way that an end of the cylinder section pointing vertically upwards in the usual position of use preferably neither receives support radially on the inside and radially on the outside.

In addition, according to a possible embodiment, the above-described cylinder section can extend essentially radially inwards at a distance and at least approximately concentrically to a section of the shoulder section.

In a further embodiment, the inner housing can at the same time have an internal thread for cooperation with an external thread of the container and a sealing lip which is spaced radially inwards from the internal thread. The sealing lip can, as is also preferred, run essentially concentrically to the area of the inner housing that has the internal thread. In the allocation position, the container neck, to which the closure device is held screw-connected, extends between the internal thread and the sealing lip. A free end of the sealing lip pointing in the axial direction of the closure device is preferably directed downward in the usual position of use, correspondingly preferably opposite to the orientation of the free end of the cylinder section described above.

The sealing lip can be designed to overlap radially with the internal thread. In this regard, the sealing lip is completely covered by the area of the inner housing that has the internal thread.

The chamber can also be locked with the cover element and the inner housing on two mutually separate planes in the vertical direction, based on the state of use of the closure device, to form locking projections and locking recesses on the chamber, the cover element and the inner housing, the locking being relative to the inner housing the vertical central axis of the closure device is offset radially inwards relative to the locking with the cover element, the locking projections and the locking recesses of the planes running transversely to the vertical axis without overlapping one another when projected into a common plane.

This locking of the chamber with the inner housing and the cover element is also an improvement, particularly with regard to the emptying of the chamber when the cover element is removed. The locking of the chamber with the inner housing is achieved in comparison to the locking of the chamber with the cover element with respect to the central axis at a significantly smaller transverse dimension, possibly diameter.

The latching areas can be arranged with such different transverse dimensions to the central axis, or on such different diameters in a rotationally symmetrical design of the closure device, that in a projection of the latchings, in particular the latching projections and the latching recesses of the latchings, in a common plane running transversely to the central axis these do not overlap.

In this case, the latches can be spaced differently from the central axis in relation to the central axis in such a way that a distance between the latching areas also results in a projection into a common plane.

According to a possible embodiment, for example, in a rotationally symmetrical configuration of the closure device, in which the central axis also forms an axis of rotation, the locking between the chamber and the inner housing can be provided on a diameter circle, the diameter of which is 0.3 to 0.7 times. further, for example, can correspond to approximately 0.45 to 0.55 times the diameter of the latching between the chamber and the cover element.

The relevant diameter line running in the plane preferably extends in the radial direction to the central axis viewed centrally between a radially inner or outer groove base of a locking recess and a radially outer or radially inner end of a locking projection which interacts with this locking recess.

By arranging and designing the latches on preferably significantly different diameters, it is also possible to achieve favorable manufacturability, in particular favorable latching during the assembly of the closure device.

According to a further possible embodiment, the locking projections can be formed on the lower part in the vertical direction during normal use of the closure device. This can be, for example, a hard plastic part, which can also be produced, for example, using a plastic injection molding process.

In addition, both parts of the chamber can be made of a hard plastic. Both parts can also consist of the same hard plastic or be made essentially of the same hard plastic. In this regard, polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET) can be used as hard plastic materials.

Both parts can also contain polybutylene terephthalate (PBT).

The supplementary section can be designed annularly, preferably completely encompassing the parts with respect to the central axis of the closure device, whereby this annular enclosure can preferably only be present in an area assigned to the dividing plane.

In a possible embodiment, the supplementary section can be designed with reference to a vertical section in which the vertical central axis appears as a line, with a rear grip on the assigned sections of the two parts. In this way, in addition to welding, a positive connection is provided between the supplementary section and one or the other part, preferably both parts of the chamber.

Particularly in the case of a filled closure device, in which the stored medium is preferably accommodated in the chamber with an excess pressure, such an optionally additional positive connection proves to be advantageous.

In addition, the supplementary section can also be essentially triangular or trapezoidal in shape with respect to the vertical section. In the case of a triangular configuration, the supplementary section can be inserted like a wedge in the dividing plane between the mutually facing sections of the two parts and can preferably be welded to the two parts.

With an exemplary trapezoidal design of the supplementary section, dovetail-shaped rear grips can result in the fastening areas of the two parts of the chamber.

The rear grips can, as is also preferred, be achieved in an advantageous manner by overmolding with the additional section material.

The supplementary section can further clamp the two parts in the radial direction with respect to the central axis or vertical axis. In addition, as an alternative or in combination with such a radial clamping The two parts can also be clamped in the vertical direction by appropriately designing a rear grip that acts in the vertical direction.

With regard to the disclosure, the ranges or value ranges or multiple ranges specified above and below also include all intermediate values, in particular in 1/10 increments of the respective dimension, and if necessary also dimensionless. For example, the statement 0.3 to 0.7 times also includes the disclosure of 0.31 to 0.7 times, 0.3 to 0.69 times, 0.31 to 0.69 times etc. This disclosure can, on the one hand, serve to delimit a specified range boundary from below and/or above, but alternatively or additionally to reveal one or more singular values from a respective specified range.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1

die Verschlussvorrichtung in einer Längsschnittdarstellung bei Anordnung an einem Behälter, die Verschlussstellung betreffend;

Fig. 2

eine Ausschnittdarstellung eines Kammerbodenbereichs, betreffend eine alternative Ausführungsform;

Fig. 3

eine schematische Darstellung einer Projektion zweier Verrastungen in eine gemeinsame Ebene;

Fig. 4

die Herausvergrößerung des Bereiches IV in Figur 1;

Fig. 5

den Schnitt gemäß der Linie V-V in Figur 1;

Fig. 6

eine der Figur 4 entsprechende Darstellung, jedoch betreffend die Ablassstellung;

Fig. 7

den Schnitt gemäß der Linie VII-VII in Figur 1;

Fig. 8

die Verschlussvorrichtung im Längsschnitt, betreffend eine Explosionsdarstellung eines Tanks, eines Deckelelements und eines Innengehäuses der Verschlussvorrichtung;

Fig. 9

das Innengehäuse in einer perspektivischen Einzeldarstellung;

Fig. 10

das Deckelelement in perspektivischer Einzeldarstellung;

Fig. 11

die Herausvergrößerung des Bereiches XI in Figur 1;

Fig. 12 - 16

jeweils eine der Figur 11 im Wesentlichen entsprechende Darstellung, jedoch weitere Ausführungsformen betreffend;

Fig. 17

eine der Figur 11 entsprechende Detaildarstellung in einer weiteren Ausführungsform;

Fig. 18

eine Darstellung gemäß Figur 1, eine weitere Ausführungsform betreffend;

Fig. 19

die Herausvergrößerung der Bereichs XIX in Figur 18;

Fig. 20

eine weitere Ausführungsform in einer Darstellung gemäß Figur 1;

Fig. 21

in schematischer Darstellung eine Anordnung im Zuge einer Ultraschall-Verschweißung zweier Kammerteile der Vorrichtung gemäß Figur 20;

Fig. 22

die Herausvergrößerung des Bereichs XXII in Figur 21;

Fig. 23

eine der Figur 22 entsprechende Darstellung, jedoch nach Durchführung des Ultraschall-Schweißvorganges;

Fig. 24

das Innengehäuse der Ausführungsform gemäß Figur 21 in einer perspektivischen Einzeldarstellung;

Fig. 25

eine der Figur 24 im Wesentlichen entsprechende Darstellung, jedoch unter Fortlassung eines Dichtelements.

The invention is explained below with reference to the accompanying drawing, which only represents exemplary embodiments. A part that is only explained in relation to one of the exemplary embodiments and is not replaced by another part in a further exemplary embodiment due to the special feature highlighted there is therefore also described as a possible existing part for this further exemplary embodiment. The drawing shows:

Fig. 1

the closure device in a longitudinal sectional view when arranged on a container, regarding the closure position;

Fig. 2

a detail view of a chamber floor area, relating to an alternative embodiment;

Fig. 3

a schematic representation of a projection of two latches into a common plane;

Fig. 4

the enlargement of area IV in Figure 1 ;

Fig. 5

the cut according to the line VV in Figure 1 ;

Fig. 6

one of the Figure 4 corresponding representation, but regarding the release position;

Fig. 7

the cut according to the line VII-VII in Figure 1 ;

Fig. 8

the closure device in longitudinal section, relating to an exploded view of a tank, a lid element and an inner housing of the closure device;

Fig. 9

the inner housing in a perspective individual view;

Fig. 10

the cover element in a perspective individual view;

Fig. 11

the enlargement of area XI in Figure 1 ;

Fig. 12 - 16

one of each Figure 11 essentially corresponding representation, but relating to further embodiments;

Fig. 17

one of the Figure 11 corresponding detailed representation in a further embodiment;

Fig. 18

a representation according to Figure 1 , relating to a further embodiment;

Fig. 19

the enlargement of the area XIX in Figure 18 ;

Fig. 20

another embodiment in a representation according to Figure 1 ;

Fig. 21

a schematic representation of an arrangement in the course of an ultrasonic welding of two chamber parts of the device Figure 20 ;

Fig. 22

the enlargement of area XXII in Figure 21 ;

Fig. 23

one of the Figure 22 corresponding representation, but after carrying out the ultrasonic welding process;

Fig. 24

the inner housing according to the embodiment Figure 21 in a perspective individual representation;

Fig. 25

one of the Figure 24 essentially the same representation, but omitting a sealing element.

Description of the embodiments

It is shown and described, initially with reference to Figure 1 , a closure device 1 for a container 2, the closure device 1 essentially having a lid element 3, a chamber 4 and an inner housing 5, the chamber 4 being connected to the inner housing 5 via a (first) catch 6. The chamber 4 is preferably made of two parts 8, 9 composed, which parts 8, 9 are connected to one another in a dividing plane E running perpendicular to a vertical axis x.

Figure 1 further shows an upper portion of the container 2, here for example in the form of a beverage bottle, at the container opening 10 of which the closure device 1 is arranged.

The closure device 1 is located relative to the container 2 in a position that closes the container opening 10 in a fluid-tight manner, the closure device 1 being screwed to the container 2 in the usual manner, so that the container opening 10 is closed.

In this state, the container 2 can be stored for a longer period of time without the contents being able to escape from the container 2. To open the container 2, the closure device 1 is unscrewed from the container 2 in the usual way, so that the container opening 10 is finally completely exposed.

The closure device 1 has a chamber 4 for the separate storage of, for example, liquid or powdery media, which is only released into the contents of the container 2 at the moment in which the closure device 1 is removed from the container 2.

The chamber 4 can, as also shown and preferred, essentially consist of two parts 8, 9. Both parts 8, 9 can be made from the same material, in particular from the same hard plastic, for example from PE, PET or PP, whereby, according to a possible embodiment, both parts can also be made entirely of PBT or can have parts of PBT.

In this case, with reference to the usual position of use of the closure device 1, in which the axis x extends essentially vertically, the upper part 8 can be manufactured in a plastic injection-blowing process, alternatively in a plastic injection-molding process.

The lower part 9 of the chamber 4 in this regard can, as is also preferred, be produced using the plastic injection molding process.

The upper part 8 can also have a cup-shaped shape, with an overhead arrangement being provided with regard to the cup design. A connection to the lower part 9 is preferred along the edge region of the upper part 8 surrounding the pot opening pointing downwards.

In this context, a permanent connection that cannot be detached operationally or by the user, in particular cannot be detached in a non-destructive manner, is preferred. Furthermore, a pressure-resistant connection is preferred in this regard, especially when receiving a medium in the chamber 4 with a pressure that is higher than the ambient pressure.

The lower part 9 forms a preferably central drain connection 11.

The inner housing 5 can, as shown, have a pot-like shape, with a circumferential pot wall and a collar 12 for support on the container edge surrounding the container opening 10.

A sealing lip 13 can be formed all around the underside of the inner housing collar 12. This has an effect in the allocation position Figure 1 with the container wall surrounding the container opening 10.

On the bottom side, a chamber base 14 is formed, which merges into a groove 15 over its entire circumference. This groove 15 is with reference to the sectional view in Figure 1 limited by a radially inner channel side wall 16 and a radially outer channel side wall 17 and by a channel bottom 18.

The radially inner side wall 16 merges into the channel base 18 on the foot side and into the chamber base 14, which is axially spaced from the channel base 18, on the head side. The chamber floor 14 can, as also shown, run essentially transversely to the vertical axis x, and further optionally in a parallel orientation to the channel floor 18.

The radially outer channel side wall 17 can essentially form the housing wall of the inner housing 5.

In particular, the surface of the gutter bottom 18, but also preferably the surface of the radially inner gutter side wall 16 pointing into the gutter space and possibly also, as shown, the surface of the chamber bottom 14 facing the chamber 4 can, as is also preferred, be covered by a soft plastic layer 19. This can, as is also preferred, be produced together with the inner housing 5 using a two-component injection molding process. Alternatively, the soft plastic layer 19 can be produced separately as a pot-like part and can be locked, for example, on the inside of the inner housing 5.

According to the in Figure 25 In the embodiment shown, ribs 45 directed vertically outwards and extending in the axial direction can be formed all around the channel side wall 16, which (additionally) provide a positive connection of the inner housing 5 with the soft plastic layer 19 in the circumferential direction.

Figure 2 shows an alternative design in which the chamber floor 14 is not covered by the soft plastic layer 19. The latter extends solely in the area of the channel 15, essentially lining it.

For example, a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) can be used to produce the soft plastic layer 19.

As can be seen in particular from the illustration in Figure 1 To recognize, the chamber bottom 14 can have an opening 20 centrally covered by the soft plastic layer 19 in the direction of the chamber interior, via which the proper filling - in particular pressure filling - of the chamber 4 can be checked before the closure device 1 is placed on the container 2.

On the bottom side of the gutter 15 there is also a drain opening 21 which passes through both the gutter bottom 18 and the section of the soft plastic layer 19 covering the gutter bottom 18. As is also preferred, when viewed in a plane transverse to the vertical axis More preferably, the channel 15 can only have one such drain opening 21.

The soft plastic layer 19 forms a sealing element 22 for interaction with a closure means V, which in the illustrated embodiment is essentially formed like a plug, in particular formed by the wall of the drain connection 11.

The drain connection 11 extends essentially in the manner of a circular cylinder, with the free, correspondingly annular end pointing downwards in the usual manner in the state of use, forming the closure means V, dipping into the groove 15 of the inner housing 5.

The closure means V, here corresponding to the annular end region of the drain connection 11, is permanently seated in the sealing element 22, here the channel 15, and is preferably not displaced relative thereto in the direction of the vertical axis x. There is preferably only a displacement of the closure means V relative to the sealing element 22, in particular to the soft plastic layer 19, in the circumferential direction, for example with a stop limit over an angle of approximately 180 degrees, for example.

The closure means V can have an output formation 23, for example in the form of a groove which is open at the edge radially inwards towards the radially inner channel side wall 16 and axially downwards towards the drain opening 21. This can be in the closed position as shown in the Figures 1 , 4 , 18 and 20 be aligned offset by approximately 180 degrees to an output recess 24 formed in the area of the inner gutter side wall 16 in the direction of the gutter 15. This is correspondingly shaped in the area of the soft plastic layer 19.

This output recess 24 can also be formed in the form of a groove, in particular in the form of a groove running in the axial direction. Furthermore, according to the exemplary embodiments shown, this output recess 24 may be provided axially spaced from the drain opening 21 in the transition from the inner channel side wall 16 into the chamber bottom 14.

Accordingly, there is a partial radial expansion of the channel 15 in the area of the output recess 24.

As a result of rotational displacement, the plug-shaped closure means V is seated in the channel 15 in the outlet position, for example Figure 6 rotated, in which the output formation 23 and the output recess 24 are brought into a matching orientation. This results in an overlay of the groove-like dispensing formations in the axial direction, as well as an assignment of the dispensing formation 23 to the drain opening 21, so that the dispensing formations form the flow path for dispensing the medium located in the chamber 4 through the drain opening 21 into the interior of the container.

As can also be seen from the illustration in Figure 6 results, an alternating outlet course of the medium stored in the chamber 4 can result in this outlet position in the direction of the vertical axis x. As preferred and shown, this can also result in a change of course from radially inside to radially outside, whereby a favorable, possibly delayed outlet of the medium into the container 2 can be achieved.

The relative rotation of the chamber 4 provided with the closure means V to the inner housing 5 is preferably stop-limited. For this purpose, for example, a radial projection 25 can be formed on the chamber 4, for example radially on the outside of the drain connection 11, which can interact with correspondingly positioned stops 26 or 27 of the inner housing 5 (see Figure 5 and Figure 25 ).

A rotation of the chamber 4 or in the embodiments according to Figures 1 to 16 The cover element 3, which is non-rotatably connected to the chamber 4, goes beyond the stop-limited opening position for draining the medium stored in the chamber 4 into the interior of the container, leads in the usual way to the closure device 1 being completely unscrewed from the container 2, corresponding to the complete exposure of the container opening 10.

The rotation-proof connection between the chamber 4 and the cover element 3 can be provided by engagement on the outside of the wall of the chamber 4, in particular on the lower part 9, with driving ribs 28 formed on the outside of the chamber 4, in particular on the lower part 9, which protrude radially outwards in a wing-like manner and which can engage in corresponding driving receptacles 29 of the cover element 3 (see in particular Figure 7 ).

The driving ribs 28, like the above-described radial projection 25, can be formed in one piece and of the same material with the lower part 9 of the chamber 4 and can preferably be manufactured using the plastic injection molding process.

In addition, the lower part 9, viewed in the axial direction, can have a locking projection 30 which preferably runs around in an annular manner with respect to the vertical axis x between the end region of the drain connection 11 which essentially forms the closure means V and the region which has the radial projection 25. To form the (first) latching 6, this locking projection 30 engages in a groove-like locking recess 31 formed on the inside of the circumferential inner housing wall.

In addition to the (first) latching 6 formed in this way, a rotary bearing for the chamber 4, in particular its lower part 9, can also be provided on the inner housing 5.

Compared to a largest width k of the chamber 4, measured transversely to a vertical direction M given by the orientation of the vertical axis L must be offset radially inwards. An extension dimension in the area of the latching 6, also viewed transversely to the vertical direction M, can correspond to approximately 0.4 to 0.8 times, further approximately 0.5 to 0.6 times the previously described width k of the chamber 4.

According to the in the Figures 18 to 25 In the embodiments shown, the chamber 4 can essentially only have this one latching mechanism 6 between the chamber 4 and the inner housing 5. In this case, as is also preferred, this latching 6 can be separate in the vertical direction M from a shoulder section 40 of the inner housing 5 formed on the bottom under the latching 6 (see Figures 18 and 25 ).

This shoulder section 40 adjoins the outside in the area of the upper end of the pot-like circumferential channel side wall 17 and runs in an upward arc at an approximately parallel distance from the sealing lip 13 into the collar 12, which runs essentially transversely to the vertical axis x.

Beyond the root area of the shoulder section 12 on the channel side wall 17, a free-standing cylinder section 42 adjoins vertically upwards, on the radially inwardly facing wall of which the locking recess 31, for example in the form of a circumferential groove, is formed.

The cylinder section 42 ends - viewed from the channel bottom 18 - at a distance in front of the plane given by the collar 12.

Accordingly, when the chamber 4 is rotated relative to the inner housing 5 to release the drain opening 21, a circumferential friction surface can arise between the lower part 9 of the chamber 4 and the inner housing 5, especially in the area of interaction between the locking projection 30 and the locking recess 31, beyond but if necessary also between the free end of the drain connection 11 forming the closure means V and in particular the radially outer channel side walls 17. These friction surfaces extend at least approximately in the area of the same diameter dimensions a, which diameter dimension a is approximately 0.4 to 0.6 times that free inner diameter b in the area of the container opening 10 can correspond.

The inner housing 5 can also be held on the container 2 in the area of the container opening 10 in a friction-locking manner, in particular due to the sealing lip 13 resting on the facing inside in the area of the container opening 10 (cf. Figure 1 ). As a result of the above-described arrangement and design of the drain connection 11 as well as the first latching 6 between the inner housing 5 and the chamber 4, a favorable relationship with regard to the frictional forces can result, so that in particular with a first rotation of the chamber 4 together with the cover element 3 180 degrees into the position releasing the drain opening 21, the frictional force between the inner housing 5 and the container 2 is not or not substantially influenced.

The friction surface between the inner housing 5 in the area of its sealing lip 13 and the inner wall of the container 2 in the area of the container opening 10 preferably extends to the above-described diameter b, on which the second latching 7 is also essentially located can essentially extend between the chamber 4 and the cover element 3.

With those in the Figures 1 to 16 In the embodiments shown, in addition to the first latching 6, a second latching 7 can be provided between the inner housing 5 and the cover element 3. This second locking 7 can be achieved by forming a further locking projection 32 on the chamber 4, in particular on the lower part 9. This locking projection 32 can, as in Figure 9 shown, be designed as a radial projection in the area of the driving ribs 28.

On the cover element side, a locking recess 33 can be provided on the underside of the driving receptacles 29 for the driving ribs 28. This locking recess 33 of the illustrated embodiment can, as also shown, be exposed vertically downwards.

The locking projection 32 as well as the locking recess 33 can, as is also preferred, be designed to run circumferentially concentrically with the axis x.

As can be seen in particular from the sectional view in Figure 1 To recognize, the pairs of locking projections 30 and 32 and locking recesses 31 and 33 extend at different radial distances from the vertical axis x, the locking projection 32 and the locking recess 33 of the upper, second locking 7 having a larger radial spacing than the locking pair of the first Latching 6.

With a possible projection of the locking pairs of the first and second locking devices 6, 7 into a common plane running transversely to the vertical axis x, there is no overlap between the locking projections 30 and 32 and the locking recesses 31 and 33. Rather, these are spaced apart from one another in the radial direction.

A line that runs through the middle of the respective catch 1 or 2 and runs concentrically to the vertical axis x has a diameter in the area of the first catch 6 which is approximately 0.4 to 0.6 times the equivalent circular line in the area of the second catch 7 can correspond.

As a result of the locking described using the first exemplary embodiment, favorable assembly can be achieved. This is shown schematically in Figure 8. The parts 8 and 9 assembled to form the chamber 4 can be inserted into the cover element 3 from above and locked with it in relation to a usual position of use (see arrow c), while the inner housing 5 is inserted into the cover element 3 from below in the opposite direction and with the chamber 4 is connected in the area of the first catch 6 (see arrow d).

The closure device 1 can be filled in this assembly position.

As can be seen, the latches 6 and 7 are formed in the area of different planes F and G spaced apart in the axial direction, such that when the latches 6 and 7 are projected into a common plane H oriented transversely to the axis x, there is no overlap of the latches 6 and 7 is given. Rather, there is a distance t between the radially outer latching 7 and the radially inner latching 6 (see Fig. 3 ).

The Figures 11 to 17 show different embodiments regarding the connection of the two parts 8 and 9 to form the chamber 4.

In each case a welded connection is preferably provided. In principle, this can initially be achieved, for example, by ultrasonic welding, if necessary with direct connection of the two parts 8 and 9 in the area of a free front edge 34 of the upper part 8 and an associated base area 35 of the lower part 9.

According to the embodiment in Figure 11 In the edge region 34 of the upper part 8, a circumferential wedge surface with an outer cross-section can be cut free to accommodate a supplementary section 36 produced by overmolding the region. The supplementary section 36 is preferably made of the same plastic material as the two parts 8 and 9. In the course of During production or overmolding with the supplementary section material, a fusion or welding is achieved in the area of the contact surfaces.

The supplementary section 36 can, in a broader sense, form a connecting weld seam, wherein the supplementary section 36 can be designed as an annular overall.

In alternative embodiments, the supplementary section can be designed with a rear grip with respect to a vertical section, as shown, in particular with a rear grip 37 acting in the radial direction.

This can be done as shown in Figure 12 for example, by a trapezoidal cross-sectional design of the supplementary section 36, which further results in an approximately dovetail-shaped wedge connection is reachable. Accordingly, in addition to a welded connection, there is also a positive connection - here acting in the radial direction.

The rear grip 37 can only be achieved with respect to one of the parts 8 or 9, for example as shown in Figure 14 in connection with the lower part 9, while in relation to the other part (here the upper part 8) there can be no such interference.

Alternatively or in addition to such a radial rear grip 37, a rear grip 38 acting in the axial direction can also be provided, so that the supplementary section 36 clamps the two parts 8 and 9 together in the vertical direction (compare Figures 15 and 16 ).

An axial rear grip 38 can be provided solely in the base area 35 as shown in Figure 15 be given. Alternatively, as in Figure 16 shown, an additional axial rear grip 38 'can be provided in the edge region 34 of the upper part, whereby secure clamping can be achieved.

An axial rear grip 38 formed solely in the edge region 34 of the upper part 8 can, in conjunction with a radial rear grip 37 in the base region 35, result in an advantageous connection (compare Fig. 14 ).

As can be seen in particular from the illustrations in the Figures 12 to 16 To recognize, the supplementary section 36 can apply radially outwards with respect to the cross-sectional representation and accordingly protrude beyond the facing outer edge boundary of the upper and lower parts 8 and 9. This can result in an annular collar 39 that rests overall on the outer wall of the chamber 4 and preferably runs all the way around.

The weld seam formed indirectly by the supplementary section 36 can also be enclosed radially on the outside and circumferentially by an axially upwardly projecting collar 46 of the cover element 4. The weld seam is thereby hidden.

According to, for example, in Figure 1 In the embodiment shown, the cover element 3 can have an internal thread 43 which interacts with an external thread 44 of the container 2 and which is preferably formed in radial overlap with the sealing lip 13. The cover element 3 encompassing the container neck serves as a gripping element for opening the container 2, with the chamber 4 being rotated relative to the inner housing 5 by rotating the cover element 3 through rotation, and when the rotation stop is reached - the medium is released into the container 2 - The inner housing 5 is also unscrewed so that a unit consisting of chamber 4, inner housing 5 and lid element 3 can finally be removed from the container 2.

Alternatively, the screw connection between the container 2 and the closure device 1 can be provided via the inner housing 5 (see Fig. 18 and 20 ). For this purpose, the inner housing has the internal thread 43 on a jacket section 47 which projects from the radially outer end of the collar 12, runs coaxially with the vertical axis x and is aligned in a radial overlap with the sealing lip 13, for cooperation with the external thread 44 of the container 2.

This jacket section 47 is in the unused position according to Figures 18 and 20 - preferably completely - surrounded by a cylinder jacket 48 of the chamber 4. In particular, this cylinder jacket 48 is integrally formed on the part 9 and more preferably made of the same material. The cylinder jacket 48 surrounds the casing section 47 at a distance and is free of any dragging.

The cylinder jacket 48 is preferably enlarged in diameter compared to the outer diameter of the chamber 4 in the area of the part 8, so that in the transition there is a radial step to the outside, in which step area the connection of the parts 8 and 9 is preferably carried out.

In the based on the Figures 18 and 19 In the embodiment shown, a supplementary section 36 can also be used here on the foot side of part 8 and supported on the above-described step.

Also according to the embodiment in the Figures 20 to 25 There may be direct welding of parts 8 and 9, in particular ultrasonic welding.

For this purpose, for example, the upper part 8 can have, on its edge directed downwards towards a welding collar 49 formed by the base area 35, a circumferential excess material 50, which has a wedge-like cross-section, for example, which melts in the course of the ultrasonic welding process and serves to form the weld seam (compare Figures 21 to 23 ). For this process, for example, the part 8 of the chamber 4 is placed in an overhead position in a shape-adapted anvil 51, the part 9 is positioned accordingly and the ultrasonic welding is carried out in a targeted manner in the area of the circumferential excess material 50 using a sonotrode 52 (see Figure 21 ).

The resulting direct weld connection, in particular the weld seam created thereby, is preferably covered radially outwards by an axial collar of the upper part 8 of the chamber 4, which encompasses the jacket section 47 of the inner housing 5 and forms it.

Preferably, regardless of the type of welding connection, the dividing plane E between the parts 8 and 9 of the chamber 4 passes through an overlapping section 41 of the lower part 9 of the chamber 4. This overlapping section 41 preferably rests radially on the inside of the facing end region of the upper part 8 and gives it This provides radial support, which is particularly advantageous during the welding process. The overlapping section 41 serves to connect parts 8 and 9.

As shown, for example, in Figure 17 shown, in addition to the overlapping section 41 described, a further overlapping section 41 'can also be provided radially outside of the edge region 34 of the upper chamber part 8, so that there is a plug-in groove 55 on the welding collar 49 of the lower chamber part 9 formed by the base region 35 for the downward-facing edge region 34 of part 8. The dividing plane E can, as is also preferred, pass through both the radially inner overlapping section 41 and the radially outer overlapping section 41 '.

Such an optionally provided radially outer overlapping section 41 'can, for example, in Figure 19 shown, have radial openings 56, so that there are several overlapping areas extending all around in a bridge-like manner. Material from the supplementary section 36 can pass through the radial openings 56 during the encapsulation of the welding area between the parts 8 and 9 of the chamber 4. The welded connection is supported by the additional positive fit.

In the embodiments of Figures 18 to 25 the cylinder jacket 48 of the chamber 4 serves as a gripping element for opening the container 2. As a result of the rotation of the chamber 4, it is displaced relative to the inner housing 5 into the position that releases the medium in chamber 4, after which the inner housing 5 is dragged along in the direction of rotation by the rotation stop, which causes a screw displacement of the closure device 1 as a whole relative to the container 2.

When the container 2 is screwed off, an originality ring 53 is torn off, regardless of the embodiments described.

It can also be done, as shown in the example in Figure 18 shown, in the chamber 4, for example in a funnel-like inlet of the lower part 9 in the direction of the channel 15, an eccentric pin 54 essentially aligned in the vertical direction M can be formed. Such a pin can have a beneficial effect on the flow behavior of the medium when it flows out of the chamber 4, for example by imparting a turbulence to the medium.

In the exhaust position there is also an alternating course according to the in Figure 6 illustrated embodiment. <b>List of reference symbols</b> 1 Closure device 39 Ring collar 2 container 40 shoulder section 3 Lid element 41 Overreach section 4 chamber 41' Overreach section 5 Inner casing 42 Cylinder section 6 Latching 43 inner thread 7 Latching 44 External thread 8th Part 45 rib 9 Part 46 collar 10 Container opening 47 Jacket section 11 Drain connection 48 Cylinder jacket 12 collar 49 Sweat collar 13 sealing lip 50 Material surplus 14 Chamber floor 51 anvil 15 gutter 52 sonotrode 16 Gutter side wall 53 Originality ring 17 Gutter side wall 54 Cones 18 gutter bottom 55 Plug-in groove 19 Soft plastic layer 56 Radial breakthrough 20 opening 21 Drain opening a diameter 22 Sealing element b diameter 23 Output shaping c Arrow 24 Output recess d Arrow 25 Radial projection k Width 26 attack t Distance 27 attack x Vertical axis 28 driving rib 29 Takeaway recording E Division level 30 locking projection F level 31 locking recess G level 32 locking projection H common level 33 locking recess L Dislocation direction 34 Edge area M vertical direction 35 Base area v Closing means 36 Supplementary section 37 Underreach 38 Underreach 38' Underreach

Claims (15)

1. Closure device (1) for a container (2) with a container opening (10), the closure device (1) having a cover element (3) for closing the container opening (10), a chamber (4) associated with the cover element (3) and an inner housing (5), the chamber (4) and the inner housing (5) having closure means (V) and opening means corresponding to one another, which interact with one another in such a way that a medium contained in the chamber (4) can emerge into the container (2) as a result of a movement of the cover element (3) relative to the inner housing (5), the chamber (4) furthermore having a cantilevered closure edge which, in the use state, points into a container interior and runs in an annular manner around a centre axis of the chamber (4), which interacts in a closing manner with the inner housing (5) in the closed state, the inner housing (5) forming a chamber base (14) delimited by the closure edge, the chamber (4) furthermore being latched to the inner housing (5), the latching (6) to the inner housing (5) being offset radially inwards with respect to a vertical centre axis (x) of the closure device (1) relative to a maximum width (k) of the chamber (4) in the offset direction (L), wherein the latch (6) is formed in the vertical direction (M) separately from a shoulder portion (40) of the inner housing (5) formed on the bottom side below the latch (6), characterised in that the shoulder portion (40) is in operative connection with the container opening.
2. Closure device according to claim 1, characterised in that the chamber (4) is composed of two parts (8, 9), with a dividing plane (E) which runs perpendicular to a vertical centre axis (x) of the closure device (1) and the dividing plane (E) passes through an overlapping section (41) of the lower part (9) of the chamber (4), and in that the two parts (8, 9) are welded to one another in the dividing plane (E), the welding being achieved by a supplementary portion (36) formed by overmoulding and communicating with the two parts (8, 9).
3. Closure device according to claim 2, characterised in that the supplementary section (36) is annular, wherein, preferably, in the edge region of the upper part (8) a wedge surface of outer cross-section is cut free, for receiving the supplementary section (36) produced by overmoulding the region.
4. Closure device according to claim 2, characterised in that the supplementary section (36) projects radially outwards in cross-section and correspondingly projects beyond the facing outer edge boundary of the upper and lower parts (8, 9).
5. Closure device according to claim 1, characterised in that the chamber (4) is composed of two parts (8, 9) with a dividing plane (E) which runs perpendicular to a vertical centre axis (x) of the closure device (1), in that the dividing plane (E) passes through an overlapping section (41) of the lower part (9) of the chamber and in that the two parts (8, 9) are welded together in the dividing plane (E), the weld being covered on the outside by the upper part (8), 9) are welded to one another in the dividing plane (E), the welding being covered on the outside by the upper part (8), the upper part (8) and the lower part (9) being further covered, the upper part (8) and the lower part (9) of the chamber (4) being further plug-connected.
6. Closure device according to one of claims 1 or 5, characterised in that the latch (6) is formed on a free-standing cylinder portion (42) of the inner housing (5).
7. Closure device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner housing (5) has at the same time an internal thread (43) for cooperation with an external thread (44) of the container (2) and a sealing lip (13) which is spaced radially inwards from the internal thread (43).
8. Closure device according to claim 7, characterised in that the sealing lip (13) is formed in radial overlap with the internal thread (43).
9. Closure device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the chamber (4) is latched to the cover element (3) and the inner housing (5) at two planes (F, G) which are separate from one another in the vertical direction (M) with respect to the state of use of the closure device (1), with the formation of latching projections (30, 32) and latching recesses (31, 33) on the chamber (4), the cover element (3) and the inner housing (5), wherein the latching (6) with the inner housing (5) is offset radially inwards with respect to the vertical centre axis (x) of the closure device (1) relative to the latching (7) with the cover element (3), wherein the latching projections (30, 32) and the latching recesses (31, 33) of the planes (F, G), when projected into a common plane (H), extend transversely to the vertical axis (x) without overlapping one another.
10. Closure device according to claim 9, when referred back to claim 2, characterised in that the latching projections (30, 32) are formed on the lower part (9) in the vertical direction.
11. Closure device according to any one of claims 9, when referred back to any one of claims 2 to 4, or 10, characterized in that both parts (8, 9) are made of a hard plastic.
12. Closure device according to claim 11, characterised in that both parts (8, 9) contain polybutylene terephthalate.
13. Closure device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterised in that the supplementary portion (36) is formed with a rear grip (37, 38) with respect to a vertical section in which the vertical central axis (x) is a line.
14. Closure device according to any one of claims 2, 3, 4 or 13, characterised in that the supplementary portion (36) is formed substantially triangularly or trapezoidally with respect to the vertical section.
15. Closure device according to any one of claims 2, 3, 4, 13 or 14, characterised in that the supplementary portion (36) braces the two parts (8, 9) together in the vertical direction.

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