EP3983304A1

EP3983304A1 - Container closure

Info

Publication number: EP3983304A1
Application number: EP20733740.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Maik Göpfert; Steffen Kroon
Original assignee: Alpla Werke Alwin Lehner GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Alpla Werke Alwin Lehner GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2019-06-17
Filing date: 2020-06-17
Publication date: 2022-04-20
Anticipated expiration: 2040-06-17
Also published as: EP3983304B1; WO2020254367A1; EP3983304C0; CH716327A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a container closure (11) comprising a cap (13), which is preferably non-releasably connectable to a container neck (15) of a container (17) and on which a filler outlet (25) is provided, and a flap (21), which is held to the cap (13) by a hinge (23) and which can swivel from a closed position, in which the flap (21) seals the filler outlet (25), to an open position, in which the filler outlet (25) is exposed. At least one retainer extension (29, 31) is held on the flap (21) by at least one predetermined breaking strip (33, 35) and the at least one retainer extension (29, 31) is non-releasably connected to the cap (13) after swiveling the flap (21) into the closed position for the first time.

Description

Container closure

Field of invention

The invention relates to a container closure according to the preamble of claim 1 and a container with such a container closure according to claim 19.

State of the art

From the prior art in the field of plastic container closures, container closures are known which have a hinged hinge with which the closure can be opened and closed again. The flap can therefore be pivoted from a closed position into an open position and vice versa. The folding hinge comprises a flap and a hinge, with which hinge the flap is articulated to a cap. The cap is preferably non-releasably connectable to a container neck of a container. A sealing element is formed on the side of the flap which faces the cap. The sealing element, for example in the form of a truncated cone, penetrates into a pouring opening provided on the cap when the flap is in the closed position.

To indicate that the flap is originally closed after the container has been filled with filling material, an adhesive label can be stuck over the flap and the adjacent areas. When the flap is opened for the first time, the adhesive label tears. However, it is possible to detach the adhesive label from the cap with mechanical and / or chemical aids and to stick it back to the original location after the contents have been manipulated. It is not only complex to use such an adhesive chain in terms of production technology, it is also not even certain that an intact adhesive label actually indicates an originally sealed container.

At the end of the invention

The disadvantages of the described prior art result in the object of creating a container closure with a hinged hinge in which it is reliably indicated that the closure is originally closed or that the closure has already been opened. Another object is to show a container closure with a hinged hinge which, despite the presence of a guarantee element indicating the original closure, does not cause any additional effort in production.

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 preferably characterized in that at least one holding extension is held on the flap with at least one predetermined breaking web and that the at least one holding extension is permanently connected to the cap after the flap has been pivoted into the closed position for the first time. After the container closure is closed for the first time, after it has been produced in the open state, a guarantee closure is produced since the at least one predetermined breaking web is intact. When the flap is opened or pivoted into the open position for the first time, the predetermined breaking web breaks. The broken predetermined breaking web is clearly visible. In addition, the breaking of the predetermined breaking web can cause a crack, which is heard by the user. The at least one holding extension enables a guarantee lock even with so-called folding hinge locks.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the connection of the at least one holding extension to the cap is realized by a non-detachable form fit. To produce the form fit, it is sufficient to close the flap for the first time after the container closure has been produced. A manipulation of the form fit is impossible, since loosening the holding extension from the cap leads to a visible destruction of the holding extension.

To implement the form fit, it is preferred if a retaining lug is formed on the side of the retaining extension facing the cap, which after the flap has been pivoted into the closed position in a position provided on the cap. opening is locked. The retaining lug is firmly held in the opening and when pulling it out of the opening, the retaining extension inevitably receives traces of manipulation. It is also conceivable that the retaining lug is glued to the opening.

It has proven to be useful if a barb is formed on the holding extension, whereby the holding extension is permanently locked in the opening. The violent loosening of the retaining extension leads to the destruction of the barb and therefore to traces of manipulation, which indicate that the flap has been opened.

It has proven to be advantageous if the holding extension is received in a first recess in the cap. As a result, the holding extension is tamper-proof and well protected.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the depth of the first recess is greater than the thickness of the holding extension. As a result, it can be shown directly and clearly whether the container closure is originally closed or has already been opened by pivoting the flap. The holding extensions still connected to the cap via the predetermined breaking webs do not lie on the first indentations and close flush with the surface of the cap. Only when the flap is opened do the predetermined breaking webs tear off and the holding extensions fall into the depressions. This measure - that is, the looser retaining projections lying deeper - improves the detection of whether the original seal is still present or whether an opening has already taken place. The interaction of the first indentations with the holding projections creates an indicator in a surprisingly simple manner, which indicates whether the flap is originally closed or has already been opened.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the holding extension is L-shaped with a first and second leg and the barb is formed at the open end of the second leg. As a result of this design feature, the holding extensions are reliably and permanently held on the cap after the flap has been closed for the first time. In addition, the L-shape makes it possible for the retaining extensions to fall into the depressions in any case if the predetermined breaking webs are broken.

The at least one predetermined breaking web expediently has a length which is longer than the distance between the ones in the closed position Flap and the holding process. If this elongated predetermined breaking web tears, the broken guarantee seal is easier to recognize than if a predetermined breaking web tears, which has the length of the gap between the cap and the flap.

It proves to be expedient if a first and a second predetermined breaking web are formed between the holding extension and the flap. As a result, the holding extension is held steadily on the flap before the flap is closed for the first time. Two predetermined breaking webs prevent these from deliberately breaking before the retaining extension is connected to the cap or when the cap is closed for the first time.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, a plastic film is formed between the first and the second predetermined breaking web. The tearing of the plastic film makes it easier to recognize that the guarantee seal has been broken. Such a plastic film can be provided without any effort during the manufacture of the container closure, for example during injection molding.

The invention is also preferably characterized in that the holding extension is received in the first recess in the cap, whereby the holding extension forms a flat surface with the cap before the flap is opened for the first time. The holding extension therefore does not protrude beyond the top plate of the cap. As a result, the holding extension offers no starting point for manipulations. Furthermore, the holding extension is well protected in the first recess.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, a first holding extension or a second holding extension with a first and second predetermined breaking web on the opposite sides be fastened on two opposite sides of the flap. The symmetrical arrangement of the holding extensions causes a clearly perceptible resistance of the flap when it is opened for the first time. The presence of such resistance is another sign that the flap is being opened for the first time.

The flap expediently has the shape of a rectangle with two longitudinal sides and two broad sides, the first and the second retaining extension being attached to one longitudinal side and the hinge being formed on a broad side. This shape of the flap is common for hinged hinges and this is common for customers The accepted shape of the valve is complemented by the holding appendages. The long sides also offer sufficient space so that the holding extensions can be positioned on them.

A sealing extension is advantageously formed on the underside of the flap, which in the closed position cooperates in a sealing manner with the product outlet. Because the sealing extension is received in the filling material outlet in the closed position, the outlet is reliably sealed. The sealing extension can be cylindrical or frustoconical. It is also conceivable that it is designed as a sealing ring which is pressed onto the outlet in the closed position.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the flap is received in a second recess in the cap, as a result of which the flap forms a flat surface with the cap. The flap is well protected as it does not form any protrusions in the locking position on the cap. However, it is also conceivable that the flap has the same diameter as the top plate and covers it completely. In this case, the holding extensions can connect the edge of the flap to the jacket of the cylindrical cap.

In a further particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the container closure is formed in one piece. This means that the cap, the flap, the hinge, the at least one retaining extension, the at least one predetermined breaking web and the optional plastic film are made from one material together. As a result, the container closure can be manufactured in one work step, preferably by injection molding. Subsequent processing steps are not necessary in the production.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the container closure is made of polypropylene. Polypropylene has a property that it becomes lighter when it is stretched. The torn-off predetermined breaking bars therefore change their color significantly, making the breakage of the guarantee seal easy to recognize.

It has proven to be advantageous if the container closure is injection molded. The container closure can therefore be made in one piece and true to shape in an injection mold. The productivity is exactly the same as with hinged latches without guarantee closure, since no additional production or post-processing steps are necessary to manufacture the container closure according to the invention. Only the injection mold has to be adapted to form the holding extensions.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a container comprising a container body, a container neck into which the container body merges and a container closure connected to the container neck according to one of the preceding claims. The container closure can be placed on all container necks on which folding hinge closures can be placed without the described guarantee seal.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the container closure is permanently connected to the container neck. This feature is useful so that the guarantee closure cannot be circumvented simply by removing the container closure from the container neck.

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

FIG. 1: an axonometric view of a container closure before a flap is closed for the first time;

FIG. 2: the container closure with the flap in the closed position before the flap is opened for the first time;

FIG. 3: the container closure with the flap in the open position;

FIG. 4: a further embodiment of the container closure in the open position;

FIG. 5: a further embodiment of the container closure in an axonometric view before the first closure of the flap; FIG. 6: an axonometric view of the container closure from FIG. 5 with the flap in the closed position before the flap is opened for the first time;

7 shows a cross section through the container _V Closure of Figure 6;

FIG. 8: the container closure from FIG. 5 with the flap in the open position and

9 shows a cross section through the container _V Closure of FIG. 8

In FIGS. 1 to 9, a container closure is shown which is designated as a whole by the reference numeral 11. The container _V Closure 11 is of the type of a resealable "hinged-Ver-circuit". The container closure 11 comprises a cap 13 which is held on a container neck 15 of a container 17. The Be holds erhals 15 enters into a container body 18 through. The cap 13 is preferably held permanently on the container neck so that the container contents cannot be manipulated by removing the cap 13 and the guarantee closure described below cannot be bypassed.

The cap 13 has a head plate 19 to which a flap 21 is articulated with a hinge 23. It is preferably a film hinge which is produced in one piece with the cap 13 and the flap 21, preferably using the injection molding process. A product outlet 25 is provided on the top plate 19, from which product filled into the container 17 can be removed. The flap 21 can be pivoted about the hinge 23 from a closed position into an open position and vice versa. In the closed position, the flap 21 closes the outlet 25 so that it is sealed. In the Offenpo position, the flap 21 releases the outlet 25. A sealing extension 27 is formed on the underside of the flap 21. In the closed position, this is taken up in the outlet 25 and thereby seals the product outlet 25.

A first and a second holding extension 29, 31, each with a first and second predetermined breaking web 33, 35, are preferably held on the flap. The flap 21 preferably has essentially the shape of a rectangle with a first and second longitudinal side 37, 39 and a first and second broad side 41, 43. The second broad side 43 is rounded det, so that it is integrated into the contour of the head plate 19. The first and second holding extensions 29, 31 are each held with the first and second predetermined breaking web 33, 35 on the first and second longitudinal side 37, 39, respectively.

The first and second holding extensions 29, 31 are preferably in the form of platelets and can also be referred to as holding wings. First and second retaining lugs 47, 49 are formed on the underside of the retaining extensions. When the flap 21 is pivoted into the closed position for the first time, the first and second retaining lugs 47, 49 each lock positively in a first and second opening 51, 53 provided on the top plate 19. So that the first and second holding extensions 29, 31 do not protrude beyond the contour of the head plate 19 and the holding extensions 29, 31 form a flat surface with the head plate 19, they are received in first depressions 45. So that the flap 21 does not protrude beyond the contour of the cap 13, it is received in a second recess 55 in the closed position.

So that the holding projections 29, 31 are held in a tamper-proof manner in the first and second openings 51, 53, a first and a second barb 57, 59 are formed on the first and second holding lugs 47, 49, respectively. The barbs 57, 59 enable the retaining lugs 47, 49 to be held in the openings 51, 53 in a non-detachable manner.

When opening the flap 21 for the first time, the predetermined breaking webs 33, 35 must necessarily break. The broken predetermined breaking webs 33, 35 are clearly recognizable and indicate that the container closure 11 is no longer originally closed. In order to make the first opening of the flap 21 even more clearly recognizable, the predetermined breaking webs 33, 35 can have a length which is longer than the distance between the longitudinal sides 37, 39 and the holding projections 29, 31 when the flap 21 is in the closed position det. The torn-off predetermined breaking webs 33, 35 are clearly recognizable by their length. Another possibility of making the broken original closure even better recognizable is that a plastic film is formed at the distance between the first and second predetermined breaking web 33, 35. This plastic film tears, in addition to the intended breaking webs 33, 35, when the flap 21 is opened for the first time. The tear line of the plastic film is clearly visible. In addition, by choosing the plastic for producing the container closure 11, the recognizability of the broken predetermined breaking webs can be further improved. Polypropylene becomes significantly lighter when stretched. So The torn-off predetermined breaking webs 33, 35 and the broken plastic film sit in an almost white contrasting color and are accordingly easily recognizable when the container closure is made of polypropylene. The container closure 11 is expediently in one piece. This means that the cap 13, the flap 21, the hinge 23, the holding extensions 29, 31 and the predetermined breaking webs 33, 35 are made in one piece.

The container closure is preferably produced in an injection mold.

Another embodiment is shown in FIG. 4, which basically corresponds to the function of the first embodiment. However, the hinge 23 is articulated to a projection 61 which is formed on the jacket of the cylindrical cap 13. As a result, the flap 21 can extend over the entire diameter of the cap 13.

In Figures 5 to 9, a further particularly preferred embodiment of the Be container closure 11 is shown. The depth 63 of the first depressions 45 is greater than the thickness 65 of the first and second holding extensions 29, 31. This has the great advantage that the holding extensions 29, 31 can fall into the first recesses 45 after the flap 21 is opened for the first time and no longer end flush with the cap 13. As a result, it is immediately and clearly recognizable whether the flap 21 has already been opened (holding projections 29, 31 have fallen into the recesses 45, lie on the recesses 45 and are lower than the surface of the cap 13; Figures 8 and 9) or still is originally closed (retaining projections 29, 31 close flush with the cap 13; FIGS. 6 and 7). In this embodiment, the holding projections 29, 31 are L-shaped and therefore have a first and second leg 67, 69. At the open end of the second leg 69, the first and the second barbs 57,59 are formed. The barbs 57,59 can, as already stated above, lock in a form-fitting and non-detachable manner in the openings 51,53 after the flap 21 is closed for the first time. Lee end:

11 Container lock

13 cap

15 neck of the container

17 containers

18 container body

19 headstock

21 flap

23 hinge

25 Product outlet

27 sealing process

29 First holding process

31 Second holding process

33 First predetermined breaking web

35 Second predetermined breaking web

37 First long side of the flap

39 Second long side of the flap

41 First broad side of the flap

43 Second broad side of the flap

45 First wells

47 First retaining lug

49 Second retaining lug

51 First opening

53 Second opening

55 Second recess

57 First barb

59 Second barb

61 head start

63 Depth of the first recess

65 Thickness of the holding processes

67 First leg of the retaining process 69 Second leg of the retaining process

Claims

Container closure (11) comprising

a cap (13) which is preferably detachably connectable to a container neck (15) of a container (17) and on which a product outlet (25) is provided, and

a flap (21) which is held by a hinge (23) on the cap (13) and which can be pivoted from a closed position, in which the flap (21) closes the filling material outlet (25), into an open position in which the product outlet (25) is released,

characterized,

that at least one holding extension (29, 31) with at least one predetermined breaking web (33, 35) is held on the flap (21) and

that the at least one holding extension (29, 31) is permanently connected to the cap (13) after the flap (21) has been pivoted into the closed position for the first time.

_V container Closure according to claim 1, characterized in that the dung Verbin a holding extension (29,31) is implemented with the cap (13) by ei NEN imlösbaren positive locking of the at least.

Container closure according to Claim 2, characterized in that a retaining lug (47, 49) is formed on the side of the retaining extension (29, 31) facing the cap (13), which after the first pivoting of the flap (21) into the locking position in a the opening (51, 53) provided in the cap (13) is locked.

Container closure according to claim 3, characterized in that a barb (57, 59) is formed on the holding extension (29, 31), whereby the holding extension (29, 31) is permanently locked in the opening (51, 53).

Container closure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding extension (29, 31) is received in a first recess (45) in the cap (13).

6. The container _V Closure according to claim 5, characterized in that the depth (63) of the first recess (45) is greater than the thickness (65) of the holding extension (29,31).

7. Container closure according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the holding extension (29,31) is L-shaped with a first and second leg (67,69) and at the open end of the second leg (69) the Wi derhaken (57,59) is formed.

8. The container _V Closure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that which has a length of at least one predetermined breaking web (33,35), is which is longer than the distance between which in the closed position sawn-sensitive valve (21) and the Holding process (29,31).

9. Container closure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a first and a second predetermined breaking web (33,35) are formed between the holding extension (29,31) and the flap (21).

10. Container closure according to claim 8, characterized in that a plastic film is formed between the first and the second predetermined breaking web (33, 35).

11. Container closure according to one of claims 5 to 10, characterized in that the holding extension (29,31) in the first recess (45) is taken in the cap (13), whereby the holding extension (29,31) with the cap (13) forms a flat surface before opening the flap for the first time.

12. Container closure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on two opposite sides (37,39) of the flap (21) a first holding extension (29) and a second holding extension (31) each with a first and second predetermined breaking web (33,35) is attached to the opposite sides.

13. Container closure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flap (21) has the shape of a rectangle with two long sides and two broad sides, the first and the second holding extension (29, 31) each on a longitudinal side (37, 39) is attached and the hinge is formed on a broad side (41).

14. Container closure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a sealing extension (27) is formed on the underside of the flap (21), which in the closed position cooperates sealingly with the product outlet (25).

15. Container closure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flap (21) is received in a second recess (55) in the cap (13), whereby the flap (21) with the cap (13) has a flat top area forms.

16. vessel _V Closure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized marked characterized in that the container closure (11) is integrally formed.

17. vessel _V Closure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container closure (11) is made of polypropylene.

18. Container closure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container closure (11) is injection molded.

19. Container (17) comprising

a container body (18),

a container neck (15) into which the container body (18) merges and a container closure (11) connected to the container neck (17) according to one of the preceding claims.

20. Container according to claim 16, characterized in that the container ver

circuit (11) is permanently connected to the container neck (17).