EP4107083A1

EP4107083A1 - Aseptic container closure having a hinge and a mouthpiece

Info

Publication number: EP4107083A1
Application number: EP22711028.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Philippe Nusbaum
Original assignee: Bericap Holding GmbH
Current assignee: Bericap Holding GmbH
Priority date: 2021-03-10
Filing date: 2022-03-07
Publication date: 2022-12-28
Anticipated expiration: 2042-03-07
Also published as: IL305645A; HUE064381T2; EP4107083B1; ES2963680T3; JP2024509553A; CA3207415A1; WO2022189353A1; US20240140659A1; BR112023017918A2; EP4107083C0; AU2022234852A1; PL4107083T3

Abstract

The invention relates to a container closure (10) comprising a base portion (16), a pouring region (28) having a peripheral wall (29) that extends about a reference axis (100) of the container closure (10), and a cap portion (18) which is connected to the base portion (16) by means of a hinge (20). The cap portion has a base (36), a peripheral outer wall (34) which extends axially from the base (32) to a peripheral lower edge (41) of the cap portion (18), and an anchoring wall (80) which extends outside the outer wall (34) and at a radial distance from said outer wall (34), and which is connected to the lower edge (41) of the cap portion (18) by means of a bridge (82) of the cap portion (18) that extends radially outwards from the lower edge (41) of the cap portion (18); in the closed position, the anchoring wall (80) protrudes from the bridge (82) in a direction opposite to the base portion (16), and the hinge (20) is connected to the anchoring wall (80) and protrudes from the anchoring wall (80) in the direction of the base portion (16).

Description

ASEPTIC CONTAINER CAP WITH A HINGE AND

A MOUTHPIECE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a container closure having a base part, a spout area and a cap part which is connected to the base part by a hinge and can be rotated back and forth between a closed position and an open position about a pivot axis running perpendicular to the reference axis.

PREVIOUS STATE OF THE TECHNOLOGY

Document DE69605288T2 discloses a container closure of the type mentioned at the outset, in which the drinking part has a circumferential wall which runs around a reference axis of the container closure and extends axially from the base part to a circumferential upper edge of the spout area that contains the drinking opening surrounds. The cap portion has a bottom and an outer wall that extends axially from the bottom to a peripheral lower edge of the cap portion. In the closed position, the drinking part is surrounded and covered by the cap part. In the open position, the cap portion lies on an opposite side from the drinking portion of a first reference plane of the container closure which contains the axis of the hinge and is parallel to the reference axis. The hinge is a bistable snap hinge and is located in a groove in the outer wall of the cap portion which is a leak point of the closure. In order to ensure aseptic protection of the spout area, the cap part has an inner skirt which extends from the bottom to an annular sealing collar, wherein in the closed position the inner skirt encloses the drinking part and the sealing collar bears against an annular sealing surface of the base part, while the peripheral lower edge of the cap part faces a shoulder of the base part. However, with this configuration, a non-aseptic annular cavity is created between the outer wall and the inner skirt, which can be contaminated by the leaking snap hinge and is difficult to rinse off. In addition, the high inner apron of the cap part takes up a volume that limits the design freedom for the drinking part. In particular, the distance from the base part to the upper edge of the spout area and the diameter of this upper edge must be kept small so that the drinking part does not represent an obstacle when the cap part transitions between the closed position and the open position. Furthermore, this closure requires a significant amount of plastic material.

With a shorter inner skirt, such as disclosed in GB2430667, the top edge of the spout area can be made higher and wider, but the sealing of the spout area against contamination through the gap between the hinge and the outer wall of the cap portion is no longer guaranteed.

From EP2250102B1 a container closure is known which is compatible with an aseptic sealing of a drinking part. The closure includes a base portion, a cap portion and an external hinge assembly arranged to project radially outwardly from the cap portion and base portion of the closure in the closed position of the closure and connected to each of these portions by a radially extending bridge is. This ensures that the interface between the hinge and the cap part does not show any leakage. However, this hinge configuration requires a lot of space in the radial direction. Furthermore, it is sensitive to shock and difficult to assemble in a bottling plant.

[0005] EP0590325 discloses a container closure with a base part and a cap part, the cap part being connected to the base part by a snap hinge which has two lateral hinge tabs and a central hinge. At their ends, the hinge shackles are attached to free-standing webs in a stepped recess in the outer wall of the cap part or base part, these webs being able to be bent out to avoid overstretching of the hinge shackles. However, the central hinge is attached directly to the outer wall of the cap portion, and forms a leak, so that the closure is unsuitable for aseptic use. Furthermore, the pivot axis of the hinge is close to the outer wall and the pivoting movement of the cap part that can be achieved thereby is unsuitable for a container closure with an axially extending drinking part.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is to provide a container closure of the type mentioned at the outset, which eliminates at least one of the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art.

A container closure comprising a base portion, a spout portion having a peripheral wall that extends about a reference axis of the container closure and extends axially from the base portion to a peripheral upper edge of the spout portion that surrounds a drinking opening, a cap portion that connected to the base portion by a hinge and reciprocally rotatable between a closed position and an open position about a pivot axis perpendicular to the reference axis, the cap portion having a base and a peripheral outer wall surrounding an inner surface of the base and extending axially from the base extends to a peripheral lower edge of the cap part, with the outer wall and the base of the cap part together surrounding and covering the spout area in the closed position, the object is achieved in that the cap part has an anchor wall which extends at a radial distance from the outer wall outside of the Outer wall extends un d is rigidly connected to the lower edge of the cap part by a radially extending bridge of the cap part, in the closed position the anchor wall protrudes from the bridge in a direction opposite to the base part and the hinge is connected to the anchor wall and extends from the anchor wall in a forward direction Base part extends.

The bridge connecting the anchor wall to the outer wall of the cap portion provides a separation between the hinge and the outer wall so that the outer wall can enclose the spout area without interruption and ensure aseptic protection of the spout area. By that itself If the anchor wall extends radially outside the outer wall, the distance between the pivot axis and the reference axis is greater than the distance between the outer wall and the reference axis, which ensures sufficient freedom of design for the spout area. The location of the bridge on the lower edge of the outer wall reduces the risk of damage from an impact and simplifies the assembly of the container closure onto the container in a bottling plant. The channel formed by the anchor wall, the bridge and the opposite surface of the outer wall is easily flushed.

According to a preferred embodiment, the bridge has a flat contact surface which, in the closed position, is opposite a flat surface of the base part and preferably comes into contact with the flat surface of the base part. The bridge is protected by the base part.

For a comfortable user experience, the hinge is preferably designed such that in the open position the cap portion lies on a side opposite the spout area of an orthoradial reference plane of the container closure which contains the axis of the hinge and is parallel to the reference axis. According to a preferred embodiment, the hinge is a bistable snap hinge, which can preferably be pivoted back and forth through more than 180°. In particular, the hinge can be designed as a film hinge or a butterfly hinge.

In the closed position, the hinge can be partially in a recess of the anchor wall and optionally be protected surrounded by the anchor wall laterally. According to a preferred embodiment, the hinge is connected to a preferably flexible web which is free-standing in the recess of the anchor wall and which prevents the hinge from being overstretched.

In a similar way, the hinge in the closed position can be partially in a recess of the base part and optionally be surrounded and protected laterally by the base part. According to a preferred embodiment, the hinge is on a free-standing in the recess of the base part connected preferably flexible web that avoids overstretching of the hinge.

In order to ensure reliable aseptic protection of the spout area, the outer wall of the cap part can have a peripheral sealing surface which, in the closed position, bears against a peripheral sealing surface of the peripheral wall of the spout area. One of the two seals may be a seal collar and the other a seal seat. The geometry is preferably designed such that, in the closed position, a circumferential contact line between the sealing surfaces is at a distance from a cross-sectional plane containing the pivot axis and running perpendicular to the reference axis, which is less than one third of the distance from the upper edge of the spout area to the second reference plane. The circumferential contact line preferably has a diameter which is greater than the distance from the upper edge of the spout area to the cross-sectional plane. The circumferential line of contact is preferably at a distance from an orthoradial reference plane which contains the axis of the hinge and runs parallel to the reference axis and is greater than the distance of the circumferential line of contact from the cross-sectional plane.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment, the cap part has an inner circumferential centering bead which, in the closed position, surrounds the upper edge of the spout area and touches the upper edge of the spout area. This prevents lateral impacts during transport or storage of the closed containers from causing damage or leaks to the closure. In the closed position, the centering bead can have a circumferential contact surface with the upper edge of the spout area, which can contribute to sealing the drinking opening.

In order to seal the drinking opening, the cap part can have an inner sealing skirt, which extends from the inner surface of the bottom of the Cap part extends axially and in the closed position comes into contact with an inner annular fold of the peripheral wall of the spout area.

According to one embodiment, the cap part is formed in one piece with the hinge and the base part. The spout area can be designed in one piece with the base part or can be separate from the base part. According to a variant, the base part has a base part and an anchor ring which snaps into an annular groove of the base part, the anchor ring being formed in one piece with the hinge and the cap part.

The spout portion may be integral with the base portion. As an alternative to this, the container closure can have a spout which is separate from the base part and which forms a spout area and the drinking opening of the container closure, the spout being covered by the cap part in the closed position.

According to a preferred embodiment, the base part has a connection point, in particular a thread, for connection to a container neck. However, other fastening means are conceivable, e.g. The base part can have a preferably radially outwardly directed

Have a sealing collar to ensure a tight connection to the container neck.

The cap part has a bottom that closes the opening of the base part. Preferably, the outer wall of the cap portion tapers from the groove to the bottom.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it: Figure 1 is a first perspective view of a container closure according to a first embodiment of the invention in an open position from an injection mold;

Figure 2 is a second perspective view of the container closure according to the first embodiment of the invention in an open position from an injection mold;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the container closure according to the first embodiment of the invention in a closed position in front of the first opening; [0025] FIG. 4: a sectional view through the sectional planes A'-A' of FIG. 3;

[0026] FIG. 5: a sectional view through the section plane A-A of FIG. 3;

[0027] FIG. 6: a detailed view of a display part of the container closure according to the first exemplary embodiment of the invention in the open position from the injection mold; 7: a detailed view of the display part of the container closure according to the first exemplary embodiment of the invention in a closed position;

Figure 8: a detail view of the display part of the container closure according to the first embodiment of the invention during the first opening;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the container closure according to the first embodiment of the invention during the first opening;

Figure 10 is a plan view of the container closure according to the first embodiment of the invention in an open position after the first opening;

[0032] FIG. 11: a sectional view through the sectional planes B′-B′ of FIG. 10; [0033] FIG. 12: a sectional view through the sectional plane BB of FIG. 10; Figure 13 is a sectional view of a container closure according to a second embodiment of the invention in a closed position in front of the first opening;

14: a sectional view of the container closure according to the second exemplary embodiment in the closed position in front of the first opening, through a second longitudinal sectional plane running transversely to the sectional plane of FIG. 13;

15: a sectional view of an injection molded part of the

Container closure according to the second embodiment, in an open position immediately after being ejected from the injection mold;

[0037] FIG. 16: a plan view of the injection molded part of FIG. 15;

[0038] FIG. 17: a perspective view of a guarantee ring of the

Container closure according to the second embodiment;

18 is a sectional view of the injection molded part of FIG. 16 after it has been brought into the closed position and of the anti-tamper ring of FIG. 17 before it is placed on the closed injection molded part;

[0040] FIG. 19: a sectional view of the container closure according to the second exemplary embodiment, in the open position after the first opening;

[0041] FIG. 20: a sectional view of the container closure according to the second exemplary embodiment, in the closed position after the first opening;

Figure 21 is a sectional view of a container closure according to a third embodiment of the invention in a closed position in front of the first opening;

Figure 22 is a sectional view of a container closure according to the third embodiment of the invention in a closed position after initial opening; Figure 23 is a sectional view of a container closure according to a fourth embodiment of the invention in a closed position in front of the first opening;

Figure 24 is a sectional view of the individual injection molded parts that together form the container closure according to the third embodiment, before they are assembled;

Figure 25 is a perspective view of the three parts of a container closure according to a fifth embodiment of the invention;

Figure 26 is a sectional view of the three parts of a container closure according to the fifth embodiment of the invention;

Figure 27 is a sectional view of the container closure according to the fifth embodiment of the invention in a closed position in front of the first opening;

28: a sectional view of the container closure according to the fifth exemplary embodiment in the closed position in front of the first opening, through a second longitudinal sectional plane running transversely to the sectional plane of FIG. 27;

29: a sectional view of the container closure according to the fifth embodiment, in the closed position after the first opening; 30: a perspective view of the container closure according to the fifth embodiment, in the closed position after the first opening;

Throughout the drawings, individual reference numbers designate the same or similar elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Referring to Figures 1 to 12, a first preferred one is

Embodiment of a container closure of the present invention identified by reference numeral 10. The closure 10 is intended to be mounted on the neck of a container.

In this embodiment, the container closure 10 is made from a single injection molded piece 12 in an injection mold in an open position as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The container closure 10 can be made of a plastic or other material compatible with the contents of the container. A polymer is preferred here, in particular a thermoplastic such as polyethylene or polypropylene. In particular, opaque materials such as opaque polypropylene or high-density polyethylene (HDPE) can be used here. Clear materials are also applicable.

The injection molded article 12 includes a base portion 16, a cap portion 18, and a hinge 20 connecting the cap portion 18 to the base portion 16. As shown in FIG. Throughout the description, reference is implicitly made to an upward direction, which in a closed position of container closure 10 corresponds to an orientation in which a reference axis 100 of container closure 10 is vertical and cap portion 18 is located above base portion 16 (see, e.g., Figures 4 and 5 ).

The base part 16 has a fastening area 22 which encloses the reference axis 100 of the container closure 10 and has fastening projections 24, for example a thread, for fastening to the container neck. In the fastening area 22 there is also optionally a sealing skirt 26 intended to engage inside the container neck when the container closure 10 is fitted onto the container neck. The sealing skirt 26 may have a circumferential bulge or a curvature. Further, the base part 16 has a spout portion 28 protruding axially in the opposite direction of the attachment portion 22 . This spout area 28 has a peripheral wall 29 that runs around the reference axis 100 of the container closure 10 and extends axially from the fastening area 22 to a peripheral upper edge 30 of the spout area 28 and tapers and at the upper edge of the Spout area 28 forms a radially inwardly directed fold surrounding a drinking opening 31 .

The cap portion 18 includes a base 32, an outer wall 34 surrounding an inner wall surface 36 of the base 32, and a gripping projection 38 extending radially outwardly from the outer wall 34. As shown in FIG.

The floor 32 can be flat or curved. Extending from the inner wall surface 36 of the base 32 is an annular sealing skirt 40 which is surrounded by the outer wall 34 at a radial distance. This sealing skirt 40 is designed to engage inside the drinking opening 31 of the spout portion 28 when the cap portion 18 is in the closed position. The sealing skirt 40 may have a circumferential bulge or a curvature. At the edge of the base 32, the cap part 18 has an inner circumferential centering bead 41 which, in the closed position, surrounds the upper edge 30 of the spout area 28 and touches it on the outside. If necessary, the centering bead 41 can have a circumferential contact surface with the upper edge 30 of the spout area 28 .

The outer wall 34 has a free peripheral lower edge 41, which extends over an angle of preferably more than 180°, in this example more than 260° around the reference axis 100 of the container closure 10 in one plane and over the remaining angle of preferably more than 30°, in the example by more than 90°, an approximately rectangular recess 141 delimits. This recess 141 accommodates a display part 114 which has a pull tab 156 and a hook area 162, which are shown in detail in FIG. The hook portion 162, which projects radially outward, lies on a lower side of the pull tab 156 and is connected to the pull tab 156 by a tear line 160 or frangible webs. The pull tab 156 and hook portion 162 extend circumferentially across the entire width of the recess to occupy the entire recess. At one end, the pull tab 156 is firmly connected to a lateral edge of the recess 141, while the free opposite end 157 of pull tab 156 protrudes from recess 141 so that it can be grasped and pulled by a user. Optionally, the pull tab 156 is connected to an upper edge of the recess 141 by a tear line 260 or frangible webs. The bottom edge 41 of the outer wall may also include a protrusion 262 immediately adjacent to the recess 141 and projecting outwardly.

On the inside, the outer wall 34 has an annular lower sealing bead 42, which is located axially at a certain distance from the recess 141 and, in the closed position of the closure piece 12, radially on a e.g. cylindrical or slightly conical, radially outwardly directed seat surface 44 of the in a connection area between the spout area 28 and the attachment area 22 of the base part 14 abuts. The cap part 18 thus encloses the spout area 28 in the closed position. The sealing bead 42 and the sealing apron 40 allow the space enclosed by the cap part 18 and base part 14 to be sealed against liquids and gases. This is advantageous when using the closure for aseptic filling. Optionally, the sealing bead can be present on the spout part and the seat on the cap part.

The seating surface 44 is partially enclosed by a curved hook wall 46, which protrudes axially from the fastening area 22 and extends over an angle of preferably more than 30°, in the example more than 90°, about the reference axis 100 of the container closure 10. The seating surface 44 and the hook wall 46 are spaced radially from one another and define an arcuate cavity 48 into which the hook portion of the indicator member 58 in the closed position and the projection reside. The hook wall 46 has a radially inwardly projecting shoulder 52 under which the hook portion 162 of the indicator member 58 and the projection 262 engage.

The cap part 18 also has an anchor wall 80, which extends at a radial distance from the outer wall 34 outside of the outer wall 34 and is connected to the lower edge 41 of the cap part 18 by a wall extending from the lower edge 41 of the cap part 18 radially outwardly extending bridge 82 of the cap part 18 is rigidly connected. In the closed position, the anchor wall projects from the bridge 82 in an axial direction opposite the attachment portion 22, while the bridge 82 itself faces a planar surface 84 of the base 16 and preferably contacts the planar surface 84 of the base 16. The anchor wall 80 serves to attach the hinge 20 to the cap portion 18 and for this purpose has a recess 86 in which a part of the hinge 20 is accommodated. In the closed position, this depression 86 lies axially opposite a depression 88 of the base part, in which a part of the hinge 20 is also accommodated. As previously mentioned, the bridge 82 connecting the anchor wall 80 to the outer wall 34 of the cap portion 18 provides a separation between the hinge 20 and the outer wall 34 so that the outer wall 34 encloses the spout area 28 without interruption and aseptically protects the spout area can guarantee. The fact that the anchor wall 80 extends radially outside of the outer wall 34 also means that the distance between the pivot axis 200 and the reference axis 100 is greater than the distance between the outer wall 34 and the reference axis 100, which ensures sufficient design freedom for the spout area 28. The location of the bridge 80 on the lower edge 41 of the outer wall 34 reduces the risk of damage from an impact and simplifies the assembly of the container closure 10 onto a container in a bottling plant. The trough formed by anchor wall 80, bridge 82 and the opposing surface of outer wall 34 is easily rinsed off.

The hinge 20 is preferably a snap hinge and allows pivotal movement of the cap portion 18 about a pivot axis 200 perpendicular to the reference axis of the container closure between a stable closed position and a stable open position. As shown particularly in FIG. 9, the snap hinge 20 may have a center hinge tab 90 sandwiched between two parallel lateral hinge tabs 92, the three hinge tabs 90, 92, 92 extending between the base portion 16 and the cap portion 18. The middle hinge plate 90 has a single Folding line which extends along the pivot axis 200. The two side hinge tabs 92 each have a trapezoidal center portion 94 which is positioned by oblique fold lines with a ridge 98 freestanding in the recess of the base portion 88 and with a ridge 86 freestanding in the recess 86 of the anchor wall 80 . The fold lines are thin areas of much less thickness than the other locations of the hinge flaps 90, 92. The free standing ridges 96, 98 are preferably resiliently deformable.

The snap hinge 20 is preferably pivotable back and forth through more than 180° so that in the open position the cap portion 18 lies on a side opposite the spout area of an orthoradial reference plane 300 of the container closure, which contains the pivot axis 200 of the hinge 20 and parallel to the reference axis 100.

In the closed position, characteristic dimensions of the container closure 10 can be observed. A circumferential line of contact between the sealing bead 42 and the seat surface 44 has a distance from a cross-sectional plane 400 containing the pivot axis 200 and running perpendicular to the reference axis 100, which is less than one third of the distance from the upper edge 30 of the spout area to this cross-sectional plane 400. The The circumferential line of contact has a diameter that is greater than the distance from the upper edge 400 of the spout area 28 to the cross-sectional plane 400. The circumferential line of contact has a distance from the orthoradial reference plane 300 that is greater than the distance of the circumferential line of contact from the cross-sectional plane 400.

The container closure 10 is produced by an injection molding process in the open position of Figures 1 and 2 and then brought into the closed position of Figures 3 to 5 in an assembly step, the hook area 162 of the indicator part 114 and the projection 262 being under elastic deformation penetrate the shoulder 52 and make a positive connection. The bridge 82 connecting the anchor wall 80 to the outer wall 34 of the cap portion 18 provides a separation between the hinge 20 and the outer wall 34 so that the outer wall 34 can enclose the spout area 28 without interruption and provide aseptic protection of the spout area 28.

To open the container closure 10, the user pulls the pull tab 156, see Figure 8 and Figure 9, so that the tear lines 260, 160 or breakable webs between the pull tab 156 and the hook area 162 on the one hand, and between the pull tab 156 and the upper edge of the recess 141 on the other hand, see Figure 8. The pull tab 156 remains firmly connected to the outer wall of the cap part at the end, while the separated hook area 162 remains trapped in the arcuate space 48 between the hook wall 46 and the outer wall 34. A slight pulling force on the gripping projection 38 overcomes the resistance between the locking projection 262 and the shoulder 52 and brings the cap part 18 into the open position, as shown in FIGS. 10 to 12. When the cap member 18 is returned to the closed position after the initial opening, the pull tab remains in its deformed position as shown in FIG.

Together with the first exemplary embodiment, all further exemplary embodiments have a hinge 20 which is connected to an anchor wall 80 which is separate from an outer wall 34 and is firmly connected to the lower edge of the outer wall by a bridge 82 . The exemplary embodiments differ mainly in the display device, in the number of injection molded parts that make up the container closure and in the distribution of the various functions between these parts. To avoid repetition, the following description will focus on the differences and will not necessarily repeat the common features described in the first embodiment.

With reference to FIGS. 13 to 20, a second preferred embodiment of a container closure of the present invention is identified by the reference numeral 10. In this exemplary embodiment, the container closure 10 is composed of two separate injection molded parts, namely a closure piece 12 and a guarantee ring 14 . The closure piece 12 may be made of a plastic or other material compatible with the contents of the container. A polymer is preferred here, in particular a thermoplastic such as polyethylene or polypropylene. In particular, opaque materials such as opaque polypropylene or high-density polyethylene (HDPE) can be used here. The guarantee ring 14 can be made of a plastic, in particular an opaque plastic, preferably with a color that gives a desired color contrast with the closure piece.

The closure piece 12, which is shown individually in FIGS. 15 and 16, comprises a base part 16, a cap part 18 and a hinge 20 which connects the base part 16 to the cap part 18. The hinge 20 is shown here as a snap hinge and enables a pivoting movement of the cap part 18 about a pivot axis which runs perpendicular to the sectional plane of FIG. Other types of hinges are also applicable. The base member 16, cap member 18 and hinge 20 are molded together in one piece in the open position as seen in Figures 15 and 16. The base part 16 has a mounting portion 22, the one

reference axis 100 of the container closure 10, and means for attachment to the container neck, in this embodiment a thread 24. In the attachment area there is also a sealing skirt 26 intended to engage inside the container neck when the container closure 10 is fitted on the container neck is. The sealing skirt 26 may have a circumferential bulge or a curvature. In this embodiment, the base 16 further includes a spout portion 28 protruding axially in the opposite direction to the attachment portion and surrounding a drinking opening 31 . The cap portion 18 includes a base 32, an outer wall 34 surrounding an inner wall surface 36 of the base 32, and a gripping projection 38 extending radially outward from the outer wall 34. As shown in FIG.

The floor 32 can be flat or curved. From the inner wall surface 36 of the base 32 extends an annular sealing skirt 40, which is of the

Outer wall 34 is enclosed with a radial spacing. This sealing skirt 40 is designed to engage inside the drinking opening 31 of the spout portion 28 when the cap portion 18 is in the closed position. The sealing skirt 40 may have a circumferential bulge or a curvature.

The outer wall 34 has a lower cylindrical or slightly conical edge region 42 which, in the closed position of the closure piece 12, is radially attached to a cylindrical or slightly conical, radially outwardly directed seat surface 44 in a connecting region between the spout region 28 and the fastening region 22 of the Base part 14 is present. The cap part 18 thus encloses the spout area 28 in the closed position. The edge area 42 and the sealing apron 40 optionally allow a liquid and gas-tight sealing of the space which is enclosed by the cap part 18 and base part 14 . This is advantageous when using the closure for aseptic filling.

The seating surface 44 is partially enclosed by a curved peripheral wall 46 which projects axially from the fastening area 22 in the direction opposite to the thread 24 and extends over an angle of preferably more than 90°, in the example more than 180° around the Reference axis 100 of the container closure 10 extends. The seating surface 44 and the peripheral wall 46 are radially spaced apart and define an arcuate cavity 48 into which the lower edge portion 42 of the outer wall 34 of the cap portion 18 penetrates in the closed position. The arcuate cavity 48 is delimited on the circumference by two stops 50, as shown in Figure 16. The peripheral wall 46 has a radially inwardly projecting shoulder 52 which has a central interruption 53 so that it is visible in the sectional plane of FIG. 14 but not in the sectional plane of FIG. The outer wall 34 of the cap part 18 has a radially outwardly directed annular groove 54, which is preferably located in a central area of the cap part 18, axially between the base 32 and the lower edge area 42 and which, in the closed position, extends from the curved peripheral wall 46 of the base part 16 is not covered. The guarantee ring 14 shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 has an annular, closed bead 56 projecting inward in the radial direction, an arcuate indicator part 58 and a break point 60 lying between the bead 56 and the indicator part 58 . The breaking point 60 can preferably have breakable webs or a tear-off line, optionally also a tear-off strip. The display part 58 has a radially outwardly projecting hook area 62 with a central interruption 63 .

As in the first embodiment, the cap portion 18 has an anchor wall 80 that extends radially spaced from the outer wall 34 outside of the outer wall 34 and connects to the bottom edge 41 of the cap portion 18 by a radially extending from the bottom edge 41 of the cap portion 18 externally extending bridge 82 of the cap portion 18 is rigidly connected.

The container closure 10 is manufactured as follows. The closure piece 12 is produced by an injection molding process in the open position shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 and brought into the closed position shown in FIG. 18 in a first assembly step. In a second assembly step, the guarantee ring 14 is placed on the cap part 18 by elastic deformation until the annular bead 56 penetrates into the annular groove 54 and creates a positive connection with the cap part 18, while the indicator part 58 partially penetrates into the cavity 48 and the hook area 62 behind the Shoulder 52 of peripheral wall 46 of base member 16 as seen in Figures 13 and 14. The central discontinuity 63 of the indicator portion 58 coincides with the central discontinuity 53 of the shoulder 52 to precisely index the circumferential location of the indicator portion. According to a variant, the gaps 53, 63 can be omitted if necessary.

The indicator portion 58 is partially located in an upper portion of the cavity 48, radially between the hook wall 46 and the lower edge portion 42 of the cap portion 18, and circumferentially between the stops 50, and protrudes axially from the cavity 48 so that it remains partially radially visible in front of the first opening. The hinge 20 and the indicator portion 58 are on the same side of a transverse plane 500 passing through the annular collar 56 .

When the container closure 10 is first moved from the closed position of FIGS. 13 and 14 to the open position of FIG. The fracture point 60 breaks while the collar 56 remains in the groove 54 and the indicator part 58 falls to the bottom of the cavity 48 due to gravity.

If the container closure 10 is brought back into the closed position of FIG. This ensures that the container closure 10 is changed in an irreversible and visible manner. The indicator part 58 remains trapped in the cavity 48 .

The container closure 10 according to the third exemplary embodiment is shown in FIGS. 21 and 22 and differs from the second exemplary embodiment only in that the hook wall 46 of the base part 16, which delimits the cavity 48 radially outwards, has a window in the lower area 64, through which the indicator part 58, after falling into the lower region of the cavity 48 after the first opening, becomes visible. In In this exemplary embodiment, the hook area 62 of the indicator part 58 has no interruption and engages behind a shoulder 52 of the hook wall 46, which also has no central interruption.

The container closure 10 according to the fourth exemplary embodiment is shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, and differs from the second exemplary embodiment in that the container closure 10 has a spout 128 that is separate from the closure piece 12 and that is mounted inside the fastening area 22 of the base part 16 and abuts against a shoulder 68 of the mounting portion which includes a sealing collar 70 . This spout 128 forms the spout area 28 of the container closure. The installation of the spout 128 can take place before, after or at the same time as the installation of the guarantee ring 14 .

The container closure 10 according to the fifth embodiment is shown in Figures 25 to 30 and comprises three separate pieces, namely a base piece 12.1, a head piece 12.2 and a guarantee ring 14, with the base piece 12.1 and the head piece 12.2 in the assembled state in 27 to 30 form an assembly 12.3 which is largely identical in form and function to the closure piece 12 of the first exemplary embodiment.

The base piece 12.1 comprises a connection area 22 with a thread 24 for connection to a container neck, a spout area 28 which forms the drinking opening 31 of the container closure 10, and a curved hook wall 146 which is supported by a flat upper bearing surface 122 of the attachment area 22 axially protrudes in the direction opposite to the thread 24 and extends over an angle of preferably more than 180°, in the example more than 270°, around the reference axis 100 of the container closure 10 . The two ends of the hook wall 146 lying opposite one another in the circumferential direction form two lateral stops 150 which circumferentially delimit a recess 120 of the base piece. The hook wall 146 has a radial Shoulder 152 protruding on the inside and delimiting a groove 148 with the upper bearing surface 122 of the fastening area 22.

The head piece 12.2 has a cap part 18, a hinge 20 and an anchor ring 210 which is connected to a lower shoulder 212 of the hinge. The anchor ring 210 includes an annular planar lower bearing surface

222, an annular flat upper bearing surface 224 and an arcuate anchor projection 248, the dimensions of which correspond to the dimensions of the bearing surface 122 or the hook wall 146 and its shoulder 152, so that after assembly the anchor projection 248 behind the shoulder 152 is positively or non-positively locking grips while the bearing surface 222 lies broadly on the bearing surface 122 in such a way that there is no longer any possibility of movement between the anchor ring 210 and the base piece 12.1, and that the anchor ring 210 and the base piece 12.1 together form a base part 16 which has the same external shape as has the base part 16 of the first embodiment. The hinge 20 is shown here as a snap hinge and enables a pivoting movement of the cap part 18 about a pivot axis 200 which runs perpendicular to the sectional plane of FIG. The shoulder 212 of the hinge 20 rests in the recess 120 on the bearing surface 122 and radially on a bearing surface 124 of the recess 120 and is held against the lateral stops 150 on the peripheral side. The pivot axis 200 is the

Line of intersection between a transverse plane 400, which runs between the bearing surface 122 and the annular groove 54 of the cap part 18 in the closed position, and an orthoradial plane 300, which runs parallel to the reference axis 100 of the base part 16 and is further away from the reference axis 100 than the outer surface of the hook wall 146.

As with the other embodiments, the cap portion 18 has an anchor wall 80 that extends radially spaced from the outer wall 34 outside of the outer wall 34 and connects to the bottom edge 41 of the cap portion 18 by a radially extending from the bottom edge 41 of the cap portion 18 outwardly extending Bridge 82 of cap portion 18 is rigidly connected and to which hinge 20 is connected.

After assembly, the head piece 12.2 and the base piece 12.1 together form an assembly 12.3, which has the same external shape and function as the closure piece 12 of the first embodiment, with the exception that the two pieces 12.1, 12.2, if necessary consist of two different materials or have different colors. For example, it is possible to make the head piece 12.2 from transparent or opaque polypropylene (PP) and the base piece 12.1 from high density polyethylene (HDPE).

The anchor ring 210 has a curved hook wall 46, which extends over an angle of preferably more than 180°, in the example more than 270°, about the reference axis 100 of the container closure 10. The hook wall 46 has a radially inwardly projecting shoulder 52 which has the same shape and function as the shoulder 52 of the first embodiment and, when assembled, lies radially opposite and with the lower edge portion 42 of the outer wall 34 of the cap member 18 and the upper bearing surface 224 defines a cavity 48 .

The guarantee ring 14 is identical to that of the first exemplary embodiment, to which reference is made for a detailed description.

The container closure 10 is manufactured as follows. The three pieces 12.1, 12.2, 14 are manufactured separately by injection moulding, with the head piece 12.2 in the open position of figure 13. In a first assembly step the cap part 18 is brought into the closed position. Then the closed head piece 12.2 is placed on the base piece 12.1 until the anchor projection 248 of the anchor ring 210 is seated behind the shoulder 52. In a third assembly step, the anti-tamper ring 14 is placed on the cap part 18 by elastic deformation until the annular collar 56 penetrates into the annular groove 54 and creates a positive connection to the cap part 18, while the Indicator portion 58 partially enters cavity 48 and hook portion 62 engages behind shoulder 52 of hook wall 46 of anchor ring 16 as seen in Figures 15 and 16.

If necessary, the order of the three assembly steps can be changed. For example, the cap member 18 can be brought into the closed position after the open head piece 12.2 has been placed on the base piece 12.1. The guarantee ring 14 can optionally be placed on the open head piece 12.2.

After assembly, the indicator portion 58 is partially in an upper portion of the cavity 48, radially between the hook wall 46 and the lower rim portion 42 of the cap portion 18, and partially outside of the cavity 48 so that it is partially in front of the first opening remains radially visible. When the container closure 10 is first moved from the closed position of FIGS. 27 and 28 to the open position, the indicator portion 58 is retained by the shoulder 52 and the collar 56 by the groove 54. The fracture point 60 breaks while the collar 56 remains in the groove 54 and the indicator part 58 falls to the bottom of the cavity 48 due to gravity. When the container closure 10 is brought back into the closed position of Figures 29 and 30 after the first opening, the indicator part 58 remains in the lower region of the cavity 48 on the upper bearing surface 224 of the anchor ring 210, where it is completely separated from the hook wall 46 of the base part 16 is covered. This ensures that the container closure 10 is changed in an irreversible and visible manner. The indicator part 58 remains trapped in the cavity 48 .

Optionally, the hook wall of the anchor ring may have recesses or windows, which may coincide with recesses in the hook wall of the base piece and through which the cavity before separation of the fracture point and after separation of the fracture point the indicator part become visible. Other variants are envisaged. The outer guarantee ring 12 according to the invention can be applied to a container closure with a closure piece 12 and a spout piece 128, the closure piece 12 having a base part 16 and a cap part 18 which are injected in the closed position, and the spout piece 128 is inserted into the closed closure piece 12 becomes.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. Container closure (10) with

- a base part (16),

- a spout area (28) which has a peripheral wall (29) which runs around a reference axis (100) of the container closure (10) and extends axially from the base part (18) to a peripheral upper edge (30) of the spout area (28 ) which surrounds a drinking opening (31),

- a cap portion (18) connected to the base portion (16) by a hinge (20) and rotatable back and forth between a closed position and an open position about a pivot axis (200) perpendicular to the reference axis (100), the The cap portion has a base (36) and an outer peripheral wall (34) surrounding an inner surface (36) of the base (32) and extending axially from the base (32) to a lower peripheral edge (41) of the cap portion (18). , wherein the outer wall (34) and the bottom (32) of the cap part (18) in the closed position together surround and cover the spout area (10), characterized in that the cap part (18) has an anchor wall (80) which is connected to radial distance from the outer wall (34) outside the outer wall (34) and with the lower edge (41) of the cap part (18) by a bridge (82) of the cap part which extends radially outwards from the lower edge (41) of the cap part (18). (18) is rigidly connected, with Sc closed position, the anchor wall (80) protrudes from the bridge (82) in a direction opposite to the base part (16) and the hinge (20) is connected to the anchor wall (80) and extends from the anchor wall (80) in the direction of the base part (16 ) extends.

2. Container closure (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bridge (82) has a flat contact surface which in the closed position faces a flat surface (84) of the base part (16) and preferably comes into contact with the flat surface (84) of the base part (16).

3. Container closure (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the open position the cap part (18) lies on a side of an orthoradial reference plane (300) of the container closure (10) opposite the spout area (28) which is the pivot axis (20) and parallel to the reference axis (100).

4. Container closure (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hinge (20) is a bistable snap hinge, in particular a film hinge, in particular a butterfly hinge.

5. Container closure (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hinge (20) is connected to a free-standing in a recess (86) of the anchor wall (80), preferably flexible web (96).

6. Container closure (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hinge (20) is connected to a free-standing in a recess (88) of the base part (16), preferably flexible web (98).

7. Container closure (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer wall (34) of the cap part (18) has a circumferential sealing surface (42) which in the closed position on a circumferential sealing surface (44) of a connecting area between the spout area (34) and the base part (18).

8. Container closure (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that in the closed position a circumferential line of contact between the sealing surface (42) of the cap part (18) and the sealing surface (44) of the connection area is at a distance from a pivot axis (200) containing, perpendicular to the reference axis (100). Having a cross-sectional plane (400) that is less than one third of the distance from the upper edge (30) of the spout area to the cross-sectional plane.

9. Container closure (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that the circumferential line of contact has a diameter which is greater than the distance from the upper edge (30) of the spout area (28) to the cross-sectional plane (400).

10. Container closure (10) according to one of Claims 8 to 9, characterized in that the circumferential contact line is at a distance from an orthoradial reference plane (300) which contains the pivot axis (200) and runs parallel to the reference axis and is greater than the distance between the circumferential Line of contact to the cross-sectional plane (400).

11. Container closure (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cap part (18) has an inner peripheral centering bead (41) which surrounds and touches the upper edge (30) of the spout area (28) in the closed position.

12. Container closure (10) according to claim 11, characterized in that in the closed position the centering bead (41) has a circumferential contact surface with the upper edge (30) of the spout area (28).

13. A container closure (10) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the cap member (18) has an inner sealing skirt (40) extending axially from the inner surface (36) of the base (32) of the cap member (18). and in the closed position comes into contact with an inner annular fold of the peripheral wall (29) of the spout portion (28) and seals the drinking opening (31).

14. Container closure (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cap part (18) is integrally formed with the hinge (20) and the base part (16).

15. Container closure (10) according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the spout area (28) is formed in one piece with the base part (16).

16. Container closure (10) according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the spout area (128) is separate from the base part (16).

17. Container closure (10) according to claim 16, characterized in that the base part (16) has a base piece (12.1) and an anchor ring (210) which engages in an annular groove (148) of the base piece (16), the anchor ring (210) with the hinge (20) and the cap part (18) is formed in one piece.