JP2005503302A - Dispensing closure for containers holding flowable substances - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dispense closure for containers holding flowable products, in particular beverage containers. The dispense closure includes a closure body (100) having a cover (120) extending from an outer peripheral rim to a lower portion of the jacket (110) and capable of being fastened to an opening of the container, and a closure body communicating with the opening of the container Around the outlet opening (126) on the top surface of (100), the closure part (200) for opening and closing the outlet opening (126) of the closure body (100), and the outlet opening (126) of the closure body (100) And a dome-like raised portion (124) of the closure body (100) disposed. The closure body (100) is provided with a cover member (150) that at least partially covers the outer region of the dome-shaped raised portion (124). The material of the cover member (150) is softer than the material of the dome-shaped raised portion (124) and / or the cover (120) and / or the material of the closure body (100). According to the present invention, the hermeticity of the dispense closure is enhanced, and the feel when the user directly touches the dispense closure is improved.

Description

[0001]
The present invention relates to a container containing a freely flowing substance, in particular a beverage container dispense closure.
[0002]
Various designs of such dispense closures are known in the art and are used in beverage containers formed from various materials, particularly glass and plastic.
[0003]
Particularly in recent years, there has been an increasing demand for dispense closures used for this type of beverage container and other applications. For example, when a beverage container contains a lot of material, such as when carrying the beverage container during sports, problems arise with the seal of the dispense closure, and the user of the beverage container, especially the mouth directly When drinking, it is preferable to drink freely as comfortably as possible.
[0004]
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved dispense closure for use in a container containing a free flowing substance, particularly a beverage container as described above. This dispense closure has improved sealing and feels good when in direct contact.
[0005]
This object of the present invention is a dispense closure for a container, in particular a beverage container, for receiving certain free-flowing substances, the closure having a cover which extends from the outer periphery, which can be fixed to the opening of the container. A main body, an outlet opening on the upper surface of the closure body, communicating with the opening of the container, a closure part for opening and closing the outlet opening of the closure body, and a dome-shaped protrusion of the closure body located around the outlet opening of the closure body And the closure body includes a sleeve member that at least partially covers the outer region of the dome-shaped protrusion, the material of the sleeve member being the material of the dome-shaped protrusion and / or the cover and / or the closure body Softer than other materials.
[0006]
In the dispense closure of the present invention, for example, when the user drinks, the touch feeling when the user substantially or limitedly contacts the sleeve member made of the soft material is greatly improved. Furthermore, the tightness of the dispense closure was improved by the soft material used for the sleeve member. This is because the closure part that closes the outlet opening preferably seals the outlet opening in direct contact with the sleeve member. In addition, the dimensions of the parts are selected to ensure a high hermeticity, but the soft material is highly compressible, so an excessively high manufacturing tolerance accuracy is not required. If necessary, a tamper-proof means in the form of a closure can be additionally provided for the outlet opening of the closure body. In such a case, in order to maintain the quality of the contents of the container, the entry of air or oxygen into the container is prevented until the container is first opened. This tamper-evident means can be formed from the same material as the sleeve member and / or the material of the closure body. Thus, in addition to obtaining a high quality assurance of the contents of the container in this way, it is possible to greatly simplify the mass production of the dispense closure and reduce its cost. Accordingly, the present invention is based on the surprising discovery that providing the sleeve member made of a soft material achieves the above-described object and solves the problem.
[0007]
A further advantage of a dispense closure having a sleeve member made of a soft material is sound insulation. This is because unpleasant noise does not occur when opening and closing the lid, particularly the lid connected by a hinge. This is especially useful when it is desired to open the container as gently as possible in a quiet environment such as during a library or lecture.
[0008]
Specific examples of suitable materials for the sleeve member include thermoplastic polymer, thermoplastic polyester (TPE), and high pressure polymer (low density polyethylene: LDPE), but other soft plastics, rubber, and / or silicone. Can also be used. These materials can be set to the desired softness of the sleeve member and are also sufficiently stable to withstand long term use of the three member and thus the dispense closure.
[0009]
Of course, it is also possible to form a sleeve member by combining two or more of the above materials without departing from the object of the present invention.
[0010]
The closure body is preferably formed integrally with a dome-like protrusion protruding above its upper surface or edge so that it can be used as a drinking stub for the user. Furthermore, it is preferable that the dome-shaped protrusion is stepped with respect to its height so that its diameter decreases toward the outer region, and has an opening at its outer end.
[0011]
In a preferred embodiment, the sleeve member covers substantially the outer region of the dome-like protrusion, including a tamper-proof closure formed from the opening and / or closure body material, as appropriate. Designed. Thereby, since the whole area | region which contacts a user's mouth is covered with a sleeve member, the feeling of comfortable contact can be given. Furthermore, since the sealing part corresponding to the closure part can be sealed by engaging at various positions of the sleeve member, the structure of the closure part can be varied. For example, if the tamper-evident part is designed as a tear-off tab that seals the opening, cyclists and other users can use their teeth to tear off the tab with their teeth to open the container when driving a bicycle. can do.
[0012]
However, it is also possible for the sleeve member to cover only a specific area of the dome-shaped protrusion, in particular only the upper area of the dome-shaped protrusion. The size of this structure, in particular the dome-shaped protrusion, can be adjusted by those skilled in the art to suit the intended use.
[0013]
In contrast, the sleeve member can also cover the dome-shaped protrusion, its opening as desired, and in addition to other parts of the closure body.
[0014]
In a preferred embodiment, the closure part is an open lid that is pivotally and integrally attached to the closure body by a hinge. Thus, the closure part and the closure body form an injection molded unit from a plastic material that does not lose the closure part after it is attached to the container.
[0015]
Of course, it is also possible to provide a separate closure part instead of the closure part connected to the opening lid. Furthermore, any other possible closure method may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention, such as securing the closure part to the closure body by a snap action mechanism or screw connection.
[0016]
The invention will be better understood upon reading the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings of an exemplary embodiment of a dispense closure.
[0017]
FIG. 1 shows a dispense closure 10 for use in a container that receives free-flowing substances. The dispense closure 10 includes a closure body 100 and a closure component 200 designed as a lid. The closure body 100 and the closure part 200 are connected to each other by a hinge 290, and the closure part 200 is rotated 180 around the axis of the hinge 290 from the position where the closure body is opened to the position where the closure body is closed as shown in FIG. It is designed to be pivotable. Hinge 290 is designed as an integral hinge.
[0018]
The closure body 100 is provided with a cover 120 at an upper portion thereof, and a casing extends in a lateral direction from an outer peripheral edge thereof. The casing 110 has a substantially cylindrical design and is provided with an internal thread 112. The female body 112 can be screwed into a container (not shown) having a corresponding male thread to fix the closure body to the container.
[0019]
Instead of a threaded connection, the closure body can be connected to the container using other means, for example a snap fit. It is also possible to form the dispense closure directly with the container.
[0020]
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a sealing lip 114 designed in a ring shape that is slightly inclined rather than horizontal is provided in the upper region of the casing 110 adjacent to the outer periphery of the cover 120 of the closure body 100. Thus, when the closure part 100 is screwed to the container, the sealing lip 114 presses the upper surface of the opening of the container to form a seal.
[0021]
In the embodiment shown here, the sealing lip 114 is formed integrally with the closure body, whereas the closure body 100 and the closure part 200 of the dispense closure 10 are made of hard plastic, whereas It is made of a soft material, in this case silicone. However, it should be understood that in other embodiments, the sealing lip 114 can be formed from the same material as the closure body 100 to simplify the manufacturing process.
[0022]
The cover 120 of the closure body 100 includes a substantially annular shoulder 122. From this annular shoulder, a radially inner region extends stepwise in a dome shape outwardly beyond the annular shoulder with respect to the longitudinal central axis. The diameter of the dome-shaped protrusion 124 is stepped with respect to its height. The dome-shaped protrusion 124 has an outlet opening 126 at its outer end.
[0023]
The dome-shaped protrusion includes a first stage (upper stage) 128 for the cover 120 that extends above the second stage (lower stage) 134. Steps 128 and 134 are substantially cylindrical and have similar lengths, but the diameter of the first step 128 is smaller. The transition between the first step 128 and the second step 134 and the transition between the second step and the annular shoulder 122 on the outer surface are curvilinear and have no sharp edges. At the top of the first step 128 is a distal rim 136 of the outlet opening 126 that is inclined radially inward. The top of the distal rim 136 is substantially horizontal.
[0024]
Similarly, the inner region of the dome-shaped protrusion 124 of the cover 120 is also stepped. On the lower side of the inner diameter of the outlet opening 126 having the smallest inner diameter in the dome-shaped projecting portion, the inner diameter of the dome-shaped projecting portion increases downward, that is, inward. After expanding to the first inner diameter just below the distal rim 136, the interior region extends substantially cylindrically over the entire length (in the height direction) of the first step shaft, generally in the first step 128. And the height of the transition between the second step 134 and the second stage 134.
[0025]
In the inner region of the flexible tube holder 180, the lower end of the first step 128 forms an annular stopper surface 130 and defines an annular groove 132 in the upper region of the second step 134. The inner region of the second step 134 below the annular groove 132 has a frustoconical shape and extends downwards, at its lower end, below the annular shoulder 122 of the horizontally arranged cover 120. Integrated with the side.
[0026]
The closure component 200 is designed substantially in the shape of a lid and includes a head plate 210 and a side region 220 extending from the head plate. This side region 220 is designed to extend substantially flush with the casing 110 of the closure body 100 in the closed position of the closure part 200.
[0027]
Furthermore, the closure part 200 has a groove 260 for receiving the quality assurance member 160 on the opposite side of the hinge 290. The groove 260 (lower side in the position of the closure part 200 shown in FIG. 1 and therefore upper side in the closed position) is concave inward, and the quality assurance member 160 is pushed into the concave part. It can be opened. The groove 260 for the quality assurance member 160 is defined by lugs 262 and protrusions 264 in the upper and lower regions thereof.
[0028]
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a sleeve member 150 made of thermoplastic polyester (TPE) extends substantially entirely over the outer region of the dome-like protrusion 124 of the cover 120, and the dome-like shape. The outer shape of the protrusion 124 is followed.
[0029]
The dimensions of the sleeve member 150 made of thermoplastic polyester, the dome-shaped protrusion 124, and the pinch member 280 having a substantially circular design provided inside the head plate 210 of the closure part 200 are substantially equal to each other. When closed without noise, the pinch member 280 engages the first step 128 of the dome-shaped protrusion 124 in which the sleeve member 150 is disposed, so that the outlet opening 126 is closed and sealed to the outside. So that they are consistent with each other.
[0030]
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the outer diameter of the sleeve member 150 at the height of the first step 128 is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the circular pinch member 280 of the closure part 200 when not compressed. Therefore, the closure part 200 designed as an open lid is closed, which slightly presses the sleeve member 150 and press-fits the pinch member 280 and the sleeve member 150, resulting in some geometry and / or size of the individual parts. Even if there is a manufacturing error, it is securely sealed at this position. Such manufacturing errors are unavoidable at least to some extent, particularly in mass production, and a relatively expensive manufacturing method is required to satisfy more strict error conditions.
[0031]
For reasons of simplicity only, the embodiment of the dispense closure shown in FIG. 1 may be inserted into a flexible dispense tube into the interior region of the closure body 100 as needed to achieve its flexibility. It is understood that the dispense tube can also be designed to be more easily removed from the free-flowing material with its outer end protruding from the outlet opening 126 while being securely fixed to the inner region of the dome-shaped protrusion 124. I want to be.
[0032]
FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of a dispense closure substantially identical to the embodiment shown in FIG.
[0033]
However, unlike the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the sleeve member 150 includes only the upper region of the dome-shaped protrusion 124, that is, the first step 128 of the dome-shaped protrusion 124 and its first step 128. And the second stage 134 are designed to cover the transition. Further, in this embodiment, the sleeve member 150 is formed from low density polyethylene (LDPE).
[0034]
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the dispense closure is designed substantially the same as the embodiment shown in FIG. However, an unauthorized opening prevention closure 300 is provided at the outlet opening 126 on the upper surface of the closure body 100. This tamper-evident closure 300 forms an integral part of the dispense closure 10. Therefore, the tamper-evident closure 300 is formed from a relatively soft sleeve member 150 material. A tamper-evident closure 300 that seals the outlet opening 126 is connected to the sleeve member 150 by a thin line 302 that follows the edge of the outlet opening 126 of the dome-shaped protrusion 124. Advantageously, a tear-off tab 304 connected to the tamper-evident closure 300 is provided. The tear-off tab 304 is preferably formed integrally with the tamper-evident closure 300. By providing the tear-off tab 304, for example, even when a hand cannot be used in a bicycle race or the like, the peeled portion 304 can be peeled off to easily open the container.
[0035]
Accordingly, the tamper-evident prevention member 300 prevents the quality of the contents of the container from being degraded by air, that is, oxygen, until the container or bottle is first opened. Again, both the sleeve member 150 and the tamper-evident closure 300 are made from thermoplastic polyester (TPE) and / or low density polyethylene (LDPE), or from rubber, silicone, and / or soft plastic, or of these materials. It can be formed from a combination.
[0036]
The embodiment of the dispense closure 10 shown in FIG. 4 is similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, but the tamper-evident closure 400 is formed from the material of the closure body 100 and is integrated by plastic injection molding. The difference is that it is molded together with the closure body 100 as a part. The tamper-evident closure 400 is exposed at the top or outside and is connected to the closure body 100 by a thin line 402 following the annular edge of the outlet opening 126 or is formed integrally with the closure body 100. . A tear-off tab 404 projecting obliquely from the upper surface of the tamper-evident closure 400 as in FIG. 3 is formed from the same material as the closure body 100 and facilitates opening of the container connected to the dispense closure 10 as well as opening. Until then, the container outlet opening 12 is hermetically sealed to maintain the quality of the contents of the container. The closure body 100 is formed integrally with the tear-off tab 404 by injection molding, preferably from polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene (PE).
[0037]
Of course, especially when a container provided with the tamper-evident prevention means 400 is used for a case where the container cannot be opened by hand or difficult to open by hand in certain sports such as a bicycle. Thus, tamper-evident prevention means 400 made of the material of the closure body 100 in which the tear-off tab 404 is additionally covered with the soft material of the sleeve member 150 is also possible.
[0038]
FIG. 5 shows an overall view of the dispense closure shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. If the tamper-evident closure 400 and the tear-off tab 404 are not present, and the outlet opening 126 of the closure body 100 is present instead, the dispensing closure shown in FIGS. Corresponds to a closure.
[0039]
Reference numeral 10 Dispense closure 100 Closure body 110 Casing 112 Female thread 114 Sealing lip 120 Cover 122 Annular shoulder 124 Domed protrusion 126 Exit opening 128 First stage 130 Annular stopper surface 132 Annular groove 134 Second stage 136 End rim 150 Sleeve member 160 Quality assurance member 200 Closure part 210 Head plate 220 Side region 260 Groove 262 Lug 264 Protrusion 280 Pinch member 290 Hinge 300 Tamper-evident closure 302 Narrow line 304 Peel tab 400 Tamper-evident closure 402 Narrow line 404 Peel off Tab [Brief description of drawings]
[0040]
FIG. 1 is a side view of a dispense closure in an open state.
FIG. 2 is a side view of a second embodiment of a dispense closure in an open state.
FIG. 3 is a side view of a third embodiment of a dispense closure in an open state.
FIG. 4 is a side view of a fourth embodiment of a dispense closure in an open state.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the dispense closure of FIG. 4;

Claims (15)

Dispensing closure (10) for a container holding certain free-flowing material, in particular a beverage container,
A closure body (100) having a cover (120) extending from the outer periphery of a casing (110) that can be secured to the opening of the container;
An outlet opening (126) on the top surface of the closure body (100) in communication with the opening of the container;
A closure part (200) for opening and closing the outlet opening (126) of the closure body (100);
A dome-shaped protrusion (124) of the closure body (100) located around the outlet opening (126) of the closure body (100);
The closure body (100) includes a sleeve member (150) that at least partially covers an outer region of the dome-shaped protrusion (124), and the material of the sleeve member (150) is the dome-shaped protrusion. Dispense closure characterized in that it is softer than the material of (124) and / or said cover (120) and / or said closure body (100). Dispensing closure according to claim 1, characterized in that the outlet opening (126) comprises a tamper-evident closure (300; 400) on the upper surface of the closure body (100). Dispensing closure according to claim 2, wherein the tamper-evident closure (300; 400) is an integral part of the dispensing closure (10). Dispensing closure according to claims 1-3, characterized in that the tamper-evident closure (300) is formed from the material of the sleeve member (150) and forms an integral part thereof. Dispensing closure according to claim 4, characterized in that the tamper-evident closure (300) is connected to the sleeve member (150) by means of a thin line (302). Dispensing closure according to claims 1-3, characterized in that the tamper-evident closure (400) is formed from the material of the closure body (100) and forms an integral part thereof. The dispense closure of claim 6, wherein the tamper-evident closure (400) is connected to the closure body (100) by a thin line (402). The sleeve member (150) comprises thermoplastic polyester (TPE) and / or low density polyethylene (LDPE), or a combination of these materials, according to claim 1 or one of the claims that follow. Dispensing closure. Dispensing closure according to claim 1 or one of the following claims, characterized in that the sleeve member (150) is made of rubber, silicone and / or soft plastic, or a combination of these materials. Dispensing closure according to claim 1 or one of the subsequent claims, characterized in that the closure body (10) is made of polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene (PE). 2. The claim 1 or subsequent claim, wherein the cover (120) of the closure body (100) includes a radially outer annular shoulder (122) and a radially inner dome-shaped protrusion (124). A dispense closure according to one of the paragraphs. The diameter of the dome-shaped protrusion (124) is stepped with respect to its height, and the dome-shaped protrusion (124) has the outlet opening (126) at its outer end. Dispensing closure according to claim 1 or one of the subsequent claims. Dispensing closure according to claim 1 or one of the subsequent claims, wherein the sleeve member (150) substantially completely covers the outer region of the dome-shaped protrusion (124). Dispensing closure according to claim 1 or one of the subsequent claims, characterized in that the sleeve member (150) covers only the upper region of the dome-shaped protrusion (124). The closure part (200) according to claim 1 or one of the subsequent claims, characterized in that the closure part (200) is pivotally and integrally attached to the closure body (100) by a hinge (290). Dispense closure.