JP2007514612A - Screw cap for containers - Google Patents

Abstract

  The present invention relates to a screw cap 31 of a container. The cap of the present invention includes a restraining flap 33 and a locking mechanism including a first rib and a second rib 16. According to the present invention, when the cap 31 is first screwed, the restraining flap 33 is displaced so that it can pass between the first rib and the second rib 16, and when it comes to its final position. The restraining flap 33 comes into contact with the contact surface of the second flange 16 safely and securely.

Description

  The present invention relates to a screwed lid or cap for closing a container.

  More particularly, the present invention provides at least one removal that can be screwed or unscrewed to the outer screw of the container in order to prevent undesired tampering of the contents stored inside the container. Threaded cap with possible restraining flap.

  Various sealing systems for closing containers are currently known. The sealing system has the function of ensuring tamper-resistance to the contents stored in the container or container.

  Sealing systems typically have a foreign object prevention band that is coupled to a screw cap or lid. The band is cylindrical in exactly the same way as the cap with which it is united, again vertically coupled to the lower part of the body of the cylindrical cap or lid, with various stopper profiles on the inside. After the cap is first screwed into the threaded neck of the container, the stopper contour located on the foreign object prevention band is larger than the stopper contour provided behind the threaded region of the threaded neck of the container. By fitting under a diameter circumferential ring, the prevention of contamination of the container and its contents is guaranteed. The circumferential ring portion prevents the threaded region portion from being untwisted without preliminarily breaking the connecting portion arranged for that purpose between the band and the cap body.

  The effectiveness of various existing anti-contamination bands incorporated into screw caps or lids is evaluated when or when the container is first opened. At that time, the foreign matter prevention band must have sufficient resistance that the cap or lid cannot be untwisted unless the corresponding connecting part connecting it to the cap or lid is previously broken and separated. . This, in turn, determines the assessment of whether the cap or lid is reliable for a given type of cap or lid for the manufacturer and end consumer. The ability of the cap or lid to prevent contamination should be as obvious as possible.

  However, this type of sealing system has certain disadvantages, such as arise from the presence of a circumferential ring under one or more screws in the neck of the container. That is, when performing the screwing operation, the stopper contour must exceed the thread diameter of the neck of the container, and then at the end of the screwing operation the circumferential ring on which the stopper contour must be placed Need to exceed the diameter. As a result, when performing the screwing in the filling line, it is necessary to apply a large screwing torque in order to ensure effective screwing, and in many cases the torque cannot be specified. In some cases, the appearance of the screw cap is deformed due to excessive torque.

  Another problem is that the operation of existing foreign matter prevention systems is not absolutely reliable. In other words, due to damage or peeling of the foreign matter prevention band incorporated in the cap, and even if the band is not damaged or peeled off, if the cap or lid is completely unscrewed, it can be tightly sealed. The foreign matter prevention system does not guarantee 100% of the container's hermeticity because it impairs and thus creates the actual possibility of liquid leaking or pouring into the container.

  This is usually easily seen, for example, in containers containing carbonated beverages. When you begin to unscrew the cap, you can hear the sound produced by the carbon dioxide coming out of the container. It should be noted that at that moment, the cap and the foreign matter prevention band are still connected.

  If the action of unscrewing the cap is stopped at the moment when the anti-contamination band and the cap are connected, the liquid can also be withdrawn so that the gas just comes out of the container, so that the liquid can be injected into the container. Can do. Thus, the initial contents of the container may change, resulting in a loss of confidence in the end consumer's contents, which results in reduced manufacturer sales.

  Therefore, in cooperation with the container mouth, the contents stored in the container are completely prevented from being contaminated, and both the manufacturer and the end consumer for the foreign object prevention system incorporated in the container. It is necessary to develop a screw cap that improves the reliability of the machine.

  The foreign matter prevention system of the present invention comprises a screwed lid or cap having a restraining flap and cooperates with a locking mechanism comprising a first rib and a second rib provided on the neck of the container, thereby With the first screwing of the screwed lid, the restraining flap is deflected towards the axis of the container and passes between the first and second ribs, reliably and reliably at the final position of the restraining flap. Abuts the second rib in a manner.

  The foreign matter prevention system of the present invention is advantageous in that it eliminates the aforementioned drawbacks related to manufacturing and its application to filling lines, and in particular prevents foreign matter from entering the contents of the container until it is first used. This is because it is performed reliably.

  An object of the present invention is to develop a simple foreign matter mixing prevention system that is inexpensive to manufacture and can be easily applied to a filling line, whereby the contents stored in a container incorporating the foreign matter mixing prevention system are described. It is to prevent the foreign matter from being totally or partially mixed into the object.

  Another object of the present invention is to ensure that the anti-contamination system leaves evidence that both the manufacturer and the end consumer can easily identify when attempting to enter the contents of the container.

  Another object of the present invention is to remove the foreign matter prevention bands of other systems in order to simplify the container recycling line in the recycling industry. This is because the tool used to remove the band from the neck of the container can be omitted if there is no foreign matter prevention band at the neck of the recycled container. It should be noted that the container and the anti-contamination band are made of different materials and therefore must be separated in order to be regenerated.

  Yet another object of the present invention is to simplify the manufacture of the screw cap and its application process in the filling line.

  Simply removing the resistance of the stopper profile incorporated in the existing anti-contamination band can simplify the tool or mold manufacture, make it economical, and improve manufacturing efficiency. It should be noted that it can be done. All this is done without compromising the container manufacturing process and its tools, and if desired, the container can be reduced in weight without resulting in reduced strength.

  Removing the existing stopper profile from the container neck maximizes the resistance of the screw and reduces the screw torque precisely and low, so that the cap can be applied effectively and its performance And the operating life is improved.

  Another object of the present invention is to improve the efficiency, operating life, and quality of the screw cap manufacturing process. As a result, manufacturing and filling systems are also low cost.

  The mechanism embodying the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings.

  FIG. 1 represents a restraining or locking mechanism 15, 16 disposed under one or more outer threads 13 provided on the neck 12 of a container or container 11. The container 11 is preferably made of a plastic material so that the material can be injection molded with an injection mold. The container 11 is suitable for storing substances such as liquid and carbonated drinks.

  The restraining mechanism includes a first protrusion 15 and a second protrusion 16 or a plurality of ribs near the contact edge 14 of each of the two parts or halves constituting the container 11.

  As can be seen in FIG. 2, each half of the container comprises a first rib 15 and a second rib 16, each of which corresponds to a half of the container 11. Located on one of the edges. For example, the first rib 15 is in contact with the neck 12, i.e. in contact with the cylindrical outer surface of the neck of the container 11, and lies on a horizontal base ring 17 disposed under the thread 13.

  The half of the container comprises a second rib 16 located on the base ring 17 at the opposite edge and away from the neck 12 without contacting the cylinder of the neck 12. Thus, when the contact edges of both halves of the container are joined, two sets of locking mechanisms 15, 16 are formed, each of the locking mechanisms being a first rib from one half of the container 11. 15 and the second rib 16 from the other half portion.

  Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, note that both ribs 15, 16 are radially offset from one another on the base of the neck 12 of the container 11 and on the base ring 17 and facing each other at the same height. Must. This is to prevent the restraining flap 33 belonging to the cap 31 from being displaced radially toward the axis of the container 11 when the screw cap or lid 31 is first unscrewed.

  When the cap 31 is screwed in, the restraining flap is pushed radially inward toward the container axis by the second rib 16, and when the second rib 16 is exceeded, the screw cap 31 is the last of the screw cap 31. The closed position has been reached.

  As described above, in this position, the restraining flap 33 cannot be displaced radially toward the axis of the container 11. The displacement is prevented by the first rib 15 in contact with the neck 12 of the container 11.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the following should be noted. That is, when the screw cap 31 is screwed in by the first screwing of the cap 31, the first rib 15 deflects the restraining flap 33 in the radial direction in the direction outward from the axis of the container 11. In order to allow passage between the outer surface of the neck portion and the concave inner surface of the second rib 16, a displacement slope acting in the screwing direction is provided on the guide side, that is, the side closest to the contact edge portion 17.

  1 and 3 again, the purpose of the first rib 15 is to move the restraining flap 33 radially toward the axis of the container 11 once the screw cap 31 is first screwed into the final closed position. Therefore, a severable bridging or unsealing band 34 and / or thin film hinge 35 that is contaminated or that, for example, binds a restraining flap to the skirt or sleeve of the cap 31 is provided. By cutting, the cap 31 is prevented from being unscrewed unless the flap 33 is removed in advance. It should be noted that the tear strip 34 is located on the opposite side of the hinge 35.

  The first rib 15 extends along a part of the outline of the neck 12 of the container 11, that is, in contact with the outside of the neck of the container, on the horizontal base ring 17 like an arcuate arch piece. To do.

  Further, the second rib 16 is a pyramid-like quasi-triangular wedge shape along a part of the outer shape of the base ring 17 and is molded on the base ring 17, and its concave inner surface is the neck of the container 11. The outer surface of 12 is arrange | positioned at predetermined intervals.

  When the screw cap 31 is screwed, the cap 31 is initially placed so that the restraining flap 33 is radially displaced toward the container axis and passes between the outer surface of the neck 12 and the inner surface of the second rib 16. When screwed into, the inner surface of the second rib 16 acts in the screwing direction.

  FIG. 3 shows the position of the lid 31 after it is first screwed into the neck 31. The screw cap is a single piece of thermoplastic, suitable for use in conjunction with the locking mechanisms 15 and 16 of the foreign matter prevention system that prevents inconvenient foreign matter from entering the contents stored in the container 11. Molded as one piece.

  The screw cap 31 includes a cap bottom and a cap sleeve or skirt 32 having a screw (not shown) on the inside, whereby the cap 31 is one or more located on the neck 12 of the container 11. It can be screwed into the outer thread 13 and removed.

  The restraining flap 33 is molded in the lower end region of the cap sleeve 32 and protrudes outwardly and faces generally tangential to the cap sleeve 32 as seen in FIGS. The restraining flap 33 protrudes from the cap sleeve 32 in the direction opposite to the screwing direction.

  The restraining flaps can be separated and can be easily molded into the skirt 32 of the screw cap. As a result, the cap 31 having the restraining flap 33 can be easily manufactured as a single piece from a low-cost material such as plastic. The plastic has adequate flexibility to allow the flap 33 to pass between the neck 12 and the second rib 16 after the initial screwing.

  The constraining flap terminates on its front surface as a substantially radially oriented stop surface, while the end of the second rib 16 located in the direction of untwisting also forms a substantially radially oriented contact surface Thus, after the cap 31 is first screwed in, both surfaces contact each other to prevent the cap 31 from screwing back. When the cap is first unscrewed, the second rib 16 prevents the restraining flap 33 from moving radially inward, so the restraining flap 33 must move radially outward, so that the flap 33 is fully Or partially removed, the tear strip 34 and the hinge 35 are cut. Thus, they allow the end consumer and / or manufacturer to confirm that the container has already been opened. In another case, it shows evidence that the cap has been tampered with previously, so the end consumer can have a suspicion that the contents of the container 11 have been altered.

  It should be noted that the restraining flap 33 can be provided with a deviated slope acting in the screw unwinding direction on the inner surface of the stopper surface, thereby facilitating the screw unwinding action of the screw cap 31. At the first unwinding, the restraining flap 33 is deflected radially outward of the container 11 to cut the tear strip 34, and the restraining flap 33 fully or partially ties the thin film hinge 35 of the restraining flap 33. Cutting and restraining flap 33 will be able to pass the outer convex surface of second rib 16 after the initial twist back of cap 31.

  The restraining flap 33 protrudes from the sleeve 32 of the cap 31 so as to partly and reliably cover the contact surface of the second rib 16 with its stopper surface at the restraining position, whereby the direction of the first unwinding of the screw cap 31. Maintain a positive restraint connection that only affects

  Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the brake means 36 is moved from the stopper surface of the restraining flap 33 to a predetermined distance position in the screwing direction, and from the lower edge of the sleeve 32 of the cap 31 toward the outside from the axis of the cap 31. The cap 31 can be properly stopped after the initial screw-in, so as to project with an unequal side quadrilateral. That is, the contact between the stopper surface of the flap 33 and the contact surface of the second rib 16 is ensured.

  With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the number of restraining flaps 33 can vary depending on the number of threads on the neck 12 of the container 11, for example, a single thread has a single restraining flap 33 on the cap 31. It has to be noted that in the case of a restraining flap 51 which has one flap which is releasable and elastic, and is fixed to a foreign matter-preventing circular band 52 like the existing one, it has to be noted . Similarly, two threaded necks have two or four fixed restraining flaps 51 and three threaded necks have two, four or six fixed restraining flaps. . As shown in FIG. 6, in all cases, it is sufficient that the restraining mechanisms 15 and 16 on the base ring 17 are two 180 degrees apart from each other. As a result, two fixed restraining flaps are required. Work in pairs.

  Therefore, in order to open the container by twisting back the cap, in the case of the fixed rigid body restraining flap 51, it is necessary to immediately cut a plurality of connecting portions between the foreign matter mixing prevention band 52 and the sleeve 32 of the cap 31. is there.

  In summary, the restraining flap 33 and the locking mechanisms 15 and 16 work together so that the restraining flap can always easily pass in the screwing direction and the cap 31 can be easily attached. By controlling the thread path on the neck 12 of the container 11 and at the neck end position, the restraining flaps 33 are predetermined 1 so as to face them on the flat surfaces of the locking mechanisms 15,16. At one point, thereby preventing the restraining flap 33 from unscrewing when the unwinding movement is about to begin, thus ensuring that the contents of the container are not unduly contaminated However, the restraining flaps also provide easily detectable external evidence when the cap is tampered with.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a neck of a container according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the neck of a container according to the present invention. It is a perspective view of the screwed lid with which the neck part of the container by this invention was mounted | worn. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the state of the screwed lid after the first screwing according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a screwed lid according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the state of the screwed lid of the previous figure after the first screwing according to the present invention.

Therefore, in cooperation with the container mouth, the contents stored in the container are completely prevented from being contaminated, and both the manufacturer and the end consumer for the contaminant prevention system incorporated in the container. It is necessary to develop a screw cap that improves the reliability of the machine.
Document D1 US 3805987 is such that once installed, the screw cap lid cannot be removed unless the outer edge is visibly damaged by anyone who subsequently uses the container and cap. A container and cap are disclosed. However, it is possible to move the cap slightly in both directions without damaging the foreign matter prevention mechanism.
Document D2 WO 95/28334 is a lid with an annular skirt (2) threaded inward, wherein one or more hem parts below the threaded part are vertical hinges (12 ) Is disclosed as a thermoplastic lid (1) configured as a flap (7) that can be bent radially outward with respect to the skirt. This document has the same problem as the document D1.

Claims (20)

  A locking mechanism suitable for a container (11) comprising a neck (12) having an outer thread (13) into which a screwed lid (31) can be screwed, each comprising two halves forming the container (11) A locking mechanism comprising a first rib (15) and a second rib (16) arranged at the contact edge (14) of the first and second ribs.   The locking mechanism according to claim 1, wherein both ribs (15, 16) are arranged to be arranged under the outer thread (13) of the neck (12) of the container (11).   Both ribs (15, 16) are arranged below the outer thread (13) of the neck (12) of the container (11) and above the base ring (17) of the container (11). The locking mechanism of claim 2, configured as follows.   The locking mechanism according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the first rib (15) is arranged to contact the neck (12) and the base ring (17) of the container (11). .   The locking mechanism according to claim 4, wherein the first rib (15) extends like an arcuate piece along the outside of the neck (12) of the container (11).   The base ring (17) is arranged such that the inner surface of the second rib (16) having a quasi-circular arc shape is arranged at a predetermined distance from the outer surface of the neck (12) of the container (11). The locking mechanism according to claim 2, which extends along a part of the outer shape of).   The locking mechanism of claim 6, wherein the second rib (16) has a wedge shape.   The locking mechanism according to claim 5, wherein the first rib (15) can be provided with a deviated slope acting in the screwing direction on the guide side.   Locking mechanism according to claim 2, wherein both ribs (15, 16) are molded on the corresponding halves of the container (11) so as to project outward or rise.   A screw cap (31) suitable for being screwed into the outer thread (13) of the neck (12) of the container (11), the restraining flap being arranged in the lower part of the sleeve (32) of the screw cap (31) (33) It is comprised so that it may be provided, The screwed lid characterized by the above-mentioned.   The screw cap according to claim 10, wherein the restraining flap (33) is coupled to the sleeve (32) by at least one foreign matter prevention band (34).   The screw cap according to claim 11, wherein the restraining flap (33) is further coupled to the sleeve (32) by a thin film hinge (35).   The screwed lid according to claim 11, wherein the foreign matter prevention band (34) is arranged on the lower edge of the sleeve (32) on the opposite side of the thin film hinge (35).   14. The mold according to claim 10, wherein the restraining flap (33) is molded on the sleeve (32) of the screw-on lid (31) so that it protrudes outward and faces in a tangential direction opposite to the screw-in direction. A screwed lid according to any one of the above.   Screw-in lid according to any of claims 10 to 14, wherein the screw-in lid (31) is molded from plastic material as a single piece.   At least one restraint stopper (51) fixed to the outside is provided, and the number of restraint stoppers (51) is prevented from being mixed with a circular foreign object by the thread (13) disposed on the neck (12) of the container (11). 11. The screw cap according to claim 10, comprising a band (52).   The lower edge of the sleeve (32) of the cap (31) at a predetermined distance in the screwing direction from the stopper surface of the restraining flap (33) so as to protrude outward from the axis of the cap (31) Screw-in lid according to any one of claims 10 to 15, comprising brake means (36) molded in the part.   A combination of a screwed lid (31) according to any of claims 10 to 17 and a locking mechanism (15, 16) according to any of claims 1 to 9.   The initial displacement of the lid (31), wherein the restraining flap (33) is offset so that it can pass between the first rib (15) and the second rib (16). The combination according to 18.   20. Combination according to claim 16 and 19, wherein the fixed restraining flaps (51) act in several pairs depending on the number of threads (13).

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