US20050077264A1

US20050077264A1 - Container with a security closure

Info

Publication number: US20050077264A1
Application number: US10/493,704
Authority: US
Inventors: Peter Fuchs
Original assignee: Hoffmann Neopac AG
Current assignee: Hoffmann Neopac AG
Priority date: 2001-10-29
Filing date: 2001-10-29
Publication date: 2005-04-14
Also published as: WO2003037737A1; CA2462148A1; EP1440013A1

Abstract

The container comprises a container body (1) and a sealing cap (9) which may be screwed to the container body (1). Barbs (5) are circularly distributed on the container body (1). Said barbs (5) each comprise a run-up ramp (7) and a locking surface (8). The sealing cap (9) is connected to a security ring (16) by means of break-off webs (15). The security ring (16) comprises projections (17) extending inwards from the inner circumference thereof, with run-up ramps (18) and locking surfaces (19). On closing the sealing cap (9) the run-up ramps (7;18) slide over each other. On unscrewing the sealing cap (9) an opposing blocking occurs due to the locking surfaces (8;19). The security ring (16) is thus blocked relative to the sealing cap (9), whereupon the break-off webs (15) are torn off.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority of PCT patent application No. PCT/IB2001/002017, filed 29 Oct. 2001, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a container with a security closure, with a sealing cap which may be screwed onto the container body, and with a security ring connected to the sealing cap through break-off webs.
2. Prior Art
Security closures are used to inform a purchaser and user, resp. of a container equipped with a security closure whether the container has already been opened earlier and possibly if a portion of its contents has already been extracted. A great many designs of security closures have become known, whereby often a given security closure can be used for only one container design and not universally, which means that different containers such as e.g. bottles, plastic containers for medical liquids and tube shaped containers necessitate a respective particular design of a security closure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Hence, it is a object of the invention to provide a container equipped with a security closure which a security closure which can be produced in a great variety of different structural designs.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a container of the kind mentioned above in which the container body comprises resiliently yielding barbs which are arranged at mutual distances, each having a run-up ramp and a blocking surface, and in which the security ring comprises projections extending inwards and are adapted to cooperate in a resiliently yielding manner with the barbs.
Still a further object of the invention is to provide a container with a security closure which comprises a tube shaped container body with a dispensing cannula and which can be stored standing on its closure cap.
The container according to the invention is characterized by the features of the independent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments can be derived from the dependent claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention can be better understood and objects different from those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following description. This description makes reference to the annexed drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a side view of the upper part of a cannula tube with barbs arranged distributed in a circular manner;
FIG. 2 is a top view of the part of a cannula tube illustrated in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a section through a closure cap with a first embodiment of the security ring;
FIG. 4 is a view from below of the closure cap with a security ring according to FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a view same as the view of FIG. 4 with a second embodiment of the security ring;
FIG. 6 is a view same as the view of FIG. 4 with a third embodiment of the security ring;
FIG. 7 is a simplified view from below of a sealing cap with the first or the second embodiment of the security ring;
FIG. 8 is a sire view of the closure cap according to FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a simplified perspective view from above of a sealing cap with a third embodiment of the guarantee ring;
FIG. 10 is a side view of the sealing cap according to FIG. 9;
FIG. 11 is a simplified view from above of a sealing cap with the first or second embodiment of the guarantee ring;
FIG. 12 is a perspective illustration on a enlarged scale of a portion of a third embodiment of the guarantee ring.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a container with a container body 1 and a dispensing spout 2. The container body 1 can basically be of various designs. It shall be assumed that the container body of this embodiment is a tube which consists of a plastic material or contains in part a plastic material and which is designed for instance as laminated body. The shoulder portion 3 of the container is located between the container body 1 and the dispensing cannula 2. The cannula 2 includes a outer thread 4.
Barbs 5 which are arranged in a wheel like fashion are located on the shoulder portion. These barbs are arranged along the outer circumference of a wheel-like shaped disc 6 formed integrally with the shoulder portion 3 and accordingly reinforcing same. Every barb 5 includes a run-up ramp 7 and a blocking surface 8.
The above described parts are the same for all embodiments of the invention.
FIG. 3 illustrates a section through the sealing cap 9 of the container which is equipped with a first embodiment of the security ring 16.
The sealing cap 9 includes a outer jacket part 10. The sealing cap 9 includes, furthermore, a stub part 11 extending coaxially to the outer jacket part 10 which is equipped with a inner thread 12 which, in order to close the container, is to be screwed onto the outer thread 4 of the cannula. The outer jacket part 10 is integrally connected to the stub part 11 through a end plate 13. The diameter of the sealing cap 9 is at least approximately the same as the diameter of the container body 1 such as can be seen for instance in FIG. 11. This endplate 13 is, furthermore, slightly dished such as illustrated by the reference numeral 14 so that it can serve as a platform of the tube standing on its head.
The outer jacket part 10 is connected through break off webs 15 to a security ring 16.
This security ring 16 includes in turn projections 17 which are directed inwards. These projections 17 include in turn run-up ramps 18 and blocking surfaces 19. The projections 17 are also designed in form of barbs.
The barbs 5 of the container body 1 are designed in form of a gear rim which is firmly attached to the container body 1 or its shoulder portion 3, resp. and have teeth facing outwards whereby these barbs define with the respective radius lines of the circular shape of the security ring a angle.
The projections of the security ring 16 define also with the circular shape of the security ring a angle.
The projections 17 of the security ring 16 are arranged inversely relative to the barbs 5 of the container body 1 so that when the sealing cap 9 is screwed onto the container body 1 the run-up ramps 18 of the security ring 16, since they are made of a plastic material, slide over the barbs 5 which are also made of a plastic material in a elastically yielding manner. However, when the sealing cap 9 is unscrewed at container body 1 the blocking surfaces 19 of the projections 16 of the security ring 16 abut the blocking surfaces 18 of the barbs 5 of the container body 1 or its shoulder portion 3, resp. and block accordingly the security ring 16 which is connected through the break-off webs 15 to the sealing cap 9 so that upon a continued screwing off of the sealing cap 9 the break-off webs are ruptured and accordingly release the sealing cap 9.
A comparison between FIG. 2 and FIG. 4 reveals that the projections formed by the barbs 5 of the container body have a pitch which differs from the pitch of the toothing which is formed by the projections 17 of the security ring 16. Specifically, there are less projections 17 than barbs 5. As can be seen, the number of projections 17 is less by one than the number of barbs 5. The advantage of this design is that when the sealing cap 9 is screwed off the container body 1 not all run-up ramps of barbs and projection contact each other simultaneously, so that the security ring 16 is expanded a little only and accordingly the force which is to be applied for the screwing off of the sealing cap 9 is considerably smaller.
In order to avoid a damaging or wear of the barbs 5, specifically their run-up ramps 7 and also of the projections 17, specifically their run-up ramps 18 when screwing the sealing cap 9 down, the sealing cap 9 includes at its outer jacket part 10 two driving dog projections 20 located diametrically opposite each other, such as specifically illustrated in FIGS. 7, 8 and 11. These coat with a respective one of recesses 21 in the security ring 16. The driving dog projection 20 includes a curvilinear guiding surface 22. A further curvilinear guiding surface 23 of the security ring 16 is located opposite mentioned curvilinear guiding surface. This means that during the screwing off of the sealing cap 9, when the security ring 16 is blocked not only a tearing off force directed circumferentially acts onto the break-off webs, but also a additional tearing off force is present which acts in the axial direction so that during the screwing off of the sealing cap 9 no overly large application of force is needed.
As can be seen in FIG. 4 the projections 17 of the security ring 16 are arranged in two groups located at a distance from each other and diametrically opposite each other whereby recesses 21 are located in the gaps between these groups.
The arrangement and the shapes of the barbs 5 on the shoulder portion 3 of the container body 1 are the same in all embodiments.
FIG. 5 illustrates a further embodiment of the projections of the security ring 16 which projections are identified by the reference numeral 24. These projections 24 are designed as leaf springs projecting from the inner side of the security ring 16 inwards and which, however, again include run-up-ramps 25 and blocking surfaces 26.
In contrast to the first embodiment this embodiment has the advantage that the screwing of the sealing cap 9 onto the container body proceeds by a smaller expenditure of force because the projections 24 present in the form of leaf springs can be pushed away by the barbs 5 at their run-up ramps 7 with a smaller expenditure of force. Thus, during a screwing off motion of the sealing cap the run-up ramps 7 of the barbs 5 are exposed to a much smaller wear. At this embodiment the projections 24 are also arranged in two groups arranged at a distance from each other, whereby the recesses 21 are located between these groups.
In this embodiment, see FIGS. 2 and 5, the toothing formed by the barbs 5 of the container body 1 comprises also a pitch which is different from the pitch of the projections 24 of the security ring 16. Specifically, there are less projections 24 than barbs 5. Also here again the advantage is present that during a screwing motion of the sealing cap 9 onto the container body 1 not all run-up ramps and projections contact each other simultaneously.
In the embodiments described until now the security ring 16 is a unseparated ring which is connected to the sealing cap 9 exclusively though break-off webs 15.
According to a further variant the security ring 16 is a split ring. This embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 6, 9, 10 and 12 (on a enlarged scale). This security ring 16 includes also leaf shaped projections 24 with a run-up ramp 25 and blocking surface 26 which extends inwards. These projections 24 are, however, such as illustrated in FIG. 6 not arranged along the entire inner circumference of the security ring 16. At this security ring the location of separation is bridged in the direction of the circumference of the security ring by break-off webs 27, 28, whereby the break-off webs 15 extending in axial direction according to the first embodiments are located merely at the area of the projections 24. Attention is now specifically drawn to FIGS. 9, 10 and 12.
In this embodiment, attention is drawn to FIG. 6, the projections 24 are arranged in such a manner that at no time two directly adjacent projections 24 cooperate with a respective barb 5. This embodiments shows four projections 24. This means that either only the projections one and three, or only the projections two and four, seen for instance from the uppermost projection in a counter clockwise sense, cooperate with barbs 5.
This embodiment of the security ring is characterized in that at the one hand it is indeed connected through the break-off webs 15 to the outer jacket part 10 of the sealing cap 9 (see FIG. 12), is however also connected through a further portion 29 of its circumference adjacent the pitch, i.e. the two different break-off webs 27, 28, to the sealing cap 9.
When the sealing cap 9 is turned back for a breaking of the break-off webs the security ring 16 is obviously widened. It remains, however, connected at the portion 29 to the sealing cap 9. This portion 29 can also be torn off the sealing cap 9 in the sense of a break-off part. To this end, see hereto FIG. 12, the security ring 16 which has been forced open is grasped about at the location 30 and widened still further and moved around the sealing cap 9 so that finally the portion 29 is also torn off the sealing cap 9.
While there are shown and described presently preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied and practised within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. Container with a security closure, with a container body (1) and a sealing cap (9) adapted to be screwed onto the container body, and with a security ring (16) attached to the sealing cap (9) through break-off webs (15), characterised in that the container body (1) comprises resiliently yielding barbs (5) each with a run-up ramp (7) and a blocking surface (8) located at a distance from each other, and in that the security ring (16) comprises projection (17; 24) directed inwards and adapted to a resiliently coat with the barbs (5).

2. Container according to claim 1, with a container body (1) having a circular cross-section, characterised in that the barbs (5) are arranged in from of a gear rim firmly attached to the container body (1) and having teeth facing outwards, and in that the barbs (5) define with the respective radius lines of the circular shape an angle.

3. Container according to claim 2, characterised in that each projection (17) of the security ring (16) comprises a run-up ramp (25) and a blocking surface (26) and defines with a respective radius line of the circular shape an angle.

4. Container according to claim 3, characterised in that the projections (17; 24) of the security ring (16) are arranged inversely relative to the barbs (5) of the container body (1) in such a sense, that during a screwing of the sealing cap (9) onto the container body (1) the run-up ramps (18, 25) of the security ring (16) slide in a resiliently yielding manner over the barbs (5) of the container body (1), and that during a screwing of the sealing cap (9) off the container body (1) the blocking surfaces (19; 20) of the projections (17; 24) of the security ring (6) bear on the blocking surfaces (8) of the barbs (5) and accordingly block the security ring (16), so that during a continued screwing off motion of the sealing cap (9) the break-off webs (15) are torn.

5. Container according to claim 4, characterised in that the projections (17) of the security ring (16) are arranged in two groups located at a distance from and diametrically opposite each other.

6. Container according to claim 4, characterised in that the projections (17) of the security ring (16) have the shape of barbs.

7. Container according to claim 4, characterised in that the projections (24) of the security ring (16) are designed as leaf springs extending obliquely inwards from the inner side of the security ring (16), each having a run-up ramp (25) and a blocking surface (26).

8. Container according to claim 4, characterised in that the projections (24) of the security ring (16) are designed as leaf springs extending obliquely inwards from the inner side of the security ring (16), each having a run-up ramp(25) and a blocking surface (26) and arranged distributed merely along this portion of the inner circumferential surface of the security ring (16).

9. Container according to claim 1, characterised in that the toothing formed by the barbs (5) of the container body (1) comprises a pitch which differs from the pitch of the toothing formed by the projections (17; 24) of the security ring (16).

10. Container according to claim 1, characterised in that the number of barbs (5) of the container body differs from the number of projections (17; 24)of the security ring (16).

11. Container according to claim 10, characterised in that there are less projections (17; 24) than barbs (5).

12. Container according to claim 11, characterised in that the number of projections (17; 24) is one less than the number of barbs (5).

13. Container according to claim 1, characterised in that the security ring (16) is a undivided ring attached exclusively through the break-off webs (15) to the sealing cap (9).

14. Container according to claim 1, characterised in that the security ring (16) is a sectioned ring in which the pitch is bridged by break-off webs (27, 28) extending in its circumferential direction, so that the security ring (16) is attached at the one hand through the mentioned break-off webs (15) to the sealing cap (9) and comprises at the other hand further break-off webs bridging the pitch and extending in the circumferential direction.

15. Container according to claim 14, characterised in that the projections (24) of the security ring (16) are arranged relative to the barbs (5) in such a manner, that at no time directly adjacent projections (24) cooperate with a respective barb (5).

16. Container according to claim 1, characterised in that the sealing cap (9) comprises at least one driving dog projection (20) with a curvilinear guiding surface (22) which projects into a respective recess (21) in the security ring (16) which comprises a further curvilinear guiding surface (22) located opposite the driving dog projection (20).

17. Container according to claim 15, characterised in that the security ring (16) is attached merely along a portion of its circumference through said break-off webs (15) to the sealing cap, and is attached to the sealing cap (9) through a break-off ring portion (29) along a further portion extending along its circumference.

18. Container according to claim 1, with a dispersing cannula (2) having a outer thread (4), characterised in that the sealing cap(9) comprises a outer jacket part (10) which is attached to the security ring (16) through break-off webs (15), and comprises a pipe stub part (11) with a inner thread (12) extending coaxially to the outer jacket part (10), whereby the outer jacket part (10) is attached to the pipe stub part (11) through a end plate (13) of the sealing cap (9).

19. Container according to claim 1 with a dispensing cannula (2) having a outer thread (4), characterised in that the sealing cap comprises a outer jacket part (10) which is attached to the security ring (16) through said break-off webs (15) and a tear off ring portion (29), and comprises a pipe stub part (11) extending coaxially to the outer jacket part (10), with a inner thread (12), whereby the outer jacket part (10) is attached to the pipe stub part (11) through a end plate (13) of the sealing cap (9).

20. Container according to claim 1, characterised in that it is designed as a cannula tube and comprises a shoulder portion (3) arranged between its cannula and the container body (1), and in that the barbs (5) are arranged at the outer circumference of a wheel shaped disk reinforcing same.

21. Container according to clam 19, characterised in that the diameter at the sealing-cap (9) is at least approximately the same as the diameter of the container body (1).

22. Container according to claim 20, characterised in that the sealing cap comprises a slightly dished (14) end plate (13) which is designed as resting platform for the tube shaped container standing on its head.