WO1993017927A1

WO1993017927A1 - Screw closure

Info

Publication number: WO1993017927A1
Application number: PCT/EP1993/000537
Authority: WO
Inventors: Günther Spatz; Hans-Joachim Preuss; Jürgen Weiss
Original assignee: Alcoa Deutschland Gmbh Verpackungswerke
Priority date: 1992-03-13
Filing date: 1993-03-10
Publication date: 1993-09-16
Also published as: BR9306077A; IL105021A0; MX9301382A; DE4207996C2; NO930523D0; ZA931818B; CN1078955A; CA2131800A1; FI931129A0; HU9402611D0; DE4207996A1; JPH07504385A; NO930523L; HUT69119A; EP0560051A1; FI931129A

Abstract

The proposal is for a screw closure for a container having a male thread at its aperture, especially a bottle, which has a plastic safety ring joined to the closure along a break line bridged by break-off webs which can be broken, at least in regions, when the closure is first opened, said ring having at least one counter-hook projecting from its inside. The closure is distinguished in that the safety ring (9) is continuous with at least one irreversibly deformable region (25) when the closure (1) is first opened.

Description

description

Screw cap

The invention relates to a screw closure for containers having an external thread in their mouth region, in particular for bottles, according to the preamble of claim 1.

Screw closures with guarantee rings are used in particular where there is a need for the consumer to make tampering, in particular a first opening of the closure, recognizable. The closures are designed in such a way that their guarantee ring remains intact when applied to the container or bottle, but that when the guarantee ring is opened for the first time it is completely torn off from the rest of the closure (in particular in the case of disposable bottles) or, in particular, in the case of reusable bottles Is weakened areas of its circumference in ring segments, so that the guarantee ring can be lifted together with the screw on the thread of the container. In both cases a consumer can see that a container has already been opened. There is a growing need to design the guarantee in such a way that it can be easily removed from the bottle and thus fed to a recycling process. For this reason, more and more guarantee rings are preferred which can be lifted off the bottle together with the closure. It has been found, however, that when the guarantee ring is blown open into individual ring segments, sharp edges can arise, which cause problems when reprocessing the closures and pose a risk of injury to the consumer.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a screw closure provided with a fermentation ring which does not pose any risk of injury to the consumer. In addition, the closure should be able to be fed to a recycling process without any problems in its complete state.

Starting from the prior art, this object is achieved with the aid of the features mentioned in claim 1.

The fact that a screw cap, especially for bottles, is equipped with a guarantee ring that remains intact along its circumferential line, that is to say in the horizontal direction, when it is opened for the first time because it is designed as a continuous ring, injuries to the screw cap even after first open excluded. Protruding ridges or edges cannot be opened the first time this screw cap is opened arise, so that on the one hand injuries to the consumer but on the other hand disabilities in the reprocessing of the closure are reduced to a minimum. In particular, the closure with the features mentioned can be easily sorted with the aid of so-called hoppers and fed to a recycling process.

Consumers can recognize a first opening of the screw closure from the fact that the guarantee ring is no longer connected to the closure at least in one area via the predetermined breaking line, and that the predetermined breaking line therefore gapes in one area. The guarantor ring is equipped with at least one deformation area which, when the closure is opened for the first time and the predetermined breaking line is torn open, is deformed and irreversibly deformed in such a way that it keeps the spread ring area in the spreading position. Attempts to completely bend the guarantee ring back into its original position and to make the manipulations at the closure invisible therefore fail. The consumer can thus reliably recognize the first opening of the container.

Due to the fact that the guarantee ring per se — viewed in the circumferential direction — remains intact after the first opening, injuries to the screw closure once opened are not possible — unlike in the case of the ring segments of conventional burst-open closures. In addition, there are no protrusions and hooks that are a hindrance to further processing of the closure in the course of a recycling process, would be a hindrance by means of hoppers, moreover, the guarantee ring of the type mentioned here does not have any blown-on ring segments which can be removed by the consumer and can therefore no longer be sent to a recycling process. Incidentally, it can also be seen that the smooth outer wall of the screw cap reduces the possibility of injuries to a minimum when the container is being transported. Furthermore, it is practically impossible for objects to get caught on the outside of the screw cap and damage it, so that it is falsified for the consumer there is the impression that the closure has already been opened.

If the screw closure is equipped with a single ring segment area which is spread along the predetermined breaking line when it is opened for the first time, manipulations can already be recognized by the consumer. A preferred embodiment of the screw closure, however, preferably has three segments, each of which extends over a range of 120 °. At the ends of the individual ring segments, retaining webs span the predetermined breaking line, which do not tear off when the closure is opened for the first time. In the immediate vicinity of these retaining webs, the wall of the guarantee ring is provided with deformation areas which deform irreversibly when first opened. In particular, closures are used which each have a deformable area on both sides of the individual ring segments. The spread ring segments are therefore particularly secure in their Spread position held. Manipulations at the closure can be easily recognized from all directions.

Another embodiment of the screw closure is characterized in that the deformation regions of the guarantee ring have material deformation sections. The deformation ensures a solidification of the wall material of the guarantee and / or a pretension within the ring. The material hardening within the deformation areas leads to the spread-apart ring area being better held in this position and not being able to be returned to its original position. Unless bringing a bias in the guarantee ring with ^'the aid of the material deformation ein¬, this is formed so that the biasing forces urging the ring into its splayed position, so that fault line to rupture of the Soll¬ is preclude recycling of the splayed Ring¬ segments. In particular, increased security is achieved in that attempts to bend the guarantee ring back into its original position are made even more difficult.

Also preferred is an embodiment of the screw closure in which the outside of the guarantee ring is highlighted in color at least in the area in which the predetermined breaking line tears open when the closure is opened for the first time. As a result, the consumer can see through the predetermined breaking line onto barbs designed as tabs, the upper side of which is contrasted in color with the color of the outside of the guarantee ring. To this Broken screw caps are very easy to distinguish from undamaged.

Furthermore, an embodiment of the screw closure is preferred in which the closure cap and the guarantee ring are made in one piece from plastic. Such closures can be produced particularly inexpensively, for example by means of a plastic injection molding process or co-pression-aging process.

Finally, an embodiment of the screw closure is preferred in which the guarantee is connected to a supporting ring made of plastic via the predetermined breaking line and both parts are formed in one piece and can preferably be produced by means of a plastic injection molding process or a compression molding process. The unit comprising the carrying and guarantee ring can be used on the one hand in connection with plastic sealing caps and on the other hand together with metal sealing caps. The guarantor ring can therefore be combined with conventional sealing caps without further ado, without requiring any special adaptation.

Further configurations of the screw closure result from the other subclaims.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing. Show it: FIG. 1 shows a horizontal section of a first exemplary embodiment of a screw closure;

FIG. 2 shows a partial view of a screw closure provided with material deformation sections;

FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the region of the closure provided with material deformation sections.

FIG. 4 shows a further embodiment of the closure with modified material deformation sections;

FIG. 5 shows a vertical section through a further exemplary embodiment of a screw closure;

Figure 6 shows a horizontal section through the embodiment of the screw cap shown in Figure 5;

FIG. 7 shows a vertical section through a further exemplary embodiment of the screw closure and

Figure 8 is a schematic vertical section through a screw cap with a metal cap.

The screw cap described in the following has a customary cap, which starts from a bottom receiving a seal, which defines the mouth of the container or the covers the bottle to be closed, and a springing side wall with an internal thread.

At the bottom of the wall there is at least one barb, which is designed to be resilient and resiliently rests against the inner wall of the screw closure when the container is closed for the first time and thus slides along the external thread of the container.

Figure 1 shows a horizontal section through a screw closure, which is guided parallel to the cover area closing the mouth of the container. The representation in FIG. 1 shows a top view of the ring cut from the closure, that is to say a view from the bottom of the closure to the outside.

It can be seen from the illustration that the screw closure 1 has retaining webs 5 and tear-off webs 7 projecting from its inner wall 3. The holding and tear-off webs span a predetermined breaking line which separates a guarantee ring 9 from the rest of the screw closure. In the circumferential direction, the tear-off webs 7 extend over a much smaller area than the holding webs 5. For example, the tear-off webs can be 0.3 to 0.4 mm wide, while the width of a holding web could be approximately 3 mm. With these figures, it is assumed that the inside diameter of the closure or guarantee ring 9 is approx. Is 29 mm. The thickness of the holding or tear-off webs here is approximately 0.4 mm.

The exemplary embodiment shown here has nine holding webs arranged at a distance from one another. From the inner surface 3 of the guarantee ring 9 there spring two tabs 11 and 13 serving as barbs, which are provided on their upper side with stiffening webs 15, the width of which is considerably smaller than that of the individual tabs. One of the tabs 11 is here provided with a wider stiffening ramp 17, the function of which will be discussed in more detail below.

Immediately in the region of the tear-off webs 7, the surface of the tabs 11 and 13 is provided with a trough-shaped recess 19, the dimensions of which are selected so that when the tabs 11 and 13 are folded against the inner surface 3, the tear-off webs 7 come to rest in the recess 19 and do not hinder a pivoting movement of the tabs.

In the case of the guarantee ring 9 shown here, a total of two barbs 11 and 13 serving as barbs are shown, which are arranged in a ring segment extending approximately 120 ", at each end of which a holding web 5 is provided. The width of the tabs is selected such that they spring up near the retaining webs and extend almost over the entire length of the segment. In the middle of the segment there is a gap between the tabs. The two side edges of the first tab 11 close with the inner surface 3 the guarantee ring 9 an angle of about 90 °. In the case of the second tab 13, the side edge facing the first tab 11 is also designed such that it encloses an angle of approximately 90 ° with the inner surface 3 of the guarantee ring 9. The opposite side edge slopes down in the manner of a ramp at an angle of approximately 45 ° to the inner surface.

The wall 21 of the guarantee ring 9 can have a uniform thickness over its entire course. In the exemplary embodiment shown here, depressions 23 are introduced into the wall from the outside, which lead to a reduction in the wall thickness to approximately one third. The -also on the side of the wall Innen¬ einbringbaren- recesses are in each case arranged in the area of holding webs 5, which are arranged in the end region of the ring segment, to which the ^'tabs 11 and 13 are provided. The width of the depressions 23 is approximately three times the width of the holding webs 5.

It has already been indicated that the screw cap 1 is provided with an internal thread on its inside. The tabs 11 and 13 are arranged in such a way that they are arranged in the area of the thread runout, that is to say in the area which is subjected to the greatest force when the closure is opened.

FIG. 2 shows a section of a further exemplary embodiment of a guarantee ring 9, on the inner surface 3 of which in turn tabs 11 and 13 leap. Here, too, apart from tear-off webs 7, a holding web 5 can be seen. Corresponding parts already shown in FIG. 1 are provided with the same reference numbers, so that their description can be dispensed with.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, too, the thickness of the wall 21 in the region of the holding webs 5 is reduced by introducing a depression 23. It can be seen here, however, that material deformation sections 27 are provided in the immediate vicinity of the holding web in the wall region 25 of reduced thickness created by the recess 23, which deformation sections 27 were introduced into the wall of the guarantee 9, for example by a roller-burnishing or embossing process . The wall areas 25, which serve as deformation areas according to the following explanations, are subjected to cold forming by the rolling or embossing process, which on the one hand leads to material strengthening and on the other hand leads to a prestressing within the guarantee ring.

The configuration of the material deformation sections 27 can be matched, for example, to the material properties of the guarantee ring, which is made of plastic.

The material deformation sections 27 can also be provided on the inner surface of the guarantee ring 9. Even in this way, material strengthening or pre-stretching can be achieved, due to which a splayed ring segment is held securely in this position.

From FIG. 3, which shows a top view of the outer surface of the guarantee ring 9 shown in FIG. 2 in the area of a retaining web 5, it can be seen that the recess 23 has parallel side walls 23a and 23b and that the material deformation distances 27 are circular. They are arranged within the recess 23 in such a way that they each come to lie half above and below a predetermined breaking line 29 which is spanned by the retaining webs 5 and the tear-off webs 7. In this way it is achieved that material deformation or prestressing occurs only in the upper region of the wall 21 of the guarantee ring 9. A material deformation also takes place in the area of the closure 1, which lies above the guarantee ring 9, but is ultimately of no importance for the function of the guarantee ring.

FIG. 4 shows a further embodiment of a closure 1 in a bottom view. Parts that have already been explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 are provided with the same reference numbers, so that their detailed description can be dispensed with here.

It can be seen that a total of six tabs are distributed here on the inner surface 3 of the guarantee ring 9, each of which is assigned to ring segments 31, 33 and 35, each of which extends over a same circumferential area — here of 120 ° —of the guarantee tierings 9 extend. In the transition area between two ring segments, 9 retaining webs 5 are provided on the inner surface 3 of the guarantee ring. In this exemplary embodiment, three tear-off webs 7 are present between two adjacent holding webs. Here, too, the holding and tear-off webs span a predetermined breaking line, as can be seen from FIG. 3.

The number and shape of the tabs can be adapted to the conditions of the container to be closed. In principle, it is also possible to provide a single tab approximately in the middle of a ring segment, which deflects the segment when the closure is first opened and thus leads to an irreversible deformation of the deformation regions.

The number of ring segments can also be freely selected. Guarantee rings with one or three segments are shown in the figures. It is of course also possible to provide two segments or more than three segments.

In the bottom view in FIG. 4, areas of the internal thread 37 already mentioned above can be seen, which is provided on the inner surface 3 of the screw closure.

At the holding webs 5 located between two ring segments, the wall 21 is reduced in thickness by depressions 23. Material deformation sections 27 are again provided on one of the holding webs in the wall region 25 of reduced thickness. Sections of this type have been drawn in only one of the depressions 23 by way of example only. They are preferably provided on all end regions of the ring segments, that is to say in their deformation regions.

In the exemplary embodiment shown here, three adjacent channels have been introduced as material deformation sections 27 into the wall region 25 of reduced material thickness. The number of channels can be adapted to the plastic material used for the guarantee ring 9. It is also possible to vary the width of the channels in their course: for example, in the area of the guarantee ring 9 which adjoins the predetermined breaking line 29 (see FIG. 3), the width of the channels could be chosen to be greatest, while at the opposite end of the guarantee ring, that is to say at its lower edge, the channels have a smaller width. Overall, in this embodiment there would be a V-shaped run of the channels, with the result that there is greater material deformation in the upper wall area of the guarantee ring 9 and thus greater prestress than in the lower wall area.

FIG. 5 shows a vertical section through a further exemplary embodiment of a screw closure 1. Parts already mentioned in FIGS. 1 to 4 are given the same reference numbers here, so that their descriptions can be dispensed with. The sectional view shows that the screw closure has a horizontal bottom 39 covering the mouth region of a container to be closed, on the inside of which a seal 41 is suitably attached. A side wall 43 arises from the bottom 39, on the inner surface of which the internal thread 37 is provided. The embodiment of the screw closure 1 shown here is an all-plastic closure which is formed in one piece with the guarantee ring 9 and is connected to it by a predetermined breaking line 29 which is spanned by tear-off webs 7 and retaining webs 5. The webs spring up on the inner surface of the screw closure or guarantee ring and remain undamaged when a circumferential horizontal cut is made, if the cut is only made so deep that only the side wall 43 or wall 21 of the guarantee ring is just added 9 is intersected. The horizontal cut can be made all the way round, regardless of the embodiment of the screw closure 1. In an exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1, in which only one ring segment is specified, the horizontal section need only be provided in the region of this segment, because a predetermined breaking line is only required there. In addition, the guarantee ring remains connected to the wall 43 even when the associated closure is opened for the first time via the retaining webs 5 or the undamaged side wall without a predetermined breaking line. In the illustration shown in FIG. 5, the trough-shaped recesses 19 on the tops of the tabs 11 and 13 can be seen particularly clearly, which serve to accommodate the associated tear-off webs 7 when the tabs are folded onto the inner surface of the closure . In Figure 5, the tabs are inclined downwards. This arrangement is obtained after the closure 1 has been produced in a plastic injection molding process. When the screw cap is first placed on a container to be closed, the tabs 11 ″ and 13 are pivoted upwards at an angle, which is shown, for example, in FIG. 7.

Are on the inner surface of the side walls 43. Above the predetermined breaking line, 29 contact areas 45 are provided, which are characterized in that the wall thickness to the interior of the closure is increased in these areas. There are thus, so to speak, projections in the interior of the closure which are arranged in such a way that they cooperate with the stiffening ramps 17 on the tabs 11 and prevent the tabs from being displaced too far outward in the direction of the closure when pivoted upwards.

All of the exemplary embodiments have in common that the length of the tabs 11 and 13 is selected so that when they are folded up they lie above the predetermined breaking line 29 on the inner surface of the screw closure. The stiffening webs 15 or stiffening ramps 17 have a greater thickness on the end face of the tabs 11 than in the area the origin of the tabs. The length of the tabs is chosen in comparison to the length of the ramps so that the ramps do not reach the inner surface 3 of the guarantee ring 9. In this way it is ensured that when the tabs are folded up only slight forces are exerted on the inner surface of the guarantee ring 9 and that forces are exerted on the inner surface of the side wall 23 of the closure 1. As a result, the predetermined breaking line remains intact when the closure is first placed on a container.

FIG. 6 shows a section which is guided horizontally through the screw closure 1 shown in FIG. 5 above the predetermined breaking line 29. In this illustration, one can see the top sides of the tabs 11 and 13. In the figures discussed, parts that correspond to one another are provided with the same reference numbers in this figure, so that the description of these elements can be omitted here.

It can be seen from the illustration in FIG. 6 that the guarantee ring 9 in turn has three ring segments, from each of which two tabs 11 and 13 serving as abutments arise. When looking at the top of the tabs, the stiffening webs 15 and the stiffening ramps 17 are clearly recognizable. The trough-shaped recesses 19, which are each assigned to a tear-off web 7, are also clearly visible. In this exemplary embodiment, the wall areas 25 are not covered with material deformation sections see. These sections explained with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 or 4 can, however, also be provided here. 6 shows in particular the contact areas 45, which are distinguished by a material application projecting into the interior of the closure and each serve as a stop for the stiffening ramp 17 of the tab 11.

FIG. 7 shows a vertical section through a further exemplary embodiment of a screw closure 1. Parts described with reference to the figures mentioned above have the same reference numerals, so that their detailed description can be dispensed with.

The screw cap 1 shown in FIG. 7, like the one shown in FIG. 5, has a horizontal base 39 which is assigned to the mouth region of the container to be closed and is provided with a seal 41. The side wall 43 extending from the floor extends essentially vertically, so that a cup-shaped or cup-shaped closure is formed, on the inside of which an internal thread 37 is provided. At the lower edge of the side walls, a safety ring 9 is provided via a predetermined breaking line 29, which is spanned by tear-off webs 7 and holding webs 5, from whose inner surface 3 tabs 11 and 13 serving as barbs spring. In the illustration chosen here, the tabs are inclined upwards and enclose an acute angle of approx. 40 ° with the inner surface of the closure. In the transition area Between the tabs and the guarantee ring, several deformation areas 47 are provided for each tab, which, for example, are embossed from below into the. Wall of the closure are introduced. These areas are preferably introduced by cold working, so that, due to the material stiffening, the tabs are stabilized in the position shown.

The screw closures shown with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7 are designed as all-plastic closures. That is, the closure caps comprising the base 39 and the side wall 43 are made of plastic, as is the guarantee ring 9-. Both parts consist of one piece and are preferably manufactured in a plastic injection molding process. The predetermined breaking line 29 is produced by a circumferential horizontal section, the depth of which is selected such that the side wall 43 or the wall 21 of the guarantee ring 9 is cut through, but not the one on the inner surface of the guarantee ring or the side wall into the interior of the Closure protruding tear-off webs 7 or holding webs 5. The undamaged webs hold the guarantee ring on the closure cap.

On the basis of FIG. 8 it is to be shown schematically that the guarantee ring 9 can very well also be provided with a so-called combination closure 10, which has a closure cap made of thermoformable material, preferably made of aluminum and carries a guarantee in its lower wall area. The closure cap has a base 51 which is assigned to the mouth area of a container 53, which is only indicated here. A side wall 55 arises from the bottom 51, which is designed in its lower edge region 57 in such a way that it receives or holds a support ring 59, which is connected to a guarantee ring 9 via a predetermined breaking line 29. The predetermined breaking line 29 is, as explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7, spanned by retaining webs 5 and tear-off webs 7, preferably the support ring 59 and the guarantee ring. 9 formed in one piece and produced by means of a plastic injection molding process.

The guarantee ring 9 is of identical design, as explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7. The support ring 59 could, for example, have a larger outer diameter than the guarantee ring, so that it is anchored to the closure cap by a flanged edge in the lower wall area of the screw closure 10. The inner surface of the support ring 59 is designed in the same way as the inner surface of the lower side wall region of the screw closures 1 made of all-plastic (see FIGS. 1 to 7 in this regard). For example, in addition to the holding and tear-off webs 5 and 7, contact areas 45 can also be provided, against which stiffening ramps 17 provided on the tabs 11 of the guarantee ring 9 strike when the screw closure 10 is first placed on a container 53, the tabs opposing one another place the inner surface of the support ring 59. With such a high fold the tabs, the inner surface of the support ring above the predetermined breaking line 29 is subjected to an expansion force, while the predetermined breaking line itself remains practically unloaded. Therefore, the combination of support and guarantee ring remains unchanged when the closure 10 is first put on.

FIG. 8 also shows that the container 53 is provided with an external thread 61, into which an internal thread 63 of the metal closure cap of the screw closure 10 can engage. The internal thread 63 can be produced, for example, by a rolling process.

Below the external thread 61, a stop bead 65 is provided, under which the tabs 11 and 13 can snap in when the screw closure 10 is fully seated on the container 53.

Similar conditions naturally also arise when a full plastic closure, as explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7, is placed on a container. When put on the tabs 11 and 13 pivot against the inner surface of the closure and spring back after the complete placement of the closure in the direction of the outer wall of the container. The distance between the stop bead 65 and the mouth area of the container 53 to be closed is selected so that the tabs spring back under the stop bead in the direction of the outer surface of the container and act as a serve the hook. This applies both to full plastic closures (see FIGS. 1 to 7) and to combination closures according to FIG. 8.

Due to the fact that the tabs are flexibly connected to the guarantee ring, it remains intact when the closure is put on for the first time. In addition, the ramp-like stiffening webs on the surface of the tabs ensure that when the tabs are deflected against the inside of the closure, the predetermined breaking line is loaded very little and therefore remains intact. Due to the ramp-like configuration and the thickness of the hooks given in the front area of the tabs, the tabs can slide very difficultly between the inner surface of the closure and the outer surface of the container when first opened. In addition, the tabs can be prevented from folding back by the contact areas 45, which make it impossible to pivot the tabs back too far. In this way it is ensured that the tabs spring back securely under the stop bead 65 on the container and cannot slide along the outside of the container even when the closure is first opened.

It is readily apparent that when the closure is opened for the first time, the tabs hook like a barb under the bulge on the container and do not participate in an upward movement of the closure when it is screwed on. This results in tearing forces acting in the vertical direction, which tear-off webs 7 in the area of the target Detonate fracture line 29. The retaining webs 5 are, however, so wide and thus of a fixed design that damage to these areas is not possible. The resilient tabs on the one hand compensate for differences in tolerance between the inside diameter of the closure and the outside diameter of the bottles, and on the other hand there is also a widening of the diameter of the guarantee ring, so that the breaking line 29 in the area of the tabs 11 and 13 is torn open.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 1, only a ring segment with tabs 11 and 13 is seen. These are preferably provided in the thread run-out area, that is to say in the area in which particularly high, vertically directed forces arise. As a result, the tear-off webs in the area of the predetermined breaking line are opened with a high degree of certainty.

The straps are provided on their upper side with stiffening webs or with a stiffening ramp which prevent the straps from being compressed and thus ensure that the blasting forces introduced into the straps are transmitted. The deformation areas 47 explained in FIG. 7 additionally prevent the tabs from being folded down when the closure is first opened, and the opening forces not being converted into an explosion of the predetermined breaking line.

When the closure is opened for the first time, the ring segments become so from the tabs 11 and 13 recorded that they can only follow an upward movement of the closure in the area of their holding webs, while a maximum deflection downwards occurs approximately in the middle between two holding webs. As a result, the wall areas of the ring segments which directly adjoin the holding webs are strongly deformed. These areas are therefore defined as deformation areas. The material of the guarantee ring 9 made of plastic is selected such that the deformation areas are irreversibly deformed when the closure is first opened. As a result, attempts to push the ring segments back into their original position or to bend them fail. In principle, it is possible for each ring segment to have only one deformation region near an associated retaining web. In the exemplary embodiment, in which only one ring segment is provided, which extends approximately over 120 °, it is also possible that a predetermined breaking line is provided only in the area of this segment, and that the other wall areas of the all-plastic closure or respectively the unit consisting of the carrying and guarantee ring remain intact and thus survive an undamaged opening of the lock. In this case, retaining webs at the end of the ring segment could be dispensed with.

In order to achieve a higher level of display security, the closures are preferably designed in such a way that deformation regions are provided at both ends of a ring segment, so that the deformed segment is opened after the closure has been opened for the first time. ment is held in its spread position. In addition, a locking device can be provided on the inner surface of the closure or of the support ring, which engages in the tabs when the ring segment area is spread apart. In this way, bending back of the segment areas can additionally be avoided.

In the exemplary embodiments of the closures shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, a depression 23 is made in the area of the holding webs 5 in the outer wall of the guarantee ring 9. These grooves present in the outer surface of the closure can be used to pick up the closure with a picking device and to keep it oriented in such a way that the position of the retaining webs is known for further processing steps. For example, by detecting the closure in this way, only a limited area of the outer wall can be provided with a predetermined breaking line. If a circumferential predetermined breaking line is desired, which is introduced by a horizontal cut extending over 360 °, the depressions 23 can also be dispensed with. In addition, such depressions could also be provided on the inside of the closure if it is to be gripped in an oriented manner.

The deformation regions provided at the end of the respective ring segments can additionally be provided with material deformation sections 27, which are introduced, for example, by circular stamping dies, as is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 has been explained. It is also possible to provide one or more grooves running alongside one another in the material deformation sections, which are likewise made by an embossing or cold deformation process. By treating the deformation areas in this way, material hardening takes place, which leads to the fact that the deformation areas are deformed all the more irreversibly when the closure is opened for the first time. This is because the material is stretched here, which is further reinforced by the pretreatment.

Through a special design of the material deformation sections, for example through V-shaped grooves, or through the targeted introduction of such sections in the upper area of the guarantee, a pre-tensioning of the guarantee ring can be set, which additionally leads to the guarantee ring after the the first opening of the lock remains in a spread position.

It is essential for the deformation areas that an irreversible deformation of the material is ensured when the closure is opened for the first time. This can be ensured on the one hand by the choice of the plastic material of the guarantee ring, and on the other hand by the fact that the deformation areas are provided with special material deformation sections, in which material hardening or prestressing is achieved. In order to achieve an irreversible deformation of the deformation regions with certainty, the tabs 11 and 13 serving as abutments are designed to be particularly stable in themselves. They therefore have the stiffening webs 15 or ramps 17 described. In addition, they are very stably connected to the guarantee ring 9 via the deformation regions 47 shown in FIG. 7, so that high forces can be introduced into the guarantee ring.

It can be seen that the guarantee ring 9 remains intact along its circumferential surface even when it is opened for the first time and that only the predetermined breaking line tears open in a defined area and enables a ring segment to be deflected or spread downward. The ring segments are held in the spread-apart position by the deformation regions, so that manipulations on the container can be reliably recognized by the consumer. As a result of the fact that the guarantee ring remains intact in the horizontal direction, no burrs or edges can arise which could result in injury to the consumer. On the other hand, closures designed in this way or combinations of carrying and guaranteeing can easily be automatically further processed in a later recycling process. Hopper used for sorting can work without incident since the closures cannot get caught there due to the missing burrs and edges - which are provided on the vertical incisions of conventional guarantee rings. It is therefore, for example easily possible to automatically sort the all-plastic closures and align them so that the sealing insert can be removed automatically.

From what has been said above, it can also be seen that high forces can be introduced into the predetermined breaking line area to be blown open because the tabs are very stable due to the stiffening webs and the deformation areas 47. In this way, the deformation areas can be deformed with great force, so that there is certainly an irreversible material expansion which precludes the spreading back of the ring segment area from its original position. For the function of the guarantee ring, it is irrelevant whether these or to the casing ei¬ ner closure cap of a full plastic closure is directly connected via a predetermined breaking line with a plastic supporting ring, which is detected by ^'a metallic cap and held. In both cases, the guarantee can be blown open along the predetermined breaking line without damage to its peripheral surface and can be spread out in some areas.

Due to the special design of the stiffening webs on the upper side of the tabs, there is a great relief of the predetermined breaking line, that the tolerance ranges, that is, the maximum dimensional deviations between the external thread of the container to be closed and the inner diameter which is produced when the closure is put on of the closure, can be chosen very closely. Also in the case where the inside diameter of the closure is somewhat smaller than the outer diameter of the container, the predetermined breaking line is loaded so little that the closure can be put on without damage. ^'

In principle, the ring segment regions that are spread apart in the axial direction are very easily recognizable. The optical detection of manipulations can, however, be further improved in that the outer surface of the closure is colored in the area of the ring segments to be spread. A continuous colored line is then interrupted by the broken line. The top of the tabs present in this area can shine through the predetermined breaking line. If, for example, the jacket area of the closure is red here, a white surface of the tabs can be clearly visible, for example. Conversely, in the case of, for example, a white closure, a red upper side of the tabs can be detected very easily when a predetermined breaking line is blown open. Color differences between the outer surface of the closure and the upper side of the tabs make manipulations on the closure even more clearly visible to a consumer.

In addition to the advantages mentioned, namely that there is practically no risk of injury to consumers, it follows that the guarantee ring is lifted from the container intact with the closure. Even when the closure is put back on, there are no free-standing ring segment areas that could obstruct the thread. A deliberate tearing off of ring segments is also not easily possible, so that these parts cannot get into the environment. It is also avoided that ring segments are thrown into empty bottles. In the past, this has often resulted in these parts not being removed during the automatic cleaning of bottles. Therefore, cleaning processes had to be repeated or bottles completely discarded.

Claims

Expectations

1. Screw closure for containers with an external thread in their mouth area, in particular for bottles, with a plastic guarantee ring connected to the closure, which has at least one of a., Connected to the closure via a predetermined breaking line spanned by tear-off webs when the closure was first opened Has barbs originating on the inside, characterized in that the guarantee ring (9) is designed as a continuous ring with at least one deformation region (25) which is irreversibly deformable when the closure (1) is first opened.

2. Screw cap according to claim 1, characterized in that the deformation area (25) is arranged where, when the predetermined breaking line 29 is opened, the area blown open merges into the intact area.

3. Screw closure according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the guarantee ring (9) has individual, preferably three ring segments (31,33,35), at the ends of which the predetermined breaking line (29) over-span End, when the first opening of the closure (1) remains undamaged retaining webs (5) are provided, and that deformation areas (25) are provided at one or both ends of the segments.

4. Screw closure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the thickness of the wall (21) of the guarantee ring (9) is reduced at least in an end region of the predetermined breaking line (29) which is blown open when first opened to form a deformation region (25) is.

5. Screw closure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the or the deformation areas (25) have at least one material deformation section (27), in which a material consolidation and / or a prestress within the guarantee ring (9) is given.

6. Screw closure according to claim 5, characterized in that the Materialverformungsab¬ sections (27) by embossing or rolling operations are producible.

7. Screw closure according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the Materialverformungsab¬ sections (27) extend over the entire height of the Garan¬ tierings (9) and are preferably V-shaped, the wider area of the material deformation sections near the predetermined breaking line ¬ never (29) is arranged.

8. Screw cap according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the inner surface (3) of the guarantee ring (9) preferably on its lower edge serving as barbed tabs (11, 13) are provided, which with the closure (1) underneath protrude upward at an acute angle, one side edge of which arises near the end region of a ring segment and which are spaced from one another approximately in the middle of the segment, and whose length is greater than the height of the guarantee ring (9).

9. Screw closure according to claim 8, characterized in that the tabs (11, 13) are provided on their upper side with stiffening webs (15, 17), the height of which is greater at the end face of the tabs than in their area of origin, and their length is preferably smaller is than that of the tabs, the webs preferably extending to the front of the tabs.

10. Screw closure according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that a contact area (45) is provided on the inner surface of the closure (1) in the area of the tabs (11, 13), which engages the tabs (11, 13). prevented on the inner surface.

11. Screw closure according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the tabs (11, 13) are provided with deformation areas (47) in their transition area to the guarantee ring (9).

12. Screw closure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer side of the guarantee ring (9) is at least in the Be¬ area when the first opening breakable Soll¬ break line (29) is color-contrasted to the top of the tab (11, 13).

13. Screw closure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guarantee (9) is connected via the predetermined breaking line (29) directly to the casing (43) of the screw closure (l) also made of plastic.

14. Screw cap according to claim 13, characterized in that the closure cap and the guarantee ring (9) 'are formed in one piece and can preferably be produced by means of a plastic injection molding process or a compression molding process.

15. Screw closure according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the guarantee ring (9) via a predetermined breaking line (29) with a Trag¬ ring (59) made of plastic is connected.

16. Screw cap according to claim 15, characterized ge indicates that the support ring (59) and the Garan¬ tiering (9) are integrally formed and can preferably be produced by means of a plastic injection molding process or a compression molding process, and that the support ring on a closure cap a screw cap (10) can be attached.

17. Screw closure according to claim 16, characterized in that the screw closure (10) has a closure cap made of deep-drawing material, in particular aluminum and that the support ring (59) can be attached to it by means of a positive connection.