WO2000037328A1

WO2000037328A1 - Closing cap

Info

Publication number: WO2000037328A1
Application number: PCT/HU1999/000099
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mihály RIGÓ
Original assignee: Rigo Mihaly
Priority date: 1998-12-18
Filing date: 1999-12-18
Publication date: 2000-06-29
Also published as: HU9800311V0; HU1538U; AU1885000A

Abstract

There is provided a closing cap preferably for vessels containing, holding and/or storing liquid substances for example bottles or boxes, which ensures appropriate closing, frequent openings and closings, and if needed easy opening with one hand and hygienic pouring of the liquid contained therein. The closing cap consists of a pouring outlet (7) and a lid (2) made in one piece with the lower part (1) joining with a flexible part (17) to the lower part (1), on the inner side of the said lid (2) a closing tumbler (8) is formed fitting into the pouring outlet (7) of the closing cap and there is a pouring flange (5) on the pouring outlet (7). The closing cap is characterised in that the lower part (1) and the lid (2) is connected with a hinge (3), in the said hinge (3) there is a flexible part (17) forming the folding line (V) of the lower part (1) and of the lid (2), further there is a flap (4) between the lower part (1) and the lid (2) ensuring fixing of the lid (2) in open position and its drawing in to closed position, further in the inside of the lid (2) there is a closing tumbler (8) which joins below the slightly bending pouring flange (5) of the closing cap when closing is carried out.

Description

Closing can

The utility model is a closing cap preferably for vessels containing, holding and/or storing liquid substances for example bottles or boxes, which ensures appropriate closing, frequent openings and closings, and if needed easy opening with one hand and hygienic pouring of the liquid contained therein.

According the art of technique the description of a Hungarian utility model No. HU 796 makes known a closing device for bottles containing drinks. The closing element is injection-moulded plastic and it consists of a lower part and a joining upper part. The lower part is fitted to the bottleneck part to be sealed. On the lower part there is a pouring flange, below it a neck, further a threaded part and a mantle. Inside the lower part the pouring outlet is closed by a blocking membrane, a tearing ring is fixed to the blocking membrane, there is a turbine consisting of tongues in the pouring outlet, further there is an inner collar in the inside of the lower part.

Although this closing device solves well the pouring of the liquid and that of the safe closing of the inner side of the bottle, but it is made of two parts, so both hands are needed when opening respectively closing the separate upper part joining with a threaded part. After having opened the separate upper part requires extra handling, its placing and keeping in a hygienic condition can not be always solved.

Austrian patent description No. AT 341 894 describes a one-piece closing cap, aiming to make a closing cap not to be opened by children. The lower and upper parts are joined by a flexible plastic joint. The closing of the closing cap takes place so, that the inner closing rim of the upper part of the closed cap fitting into the pouring outlet of the lower part closes the pouring outlet. The opening of the cap is possible with the inward pressure of the sides of the upper part, when the upper part is deformed so, that the coupling members on the front part of the upper and lower parts move off, so the upper part of the closing cap can be folded. To open this closing cap, though made in one piece, both hands are needed similarly to other closing elements. This embodiment does not properly solve the pouring of the content of the bottle, and its closing is not safe.

Working out the solution according to the utility model we aim to make a closing cap for vessels containing, holding and/or storing liquid substances for example bottles or boxes, which besides eliminating the discrepancies of the already known solutions ensures appropriate closing, frequent opening and closing, if needed easy opening with one hand, hygienic pouring of the liquid, and it can be made of plastic by injection moulding.

Working out the solution of the utility model we realised as an inventive step, that if the upper and lower parts of the closing cap are connected with a hinge, and in the said hinge a flexible part is made forming the folding line of the lower part and the lid, further there is a flap ensuring fixing of the lid in open position and drawing it into closed position, further in the inner side of the lid a closing tumbler is formed joining below the slightly bending pouring flange of the lower part of the closing cap, then the set aim can be achieved.

The utility model is a closing cap for vessels containing, keeping and/or storing liquid substances for example bottles or boxes. The closing cap consisting of a pouring outlet and a lid made in one piece with the lower part joining with a flexible part to the lower part, on the inner side of the said lid a closing tumbler is formed fitting into the pouring outlet of the closing cap and there is a pouring flange on the pouring outlet. The closing cap is characterised by that, the lower part and the lid is connected with a hinge, in the said hinge there is a flexible part forming the folding line of the lower part and of the lid, further there is a flap between the lower part and the lid ensuring fixing of the lid in open position and its drawing in to closed position, further in the inside of the lid there is a closing tumbler which joins below the slightly bending pouring flange of the closing cap when closing is carried out. In a preferred embodiment of the utility model of the closing cap in the inner side of the lid there are more, preferably two closing tumblers placed symmetrically on the opposite side of the flexible connection of the lid. L a case of a further preferred embodiment of the utility model the lid joins the lower part with more, preferably two hinges between which the flap is located and the hinge is placed between them. In an other case of a preferred embodiment the flexible parts of the hinge(s) a rib is advantageously formed.

In a preferred embodiment of the utility model in the upper part of the closing cap preferably on the opposite side of the flexible connection there is an opening seat, above which an opening edge is advantageously formed. The sides of the lid of the closing cap are advantageously ribbed. As a further preferred embodiment is that in the cylindrical pouring outlet an eddy-damping is formed consisting of radial tongues ensuring steady flow when pouring out the liquid. In the lower part of the closing cap there is a fastening part ensuring connection to the bottle or vessel containing liquid substance, for example clamping rim or screw-thread.

The raw material of the closing cap according to the utility model is advantageously thermoplastic resin suitable for injection-moulding, preferably a polyolefine, for example polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), or polyoxyl-methacrylate (POM).

The solution according to the utility model is described below by the enclosed figures:

Figure 1 shows the bottom view of preferred embodiment of the utility model of the closing cap in open position.

Figure 2 shows the side elevation of preferred embodiment of the utility model of the closing cap in open position.

Figure 3 shows the top view of preferred embodiment of the utility model of the closing cap in open position.

Figure 4 shows the bottom exploded view of preferred embodiment of the utility model of the closing cap in open position. Figure 5 shows the top exploded view of preferred embodiment of the utility model of the closing cap in open position.

Figure 6 shows the bottom view of preferred embodiment of the utility model of the closing cap in closed position. Figure 7 shows the side elevation of preferred embodiment of the utility model of the closing cap in closed position.

Figure 8 shows the top view of preferred embodiment of the utility model of the closing cap in closed position.

Figure 9 shows the top exploded view of preferred embodiment of the utility model of the closing cap in closed position.

Figure 10 shows the A-A section of preferred embodiment of the utility model of the closing cap as shown by Figure 3 in open position.

Figure 11 shows the B-B section of preferred embodiment of the utility model of the closing cap as shown by Figure 3 in open position. Figure 12 shows the A-A section of preferred embodiment of the utility model of the closing cap as shown by Figure 3 in closed position.

Figure 13 shows the B-B section of preferred embodiment of the utility model of the closing cap as shown by Figure 3 in closed position.

Figure 14 shows the preferred embodiment of hinge connecting lower and upper part.

Figure 15 shows an other preferred embodiment of hinge.

Figure 1 shows the bottom view of preferred embodiment of the utility model of the closing cap in open position. The closing cap can be seen from bottom view, consisting of the 1 lower part and the 2 lid joining with the 3 hinges of flexible material. Between the 3 hinges can be found the 4 flap connecting also the 1 lower part and the 2 lid. The V folding line of the 3 hinges is marked on the Figure 1. The 11 fastening part which in given case can be of ring-shape ensuring connection to the bottle or vessel and the 7 pouring outlet are formed in the inner part of the 1 lower part. The 9 eddy-damping consisting of radial 10 tongues ensuring steady flow of pouring is formed in the 7 pouring outlet. The 12 seal closing the 7 pouring outlet from top can be seen on the figure from bottom view. The 2 lid and 15 opening edge can be seen on the figure from top view. Figure 2 shows side elevation of preferred embodiment of the utility model of the closing cap in open position. The 3 hinge joining the 1 lower part with the 2 hd by the V folding line and the slightly bending 5 pouring flange formed advantageously on the 16 neck part of the 1 lower part can also be seen. The 14 opening seat and the 15 opening edge can be seen on the 2 hd in side elevation.

Figure 3 shows preferred embodiment of the utility model of the closing cap in top view in open position with the inner side of the closing cap. The 5 pouring flange formed on the 1 lower part, the 12 seal and the 13 rip-ear ensuring lifting of the 12 seal can also be seen on Figure 3. In the inner side of the 2 lid can be found the 6 closing rim joining flexibly along the V folding line to the 1 lower part through the 3 hinges, further the 14 opening seat and the 15 opening edge on the opposite side of the 1 lower part of the 2 lid. In the inner side of the 2 lid the 8 closing tumblers are in given case symmetrically formed to the 14 opening seat, which are in given case symmetrically placed on the opposite side of the flexible connection of the 2 lid. The A-A- and B-B sections of the closing cap in open position are shown on Figure 3 as well, description of which is as follows:

Figure 4 shows preferred embodiment of the utility model of the closing cap in bottom exploded view. It can be seen, that in the bottom of the cylindrical 1 lower part the 11 ring-shaped fastening part and the cylindrical 7 pouring outlet are formed. The V-shaped 10 tongues of the 9 eddy-damping circumpositioned in the inside of the 7 pouring outlet located radially towards the centre of the 7 pouring outlet can be seen well. The 15 opening edge is marked on the closing rim of the 2 lid joining the 1 lower part with the 3 hinges.

Figure 5 shows preferred embodiment of the utility model of the closing cap in top exploded view in open position. The 5 pouring flange formed on the 1 neck part of the 1 lower part can be seen and within this there is the 12 seal locking the 7 pouring outlet from top, besides the 13 rip-ear ensuring its lifting. The 3 hinges with the V folding line joining the 1 lower part with the 2 lid can be seen well, further the 4 flap placed between the 3 hinges. In the inside of the 2 lid the 6 closing rim is placed fitting to the 5 pouring flange and the 16 neck part of the 1 lower part when folding. Further the 8 closing tumblers joining to the 5 pouring flange located in the inside of the 2 lid and the 14 opening seat formed on the outer closing rim of the lid can be seen.

Figure 6 shows preferred embodiment of the utility model of the closing cap in bottom view in closed position. The 3 hinges are folded along the V folding line and the 4 flap is located within the V folding line.

Figure 7 shows preferred embodiment of the utility model of the closing cap in elevation, in closed position. The 1 lower part and the 2 lid location can be seen in closed position, and further the 3 hinge with the V folding line joining them. On the 2 lid on opposite side of the 3 hinge the 15 opening edge is formed serving the opening by the 14 opening seat formed below.

Figure 8 shows preferred embodiment of the utility model of the closing cap in top view in closed position. Figure 9 shows preferred embodiment of the utility model of the closing cap in top exploded view in closed position. It can be seen on the Figures that the 1 lower part and the 2 lid are preferably of same or almost the same diameter and are matched along the V folding line with the help of the 3 hinges extending from the 1 lower part respectively from 2 lid. The arched 14 opening seat is formed on the 2 lid as a notch and with the help of the 15 opening edge makes easy the opening of the 2 lid.

Figure 10 shows the A-A section made in the middle of the 14 opening seat and the 15 opening edge of the preferred embodiment of the utility model of the closing cap shown on Figure 3 in open position. The inner side of the 1 lower part with the 7 pouring outlet and the 9 eddy-damping consisting of 10 tongues, further above it the 12 seal with the 13 rip-ear located in the 7 pouring outlet can be seen on the Figure. The upper part of the 7 pouring outlet is continued in given case in the 16 neck part where the advantageously bending 5 pouring flange is formed. In the unfolded 2 lid the 14 opening seat formed opposite the joining part of the 3 hinge and the 15 opening edge can be seen, and the 6 closing rim inside the 2 lid.

Figure 11 shows B-B section of the preferred embodiment of the utility model of the closing cap shown on Figure 3 in open position. Unlike Figure 14 this Figure shows the section of the 2 lid taken at the 8 closing tumbler.

Figure 12 shows the preferred embodiment of the utility model of the closing cap in closed position in A-A section of the Figure 3. On Figure 12 the slightly bending closing rim of the 5 pouring flange, the downward conical form of 12 seal and the slightly downward extending V shaped 10 tongues in the cylindrical 7 pouring outlet can be seen. This particular finish of 9 eddy-damping is advantageous from the point of view of production by injection-moulding, and in addition it ensures favourable flowing conditions for the bubble-free pouring of liquid. It can be seen on the Figure, that the closing of the 7 pouring outlet with the help of the joined 1 lower 7 part and the 2 lid takes place so, that the cylindrical 6 closing rim of the 2 lid penetrates into the cylindrical 16 neck part with the 5 pouring flange of the 1 lower part. This way the joining cylindrical surfaces ensure safe closing. It can be seen on the Figure, that there is a slight cut off on the outer closing rim of the 6 closing rim in the inside of the 2 lid easing penetration into the 5 pouring flange. Flexibility and slight outward bending of the 5 pouring flange contribute to the effect as well.

Figure 13 shows the preferred embodiment of the utility model of the closing cap in B-B section of Figure 3 in closed position. On the Figure the point of intersection of the 2 lid is at the 8 closing tumblers. It can be seen on the Figure, that the 5 pouring flange fits in between the 6 closing rim and the 8 closing tumbler and nestles below the 8 closing tumbler as profile-closing. In closed position the 8 closing tumblers penetrate below the 5 pouring flange and there owing to their shape keep the 2 lid tightened downwards in a slightly stretched position.

The gist of the functioning of the 4 flap and 3 hinge assembly of the preferred embodiment is, that the 3 hinge of the preferred embodiment shifts the centre of rotation the V folding line outside the 1 lower part. This ensures two stable positions of the 2 lid as follows:

In open position of the closing cap the 4 flap is in an unstressed, stable position. Then the part of the 4 flap joining the 2 lid is outside the V folding line, which corresponds to the axis of rotation and the complete 4 flap is outside the V folding line. In closed position of the closing cap the 4 flap is in a tightened stable position. The part of the 4 flap joining the 2 lid is within the V folding line, so the complete 4 flap gets within the V folding line. To close the open closing cap the 4 flap is removed from its unstressed position by folding the 2 lid deforming the 4 flap and the stress caused by the deformation shifts the 2 lid into closing direction. As a result the stretching force in the 4 flap presses the 2 lid on the 5 pouring flange on the 1 lower part, on which the 8 closing tumblers first rest. As a result of subsequent stressing force, for example pressing of the lid of the closing cap from above the 8 closing tumblers jump over the flexible 5 pouring flange and resting on the bending closing rim become fixed and by this close the 2 lid to the 1 lower part.

When sizing the 4 flap the closing force can be determined by taking into consideration the mechanical and flexural properties of the applied plastic. It can be achieved by the proper setting of the closing, stretch force that at closing the 8 closing tumblers of the 2 lid jump involuntarily over the 5 pouring flange, respectively the force of the impact of the kinetic energy of the snapping of the 2 lid to the 5 pouring flange deforms the 5 pouring flange to such extent, that the 8 closing tumblers jump over the 5 pouring flange and so it becomes fixed.

In case of another preferred embodiment the V folding line of the 4 flap and 3 hinge is dimensioned so, that the stretch force caused by the deformation of the 4 flap at the closing of the cap is sufficient to induce 8 closing tumblers to jump over the 5 pouring flange.

Figure 14 shows preferred embodiment of the 3 hinge joining the 1 lower part and the 2 lid in section. The 3 hinge joining the 1 lower part and the 2 lid with a wider part is tapering continuously towards its middle. The V folding line is on the thinnest part of the 17 flexible part of the 3 hinge, along which flexibility is ensured by the properties of the applied plastic material. When folding the two parts of the 3 hinge due to tapering the 3 hinge will bend and V folding line is shaped here. The plastic used at the tapering of the 3 hinge is an advantageously flexible material. Its flexibility is also advantageous for meeting other requirements of the closing cap, and it can form such a 17 flexible part, which is tapered to such extent, that it can be folded without causing pre-mature ageing and breaking of the plastic, and so the 1 lower part and the 2 lid are connected with proper mechanical stability. At the closing of the closing cap the material of the 3 hinge extends flexibly along the V folding line and shrinks when unfolded.

Figure 15 shows another preferred embodiment of the hinge. This case in the middle 17 flexible part of the 3 hinge there is a 18 rib formed. This way in the range of the 18 rib the tapered 3 hinge is of nearly the same width. This way the V folding line around which the components of 3 hinge turn gets to the axis of the 18 rib. This way stress is spread within the complete 17 flexible part so, that the 17 flexible part is constrained in itself at folding contributing even more to the spread of the stress of folding.

In case of a given embodiment of the utility model we apply flexible plastic suitable for injection-moulding as the raw material of the closing cap and the properties of the plastic will be used at folding, closing and joining the components of the closing cap. Accordingly the 1 lower part and the 2 lid are joined with a 4 flap of long, thin, rectangular or strip form.

Joining the closing cap according to the utility model to the vessel or bottle is made by a clamping rim shaped in the 1 lower part, or by a screw-thread, or by welding, or using special adhesives, or shrink- fitting to the stud on the vessel or bottle. The given embodiment of the utility model of the closing cap is particularly advantageous in case of a vessel made of plastic, for example tube, bottle, box, container, drum in which case they can be advantageously produced together with the closing cap.

The advantage of the solution according to the utility model is, that opening of the closing cap is simpler and closing is safer and easier. Production process is simple, it can be injection-moulded in one piece, no assembling is necessary after production. In addition to the above it retains all the advantages of closing caps already known and used wide-spread, that is it ensures pouring of the liquid eddy-free and finishing of pouring drip-proof.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. Closing cap preferably for vessels containing, holding and/or storing liquid substances for example for bottles or boxes, the said closing cap consists of a lower part joining to the vessel, consisting of a pouring outlet and a lid made in one piece with the lower part joining with a flexible part to the lower part, on the inner side of the said lid a closing tumbler is formed fitting into the pouring outlet of the closing cap and there is a pouring flange on the pouring outlet,

characterised by that,

the lower part (1) and the lid (2) is connected with a hinge (3), in the said hinge (3) there is a flexible part (17) forming the folding line (V) of the lower part (1) and of the lid (2), further there is a flap (4) between the lower part (1) and the lid (2) ensuring fixing of the lid (2) in open position and its drawing-in to closed position, further in the inside of the lid (2) there is a closing tumbler (8) which joins below the slightly bending pouring flange (5) of the closing cap when closing is carried out.

2. Closing cap as in claim 1, characterised by that inside the lid (2) there are more, preferably two, closing tumblers (8) placed symmetrically on the opposite side of the flexible connection of the lid (2).

3. Closing cap as in claim 1 or 2 characterised by that the lid (2) joins the lower part (1) with more, preferably two hinges (3), the flap (4) is located between the said hinges (3), or there are more, preferably two flaps (4) between the lower part (1) and the lid (2) and the hinge (3) is located between them.

4. Closing cap as in any of the claims 1 to 3, characterised by that in the flexible part of the hinges (3) advantageously a rib (18) is formed.

5. Closing cap as in any of the claims 1 to 4, characterised by that in the upper part of the closing cap, preferably on the opposite side of the flexible connection of the lid (2), there is an opening seat (14), and above the said opening seat (14) advantageously an opening edge (15) is formed.

6. Closing cap as in any of the claims 1 to 5, characterised by that, the side of the lid (2) of the closing cap is ribbed.

7. Closing cap as in any of the claims 1 to 6, characterised by that in the cylindrical pouring outlet (7) there is an eddy-damping (9) consisting of radial tongues (10) ensuring steady flow when pouring out the liquid.

8. Closing cap as in any of the claims 1 to 7, characterised by that there is a fastening part (11) in the lower part (1) of the closing cap ensuring connection to the bottle or vessel containing liquid substance, for example clamping rim or screw-thread.

9. Closing cap as in any of the claims 1 to 8, characterised by that the raw material of the said closing cap is thermoplastic resin suitable for injection-moulding, preferably a polyolefine, for example polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), or polyoxyl-methacrylate (POM).