WO2003057582A1

WO2003057582A1 - Dosing closure for containers

Info

Publication number: WO2003057582A1
Application number: PCT/EP2003/000110
Authority: WO
Inventors: Franz X. Lenz
Original assignee: Seaquist-Löffler Kunststoffwerk Gmbh
Priority date: 2002-01-08
Filing date: 2003-01-08
Publication date: 2003-07-17
Also published as: DE20200204U1; AU2003205577A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a dosing closure for containers (10), comprising a base element (30), for fixing to a dosing element on a container comprising a dosing opening and a lid region (20). At least the lid region (20) is produced by means of a multi-component method, whereby a first component (100), a lid element and a second component (200) form a frame for the lid element. The closure may be simply and economically produced and meets high qualitative requirements. A matching of the closure to particular aesthetic requirements is easily possible.

Description

Dispensing closure for containers

The invention relates to a dispensing closure for containers with a base element for attachment to a dispensing element of a container comprising a dispensing opening and with a lid area.

Dispensing closures for containers, in particular for containers containing flowable material, are known in a variety of designs in the prior art and are used for beverage containers made from different materials, in particular from glass and plastic.

There is a high demand for dispensing closures, which on the one hand are inexpensive to manufacture and on the other hand adequately meet the requirements for their functionality and durability. There is also a need for dispensing closures that meet particularly high aesthetic requirements.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a dispensing closure for containers which is simple and inexpensive to produce, can meet high quality requirements and at the same time can be easily and inexpensively adapted to special aesthetic requirements or to certain functions.

This object is achieved by a delivery closure for containers according to claim 1, the dependent claims relate to particularly advantageous embodiments of the delivery closure according to the invention.

The dispensing closure for containers comprises a basic element for fastening to a dispensing element of a container, the basic element preferably being designed as a fastening collar. Furthermore, the dispensing closure comprises a lid area which adjoins the Basic element connects in order to preferably form a substantially closed, often substantially cylindrical delivery closure.

According to the invention, at least the lid area of the dispensing closure is produced by means of a multi-component method, a first component forming a lid element and a second component forming a frame for the lid element.

Due to the at least two components, such a delivery closure according to the invention can be adapted particularly flexibly to its mode of operation and its requirements, since a total of two components are available, each of which can be optimized largely independently of one another for specific functions or requirements. These functions include both user functions, such as the wish to use such a delivery closure as a dosing unit or dosing cap, as well as requirements for e.g. To understand the stability of the dispensing closure. For example, the second component designed as a frame ensures the shape and / or stability for the lid area of the dispensing closure, while the first component can be optimized for a certain functionality or visual effect, even if this optimization or Adaptation of the first component would lead to the selection of a material or a design of the first component which would not or could not meet these stability and / or shaping requirements without the second component designed as a frame.

Furthermore, such delivery closures according to the invention can also be produced very simply and inexpensively, for example using the injection molding process, each component being able to be produced independently of the other component, and the two components can only be connected to one another in different ways, for example by means of adhesive, molding, and / or frictional engagement, heating and melting of the two components with one another, etc., or also production in a common process step or successively is conceivable.

By using two components, there are also many possibilities for the aesthetic design of such a delivery closure.

For the reasons mentioned above, there is preferably a second component designed as a frame made of a more stable and therefore generally heavier material, while the first component consists of a less stable but generally lighter material which forms an essentially closed, cap-shaped cover element can, but can also extend substantially between the individual frame elements and the basic element of the dispensing closure. Under certain circumstances, the wall thickness of the first component can also be chosen to be greater, equal or also smaller than that of the second component.

However, it is generally preferred to produce the second component from a material with a thicker wall thickness than the first component, the second component thereby meeting the requirements of the lid area of the dispensing closure with regard to stability and / or shape, while the molding of the lid element can be carried out by the first component independently of this by means of a material with a very thin wall thickness. As a result, the total weight of the dispensing closure and the amount of material to be used can be greatly reduced, which leads to a significant cost reduction, which leads to considerable savings, particularly in the case of such a mass product as a dispensing closure. In fact, the total weight of a delivery closure is usually the decisive cost factor and therefore of outstanding importance.

When designing the two components in different wall thicknesses, both, as mentioned above, different materials can be used for the individual components, but it is also possible in principle to use the same materials for both components and only the wall thickness and / or the structure to train differently. Furthermore, it is not necessary for the frame and / or the cover element to have constant wall thicknesses throughout; rather, it is also possible to provide individual parts within a component with greater strength than other parts of the component, in order to, for example, particularly critical areas of the dispensing closure with regard to stability, which are often exposed to stress, particularly to reinforce or at the same time to save material in other areas.

A preferred wall thickness for the second component in the form of a frame is between 0.5 mm and 3 mm, a particularly preferred wall thickness is preferably in a range of approximately 1 mm, the wall thicknesses being able to vary depending on the size of the dispensing closure and the materials chosen and in principle there is a tendency to choose a somewhat larger wall thickness for larger-sized dispensing closures.

For the first component forming the cover element, wall thicknesses are preferably selected which are less than 0.5 mm and preferably in a range between 0.1 mm and 0.3 mm. In extreme cases, the first component can also be a film which can have very thin wall thicknesses in the range of less than 0.1 mm, possibly less than 0.01 mm.

Materials are preferably selected for the first component and the second component which have the lowest possible specific weight, the specific weight of the second component forming the frame preferably being higher than the specific weight of the material of the first component due to the stability requirements. However, this is not absolutely necessary because a stable construction depends not only on the specific weight of a material, but in particular on the rigidity, breaking strength, etc. of the material, especially since the geometric shape and structure of a material can lead to increased stability.

In a preferred embodiment, the first component forming the cover element consists of a softer material than the second component. Since the first component, as explained above, does not have to meet increased stability requirements due to the frame, a softer material can be selected which, on the one hand, can have a lower weight and, on the other hand, is more pleasant for the user of the container or the dispensing closure when handling is and leads to a so-called "soft-touch effect". In a further preferred embodiment, the first component in particular is at least partially transparent. This has the advantage that the dispensing closure according to the invention can also be used as a metering cap or dispensing closure in order to fill the dispensing closure with flowable filling material and to read off the filling quantity. For this purpose, it is also possible for there to be certain measuring lines on the outside and / or inside of the dispensing closure which, for example, indicate the fill level of the dispensing closure in ml or in arbitrary units.

In a preferred embodiment, the first component is made completely transparent, so that it can be seen from the outside through the dispensing closure from as far as possible from each side. However, it is also possible, for example, only certain areas, which if necessary. be used as "measuring strips" to form transparent.

In principle, it is also possible to make the second component of the dispensing closure partially transparent. However, since in one embodiment the first component forming the cover element is preferably designed as a continuous wall, corresponding regions of this first component must also be transparent in addition to the regions of the second component which are transparent.

However, it is also possible not to form the first component forming the cover element continuously and completely, but only to allow it to extend between elements, for example webs or struts of the frame, so that in cross-section parts of the cover area of the dispensing closure e.g. are formed sector-like only by the second component, in which case it is sufficient if only this area of the second component is transparent.

The second component, which forms the frame, preferably consists of at least one, preferably at least two, webs which form a structural or stability frame, with the webs of which the first component can be connected on the inside, outside or side edges thereof. The webs of the second component forming the frame are preferably formed circumferentially around or on the cover area and are also connected to the base element of the dispensing closure, so that the base element and the webs of the frame form a stability unit.

The webs of the frame preferably extend essentially over the entire height of the lid area and preferably also over an upper side of the lid area, so that the lid area is held essentially completely by the webs of the frame. In a preferred, approximately cylindrical cover area, the webs run essentially frame-shaped or, conversely, U-shaped and preferably run through an axis of rotation of a rotationally symmetrical cover area of the dispensing closure.

One or more webs can be provided, which run around the cover area of the dispensing closure, the individual webs each being offset from one another by specific angles. In a preferred embodiment, the webs run essentially at equidistant angular distances, wherein they preferably cross at a center on the top of the lid area of the dispensing closure.

The webs are preferably designed in such a way that they form a lattice structure which surrounds the lid area of the dispensing closure, as a result of which special stability and special aesthetic effects are produced.

It is furthermore particularly preferred that the second component forming the frame of the dispensing closure according to the invention is formed on an outside, while the first component forming the essentially closed cover element is formed in the inner region of the frame.

Such a dispensing closure is preferably produced in one piece by injection molding, the frame for the lid area with the base element, that is to say the second component, first is produced and then sprayed or overmolded with the first component.

It is preferably provided that the second component has only a small proportion of the surface coverage of the cover area, which is just sufficient to achieve the desired stability and / or shape, while the larger part of the cover area is covered by the first component. Depending on the design of the dispensing closure, the second component can cover less than 10%, preferably less than 5% of the surface of the lid area, while the first component preferably covers 90% or even more than 95%> of the surface of the lid area.

Of course, it is also possible, for example for reasons of stability or also for aesthetics, to use the second component more in terms of its surface area. In a preferred delivery closure, however, the second component forming the frame will usually cover a surface area of less than 50% of the lid area, so that the first component always dominates in terms of surface area and thus from a visual point of view in the lid area.

In a further embodiment, it is possible in particular for aesthetic reasons to provide a third or even more components.

These and other features and advantages of the dispensing closure according to the invention will become even clearer with the aid of the attached schematic drawings. Show it:

1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a dispensing closure according to the invention; and

Figure 2 is a perspective, partially sectioned view of a second embodiment of the dispensing closure according to the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a dispensing closure 10 according to the invention for containers (not shown) with a base element 30 for attachment to a dispensing element a container and a lid area 20.

This embodiment of the delivery closure 10 shown in FIG. 1 is essentially cylindrical and has a rotational shape. The base element 30 is designed as a fastening collar and comprises an essentially horizontally extending inner ring 32 which, on its radial inner side, directly adjoins the cover area 20 and bears against it. The inner edge 32 borders radially outward on an obliquely extending outer ring 34 which is essentially rounded.

A substantially cylindrical jacket 36 of the base element 30 extends downward from the outer ring 34 in an approximately vertical direction and is provided with corrugations or longitudinal grooves so that the dispensing closure 10 can be gripped and rotated more easily by the user.

In this embodiment, the lid region 20 of the dispensing closure 10 consists of two components, a first component 100, which forms an essentially closed, cylindrical lid element, and a second component 200, which forms a frame.

The second component 200 forming the frame comprises two webs, which are offset by an angle of 90 ° and essentially encircle the cover element 100, four substantially perpendicular webs 202 being present on each side wall 102 of the cylindrical cover element 100, which essentially are horizontally extending webs 206 merge on a top side 106 of the first component 100, which forms the cover element. In deviation from the exemplary embodiment described here, the number and the course of the webs and the shape and structure of the lattice or cage-like frame can of course vary.

At the transition between the vertical webs 202 and the horizontal webs 206, rounded transition webs 204 are provided which bear directly against a likewise rounded transition region 104 of the first component 100 forming the cover element. The horizontal webs 206 intersect at a central intersection point 108 of the essentially flat top surface 106 of the first component 100, the connection of the individual webs in this intersection point 208 causing particular stability. The vertical webs 202 are connected to the inner ring 32 of the base element 30 at connection areas 210. This also achieves particular stability of the overall element.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the base element 30 is formed as an injection molded part in one piece with the second component 200, which comprises the webs 202, 204 and 206. The first component 100 is also subsequently produced by means of an injection molding process on the inside of the webs 202, 204, 206, so that the essentially cylindrical cover element with a cylindrical side wall 102, the transition region 104 and top side 106 is formed by the webs 202, 204 and 206 are enclosed and held. In deviation from this, the second component can also be sprayed onto the outside of the webs of the frame or connected in a sector-like manner only to the side edges of the webs of the frame in order to fill and seal only the spaces between the frames.

The first component 100 is made entirely of transparent material, so that the dispensing closure 10 can also be used as a dosing cap. For this purpose, a marking 108 is also provided on the side wall 102, which indicates a certain filling level of the dispensing closure 10 to be used as a dosing cap.

The base element 30 and the second component 200 in this embodiment are made of polypropylene PP or polyethylene PE, while the first component 100 consists of a soft plastic. The average wall thickness of the second component is 200

1 mm, while the crossing point 208 is somewhat reinforced and has a maximum wall thickness of 1.5 mm, and furthermore a reinforced wall thickness is provided at the connection points 210. The first component 100, on the other hand, only has an average wall thickness between 0.7 and 0.1 mm. The base element 30 has a wall thickness of 0.6 to 1.4 mm to allow safe handling of the closure.

FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of a dispensing closure according to the invention, which is very similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. Identical or similar components have therefore been provided with identical reference symbols. Reference is also made to the description of FIG. 1.

In the partially sectioned view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, in particular the structure of the base element 30 becomes clear, which, as explained in connection with FIG. 1, has an inner ring 32, an outer ring 34 and a container neck, not shown, which has a delivery opening Coat 36 has.

The jacket 36 is provided on the inside with an internal thread 38 so that the dispensing closure 10 can be screwed onto a container neck with an external thread as the dispensing element of a container

FIG. 2 also shows a flange 40 which is essentially ring-shaped and extends vertically downwards on the radial inside of the inner ring 32 and forms an annular extension of the vertically extending webs 202 of the second component 200 and the outgoing webs in this flange 40 connects to one another so that the webs are connected to one another by means of the flange 40 and the crossing point 208 and increase the stability of the dispensing closure.

The configuration of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 otherwise corresponds to _. essential of the embodiment shown in Figure 1, so that an additional detailed description to avoid repetition is avoided.

The side wall 102 of the first component 100 is essentially opaque and colored and has in one segment a vertical, transparent viewing strip 110 which is provided with markings 108 so that the dispensing closure 10 can also be used as a measuring unit or dosing cap. At least the opaque areas of the first Component 100 are colored differently than the webs 202, 204 and 206 of the second component 200, so that special aesthetic effects are achieved.

In this embodiment, polyethylene PE or polypropylene PP with an average wall thickness of 1.5 mm has been used as the material for the second components 200, while the base element 30, as an injection molded part made in one piece with the second component 200, also consists of PE or PP and a has an average wall thickness of approximately 0.6 to 1.4 mm.

In this embodiment, the first component 100 forming the cover element likewise consists of a soft plastic and has a wall thickness between 0.7 and 0.1 mm.

The features disclosed in the above description, the claims and the drawings can be of importance both individually and in any combination for the implementation of the invention in its various configurations.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

Dispensing closure lid area basic element inner ring outer ring casing inner thread flange first component side wall (first component) transition area (first component) top side (first component) marking (first component) sight strip (first component) second component vertical web (second component) transition web (second component) horizontal web (second component) crossing point (second component) connection area

Claims

Ansprttche

1. Dispensing closure (10) for containers with a base element (30) for attachment to a dispensing element comprising a dispensing opening of a container and with a lid area (20), characterized in that at least the lid area (20) is produced by means of a multi-component process, one first component (100) form a cover element and a second component (200) form a frame for the cover element.

2. Dispensing closure according to claim 1, characterized in that the cover element forming the first component (100) consists of a continuously closed side wall and head wall.

3. dispensing closure according to claim 2, characterized in that the continuously closed-walled, cap-shaped cover element is integrally formed on the inside of the frame.

4. Dispensing closure according to claim 1, characterized in that the cover element forming the first component consists of several sectors, the side edges of which are connected to the base element and the side edges of frame webs.

5. Dispensing closure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the specific weight of the material of the first component (100) is less than, equal to or greater than the specific weight of the second component (200).

6. Dispensing closure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wall thickness of the material of the first component (100) is weaker, the same thickness or thicker than the wall thickness of the material of the second component (200).

7. dispensing closure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stiffness of the first component (100) is less than the stiffness of the second component (200).

8. Dispensing closure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first component (100) consists of a softer material than the second component (200).

9. dispensing closure according to claim 1, characterized in that the second component (200) has a thicker wall thickness than the first component (100).

10. Dispensing closure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first component (100) has a wall thickness which is less than 0.7 mm, preferably less than 0.3 mm, in particular about 0.1 mm.

11. Dispensing closure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least the first component (100) is at least partially transparent.

12. Dispensing closure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second component (200) forms a frame which consists of at least one web (202, 204, 206).

13. Dispensing closure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover region (20) is substantially cylindrical and at least one web (102, 104, 106) is provided as a second component (200), which at least at one point extends essentially the entire height of the substantially cylindrical cover region (20).

14. Dispensing closure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second component (200) comprises at least one essentially inverted U-shaped web (102, 104, 106) surrounding the lid region (20).

15. Dispensing closure according to claim 10, characterized in that the second component comprises at least two essentially inverted U-shaped, around the cover region (20) surrounding webs (102, 104, 106), each offset by an angle from one another around the circumference of the cover area (20) are arranged offset.

16. Dispensing closure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second component comprises webs (102, 104, 106) which are arranged in a substantially lattice shape on the lid region (20).

17. Dispensing closure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second component (200) is provided on an outside of the cover area (20) and the first component (100) on an inside of the cover area (20).

18. Dispensing closure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base element (30) and the second component (200) of the lid region (20) are integrally formed.

19. Dispensing closure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base element (30) and / or the first component (100) and / or the second component (200) are made by injection molding.