WO2007080001A1

WO2007080001A1 - Sealing cap comprising a snap-on hinge and a retaining ring

Info

Publication number: WO2007080001A1
Application number: PCT/EP2006/068342
Authority: WO
Inventors: Günter Krautkrämer
Original assignee: Bericap Gmbh & Co. Kg
Priority date: 2006-01-09
Filing date: 2006-11-10
Publication date: 2007-07-19
Also published as: US20100252556A1; BRPI0620928A2; RU2008132468A; DE502006004827D1; ES2330677T3; EP1976769A1; DE102006001323A1; EP1976769B1; ATE442315T1

Abstract

The invention relates to a seal (10), consisting of a cap part (1), a retaining ring (3), a tear-off strip and a snap-on hinge (20), which allows the cap part and the retaining ring to be joined as one piece along a first circumferential section. The cap part (1) has a top panel (14) and the seal, viewed as a whole, has an approximately cylindrical or slightly conical sealing cover, consisting among other things of an approximately cylindrical cap cover (2) and the retaining ring (3), the snap-on hinge (20) being integrated into the cover and the retaining ring (3) and the cap part (1) being interconnected next to the snap-on hinge (20) along a second circumferential section (30) by means of the tear-off strip (4) that is likewise integrated into the cover. The aim of the invention is to produce a seal of this type that can be simply manufactured using little material and that above all affords better protection for the interior of the seal against outside influences. To achieve this, the cap cover, tear-off strip, snap-on hinge and retaining ring together define an essentially closed sealing cover, wherein the tear-off strip and the ends of the snap-on hinge (20) facing the circumference are connected to the cap cover and/or the retaining ring and optionally to each other by means of film-type, easily torn pre-determined break lines.

Description

Cap with snap hinge and retaining ring

The present invention relates to a closure consisting of a cap member, a retaining ring, a tear strip and a snap hinge, which integrally connects the cap member and the retaining ring along a first peripheral portion, wherein the cap member has a top plate and the closure is a total of approximately cylindrical or has slightly conical closure jacket, which consists inter alia of an approximately cylindrical cap skirt and the retaining ring, wherein the snap hinge is integrated into the jacket and wherein the retaining ring and the cap part with each other except via the snap hinge on the also integrated into the jacket tear strip are connected, and along a second peripheral portion outside the sector claimed by the snap hinge.

A corresponding plastic closure is known from WO 03/057585 A2. In this case, a hinge is understood as meaning a hinge which, in addition to the closed position of the closure cap, also has a stable open position. Such a snap hinge is formed integrally with the cap and the retaining ring in the present case. The peculiarity of a snap hinge, from which the present invention proceeds, is that the snap hinge is integrated into an approximately cylindrical jacket wall of the closure cap, i. H. forms a part of this approximately cylindrical shell wall. This jacket wall can also be slightly conical or spherical and they can in particular gaps and fine structures, eg. B. in the form of lines of weakness, which define the boundaries or hinge films between the individual components (cap, tear strip, hinge, retaining ring) of the closure.

Earlier snap hinges have been formed in addition to and outside a first wall of the closure so that the closures in the snap hinge area were effectively double-walled, whereas the closure from which the present invention is based engages the hinge into the cap skirt and retaining ring Wall has integrated. This makes it possible to produce the cap in one piece in the closed, appliable or ready-to-use state. On the other hand, prior snap-lock fasteners had to be made in an open, unfolded state, making integral fabrication with a tear strip virtually impossible.

In this case, the cap jacket and the retaining ring need not necessarily be formed with a circular cross-section, but they can rather have any circular, elliptical or polygonal cross-section. The snap-hinge effect is achieved by minimizing one or more substantially extending in the circumferential direction, thin, flexible and approximately linear wall sections of this hinge, to which connect more solid and dimensionally stable wall sections. By appropriate shaping succeeds in the hinge mitzugeben a "Totpunkf 'property, ie when opening the cap, the hinge of the opening movement and the unfolding opposes a certain resistance, but it turns over after overcoming a dead center in a state in which the in and acting on the hinge elastic forces pull the cap into an open, unfolded position. This "dead center" feature, ie at least one labile position of the cap between at least two stable positions, preferably defining the closed or a fully open state, wherein the cap, starting from a first stable position, when moving over the dead center into a The second stable position "snaps" is the characteristic feature of each snap hinge, as it is expressed in the term "snap hinge" also.

The retaining ring holds the entire closure on the neck of a corresponding container, for. As a bottle, fixed. For this purpose, the bottleneck generally has an annular circumferential retaining flange. In the initial, closed position, the retaining ring engages behind the retaining flange on the bottle neck and thus holds the closure to the bottle neck. The retaining ring for this purpose preferably has a circumferential, inner annular bead, which engages behind the retaining flange. In this case, the guarantee band connecting the closure cap and the retaining ring has a securing function, since it connects the closure cap and the retaining ring fixed to the bottle neck along a circumferential sector outside the snap hinge, so that the closure cap is not removed until the guarantee band has been removed. after breaking the connection of the guarantee strip to the cap and the retaining ring, can be opened. After removal or tearing off this tear strip remains as the only connection between the retaining ring and cap, the snap hinge and the cap can be opened by being pivoted relative to the retaining ring about the over a certain small sector of the closure shell extending snap hinge up and out.

An inner plug or annular sealing web may additionally be provided, the outer diameter of which is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the bottle neck, in order to engage in the closed cap in the interior of the container neck, thus providing a seal of the container interior to the outside.

In the known closure, the snap hinge extends over a first sector of the circumference of the cap and retaining ring, and the tear strip extends over most of the remaining sector, in parallel to one inclined to the axis of the closure by less than 90 ° Plane, keeping a certain distance to the sector of the snap hinge, so that between the ends of the tear strip (seen in the circumferential direction) and the ends of the snap hinge openings remain in the shell of the closure. This requires on the one hand a certain axial length of the closure and the open areas between the tear strip and the hinge can lead to the ingress of dirt, dust, germs and small animals or insects under the cap, so that the mouth of the bottle neck concerned possibly certain contamination or even microbial contamination is exposed, although the shutter is completely closed and the guarantee band is intact.

In addition, because of the tendency of the tamper-evident band with respect to a perpendicular to the closure axis, this known closure has an axial length greater than the sum of the minimum (axial) widths of the cap skirt, the tamper-evident band, and the retaining ring.

Compared to this prior art, the present invention has the object to provide a closure with the features mentioned, but which should still be produced with little effort and preferably only little material needed, and especially better protects the closure interior from environmental influences.

This object is achieved in that cap casing, tear strip, snap hinge and retaining ring together define a substantially closed closure shell, wherein the tear strip and pointing in the circumferential direction ends of the snap hinge on film-like, easily tearable lines of weakness with the cap coat, and / or the retaining ring and optionally connected to each other.

Thus, in the case of the closure according to the invention, the cap jacket, the snap hinge, the tear strip and the retaining ring form a closure jacket closed along the entire circumference, these parts being connected to one another via thin films formed integrally with the closure which are at least partially easily rupturable. In particular, the tear strip is connected on all sides only by easily rupturable films or weakening lines of the closure material with the adjacent closure elements. If the tear strip extends only over a part of the outside of the snap hinge lying jacket sector, the cap or more precisely the cap jacket and the retaining ring are directly connected to each other via a thin film of material defining a tear line. Also, in the circumferential direction of the closure facing the ends of the snap hinge are connected to the adjacent parts, ie the tear strip or possibly (also) the cap jacket or the retaining ring via a slightly tearable film or a weakening line. In the axial direction, however, the snap hinge is fixedly connected to the cap part and the retaining ring, but pivotably connected. - -

Conveniently, in the closure of the present invention, the tear strip is configured to extend circumferentially from one end of the snap hinge circumferentially completely along the remaining peripheral sector to the opposite end of the snap hinge and thus no openings or spaces between the ends of the tear strip and remain the ends of the snap hinge. This allows the production of a completely closed shell of the closure, the interior of which is better protected against environmental influences.

In the preferred embodiment, the tear strip extends along the circumference of the closure skirt substantially parallel to the lower edge of the retaining ring and the top plate of the cap member, except for axial extensions, especially in the direction of the cap bottom, along smaller peripheral sectors, e.g. B. in the adjacent to the ends of the snap hinge areas and possibly also on the snap hinge diametrically opposite side. This embodiment allows a short axially constructed closure and saves space and material for the closure in its manufacture. An axially very short built closure also allows in particular a very short and thus save material produced bottleneck, the material savings at the bottleneck can be far greater than in the closure itself.

When the tear strip on one or both sides reaches up to the snap hinge, it is expedient if its adjoining the snap hinge ends are so wide that they extend over the entire axial height of the snap hinge, wherein a tear line formed by a thin film of material Ends of tear strip and snap hinge connects. Since the tear strip is generally narrower (has a smaller axial height) than the snap hinge, it expediently has corresponding extensions at its ends adjoining the snap hinge. Regardless of such extensions, tear lines should extend along the circumferential ends of the snap hinge in any case over its entire axial height, e.g. Example, even if the ends of the tear strip at a distance from the hinge end, so that a distance between the ends of the hinge and tear strip remains, which is optionally filled by the cap jacket, the retaining ring or axial extensions of these parts. These tear lines or material films should extend to the upper end of the hinge and preferably to the top plate or at least very close to the top plate and also the hinge itself preferably extends directly to the top plate, so that the closure as a whole has axial height and, like the associated bottleneck can be made to save material.

The adjacent to the snap hinge recesses or axially extending lines of weakness and the hinge thus preferably extend into axial areas, which are otherwise detected by the cap skirt, in turn, for engagement with a container neck over - -

at least part of the circumference must have a sufficient axial height for the intervention. This axial minimum height of the cap skirt should not be less than 2 mm and is preferably at least 3, more preferably at least 4 mm, measured from the outside of the top plate. So if there is talk of a "close to the top plate Heranreichens" of the recesses and the snap hinge, this means that the corresponding parts replace or omit a part of the cap skirt.

In a preferred embodiment, the tear strip is integrally connected to at least one of the ends of the snap hinge, preferably both ends, over a thin film of material or tear line so that the tear strip not only from the retaining ring and the closure cap, but also from the respective ends, preferably can be separated from both ends of the snap hinge or must.

For the separation of the tear strip a gripping tab is provided, which, starting from an end portion of the tear strip, extends radially outside the closure jacket and in the circumferential direction via the snap hinge and held by easily rupturable webs, preferably in the region of the snap hinge, close to the closure jacket becomes.

Such a grip tab is particularly useful in a one-piece connection of the ends of the tear strip with both opposite ends of the snap hinge, because otherwise you would need a tool for releasing the tear strip. This pull tab of the tear-off hinge can be connected, for example, via easily breakable webs to the closure or the outside of the snap hinge on the closure.

The inventive design of the closure ensures that the closure interior is completely encapsulated before the first use with respect to the outside space. This is especially true when the tear strip is connected to the retaining ring and the closure cap and at its end sides with the end faces of the retaining hinge over a thin, easily breakable film of material instead, as is known in the prior art in other applications in principle, by a plurality of easily breakable connecting webs, but between which a separating gap remains, which would constitute an opening between the outside and inside of the closure. However, a portion of the material films connecting the individual fastener elements could possibly also be replaced by a separating gap which is bridged by easily tearable connecting webs, namely, for example, at the connection between the retaining ring and the tear strip when the tear tape is tight against a container neck or closure neck, or possibly also on the front sides of the snap hinge, where one could even dispense with connecting web, and in particular when the elements adjacent to the separating gap lie very tightly and preferably in contact with each other. At the same time such a closure is inexpensive to produce, because it can be made at least in its simple variants by two relatively simple, only axially collapsible tools, even if more complex configurations and appropriate tools are appropriate in some applications. The cap skirt, the tear strip and the retaining ring form a continuous cylindrical or slightly conical or from the cap jacket to the retaining ring gradually slightly widening, continuous wall. For example, the cap skirt may have an outer diameter of about 36.5 mm, while the retaining ring has a slightly larger outer diameter of z. B. 39.5 mm, wherein the tear strip and the snap hinge together form a conical transition from the cap jacket to the retaining ring. Slight undercuts, for example at the lower inner edge of the cap jacket, at the lower inner edge of the retaining ring and also for the formation of weakening lines or film hinges on the snap hinge can be produced without multi-part inner shapes and can be incorporated directly into the inner forming die, as long as these structures only a small radial depth of z. B. less than 1 mm. The shutter is then z. B. made by injection into a two-part mold, which consists of an outer mold and an inner punch, the outside has no appreciable structures and the outer shape can therefore be easily deducted from the reason of slight undercuts on the inner punch seal. After the outer mold is removed, the inner punch can be easily detached from the closure, the areas axially below undercuts during demolding undergo a slight expansion, but is reversible because of the elasticity of the commonly used closure materials.

If the tear strip additionally has a gripping tab extending parallel to the outer casing or to the snap hinge of the closure, the mold must, of course, be supplemented with corresponding shaping elements which, however, do not require excessive additional effort and, if necessary, the use of a relatively simple, two-part injection molding tool enable.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the tear strip is also designed so that it extends in its adjacent to the snap hinge areas at the same time up to the top plate or in the vicinity of the top plate, thus forming a part of the cap skirt in this area, as long as the tear strip not yet removed. Conveniently, the tear strip is simply extended in its two adjacent to the snap hinge ends in the axial direction to the top plate zoom, for example over a length of 2 to 6 mm in the circumferential direction, while the upper axial limit of the tear strip, ie between the tear strip and Kapmantel formed line of weakness is then removed again from the top plate and in the remaining area of the second sector at a distance of z. B. 1 to 5 mm parallel to the top plate in Um- starting direction runs. This distance of the tear line between tear strip and cap to the top plate then corresponds to the remaining axial length of the cap skirt. As a result, therefore, the cap jacket is removed in the two, adjacent to the peripheral ends of the snap hinge areas to near the top plate and replaced by the extensions of the tear strip. This is particularly advantageous when the snap hinge extends substantially to the top plate zoom.

Essential parts of a snap hinge z. B. two film-like, easily bendable connecting lines of slightly thinner material, which are also referred to as "film hinges" and connect the adjacent relatively rigid and thicker material portions of the hinge together and extend substantially in the circumferential direction, but also have axial components, so that they approximately in the middle of the snap hinge lie relatively close together and then diverge in their further course in the circumferential direction to the ends of the snap hinge out (in the axial direction). The (three) thicker and more rigid sections of the snap hinge lie between the two film hinges or close above the top and bottom of the lower hinge.

The course of the upper film hinge corresponds for example to the intersection of a cylindrical surface with a plane inclined to the cylinder axis and thus extends along a circular or more precisely elliptical arc in a plane inclined to the top plate with a center of the arc above the top plate, since the two ends of this arcuate film hinge approach the top plate. The lower hinge then follows, for example, also an elliptical arc, which also extends in a plane inclined to the top plate, but with a center well below the top plate and, for example, below the retaining ring, so that the ends of the lower hinge away from the top plate and in extend the vicinity of the retaining ring. The overall axial height of the snap hinge is essentially determined by the distance of the film hinges diverging from each other towards the ends of the snap hinge. Of course, this distance also depends on the width (measured in the circumferential direction) of the film hinge and the diameter of the closure, but is about 5 mm in a typical closure with a diameter of 35 to 40 mm.

The above-described measures, such as the snap hinge extending close to the top plate and the tear strip extending in subsections also close to the top plate, make it possible to produce a corresponding closure with very small axial dimensions of e.g. B. less than 15, in particular less than 12 mm, for example, a diameter of 35 to 40 mm. In this way, a considerable amount of material for the closure and especially for the associated container neck can be saved, the closure in the unopened state, ie with intact tear strip, yet a very stable, tight closure, if according to the preferred embodiment cap shell, tear strip , Snap Hinge and retaining ring define a continuous cylindrical or conical or semi-conical shell of the closure without any gap or interruption.

The operation of the snap hinge can be described as follows. The snap hinge consists from top to bottom of an adjacent to the top plate section, which has approximately the shape of a circular section. The outer edge of this section is defined by the arcuate, upper film hinge. This is followed again by a somewhat more stable hinge section, which in turn is bounded below by a curved film hinge with opposite curvature. This more stable part of the snap hinge thus has approximately the shape of a horizontal "X" with curved side lines in the side view.

At the same time, the snap hinge thus described in a plan view is also curved in a radial plane, i. it forms the part of a cylindrical (or slightly conical) shell of the closure.

This means that when lifting the cap, i. upon opening of the closure, after the tear strip has been removed, the initial effective axis of rotation about which the closure cap pivots is approximately in the region of a tangent to the central portion of the hinge, concretely within the upper film hinge and in the central region thereof , The top plate and the film hinge adjacent, circular portion portion of the cap skirt move substantially rigidly as a unit about this axis. This necessarily results in the two ends of the film hinge being spaced apart from the effective initial pivot axis being stretched while the hinge is in the middle region, i. Where the two hinges come closest to each other tends to be upset.

At the same time, by the rigid connection of the top plate with the circular portion portion of the cap skirt, the central portion of the hinge is displaced radially inwardly while the ends of the hinge move radially outward. The elastic stretching of the ends of the hinge as well as the compression of the central region of the hinge thereby cause an elastic restoring force in the closing direction.

However, as soon as the middle part of the hinge is in one plane due to its radial inward movement and the ends of the hinge due to its radial outward movement, the hinge is at a dead center and further pivoting of the cap causes the outer ends of the hinge to move beyond. ie radially outward of the course of the effective pivot axis, which are still substantially through the film hinge in the central region of the snap hinge and parallel to a tangent to the cap skirt in this Area runs. The elastic tensile forces acting in the hinges then effect a support of the opening movement.

It is understood that for proper operation of such a snap hinge, the ends of the hinge must be exposed in the region of the two film hinges, which means for the object of the present invention that the ends of the tear strip, which are integrally connected to the ends of the snap hinge , Should also extend over the entire width of the snap hinge as possible, so that after removal of the tear strip these ends are completely exposed. It is particularly material-saving, if, as already mentioned, the snap hinge extends to near the top plate and therefore the tear strip should extend in the embodiment described above in turn close to the top plate, at least in the vicinity of the snap hinge.

In the other areas, it is expedient if the tear strip maintains a sufficient distance from the top plate, so that a corresponding jacket of the closure cap remains, which stabilizes the cap on the one hand and on the other hand holding properties, and for example a small radial projection on its lower inner edge may engage behind a radially outwardly bulging edge of a container mouth and hold the cap to it.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, however, it is provided that the tear strip in a diametrically opposite to the snap hinge area again approaches the top plate, so that in this area a small portion of the cap skirt in a length of z. B. 10 to 15 mm in the circumferential direction is removed. This recess in the cap skirt, which preferably extends to the top plate, effectively forms a kind of grip tab into which one can easily reach in with a fingertip to open the cap, i. to release from the edge of the container opening.

Moreover, the tear strip has a constant axial width of z. B. 2 to 3 mm, which is approximately doubled only in the area near the ends of the snap hinge and in the opposite region of the snap hinge, because there the tear strip extends to or close to the top plate, on the one hand, a proper function of To ensure snap hinge by the ends are exposed and on the other hand to form a grip tab on the cap.

In this case, the tear strip does not necessarily have to extend exactly to the top plate in the areas mentioned, but it may possibly even a small portion of the cap jacket remain in these areas, but should in a cap jacket of only a few (For example, 3-6) mm axial height, this height of the cap skirt in the mentioned extended areas of the tear strip to be reduced by at least half, so that the above-mentioned functions are ensured.

Alternatively, however, a short Griffla- see on the cap skirt or in extension of the top plate to be formed on the side opposite the snap hinge side of the cap skirt. In this case, of course, you do not need a recess in the cap coat to form a grip tab. This embodiment is preferred in connection with an inner retaining bead on the cap jacket to be described below.

Where the cap coat has its full maximum height, i. substantially outside the snap hinge and adjacent recesses of the cap skirt, the cap skirt has an inwardly protruding bead or bead near its lower edge which can latch behind a corresponding projection on the mouth of a bottle neck or the like.

Such a bead preferably has its full radial thickness only in the region opposite the hinge, where, where appropriate, the grip tab is located. The peripheral portion along which the bead has its maximum radial thickness preferably comprises not more than 120 °, more preferably not more than 90 ° and in particular not more than 60 °, the center of this portion being diametrically opposite the center of the snap hinge. Particularly preferably, the bead, starting from a maximum value in a small central portion or point, a continuously decreasing thickness and runs at the latest at about 90 ° on either side of the central point completely or up to a minimum bead thickness.

This embodiment has the advantage of an improved and safer sealing of the closure during resealing. The consumer who has grasped the closure on the opposite side of the hinge, if necessary on a gripping tab and has opened and wants to close the closure again, typically detects again only the part of the closure cap, which in the vicinity of the grip tab or the Diametrically opposite hinge and presses this side of the cap from above on the corresponding bottle neck or container neck on which the closure is attached. As already mentioned, the upper edge of this bottle neck, which is designed for the attachment of a corresponding closure, has an outwardly projecting retaining bead. By pressing down the closure cap, the inwardly projecting bead on the cap jacket slides over the outwardly protruding bead on the edge of the flap and locks behind it. However, if the inwardly projecting bead extends over the entire circumference of the cap skirt, or at least along a peripheral sector of more than 180 °, starting from the central point opposite the snap hinge, would extend, but only in the region of this central point or in the grip tab pressure from above on the top plate or the handle tab is exercised, it may happen that, although the bead of the cap skirt slides in the region of the grip tab on the retaining bead of the bottle neck edge, but in the others, especially in the areas offset by about 90 ° relative to the center of the grip tab, on which retaining bead of the bottleneck edge would rest, without sliding over it. The closure would bulge somewhat in the middle between the hinge and the grip tab, whereby a tight resealing would no longer be guaranteed, above all because of this deformation of the closure cap. As a result, however, that according to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the inwardly projecting bead on the jacket of the closure cap only at one point or in a portion near the handle tab, ie the hinge diametrically opposite, its full maximum thickness, which with decreasing distance from this central area and preferably has reached a minimum value at the latest at a distance of 90 ° from the central area and possibly completely disappears, the cap with the cap base is lowered over its full circumference to the edge of the bottle neck, even if pressure is exerted from above on the cap part only in the area of the grip tab. In this case, an optionally smaller, radially inwardly projecting bead, which is located at a distance from the gripping tab, provides only a small amount of resistance to sliding over the bead of the bottleneck edge, so that there is no bulging of the closure cap in the middle region between the hinge and grip tab comes.

In addition, a ring-shaped circumferential sealing web is expediently provided on the top plate, which is dimensioned so that it engages in the interior of a bottle neck or a container opening and thus acts as a plug, and expediently has along its outer periphery a bead-like projection, which serves as a seal on the inner surface of a corresponding neck of the bottle, must therefore have an outer diameter which is slightly larger than the inner diameter of a corresponding neck or neck opening.

In a specific embodiment, the closure is made for a bottleneck with 33 mm inner diameter and 35 mm outer diameter, wherein, as already mentioned, the outer diameter of the inner sealing ridge in the region of the bead is accordingly slightly larger than 33 mm, z. B. 33.5 mm, and the inner edge of the (not completely circumferential) cap skirt has an inner diameter of, for example, 35.5 mm.

For purposes of the original disclosure, it is to be understood that all such features as will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the present specification, drawings, and claims, even if concretely, only in connection with certain others Characteristics have been described, both individually and in any combination with other of the features or feature groups disclosed herein are combinable, unless this has been expressly excluded or technical conditions make such combinations impossible or pointless. For the brevity and readability of the description, the comprehensive, explicit representation of all conceivable combinations of features is omitted here.

Further advantages, features and applications of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment and the associated figures. Show it:

Figure 1 is a side view of an embodiment of a applied to a container neck

closure

Figure 2 is a side view of the closure of Figure 1, seen from the side of

Snap hinge and without pull tab for the tear tape,

FIG. 2 a shows a section through the closure according to FIG. 1 corresponding to the sectional plane D-D in FIG. 4, FIG. 3 shows a side view corresponding to FIG. 2, but with the grip tab of the tear-off band partially covering the snap hinge, the left-hand part of the closure being shown in section,

FIG. 4 shows an axial sectional view corresponding to the sectional plane C-C in FIG. 1,

FIG. 5 shows an axial view of the closure from above,

6 shows a sectional view through the closure applied to a bottle neck, FIG. 7 shows a detail of the sectional view from FIG. 6,

FIG. 8 shows a further detail of the sectional view from FIG. 6 and FIG

FIG. 9 shows a further detail corresponding to the circle E in FIG. 2a.

It can be seen in Figures 1 to 6 the generally designated 10 closure, which consists of a closure cap 1, a retaining ring 3 and a tearing strip 4 arranged between the closure cap 1 and retaining ring 3. The tear strip 4 connects the retaining ring 3 and the closure cap 1 via a respective weakening line designated 15 and 19 with each other. The lines of weakness 15, 19 consist of film-like diluted, line-to-strip-shaped sections of the closure jacket. As you can see, the closure widens from top to bottom, especially in the region of the tear strip 4, stepwise something, the cap skirt 2, the tear strip 4 and the retaining ring 3 are substantially cylindrical in itself. The retaining ring 3, which has a slightly smaller inner diameter than a radially outwardly projecting retaining flange 32 of the bottle neck 30 (see FIGS. 3, 6, 7 and 8), engages behind this flange 32 and thus holds the closure 10 Total stuck to the radially outwardly projecting flange 32 or projection of a false neck 30 or an opening socket.

From the top plate 14 also extends an annular circumferential seal web 18 (see Figures 2a and 3), which has on its outer periphery a small circumferential bead which engages as a sealing bead in the interior of a corresponding bottle neck 30 when the closure on the bottle neck put on and the cap 1 is closed.

Also, the cap skirt 2 has at its lower edge a small, inwardly directed projection 12 (Figure 7), which can engage behind an outwardly bulging snap edge 33 of the bottle neck 30 to hold the cap 1 in the closed state securely on a container mouth, even when the tear strip 4 is removed and the cap is connected only via the snap hinge 20 with the retaining ring 3.

FIG. 3 shows an outside view of the closure in the region of the snap hinge, partially covered in FIG. 3 by the gripping tab 13 of the tear strip 4, two weakening lines or film hinges 6, 7 being connected to the intermediate section 8 and the top and bottom adjoining sections 16 , 17 form the snap hinge 20, indicated by arcuate, dashed lines. As can be seen, these film hinges 6, 7 are arcuate in such a way that they have a small distance from each other approximately in the middle of the hinge 20, and diverge outwardly towards the ends of the hinge. Between these two film hinges 6, 7 remains a slightly more massive web 8, which is accordingly tapered in the middle and widens towards its two ends, while the film hinges on the other hand by a curved extended portion 17 of the retaining ring 3 and a arcuate portion 16 of the cap skirt 2, additionally reinforced by an approximately rectangular base 9, limited, which also contribute to the snap function of the hinge 20 by forming a relatively rigid connection of the hinge with the retaining ring 3. The right and left side ends 21, 22 of the snap hinge 20 are defined by thin, filmy and easily tearable connections to the adjacent portions of the tear strip 4, which in its adjacent to the ends 21, 22 has axial extensions 5, the corresponding recesses 25th of the cap coat. In order to avoid tearing of the also relatively thin-walled film hinges 6, 7 of the snap hinge from the ends 21, 22, 22 end reinforcements 23 are provided on both sides of the snap hinge 20 immediately before the ends 21, which the ends of the film hinges 6, 7 of separate the ends 21, 22.

This type of hinge has the property that when the cap 1 is lifted or folded up, the elastic restoring forces in the hinge initially tend to move the cap back to the closed state, but the elastic forces retard - -

Overcoming a dead center, turn in an effective direction in the opening direction, so that then the cap 1 is held in the unfolded state.

As can be easily seen by looking at Figures 1, 2, 6 and 8, the side views and through the hinge 5 extending axial sections through the closure, form the top plate 1 and the cap shell 2, in the region of the hinge 20 through the arcuate limited portion 16 is formed, upon pivoting the cap 1 in the direction of arrow A in Figure 8 is a relatively rigid unit. The pivot axis for the cap is initially close to the taper of the web 8. As can be seen from Figure 8, moves the pivoting of the cap 1, the central portion of the hinge 20 and the web 8 radially inwardly and is thereby compressed while the outer edge portions or ends 21, 22 of the hinge 20 are moved radially outward and thereby stretched, which causes the elastic restoring forces. The dead center is defined by the fact that the web 8 passes in the middle of the hinge in the radial direction between the two hinges 21, 22 plane spanned and then radially inwardly snaps, while the ends 21, 22 of the hinge 20 move radially outwards so that the web 18 and the ends 21, 22 in the view according to Figures 6 and 8 lie one above the other and finally pass each other, and exert beyond the dead point an elastic force that pulls the cap 1 in the open position.

This is to ensure that liquid can be poured out of a bottle without having to keep the cap away from the pouring spout so that the effluent does not flow against the cap and become uncontrollably deflected and spilled.

In the plan view from the outside corresponding to the figures 1, 2 and 3 can be seen exactly the course or the contours of the tear strip 4. The tear strip 4 is in the adjacent to the ends 21, 22 of the snap hinge 20 in the axial direction by the width the cap skirt 2 expands and protrudes with its extensions 5 in this area up to the top plate 14 and thus are after the separation of the closure, the ends 21, 22 of the snap hinge 20 completely free.

It is understood that the hinge and the tear strip could equally well maintain a greater distance from the top plate and that the cap jacket then no corresponding recesses 25 must have.

A peculiarity of the closure shown in the figures is that, prior to the first use, i. in the state shown in Figures 1 to 8, is completely closed on all sides. As can be seen, the cap 1, the tear strip 4 and the retaining ring 3 by

Tear lines 15, 19 connected to each other, by line or strip-like, dilute like a film - -

Sections of the closure material are formed. Another tear line, which is likewise formed by a thin, film-like material, runs along the ends 21, 22 of the hinge 20. When the tear strip is removed, first the grip tab 13 is grasped, whereby the easily rupturable bridges or webs (not illustrated here), which connect the pull tab 13 with the outside of the snap hinge 20 are demolished. By sufficiently strong pull on the handle tab 13, the closure material along the line 22 is then torn, which defines one end of the snap hinge, which is followed by the extended end of the tear strip 4 provided with the grip tab 13. By pulling on the grip tab 13, the tear lines 15, 19 are then torn further, up to the extension 5 of the tear strip 4, which adjoins the end 21 of the snap hinge 20. Finally, the tear line is torn open along the end 21. Thereafter, the tear strip 4 is completely separated from the closure and also cap 1 and retaining ring 3 are largely separated from each other and hang only on the snap hinge 20 together.

In the unopened form shown in Figures 1 to 3, however, the closure is closed on all sides and also the retaining ring 3 preferably, when he engages the projection 32 of the bottle neck, on this projection 32 and preferably also still on the underlying lying Flange edge 31, so that the closure interior, at least above the engagement of the retaining ring 3 with the flange or projection 32, at least dustproof is completed to the outside.

Also, the tear strip 4 is close to the flange 32 of the bottle holder 30, so that you could possibly replace the thin film of the tear line 19 by a separating gap, which is bridged only by individual, easily tearable webs between tear strip and retaining ring, without that the dustproofness would be impaired from the outer flange 32.

In an embodiment not shown here, the tear strip on the opposite side of the snap hinge 20 is extended again in the axial direction by the height of the cap skirt 2 and extends here as far as the top plate 14, so that the cap skirt 2 after removing the tear strip also has a recess in this area, which effectively exposes a grip edge, since in this area the top plate 14 is exposed and can be detected at its free edge. This facilitates the operation of the closure, since the cap 1, as already mentioned, on the inside of the cap skirt 2 has one or more bead-like projections 12 which engage behind an outwardly bulging bottleneck edge and thus oppose the opening of the cap 1 a certain resistance.

In the preferred embodiment shown in the figures, however, a gripping tab 11 is formed on the outside of the cap casing 2. As can be seen in FIG. 6 and in particular in the detail view according to FIG. 7, the cap casing 2 has at its lower edge a projection or snap edge 12 protruding radially inward, which has a corresponding, outwardly projecting projection or snap edge 33 at the upper edge of the bottle neck 30 engages behind. This projection 12 extends, as can be seen in Figure 4, over a relatively small circumferential sector of less than 60 °, the center of which is diametrically opposite the center of the snap hinge 20. However, the imperial sector, over which the snap edge 12 extends, but may also be much larger and z. B. 160 ° or even up to 270 °, in which case, however, the radial thickness of the snap edge, especially in the opposite of the center of the snap hinge offset by about 90 ° areas should be significantly less than in the snap hinge diametrically opposite area. In particular, this snap edge or bead 12 has its greatest radial thickness in the central, the snap hinge 20 diametrically opposite area. In the peripheral portions which are farther away from this central region, in particular in the peripheral portions diverging by approximately 90 to 120 ° from the central region, the bead 12 has a substantially smaller radial thickness and possibly even completely disappears. This becomes clear in the sectional representation of the embodiment shown here in FIGS. 2a and 9, which show a section or a corresponding detail E along a plane DD, which is offset by 90 ° with respect to the center of the snap hinge. As you can see, no snap edge is provided on the cap skirt 2 in this area.

It has proved to be expedient if the radial thickness of the bead 12 tapers from the center opposite the snap hinge 20, either stepwise or continuously. For example, could the contour of the radial thickness of the projection 12 has a scaled adapted but in the axial view of Figure 2 similar, crescent-shaped course, like the gripping projection 1 1, however, this projection or bead 12, in contrast to the handle tab 11 extends radially inwardly ,

Of course, but also other gradients and shapes of the snap edge or bead 12 are conceivable, such. As can be seen in Figure 4, where the ends of a bead 12 decrease from a previously constant thickness along a rounded, oblique step and pass into the wall of the cap skirt.

In the unopened state, ie as long as the tear strip 4 is still intact and connected to the retaining ring 3 and the cap 1, the closure is completely closed on its outer side, and there is no tear between 4 on the one hand and the retaining ring or the cap jacket 2 Gaps, openings or gaps in which any contaminants could penetrate. Accordingly, no contaminants can penetrate into the interior of the closure, which is formed overall by the retaining ring 3, the tear-off strip 4 and the closure cap 1. After removal of the tear strip 4, a good tightness to the interior of the container is further ensured by the fact that the annular circumferential seal web 18 has a corresponding outer bead, which comes into sealing engagement with the inner surface of a bottle neck, while the cap skirt 2 with its inwardly projecting projection 12 holds the cap 1 securely on the container mouth at its lower inner edge.

The closure according to the invention is characterized by a relatively simple structure and manufacturability and can in particular be produced closed in the form shown in FIGS. 1 to 9. He also requires little material, the essential parts retaining ring, tear strip and cap or cap jacket can be made very short in the axial direction, so that the closure at a diameter of 38 mm a total of z. B. 12 mm, each 4.5 mm on the height of the retaining ring and the cap skirt (including top plate) accounts, and the remaining part is claimed by the tear strip, which in principle could be made even narrower, on the other hand, however the snap hinge requires a certain axial height, so that a further reduction of the width or axial height of the tear strip on the overall height of the closure would have no appreciable influence. This axially short design has an even more advantageous effect on the material savings in a suitably adapted, short container neck.

Claims

claims

A closure (10) consisting of a cap member (1), a retaining ring (3), a tear strip and a snap hinge (20) which integrally connects the cap member and the retaining ring along a first peripheral portion, the cap member (1) a head plate (14) and the closure has a total of an approximately cylindrical or slightly conical closure shell, which consists inter alia of an approximately cylindrical cap skirt (2) and the retaining ring (3), wherein the snap hinge (20) integrated into the shell and wherein the retaining ring (3) and the cap part (1) next to the snap hinge (20) along a second peripheral portion (30) via the also integrated into the jacket tear strip (4) are interconnected, characterized in that the cap coat, tear strip, Snap hinge and retaining ring together define a substantially closed closure shell, wherein the tear strip and the white in the circumferential direction send ends of the snap hinge (20) via film-like, easily tearable lines of weakness with the cap jacket, and / or the retaining ring and optionally connected to each other.

2. Closure according to claim 1, characterized in that the tear strip on the two circumferential ends (21, 22) of the snap hinge (20) connects and extends over the entire, remaining outside of the snap hinge peripheral portion of the closure jacket.

3. Closure according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the tear strip extends with its adjacent to the snap hinge end portions (5) substantially to the upper edge of the snap hinge and preferably over its entire axial height.

4. Closure according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the tear strip with the exception of its adjacent to the snap hinge end portions has a lower axial height than the snap hinge.

5. A closure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a gripping tab of the tear strip, starting from an end portion of the tear strip, extends radially outside the closure shell and in the circumferential direction over the snap hinge and by easily tearable tabs, preferably in the region of Snap hinge, is held close to the closure jacket.

6. Closure according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the tear strip extends in its opposite region of the snap hinge with its upper edge in the vicinity of the top plate (14).

7. Closure according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the snap hinge or a living hinge (6) of the snap hinge (20) to less than 2 mm, preferably less than 1 mm to the top plate (14) extends ,

8. A closure according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that in the cap casing each one close to the top plate heranreichende recess (25) on both sides of the snap hinge (20) is provided, which is filled by the end portions (5) of the tear strip.

9. Closure according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that a zoom reaching close to the head plate recess in the cap skirt the snap hinge is provided diametrically opposite, which is filled in intact closure by the tear strip.

10. Closure according to claim 9, characterized in that the snap hinge diametrically opposite recess extends over an angular range between 20 ° and 60 °, preferably between 30 ° and 40 °.

11. Closure according to claim 8 or one of the dependent claims, characterized in that the recesses (25) extend on both sides of the snap hinge over an angular range between 5 ° and 20 °, preferably between 7 ° and 15 °.

12. Closure according to claim 8 or 9 or one of the dependent claims, characterized in that the measured in the axial direction height of the cap skirt (1) in the region of at least one of the recesses (25) by at least half, preferably by at least 75th % of the height is reduced in the areas located outside the recesses and in particular to a distance of less than 1 mm to the inner surface of the top plate.

13. Closure cap according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the snap hinge is formed from a sector of an approximately cylindrical or slightly conical sleeve between the top plate (14) and retaining ring (3), this sector having two film hinges (6 , 7) which are formed at an axial distance from one another by lines of weakness extending essentially in the circumferential direction, and which starting from - -

diverge at a minimum axial distance about the middle of the hinge sector toward the ends (21, 22) of the hinge (20) adjacent the tear strip.

14. A closure cap according to claim 12, characterized in that the weakening lines (6, 7) each extend along an approximately circular or elliptical arc whose centers are axially above or below the snap hinge (20).

15. A closure according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the provided on the closure shell and between the shell sections structures have a small radial depth, of less than 2 mm, preferably less than 1 mm.

16. A closure according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the tear strip (4) over the largest part of the next to the snap hinge (20) remaining second circumferential sector maintains a distance from the top plate, which is at least twice the distance in the close the top plate is approximate sector sections.

17. A closure according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the distance of the tear strip from the top plate (14) in the zoom close to the head plate

Sectors not exceeding 1 mm and outside these sectors at least 2 mm.

18. A closure according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the axial height of the closure is less than 15 mm and preferably at most 12 mm, of which outside of the recesses each slightly more than a third of the retaining ring and the cap jacket and a little less than a third of the tear strip.

19. Closure cap according to one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the cap casing in the region outside of the recesses thereof has an inwardly projecting retaining bead (12).

20. A closure cap according to claim 19, characterized in that the retaining bead in the areas of the snap hinge furthest away areas has a greater radial thickness than in a peripheral sector of about 180 °, in the center of which is the snap hinge.

21. Closure cap according to claim 20, characterized in that the maximum radial thickness of the retaining bead in the regions offset from the snap hinge by more than 90 ° is at least twice the radial thickness thereof in the 180 ° sector around the snap hinge.

22. A closure cap according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that the retaining bead has a radial thickness which, starting from a maximum value in the snap hinge offset by more than 90 ° areas, decreases continuously or stepwise in the direction of the retaining hinge to a minimum value which is between the thickness zero and at most half the maximum thickness.

23. Closure cap according to one of claims 1 to 22, characterized in that a gripping tab, which is connected to one end of the tear strip (4) extends parallel to the cylindrical cap skirt along the outside of the snap hinge (20) and with this easily rupturable connecting bridges is connected.

24. Closure cap according to one of claims 1 to 23, characterized in that extending radially within the cap skirt (10) emanating from the top plate, annular sealing web (18).

25. Closure cap according to claim 24, characterized in that the sealing web (18) has on its outer side an annular circumferential, bead-like radial extension.

26. Closure cap according to one of claims 1 to 25, characterized in that the retaining ring (3) has on its inside and in the vicinity of its lower edge an inwardly projecting retaining bead (9) or tapers conically downwards.