WO2013087488A1

WO2013087488A1 - Plug connection with guide elements, particularly for container closures

Info

Publication number: WO2013087488A1
Application number: PCT/EP2012/074553
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter SCHÜNEMANN; Gunther ANDRÉE; Günter Scholz
Original assignee: Pelikan Pbs-Produktionsgesellschaft Mbh & Co. Kg
Priority date: 2011-12-15
Filing date: 2012-12-05
Publication date: 2013-06-20
Also published as: DE102011056504A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a plug connection that can be used particularly for container closures, said plug connection having an inner part (2) that has a radially projecting shoulder (22) and an end section (23) (such as a container neck), and having an outer part (1) (such as a closure cap) that has an opening (10) for accommodating the end section (23) and a contact surface (13) interacting with the shoulder (22), wherein the end section (23) can be rotated in the opening (10) relative to the outer part (1) and can be held in place in a defined position in the circumferential direction. Guide ribs (30) which are arranged on the end section (23) engage with the guide cams (17) arranged in the opening (10) and progress along a screw line with a pitch such that the end section (23) is rotated to the defined position in the opening (10) when the end section (23) is inserted in the opening (10).

Description

CONNECTOR CONNECTION TO GUIDE ELEMENTS, ESPECIALLY FOR CONTAINER CLOSURES

The invention relates to a plug connection with a tubular inner part, which has on its outer side a radially projecting shoulder and a 5 of the shoulder along a central axis extending end portion, and with an outer part having an opening for receiving the end portion of the inner part and a the shoulder cooperating abutment surface, wherein the end portion in the opening is rotatable relative to the outer part and in a position defined in the circumferential direction in the opening 10 festhaltbar.

A connector of the type indicated is known from GB 2 313 367 A for attaching a lid to a container neck. The container neck in this case has a zigzag corrugated, circumferential shoulder and the

15 lowest points of the shoulder opposite cams. In the opening of the lid an equally corrugated, circumferential rib is formed, which can skip the cams for attachment of the lid and can snap between the cam and the shoulder. Since the snapping of the rib only with a defined orientation of the lid relative to the container neck

20 in the circumferential direction is possible, the lid must be simultaneously rotated to close and pressed axially against the container neck. Achieving a Einschnappposition is hereby by the presence of several existing existing positions and the uncertainty of whether the Einschnappposition can be reached faster by turning to the right or left,

25 difficult.

From US Pat. No. 7,028,858 B2 a container closure is known in which the lid has on its underside a multiplicity of teeth in the shape of isosceles triangles, the container neck having a number of correspondingly shaped and counterposed teeth which, in the closed position, are in the triangular spaces intervene between the teeth of the lid. Due to the intermeshing of the teeth, the one with a snap connection on the container neck-fixed lids are easier to open by turning clockwise or counter-clockwise. The closing of the lid is possible in many positions determined by the number of interdental spaces, but not in a specific position.

In a handwriting device known from DE 42 30 432 C1, a cap intended for covering the writing tip has, at its open end, a wave-shaped, end-face abutment surface which bears against a matching counter-abutment surface of the writing implement when the cap is closed. The cap held by resilient detents in the closed position can be easily released by turning with the help of the wave-shaped stop and counter-stop surfaces.

The invention has for its object to provide a connector of the type mentioned above, which is easily solvable and the mating allows the alignment of the inner part relative to the outer part in a defined position in the circumferential direction in a simple manner.

The stated object is achieved by the invention specified in claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the inventions are specified in the further claims.

According to the invention guide ribs are arranged at a connector of the type mentioned at the end portion or in the opening, which engage with a arranged in the opening or at the end portion guide cam and rotate the end portion in the defined position when the end portion in the opening is inserted.

The invention has the advantage that during mating of the inner part and outer part without much effort and without special attention of the mating process performer person inner part and outer part automatically in the position defined in the circumferential direction in which both parts together be connected, be rotated. The positioning of the parts is independent of the design of the shoulder and the contact surface, so that they are not determined in their shape and eventual slope. At most in an over the defined position extremely twisted position of the parts may result in a plug-preventing resistance. In this case, however, only a mutual rotation of the parts by a small angle is required to initiate the mating process and to connect the parts in the defined position. Particularly advantageous is a further embodiment of the connector, wherein at the end portion or in the opening two curved guide ribs are arranged symmetrically with respect to an axial center plane with respect to each other, the centers of the two guide ribs are arranged diametrically and the guide ribs from its center in opposite Extend circumferentially and in a direction away from the insertion end of the end portion or the opening direction and wherein the adjacent ends of different guide ribs are arranged at such a distance from each other that the guide cam can pass in the circumferentially defined position between the ends. This embodiment represents an advantageous compromise between possible pivoting angle and low effort for positioning on the one hand and short overall length of the end portion and opening on the other hand.

It is also advantageous if the guide rib extends over a circumferential angle of at least 170 °, and their average pitch angle between their ends and their center is 30 ° to 45 °, preferably 37.5 °. The pitch angle is the angle formed by the guide rib in the unwinding with a circumferential line lying in a plane normal to the longitudinal axis.

According to a further proposal of the invention, the guide rib can have a guide surface on the side facing the insertion end and on the opposite side. gengesetzten side have a release surface, wherein the guide surface forms an obtuse angle in profile with the lateral surface, which is 120 ° to 150 °, preferably 135 °. The release surface forms in profile with the lateral surface of the end portion an obtuse angle which is at least 160 °, preferably 165 ° to 175 ° .. The thus steeper employed guide surface ensures good support and guidance of the cam when mating the connector while the much flatter release surface when loosening the connector allows easy skipping the guide surface through the cam.

For optimum interaction with the guide rib, the cam according to the invention may have a plug-in end facing convexly curved cam surface and a plug-in end facing away from the ramp, wherein the inclination of the cam surface to the inclination of the guide surface and the inclination of the ramp surface to the inclination of the release surface - fits. If two symmetrically arranged guide ribs are provided, then it is advantageous if they interact with two diametrically arranged cams, so that the executives are distributed in two places. The design of the connector according to the invention is particularly advantageous if the shoulder and / or the contact surface is inclined at least partially to a plane perpendicular to the axis such that upon rotation of the inner part relative to the outer part by the interaction of the shoulder and contact surface held in the opening End portion at least partially movable out of the opening and thereby is detachable from the outer part. The release of the connector fixing retaining means thus requires no major axial withdrawal forces, but can be effected by a rotary motion with a relatively small force in a simple manner. It is advantageous that the inclination of the shoulder and / or contact surface can be substantially less than the slope of the guide ribs, whereby a relatively small rotational force for releasing the connector can be achieved. preferential example, caused by the inclination of the shoulder and / or the contact surface slope is not more than 50% of the average slope of the guide ribs.

According to the invention, the shoulder and / or the contact surface may be formed as a closed, concentric to the axis annular surface having at least one inclined to a plane perpendicular to the central axis portion. The shoulder and / or the contact surface can also be provided with two opposite inclined sections in order to be able to open the plug-in connection in each of the two possible directions of rotation. The oppositely inclined portions can also be arranged so that they fix the inner part and outer part with a closed connector in the position defined in the circumferential direction form fit. In an advantageous embodiment, the shoulder and the abutment surface coincide in the shape of an endless wavy line such that they can be brought into contact with each other seamlessly when they occupy the position defined in the circumferential direction.

For the axial fixation of the end portion in the opening of the outer part can be arranged according to the invention on the end portion and in the opening holding means, which together form a latching snap connection. Preferably, to form a snap-locking connection, the end portion has an annular first sealing bead and the opening an annular second sealing bead, wherein the second sealing bead has an inner diameter which is smaller by such a degree than the outer diameter of the first sealing bead, that the second sealing bead during Inserting the end portion in the opening under the action of an axial force can skip the first sealing bead, wherein the sealing beads are arranged such that they are supported against each other in the nested connection position of the connector against the insertion direction. This design of the latching snap connection ensures a secure fixation of the nested parts and at the same time effects a sealing of the connection point. The latter is important if the connector is used to seal a container tightly, wherein either the outer part or the inner part may be formed as a closure cap or plug.

It is furthermore advantageous if the first sealing bead is arranged between the shoulder and the guide ribs and the end section between the first sealing bead and the shoulder has an outer diameter which effects a tight contact with the second sealing bead. As a result, a second sealing point is formed and thus increases the sealing effect. According to the invention, on the side facing the insertion end, a first section which tapers conically toward the insertion end and an adjoining cylindrical second section with an outer diameter, which is smaller than the inner diameter between the cams, can adjoin the first sealing bead. An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawing and will be described in more detail below. It shows a longitudinal section through an outer part according to the invention, a view of an inner part according to the invention,

a vertical to the sectional plane in Figure 1 cross-section of the outer part of Figure 1 and

2 is a vertical view according to FIG 2 of the inner part of Figure 2. The connector shown in the drawing consists of an outer part 1 and an inner part 2. The outer part 1 has the shape of a sleeve with a cylindrical outer surface 1 1 and a continuous cylindrical opening 10th for receiving a portion of the inner part 2. One end of the outer part 1 is formed as insertion end 12 and has on its front side a contact surface 13 which is formed of convexly curved portions 14 and concave curved portions 15 which follow one another in alternation and in the settlement form a wavy line. The other end of the 16 Outer part 1 may be open or closed depending on the use of the connector. In the opening 10, two cams 17 are arranged diametrically at a distance from the contact surface 13. The cams 17 are aligned with the contact surface 13 so that their common axial center plane intersects the vertex of the convex portions 14, 15. The cams 17 have on their insertion end 12 side facing a substantially semi-cylindrical cam surface 18 which is inclined so that it forms an obtuse angle of about 1 10 ° in the common with the cam 17 axial center plane with the wall of the opening 10. On the side facing away from the insertion end 12, the cams 17 are provided with a substantially flat ramp surface 19, which forms an obtuse angle of about 160 ° with the wall of the opening in the cam 17 common center plane. Between the cams 17 and the frontal abutment surface 13, an inwardly projecting annular sealing bead 20 is formed in the opening 10, which has a convex curved surface profile. The sealing bead 20 as well as the cams 17 are an integral part of the outer part 1, which is preferably made of an elastic plastic. Alternatively, the sealing bead 20 may also be formed by a separate sealing ring which is inserted into an annular groove in the outer part.

The tubular inner part 2 has a cylindrical portion 21 which ends in the insertion direction on a shoulder 22. The shoulder 22 has a shape conforming to the abutment surface 13 of the outer part 1, so that the shoulder 22 and the abutment surface 13 can abut each other seamlessly. The shoulder 22 is adjoined by an end section 23 which can be inserted into the outer part 1 and which is divided into a front section 25 and a rear section 26 by an annular sealing bead 24 arranged at a distance from the shoulder 22. The sealing bead 24 is an integral part of the inner part 2, from which may also be made of an elastic plastic. Alternatively, the sealing bead 24 may be formed by a separate sealing ring inserted in an annular groove. The rear portion 26 has a cylindrical outer surface whose outer diameter is dimensioned so large that the sealing bead 20 in the outer part 1 can create a sealing to the section 26. The outer diameter of the sealing bead 24 is substantially equal to the inner diameter of the opening 10 in the outer part 1. The front portion 25 has a cylindrical outer surface whose outer diameter is slightly smaller than the distance between the cams 17 in the outer part 1, so that the cams 17 on insertion of the inner part 2 in the outer part 1 can slide over the front portion 25 without significant resistance. Between the cylindrical mantle surface of the front portion 25 and the sealing bead 24, a conical transition surface 27 is formed, which is to facilitate a radial widening of the sealing bead 20 and its sliding away over the sealing bead 24.

On the front portion 25 are arranged in a symmetrical arrangement to an axial center plane, which intersects the convex portions of the shoulder 22 in the middle, curved guide ribs 30. The centers of the guide ribs 30 are located at the insertion end of the portion 25 and are arranged diametrically. Each guide rib 30 extends from its center to both sides along the lateral surface of the portion 25 in the direction of the plane of symmetry and in the direction of the sealing bead 24. The opposite ends 32 of the guide ribs 30 are located at a distance from the sealing bead 24 and have a Distance from each other, which corresponds approximately to the diameter of the cam 17 measured in the circumferential direction. On their sides facing the insertion end 12, the guide ribs 30 have a guide surface 33 which is inclined to the lateral surface of the section 25 in such a way that the guide surface 33 forms an obtuse angle with the lateral surface of the section 25, which is 120 ° to 150 ° , preferably 135 °. On the side facing away from the insertion end 12, the guide ribs 30 have a release surface 34 of such inclination that forms in profile the cutting edge of the release surface 34 with the cutting edge of the lateral surface an obtuse angle which is at least 160 °, preferably 165 ° to 175 °. The release surfaces 34 have the task of separating the connector to facilitate sliding the cam 17 on the guide ribs 30. The guide surfaces cause a good sliding engagement of the cams. The height of the guide ribs 30 is dimensioned so that the outer diameter in the region of the guide ribs 30 corresponds to the inner diameter of the sealing bead 20, so that the sealing bead 20 can slide over the guide ribs 30 without appreciable resistance.

The slope of the guide surface 33 in the axial direction with respect to a radial plane is between the ends 32 and the center 31 on average 77%, which corresponds to a pitch angle of 37.5 °. Due to their wave form of concave and convex portions, the shoulder 22 and the abutment surface 13 also have a pitch in the axial direction, which is smaller than the pitch of the guide surfaces 33. In the illustrated embodiment, the average pitch of the shoulder 22 and the abutment surface 13, respectively on a quarter of the circumference about 50% of the pitch of a corresponding portion of the guide ribs 30. Even smaller gradients of the shoulder or the contact surface are also possible.

The closing of the connector and thus the connection of the inner part 2 and outer part 1 takes place by inserting the end portion 23 in the opening 10. In this process, depending on the previous alignment, the cams 17 sooner or later with the guide surfaces 33 of the guide ribs 30 in contact, said they slide under the action of an axial insertion force on the guide ribs 30 in the direction of the ends 32 and thereby cause a mutual rotation of the outer part 1 and inner part 2 in the direction of the circumferentially defined connection position. The intended connection position is reached when the cams 17 are located between the ends 32. In this position, the convex portions 14 of the abutment surface 13 are aligned with the concave portions of the shoulder 22 in the center. By further axial approximation, the sealing bead 24 now comes into contact with the transition surface 27. By increasing the axial insertion force, he can with elastic stretching of the outer part 1 in this area over After skipping the sealing bead 24, the sealing bead 20 springs back into its starting position and seals against the lateral surface of the rear section 26. At the same time, the contact surface 13 comes into contact with the shoulder 22 and thereby prevents it further penetration of the end portion 23 in the opening 10. In this end position of the sealing bead 20 is located with its insertion end 12 side facing away from the shoulder 22 side of the sealing bead 24, so that a positive and backlash-free axial fixation of the outer part and inner part is given The contact between the sealing beads 20, 24 additionally contributes to the sealing.The cams 17 are in the nested end position of inner part 2 and outer part 1 outside the gap between the ends 32 of the guide ribs 30 and in contact with the transition surface 27th To release the connector, the outside enteil 1 and the inner part 2 in any direction of rotation against each other. In this case, the flatter slope of the shoulder 22 and contact surface 13 causes the end portion 23 to be pressed out of the opening 10, wherein the sealing bead 24 is pressed through the sealing bead 20. In this helical relative movement, the cams 17 move into a region adjacent to the release surfaces 34. Once the sealing bead 24 is pressed through the sealing bead 20, outer part 1 and inner part 2 are only loosely connected to each other and can be separated by axial pulling apart. The cams 17 slide without significant resistance with the aid of the release surfaces 34 over the guide ribs 30 away.

The connector described is suitable for numerous applications, especially in tubular bodies. The inner part is preferably suitable as a neck of bottles and similar containers, which can be closed by means of a closure cap formed by the outer part. The design of the connector has the advantage that the closing by a simple axial movement without special pre-alignment of the inner part and outer part suc- - I can gene. To open a slight rotational movement is sufficient, which requires no great effort due to the low slope of shoulder and contact surface.

Claims

1 . A connector comprising a tubular inner part (2) having on its outer side a radially projecting shoulder (22) and an end portion (23) extending from the shoulder (22) along a central axis, and an outer part (1) having a Opening (10) for receiving the end portion (23) of the inner part (2) and a co-operating with the shoulder (22) bearing surface (13), wherein the end portion (23) in the opening (10) relative to the outer part (1) rotatable and in a circumferentially defined position in the opening (10) is festhaltebar, and wherein at the end portion (23) or in the opening (10) at least one guide rib (30) is arranged with one in the opening (10) or at the guide cam (17) arranged in the end section (23) engages along a helix with such a pitch that the end section (23) is rotated to the defined position in the opening (10) when the end section (23) is inserted into the opening (10).

2. Plug connection according to claim 1, characterized in that at the end portion (23) or in the opening (10) two curved guide ribs (30) with respect to an axial center plane are arranged symmetrically to each other, wherein the centers of the two guide ribs (30) diametrically and the guide ribs (30) extend from their center in opposite circumferential directions and in a direction away from the insertion end of the end portion (23) and the opening (10), respectively, and the adjacent ends (32) of different guide ribs (30 ) are arranged at such a distance from each other that the guide cam (17) can pass in the circumferentially defined position between the ends (32).

Plug connection according to claim 2, characterized in that the guide ribs (30) extend over a circumferential angle of at least 170 °.

Plug connection according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the average pitch angle of the guide ribs (30) between their ends (32) and their centers is 30 ° to 45 °, preferably 37.5 °.

Plug connection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide rib (30) has a guide surface (33) on the side facing the insertion end and a release surface (34) on the opposite side.

Plug connection according to claim 3, characterized in that the guide surface (33) to the lateral surface of the end portion (23) is inclined so that the guide surface (33) forms an obtuse angle in profile with the lateral surface, the 120 ° to 150 °, preferably 135th ° is.

Plug connection according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that the release surface (34) is inclined so that in profile the release surface (34) with the lateral surface of the end portion (23) forms an obtuse angle which is at least 160 °, preferably 165 ° to 175 °.

Plug connection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cam (17) has a plug-in end (12) facing, convexly curved cam surface (18) and the insertion end (12) facing away from the ramp surface (19), wherein the inclination of the cam surface ( 18) to the inclination of the guide surface (33) and the inclination of the ramp surface (19) is adapted to the inclination of the release surface (34).

9. Plug connection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the opening (10) or on the end portion

(23) two cams (17) are arranged diametrically.

10. Plug connection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shoulder (22) and / or the abutment surface (13) is inclined at least partially to a plane perpendicular to the axis such that upon rotation of the inner part (2) relative to the outer part (1) by the interaction of the shoulder (22) and contact surface (13) of the in the opening (10) fixed end portion (23) at least partially movable out of the opening (10) and thereby detachable from the outer part (1).

1 1. Plug connection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inclination of the shoulder (22) and / or the abutment surface (13) is smaller than the pitch of the guide ribs (30).

12. Plug connection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the slope of the shoulder (22) and / or the contact surface (13) is at most 50% of the average pitch of the guide ribs (30).

13. Plug connection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a closed, concentric to the axis annular surface, the shoulder (22) and / or the abutment surface (13) and the annular surface to a plane perpendicular to the central axis plane opposite inclined portions ,

14. Plug connection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shoulder (22) and the abutment surface (13) each have a Wellenfornn, and their Wellenfornnen match in the defined position.

15. Plug connection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the end portion (23) and in the opening (10) retaining means of a latching snap connection are arranged.

16. Plug connection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the end portion (23) has a first annular sealing bead (24) and the opening (10) has a second annular sealing bead (20) that the second sealing bead (24) has an inner diameter that is smaller by such an amount than the outer diameter of the first sealing bead (24), that the second sealing bead (20) upon insertion of the end portion (23) in the opening (10) under the action of an axial force, the first sealing bead ( 24) and that the sealing beads (20, 24) are arranged such that they abut against each other in the mating connection position of the plug connection against the insertion direction.

17. Plug connection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first sealing bead (24) between the shoulder (22) and the guide ribs (30) is arranged and the end portion (23) between the first sealing bead (24) and the shoulder ( 22) has a the inner diameter of the second sealing bead (20) adapted to produce a sealing effect outer diameter.

18. Plug connection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the end portion (23) from the first sealing bead (24) to the insertion end conical to a cylindrical Section (25) tapers with an outer diameter which is smaller than the inner diameter between diametrically arranged cams (17).