SEALING CAP HAVING A PUSH-BUTTON FOR EMPTYING A CAPSULE FORMED THEREBY
20220033152 · 2022-02-03
Inventors
Cpc classification
International classification
Abstract
The invention relates to a fillable sealing cap (1), which forms a capsule (18), which is open to the bottom and can be sealed by a sealing washer (3), in the interior thereof. A central push-button (2) for depressing the capsule lid (6), thereby deforming the capsule lid, is formed on the outside of the capsule lid (6). A central stamp (7) protruding axially downward is formed on the inside of the capsule (18) underneath the push-button (2). At least three spreading legs (8) protruding downward and outward at an acute angle to the sealing-rotation axis (21) are formed distributed about the stamp. The capsule lid (6) is corrugated about the stamp (7) in the radial direction, wherein said capsule lid (6) has a thinner wall thickness in the first, interior region (10) of the radius thereof than in the second, outer region (11). The lid wall is flexed in two phases in the event of pressure from above on the push-button (2). The stamp (7) presses on the sealing washer (3), initially tensioning the sealing washer and then opening sealing washer while the ends (26) of the spreading legs (8) slide outward and press the sealing washer (3) downward on the circumference thereof and then hold the sealing washing pivoted downward.
Claims
1. A fillable sealing cap (1), screwable or attachable to a threaded connector of a container, having a push button (2) for triggering the emptying of a capsule (4) being formed under said push button (2) and being open at the bottom and sealable with a sealing washer (3), said capsule (4) having a circumferential capsule wall (5) and capsule lid (6), for receiving a substance which can be emptied into a container equipped with this sealing cap (1), wherein, on the outside of the capsule lid (6), a central push button (2) is formed for pressing down the capsule lid (6) while deforming it, characterised in that a central, axially downwardly projecting stamp (7) is formed on the inside of the capsule (18) below the push button (2), and that at least two spreading legs (8), which can be pivoted downwards and outwards to the closure axis of rotation (21), are formed around the circumference of this stamp (7), which taper off via their end region into an elastically bendable tapering as feet (26), further that the capsule lid (6) is designed to be corrugated around the stamp (7) when viewed in the radial direction, wherein this capsule lid (6) is designed in the first, inner corrugated area (10) of its radius with a thinner wall thickness than in the second, outer corrugated area (11), such that the lid wall can be flexed in two phases by pressing the push button (2) from above, in that the inner lid region (10) is first flexable by axially depressing the push button (2), until the stamp (7) applies pressure to the sealing washer (3) at pressure points (23) and thereby pretensions said sealing washer and the spreading legs (8) touch the sealing washer (3), thereafter the outer corrugated area (11) can be flexed by further depressing the push button (2) and thus the end regions of the spreading legs (8), while the stamp (7) breaks through the sealing washer (3), pivot the resulting loose sealing washer segments downwards so that the opening of the capsule (4) is exposed.
2. The fillable sealing cap (1), screwable or attachable to a threaded connector of a container, according to claim 1, wherein the stamp (7) is star-shaped in cross-section and forms radially protruding wings (27) so that it forms a two-dimensional end, which is intended to act as a support for a sealing washer (3) pressed on from below by outgassing the contents of the bottle, whereby this sealing washer (3) is a plastic disc, which is provided with a barrier coating (36) over its entire extent, wherein the plastic disc by means of at least one diametrical slit (29) and at least two arc-shaped slits (30, 31) adjoining the ends of this slit (29) with their middle, which each leave a material bridge (32, 33) as a hinge between their ends, forms two otherwise free semicircle segments (34, 35), which can be pivoted in a hinge-like manner around the material bridges (32, 33) by means of pressure from the stamp (7) from above after bursting the coating (36) on their underside.
3. The fillable sealing cap (1), screwable or attachable to a threaded connector of a container, according to claim 1, wherein the spreading legs (8) touch the sealing washer (3) and when depressing the push button (2) the end regions (26) of the spreading legs (8) bend elastically outwards and slide radially outwards on the sealing washer (3) near to the slits (30, 31) and generate a shearing effect and a break there, and their ends (26), while the stamp (7) breaks through the sealing washer (3), pivot the resulting loose sealing washer segments downwards so that the opening of the capsule (4) is exposed.
4. The fillable sealing cap (1), screwable or attachable to a threaded connector of a container, according to claim 1, wherein the capsule lid (6) is designed to be corrugated around the stamp (7) when viewed in the radial direction, wherein the capsule lid (6) in the first, inner region (10) of its radius forms a wave shape with a thinner wall thickness with at least one wave trough (12) and one wave crest (13), and then the area (11) of its radius with a thicker wall thickness also forms a wave shape having at least one wave trough (4) and one wave crest (5) so that the capsule lid (6) can be flexed in two phases by pressing the push button (2) from above, with the push button (2) moving axially downwards.
5. The fillable sealing cap (1), screwable or attachable to a threaded connector of a container, according to claim 1, wherein that the capsule lid (6) is designed to be corrugated around the stamp (7) when viewed in the radial direction, wherein the capsule lid (6) in the first, inner region (10) of its radius is designed with a thinner wall thickness than in the outer region (11), and this capsule cover (6) subsequently forms a wave trough (12) and then a wave crest (13), viewed in the radial direction, on the push button (2), and then the second region (11) forms a wave trough (4) and then a wave crest (5), which is transferred into the yet larger dimensioned capsule wall (25).
6. The fillable sealing cap (1), screwable or attachable to a threaded connector of a container, according to claim 1, wherein the push button (2) in the capsule lid (6) is formed as an overturned cup (9) that widens conically at the bottom, with the central stamp (7) on the inside, and that the spreading legs (8) are produced and formed by recesses (15) in the cup wall (9).
7. The fillable sealing cap (1), screwable or attachable to a threaded connector of a container, according to claim 1, wherein the push button (2) forms a concave pusher surface (24) on its outer, upper side, with a circumferential upwardly directed edge (14) tapering to an acute angle, for centring and axial guidance of a finger pressing on the push button (2).
8. The fillable sealing cap (1), screwable or attachable to a threaded connector of a container, according to claim 1, wherein the sealing washer (3) is divided into three segments (22) with three radial and arcuate weakening lines (39) distributed around the circumference in the form of thin spots or slits (30, 31) and three spreading legs (8) are each intended to hit the middle of each circle segment circumference, for pivoting the same when the push button (2) and stamp (7) are pressed down around regions of this circle segment formed as pressure points (23) on the edge of the sealing washer (3).
9. The fillable sealing cap (1), screwable or attachable to a threaded connector of a container, according to claim 1, wherein the sealing washer (3) is divided into four segments (22) with four arcuate weakening lines (39) distributed around the circumference and radial weakening lines (29), each in the form of thin spots or slits and four spreading legs (8) are each intended to hit the middle of each circle segment, for pivoting the same when the push button (2) and stamp (7) are pressed down around four regions, acting as pressure points (23) on the edge of the sealing washer (3) of these circle segments (22).
10. The fillable sealing cap (1), screwable or attachable to a threaded connector of a container, according to claim 8, wherein the spreading legs (8) are widened at their ends (26), so that the torn circle segments (22) of the sealing washer (3) are held in this open position after being pivoted downwards so that the capsule (18) can be completely emptied into the container below.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] In the figures, an exemplary embodiment of the sealing cap is shown and it is described in detail below and its mode of operation is explained.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0023] The first question to be asked is what it takes to ensure that, with such a sealing cap, the opening of the interior capsule can be reached in the simplest and safest way, with minimal effort. For closures with a pusher to open a cavity in the closure, the high level of user-friendliness for consumers is a decisive criterion. On the one hand, force is required to press the pusher or push button down and, on the other hand, additional force is required to open the capsule, and this force is dependent on the way in which the capsule is closed. The capsules are often closed with sealing films, which are tough and require a lot of effort to puncture them and then open them in such a way that the sealing foil is pivoted out of the passage as completely as possible. The total forces necessary should, however, be as small as possible. In order for this to be possible, various forces must be applied in stages in order to break an otherwise necessary force peak.
[0024] The solution shown in
[0025] The push button 2 taper to a certain extent into an overturned cup 9, the walls of which are slightly inclined towards the outside in the downward direction. Spreading legs 8 are formed by recesses 15 in the walls of this cup 9, which taper towards the bottom into a thinned end region which is elastically flexible and is curved outwards, as indicated by number 26. At the lower end of the capsule 18, a shoulder is formed on which a sealing washer 3 is welded or glued or sealed. This sealing washer 3 needs to be opened efficiently and safely in order to allow the contents of the filled capsule to fall down. As a special feature for this, a stamp 7 extends axially downward from the push button 2, almost down to the sealing washer 3. The spreading legs 8 arranged around it also approximately touch the washer 3.
[0026] At the top, the pusher surface 24 of the push button 2 is shaped in a strongly concave manner so that a fingertip can be ideally placed in it, as shown in
[0027] If therefore the push button 2 is pressed from above, as shown in
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[0034] Bottles with outgassing beverages therein, if they contain carbonated beverages, present a particular challenge for such sealing caps. In such a bottle, the gas pressure rises after filling until it reaches a level which prevents further outgassing. Under the increased pressure, however, the gas presses from below on the sealing washer 3 so that its inner or upper side is pressed against the stamp 7 in the sealing cap 1. In individual cases, this can lead to the sealing washer 3 breaking under the load acting on it and the contents in the capsule 18 falling prematurely and unintentionally into the bottle. In the following, an embodiment of the sealing cap is presented which is suitable even for bottles with outgassing beverages and which ensures that the sealing washer can withstand this pressure even after complete outgassing and as a result of its strong pressure from below on the stamp above it withstands this pressure and the capsule can still be opened safely by pressing a button.
[0035] For this purpose, a special embodiment of the stamp 3 is first important. In
[0036] For an overall reliable and safe function of breaking open the sealing washer 3 and then folding down the sealing washer parts, a specially designed sealing washer proves to be necessary. Such a sealing washer 3 is shown in
[0037] From a functional point of view, this sealing cap acts as follows: First, the sealing washer 3 is biased when it is pressed against the stamp 3 of the sealing cap 1 as a result of the internal pressure acting in a bottle. It still seals the capsule securely, even if the internal pressure in the bottle increases to a maximum as a result of outgassing of the carbonated beverage, which prevents further outgassing. For the targeted opening of the capsule 18 integrated in the sealing cap 1, it is pressed down from above by pressing the push button 2 formed thereby. In this way, the stamp 7 is pressed down inside the capsule 18 and finally this causes the sealing washer or its oxygen-tight coating or protective film to burst along the diametrical slit 29. Immediately the coating also tears along the arcuate slits 30, 31 and when the push button 2 and stamp 7 are pressed down further, the latter presses the two semicircle segments 34, 35 of the sealing washer 3 downwards so that they pivot downwards around the material bridges acting as hinges 32, 33. The contents of the capsule thus fall down into the bottle.
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[0039]
[0040] So, which features are found to be particularly important in order to achieve the aim of the invention and to ensure the good function of such a sealing cap? [0041] 1. A concave finger support with sharp edges 14 is required, which intuitively provokes a finger support lying in the central axis 21 of the closure. [0042] 2. The push button 2 must be designed as shown and described so that it ensures a straight, vertical or axial downwards pushing. [0043] 3. The push button 2 is held in the centre of concentric adjoining waves and can therefore be depressed in two phases so that the forces for bursting the sealing washer 3 and the subsequent folding down do not generate a single high force peak along the circumference of the detached segments. [0044] 4. The wall thickness of the first corrugated area 10 from the centre of the capsule lid 6 is designed to be thinner than that of the corrugated area 11 adjoining it to the outside so that initially only the first capsule lid region is flexed for the first phase of pressing down. [0045] 5. The wall thickness of the adjoining second region 11 is thicker and therefore offers more resistance when the push button 2 is depressed. [0046] 6. The spreading legs 8 acting on the closing washer 3 can be moved laterally, i.e., radially outward, so that the ends 26 of the spreading legs 8, which are rounded at the bottom, slide radially outward when they hit the closing washer 3 and finally apply the downward pressure force as close as possible to the peripheral edge area of the sealing washer 3. [0047] 7. The weakening notches or weakening lines 39 in the form of thin spots or slits ensure that the sealing washer 3 bursts and opens at the desired places as a result of the pressure of the stamp 7 and the spreading legs 8, namely along the targeted weakening lines 39. [0048] 8. For an oxygen-tight capsule, the sealing washer 3 is designed with slits and the sealing washer 3 is completely provided with a coating 36 which covers the slits. In order to pivot away the sealing washer parts, the coating 36 must first burst.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0049] 1 Sealing cap [0050] 2 Push button [0051] 3 Sealing washer [0052] 4 Wave trough of outer region 11 [0053] 5 Wave crest of outer region 11 [0054] 6 Capsule lid [0055] 7 Stamp [0056] 8 Spreading legs [0057] 9 Cup-shaped connection to push button 2 [0058] 10 Inner region of the corrugated capsule lid [0059] 11 Outer region of the corrugated capsule lid [0060] 12 Inner wave trough in the inner region 10 [0061] 13 Wave crest being adjacent to 12 in the inner region 10 [0062] 14 Sharp edge of the pusher surface [0063] 15 Recesses in the cup [0064] 16 Internal thread of sealing cap [0065] 17 Inner pipe socket directed downwards [0066] 18 Capsule [0067] 19 Notch on the sealing washer [0068] 20 Sealing cap lid [0069] 21 Axis of rotation of the sealing cap [0070] 22 circle segment [0071] 23 Pressure points [0072] 24 Pusher surface [0073] 25 Capsule wall [0074] 26 End of spreading legs 8 [0075] 27 Radial wings on stamp 7 [0076] 28 Two-dimensional end face of the stamp [0077] 29 Diametrical slit in the sealing washer [0078] 30 Arcuate slits in the sealing washer [0079] 31 Radial slits in the sealing washer [0080] 32 First material bridge acting as hinge [0081] 33 Second material bridge acting as hinge [0082] 34 First semicircle segment [0083] 35 Second semicircle segment [0084] 36 Coating—oxygen-tight barrier [0085] 37 Recess in radial wing [0086] 38 Protruding edge 38 on the slit wall [0087] 39 Weakening line