CONTAINER CLOSURE

Abstract

A closure cap for closing the pouring opening of a container, has a cylindrical threaded part with an open edge and an inner thread to interact with an outer thread of a container neck of the container, a security ring held on a protrusion on the container neck, a plurality of security webs releasably connecting the security ring to the open edge, a first holding strip with a first end rigidly connected to an open edge of the threaded part and a second end rigidly connected to the security ring, and a second holding strip with a third end rigidly connected to an open edge of the threaded part and a fourth end rigidly connected to the security ring. The second end on the circular path of the security ring is in a substantially diametrically opposed manner to the fourth end before the threaded part is opened for the first time.

Claims

1. Closure cap for closing the pouring opening of a container, comprising: a cylindrical threaded part having an open edge and an inner thread, configured to interact with the outer thread of a container neck of the container, a security ring configured to be held on an annular protrusion on the container neck, a plurality of security webs releasably connecting the security ring to the open edge, a first holding strip a first end and a second end and a first edge and second edge, wherein the first end is rigidly connected to the open edge of the threaded part, and the second end is rigidly connected to the security ring, and a second holding strip having a third end and a fourth end and a third edge and fourth edge, wherein the third end is rigidly connected to the open edge of the threaded part, and the fourth end is rigidly connected to the security ring, wherein the second end is arranged on a circular path of the security ring substantially diametrically opposite the fourth end before the threaded part is opened for a first time.

2. Closure cap according to claim 1, wherein the first end is arranged on the circular path of the security ring substantially diametrically opposite the third end before the threaded part is opened for the first time.

3. Closure cap according to claim 1, wherein before the first opening of the closure cap, the first, second, third, and fourth ends are arranged successively in ascending order on the circular path of the security ring in a counterclockwise direction when the inner thread and the outer thread are configured as right-handed threads.

4. Closure cap according to, claim 1, wherein the first edge is releasably connected to the open edge of the threaded part by at least one first predetermined breaking web, and the second edge is releasably connected to the security ring by at least one second predetermined breaking web, and the third edge is releasably connected to the open edge of the threaded part by at least one third predetermined breaking web, and the fourth edge is releasably connected to the security ring by at least one fourth predetermined breaking web.

5. Closure cap according to claim 1, wherein in the closed state of the threaded part, the first and the third ends enclose a first opening angle of at least 170 degrees and at most 190 degrees, for at least 175 and at most 185 degrees, with respect to the center point of the closure cap as an apex, and the second and the fourth ends enclose a second opening angle of at least 170 degrees and at most 190 degrees, or at least 175 and at most 185 degrees, with respect to the center point of the closure cap as the apex.

6. Closure cap according to claim 5, wherein the first and second ends enclose a third opening angle of at least 110 degrees and at most 140 degrees, and preferably of at least 120 and at most 130 degrees, with respect to the center point of the closure cap as the apex.

7. Closure cap according to claim 6, wherein the third and fourth ends enclose a fourth opening angle of at least 110 degrees and at most 140 degrees, and preferably of at least 120 and at most 130 degrees, with respect to the center point of the closure cap as the apex.

8. Closure cap according to claim 7, wherein the third and fourth opening angles are equally large, whereby the first and second holding strips are equally long.

9. Closure cap according to claim 1, wherein a cross-section of the first and second holding strips is constant along a respective length of the first or second holding strip.

10. Closure cap according to claim 1, wherein the security webs are arranged at regular intervals along the open edge.

11. Closure cap according to claim 4, wherein the first, second, third, and fourth predetermined breaking webs are arranged at regular intervals along the first and second or the third and fourth edges.

12. Closure cap according to claim 1, wherein a position of the security ring relative to the annular protrusion of the container neck can be changed in an axial direction and in a circumferential direction.

13. Closure cap according to claim 1, further comprising a first and second recess for receiving the first and second holding strips on an edge of the security ring facing the first and second holding strips.

14. Closure cap according to claim 1, wherein the first and/or the second end of the first holding strip and the third and/or the fourth end of the second holding strip can be bent along predefined bend lines.

15. Closure cap according to claim 1, wherein an inwardly-projecting inner cone, in the form of a sealing cylinder or a sealing ring, is formed on a cover plate of the threaded part and is configured to interact in a sealed manner with an inner wall of the container neck in the closed position.

16. Closure cap according to claim 1, wherein the first and second holding strips have a width between 3 mm and 7 mm, or a width between 4 mm and 5 mm.

17. Closure cap according to claim 1, wherein the closure cap is configured to interact with a standardized container neck with an outer thread and annular protrusion.

18. Closure cap according to claim 1, wherein the closure cap is comprised of a plastic material.

19. Closure cap according to claim 4, wherein the threaded part, the security ring, the first and second holding strips, the plurality of security webs, and the at least first, second, third, and fourth predetermined breaking webs are produced in one piece.

20. Closure cap according to claim 1, wherein the security ring comprises a plurality of slots distributed over its circumference, with an upper edge and a lower edge, wherein the upper edge is formed by a circular-arc-shaped section of the security ring, and the lower edge is formed by a wall section inclined inwardly in the radial direction, the lower edge of each slot forms a plurality of protrusions for engagement in a form-fitting manner with the annular protrusion.

21. A container comprising: a container body, a container neck adjoining the container body, an outer thread formed on the container neck, a closure cap for closing a pouring opening provided within the container neck, the closure cap comprising a cylindrical threaded part having an open edge and an inner thread, which can interact with the outer thread of a container neck of the container, a security ring designed to be held on a protrusion molded on the container neck, a plurality of security webs, which releasably connect the security ring to the open edge, a first holding strip having a first and a second end and a first and second edge, wherein the first end is rigidly connected to the open edge of the threaded part, the second end is rigidly connected to the security ring, the first edge is releasably connected to the open edge of the threaded part by at least one first predetermined breaking web, and the second edge is releasably connected to the security ring by at least one second predetermined breaking web, a second holding strip having a third end and a fourth end and a third edge and fourth edge, wherein the third end is rigidly connected to the open edge of the threaded part, and the fourth end is rigidly connected to the security ring, wherein the second end is arranged on a circular path of the security ring substantially diametrically opposite the fourth end before the threaded part is opened for a first time.

22. Container according to claim 21, further comprising a shoulder formed on the container neck below the security ring or formed by the security ring, a length of the first and second holding strips dimensioned such that the threaded part can be lifted from a closed position after unscrewing from the container neck and can be positioned below the shoulder in an open position, wherein the threaded part is held in the open position on the first and second holding strips, rests with the open edge at least partially on the container body, and rests against the shoulder.

23. Container according to claim 22, wherein the shoulder comprises a support ring formed at a transition from the container neck to the container body.

24. Container according to claim 22, wherein the length of the first and second holding strips is dimensioned such that the threaded part can be lifted from a closed position after unscrewing from the container neck and can be positioned in an open position in which a cover plate rests against the outer thread and against the shoulder in the open position.

25. Container according to claim 24, wherein in the open position of the threaded part, the first and the second holding strips are free of elastic deformation.

26. Container according to claim 21, wherein the closure cap is configured to be pressed onto the bottle neck.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] Further advantages and features become apparent from the following description of an exemplary embodiment of the invention with reference to the schematic representations. Shown, in a representation not true to scale, are:

[0037] FIG. 1: a side view of an upper part of a container and a closure cap having first and second holding strips;

[0038] FIG. 2: a side view of the closure cap, wherein the closure cap is unscrewed from the container neck of the container;

[0039] FIG. 3: the unscrewed closure cap in a plan view;

[0040] FIG. 4: a side view of the container part and the closure cap, wherein the closure cap is in an open position and is held below the container neck;

[0041] FIG. 5: a plan view of the container and the closure cap in the open position;

[0042] FIG. 6: a detailed view of the security ring in a further embodiment; and

[0043] FIG. 7: a sectional view of the security ring of FIG. 6 with visualized inclination angles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0044] FIGS. 1 through 5 show a closure cap which is denoted as a whole by reference sign 11. The closure cap 11 is captively held on a container 13—in particular, on a bottle 13. The closure cap 11 comprises a cylindrical threaded part 15, a security ring 17, and a first and a second holding strip 19a, 19b.

[0045] The threaded part 15 comprises a cover plate 21 and a first cylindrical shell 23 having an open edge 25. An inner thread 27 is molded on the inside of the shell 23. The container 13 comprises a container body 28 and a container neck 29 adjoining the container body 28. The container neck 29 is designed as a second cylindrical shell. An outer thread 31 is molded on the container neck 29 and interacts with the inner thread 27. As a result, the threaded part 15 can be screwed onto and unscrewed from the container neck 29. The closure cap 11 closes the pouring opening 33 which is provided within the container neck 29.

[0046] The security ring 17 is held in a form fit on the container neck 13. For this purpose, an annular protrusion 35 is molded on the outside of the container neck 29 and can be engaged from below by protrusions 37 (FIGS. 6 and 7) formed on the inside of the security ring 17. The security ring 17 is rotatable relative to the container neck 29.

[0047] The first holding strip 19a has a first end 39 and a second end 41. The first end 39 is rigidly connected to the open edge 25. The second end 41 is rigidly connected to the security ring 17. As a result, the closure cap 11 is captively held on the container 13. Furthermore, the first holding strip 19 has a first edge 43 and a second edge 45. The first edge 43 is connected to the open edge 25 by at least one first predetermined breaking web 47, and the second edge 45 is releasably connected to the security ring 17 by at least one second predetermined breaking web 49.

[0048] The second holding strip 19b has a third end 51 and a fourth end 53. The third end 51 is rigidly connected to the open edge 25. The fourth end 53 is rigidly connected to the security ring 17. As a result, the closure cap 11 is additionally captively held on the container 13. Furthermore, the second holding strip 19b has a third edge 55 and a fourth edge 57. The third edge 55 is connected to the open edge 25 by at least one third predetermined breaking web 59, and the second edge 45 is releasably connected to the security ring 17 by at least one fourth predetermined breaking web 61.

[0049] In addition, the security ring 17 is held at the open edge 25 by a plurality of security webs 63. The security webs may be arranged at regular intervals on the security ring 17. It goes without saying that the areas which occupy the first and the second holding strips 19a, 19b on the security ring 17 are free of security webs 63 because the predetermined breaking webs 47, 49, 59, 61 acting as security webs each form a connection between the open edge 25 and the security ring 17.

[0050] The first and second holding strips 19a, 19b may have a width between 2 mm and 3 mm so that they are sufficiently stable.

[0051] Since the closure cap 11 is rotationally symmetrical, it has a center point 65. The center point 65 lies in the imaginary plane between the open edge 25 and the security ring 17.

[0052] The holding strips 19a, 19b or their ends are arranged on the security ring 17 and on the open edge so as to allow the first and second holding strips to be subjected to a compressive load when opened for the first time. For this purpose, prior to the initial opening of the closure cap 11, the first, second, third, and fourth ends 39, 41, 51, 53 are arranged successively in ascending order on the circular path of the security ring 17 in a counterclockwise direction when the inner thread 27 and the outer thread 31 are designed as right-handed threads. The second and fourth ends 41, 53 which are connected to the security strip 17, and the first and third ends 39, 51 which are connected to the threaded element 15, therefore alternate. The holding strips are thus aligned identically with respect to the direction of rotation. As already mentioned above, both holding strips 19a, 19b are subjected to a compressive load during a first opening and also during subsequent openings of the closure, because both holding strips 19a, 19b are effectively compressed as a result of the rotational movement.

[0053] As can be seen from the figures, the first and third ends 39, 51 are substantially diametrically opposed. The same applies to the second end 41 and the fourth end 53. This symmetrical arrangement of the ends of the holding strips 19a, 19b results in the threaded part 15, after being unscrewed from the container neck 29, being able to pivot as desired along the imaginary symmetry plane between the second and fourth ends 41, 53 to the one or the other side next to the spout. The threaded part 15 can thus be tilted away from the left or right in order to release the pouring opening 33. The rotational axis 83 of the container neck 29 lies on the imaginary plane of symmetry.

[0054] The following defined opening angles between the ends of the holding strips 19a, 19b are shown in FIG. 5. Since FIG. 5 shows a plan view of the closure cap 11, the opening angles can be seen particularly well. Although FIG. 5 shows that the holding strips are removed from their recesses 79, 81 on the security ring 17, the ends of the recesses are substantially identical to the ends of the holding strips. The first end 39 and the third end 51 enclose a first opening angle 67 of at least 170 degrees and at most 190 degrees, or at least 175 and at most 185 degrees, with respect to the center point 65 as the apex. The second end 41 and the fourth end 53 enclose a second opening angle 69 of at least 170 degrees and at most 190 degrees, or at least 175 and at most 185 degrees, with respect to the center point 65 as the apex.

[0055] The first end 39 and the second end 41 enclose a third opening angle 71 of at least 110 degrees and at most 140 degrees, or at least 120 and at most 130 degrees, with respect to the center point of the closure cap as the apex. The third end 51 and the fourth end 53 enclose a fourth opening angle 73 of at least 110 degrees and at most 140 degrees, or at least 120 and at most 130 degrees, with respect to the center point 65 as the apex. It goes without saying that the sum of the first, second, third, and fourth opening angles 67, 69, 71, 73 must be 360 degrees. By selecting the first, second, third, and fourth opening angles, it is possible for the first and second holding strips 19a, 19b to have a certain length which enables the functions of the closure cap described further below.

[0056] Expediently, the third and fourth opening angles 71, 73 are of equal size, which is equivalent to the first and second holding strips 19a, 19b being of equal length. The first and second holding strips 19a, 19b are carved out of the security ring 17 at an offset of 180 degrees.

[0057] A first or a second bend line 75, 77 is formed at the first or the third end 39, 51. Due to the first and second bend line 75, 77, the first and/or the third ends 39, 51 can act as a joint. Bend lines can also be provided at the second and fourth ends 41, 53.

[0058] A first and a second recess 79, 81 are provided on the security ring 17. The first and the second holding strips 19a, 19b are accommodated in the first or the second recess 79, 81. This makes it possible to produce the first and second holding strips 19a, 19b directly from the security ring 17, e.g., by cutting out of the security ring, or to provide them by, for example, an appropriate design of injection-molded shapes.

[0059] If the closure cap 11 is pressed onto the container neck 29, the pouring opening 33 is closed by the closure cap 11, and the closure cap 11 is in a closed position. When the threaded part 15 is unscrewed from the container neck 29, the first, second, third, and fourth predetermined breaking webs 47, 49, 59, 61 and the security webs 63 break. The security ring 17 rotates along with the threaded part 15. During unscrewing, the first and second holding strips 19a, 19b can straighten. In the process, the first and second ends 39, 51 can act as a joint as a result of the first and second bend lines 75, 77 (not shown). The second and fourth ends 41, 53 can also be bent, e.g., bent outwards, because the translational movement of the threaded part 15 is thereby simplified and can take place in a more defined manner.

[0060] FIG. 4 shows how the threaded part 15 can be arranged on the container body 28 in the open position. On the container neck 29, a shoulder 91, which is formed below the security ring 17 or is formed by the security ring 17 itself, is formed. The shoulder is formed by a support ring 91 that is located at the transition from the container neck 29 to the container body 28. The threaded part 15 is held in the open position on the first and second holding strips 19a, 19b. FIG. 4 shows the container body 28 with a container shoulder 93. The container shoulder 93 represents the transition from the container neck 29 to the cylindrical part of the container body 28. The holding strips 19a, 19b are dimensioned in such a way that the open edge 25 can be pulled over the support ring 91 into the open position. In the open position, the threaded part 15 rests, with the open edge 25, on the surface of the container shoulder 93. The first cylindrical shell 23 rests against the support ring 91. The holding strips 19a, 19b are slightly tensioned in the open position. As a result, the threaded part 15 is pulled against the support ring 91 and is clamped below the support ring 91. The support ring 91 prevents the threaded element 15 from tilting upwards due to the pulling of the holding strips 19a, 19b. Rather, the support ring 91 causes the open edge 25 to be pressed against the container shoulder 93. As a result, the threaded part 15 is held particularly stable in the open position. It is also conceivable for the first cylindrical shell 23 to rest against the security ring 17 if there is no support ring. In this case, the security ring 17 acts as a shoulder for the threaded part 15.

[0061] As FIG. 4 shows, the axis of rotation of the container neck 83 and the axis of rotation 85 of the threaded part enclose an acute angle due to the container shoulder 93. The greater the angle, which may be at most 90 degrees, between the two axes of rotation 83, 85, the greater the tensile force on the container shoulder 93. The smaller the angle between the two axes of rotation 83, 85, the greater the tensile force on the support ring 91.

[0062] In a second manner of use (not shown), after being unscrewed from the container neck 29, the threaded part can be rotated along the first and third ends 39, 53 in such a way that the cover plate 21 is oriented in the direction of the container neck 29. Similar to what was previously explained, the threaded part can then be positioned on the container neck in such a way that the holding strips 19a, 19b pull or tension the cover plate against the outer thread 31 and the support ring 91.

[0063] The protrusions 37 can be designed in accordance with the following description of FIGS. 6 and 7. This embodiment of the protrusions 37 is the content of the Swiss patent applications with application numbers 01467/19 and 01695/19, the priorities of which were claimed, and the disclosure contents of which are hereby incorporated into the present patent application. Slots 95 are provided in the security ring in a manner distributed over the circumference of the security ring 17. The slots 95 each have an upper edge 97 and a lower edge 99. The upper edge 97 is formed by a circular-arc-shaped section of the security ring 17. The lower edge 99 corresponds to the free edge of a wall section 101 inclined inwardly in the radial direction. Due to the internal inclination of the wall section 101, the lower edge 99 has a smaller radius than the security ring 17 and can thereby lie against an abutment (annular protrusion 35) of the container neck 29 when the threaded part 15 is unscrewed from the container neck 29. The abutment is realized by the annular protrusion 35, which is formed below the outer thread 31 on the container neck 29. When the threaded part 15 is unscrewed, the lower edge 99 engages in a form fit on the protrusion 35, as a result of which the security ring 17 is reliably held on the annular protrusion 35 even under high axial forces.

[0064] Each wall section 101 has a first subsection 103 and two second subsections 105. The first subsection 103 represents an inwardly-folded shell section and is designed to be flat. The second subsections 105 adjoin the inwardly-facing sides of the first subsection 103 and connect them to the security ring 17. The second subsections 105 can be designed curved or flat and inwardly face each other at an angle. The lower edge 99 of the slot 95 corresponds to the free edges of the first subsection 103 and of the second subsections 105 and lies in a plane 107, which is shown in FIG. 7. The plane 107 is oriented to be perpendicular to the axis of rotation 85 of the container neck 29. These described design features of the wall section 101 have the advantage that the wall section 101, with the entire lower edge 99, can rest against the annular protrusion 35 and not yield upwards in the event of an axial tensile force. As a result, the security ring 17 is held non-releasably against the protrusion 35 or can be removed from the protrusion 35 only by being destroyed. A movement of the first subsection 103 inwards in the radial direction is prevented by provision of the second subsections 105. However, a movement of the first subsection 103 outwards in the radial direction is possible. This movement is flexible, and, after being pressed radially outwards, the wall section 101 returns to its inwardly-inclined home position. This has the further advantage that the security ring 17 can be easily demolded and can be pressed together with the threaded part 15 onto the container neck 29 with little force. As a result of the flexibility of the wall section 101, the demolding from an injection mold and the pressing onto the container neck 29 can take place without the risk of damaging the wall section 101.

[0065] The inclined wall sections 101 have a lesser wall thickness than the remaining security ring 17. FIG. 7 shows that the region of the lower edge 99 has the smallest wall thickness. The above-described flexibility of the wall section 101 radially outwards is thereby further improved. The wall thickness of the wall section 101 increases linearly downwards starting from the lower edge 99.

[0066] FIGS. 6 and 7 show the security ring 17 without the threaded part 15. FIGS. 6 and 7 clearly show that an annular bead 109 on which the upper edges 97 rest is formed above the slots 95 on the security ring 17.

[0067] FIG. 7 shows a first and second inclination angle 111, 113. The first inclination angle 111 indicates the inclination of the first subsection 103 with respect to the plane of the lower edge 99. The first inclination angle 111 has a magnitude between 60 and 80 degrees, or between 65 and 75 degrees. The greater the first inclination angle 111, the better the stability of the wall sections 101 with respect to vertical force effects or axial tensile forces caused by the unscrewing of the threaded part 15. However, the first inclination angle 111 may not become too large, since otherwise the annular protrusion 35 cannot be sufficiently engaged.

[0068] The second inclination angle 113 indicates the inclination of the slot 95 with respect to the plane of the lower edge 109. The connecting line 115, which represents the inclination of the slot 95, is a connection of the upper edge 97 to the lower edge 99 in a plane spanned by the axis of rotation 85 and the connecting line 115. The second inclination angle 113 is enclosed by the connecting line 115 and the plane 107. The second inclination angle 113 has a magnitude between 30 and 50 degrees, or between 35 and 45 degrees. The greater the second inclination angle 113, the easier the security ring 17 can be demolded.

[0069] An inwardly-projecting inner cone 87 (FIG. 1), e.g., in the form of a sealing cylinder or a sealing ring, is formed on the cover plate 21 of the threaded part 15. The inner cone 87 is designed to interact in a sealed manner with the inner wall 89 of the container neck 29 in the closed position. The closure cap 11 can therefore act as a so-called cone sealer and reliably seals the container neck 29.

[0070] The closure cap 11 is made of a plastic. Such plastics may include inter alia PP and HDPE.