CONTAINER CLOSURE

Abstract

A container closure includes a pouring element that merges into a container body or fastened on a container body and has at least one external thread formed on the pouring element. A closure cap for closing a pouring opening of the pouring element has a cylindrical threaded part with an open periphery and an internal thread that interacts with the external thread of the pouring element. The closure cap has a tamper-evident band connected to the open periphery of the threaded part by a plurality of breaking lugs. Opening of the container closure for the first time is evident from the breaking of the breaking lugs. The tamper-evident band has a first end fixed to the open periphery of the threaded part and a second end that can be connected to the pouring element.

Claims

1. Container closure comprising: a pouring element that merges into a container body or can configured to be fastened to a container body, at least one external thread formed on the pouring element, and a closure cap for closing a pouring opening within the pouring element, the closure cap comprising: a cylindrical threaded part having an open periphery and an internal thread that interacts with the external thread of the pouring elements, a tamper-evident band connected to the open periphery of the threaded part by a plurality of predetermined breaking lugs, opening of the container closure for the first time being evident from the breaking of the plurality of predetermined breaking lugs, the tamper-evident band having a first and a second end, wherein the first end is fixed to the open periphery of the threaded part and the second end is configured to be connected to the pouring element.

2. Container closure according to claim 1, wherein the first end and the second end of the tamper-evident band are connected to a tamper-evident lug, the tamper-evident lug breaking when the threaded part is rotated in an opening direction.

3. Container closure according to claim 1, wherein the second end of the tamper-evident band is configured to be interlockingly connected to the pouring element.

4. Container closure according to claim 1, further comprising a first hook formed on the second end of the tamper-evident band and configured to be latched in at least one first recess provided on the pouring element and facing the first hook.

5. Container closure according to claim 4, wherein the pouring element has a neck and a collar adjoining the neck.

6. Container closure according to claim 5, wherein the at least one first recess is formed on the neck in such a way that the recess is located in a plane oriented orthogonally to the collar and to the neck.

7. Container closure according to claim 5, wherein the at least one first recess is formed on the collar in such a way that the recess is located in a plane oriented orthogonally to the collar and to the neck.

8. Container closure according to claim 4, wherein a transition from the first end to the second end of the tamper-evident band defines a cut-out and the first hook can be rotated into the at least one first recess when the threaded part is rotated in the opening direction.

9. Container closure according claim 5, further comprising at least one guide element on the neck guiding the first hook into the at least one first recess when the threaded part is rotated in the opening direction.

10. Container closure according to claim 9, wherein the guide element is a ramp-like projection on which the first hook) can be guided downward in a direction of the at least one first recess by rotating the threaded part in the opening direction.

11. Container closure according to claim 5, wherein the at least one first recess is formed on the collar in such a way that the first recess is located in a plane of the collar.

12. Container closure according to claim 4, further comprising a barb within the at least one first recess and configured to be hooked inseparably to the first hook.

13. Container closure according to claim 1, further comprising a second recess on the second end of the tamper-evident band and configured to be latched to at least one second hook which is formed on the pouring element and faces the second recess.

14. Container closure according to claim 13, wherein the second recess is configured to be hooked on the at least one second hook when the threaded part is rotated in the opening direction.

15. Container closure according to claim 13, wherein the at least one second hook is on the neck.

16. Container closure according to claim 5, wherein the neck is devoid of a retaining ring for holding the tamper-evident band on the pouring element.

17. Container closure according to claim 1, wherein the pouring element is configured to be fastened to a beverage carton or to a container made of a composite material.

18. Container closure according to claim 1, wherein the pouring element is an integral component of a plastics container.

19. Pouring element which merges into a container body or can be fastened to a container body, comprising: a neck, a collar adjoining the neck, at least one external thread formed on the neck, a pouring opening provided within the pouring element, and a first recess or a second hook on the pouring element, in which recess or in which hook a free end of a tamper-evident band formed on a closure cap can be latched thereto.

20. Pouring element according to claim 19, further comprising at least one guide element on the neck and configured to guide the first hook into the at least one first recess when the threaded part is rotated in the opening direction.

21. Pouring element according to claim 19, wherein the neck is devoid of a retaining ring for holding the tamper-evident band on the pouring element.

22. Closure cap for closing a pouring opening provided within a pouring element, comprising: a cylindrical threaded part having an open periphery and an internal thread, that interacts with the external thread of the pouring element, and a tamper-evident band connected to the open periphery of the threaded part with a plurality of predetermined breaking lugs, opening of the container closure for the first time being evident from the breaking of the plurality of predetermined breaking lugs, the tamper-evident band having a first and a second end, wherein the first end is fixed to the open periphery of the threaded part and the second end is connectable to the pouring element.

23. Closure cap according to claim 22, wherein the first end and the second end of the tamper-evident band are connected to a tamper-evident lug, the tamper-evident lug configured to break when the threaded part is rotated in the opening direction.

24. Closure cap according to claim 22, wherein the second end of the tamper-evident band is configured to be interlockingly connected to the pouring element.

25. Closure cap according to claim 22, further comprising a first hook on the second end of the tamper-evident band and latchable in at least one first recess provided on the pouring element and facing the first hook.

26. Closure cap according to claim 25, wherein a transition from the first end to the second end of the tamper-evident band defines a cut-out so that the first hook can be rotated into the at least one first recess when the threaded part is rotated in the opening direction.

27. Closure cap according to claim 22, further comprising a second recess on the second end of the tamper-evident band that is configured to be latched to at least one second hook on the pouring element and facing the second recess.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Further advantages and features become apparent from the following description of seven exemplary embodiments of the invention with reference to the schematic drawings. The drawings show, in a representation not true to scale:

[0028] FIG. 1: a perspective view of a first embodiment of a container closure having a pouring element and a closure cap, the pouring element being fastened to a beverage carton;

[0029] FIG. 2: a sectional view of the pouring element from FIG. 1;

[0030] FIG. 3: a second embodiment of the container closure in which the pouring element is formed on a preform;

[0031] FIG. 4: a side view of a third embodiment of the container closure;

[0032] FIG. 5: a perspective view of the pouring element of FIG. 4;

[0033] FIG. 6: a perspective view of a closure cap of the container closure in a fourth embodiment;

[0034] FIG. 7: a perspective view of a pouring element in a fifth embodiment, which interacts with the closure cap of FIG. 6;

[0035] FIG. 8: a side view of the pouring element from FIG. 7, a recess formed thereon being shown in a sectional view;

[0036] FIG. 9: a perspective view of a pouring element in a sixth embodiment, which interacts with the closure cap of FIG. 6;

[0037] FIG. 10: a side view of the pouring element from FIG. 9, a ring formed thereon being shown in a sectional view; and

[0038] FIG. 11: a perspective view of a seventh embodiment of the container closure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0039] FIGS. 1, 4, and 11 show a container closure, which is denoted as a whole by reference sign 11. The container closure 11 comprises a pouring element 13 and a closure cap 15. An external thread 17 is formed on the outside of the pouring element 13. The pouring element 13 encloses a pouring opening 19 through which the contents of a container can be poured. The container can be a plastics container 21 or a beverage carton 23. The plastics container can be manufactured from a preform 25. In the case of a plastics container 21, the pouring element 13 is an integral part of the plastics container 21 and consists of the same material as the entire plastics container. In the case of a beverage carton 23, which can be made of a composite material, the pouring element 13 is fastened, for example glued, thereto.

[0040] The closure cap 15 has a cylindrical threaded part 27. The cylindrical threaded part 27 has an internal thread (not visible in the figures), which interacts with the external thread 17. The closure cap 15 can therefore be screwed onto the pouring element 13 and, when in the screwed-on state, closes the pouring opening 19. The cylindrical threaded part 27 has an open periphery 29 which faces the pouring element 13. 1. The closure cap is made of a plastics material, such as PP or HDPE.

[0041] Arranged on the open periphery 29 is a tamper-evident band 31 which fulfills the purpose of indicating whether or not the original seal of the container closure 11 is intact. The tamper-evident band 31 is fastened to the open periphery 29, in a known manner, by a plurality of predetermined breaking lugs 33. When the closure cap 15 is rotated in the opening direction relative to the pouring element 13, the predetermined breaking lugs 33 break. When the container closure 11 is in the closed state, the broken or torn predetermined breaking lugs 33 show that the container closure 11 has already been opened.

[0042] The aim of the invention is to ensure that the closure cap 15 is captively held on the pouring element 13 even after it has been unscrewed from the pouring element 13, and that as little material as possible is required for the proposed solution.

[0043] The tamper-evident band 31 has a first end 35 and a second end 37. Unlike a tamper-evident band in accordance with the prior art, which is a ring not having a first and second end, the present tamper-evident band 31 has a cut-out 39. The first end 35 is formed on one side of the cut-out 39 and the second end 37 is formed on the opposite side of the cut-out 39. The first end 35 is fixed to the open periphery 29. The term “fixed” refers to a connection which does not break off when the closure cap 15 is opened. Therefore, the closure cap 15 remains connected to the tamper-evident band 31 even when the closure cap 15 is unscrewed from the pouring element 13. By way of example, the first end 35 can be fastened to the open periphery 29 by a lug.

[0044] In a first embodiment in accordance with FIGS. 1 and 2, a first hook 41 is formed on the second end 37. The first hook 41 is intended to be able to be latched in a first recess 43. The first recess 43 is arranged and formed on the pouring element 13 in such a way that the first hook 41 can be latched in the first recess 43. The pouring element 13 has a neck 45 and a collar 47 adjoining the neck. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the recess 43 is formed on the collar 47 at the transition from the neck 45 to the collar 47. If the closure cap 15 is rotated in the opening direction, that is to say usually counterclockwise, the first recess is arranged on the collar 47 in such a way that the first hook 41 must enter the first recess 43. The recess 43 is therefore located in a plane which is oriented orthogonally to the neck 45 and to the collar 47 or oriented transversely to the first hook 41. As shown in FIG. 2, a protrusion 49 or a barb 49 is formed at the first recess 43, to which protrusion or barb the first hook 41 latches and is held in the first recess in an interlocking manner. When the closure cap 15 is rotated further, the tamper-evident band 31 is subjected to shear and the predetermined breaking lugs 33 break. Once the closure cap 15 has been unscrewed from the pouring element 13, the closure cap 15 is therefore captively held on the pouring element 13 by means of the tamper-evident band 31 as a result of the interaction between the first hook 41 and the first recess 43. Once latched in the first recess 43, the first hook 41 can be removed again from the first recess 43 only with destruction.

[0045] It is self-evident that the pouring element 13 together with the first recess 43 can also be formed on the preform 25 (FIG. 3) and is an integral part of the preform 25. In the event of stretch blow molding, for example to form the plastics container 21, the pouring element 13 remains unchanged and interacts with the closure cap 15 just as in the embodiment in accordance with FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0046] In the third embodiment in accordance with FIGS. 4 and 5, at least one guide element in the form of a ramp-like projection 51 is formed on the neck 45. In this embodiment, the first recess 43 is located in the plane of the collar 47 or is provided within the collar. When the closure cap 15 is rotated in the opening direction, the first hook 41 is guided downward along the projection 51 in the direction of the first recess 43 and is pressed into the first recess 43. The hook 41 latches with the barb 49 in the first recess.

[0047] FIG. 4 shows that the first and second ends 35, 37 of the tamper-evident band 31 are connected to a tamper-evident lug 53. When the first hook 41 is forced downward by the projection 51, the tamper-evident lug 53 tears and indicates that the original seal of the container closure 11 is no longer intact. The tamper-evident band 53 is provided in the third embodiment since it is conceivable to remove the closure cap 15 from the pouring element 13 without the predetermined breaking lugs 33 being destroyed. In FIG. 4, the width of the first recess 43 in the region of the barb 49 is denoted by “A”. The width of the first hook 41 at the transition to the tamper-evident band 31 is denoted by “B”. Since the width B is greater than the width A, the barb 49 is pressed upward by the first hook 41 and pretensioned when the first hook 41 is rotated into the first recess 43. As a result, the first hook 41 is reliably held in the first recess 43.

[0048] If a multi-start external thread 17 is provided on the pouring element 13, one first recess 43 and one projection 51 are provided per thread so that in any case the first hook 41 hooks in one of the first openings 43 when the closure cap 15 is opened.

[0049] In a fourth embodiment in accordance with FIG. 6, the first hook 41 is formed such that it is not guided downward in the direction of the collar 47 but rather toward the side in the direction of the neck 45. In this case, the first recess 43 is formed on the neck 45 in such a way that the recess is located in a plane oriented orthogonally to the collar 47 and to the neck 45. As shown in FIG. 7, the orientation of the first recess 43 allows the first hook 41 to be rotated into the first recess 43 when the closure cap 15 is rotated in the opening direction. The first hook 41 hooks into the barb 49, as shown by the sectional view in FIG. 8. This embodiment is particularly suitable for pouring elements 13 which are made of LDPE since the recess 43 can be produced in an extrusion blow molding process, after which extrusion blow molding process the LDPE is processed.

[0050] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the first recess 43 can also be enclosed by a ring 54, which ring is formed on the neck 45. When the first hook 41 is rotated, it is pressed into the ring 54 and hooks into the ring 54. So that the first hook 41 can hook in the ring 54, the ring has a conical recess 43 which tapers away from the first hook 41. This embodiment is particularly suitable for pouring elements 13 which are made of PET since the ring 54 can be injection-molded and can therefore be produced from PET when a preform is injection-molded.

[0051] In a further embodiment in accordance with FIG. 11, a second recess 55 is provided at the second end 37. A second hook 57 is formed on the neck 45. When the closure cap 15 is rotated in the opening direction, the second recess 55 hooks to the second hook 57. As a result, after being unscrewed, the closure cap 15 is held on the pouring element 13 by the tamper-evident band 31.

[0052] Since the tamper-evident band 31 is held on the pouring element 13 at its second end 37, other devices that hold the tamper-evident band 31 on the pouring element 13 can be dispensed with. A retaining ring, which encloses the pouring element in the circumferential direction and makes it possible to retain the tamper-evident band on the pouring element when the closure cap is unscrewed, is known from the prior art. In accordance with the present invention, a retaining ring of this kind on the pouring element can be dispensed with. This makes it possible to reduce the plastics material required for the retaining ring.