CLOSING CAP FOR CLOSING A CONTAINER

Abstract

A closing cap for closing a container comprises a cylindrical threaded part having an open edge and an internal screw thread, which can interact with an external screw thread of the container neck. A tamper-proof strip is configured to be retained on an annular protrusion formed on the container neck. A retaining strip has a first and a second end and a first and a second edge. The first end is fixedly connected to the open edge of the threaded part, and the second end is fixedly connected to the tamper-proof strip. The first edge is detachably connected to the open edge of the threaded part by a predetermined breaking element, and the second edge is detachably connected to the tamper-proof strip by a second predetermined breaking element. The first predetermined breaking element and the second predetermined breaking element have different tensile strengths or tear strengths.

Claims

1. A closing cap for closing the pouring opening of a container, comprising: a cylindrical threaded part having an open edge and an internal screw thread that can interact with an external screw thread of a container neck of the container; a tamper-proof strip is configured to be retained on a protrusion formed on the container neck; and a retaining strip having a first end and a second end and a first edge and a second edge, the first end fixedly connected to the open edge of the threaded part, the second end fixedly connected to the tamper-proof strip, the first edge detachably connected to the open edge of the threaded part by at least one predetermined breaking element, and the second edge being detachably connected to the tamper-proof strip by at least one second predetermined breaking element whereby either the at least one first predetermined breaking element and the at least one second predetermined breaking element have different tensile strengths or tear strengths; or the retaining strip has an internal screw thread formed inside the retaining strip, the internal screw thread configured to interact with the external screw thread of the container neck.

2. The closing cap according to claim 1, wherein the first predetermined breaking element is a first predetermined breaking web and the second predetermined breaking element is a second predetermined breaking web.

3. The closing cap according to claim 2, further comprising a plurality of first predetermined breaking webs is arranged between the open edge of the threaded part and the first edge of the retaining strip.

4. The closing cap according to claim 2, comprising a plurality of second predetermined breaking webs arranged between the tamper-proof strip and the second edge of the retaining strip.

5. The closing cap according to claim 4, wherein the tear strength of the plurality of first predetermined breaking webs is equal to or greater than the tear strength of the plurality of second predetermined breaking webs.

6. The closing cap according to claim 4, wherein the tear strength of the plurality second predetermined breaking webs is equal to or greater than the tear strength of the first predetermined breaking webs.

7. The closing cap according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of first and second predetermined breaking webs are evenly spaced along the first and the second edges, respectively.

8. The closing cap according to claim 4, wherein each of the plurality of first predetermined breaking webs have the same cross-sectional area and each of the plurality of second predetermined breaking webs have the same cross-sectional area.

9. The closing cap according to claim 1, wherein the retaining strip extends over a circular arc with an angle between 180 and 350 degrees.

10. The closing cap according to claim 1, wherein the first end and the second end of the retaining strip form a gap therein between.

11. The closing cap according to claim 1, wherein a position of the tamper-proof strip relative to the annular protrusion of the container neck can be changed in an axial direction and in a circumferential direction.

12. The closing cap according to claim 1, wherein an edge of the tamper-proof strip defines a recess facing the retaining strip and is configured for receiving the retaining strip.

13. The closing cap according to claim 1, wherein a first fixed connection between the first end of the retaining strip and the open edge of the threaded part and/or a second fixed connection between the second end of the retaining strip and the tamper-proof strip is bendable.

14. The closing cap according to claim 1, wherein at a base of the threaded part an inwardly protruding inner cone in the form of a sealing cylinder or a sealing ring is formed and is configured to interact sealingly with an inner wall of the container neck in a closed position.

15. The closing cap according to claim 1, wherein the retaining strip has a width between 3 mm and 7 mm.

16. The closing cap according to claim 1, wherein the closing cap is configured to interact with a standardized container neck having an external screw thread and an annular protrusion.

17. The closing cap according to of claim 1, wherein the closing cap is made of a plastic material.

18. The closing cap according to of claim 14, wherein the cylindrical threaded part, the inner cone, the tamper-proof strip, the retaining strip, and the at least one first and second predetermined breaking element are integrally formed.

19. A container, comprising: a container body, a container neck adjoining the container body; an external screw thread formed on the container neck; and a closing cap for closing a pouring opening provided within the container neck, the closing cap comprising: a cylindrical threaded part having an open edge and an internal screw thread configured to interact with the external screw thread of the container neck, a tamper-proof strip retained on a protrusion formed on the container neck, and a retaining strip having a first and a second end and a first and second edge, the first end being fixedly connected to the open edge of the threaded part, the second end being fixedly connected to the tamper-proof strip, the first edge being detachably connected to the open edge of the threaded part by at least one predetermined breaking element, and the second edge being detachably connected to the tamper-proof strip by at least one second predetermined breaking element, whereby either the at least one first predetermined breaking element and the at least one second predetermined breaking element have different tensile strengths or tear strengths; or the retaining strip has an internal screw thread formed inside the retaining strip, the internal screw thread configured to interact with the external screw thread of the container neck.

20. The container according to claim 19, wherein the container body defines a recess having a depth configured to receive the closing cap.

21. The container according to claim 20, wherein the closing cap is retained in the recess by a form fit and/or force fit when the closing cap is received in the recess.

22. The container according to claim 20, wherein a distance between the recess and the tamper-proof strip is at most as great as the length of the retaining strip between the first and second ends.

23. The container according to claim 20, wherein the recess has a cylindrical shape with a base and a lateral surface defining the depth of the recess, an inner diameter of the recess being essentially the same as an outer diameter of the closing cap.

24. The container according to claim 20, wherein the depth of the recess is less than or equal to a height of the closing cap.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] Further advantages and features emerge from the following description of an exemplary embodiment of the invention with reference to the schematic representations. In a representation that is not true to scale:

[0036] FIG. 1: shows a side view of a closing cap and the upper part of a container on which the cap is screwed;

[0037] FIG. 2: shows a view in which the closing cap is partially separated from a tamper-proof strip and is retained on the tamper-proof strip with a second end of a retaining strip;

[0038] FIG. 3: shows a view in which the closing cap is additionally separated from the retaining strip and retained by a first end of the retaining strip;

[0039] FIG. 4: shows an isometric view of the container with a recess in the shoulder area without cap;

[0040] FIG. 5: shows an isometric view of the container and the closing cap, the closing cap being received in the recess, and

[0041] FIG. 6: shows a sectional view through the container shown in FIG. 5 along the longitudinal axis of the container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0042] FIGS. 1 to 3 show a closing cap, which is designated as a whole with the reference numeral 11. The closing cap 11 is retained captively on a container 13, in particular on a bottle 13. The closing cap 11 comprises a cylindrical threaded part 15, a tamper-proof strip 17, and a retaining strip 19.

[0043] The threaded part 15 comprises a base 21 and a first cylindrical jacket 23 with an open edge 25. An internal screw thread 27 is formed on the inside of the jacket 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 jacket. An external screw thread 31, which interacts with the internal screw thread 27, is formed on the container neck 29. As a result, the threaded part 15 can be screwed onto and unscrewed from the container neck 29. The closing cap 11 closes the pouring opening 32 which is provided inside the container neck 29.

[0044] The tamper-proof strip 17 is retained in a form-fitting manner on the container neck 13. For this purpose, an annular protrusion is formed on the outside of the container neck 29; protrusions, formed on the inside of the tamper-proof strip 17, can engage under said annular protrusion (not shown in the figures). The tamper-proof strip 17 can be rotated relative to the container neck 29.

[0045] The retaining strip 19 has a first end 33 and a second end 35. The first end 33 is fixedly connected to the open edge 25. The second end 35 is fixedly connected to the tamper-proof strip 17. As a result, the closing cap 11 is retained captively on the container 13. The retaining strip also has a first edge 37 and a second edge 39. The first edge 37 is connected to the open edge 25 by means of several first predetermined breaking webs 41, and the second edge 39 is detachably connected to the tamper-proof strip 17 by means of several second predetermined breaking webs 43. The retaining strip 19 may have a width between 4 mm and 5 mm so that it is sufficiently stable and that it can be pulled off manually from the threaded part 15 or the tamper-proof strip 17.

[0046] The first and second predetermined breaking webs 41, 43 have different tear strengths. That is to say, the first predetermined breaking webs 41 can have a greater tear strength than the second predetermined breaking webs 43 or the second predetermined breaking webs 43 can have a greater tear strength than the first predetermined breaking webs 41. The first and second predetermined breaking webs 41, 43 may be arranged or formed evenly spaced on the first edge 37 and on the second edge 39, respectively. The cross-sectional areas of the first predetermined breaking webs 41 may be of the same size and that the cross-sectional areas of the second predetermined breaking webs 43 may be of the same size.

[0047] Because the first and second predetermined breaking webs 41, 43 have different tensile strengths and tear strengths, either the first predetermined breaking webs 41 or the second predetermined breaking webs 43 break when the threaded part 15 is unscrewed. After the threaded part 15 has been unscrewed, the retaining strip 19 therefore remains on the threaded part 15 or on the tamper-proof strip 17. The tamper-proof strip 17 can be displaced by a few millimeters in the axial direction with respect to the annular protrusion of the container neck. As a result, the retaining strip 19 can remain completely on the threaded part 15 or on the tamper-proof strip 17, since the retaining strip 19 does not have to provide a “height” between the threaded part 15 and the tamper-proof strip 17 when the threaded part 15 is unscrewed.

[0048] FIG. 2 shows the embodiment in which the second predetermined breaking webs 43 have a lower tear strength than the first predetermined breaking webs 41. As a result, the second predetermined breaking webs 43 tear when unscrewing and the retaining strip 19 remains on the threaded part 15 when unscrewing. The connection between the second end 35 and the tamper-proof strip may be bendable, as a result of which the threaded part 15 can be bent away from the container neck 29. The position of the threaded part as shown in FIG. 2 is optimal for pouring liquid from the bottle 13 into a glass. The threaded part 15 is not in the way of the liquid stream.

[0049] When drinking directly from the bottle 13, the threaded part 15, in the position shown in FIG. 2, can interfere with drinking. The retaining strip 19 can then also be pulled off the threaded part 15 by tearing off the first predetermined breaking webs 41. This leads to a position of the threaded part 15 as shown in FIG. 3. The threaded part 15 is still retained on the bottle 13, but is no longer in the way of the user when drinking from the bottle 13. The threaded part 15 can be held together with the bottle 13 on the recessed grip 45 while drinking. It is also possible for only some of the first predetermined breaking webs 41 to be torn off in order to obtain a suitable length of the retaining strip 19. It is just as conceivable that the retaining strip 19 remains on the tamper-proof strip 17 when the threaded part 15 is unscrewed. The connection between the first end 33 and the tamper-proof strip 17 may be bendable.

[0050] The length of the retaining strip 19 can be determined by the angle of the circular arc the length of which corresponds to the length of the retaining strip 19. The angle of the circular arc may be between 270 and 350 degrees. The retaining strip 19 has the correct length at this angle so that the threaded part 15 can be held together with the bottle 13 with one hand while drinking from the bottle 13. It should be understood that the length of the retaining strip is also dependent on the diameter of the closing cap 11. For larger diameters, for example closing caps with an outer diameter of 38 mm, it can therefore make sense to reduce the angle of the circular arc so that the retaining strip 19 has the desired length and the captive threaded part 15 is not in the way when the container 13 is used.

[0051] A gap 47 is provided on the closing cap 11 between the first and the second ends 33, 35 of the retaining strip 19, so that the retaining strip 19 has a first and a second end 33, 35.

[0052] The closing cap 11 is made of a plastic. Example plastics include PP and HDPE among others.

[0053] FIGS. 4 to 6 show the container 13 in an embodiment in which a recess 49 is provided on the container body 28. The recess 49 has a cylindrical shape with a base 51 and a lateral jacket surface 53. The recess 49 may be provided or formed in the shoulder area 55 of the container. The shoulder area 55 forms the transition between the cylindrical part 57 of the container body 28 and the container neck 29.

[0054] FIGS. 5 and 6 show the closing cap 11 when it is received in the recess 49 or is inserted into the recess 49. So that the retaining strip 19 is not in the way, the closing cap 11 must be inserted into the recess 49 with its side facing away from the retaining strip ahead. The closing cap 11 must be retained in the recess 49 so that it does not fall out of the recess 49 when the container 13 is used. The closing cap 11, in particular its outer wall 59, is therefore retained by a force fit and/or a form fit.

[0055] A force fit between the outer wall 59 and the lateral surface 53 can be achieved most simply by the outer diameter of the closing cap 11 being slightly larger than the inner diameter of the recess 49. As a result, a press fit is achieved and the closing cap 11 is locked in the recess.

[0056] A form fit can be achieved in that protrusions or depressions are formed on the outer wall 59, which interact with corresponding depressions or protrusions formed on the lateral jacket surface 53. As a result, the closing cap 11 can snap into place with the recess 49.

[0057] The recess 49 is positioned on the container 13 in such a way that the closing cap 11 reaches the recess 49 although the closing cap 11 is hanging on the retaining strip 19. The distance between the recess 49, in particular the area of the recess 49 which is closest to the container neck 29, must therefore be selected so that it is at most as large as the length of the retaining strip 19 between the first end 33 and the second end 35.

[0058] The depth 61 of the recess 49 may be smaller than or equal to the height 63 of the closing cap 11. These coordinated dimensions of the closing cap 11 and the recess 49 make it possible for the closing cap 11 to be gripped at its area protruding from the recess 49 and to be pulled out of the recess 49 in order to close the container 11 again.

[0059] The recess 49 enables the closing cap 11 that has been removed from the container neck 29 to be secured to the container 13 so that it does not interfere with drinking from the container 11 or when pouring out the contents of the container.