CLOSURE DEVICE

Abstract

A closure device for closing a container, the closure device including a basic member, the basic member having a channel extending along a closure axis and having an inlet opening and a pouring opening, the closure device including a closure cap, the closure cap and the basic member being formed and arranged relative to each other in such a manner that the closure cap closes the pour-ing opening in a closed state of the closure device and releases it in an open state of the closure device. The closure cap is mounted on the basic member in the closed state of the closure device so as to be rotatable about the closure axis relative to the basic member, so that the closure cap is rotatable in an opening direction relative to the basic member, to bring the closure device into the open state.

Claims

1-16. (canceled)

17. A closure device for closing a container, comprising: a basic member, the basic member having a channel extending along a closure axis with an inlet opening and a pouring opening, wherein the closure device comprises a closure cap, wherein the closure cap and the basic member are formed and arranged relative to each other such that the closure cap closes the pouring opening in a closed state of the closure device and opens it in an open state of the closure device, wherein the closure cap is rotatably mounted on the basic member about the closure axis in the closed state of the closure device relative to the basic member so that the closure cap is rotatable in an opening direction of rotation relative to the basic member in order to bring the closure device into the open state, wherein the closure device comprises an anchor ring and a connecting element, wherein the connecting element connects the anchor ring to the closure cap, wherein the anchor ring is engaged with the basic member both in the closed state and in the open state of the closure device such that the closure cap is connected to the basic member with the connecting element and the anchor ring also in the open state, wherein the anchor ring is freely rotatable relative to the basic member over an angle of at least 180 degrees about the closure axis, wherein the closure device comprises a cutting device arranged at least in sections within the channel and having a cutting element, and wherein the closure cap comprises an entraining device, wherein the entraining device and the cutting device are formed and arranged in such a way that a first rotation of the closure cap in the opening direction of rotation causes a movement of the cutting element starting from an initial position of the cutting element in a direction pointing from the pouring opening to the inlet opening, so that the cutting element can be moved at least in sections through the inlet opening, wherein the closure device has a tamper-evident device, wherein the tamper-evident device in a first state provides a first visible or tactile indication and in a second state provides a second visible or tactile indication to be distinguished from the first indication, the closure device being designed in such a way that, when the closure cap is rotated for the first time in the opening direction of rotation, the tamper-evident device first changes from the first state to the second state at an angle of rotation D1 and then, at an angle of rotation D2, the cutting element moves out of the channel for the first time through the inlet opening, so that the angle of rotation D2 is greater than the angle of rotation D1, wherein both angles of rotation D1 and D2 are measured starting from the same angle of rotation zero point D0.

18. The closure device according to claim 17, wherein the tamper-evident device comprises a tearable bridge between the anchor ring and the closure cap, wherein the tearable bridge tears at the angle of rotation D1.

19. The closure device according to claim 17, wherein the basic member has an external thread and the closure cap has an internal thread corresponding to the external thread of the basic member, wherein preferably a thread extends over a circumferential angle of 360 degrees or more than 360 degrees, more preferably more than 700 degrees.

20. The closure device according to claim 17, wherein the angle of rotation D2 is greater than the angle of rotation D1 by at least 5 degrees, preferably by at least 10 degrees and more preferably by at least 20 degrees.

21. The closure device according to claim 17, wherein the angle of rotation D1 is between 50 and 150 degrees, preferably between 70 and 120 degrees, and more preferably between 100 and 110 degrees.

22. The closure device according to claim 17, wherein the entraining device comprises an entraining element, wherein the cutting device comprises a stop element, the closure cap, the entraining device and the cutting device being designed and arranged in such a way that, when the closure cap is rotated for the first time in the opening direction of rotation, the entraining element engages with the stop element at an angle of rotation D3 of the closure cap, so that only a rotational movement of the closure cap in the opening rotational direction exceeding the rotational angle D3 causes a movement of the cutting element in the direction of the inlet opening, the rotational angle D3 being smaller than the rotational angle D2, the angle of rotation D3 being measured from the zero point of rotation D0.

23. The closure device according to claim 22, wherein the angle of rotation D3 is greater than zero, is preferably at least 15 degrees and is particularly preferably at least 25 degrees.

24. The closure device according to claim 23, wherein the angle of rotation D3 is between 50 degrees and 150 degrees, preferably between 70 degrees and 120 degrees and particularly preferably between 100 degrees and 110 degrees.

25. The closure device according to claim 22, wherein the angle of rotation D2 is at most 30 degrees greater than the angle of rotation D3, preferably at most 20 degrees greater than the angle of rotation D3 and more preferably substantially 20 degrees greater than the angle of rotation D3.

26. The closure device according to claim 22, wherein the angle of rotation D2 is greater than the angle of rotation D3 by at least 30 degrees, preferably by at least 50 degrees, and more preferably by at least 100 degrees.

27. The closure device according to claim 17, wherein the cutting element, in its initial position, is arranged at a distance, measured parallel to the closure axis, of 1 mm or more, preferably of 1.5 mm or more, and particularly preferably in a range of 1 mm to 2 mm, from the inlet opening.

28. The closure device according to claim 17, wherein the connecting element is a connection band.

29. The closure device according to claim 17, wherein the connecting element forms a hinge such that the closure cap is pivotable about a pivot axis relative to the anchor ring.

30. The closure device according to claim 17, wherein the tamper-evident device comprises an annular tamper-evident band, wherein the tamper-evident band is connected to the anchor ring via at least one tearable bridge, the tamper-evident band being arranged on the side of the anchor ring facing away from the pouring opening.

31. The closure device according to claim 17, wherein the closure cap comprises a top plate and a circumferentially extending cap skirt, wherein the connecting element and the anchor ring form an axial extension of the cap skirt in the direction of the inlet opening in the closed state of the closure device, such that the outer radius of the cap skirt substantially coincides with the outer radius of the connecting element and the outer radius of the anchor ring.

32. A carton package comprising a closure device according to claim 17, wherein the carton package has a surface portion which can be cut by the cutting element, and wherein the closure device is arranged such that the cuttable surface portion abuts the inlet opening and covers the inlet opening prior to the first rotation of the closure cap in the opening rotation direction.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0055] Further advantages, features and possible applications of the present invention will become clear from the following description of an embodiment and the accompanying figures. In the figures, the same elements are designated with the same reference signs.

[0056] FIG. 1a is an isometric representation of a first embodiment of a closure device in an original, closed state.

[0057] FIG. 1b is a view from below of the closure device according to the first embodiment in the state shown in FIG. 1a.

[0058] FIG. 1c is a cross-sectional view of the closure device of FIG. 1b along line A-A.

[0059] FIG. 2a is an isometric view of the first embodiment of the closure device in a state where the cutting element passes through the inlet opening.

[0060] FIG. 2b is a bottom view of the closure device according to the first embodiment in the state shown in FIG. 2a.

[0061] FIG. 2c is a cross-sectional view of the cap of FIG. 2b along the line B-B.

[0062] FIG. 3a is an isometric view of the first embodiment of the closure device in a condition where the cutting element has penetrated the inlet opening.

[0063] FIG. 3b is a bottom view of the closure device according to the first embodiment in the state shown in FIG. 3a.

[0064] FIG. 3c is a cross-sectional view of the closure cap of FIG. 3b along the line C-C.

[0065] FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the closure device according to FIGS. 1a to 3c in the open state.

[0066] FIG. 5a is an isometric view of a second embodiment of a closure device in an original, closed state.

[0067] FIG. 5b is a bottom view of the closure device according to the second embodiment in the condition of FIG. 5a.

[0068] FIG. 5c is a cross-sectional view of the cap of FIG. 5b along line A-A.

[0069] FIG. 6a is an isometric view of the second embodiment of the closure device in a condition in which the entraining element of the closure cap engages the stop surface of the cutting device.

[0070] FIG. 6b is a bottom view of the closure device according to the second embodiment in the state shown in FIG. 6a.

[0071] FIG. 6c is a cross-sectional view of the closure cap of FIG. 6b along the line B-B.

[0072] FIG. 7a is an isometric view of the second embodiment of the closure device in a condition where the cutting element has completely penetrated the inlet opening.

[0073] FIG. 7b is a bottom view of the closure device according to the second embodiment in the state shown in FIG. 7a.

[0074] FIG. 7c is a cross-sectional view of the closure device of FIG. 7b along the line C-C.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0075] The figures show two embodiments of a closure device 1 intended to be connected to a container in the form of a carton package.

[0076] In both embodiments, the closure device 1 comprises a basic member 2, a closure cap 3, a cutting device in the form of a cutting ring 18, an anchor ring 4 and a connecting element in the form of a connection band 5.

[0077] The closure devices 1 are intended to be connected to a container in the form of a carton pack. For this purpose, the basic member 2 has a circular-ring-shaped flange 6 which is connected to the outer surface of the carton package. From this flange 6, a hollow cylindrical section 7 of the basic member 2 extends substantially perpendicularly thereto. This hollow cylindrical section 7 is used for pouring liquid from the carton package (not shown in the figures). For this purpose, the hollow cylinder 7 defines a channel 9 extending along the closure axis 8. This channel 9 comprises an inlet opening 10 on its lower side facing the carton package and a pouring opening 11 on its side facing away from the carton package. The position of the inlet opening 10 is axially where the flange ring 6 of the basic member 2 extends.

[0078] The hollow cylindrical section 7 has an external thread 12. This external thread 12 interacts with an internal thread 13 of the closure cap 3. The closure cap 3 can therefore be unscrewed from and screwed back onto the hollow cylindrical section 7 of the basic member 2. In this way, the user can switch between an open state and a closed state of the closure device 1.

[0079] It is decisive for the following considerations that the closure device 3 remains connected to the basic member 2 by means of the connection band 5 and the anchor ring 4 even after the closure device 1 has been opened, i.e. after the closure device 3 has been disengaged from the basic member 2.

[0080] In the embodiments shown, tearable connecting webs 14 between the anchor ring 4 and the retaining band 5, but also between the retaining band 5 and the closure cap 3, serve as a tamper-evident device within the meaning of the present application. When the closure cap 3 is opened for the first time, i.e. when it is unscrewed, these bridges 14 tear and the broken or torn bridges 14 are visible to an observer. It can be seen whether the protective device 1 has already been opened a first time.

[0081] The anchor ring 4 therefore not only has the task of attaching the closure cap 2 to the basic member 2 even after it has been screwed on, but also of providing the necessary counterforces when the closure cap 2 is unscrewed for the first time, so that the bridges 14 tear or break.

[0082] To allow the closure cap 3 to be unscrewed from the basic member 2, i.e. to allow the closure cap 3 to be rotated relative to the basic member 2, the anchor ring 4 is fixed to the basic member 2 only in the axial direction, i.e. parallel to the closure axis 8. At the same time, the anchor ring 4 together with the closure cap 3 is freely rotatable relative to the basic member 2. In the embodiments shown, the anchor ring 4 is rotatable over a full 360 degrees and possibly a multiple thereof.

[0083] For axially fixing the anchor ring 4 relative to the basic member 2, the basic member 2 has on its outer wall a projection 16 extending in the shape of a circular ring on the outer wall. Latching lugs 17 extending radially inwards on the anchor ring 4 engage under this projection 16. These latching lugs 17 latch axially under the projection 16 of the basic member 2 when the closure cap 3 with the anchor ring 4 is first fitted to the basic member 2. The anchor ring 4 is thus held by the projection 16 in the axial direction parallel to the closure axis.

[0084] After the closure device 1 has been applied to the carton package, the carton package is completely closed, i.e. a section of the carton package extends beyond the inlet opening 10 of the channel 9 of the basic member 2. When the closure cap 3 is opened for the first time, the material of the carton package must be opened in the area of the inlet opening 10.

[0085] For this purpose, the closure device 1 has the cutting ring 18. This cutting ring 18 extends in the channel 9 of the basic member 2 and has a substantially hollow-cylindrical structure. The cutting ring 18 has four cutting elements in the form of sharpened cutting teeth 15.

[0086] The cutting ring 18 is configured to cooperate with a groove guide 20 provided in the inner wall surface 19 of the base element 2. The cutting ring 18 is guided on the inner wall surface 19 in such a way that it moves axially in the direction of the inlet opening 10 of the channel 9 when the closure cap is rotated for the first time relative to the basic member in the direction of opening rotation. During a rotational movement in the opening rotational direction, the cutting teeth 15 of the cutting ring 18 pass through the inlet opening 10 of the channel 9 at a point in time determined by the design. In the assembled state, in which the closure device 1 is applied to the carton package, the cutting teeth 15 cut through the carton package in the region of the inlet opening 10 of the channel 9 and open the package so that liquid from the carton package can flow into the channel 9 through the inlet opening 10.

[0087] For actuating the cutting ring 18, i.e. for unscrewing it towards and through the inlet opening of the channel 9, the closure cap 3 has an entraining device in the form of two entraining elements 21. These entraining elements 21 extend from the top plate 23 of the closure cap 3 in the axial direction into the channel 9. When the closure cap 3 is turned for the first time in the opening direction of rotation, the entraining elements 21 engage with complementary stop surfaces 22 of the cutting ring 18. Thus, a rotational movement of the closure cap 3 is transferred to a rotational movement of the cutting ring 18 when it is opened for the first time. In the axial direction, the closure cap 3 and the cutting ring 18 move in opposite directions. The entraining elements 21 and the stop surface 22 are in engagement with each other until the cutting ring 18 has reached a certain position in which the cutting teeth 20 extend maximally out of the inlet opening into the carton package.

[0088] In both embodiments of FIGS. 1a to 4, on the one hand, and of FIGS. 5a to 7c, on the other hand, the construction shown solves the technical problem that, simultaneously with a permanent connection of the closure cap 3 to the anchor ring 4, even in the opened state of the closure device 1, the tamper-evident device in the form of the bridges 14 reliably always changes from its intact first state to a broken second state before the cutting teeth 15 pass through the inlet opening 10 of the channel 9.

[0089] In other words, starting from a zero angle of rotation DO, the breaking of the bridges 14 must take place at an angle of rotation D1 and the passage of the cutting teeth 20 through the inlet opening 10 at an angle of rotation D2, the angle of rotation D1 being smaller than the angle of rotation D2.

[0090] This is complicated in that the anchor ring 4 is free to rotate without restriction relative to the base element 2. In this respect, tearing of the bridges 14 occurs exclusively due to the transmission of axial tensile forces of the closure cap 3 or of the bridge 5 to the bridges and not, for example, due to shear forces as in the case of a tamper-evident band whose rotational movement is also inhibited. To ensure this, in both embodiments of the closure device 1 the passage of the cutting teeth 15 through the inlet opening 10 of the channel 9 is delayed. This delay of the passage of the cutting teeth 15 through the inlet opening 9 is solved differently in the two embodiments according to FIGS. 1a to 4 on the one hand and 5a to 7c on the other hand.

[0091] In the figures, the figures numbered a show isometric views of the closure device 1. The drawings numbered b show the closure device 1 in a view from below, i.e. from the carton package. The figures numbered c are each cross-sectional views along the lines shown with the letters in the figures numbered b.

[0092] In FIGS. 1b, 2b, 3b as well as 5b, 6b, 7b the respective angles of rotation which characterise the functionality of the closure devices shown are schematically drawn. The zero point of the angle of rotation D0 is given by the position of the entraining element 21 in the original, fully closed position of the closure devices before they are opened for the first time.

[0093] FIGS. 1a to 1c show the first embodiment of the closure device 1 in its original position as applied to the carton package, i.e. before the closure cap 3 is screwed on for the first time.

[0094] FIGS. 2a to 2c show the closure device 1 with the closure cap 3 having been rotated from the rotation angle zero point D0 to a rotation angle D2, wherein when the rotation angle D2 is reached the cutting teeth 15 extend into the inlet opening 10 of the channel 9.

[0095] It is understood that a breakaway or breaking of the bridges 14 thus occurs between the angles of rotation D1 shown in FIGS. 1a to 1c and 2a to 2c.

[0096] FIGS. 3a to 3c show a position of the closure device 1 in which the cutting teeth 15 of the cutting ring 18 protrude maximally from the inlet opening 10. In this position, the entraining elements 21 are again out of engagement with the stop surfaces 22 of the cutting ring 18.

[0097] In the embodiment of the closure device 1 as shown in FIGS. 1a to 4, the delay in the penetration of the cutting teeth 15 through the inlet opening 10 is effected by an increased axial distance of the cutting teeth 15 from the inlet opening 10. FIG. 2c shows with the dimension chain s the stroke, i.e. the axial distance that the cutting teeth 15 have to travel from their initial position, shown in FIGS. 1a to 1c, to penetrate the inlet opening 10, as shown in FIGS. 2a to 2c. Since in this embodiment the delay until the beginning of the cutting process, i.e. the engagement between the cutting teeth 15 and the cardboard packaging is exclusively caused by the increased stroke s, the engagement between the stop surface 22 of the cutting ring 18 and the entraining element 21 can already begin at a very small angle of rotation D3. It is even possible that this engagement already occurs at a rotation angle D3 equal to zero, i.e. at the rotation angle zero point DO, or shortly thereafter.

[0098] In contrast, the stroke s that the cutting teeth cover between their starting position of FIGS. 5a to 5c and the piercing of the carton package is significantly smaller than the stroke s in the first embodiment according to FIGS. 1a to 4.

[0099] FIGS. 5a to 5c show the second embodiment of the closure device 1 in its original position as applied to the carton package, i.e. before the closure cap 3 is screwed on for the first time.

[0100] The fact that a delay in piercing the carton package is nevertheless achieved is due to a delayed engagement between the stop surfaces 22 of the cutting ring 18 and the entraining elements 21 of the closure cap 3 at the angle of rotation D3. FIGS. 6a to 6c show the closure device 1 when this angle of rotation D3 is reached, starting from the zero angle of rotation position DO.

[0101] FIGS. 7a to 7c show a position of the closure device 1 in which the cutting teeth 15 of the cutting ring 18 protrude maximally from the inlet opening 10. In this position, the entraining elements 21 can again be out of engagement with the stop surfaces 22 of the cutting ring 18.

[0102] The opened closure according to the second embodiment does not differ from the representation in FIG. 4.

[0103] A state of the closure in which the closure cap has reached the angle of rotation D2 at which the cutting teeth 15 penetrate the inlet opening 10 is not shown for this second embodiment.

[0104] It is understood that tearing or breaking of the bridges 14 also occurs in this second embodiment at the angle of rotation D1 before the angle of rotation D2.

[0105] While FIGS. 1a to 4 on the one hand and FIGS. 5a to 7c on the other hand show two different realisations of the delay, mixed forms are also conceivable in which the engagement is delayed at the angle of rotation D3 and at the same time the stroke of the cutting teeth is also increased.

[0106] For the purposes of the original disclosure, it is pointed out that all features or embodiments as they become apparent to a person skilled in the art from the present description, the drawings and the claims, even if they have been specifically described only in connection with certain further features, can be combined both individually and in any combination with other features or groups of features disclosed herein, unless this has been expressly excluded or technical circumstances render such combinations impossible or pointless. For the sake of brevity and readability of the description, no comprehensive, explicit description of all conceivable combinations of features is given here.

[0107] While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and the foregoing description, this illustration and description are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of protection as defined by the claims. The invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments.

[0108] Variations of the disclosed embodiments are obvious to the skilled person from the drawings, the description and the appended claims. In the claims, the word comprising does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article one or a does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain features are claimed in different claims does not exclude their combination. Reference signs in the claims are not intended to limit the scope of protection.

REFERENCE SIGNS

[0109] 1 Closure device [0110] 2 Basic member [0111] 3 Closure cap [0112] 4 anchor ring [0113] 5 Connection band [0114] 6 flange [0115] 7 hollow cylindrical section [0116] 8 Closure axis [0117] 9 channel [0118] 10 inlet opening [0119] 11 pouring opening [0120] 12 external thread [0121] 13 Internal thread [0122] 14 Connecting band [0123] 15 Cutting tooth [0124] 16 Projection [0125] 17 Locking lug [0126] 18 Cutting ring [0127] 19 Inner wall surface [0128] 20 Groove guide [0129] 21 Entraining element [0130] 22 Stop face [0131] 23 Head plate [0132] D0 zero angle of rotation [0133] D1 first angle of rotation [0134] D2 second angle of rotation [0135] D3 third angle of rotation [0136] s, s stroke