Abstract
Closure for a container, in particular a bottle or a cardboard/plastic composite package, with a base element including a rotatably opening closure with lateral cap jacket, an anchor ring connected to the closure cap by means of a hinge element and a free gap running substantially in the circumferential direction between the anchor ring and cap jacket wherein the free gap connects on both sides next to the hinge element and wherein there are no material bridges between the anchor ring and closure cap in the free gap that can break on initial opening. To achieve low, constant and well controlled opening forces on first opening in a closure of this type, it is provided for the closure to have a tamper-evident seal which, in the unopened state, is connected to the anchor ring via at least one breakable element and by the tamper-evident seal on the anchor ring being designed in such a way that the at least one breakable element is broken after a relative rotational movement between the closure cap and container of a maximum of 25?.
Claims
1. A closure for a container, in particular a bottle or a cardboard/plastic composite package, comprising a base element, comprising a rotatably opening cap with lateral cap jacket, an anchor ring connected to the cap jacket in an articulated manner via a hinge element and a free gap running in a substantially circumferential direction between the anchor ring and the cap jacket, wherein the free gap connects on both sides next to the hinge element and wherein in the free gap there are no material bridges between the anchor ring and closure cap that can be broken upon initial opening, characterised in that the closure comprises a tamper-evident seal which, in the unopened state, is connected to the anchor ring via at least one breakable element and in that the tamper-evident seal on the anchor ring is designed in such a way that the at least one breakable element is broken after a relative rotational movement between the sealing cap and container of a maximum of 25?.
2. The closing according to claim 1, wherein the at least one breakable element is broken after a relative rotational movement between closing cap and container of a maximum of 20?.
3. The closure according to claim 1, wherein the at least one breakable element is broken after a relative rotational movement between closing cap and container of a maximum of 15?.
4. The closure according to claim 1, wherein the anchor ring having a second free gap running in the circumferential direction, which separates the anchor ring in a section into an upper part and a lower part, wherein the upper part and the lower part are arranged spaced apart from one another in the axial direction.
5. The closure according to claim 4, wherein no material bridges that break between the upper and lower part are formed in the second free gap when the container is opened initially.
6. The closure according to claim 4, wherein the second free gap is arranged in a circumferential direction in the region of the hinge element, wherein the hinge element is connected to two upper parts of the anchor ring in such a way that the upper parts are twisted after the closing cap is pivoted open.
7. The closure according to claim 4, wherein the second free gap is extended via a connecting piece and is connected to the free gap such that a single free gap is create, which stretches over more than one revolution.
8. The closure according to claim 1, wherein the entire closure is formed in one piece and the free gap is formed in this way.
9. The closure according to claim 1, wherein initially the closure is formed in one piece and the free gap is inserted using a knife.
10. The closure according to claim 1, wherein initially formed in one piece and the free gap is inserted with a laser.
11. The closure according to either claim 9, wherein the free gap is introduced into the closure before assembly on the container neck or the base element or in that the closure is first applied to the container neck or the base element and the closure is then finished by introducing the free gap.
12. The closure according to any one-of-claim 1, wherein the anchor ring has, at its lower end, a substantially circumferential web directed radially inwards in order to prevent the anchor ring from being pulled off the container.
13. The closure according to claim 1, wherein the tamper-evident seal is preferably formed as at least one protruding tamper-evident seal, which, apart from the breakable element to the anchor ring, is also firmly connected to the closure at one end.
14. The closure according to claim 1, wherein the tamper-evident seal is designed as a further ring below the anchor ring, which is connected to the anchor ring via a plurality of breakable material bridges.
15. The closure according to claim 1, wherein the closure cap is designed as a screw cap with an internal thread.
16. The closure according to claim 1, wherein the inner side of the cap jacket is provided with elements in such a way that a bayonet closure is formed on the container in such a way that the closing cap moves on a clearly defined path when actuated.
17. A combination of a closure according to claim 1 and a bottle, wherein the closure is attached to the bottle neck of the bottle.
18. A reclosable pouring element for cardboard/plastic composite packages having with a base element comprising a circumferential fastening flange, having a closure according to claim 1 and opening means, arranged in the interior of the base element, at least in the unopened state of the pouring element, wherein a casting opening is created inside the pouring element by the opening means when the composite package is first opened when the closing cap is unscrewed by breaking open the composite material of the package or a barrier layer located in the base element.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] The drawing shows
[0028] FIG. 1 a first exemplary embodiment of a closure in the form of a pouring element according to the invention in an unopened state (without cardboard/plastic composite package) in perspective representation,
[0029] FIG. 2 the pouring element from FIG. 1 in a side view,
[0030] FIG. 3 a base element of the pouring element from FIG. 1 in perspective representation,
[0031] FIG. 4 the pouring element from FIG. 1 in the vertical section along the line IV-IV,
[0032] FIG. 5 the pouring element from FIG. 1 at the start of the unscrewing process of the screw cap in perspective view,
[0033] FIG. 6 the pouring element from FIG. 1 with screw cap already unscrewed but still closed in a side view in half-section,
[0034] FIG. 7 the pouring element from FIG. 1 with unscrewed and pivoted-away screw cap in a side view,
[0035] FIG. 8 the pouring element from FIG. 1 with unscrewed, pivoted-away and locked screw cap in a side view,
[0036] FIG. 9 a second exemplary embodiment of a closure in the form of a pouring element according to the invention in an unopened state (without cardboard/plastic composite package) in perspective representation,
[0037] FIG. 10 the pouring element from FIG. 9 in the vertical section along the line X-X,
[0038] FIG. 11 the pouring element from FIG. 9 in a horizontal section along the line XI-XI from FIG. 10,
[0039] FIG. 12 the pouring element from FIG. 9 with screw cap already unscrewed but still closed in a side view in half-section along the line XII-XII from FIG. 11 and
[0040] FIG. 13 a further embodiment of a closure according to the invention in combination with a bottle neck of a bottle-shaped container in a side view.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0041] A preferred embodiment of a closure according to the invention in combination with a container neck is shown in the drawing. In order to clarify the mode of operation of the invention in a complete system, a resealable pouring element comprising the closure according to the invention is described below. FIG. 1 represents a pouring element without composite package in perspective view. The pouring element has a base element 2 having a circumferential fastening flange 1 (which is not visible in FIG. 1) and a screw cap 3, which is used for the initial opening and resealing of a composite package not represented.
[0042] An anchor ring 4 is arranged below the screw cap 3 and is connected thereto in a rotationally-fixed manner in order to reliably prevent the screw cap 3 from being removed from the base element 2 or from a composite package provided therewith. For this purpose, the screw cap 3 and the anchor ring 4 are connected to one another in a hinged manner via a hinge element 5, whose pivot axis is aligned tangentially to the outer circumference of the screw cap 3. A free gap 22 can also be seen between the anchor ring 4 and a cap jacket 23 of the screw cap 3. The free gap 22 extends in the circumferential direction around a large part of the circumference of the screw cover 3, wherein it is merely interrupted by the hinge element 5. The free gap 22 thus connects on both sides next to the hinge element 5. In other words, the free gap 22 and hinge element 5 clamp together the entire circumference of the locking cap in this case. The anchor ring 4 also has a second free gap 6 running in the circumferential direction, which separates the anchor ring 4 in a section into upper parts 4A and a lower part 4B, wherein the upper parts 4A and the lower part 4B are arranged spaced apart from one another in the axial direction. The hinge element 5 can be designed with a larger, identical or even smaller wall thickness compared to the rest of the screw cap 2.
[0043] It is clearly discernible in FIG. 2 that the second free gap 6 is arranged centrally to the hinge element 5 in the circumferential direction. The hinge element 5 is connected to the upper parts 4A of the anchor ring 4 and arranged above the lower third of the base element 2 in relation to its pivot axis in the unopened state. In addition, FIG. 2 shows that the free gap 22 and the second free gap 6 are each arranged overlapping one another over a certain angle range, which is why the upper parts 4A are created. Furthermore, ribs 7 protruding outwards in the direction of the anchor ring 4 and extending perpendicular to the fastening flange 1 are provided on the lower region of the base element 2. These center the anchor ring 4 in relation to the base element 2 and ensure uniform friction when twisting the anchor ring 4.
[0044] FIG. 3 shows the base element 2 of the pouring element represented in FIG. 1. It can be seen that the base element 2 has an external thread 8 by means of which the screw cap 3 not represented in FIG. 3 can be screwed onto the base element 2. The base element 2 also has an outwardly protruding and radially circumferential collar 9 on its outer side above the ribs 7.
[0045] Furthermore, a cutting element 10 is discernible in the interior of the base element 2, which creates a pour opening within the pouring element when the composite package is opened initially by unscrewing the screw cap 3.
[0046] FIG. 4 now represents the pouring element in the vertical section in the unopened state. It can be seen in FIG. 4 that the collar 9 with its outer circumferential surface in the upper region of the anchor ring 4 touches the inner surface of the anchor ring 4. The anchor ring 4 has, at its lower end, a radially circumferential web 11 which is directed towards the base element 2 and which is arranged below the collar 9 provided on the base element 2. This prevents the anchor ring 4 from being pulled off beyond the collar 9. The collar 9 is arranged in the unopened state of the pouring element in the upper region of the anchor ring 4 such that when the screw cap 3 is unscrewed, the movement of the anchor ring 4 and thus also of the hinge element 5 is enabled upwards in the axial direction until the web 11 comes into contact with the collar 9.
[0047] In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 4, an opening means is discernible, consisting of the cutting element 10 arranged in the interior of the base element 2 and driver webs 12, which are arranged in the interior of the screw cap 3 and which are connected thereto in a materially-bonded manner. When the composite package is opened initially, the cutting element 10 having an external thread 13 is carried by means of the driver webs 12 and an internal thread 14 formed on the base element 2 by unscrewing the screw cap 3 in the direction of the composite package such that a pour opening is created within the pouring element. It is clearly discernible that the driver webs 12 protrude downwards in comparison to the outer circumferential surface of the screw cap 3 such that they protrude from the interior of the screw cap 3 in the pivoted-open state.
[0048] FIGS. 5 to 8 lastly illustrate the function of the pouring element during the opening process of the screw cap 3.
[0049] FIG. 5 shows the pouring element at the start of the unscrewing process of the screw cap 3. Here, it can be seen that the anchor ring 4 is connected to the base element 2 so as to be radially freely rotatable such that the anchor ring 4 moves with the rotational movement of the screw cap 3.
[0050] FIG. 6 shows the pouring element with screw cap 3 already unscrewed but still closed. On the left side of FIG. 6, the pouring element is shown in a side view, while the right side of FIG. 6 shows a vertical section. The anchor ring 4 and thus the hinge element 5 have also moved upwards due to the upwards movement of the screw cap 3. In this state, the collar 9 provided on the base element 2 and the web 11 arranged on the anchor ring touch one another. The second free gap 6 has been enlarged at least centrally in the axial direction as a result of the screw cap 3 being carried upwards such that the pivot axis of the hinge element 5 has moved further upwards in the axial direction. The free gap 22, on the other hand, only allows the subsequent pivoting away of the screw cover 3 because it extends over a large part of the circumference.
[0051] FIG. 7 represents the pouring element in an opened state and with a pivoted-away screw cap 3 with a composite package. Like in FIG. 6, it can also be seen here that the anchor ring 4 cannot slide over the collar 9 such that it is connected in a tension-resistant manner to the base element 2 in an axial direction in spite of its rotatability in relation to the base element 2. As a result, the anchor ring 4 and thus also the screw cap 3 being pulled off is reliably prevented.
[0052] In addition, it emerges from FIG. 7 that by pivoting open the screw cap 3, the upper parts 4A of the anchor ring 4 twist at their one end, which establish a connection to the hinge element 5, but do not tear off. The hinge element 5 rotates by pivoting open the screw cap 3 in the direction of the second free gap 6 until it is folded over as shown in FIG. 8 such that it is locked in its opening position at an opening angle of 120? to 150? in relation to its pivot opening. In its locked opening position, the screw cap 3 is still radially freely rotatable, if a certain force must be applied externally due to an increased frictional resistance in order to enable rotation.
[0053] It can be clearly seen from FIGS. 7 and 8 that driver webs 12 of the opening means protrude from the interior of the screw cap 3 in the pivoted-open state.
[0054] Furthermore, it can be inferred from FIGS. 7 and 8 that attached to the anchor ring 4 is a strip 15 serving as a tamper-evident seal, whose one end is firmly connected to the anchor ring 4 and in the case of which the other end is connected to the anchor ring 4 by means of a predetermined breaking point in such manner that the predetermined breaking point is broken open by a peg element 16 arranged on the fastening flange 1 when the screw cap 3 is unscrewed initially.
[0055] FIG. 9 shows a further exemplary embodiment of a pouring element without composite package in perspective view. This pouring element has, as in the first exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1, a circumferential fastening flange 1 and a screw cap 3. An anchor ring 4 is located below the screw cap 3 and is connected thereto in a rotationally-fixed manner as in the case of the first exemplary embodiment in order to fasten the screw cap 3 to the base element (not discernible in FIG. 9). The embodiment of screw cap 3 and the anchor ring 4 located therebelow correspond exactly to the first exemplary embodiment from FIG. 1.
[0056] However, in the case of this exemplary embodiment, another ring 17 is located below the anchor ring 4 and is connected to the anchor ring 4 in one piece with a plurality of material bridges 18.
[0057] FIG. 10 initially corresponds substantially to the vertical section according to FIG. 4 such that reference can be made to the description of the screw cap 3, the anchor ring 4 and the cutting element 10. However, the (other) ring 17 can clearly be seen below the anchor ring 4 and is designed as a tamper-evident seal. For this purpose, the ring 17 has a plurality of webs 19 arranged distributed over the circumference and protruding inwards, which come into contact with corresponding locking elements 20 proceeding from the base element 2 when the screw cap 3 is unscrewed initially and they block the further rotation of the ring 17, as described in more detail below.
[0058] FIG. 11 represents the pouring element from FIG. 9 in the horizontal section along the line XI-XI from FIG. 10. Here, the circumferential ring 17 can be clearly seen, from which proceed a plurality of inwardly protruding webs 19, 19A and 19B. In order to ensure that the ring 17 does not rotate with the anchor ring 4 when unscrewing the screw cap 3, the base element 2 has a plurality of outwardly protruding locking elements 20, 20A and 20B, which interact with the aforementioned webs 19, 19A and 19B such that the ring 17 blocks when unscrewed such that the material bridges 18 arranged thereabove are initially stretched and then tear off, thus no longer hindering the further rotation of the anchor ring 4.
[0059] It clearly emerges from FIGS. 11 and 12 that the base element 2 has an outwardly protruding and substantially circumferential collar 21 on its outer side, wherein the clear inner diameter of the collar 21 is smaller than the clear distance between the webs 19 of the ring 17 arranged opposite in each case. This reliably prevents the ring 17 from moving out of its lower position 17 on the base element 2 even when the screw cap is unscrewed. This ensures that the ring 17 cannot enter the environment as a loose plastic part.
[0060] A further embodiment of a closure according to the invention in combination with a bottle neck is shown in the FIG. 13. This is the neck of a beverage bottle, which in this variant is no longer formed as the base element of a separate pouring element. Accordingly, the screw cap 3 can be designed in a much simpler and cheaper manner, as no opening means are required. A second ring 17 is used as a tamper-evident seal. The second free gap 6 is connected to the free gap 22 via a connection piece 24 in such a way that a single free element is created which stretches over more than one revolution. Elements (not shown here) comparable to the external thread 8, the collar 9 and at least the collar 21 of the previous embodiments can of course also be found on the bottle neck.
[0061] In particular, the different designs of tamper-evident seals and hinge elements are conceivable in many other combinations without diverting from the idea of invention. In addition to the elements already shown in the figures, a hinge element could, for example, also be designed as a single or multi-part, radially outwardly protruding hinge, which connects the anchor ring and closing cap to one another. Various other variants are known from the state of the art, such as a hinge element made of an elastomer or one which also has a tab protruding downwards. These possibilities are also independent of whether the closure is used for a pouring element as in the first two embodiments described or for a bottle neck as in the third embodiment.
