CLOSURE CAP

Abstract

A closure cap for closing the pouring opening of a container includes a cylindrical threaded part which has an open rim, a first cylindrical shell, and an internal thread, which is formed on the interior of the shell and can interact with an external thread of a container neck delimiting the pouring opening; a security ring, which is designed to be held on a projection formed on the container neck. The closure cap includes a first retaining strip having a first and a second end, wherein the first end is rigidly connected to the open rim of the threaded part and the second end is rigidly connected to the security ring; and a second retaining strip, having a third and a fourth end, wherein the third end is rigidly connected to the open rim of the threaded part and the fourth end is rigidly connected to the security ring.

Claims

1-23. (canceled)

24. A closure cap for closing the pouring opening of a container, comprising: a cylindrical threaded part having an open rim, a first cylindrical shell, and an internal thread, formed on the inside of the shell, which can interact with an external thread of a container neck delimiting the pouring opening, a security ring designed to be held on a projection formed on the container neck, a plurality of security webs which releasably connect the security ring to the open rim, a first retaining strip having a first and a second end and a first and second rim, wherein the first end is fixedly connected to the open rim of the threaded part, the second end is fixedly connected to the security ring, a second retaining strip having a third and a fourth end and a third and fourth rim, wherein the third end is rigidly connected to the open rim of the threaded part, the fourth end is rigidly connected to the security ring, a engaging lug which protrudes from the open rim adjacently to the first or third end, and a groove, provided in the security ring, into which the engaging lug projects, wherein it is possible to fold the threaded part from a closure position, in which it closes the pouring opening, into an open position, in which it fully opens the pouring opening, and vice versa, wherein the engaging lug has the shape of a first ramp, wherein the height of the first ramp increases in the radial direction starting from the open rim, and the groove is flanked by a second and third ramp, formed on the security ring, the heights of which decrease from the groove in the circumferential direction of the security ring.

25. The closure cap according to claim 24, wherein the first ramp has a ramp table at its open end.

26. The closure cap according to claim 25, wherein the first ramp is U-shaped with a first and second leg and a base, wherein the heights of the legs increase starting from the open rim, and the base is the ramp table.

27. The closure cap according to claim 26, wherein a reinforcing rib is formed on the engaging lug between the first and second legs.

28. The closure cap according to claim 27, wherein the legs, the base, and the optional reinforcing rib have rounded edges.

29. The closure cap according to claim 24, wherein the first ramp is an all-over thicker portion.

30. The closure cap according claim 24, wherein the first ramp projects beyond the second and third ramps by 1 to 4 mm.

31. The closure cap according to claim 24, wherein the first ramp has a length of between 4 and 10 mm.

32. The closure cap according to claim 24, wherein the first ramp has a height of between 3 and 6 mm, at its highest point.

33. The closure cap according to claim 24, wherein the first and third ends are articulated to the open rim by a first and second hinge.

34. The closure cap according to claim 24, wherein the first rim is releasably connected to the open rim of the threaded part by at least one first predetermined breaking web, and the second rim is releasably connected to the security ring by at least one second predetermined breaking web.

35. The closure cap according to claim 24, wherein the third rim is releasably connected to the open rim of the threaded part by at least one third predetermined breaking web, and the fourth rim is releasably connected to the security ring by at least one fourth predetermined breaking web.

36. The closure cap according to claim 24, wherein the first and third ends form a first opening angle of at least 4 degrees and at most 10 degrees, and preferably of at least 5 and at most 7 degrees, with respect to the center point of the closure cap as the apex, and the second and the fourth ends form a second opening angle of at least 180 degrees and at most 240 degrees, with respect to the center point of the closure cap as the apex.

37. The closure cap according to claim 24, wherein the opening angle which encloses the engaging lug with the center point as the apex substantially corresponds to the first opening angle.

38. The closure cap according to claim 24, wherein the first and the second retaining strips are the same length.

39. The closure cap according to claim 24, wherein the length of the first and second retaining strips is dimensioned in such a way that they are tensioned in the open position, and the threaded part is held in the open position.

40. The closure cap according to claim 24, wherein a first and second recess for receiving the first and second retaining strips is provided on the rim, facing the first and second retaining strips of the security ring.

41. The closure cap according to claim 24, wherein the first and second retaining strips have a width of between 3 mm and 7 mm.

42. The closure cap according to claim 24, wherein an inwardly projecting inner cone, e.g., in the form of a sealing cylinder or a sealing ring, is integrally formed on the bottom of the threaded part and is designed to sealingly interact with the inner wall of the container neck in the closure position.

43. The closure cap according to claim 24, wherein the security ring has slots, arranged distributed over the 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, and in that the lower edge of each slot forms projections, whereby engagement means are formed for a form-fitting engagement with the annular projection.

44. A container comprising: a container body, a container neck adjoining the container body, an outer thread formed on the container neck, and a support ring formed at the transition from the container body to the container neck, and a closure cap for closing a pouring opening provided within the container neck, the closure cap having: a cylindrical threaded part having an open rim 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 projection formed on the container neck, a plurality of security webs, which releasably connect the security ring to the open rim, and a first retaining strip having a first and a second end and a first and second rim, wherein the first end is rigidly connected to the open rim of the threaded part, the second end is rigidly connected to the security ring, and a second retaining strip having a third and a fourth end and a third and fourth rim, wherein the third end is rigidly connected to the open rim of the threaded part, the fourth end is rigidly connected to the security ring, wherein a circular web section of the security ring is formed between the first and the second ends, and the threaded part can be folded from a closure position, in which it closes the pouring opening, into an open position, in which it fully opens the pouring opening, and vice versa, wherein the closure cap is a closure cap according to claim 24.

45. The container according to claim 44, wherein, in the open position, the engaging lug latches into the external thread, and the first shell rests against the second and third ramps.

46. The container according to claim 44, wherein, in the open position, the engaging lug latches into the external thread, and the first shell rests against the support ring.

Description

[0037] Further advantages and features become apparent from the following description of two exemplary embodiments of the invention with reference to the schematic representations. In the figures, in a representation that is not to scale:

[0038] FIG. 1: is a perspectival view of a container closure in the closure position on a container in a first embodiment;

[0039] FIG. 2: is a front view of the closure from FIG. 1;

[0040] FIG. 3: is a bottom view of the closure from FIG. 1;

[0041] FIG. 4: is a side view of the closure from FIG. 1;

[0042] FIG. 5: is a perspectival view of the closure partially unscrewed from the container;

[0043] FIG. 6: is a perspectival view of the closure from FIG. 1 in the open position;

[0044] FIG. 7: is a front view of the closure in a second embodiment and in the closure position;

[0045] FIG. 8: is a side view of the closure from FIG. 7;

[0046] FIG. 9: is a detail view of the engaging lug;

[0047] FIG. 10: is a perspectival view of the closure from FIG. 7 partially unscrewed from the container;

[0048] FIG. 11: is a perspectival view of the closure from FIG. 7 in the open position;

[0049] FIG. 12: a detail view of the security ring; and

[0050] FIG. 13: is a sectional view of the security ring from FIG. 12, depicting inclination angles.

[0051] FIGS. 1 to 6 and 7 to 11 show a closure cap in a first or second embodiment, which is denoted as a whole by reference sign 11. The closure cap 11 is held captive on a container 13for example, on a PET bottle. The container 13 is indicated in FIGS. 1, 5, 6, 10, and 11. The closure cap 11 comprises a cylindrical threaded part 15, a security ring 17, and a first and a second retaining strip 19a, 19b. The first and second retaining strips 19a, 19b are circular and formed from the security ring 17.

[0052] The threaded part 15 comprises a bottom 21 and a first cylindrical shell 23 having an open rim 25. An internal thread 27 is formed on the inside of the shell 23. The container 13 comprises a container body 28 and a spout 29 adjoining the container body 28. The spout 29 is designed as a second cylindrical shell. An external thread 31 is formed on the spout 29 and interacts with the internal thread 27. As a result, the threaded part 15 can be screwed onto and unscrewed from the spout 29. The closure cap 11 closes the pouring opening 33, which is provided inside the spout 29 and is delimited thereby.

[0053] The security ring 17 is held in a form fit on the spout 13. For this purpose, an annular projection 35 is formed on the outside of the spout 29 and may be engaged from below by projections 37 formed on the inside of the security ring 17 (FIG. 13). The security ring 17 is rotatable relative to the spout 29.

[0054] The first retaining strip 19a has a first end 39 and a second end 41. The first end 39 is fixedly connected to the open rim 25. The second end 41 is fixedly connected to the security ring 17. As a result, the closure cap 11 is captively held on the container 13. Furthermore, the first retaining strip 19a has a first rim 43 and a second rim 45. The first rim 43 is connected to the open rim 25 by at least one first predetermined breaking web 47, and the second rim 45 is releasably connected to the security ring 17 by at least one second predetermined breaking web 49.

[0055] The second retaining strip 19b has a third end 51 and a fourth end 53. The third end 51 is rigidly connected to the open rim 25. The fourth end 53 is fixedly connected to the security ring 17. As a result, the closure cap 11 is additionally captively held on the container 13. Furthermore, the second retaining strip 19b has a third rim 55 and a fourth rim 57. The third rim 55 is connected to the open rim 25 by at least one third predetermined breaking web 59, and the fourth rim 57 is releasably connected to the security ring 17 by at least one fourth predetermined breaking web 61.

[0056] In addition, the security ring 17 is held at the open rim 25 by a plurality of security webs 63. The security webs are preferably arranged at regular intervals on the security ring 17. It goes without saying that the regions occupied by the first and second retaining strips 19a, 19b on the security ring 17 are free of security webs 63.

[0057] It is preferred if the first and second retaining strips 19a, 19b have a width of between 4 mm and 5 mm so that they are sufficiently stable.

[0058] According to FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 7, and 8, the threaded part 15 is in a closure position in which it is pushed or screwed onto the spout 29. During unscrewing from the spout 29, the first and second retaining strips 19a, 19b are pulled upwards in the axial direction and are also elastically expandable if necessary so that the threaded part 15 can be unscrewed and folded away from the spout 29.

[0059] A first and a second recess 65, 67 are provided on the security ring 17. The first and the second retaining strips 19a, 19b are received in the first or the second recesses 65, 67. This makes it possible to produce the first and second retaining strips 19a, 19b directly from the security ring 17for example, by being cut out of the security ring.

[0060] At the open rim 25, an engaging lug 71 protrudes adjacently to the first or third end 39, 51. In the closed position, the engaging lug 71 protrudes into a groove 73. The engaging lug has the shape of a first ramp 71, wherein the height of the ramp increases in the radial direction starting from the open rim 25. The ramp shape strengthens the lug 71, whereby the tensile stress in the retaining strips 19a, 19b can be increased in the open position without the lug 71 yielding. This increased stress leads to a larger opening angle of the threaded part 15 in the open position, since it is raised further from the retaining strips. The lug also snaps more obviously onto the spout 29 in the open position, which improves ease of use. In addition, the ramp shape conceals sharp edges on the engaging lug, which greatly reduces the risk of injury to the user and improves the safety of the closure cap 11.

[0061] Second and third ramps are formed on the security ring 17, which flank the groove 73. The heights of the second and third ramps 75a, 75b decrease in the circumferential direction starting from the groove 73. The ramps 75a, 75b protect the engaging lug 71 in the closure position, since it only slightly projects beyond the ramps 75a, 75b. A large change in wall thickness between the security ring 17 and the engaging lug 71 is thus prevented. Since the ramps 75a, 75 partially cover the engaging lug 71, the risk of injury is also further reduced. In the open position, the threaded part 15 can rest against the ramps 75a, 75b, improving the haptics when opening and locking the threaded part. In addition, the shell 23 can rest against the support ring 72, which, in a container 13, in particular a PET bottle, is usually present at the transition between the spout 29 and the container body 28. A ramp table 77 is formed at the open end of the first ramp 71. In the closure position of the threaded part 15, the ramp table extends in a vertical plane. The ramp table 76 additionally stabilizes the threaded part in the open position, thereby preventing undesirable wobbling of the threaded part in addition to the increased tensile stress in the retaining strips 19a, 19b.

[0062] FIGS. 1 to 6 show a first embodiment of the engaging lug 71. The first ramp 71 is, as can be seen in the drawings, an all-over thicker portion. It therefore has no depressions, ribs, or elevations. This makes it extremely stable, but it requires more plastics material to form it than the second embodiment described in the next paragraph.

[0063] In the second embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 7 to 11, the first ramp 71 is U-shaped with two legs 77a, 77b. The legs 77a, 77b increase in height starting from the open rim 25. The base of the U forms the ramp table 76. In addition, a reinforcing rib can be formed between the two legs 77a, 77b. Preferably, all the edges of the first ramp 71 are rounded to minimize the risk of injury.

[0064] The first ramp projects beyond the second and third ramps by 1 to 4 mm, and preferably by 1.5 to 2 mm. This gives the ramp table 76 an optimal height for latching in the open position. The length of the first ramp of between 4 and 10 mm and preferably between 5 and 7 mm also contributes to improving latching.

[0065] The first and third ends 39, 51 are articulated to the open rim 25 with a first and a second hinge 79a, 79b. By means of the hinges, the threaded part 15 can be moved precisely and nevertheless smoothly into the open position, in that the threaded part 15 can be pivoted relative to the first and the second retaining strips 19a, 19b.

[0066] The first and third ends 39, 51 are connected to the security ring 17 with a second or fourth predetermined breaking web 49, 61. The closure cap 11 can therefore be pushed onto the spout 29 without parts of the closure cap 11 being damaged. To increase the stability, even more first, second, third, and fourth predetermined breaking webs can also be provided on the retaining strips 19a, 19b.

[0067] Since the closure cap 11 is rotationally symmetrical, it has a center point 83. The center point 83 lies in the imaginary plane between the open rim 25 and the security ring 17. The first end 39 and the third end 51 form a first opening angle 85 of at least 4 degrees and at most 10 degrees, and preferably of at least 5 and at most 7 degrees, with respect to the center point 83 as the apex. The second end 41 and the fourth end 53 form a second opening angle 87 of at least 180 degrees and at most 240 degrees, and preferably of at least 200 and at most 220 degrees, with respect to the center point 83 as the apex.

[0068] The first end 39 and the second end 41 form a third opening angle 89 of at least 50 degrees and at most 80 degrees, and preferably of at least 60 and at most 70 degrees, with respect to the center point of the closure cap as the apex. The third end 51 and the fourth end 53 form a fourth opening angle 91 of at least 50 degrees and at most 80 degrees, and preferably of at least 60 and at most 70 degrees, with respect to the center point 83 as the apex. It goes without saying that the sum of the first, second, third, and fourth aperture angles 85, 87, 89, 91 must be 360 degrees, since the first, second, third, and fourth aperture angles have the circle center 83 as the vertex. By selecting the first, second, third, and fourth opening angles, it is possible for the first and second retaining strips 19a, 19b to have a certain length which enables the functions described further above of the closure cap 11 in combination with the engaging lugs.

[0069] Expediently, the third and fourth opening angles 89, 91 are of equal size, which is equivalent to the first and second retaining strips 19a, 19b being of equal length. The first and second retaining strips 19a, 19b are preferably carved out of the security ring 17. The closure cap 11 can therefore act as a so-called cone sealer and reliably seals the spout 29.

[0070] The closure cap 11 is made of a plastics material. Preferred plastics include, inter alia, PP and HDPE.

[0071] A sealing cone 93 is formed on the bottom 21 of the threaded part 25 in a known manner and sealingly interacts with the spout 29 in the closure position (FIG. 3).

[0072] If the closure cap 11 is pressed onto the spout 29, the pouring opening 33 is closed by the closure cap 11, and the closure cap 11 is in the closure position. When the threaded part 15 is unscrewed from the spout 29, the first, second, third, and fourth predetermined breaking webs 47, 49, 59, 61 and the security webs 63 break.

[0073] FIGS. 5 and 10 each show a position of the threaded part 15 in which the threaded part 15 has been twisted on the spout 29, and the predetermined breaking webs and security webs begin to tear. If the threaded part 15 is completely unscrewed from the spout 29, all predetermined breaking and security webs are broken, and the threaded part 15 can be pivoted into the open position.

[0074] After unscrewing, the threaded part 15 can be pivoted into the open position about the hinges 79a, 79b. The engaging lug 71 is arranged in a position in which it is self-explanatory that it is to be latched to the spout or the external thread 31. In the open position, the threaded part is held captive on the spout 29 and is not in the way when pouring filling material. Due to the latching, the security ring 17 is fixed to the spout in the direction of rotation and cannot be rotated. This prevents the closure cap 11 from turning into the filling material flow during pouring. The stable engaging lug 71 allows for a large opening angle, since it does not bend under the tensile stress of the retaining strips 19a, 19b. The shell 23 preferably rests against the first and second ramps 75a, 75b and the support ring 72, and the ramp table 76 rests against the spout 29, thereby stabilizing the threaded part 15 in the open position.

[0075] The projections 37 can be designed in accordance with the following description of FIGS. 12 and 13. Slots 97 are provided in the security ring in a manner distributed over the circumference of the security ring 17. The slots 97 each have an upper edge 99 and a lower edge 101. The upper edge 99 is formed by a circular-arc-shaped section of the security ring 17. The lower edge 101 corresponds to the free rim of a wall section 103 inclined inwards in the radial direction. Due to the inward inclination of the wall section 103, the lower edge 101 has a smaller radius than the security ring 17 and can thereby abut an abutment (annular projection 35) of the spout 29 when the threaded part 15 is unscrewed from the spout 29. The abutment is realized by the annular projection 35, which is formed below the outer thread 31 on the spout 29. When the threaded part 15 is unscrewed, the lower edge 99 engages in a form fit on the projection 35, as a result of which the security ring 17 is reliably held on the annular projection 35 even under high axial forces. This increased holding force of the security ring 17 is also important in this case due to the increased tensile stress in the retaining strips in the open position.

[0076] Each wall section 101 has a first subsection 105 and two second subsections 107. The first subsection 105 represents an inwardly folded shell section and is preferably designed to be flat. The second subsections 107 adjoin the inward facing sides of the first subsection 105 and connect it to the security ring 17. The second subsections 107 can be curved or flat and face one another obliquely inwards. The lower edge 101 of the slot 97 corresponds to the free rims of the first portion 105 and of the second portions 107, and lies in a plane 109 shown in FIG. 13. The plane 109 is preferably oriented perpendicularly to the axis of rotation 110 of the spout 29. These described design features of the wall section 103 have the advantage that the wall section 103, with the entire lower edge 101, can rest against the annular projection 35 and, in the manner of a barb, not yield in the event of an axial tensile force upwards. As a result, the security ring 17 is held non-releasably against the projection 35 or can be removed from the projection 35 only by being destroyed. A movement of the first subsection 105 inwards in the radial direction is prevented by provision of the second subsections 107. However, a movement of the first subsection 105 outwards in the radial direction is possible. This movement is flexible, and after being pressed radially outwards, the wall section 103 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 spout 29 with little force. As a result of the flexibility of the wall section 103, the demolding from an injection mold and the pressing onto the spout 29 can take place without the risk of damaging the wall section 103.

[0077] It is preferable for the inclined wall sections 103 to have a lesser wall thickness than the remaining security ring 17. FIG. 13 shows that the region of the lower edge 101 has the smallest wall thickness. The above-described flexibility of the wall section 103 radially outwards is thereby further improved. The wall thickness of the wall section 103 increases linearly downwards starting from the lower edge 101.

[0078] FIGS. 12 and 13 show the security ring 17 without the threaded part 15. FIGS. 12 and 13 clearly show that an annular bead 111 on which the upper edges 99 rest is formed above the slots 97 on the security ring 17.

[0079] A first and a second inclination angle 113, 115 are marked in FIG. 13. The first inclination angle 113 indicates the inclination of the first subsection 105 with respect to the plane of the lower edge 101. The first inclination angle 113 has a magnitude of between 60 and 80 degrees, and preferably between 65 and 75 degrees. The greater the first inclination angle 113, the better the stability of the wall sections 103 with respect to vertical force effects or axial tensile forces caused by the unscrewing of the threaded part 15. However, the first inclination angle 113 may not become too large, since otherwise the annular projection 35 cannot be sufficiently engaged.

[0080] The second inclination angle 115 indicates the inclination of the slot 97 with respect to the plane of the lower edge 111. The connecting line 117, which represents the inclination of the slot 97, is a connection of the upper edge 99 to the lower edge 101 in a plane spanned by the axis of rotation 110 and the connecting line 117. The second inclination angle 115 is enclosed by the connecting line 117 and the plane 109. The second inclination angle 115 has a magnitude of between 30 and 50 degrees, and preferably between 35 and 45 degrees. The greater the second inclination angle 115, the easier it is to demold the security ring 17.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0081] 11 Closure cap [0082] 13 Container [0083] 15 Threaded part [0084] 17 Security ring [0085] 19 First retaining strip, second retaining strip [0086] 21 Bottom of the threaded part [0087] 23 First cylindrical shell [0088] 25 Open rim [0089] 27 Internal thread [0090] 28 Container body [0091] 29 Spout, second cylindrical shell [0092] 31 External thread [0093] 33 Pouring opening [0094] 35 Annular projection [0095] 37 Protrusions [0096] 39 First end of the first retaining strip [0097] 41 Second end of the first retaining strip [0098] 43 First rim of the first retaining strip [0099] 45 Second rim of the first retaining strip [0100] 47 First predetermined breaking web [0101] 49 Second predetermined breaking web [0102] 51 Third end of the second retaining strip [0103] 53 Fourth end of the second retaining strip [0104] 55 Third rim of the second retaining strip [0105] 57 Fourth rim of the second retaining strip [0106] 59 Third predetermined breaking web [0107] 61 Fourth predetermined breaking web [0108] 63 Security webs [0109] 65 First recess [0110] 67 Second recess [0111] 71 Engaging lug, first ramp [0112] 72 Support ring [0113] 73 Groove [0114] 75a, 75b Second ramp, third ramp [0115] 76 Ramp table, base of the U-shaped ramp [0116] 77a, 77b First leg, second leg [0117] 79a, 79b First hinge, second hinge [0118] 81 Reinforcing rib [0119] 83 Center point of the closure cap [0120] 85 First opening angle [0121] 87 Second opening angle [0122] 89 Third opening angle [0123] 91 Fourth opening angle [0124] 93 Sealing cone [0125] 97 Slots [0126] 99 Upper edge [0127] 101 Lower edge [0128] 103 Wall section