Tethered Closure Device with Stabilised Connecting Element

Abstract

A closure device for a container, particularly a carton package, is provided. The closure device includes a basic member having a pouring channel extending along a closure axis with an inlet opening and a pouring opening, and a closure cap having a cap cover and a cap skirt adjoining the cap cover circumferentially and extending axially. The closure cap and the basic member are configured such that the closure cap closes the pouring opening in a closed position and releases it in an open position. The closure device includes an anchor ring and a connecting element that connects the anchor ring to the closure cap in a tension-proof manner. The anchor ring engages the basic member in the closed position and in the open position such that the closure cap is tethered to the basic member with the connecting element and the anchor ring in the open position.

Claims

1-18. (canceled)

19. A closure device (1) for a container, in particular for a carton package, comprising: a basic member (2), including a pouring channel (3) extending along a closure axis and having an inlet opening (4) and a pouring opening (5); a closure cap (6), including a cap cover (7) and a cap skirt (8) adjoining the cap cover (7) circumferentially and extending axially; the closure cap (6) and the basic member (2) being configured such that the closure cap (6) closes the pouring opening (5) in a closed position of the closure cap (6) and releases it in an open position of the closure cap (6); the closure device (1) further comprising an anchor ring (9) and a connecting element (10) that connects the anchor ring (9) to the closure cap (6) in a tension-proof manner, the anchor ring (9) engaging the basic member (2) both in the closed position of the closure cap (6) and in the open position of the closure cap (6) such that the closure cap (6) is tethered to the basic member (2) with the connecting element (10) and the anchor ring (9) in the open position of the closure cap; the connecting element (10) including a connecting web (11) extending between a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion being connected to the anchor ring (9), the second end portion being connected to the anchor ring (9), the connecting web (11) being axially movable relative to the anchor ring (9); the connecting element (10) including a hinge element (12) that connects the connecting web (11) to the cap skirt (8) and is arranged between the connecting web (11) and the cap skirt (8); the hinge element (12) defining a pivot axis and being configured such that the closure cap (6) is pivotably mounted relative to the connecting web (11) about the pivot axis.

20. The closure device according to claim 19, wherein the hinge element (12) is configured such that the pivot axis is positioned at an axial distance from the connecting web (11).

21. The closure device according to claim 19, wherein the connecting web (11) and the hinge element (12) are configured such that the connecting web (11) has essentially no torsion when the cap (6) is in the open position.

22. The closure device (1) according to claim 19, wherein the connecting element (10) further comprises a support element (13) configured and arranged to engage an outer surface of the basic member (2) and lock the connecting web (11) when the closure cap (6) performs an opening pivoting movement about the pivot axis in order to bring the closure cap (6) into the open position.

23. The closure device (1) according to claim 22, wherein the support element (13) is positioned on the connecting web (11).

24. The closure device (1) according to claim 19, wherein: the closure cap (6) further comprises a first guiding means (14), the basic member (2) further comprises a second guiding means (15), the first guiding means (14) and the second guiding means (15) disengage one another to open the closure device (1), the first guiding means (14) and the second guiding means (15) can engage one another to close the closure device (1), and the first and second guiding means (14, 15) are configured such that a rotational opening movement of the closure cap (6) relative to the basic member (2) is required to disengage the first and second guiding means (14, 15) from each other.

25. The closure device (1) according to claim 24, wherein the connecting element (10) further comprises a guide element (13) configured to engage the second guiding means (15) such that the rotational opening movement of the closure cap (6) causes a movement of the connecting web (11) relative to the anchor ring (9), the movement having an axial movement component in a direction of the pouring opening (5).

26. The closure device (1) according to claim 25, wherein the guide element (13) acts as a support element.

27. The closure device (1) according to claim 25, wherein: the first guiding means (14) comprises an internal thread, the second guiding means (15) comprises an external thread, and the guide element (13) comprises an internal thread segment (13).

28. The closure device (1) according to claim 25, wherein the guide element (13) is positioned on an inner surface of the connecting web (11), and the inner surface is directed towards the closure axis when the closure cap (6) is in the closed position.

29. The closure device (1) according to claim 25, wherein the guide element (13) and the hinge element (12) are configured and arranged such that a first distance between the guide element (13) and the inlet opening (4) is less than a second distance between the pivot axis and the inlet opening (4).

30. The closure device (1) according to claim 25, wherein the guide element (13) comprises two axially offset internal thread segments (13, 13).

31. The closure device (1) according to claim 30, wherein a first of the two axially offset internal thread segments has a first profile depth x, a second of the two axially offset internal thread segments has a second profile depth y, and the first profile depth x is equal or greater than the second profile depth y.

32. The closure device (1) according to claim 31, wherein sections of the two axially offset internal thread segments (13, 13) are arranged axially one above the other.

33. The closure device (1) according to claim 27, wherein the external thread of the basic member (2) has a thread pitch a, the internal thread segment (13) of the guide element (13) has a thread pitch b, and the thread pitch a and the thread pitch b are substantially the same.

34. The closure device (1) according to claim 19, further comprising: a cutting device (16) with a cutting element arranged at least in sections within the pouring channel (3); wherein the closure cap (6) further includes at least a first entraining web with an inner surface directed towards the closure axis and an outer surface directed away from the closure axis; the first entraining web and the cutting device (16) are configured such that an initial rotation of the closure cap (6) in an opening rotation direction causes a movement of the cutting element from an initial position in a direction pointing from the pouring opening (5) to the inlet opening (4), so that the cutting element can be moved at least in sections through the inlet opening (4); and the closure axis is an axis of rotation of the opening direction.

35. A closure element (100), comprising: a closure cap (6) including a cap cover (7) and a cap skirt (8) adjoining the cap cover (7) circumferentially and extending axially; an anchor ring (9) engageable with a base element (2) of a container having a pouring channel; and a connecting element (10) for connecting the anchor ring (9) to the closure cap (6) in a tension-proof manner and having a connecting web extending between a first end portion and a second end portion; wherein the first end portion of the connecting web (11) is connected to the anchor ring (9), the second end portion of the connecting web (11) is connected to the anchor ring (9), and at least one of the connecting element (10) and the connecting web (11) includes a hinge element (12); the hinge element (12) connects the connecting web (11) to the cap skirt (8) and is arranged between the connecting web (11) and the cap skirt (8), defines a pivot axis, and is configured and arranged such that the closure cap (6) is pivotably mounted relative to the connecting web (11) about the pivot axis, and the pivot axis is arranged on a side of the connecting web (11) facing away from an inlet opening (4).

36. A closure device (1) for a container, in particular for a carton package, comprising: a basic member (2) including a pouring channel (3) extending along a closure axis and having an inlet opening (4) and a pouring opening (5); a closure cap (6) including a cap cover (7) and a cap skirt (8) adjoining the cap cover (7) circumferentially and extending axially; the closure cap (6) and the basic member (2) being configured such that the closure cap (6) closes the pouring opening (5) in a closed position of the closure cap (6) and releases it in an open position of the closure cap (6); the closure device (1) further comprising an anchor ring (9) and a connecting element (10) that connects the anchor ring (9) to the closure cap (6) in a tension-proof manner, the anchor ring (9) engaging the basic member (2) both in the closed position of the closure cap (6) and in the open position of the closure cap (6) such that the closure cap (6) is tethered to the basic member (2) with the connecting element (10) and the anchor ring (9) in the open position of the closure cap; the connecting element (10) including a connecting web (11) extending between a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion being connected to connected to the anchor ring (9), the second end portion being connected to the anchor ring (9), the connecting web (11) being axially movable relative to the anchor ring (9); the closure cap (6) further including a first guiding means (14); and the basic member (2) further including a second guiding means (15); wherein the first guiding means (14) and the second guiding means (15) can be disengaged to open the closure device (1), and can be brought into engagement to close the closure device (1); the first and second guiding means (14, 15) are configured such that an opening rotational movement of the closure cap (6) relative to the basic member (2) causes disengagement of the first and second guiding means (14, 15); and the connecting element (10) includes a guide element (13) that can engage the second guiding means (15) such that the opening rotational movement of the closure cap (6) causes a movement of the connecting web (11) relative to the anchor ring (9) with an axial movement component in a direction of the pouring opening (5).

37. The closure device according to claim 36, wherein: the first guiding means (14) includes an internal thread, the second guiding means (15) includes an external thread, and the guide element (13) includes an internal thread segment (13).

38. Closure device according to claim 37, wherein the guide element (13) is positioned on an inner surface of the connecting web (11), and the inner surface is directed towards the closure axis when the closure cap (6) is in the closed position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0045] Further advantages, features and embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from the figures described below. It shows:

[0046] FIG. 1: a sectional view of a first embodiment of the closure device according to the invention, with the closure cap in the closed position,

[0047] FIG. 2: an enlarged view of the connecting element of the closure devices of FIG. 1, FIG. 3: the closure device shown in FIG. 1, with the closure cap in an intermediate position between the closed position and the open position,

[0048] FIG. 4: an enlarged view of the connecting element of the closure device shown in FIG. 3,

[0049] FIG. 5: a sectional view of a first embodiment of a closure element according to the invention,

[0050] FIG. 6A: a second embodiment of a closure element according to the invention in a sectional view,

[0051] FIG. 6B: an enlarged view of the connecting element of the closure element of FIG. 6A,

[0052] FIG. 7A: a third embodiment of a closure element according to the invention in a sectional view,

[0053] FIG. 7B: an enlarged view of the connecting element of the closure element of FIG. 7A,

[0054] FIG. 8A: a fourth embodiment of a closure element according to the invention in a sectional view,

[0055] FIG. 8B: an enlarged view of the connecting element of the closure element of FIG. 8A,

[0056] FIG. 9A a fifth embodiment of a closure element according to the invention in a sectional view,

[0057] FIG. 9B: an enlarged view of the connecting element of the closure element from FIG. 9A,

[0058] FIG. 10: a perspective view of the first embodiment of the closure device according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0059] The closure device 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 is an aseptic closure device which is used in particular for closing carton packages. The carton package is completely sealed before the closure device 1 is opened for the first time.

[0060] The closure cap 6 is rotatably mounted relative to the basic member 2 of the closure device 1 via an internal thread arranged on the closure cap 6 and an external thread arranged on the basic member 2. A cutting device 16 with a cutting element is arranged inside the pouring channel 3. In addition, the closure device 1 has at least one entraining web 17 arranged on the cap cover 7. When the opening rotational movement of the closure cap 6 is executed for the first time in an opening rotational direction, the entraining web 17 comes into engagement with an abutment surface of the cutting device 16 and thus causes a rotational and at the same time axial movement of the cutting device 16. The cutting element moves in the axial direction through the inlet opening 4 and thus cuts an opening in the carton package when the closure device 1 is placed on a carton package. The filling material of the carton package can then pass through this opening from the carton package and be poured through the pouring channel 3 of the closure device 1 and thus be provided.

[0061] The embodiment of a closure device 1 according to the invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 also has a tethered closure cap 6. For this purpose, the closure device 1 has an anchor ring 9, which in the embodiment shown here is configured as a flex band with a radially outer section and a folded-over radially inner section. The radially inner section is in engagement with the pilfer-proof ring of the basic member 2 when the closure cap 6 together with the anchor ring 9 is placed on the basic member 2.

[0062] The combination of closure cap 6, connecting element 10 and anchor ring 9 is also referred to as closure element 100 for the purposes of the present invention.

[0063] The connecting element 10 of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 comprises a connecting web 11 extending in the circumferential direction, which is separated from the anchor ring 9 in the axial direction by a gap 19 or a weakening line. In the circumferential direction, the end sections of the connecting web 11 are connected to the anchor ring 9.

[0064] The area 200 marked in FIG. 1, which primarily shows the connecting element 10, is shown again enlarged in FIG. 2. The area 201 marked in FIG. 3 is shown enlarged again in FIG. 4.

[0065] When the closure device 1 is opened by an opening rotational movement and the closure cap 6 thus lifts off axially from the basic member 2, the connecting web 11 consequently also lifts off axially from the anchor ring 9. FIG. 3 shows the position of the closure cap 6 at which the connecting web 11 has lifted off the anchor ring 9 as far as possible. In order to move the closure cap 6 from this position to the open position, the closure cap 6 is pivoted about the pivot axis defined by the hinge element 12. The hinge element 12 is an additional hinge element 12, which is arranged above the connecting web 11.

[0066] If the closure cap 6 is now pivoted into the open position via the hinge element 12, the connecting web 11 retains its position relative to the basic member 2. In particular, there is no torsion of the connecting web 11. This contributes to the closure cap 6 having a higher resilience to operating errors in everyday use. This is because, despite the connection of the closure cap 6 via a connecting web 11 extending in the circumferential direction, the closure cap 6 cannot be moved in a transverse direction relative to the closure axis in the open position, or only to a very small extent. However, such movements in transverse directions are sometimes made unintentionally by the user, which makes it more difficult to reclose the closure cap 6.

[0067] In order to further strengthen the strength of the locking of the connecting web 11 relative to the basic member 2, the connecting element 10 has a support means which is arranged on the inside of the connecting web 11 and rests on a support surface of the basic member 2, at least when the closure cap 6 is in the open position. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the support means already rests on the external thread of the basic member 2 when the closure cap 6 is in the intermediate position shown in FIG. 3, i.e. when the opening rotational movement has already been fully executed but no opening pivoting movement has yet been executed.

[0068] The support means can be an internal thread segment that only extends over a fraction of the full circumferential angle of 360 in the circumferential direction. As in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, this internal thread segment can also be used simultaneously as a guiding means 14, so that the internal thread segment together with a further internal thread segment forms the internal thread for rotatably opening or closing the closure device 1.

[0069] FIG. 10 shows the closure device 1 in a perspective view. In particular, the first guiding means 14 configured as an internal thread segment and the second guiding means 15 configured as an external thread are clearly recognisable. It can also be seen that the connecting web 11 lifts off the anchor ring 9 in the open position shown and is locked in this position. The support element 13 used here is concealed due to the perspective and is therefore not visible.

[0070] The two entraining webs 17 recognisable in FIG. 10 and arranged on the cap cover 7 also have outer surfaces, each of which has a ramp section arranged between a first section and a second section of the outer surface. The first section is arranged closer to the closure cap axis than the second section. This design is particularly advantageous for the entraining web 17 that is arranged closest to the hinge element 12. The ramp section of this entraining web 17 comes into contact with the spout edge section 22 of the basic member 2 during a closure pivoting movement, whereby the closure cap 6 is subject to a leverage effect and the closure process is made easier for a user. The further entraining web 17 is configured in the same way, as this makes it advantageous to manufacture the closure device 1 by injection moulding. This is because making the closure device 1 as symmetrical as possible goes hand in hand with filling the associated mould as evenly as possible.

[0071] FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of a closure element 100, which is the closure element 100 used in the embodiment of a closure device 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4. FIG. 5 once again clearly shows the design of the support means. This is formed as an internal thread segment with a pitch corresponding to the pitch of the external thread of the basic member 2 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4.

[0072] The further FIGS. 6A to 9B show further embodiments of closure elements 100 which, in conjunction with correspondingly configured basic members 2, can also form corresponding embodiments of closure devices 1 according to the invention. The four different embodiments of closure elements 100 shown in these figures differ mainly in that the support means are configured differently in each case and the hinge elements 12 also differ.

[0073] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the support means differs from the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 in that the support means according to FIG. 6A or 6B has a thread run-out 21. This thread run-out 21 is characterised by the fact that the axial extension of the threaded segment is reduced in the area of the thread run-out 21 when viewed in the circumferential direction. In other words, the internal thread segment tapers in the circumferential direction.

[0074] In the embodiment of a closure element 100 shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the connecting element 10 has two axially spaced-apart internal thread segments 13 and 13, which form the support element 13. These internal thread segments 13 and 13 grip around a correspondingly configured support element of the basic member 2 like a pair of pliers (not shown) when the closure cap 6 is in the open position and thus lock the connecting web 11 with respect to the basic member 2 even more firmly.

[0075] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, these two internal thread segments 13, 13 are each significantly longer in the circumferential direction, with the upper internal thread segment 13 being configured longer than the lower internal thread segment 13 and the lower internal thread segment 13 having a thread run-out 21.

[0076] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the support means 13 is arranged above the hinge element 12. In other words, in a correspondingly configured closure device 1 comprising the closure element 100 shown here, the hinge element 12 is arranged closer to the inlet opening 4 than the support means 13. In this embodiment, the hinge element 12 comprises an X-shaped thin-walled region through which a film hinge is provided.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0077] 1 Closure device [0078] 2 Basic member [0079] 3 Pouring channel [0080] 4 Inlet opening [0081] 5 Pouring opening [0082] 6 Closure cap [0083] 7 Cap cover [0084] 8 Cap skirt [0085] 9 Anchor ring [0086] 10 Connecting element [0087] 11 Connecting web [0088] 12 Hinge element [0089] 13 Support element/guide element [0090] 13 (upper) internal thread segment [0091] 13 (lower) internal thread segment [0092] 14 First guiding means [0093] 15 Second guiding means [0094] 16 Cutting device [0095] 17 Entraining web(s) [0096] 18 Sealing olive [0097] 19 Gap [0098] 20 Inner section of the flex band [0099] 21 Thread run-out [0100] 22 Spout edge section [0101] 100 Closure element