Abstract
The present invention relates to a dispensing closure and a container with such a dispensing closure. The dispensing closure comprises a base element, a spout element and a rotatable operating element, wherein the spout element can be axially moved between a retracted position and an extended position.
Claims
1. A dispensing closure comprising: a base element (100) which can be attached to a neck (820) of a container; a spout element (200) with a dispensing channel (220), said spout element (200) arranged such that it is axially movable relative to said base element (100) between a retracted position and an extended position, and an operating element (300), which is arranged such that it is rotatable relative to said base element (100) between a first position and a second position, wherein said base element (100),said spout element (200) and said operating element (300) are arranged such that said spout element (200) is in said retracted position when said operating element (300) is in said first position, wherein said dispensing channel (220) of said spout element (200) is closed in said retracted position such that no fluid can be dispensed through said dispensing channel (220), and said spout element (200) is moved axially relative to said base element (100) from said retracted position into said extended position when said operating element (300) is rotated from said first position to said second position, wherein said dispensing channel (220) of said spout element (200) is opened in said extended position such that a fluid can be dispense through said dispensing channel (220), wherein said based element (100) comprises a sealing portion (120),which is arranged such that it is at least partly positioned within the dispensing channel (220) of said spout element (200) and such that it seals a dispensing opening (220) of said dispensing channel (220) when said spout element (200) is in said retracted position, and a tamper-evident element (600) attached by at least one connection member (620) to said base element (100), wherein said operating element (300) comprises at least one destruction element arranged to break said at least one connection member (620) when said operating element (300) is rotated by a predetermined angle out of said first position for the first time.
2. The dispensing closure according to claim 1, wherein said tamper-evident element (600) is a ring-like element.
3. The dispensing closure according to claim 1 in combination with a container for storing a fluid, said container having a container neck (820) and a dispensing opening within said container neck (820), said closure being attached to said container neck (820), wherein said container neck (820) and said tamper-evident element (600) are configured and initially located relative to each other so that said tamper-evident element (600) can fall a predetermined distance away from an original position when said at least one connection member (620) is destroyed.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) The above-described features and further features and advantages will become even more apparent in view of the following description of the preferred embodiments shown in the drawings:
(2) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the dispensing closure according to the invention, while the dispensing closure shown in FIG. 1 is in its closed position;
(3) FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the dispensing closure according to the invention, while the dispensing closure shown in FIG. 2 is in its opened position;
(4) FIG. 3 shows a cross-section through an embodiment of the dispensing closure according to the invention, while the dispensing closure shown in FIG. 3 is in its closed position;
(5) FIG. 4 shows a cross-section through an embodiment of the dispensing closure according to the invention, while the dispensing closure shown in FIG. 4 is in its opened position;
(6) FIG. 5 shows a side view of an embodiment of a spout element of a dispensing closure according to the invention;
(7) FIG. 6 shows a top view on the spout element as shown in FIG. 5;
(8) FIG. 7 shows a cross-section of an embodiment of an operating element of a dispensing closure according to the invention;
(9) FIG. 8 shows a cross-section of an embodiment of a base member of a dispensing closure according to the present invention;
(10) FIG. 9 shows a partial cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a dispensing closure according to the invention attached to a neck of a container, with a tamper-evident element before a first opening of the dispensing closure;
(11) FIG. 10, shows a partial cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a dispensing closure according to the invention attached to a neck of a container, with a tamper-evident element after a first opening of the dispensing closure,
(12) FIG. 11 shows a side-view of another embodiment of a spout element of a dispensing closure according to the invention;
(13) FIG. 12 shows a cross-section of another embodiment of an operating element of a dispensing closure according to the invention;
(14) FIG. 13 shows a view from the lower side of another embodiment of the spout element according to the present invention;
(15) FIG. 14 shows a cross-section of another embodiment of a base member of a dispensing closure according to the present invention which can be used with an embodiment of the spout element as shown in FIG. 13; and
(16) FIG. 15 shows a view of the embodiment of the base member as shown in FIG. 14.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
(17) FIGS. 1 and 2 do show a perspective view of an embodiment of a dispensing closure 10 according to the present invention, wherein FIG. 1 shows the dispensing closure 10 in its closed position and FIG. 2 shows the dispensing closure 10 in its opened position.
(18) The dispensing closure 10 comprises an operating element 300 and a spout element 200 as well as a base element 100 (see especially FIGS. 3, 4 and 8). Dispensing closure 10 also comprises a tamper-evident element 600, the function of which is described in connection with FIGS. 9 and 10.
(19) When the dispensing closure 10 is in its closed position, the spout element 200 is in its retracted position. As can be well seen in FIG. 1, the dispensing closure 10 has an essentially flat upper or top surface, while the top surface 322 of the operating element 300, the top surface 212 of an upper rim 210 of the spout element 200, and a top surface 122 of a sealing element 120 of the base element 100 are all in the same plane. The spout element is therefore fully retracted into the dispensing closure 10, so that the spout element 200 is fully protected, when it is in its retracted position and when the dispensing closure 10 is in its closed position.
(20) As can be also well seen in FIG. 1, a sealing element 120 (see FIG. 3 or FIG. 8) seals the inner part of the spout element 200, so that no fluid or liquid can be dispensed from the container.
(21) FIG. 2 shows the dispensing closure 10 in its opened position, with the spout element 200 being in its extended position. As can be well seen, the spout member 200 extends well beyond the upper or top surface 322 of the operating element 300, so that a user can put the spout member 200 into his mouth for drinking.
(22) As can be also well seen in FIG. 2, the dispensing opening 222 is, due to the extended position of the spout element 200, not sealed anymore by sealing element 120 (see FIG. 3 or FIG. 8), so that fluid or liquid can be dispensed from the container through a dispensing channel 220 and through the dispensing opening 222.
(23) FIGS. 3 and 4 show cross-sectional views of the embodiment of the dispensing closure 10 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, wherein FIG. 3 shows the dispensing closure 10 in its closed position (as in FIG. 1), and wherein FIG. 4 shows the dispensing closure 10 in its opened position (as in FIG. 2). The planes of the cross-sections in each of the figures are selected such that the engagement of the spout element with the operating element is best visible.
(24) As can be well seen in FIG. 3, the dispensing closure 10 comprises a base element 100, which can be attached to a neck of a container (not shown), whereas in this embodiment it can be screwed onto a container neck by means of an internal thread 180, as can be also well seen in FIG. 8, showing the base element 100 in an isolated form.
(25) The base element 100 comprises an inner dome 140, which has, at its upper part, a sealing portion 120. The sealing portion 120 is connected with an essentially cylindrical side wall of the inner dome element 140 via webs 144. Between the webs 144 there are openings 142, being arranged such that a fluid or liquid can be dispensed from the container through the inner space 145 of the inner dome element 140 and then through the openings 142 into the dispensing channel 220 of the spout element 200 and finally through the dispensing opening 222.
(26) As can be well seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, in connection with FIGS. 3 and 4, the spout element 200 has partial external thread elements 240, which engage with corresponding threads 340 of the operating element 300, see especially also FIG. 7. Spout element 200 and base element 100 are therefore threadingly engaged, so that the spout element 200 performs a spiral movement relative to the operating element 300, when said operating element 300 is rotated.
(27) The spout element 200 is rotationally fixed to the base element 100 by means of the protrusions 250, see FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, which are arranged on the outer side wall of the spout element 200 and which engage with corresponding protrusions 150 in the base element 100, so that the spout element 200 can move only axially relative to said base element, but does not rotate relative to said base element 100.
(28) As can be well seen in FIG. 7, also the inner thread elements 340 are only partial threads of the operating element 300, in order to engage with the corresponding outer thread elements 240 of the spout element 200.
(29) In FIG. 3, see especially circle A, it can be well seen that the spout element 200 abuts, in the closed position of the dispensing closure 10 and therefore in the fully retracted position of the spout element 200, against the base element 100, so that an end position, namely the closed position is defined.
(30) As can be well seen in FIG. 4, see circle B, the spout element 200 abuts also against a part of the operating member 300 in the other end position, namely the fully extended position of the spout element 200 and the opened position of the dispensing closure 10.
(31) As can also be seen in FIG. 4, see especially circle C, the operating element 300 has various projections 370 extending radially inwardly from an inner part of the side wall 360. These projections 370 engage with corresponding grooves 170 of the base element 170, so that the operating element 300 can be axially fixed relative to the base element 100, while still a relative rotational movement of the operating element 300 relative to the base element 100 is possible. The maximum rotating angle is determined by the dimensions of the grooves 170 on the one hand and the dimensions of the protrusion 370 on the other hand, when considered in a circumferential direction.
(32) In the embodiment shown, the maximum rotational angle, around which the operating element 300 can be rotated relative to the base element 100, is about 90°, however also other maximum angular rotation ranges can be determined and set, if desired.
(33) FIGS. 9 and 10 do show a partial cross-section through an embodiment of a dispensing closure according to the invention, being attached to a bottle neck 820 of a bottle 800, wherein this embodiment of the dispensing closure 10 comprises a tamper-evident element 600.
(34) As can be well seen in FIG. 9, showing the dispensing closure 10 before a first opening, a tamper-evident element 600 is attached, via connections or connection members 620, to a side wall of the base element 100. The tamper-evident element 600 has an extension 640, so that the lower part of the tamper-evident element is essentially V-shaped.
(35) When the dispensing closure 10 is attached to the bottle neck 820 for the first time, e.g. by screwing it onto the bottle neck, the extension 640 of the tamper-evident element 600 can be flexed readily outwardly, when having to pass a ring-like protrusion 840, which extends ring-like around the outer side of the bottle neck 820.
(36) As soon as the upper end of the extension 640 of the tamper-evident element 600 has passed the protrusion 840, it moves inside, due to its elasticity, so that the dispensing closure cannot be unscrewed and removed from the bottle neck anymore without destroying the tamper-evident element 600 at least partly.
(37) When the operating element 300 is moved for the first time out of its first position, i.e. when opening the dispensing closure for the first time, destruction elements, being arranged at the operating element 300, destroy the connections 620, so that the tamper-evident element 600 is separated from the base element 100 and falls down onto a shoulder of the bottle 800, clearly indicating to a user that the dispensing closure had already been opened.
(38) FIG. 11 shows a side view of another embodiment of the spout element which is similar to the spout element as shown in FIG. 5, so that it is, in order to avoid repetitions, referred also to the description of FIG. 5 above, and it has to be noted that the same or similar elements are indicated with the same reference numbers.
(39) In comparison with the spout element shown in FIG. 5, the spout element 200 shown in FIG. 11 comprises a different external thread element (240, see FIG. 5) in form of a protrusion 240′ which has an essentially circular cross section and which extends in a radially outward direction beyond the protrusions 250.
(40) Similarly as to the embodiment of the spout element shown in FIG. 5, the protrusion 240′ interact with corresponding inner thread elements (340) of the operating element (300, see e.g. FIG. 7).
(41) It has to be noted that the form of the protrusion 240′ in this embodiment is essentially circular, however also other forms are possible, for example an essentially rectangular form or even an essentially square-like form, or also an essentially triangular form.
(42) FIG. 12 shows a cross-section of another embodiment of an operating element 300 of a dispensing closure, which is similar to the embodiment as shown in FIG. 7, so that the same or similar elements are denoted with the same reference number, and it is referred to the description of the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, in order to avoid repetitions.
(43) As can be well seen, the embodiment of the operating element 300 shown in FIG. 12 has two inner thread elements 340, 342, while the second thread element 342 has, at its lower area, a portion 344 which does not extend essentially helically within the operating element 300, but which remains on the same height or vertical position of the operating element 300, i.e. it has no pitch in this portion 344.
(44) This has the effect that during an initial rotation of the operating element 300 from its first position, in which the dispensing closure is in its closed position, the spout is not yet moved in an axial direction, i.e. the spout element is not yet moved in an outward direction. Only after an initial rotation around a predetermined angle, preferably an angle between 1° and 40°, more preferably between 10° and 20°, the corresponding external thread element 240, 240′ of the spout element 200 engages with both internal thread elements 340 and 342 such that the rotation of the operating element also leads to an axial movement of the spout element, so that the spout element is moved outwards or upwards.
(45) This specific embodiment has the advantage that during the initial rotation of the operating element 300 around a predetermined angle, the closure is still in its closed position, while preferable during this initial rotation around the predetermined angle, a tamper evident element is destroyed. It can thereby be secured that the tamper evident element or the tamper evident elements are first destroyed before the dispensing opening is opened even partly, which leads to an enhanced tamper evident system.
(46) FIGS. 13 to 15 do show another embodiment of a base element 100″ and a corresponding spout element 300″, which are similar to the embodiments described above, so that the same or similar elements are denoted with the same or similar reference numbers, and it is also referred to the above-mentioned description in order to avoid repetitions.
(47) As can be well seen in FIG. 13, the spout element 300″ has an essentially circular outer surface, so that it can still rotate relative to the operating element, such that the spout member 300″ can extend through the circular upper opening of the operating element 300. However, the inner form of the spout element 300″ is essentially oval and corresponds to an oval outer form of an inner dome element 140″ of the base element 100″. By the corresponding oval forms it is secured that the base element 100″ and the spout element 300″ are rotationally coupled.
(48) The functional interrelationship of these elements is therefore essentially the same as with the elements described above, however in the base element 100″, the protrusions (150, see FIG. 8) are not necessary anymore, as the spout element 300″ and the base element 100″ are rotationally coupled by the corresponding oval forms or contours of these elements.
(49) FIG. 15 very well shows the oval outer contours of the inner dome 140″ of the base element 100″, while FIG. 13 very well shows both the oval form of the inner contour and the circular form of the outer contour of the dome element 300″, as well as the circular opening 222″ which is closed by a corresponding, also essentially circular sealing portion 120 of the base element 100″ (see FIG. 15).
(50) The features of the present invention disclosed in the specification, the claims and/or in the accompanying drawings may, both separately and in any combination thereof, be material for realizing the invention in various forms thereof.
