Suspension anchor ring

Abstract

The invention relates to a closure device (1) for a container, comprising a base member (2) having a pouring spout (19) extending along a closure axis (50) and a closure unit (3) having a closure cap (4), an anchor ring (5), a connecting element (8) and at least one easy-to-tear bridge (23a, 23b). At least one tearable bridge connects the anchor ring to the closure cap in a delivery state and tears during an initial opening rotational movement. Wherein the connecting element connects the anchor ring to the closure cap in a movable and tension-resistant manner. And wherein the anchor ring is further away from the closure cap (4) at least in the circumferential section in the direction along the closure axis (50) in the re-closed state than in the conveying state. The invention also relates to a carton package and to a closing unit.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a closing device for a container, in particular for a cardboard package, wherein the closing device comprises a basic member, which has a pouring opening extending along a closing axis and has an inlet opening and a pouring opening. The closing device also has a closing unit, wherein the closing unit comprises a closing cap, which has a cap cover plate and a cap skirt adjoining the cap cover plate peripherally, and wherein the closing cap is mounted on the basic member so as to be rotatable about the closing axis relative to the basic member in the closed state of the closing device, so that the closing cap is rotatable relative to the basic member in the opening rotation direction. The closing unit also has an anchor ring and a connecting element, wherein the connecting element connects the anchor ring to the closing cap in a movable and pull-resistant manner, and wherein the connecting element, the anchor ring and the closing cap are configured and arranged such that after the opening rotational movement, the closing cap can be moved into an open state, in which the closing cap releases the pouring opening. In this way, even in the open state, the closing cap is tethered to the basic member by the anchor ring and the connecting element. The present invention also relates to a cardboard package having such a closing device and a closing unit.

[0002] In order to indicate to the consumer whether such a closing device has been opened for the first time, such a closing unit usually has a tearable bridge, which connects the closing cap to another component of the closing unit, for example to the anchor ring, in the transport state and tears when the device is opened for the first time. Such a bridge is also referred to as a bridge or a tearable bridge. The bridge usually extends parallel to the closing axis, such that an axial tensile force can cause the bridge to break. As is known, such an axial tensile force is achieved by lifting the closing cap when unscrewing the closure, so that these bridges are pulled (upwards) in the direction of the pouring opening, wherein these bridges are axially fixed at their ends facing the inlet opening or their axial degree of freedom of movement is restricted. Furthermore, it is important for a sterile closing device that the bridge tears before a cutting device, also driven by the rotation of the closing cap, cuts into the sterile-sealed container.

[0003] In addition to the closing device with an anchor ring mentioned at the beginning, closing devices with a removable safety ring are also known, which are also connected to the cap skirt by at least one tearable bridge in the transport state. The removable safety ring is a distinctive sign of the first opening of the closure, since they are completely detached from the cap skirt after the first opening.

[0004] Taking this into account, one of the objects of the present invention is to make the first opening easily recognizable and distinguishable from the transport state, even in the case of the anchor ring mentioned here.

[0005] This problem is solved by a closing device for a container, in particular a packaging carton, wherein the closing device comprises a basic member and a closing device, wherein the basic member has a pouring opening extending along a closing axis and has an inlet opening and a pouring opening, wherein the closing device has a closing cap, an anchor ring, a connecting element and at least one tear bridge, wherein the closing cap is mounted on the basic member in the closed state of the closing device so as to be rotatable about the closing axis, such that the closing cap is rotatable relative to the basic member in an opening rotation direction, wherein the anchor ring is mounted on the basic member so as to be rotatable about the closing axis, wherein at least one tear bridge indirectly and / or directly connects the anchor ring to the closing cap in a conveying state before an initial opening rotation movement of the closing cap occurs, and the closing device is configured such that the tear bridge tears during the initial opening rotation movement, wherein the connecting element connects the anchor ring to the closing cap in a movable and pull-resistant manner, wherein the connecting element, the anchor ring and the closing cap are configured and arranged such that, after the opening rotation movement, the closing cap can be moved into an open state in which the closing cap releases the pouring opening, and wherein the closing device is configured and arranged such that in a re-closed state the anchor ring is at least in one circumferential section further away from the closing cap in the direction of the closing axis than in the conveying state.

[0006] Various states of the closing device or the closing device are described herein, and the following state definitions apply to these states:

[0007] - Conveying state: The completely unopened state of the closing device with an intact bridge before the first opening rotation movement;

[0008] - Unscrewed state: A partially opened state after the first opening rotation movement or a repeated opening rotation movement with a torn bridge, wherein the closing cap rests loosely on the pouring opening without sealing the pouring opening;

[0009] - Open state: The state in which the closing cap is moved away from the pouring opening, in particular swung away, and released to pour out the contents of the package;

[0010] - Re-closed state: Describes the state in which the closing cap is screwed back after reaching the unscrewed state or the open state;

[0011] - Closed state: As a general term, includes the conveying state and the re-closed state, in the re-closed state, the closing cap tightly seals the pouring opening.

[0012] The at least one frangible bridge may optionally directly connect the anchor ring in the delivery state to the closure cap or the connecting element or to both the closure cap and the connecting element, where the connecting element in turn connects to the anchor ring and the closure cap in a pull-resistant manner at a different location. Initially, the bridge indirectly connects the anchor ring to the closure cap via the connecting element. At least two and at most five frangible bridges are provided, which are distributed in the circumferential direction and engage at several locations on the anchor ring.

[0013] The rotatability of the anchor ring is opposite to that of the annular element. During the initial opening rotational movement, in order to force the bridge to tear due to the relative rotational movement between the closure cap and the annular element, the rotation of the annular element is deliberately prevented because after the bridge has been torn, the anchor ring is also connected to the closure cap via the connecting element, so the anchor ring must be able to rotate when the closure cap rotates. Thus, rotatability has been provided in both the delivery state and the open state, and this rotatability is preferably not limited to partial circumferential rotation.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, in the re-closed state, the anchor ring is spaced apart from the closure cap at substantially the same distance over the entire circumference. However, this is not a decisive factor. According to the present invention, in the re-closed state, it is also sufficient for the anchor ring to be further away from the closure cap in the circumferential section along the closing axis compared to the delivery state in order to provide a recognizable indication that it has been opened for the first time. It should be understood that the anchor ring has a maximum distance to the closure cap within the circumferential section. In this embodiment of the present invention, the anchor ring in the re-closed state is, for example, inclined relative to the closure cap (hanging anchor ring), so that the anchor ring can be more easily visually distinguished from the delivery state when the anchor ring and the closure cap are arranged in parallel in the delivery state. In all embodiments of the present invention, the anchor ring fulfills a dual function: firstly, it tetheres the closure cap to the basic component in a restrained manner, and secondly, it serves as an anti-tampering feature.

[0015] In this document, the terms "below" and "above" or "lower" and "upper" refer to the direction of gravity and the arrangement of the closing device on top of an upright container. In this sense, for example, the inlet opening of the pouring spout is at the bottom, while the pouring opening is at the top.

[0016] In the context of this document, the enumeration of elements should be specifically understood as a distinction between various elements. Thus, for example, if reference is made to a second section, this does not necessarily mean that there must be two separate sections. Thus, the second section can also exist in the absence of a first section, at least as long as the first section is not explicitly referred to.

[0017] For the purposes of this document, the term "at least one frangible bridge" includes one or more frangible bridges, where the expression "the at least one frangible bridge" can refer to two different frangible bridges, although the definite article is used.

[0018] In an embodiment of the closing device according to the invention, in the re-closed state, at least in the circumferential section, the anchor ring is spaced apart from the closing cap or the connecting element by at least 0.40 mm, preferably at least 0.60 mm, and particularly preferably at least 1.00 mm. Furthermore, in the re-closed state, the distance between the anchor ring and the closing cap or between the anchor ring and the connecting element is preferably at most 3.00 mm, and particularly preferably at most 2.00 mm.

[0019] It has been found that the distance or gap formed between the anchor ring and the closing cap or between the anchor ring and the connecting element after re-closing, having these dimensions, is particularly easy to see visually. If, after re-closing, the anchor ring is only in a circumferential section that is further away from the closing cap than in the conveying state, then the lack of parallelism between the hanging anchor ring and the closing cap also clearly marks the closure as having been opened previously.

[0020] In an embodiment of the closing device according to the invention, the basic member has a contact plane oriented substantially perpendicular to the closing axis, wherein the basic member and the closing device are configured and arranged such that the anchor ring in the conveying state is spaced apart from the contact plane in the direction of the closing axis over its entire extent.

[0021] The contact plane is understood as a plane perpendicular to the closing axis, in which the further axially freely movable anchor ring is delimited in the direction of the inlet opening (downward). This plane can be defined, for example, by a flat surface of the basic member or by a plurality of contact points on the basic member, which are formed, for example, by a plurality of vertical ribs along the outer circumference of the pouring opening. In the conveying state, the distance between the anchor ring and the contact plane can be easily recognized by the naked eye as a circumferential gap. After initial opening, i.e., when the anchor ring is no longer connected to the closing cap by a bridge, the anchor ring moves downward at least in the circumferential section to at most the contact level and thus indicates the open or re-closed state and the conveying state in a visually distinguishable manner.

[0022] In an embodiment of the closing device according to the invention, in the re-closed state, at least in the circumferential section, the distance between the anchor ring and the contact plane is zero to at most 1.50 mm, particularly at most 1.00 mm. Within these values, the change compared to the conveying state is particularly clearly visible, regardless of whether the anchor ring is actually only in the circumferential section or completely close to the contact plane.

[0023] In an embodiment of the closing device according to the invention, the basic member has a mounting flange for connection to the container, wherein the upper side of the mounting flange oriented in the direction of the pouring opening defines the contact plane. This design allows for a lower overall height of the closing device while providing a sufficient clearance width.

[0024] According to an embodiment of the closure device of the present invention, in this conveying state, the anchor ring is spaced apart from the contact plane by at least 0.40 mm, preferably at least 0.70 mm, more preferably at least 1.00 mm and particularly preferably at least 1.50 mm in the direction of the closing axis. Furthermore, in the conveying state, the distance between the anchor ring and the contact plane is at most 10.00 mm, in particular at most 3.00 mm, and most preferably at most 2.00 mm. It has been proven that this initial gap width is particularly clearly visible. In particular, the parallelism between the contact plane and the anchor ring can be reliably visually detected at this gap width.

[0025] According to an embodiment of the closure device of the present invention, the closure cap has a cap cover plate and a cap skirt connected to the cap cover plate in a circumferential manner, wherein at least one tearable bridge directly or indirectly connects the anchor ring to the cap skirt in the conveying state.

[0026] According to an embodiment of the closure device of the present invention, the basic member includes a retaining ring, wherein the anchor ring and the retaining ring are configured and arranged relative to each other such that the retaining ring blocks the axial movement of the anchor ring in the direction of the pouring opening. In this way, the anchor ring is tethered to the basic member in a non-detachable manner, wherein the connecting element then connects the closure cap to the anchor ring in a pull-resistant manner, such that the closure cap is also tethered to the basic member in a non-detachable manner, wherein the anchor ring is in both the closed state and the unscrewing or opening state.

[0027] According to an embodiment of the closure device of the present invention, the connecting device has a retaining strap and a hinge element, wherein the retaining strap connects the anchor ring to the hinge element, wherein the hinge element defines a pivot axis and pivotally connects the retaining strap to the closure cap, wherein the retaining strap, the hinge element, the anchor ring and the closure cap are configured and arranged such that the closure cap can pivot around the pivot axis to the open state after the opening rotational movement.

[0028] The pivot axis is particularly preferably located in a plane perpendicular to the closing axis.

[0029] According to an embodiment of the closure device of the present invention, the anchor ring is connected to the hinge element by the at least one tearable bridge in the conveying state, and the closure device is configured such that the tearable bridge tears during the first opening rotational movement.

[0030] This is a specific design of the closure device, wherein at least one tearable bridge directly connects the anchor ring to the connecting element, more precisely to the hinge element, in the conveying state, and thus indirectly connects to the closure cap via the hinge element and the retaining strap.

[0031] Particularly preferably, at least two tear bridges are provided, wherein, as described above, at least a first bridge of the at least two tear bridges connects the anchor ring to the connecting element, more precisely to the articulated element, in a first circumferential position in the conveying state, and at least a second bridge of the at least two tear bridges connects the anchor ring directly to the closing cap in a second circumferential position.

[0032] In one embodiment of the closing device according to the invention, the connecting element is designed to exert an axial force on the anchor ring in the direction of the inlet opening (downwards) in the re-closed state while bearing against the closing cap and to push the anchor ring away from the closing cap. Such a force acts on the anchor ring in such a way that, in the re-closed state, compared to the conveying state, at least in the circumferential section of the contact plane, the force approaches the closing axis in the direction of the closing axis. The reason for the axial force is the at least partially reversible deformation of the connecting element, in particular of the articulated element or the retaining band or both of these components, which occurs during the first opening, i.e. by moving the closing cap away from the pouring opening. In particular, when the closing cap swings away, i.e. by actuating the articulated element, the articulated element and / or the retaining band are deformed. When re-closing, i.e. when the closing cap moves back and is screwed back onto the pouring opening, the deformation remains to a certain extent in any case. In the re-closed state, this partial deformation creates a tension in the closing device, which acts on the axially movable anchor ring and causes it to move along the closing axis towards the contact plane.

[0033] In one embodiment of the closing device according to the invention, at least one radially inwardly orientable tab is arranged on the radial inner side of the anchor ring for axially supporting the anchor ring on the basic member, in particular on the retaining ring. The tab is preferably pivotally hinged to the annular element.

[0034] In particular, the annular element can have a single tab which can be aligned radially inwards, or alternatively can have a plurality of tabs which are spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction and can be aligned radially inwards. In particular, in the case of a plurality of tabs, the tabs are evenly distributed in the circumferential direction on the radial inner side of the anchor ring in order to evenly support the anchor ring on the basic member, in particular on the retaining ring, and to prevent tilting movement.

[0035] An anchor ring configured with one or more tabs is also referred to as a flexible band. For the purposes of this document, when determining the radial clearance between the anchor ring and the pouring opening, the tabs are not considered to be part of the anchor ring and are not taken into account.

[0036] According to an embodiment of the closure device of the present invention, the closure device includes a cutting device having a cutting element, the cutting element being at least partially arranged within the pouring opening, wherein the closure device includes an entrainment device, and wherein the entrainment device and the cutting device are configured and arranged such that a first rotation of the closure cap in the opening rotation direction causes the cutting element to move in a direction pointing from the pouring opening towards the inlet opening starting from the starting position of the cutting element, such that the cutting element can move at least partially through the inlet opening. In particular, in such a so-called sterile closure device, it is desirable to tear the tearable bridge early and reliably in order to indicate whether a container that was initially sterile-sealed has been opened for the first time - even inadvertently.

[0037] The present invention also relates to a carton packaging having a closure device according to one of the above embodiments.

[0038] The present invention also relates to a closure unit having a closure cap, an anchor ring, a connecting element, and at least one tearable bridge, wherein the connecting element connects the anchor ring to the closure cap in a pull-resistant manner, and wherein the connecting element is designed to exert an axial force on the anchor ring in the direction of the inlet opening in the re-closed state while bearing against the closure cap and pushing the anchor ring away from the closure cap.

[0039] The features of the closure unit that have been specifically described in the previous paragraphs in connection with the closure device according to the present invention also represent optional features of the closure unit according to the present invention.

[0040] Embodiments of the closure device, closure unit, or basic component according to the present invention are configured such that they can be used for beverage containers, in particular for beverage carton packagings.

[0041] According to an embodiment of the closure device of the present invention, the basic component, more specifically, the pouring opening has an external thread, and the closure cap has an internal thread corresponding to the external thread, wherein the pitch is greater than zero. The external thread and the internal thread are configured in such a way that when the closure cap is in the closed state, the external thread and the internal thread engage and disengage by an opening rotation movement.

[0042] According to an alternative embodiment of the closure device of the present invention, the basic component, and more precisely, the pouring opening has a guiding channel and the closure cap has a bayonet element, preferably a radially inwardly protruding projection, and the bayonet element can be guided in the guiding channel, wherein the guiding channel has a first guiding channel section, and wherein the first guiding channel extends only in a plane perpendicular to the closure axis, such that the closure cap can be rotated relative to the basic component by a rotation angle without axially lifting the closure cap.

[0043] According to one embodiment of the closing device of the present invention, the guiding channel further has a ramp section that is adjacent to the first guiding channel section in the rotational direction, wherein the ramp section is configured such that guiding the bayonet element along the ramp section causes the closing cap to be axially lifted. For example, the ramp section can be configured as a channel or a single bridge, the slope of which with respect to a plane perpendicular to the closing axis is greater than zero.

[0044] According to one embodiment of the closing device of the present invention, a closing device including a closing cap is mounted on a basic member such that when the closing device is in a closed state, the closing device can rotate relative to the basic member about a closing axis, such that the closing cap can rotate relative to the basic member in an opening direction so as to bring the closing device into an open state.

[0045] According to one embodiment of the closing device of the present invention, the closing cap and the anchor ring are mounted on the basic member such that in the closed state of the closing device, they can rotate together relative to the basic member about the closing axis, such that rotation of the closing cap causes co-rotation of the anchor ring, and rotation of the anchor ring causes co-rotation of the closing cap.

[0046] According to one embodiment of the closing device of the present invention, the closing device is made of plastic, preferably, at least some components of the closing device are made of PE.

[0047] According to one embodiment of the closing device of the present invention, the axial height of the anchor ring is 0.5 mm to 6 mm, preferably 1.0 mm to 5 mm.

[0048] Other advantages, features and embodiments of the present invention will become apparent based on the drawings described below. The drawings show:

[0049] Figure 1 : A plan view of one embodiment of the closing device according to the present invention;

[0050] Figure 2 : A side view of the closing device cut in a first cross-sectional plane according to Figure 1 in an initial closed conveying state;

[0051] Figure 3 : Figure 2 A partial enlarged view;

[0052] Figure 4 : According to Figure 1 A side view of the closing device cut in a second cross-sectional plane in an initial closed conveying state;

[0053] Figure 5 : Figure 4 A detail enlarged view;

[0054] Figure 6 : Perspective view of a closing device according to Figure 1 , wherein the closing device is in a re-closed state;

[0055] Figure 7 : Perspective view of the closing device according to Figure 6 viewed from the opposite direction;

[0056] Figure 8 : Side view of the closing device according to Figure 1 cut in the first cross-sectional plane, wherein the closing device is in the re-closed state, and

[0057] Figure 9 : Side view of the closing device according to Figure 1 cut in a second cross-sectional plane, wherein the closing device is in a re-closed state.

[0058] Figures 1 to 5 Shows an embodiment of a closing device according to the present invention and two enlarged cross-sections, each cross-section in the same initial closed state, in three different views. Figure 1 Shows a plan view of the closing device, in which two cross-sectional planes AA and BB are drawn. Figure 2 Shows a cross-sectional view in plane AA, Figure 3 Shows Figure 2 a partial enlarged view of the region C drawn therein. Figure 4 Shows a cross-sectional view of the closing device in cross-sectional plane BB, and Figure 5 Shows Figure 4 a partial enlarged view of the region D of

[0059] Figures 6 to 9 Shows the closing device according to the present invention in a modified state, i.e., the re-closed state after an initial opening rotational movement. Figure 6 and Figure 7 show perspective views of the closing device viewed from the opposite direction, Figure 8 shows a cross-sectional view similar to plane AA, Figure 9 shows a cross-sectional view similar to plane BB.

[0060] The same reference numerals are used in all the drawings. Unless a separate drawing is explicitly referred to, the following description equally relates to all the attached Figures 1 to 9 .

[0061] The closing device 1 has a basic member 2 and a closing unit 3. The basic member 2 includes a pouring opening 19 extending along a closing axis 50, which has an inlet opening 11 on its lower side and a pouring opening 14 on its axially opposite side, i.e., on its outlet side. The closing unit 3 has a closing cap 4, an anchor ring 5, a connecting device 8 and at least one tearable bridge 23. In the closed state of the closing device 1, the closing cap 4 is mounted on the basic member 2 so as to be rotatable about the closing axis 50 and rotatable relative to the basic member 2 in the opening rotation direction. In this embodiment of the closing device according to the invention, the closing cap 4 and the basic member 2, more specifically the pouring opening 19, are provided with corresponding threads, wherein the pouring opening 19 includes an external thread 15 and the closing cap 4 includes an internal thread 26. When the closing cap 4 is rotated in the opening rotation direction, the threads cause the closing cap 4 to be lifted upward along the closing axis 50 away from the basic member 2 in the direction of the pouring opening 14.

[0062] The anchor ring 5 is also mounted on the basic member 2 so as to be rotatable about the closing axis 50 and can thus rotate together with the closing cap 4 during the opening process. This co-rotation is achieved in particular by means of at least one tearable bridge 23 before the initial opening rotation movement, which bridge, in Figures 1 to 5 the illustrated conveying state, thus still before the initial opening rotation movement of the closing cap 4 has occurred, indirectly connects the anchor ring 5 on the one hand and is directly connected to the closing cap 4 on the other hand. When the closing cap 4 is rotated in the opening direction, due to the upward movement of the closing cap 4, when the closure is opened for the first time, the tearable bridge 23 tears and, for reasons explained below, the anchor ring 5 cannot follow this upward movement.

[0063] The connecting element 8 also connects the anchor ring 5 to the closing cap 4, but in contrast to the tearable bridge 23, it is movable and pull-resistant. The connecting element 8, the anchor ring 5 and the closing cap 4 are configured and arranged such that after the opening rotation movement, i.e., when the external thread 15 of the pouring opening 19 and the internal thread 26 of the closing cap 4 are no longer engaged, the closing cap 4 can be moved to an open state in which the closing cap 4 releases the pouring opening 14. This state is not shown in the figures.

[0064] The basic member 2 has a contact plane 17 which is oriented substantially perpendicular to the closing axis 50. Specifically, the basic member 2 has a mounting flange 12 for connection to a container (not shown), wherein the upper side of the mounting flange 12 oriented in the direction of the pouring opening 14 defines the same contact plane 17. The basic member 2 is connected to the container, such as a cardboard package, by means of the mounting flange 12, for example by ultrasonic welding or by adhesive connection.

[0065] The basic component 2 and the closing unit 3 are configured and arranged such that, in the illustrated conveying state, the anchor ring 50 is spaced apart from the contact plane 17 by a distance a in the direction of the closing axis 5 over its entire circumference. In Figures 6 to 9 the illustrated re-closed state, compared with Figures 1 to 5 the illustrated conveying state, in the direction of the closing axis 50, the anchor ring 5 closes in its entirety and thus at least in the circumferential section of the contact plane 17 such that the re-closed state can be clearly identified on the one hand by the absence of the distance a between the anchor ring 5 and the contact plane 17 and on the other hand by the distance between the anchor ring 5 and the closing cap 4.

[0066] In the conveying state, the axial distance a between the anchor ring 5 and the contact plane 17 in the direction of the closing axis 50 is preferably at least 0.40 mm, particularly preferably at least 0.70 mm, more preferably at least 1.00 mm, and particularly preferably at least 1.50 mm. In Figures 6 to 8 the illustrated embodiment, in the re-closed state, there is no distance between the anchor ring 5 and the contact plane 17. In order to clearly visually distinguish the re-closed state from the conveying state, such a distance in the re-closed state is at most 1.50 mm, preferably at most 1.00 mm.

[0067] In the re-closed state, instead of the distance a, there is a distance b between the anchor ring 5 and the closing cap 4 on the one hand and between the anchor ring 5 and the connecting element 8 on the other hand, which distance is preferably at least 0.40 mm, particularly preferably 0.60 mm, and even more preferably at least 1.00 mm. Since in the illustrated embodiment the anchor ring 5 drops entirely to the contact level 17, therefore in Figure 7 the sectional view, the distance b is formed on at least two opposite sides. In the sectional view Figure 8 perpendicular thereto, the distance b is distributed over two sections, which two sections are separated by a part of the connecting element 8.

[0068] The closing cap 4 has a cap cover plate 6 and a cap skirt 7 connected to the cap cover plate 6 in the circumferential direction, wherein at least one tearable bridge 23 directly and indirectly connects the anchor ring 5 to the cap skirt 7 in the conveying state.

[0069] The basic component 2 of the embodiment of the closing device 1 has a retaining ring 20, wherein the anchor ring 5 and the retaining ring 20 are configured and arranged relative to each other such that the retaining ring 20 prevents the axial movement of the anchor ring 5 in the direction of the tipping opening 14. The retaining ring 20 is at the level of the transition along its outer circumference between the cylindrical section 21 and the threaded section 22 of the tipping opening 19 in the axial direction. Thus, the anchor ring 5 can only move axially in the region of the cylindrical section 21.

[0070] Specifically, the anchor ring 5 is not directly joined to the retention ring 20. According to the illustrated embodiment, at least one radially inwardly orientable tab 16 is disposed radially inside the anchor ring 5, which axially supports the anchor ring 5 on the base member 2, i.e., on the retention ring 20. This embodiment has a plurality of such tabs, which are evenly spaced from each other in the circumferential direction, such that the support is provided evenly over the entire circumference, and thus the lifting of the closure cap 4 in the axial direction does not result in a tilting moment. The plurality of tabs are also referred to as inner flexible strip sections. The overall of all the tabs and the anchor ring is also referred to as the flexible strip.

[0071] In this embodiment, the connecting element 8 has a retaining strip 9 and a hinge element 10, wherein the retaining strip 9 connects the anchor ring 5 to the hinge element 10. The hinge element 10 defines a pivot axis 18 and connects the retaining strip 9 to the closure cap 4 such that it can pivot, wherein the hinge element 10, the anchor ring 5, and the closure cap 4 are configured and arranged such that the closure cap 4 can pivot about the pivot axis 18 into an open state after an opening rotational movement. As Figure 7 shown, the pivot axis is arranged in a plane perpendicular to the closure axis 50.

[0072] In the delivery state, the anchor ring 5 is connected to the hinge element 10 by a frangible bridge 23a, as Figures 1 to 5 shown. On the side opposite to the hinge element 10, the anchor ring 5 is directly connected to the closure cap by two frangible bridges 23b. The closure device 1 is configured in such a way that during the initial opening rotational movement, all three frangible bridges 23a, 23b preferably tear almost simultaneously. In the Figures 6 to 8 re-closure state, the frangible bridges are correspondingly also shown as frangible bridges with reference numerals 23a and 23b.

[0073] As can be seen in the re-closure state, the anchor ring 5 is fully resting on the contact level 17. According to the embodiment of the closure device 1, this position of the anchor ring 5 is ensured by the fact that the connecting element 8 is designed to be in the re-closure state so as to be supported against the closure cap 4 engaged with the thread of the base member 2, so as to apply an axial force on the anchor ring 5 in the direction of the inlet opening 11, and thereby press the anchor ring 5 towards the contact plane 17 away from the closure cap 4. The reason for the axial force is the at most partially reversible deformation of the connecting element 8, in particular the deformation of the hinge element 10 and / or the retaining strip 9, which occurs when the closure cap 4 first swings away from the pouring opening 14, i.e., when the hinge element 10 is first actuated. When re-closing, i.e., when moving back and screwing the closure cap 4 back onto the pouring opening 14, the deformation in any case partially remains. In the re-closure state, this partial deformation creates a tension in the closure unit 3, which acts downward on the anchor ring 5 and moves it along the closure axis 50 towards the contact plane 17.

[0074] The skirt 8 of the closure cap 4 has a handle slot 13 so that the user can operate the closure cap safely and in a controlled manner during the opening rotational movement.

[0075] To ensure a good seal of the pouring opening in the closed state, the closure cap 4 has an internal sealing ring 27 which extends axially downwards from the cap cover plate 6 and is arranged in an annular manner. In the closed state of the closing device 1, this sealing ring 27 presses against the inner side of the pouring opening 19.

[0076] In Figure 2 and Figure 4 i.e., in the conveying state, the cutting element 25 located within the pouring opening 19 can be seen. In the conveying state, the cutting element has not yet emerged downwards through the inlet opening 11. In this state, the carton packaging is still tightly closed. Only when the first opening rotational movement is carried out, and in particular only when it is ensured that the tearable bridges 23a, 23b are torn due to the lifting of the closure cap 4, does the entrainment mesh 24 formed on the inner side of the cap cover plate 6 engage with the cutting device 30 which includes the cutting element 25. In this case, the entrainment mesh 24 causes the cutting device 30 to rotate together with the rotational movement of the closure cap 4. The cutting device 30 has an external thread 28 inside the pouring opening 19, and this external thread 28 mates with the corresponding internal thread 29 on the basic member 2. In this way, the rotational movement of the closure cap 4 transmitted from the entrainment mesh 24 to the cutting device 30 is transmitted into the axial conveying movement of the cutting device 30, and thus into the axial conveying movement of the cutting element 25. Then, the cutting element 25 cuts an opening in the carton packaging due to the downward movement while rotating. To ensure that, in the case of a so-called aseptic carton packaging, cutting is carried out only when the tearable bridge has been torn, the corresponding application points on the entrainment mesh 24 and the cutting device 30 are arranged relative to each other such that the cutting device 30 is only entrained after the rotational angle has typically reached 75° to 90° during the initial opening rotational movement.

[0077] List of reference numerals

[0078] 1 Closing device

[0079] 2 Basic member

[0080] 3 Closing unit

[0081] 4 Closing cap

[0082] 5 Anchor ring

[0083] 6 Cap cover plate

[0084] 7 Skirt

[0085] 8 Connecting element

[0086] 9 Retaining strap

[0087] 10 Articulating element

[0088] 11 Inlet opening

[0089] 12 Mounting flange

[0090] 13 Handle slot

[0091] 14 Pouring opening

[0092] 15 External thread

[0093] 16 Tab, inner flexible strap section

[0094] 17 Contact level

[0095] 18 Pivot axis

[0096] 19 Pouring mouth

[0097] 20 Retaining ring

[0098] 21 Cylindrical section

[0099] 22 Threaded section

[0100] 23a, 23b Tearable bridge

[0101] 24 Entraining net

[0102] 25 Cutting element

[0103] 26 Internal thread

[0104] 27 Sealing ring

[0105] 28 External thread of cutting device

[0106] 29 Internal thread of cutting device

[0107] 30 Cutting device

[0108] 50 Closing axis

[0109] a Axial distance

Claims

1. A closing device (1) for a container, wherein the closing device (1) comprises a basic member (2) and a closing unit (3), wherein the basic member (2) has a pouring opening (19) which extends along a closing axis (50) and has an inlet opening (11) and a pouring opening (14), wherein the closing unit (3) has a closing cap (4), an anchor ring (5), a connecting element (8) and at least one tear bridge (23a, 23b), wherein the closing cap (4) is mounted on the basic member (2) so as to be rotatable about the closing axis (50) in the closed state of the closing device (1), such that the closing cap (4) is rotatable relative to the basic member (2) in an opening rotation direction, wherein the anchor ring (5) is mounted on the basic member (2) so as to be rotatable about the closing axis (50), wherein the at least one tear bridge (23a, 23b) indirectly and / or directly connects the anchor ring (5) to the closing cap (4) in a transport state, before an initial opening rotation movement of the closing cap (4) has occurred, and the closing device (1) is configured such that the tear bridge (23a, 23b) tears during the initial opening rotation movement, wherein the connecting element (8) connects the anchor ring (5) to the closing cap (4) in a movable and pull-resistant manner, wherein the connecting element (8), the anchor ring (5) and the closing cap (4) are configured and arranged such that after the opening rotation movement, the closing cap (4) can move to an open state in which the closing cap (4) releases the pouring opening (14), and wherein the closing unit (3) is designed such that the anchor ring (5) in a re-closed state is at least in a circumferential section further away from the closing cap (4) in the direction of the closing axis (50) than in the transport state.

2. The closing device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the anchor ring (5) in the re-closed state is at least in the circumferential section spaced apart from the closing cap (4) or from the connecting element (8) by at least 0.40 mm, preferably at least 0.60 mm and particularly preferably at least 1.00 mm.

3. The closing device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the basic member (2) has a contact plane (17) which is oriented substantially perpendicular to the closing axis (50), wherein the basic member (2) and the closing unit (3) are configured and arranged such that the anchor ring (5) in the transport state is spaced apart from the contact plane (17) in the direction of the closing axis (50) over its entire extent.

4. The closing device (1) according to claim 3, In the re-closed state, the anchor ring (5) has no distance from the contact plane (17) and a maximum distance of 1.50 mm, in particular a maximum distance of 1.00 mm, from the contact plane (17) at least in the circumferential section.

5. The closing device (1) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the basic member (2) includes a mounting flange (12) for connection to a container, and wherein the upper side of the mounting flange (12) oriented in the direction of the pouring opening (14) defines the contact plane (17).

6. The closing device (1) according to one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the anchor ring (5) is spaced from the contact plane (17) by at least 0.40 mm, preferably at least 0.70 mm, more preferably at least 1.00 mm and particularly preferably at least 1.50 mm in the direction of the closing axis (50) in the conveying state.

7. The closing device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the closing cap (4) has a cap cover plate (6) and a cap skirt (7) connected circumferentially to the cap cover plate (6), wherein the at least one tearable bridge (23a, 23b) connects the anchor ring (5) indirectly or directly to the cap skirt (7) in the conveying state.

8. The closing device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the basic member (2) has a retaining ring (20), wherein the anchor ring (5) and the retaining ring (20) are configured and arranged relative to each other such that the retaining ring (20) blocks the axial movement of the anchor ring (5) in the direction of the pouring opening (14).

9. The closing device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the connecting element (8) includes a retaining band (9) and a hinge element (10), wherein the retaining band (9) connects the anchor ring (5) to the hinge element (10), wherein the hinge element (10) defines a pivot axis (18) and pivotally connects the retaining band (9) to the closing cap (4), wherein the retaining band (9), the hinge element (10), the anchor ring (5) and the closing cap (4) are configured and arranged such that the closing cap (4) can pivot about the pivot axis (18) into the open state after the opening rotational movement.

10. The closing device (1) according to claim 9, wherein the pivot axis (18) lies in a plane perpendicular to the closing axis (50).

11. The closing device (1) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the anchor ring (5) is connected to the hinge element (10) by the at least one tearable bridge (23a) in the conveying state, and the closing device (1) is configured such that the tearable bridge (23a) tears during the first opening rotational movement.

12. The closing device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the connecting element (8) is designed to apply an axial force to the anchor ring (5) in the direction of the inlet opening (11) in the re-closed state, while bearing against the closing cap (4) and pressing the anchor ring (5) away from the closing cap (4).

13. The closing device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one radially inwardly alignable tab (16) is arranged on the radially inner side of the anchor ring (5), the tab serving to axially support the anchor ring (5) on the basic member (2), in particular on the retaining ring (20).

14. The closing device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the closing device (1) comprises cutting means, which are arranged at least partially within the pouring opening and which have a cutting element (25), and wherein the closing cap (4) comprises entraining means, wherein the entraining means and the cutting means are configured and arranged such that a first rotation of the closing cap (4) in the opening rotation direction causes the cutting element (25) to move from its starting position in the direction from the pouring opening (14) towards the inlet opening (11), such that the cutting element (25) can move at least partially through the inlet opening (11).

15. A carton packaging having a closing device (1) according to one of the preceding claims.

16. A closing unit (3) having a closing cap (4), an anchor ring (5), a connecting element (8) and at least one tear bridge (23a, 23b), wherein the connecting element (8) connects the anchor ring (5) to the closing cap (4) in a pull-resistant manner, wherein the connecting element (8) is designed to apply an axial force to the anchor ring (5) in the direction of the inlet opening (11) in the re-closed state, while bearing against the closing cap (4) and pressing the anchor ring (5) away from the closing cap (4).

Images