Cap for providing tamper-evident feature
By designing a separate structure of cover plate, sleeve and thin material points on the gas container cap, combined with QR code and retaining element, the problem of easy manipulation of the anti-tampering features of gas containers is solved, and the visibility and reliability identification of the container are realized.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202480030906.X
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-07-25
- Filing Date
- 2024-05-10
- Publication Date
- 2025-12-05
AI Technical Summary
The anti-tampering features of existing gas container closures are easily manipulated, making it difficult for users to identify whether a container has been tampered with, thus deceiving customers.
Design a cap structure including a cover plate and a sheath, having radial protrusions and thin material points, which are separated from the cap by a separation strip. Damaging the thin material points can clearly reveal tampering. Combined with a QR code, the anti-tampering feature is ensured, and the cap position is fixed by a retaining element.
It achieves visibility and reliability of anti-tampering features, allowing users to easily identify whether a container has been opened, preventing reuse and ensuring container integrity.
Smart Images
Figure CN121079541A_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a cap for providing a tamper-evident feature on a container, in particular on a gas container, according to the preamble of the independent claim.
[0002] Gas containers, in particular for liquefied gas, such as propane, usually have a connection which is closed with a closure cap. In order to ensure that the contents from the gas cylinder cannot be removed in an impermissible manner, it is usually provided that the closure cap is provided with a tamper-evident feature. Currently, shrink films are used for this purpose. However, these films have the disadvantage that they can be expanded and removed, for example by heating. Thereby, it is possible to remove a portion of the contents from the gas container and subsequently reattach the film, so that the user cannot recognize whether the gas container is still completely filled. A customer who purchases a gas container which is no longer completely filled is deceived.
[0003] It is an object of the invention to solve at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, a device is to be provided which makes it possible to provide a tamper-evident feature, in particular so that it can no longer be easily manipulated.
[0004] The object is achieved by the device defined in the independent claim. Further embodiments emerge from the dependent claims.
[0005] The device according to the invention is designed as a cap for providing a tamper-evident feature on a container, in particular on a gas container. The cap has a cover plate and a sheath which protrudes therefrom. A radially inwardly pointing protrusion is formed on the sheath for engaging in the safety cap of the gas cylinder, in particular for engaging under a protrusion which radially protrudes from the safety cap. A thin point of material is formed on the cap and separates a separation strip from the cap.
[0006] By forming a thin point of material, the corresponding separation strip can be separated from the cap in a simple manner. In this case, the thin point of material is broken, so that it is apparent whether the cap has previously been removed from the gas cylinder.
[0007] It can be provided that the separation strip at least partially, in particular completely, divides the cover plate into two halves.
[0008] In a first embodiment, the separation strip also divides the sheath of the cap, preferably into an upper portion and a safety ring. The upper portion is connected to the cover plate. In the first embodiment, the separation strip extends over the cover plate, in particular only partially.
[0009] In a second embodiment, it is provided that a further thin point of material is arranged around the sheath. Correspondingly, in this embodiment, the further thin point of material divides the cap into an upper portion and a safety ring. In the second embodiment, the separation strip extends over the cover plate, in particular completely.
[0010] In this case, it can be provided that the further point of thin material is arranged such that it is arranged spaced apart from the cover plate, such that a part of the sheath remains connected to the cover plate substantially with uninterrupted wall thickness.
[0011] In a similar manner, it can be provided in the first embodiment that the separation strip is arranged spaced apart from the cover plate, such that a part of the sheath remains connected to the cover plate substantially with uninterrupted wall thickness.
[0012] In the first embodiment, the separation strip is preferably formed circumferentially on the periphery of the cap and at its end extends over the sheath into the cover plate and opens into the tongue.
[0013] If the separation strip is separated from the cap, or the point of thin material is broken, the safety ring can be removed from the upper part and thus from the cap. Correspondingly, the aforementioned one-piece cap is divided into two parts.
[0014] In the first embodiment, the separation strip is removed from the cover plate for this purpose and is unfolded along the periphery of the cap.
[0015] In the second embodiment, the separation strip is likewise removed from the cover plate and separated from the cap, or the point of thin material is broken and the two halves of the cover plate are grasped. Then, the circumferential further point of thin material is also broken.
[0016] The upper part of the cap or the two halves of the upper part can be separated from the safety ring, and thus the upper part can be removed from the cap. Correspondingly, the aforementioned one-piece cap is divided into three parts, namely the safety ring and the two halves of the cover plate.
[0017] In all embodiments, the protrusion is preferably arranged on the safety ring.
[0018] If the protrusion is arranged on the safety ring, the safety ring remains on the safety cap of the gas cylinder or on the gas cylinder itself together with the protrusion after separation of the separation strip. In other words, by simply breaking the point of thin material, i.e. separating the separation strip, the cap can be removed from the gas cylinder. The anti-tamper feature is thus ensured and easy to implement.
[0019] The protrusion can have an insertion ramp in the direction of the container, such that the cap can be snapped onto the safety cap.
[0020] A substantially central opening can be arranged on the cover plate. The tongue is preferably arranged within this opening, which tongue is connected to the separation strip.
[0021] The tongue allows the user to grip the starting end of the separation strip. By way of example, a finger can be placed under the tongue through the central opening and can grip the tongue accordingly. If the user now pulls on the tongue, the tongue removes the separation strip from the cap. The point of thin material is broken. Thus, on the one hand, the safety cap of the gas cylinder is accessible, and on the other hand, it is also apparent whether the gas cylinder has already been opened.
[0022] For safety reasons, it can be provided that the tongue is connected to the cover plate via two material webs. These material webs are also separated or broken off at the first opening.
[0023] Alternatively, in particular in embodiments in which the separation strip extends over the entire cover plate and divides the cover plate into two halves, it can be provided that no opening is provided.
[0024] In this embodiment, a tongue connected to the separation strip can also be provided. The tongue is designed as a radially extending extension that extends from the sheath of the cap. Accordingly, the user can easily grip the tongue and can remove the separation strip. If the user now pulls on the tongue, the tongue removes the separation strip from the cap. The point of thin material is broken. Thus, on the one hand, the safety cap of the gas cylinder is accessible, and on the other hand, it is also apparent whether the gas cylinder has already been opened.
[0025] The recess is preferably formed on the outside of the sheath in order to provide a point of thin material in the area of the sheath.
[0026] On the one hand, this allows simple manufacture, and on the other hand, this also enables a visual check as to the originality of the closure or cap.
[0027] In order to provide a point of thin material in the area of the cover plate, the recess is preferably at least partially formed on the inside of the cover plate.
[0028] Such an arrangement makes it possible to produce or maintain a pleasing appearance of the cover plate. In particular, the cover plate can be printed on or labeled or marked with other elements.
[0029] By removing the separation strip, the upper part or cover plate is completely or partially separated into two parts and is no longer usable since it has been destroyed. The user can easily recognize whether the gas cylinder has already been used and can estimate accordingly whether there is still a full filling in this gas cylinder.
[0030] In embodiments having a central opening, the tongue preferably covers less than 40% of the central opening. This ensures that the user can easily and without difficulty grip the tongue.
[0031] The tongue can protrude beyond the cover plate. In other words, the tongue is formed as a protrusion relative to the cover plate. This facilitates gripping the tongue and opening the cap or tearing the point of thin material in order to detach the separation strip.
[0032] In all embodiments, the QR code can be arranged on the cover plate, in particular in the area of the separation strip. Preferably, the QR code extends over the separation strip and in particular over the point of thin material.
[0033] If the separation strip is separated or the point of thin material is broken, the QR code is likewise destroyed. By means of the information stored correspondingly in the QR code, an originality or tamper-evident feature can additionally be ensured. In particular, the destroyed QR code is no longer readable. This provides a simple means for testing tampering.
[0034] At least one inwardly directed holding element can be arranged on the cap. This holding element makes it possible to engage with the safety cap in the case of a given safety cap design. This makes it possible to guarantee a specific positioning of the cap relative to the safety cap. In other words, the cap can be fixed against twisting relative to the safety cap. Cap and safety cap always have a defined positioning relative to one another.
[0035] The holding element can be connected to the cover plate. This connection increases the stiffness of the cap. Due to the higher stiffness, material can be saved accordingly, since strength does not have to be provided by other means.
[0036] Preferably, the holding element is designed as two spaced-apart webs or surfaces. By means of such a design, a counterpart can be introduced between the two webs or surfaces and thus prevented from rotating in both clockwise and anticlockwise directions.
[0037] The application is explained below with reference to the schematic drawings. These show:
[0038] Figure 1 : a perspective view of the cap is shown;
[0039] Figure 2 : a top view of the cap according to Figure 1 is shown;
[0040] Figure 3 : a sectional view along the section line of the cap according to Figure 2 is shown;
[0041] Figure 4 : a perspective view of the lower surface of the cap according to Figure 1 is shown;
[0042] Figure 5 : a cross section through the cap placed on a gas cylinder is shown;
[0043] Figure 6 : a view of an alternative cap similar to the view according to Figure 4 is shown;
[0044] Figure 7: shows a further cross-section through the cap placed on a gas cylinder.
[0045] Figure 8 : shows a perspective view of a further cap;
[0046] Figure 9 : shows a perspective view of the lower surface of the cap according to Figure 8 .
[0047] Figure 1 A perspective view of a cap 20 is shown. The cap 20 has a cover plate 21 and a sheath 22. The sheath 22 is divided into an upper portion 221 and a safety ring 222 by a separation strip 24. The separation strip 24 extends peripherally into the cover plate 21 via the sheath 22 on the periphery of the cap 20. In the cover plate 21, the separation strip 24 extends into a central opening 26 of the cap 20. The separation strip 24 thus at least partially divides the cover plate 21 into two halves. In this central opening 26, the separation strip 24 opens into a tongue 27. The tongue 27 is connected to the cover plate 21 via two material webs 28, only one of which is designated for the sake of simplicity. It can be seen that a portion of the tongue 27 is formed such that it is easy to grasp. A QR code 29 is formed in the region of the separation strip 24 on the cover plate 28. When the separation strip 24 is separated or torn off, the code is destroyed.
[0048] Figure 2 A plan view of the cap 20 according to Figure 1 is shown. It can be seen here again that the tongue 27 is arranged centrally in the opening 26 and is connected to the cover plate 21 via the material webs 28. An intersection line is shown which extends substantially through the separation strip 24 in the region of the cover.
[0049] Figure 3 A sectional view along the section line of Figure 2 is shown. It can be seen that the sheath 22 is divided into an upper portion 221 and a safety ring 222 by the separation strip. The separation strip 24 is connected to the safety ring 222 or the upper portion 221 via thin material points 25 on both sides. Inwardly pointing protrusions 23 are formed on the safety ring 222 for engaging in a corresponding counterpart on a safety cap of a gas cylinder (see Figure 5 ). It can be seen that the thin material points are formed in the region of the sheath 22 in that two recesses are formed on the outside of the sheath 22. Conversely, in the region of the cover plate 21, the thin material points 25 are formed such that recesses are formed on the inside of the cover plate 21. The cover plate 21 thus retains a continuous, and in particular printable, surface.
[0050] Figure 4 A perspective view of the cap 20 according to Figure 1A perspective view of the lower surface of the cap 20. Here it can be seen that the thin material points are arranged in the area of the cover plate 21 on the outside and that the thin material points are arranged in the area of the shroud 22. By arranging the thin material points 25 on the outside in the area of the cover plate 21, the force expenditure for opening or tearing off the separation strip 24 after gripping the tongue 27 is also reduced.
[0051] Figure 5 A cross section through the cap 20 placed on a gas cylinder is shown. It can be seen that the inwardly pointing protrusion 23 engages around the corresponding protrusion 31 of the safety cap 30, which closes the connection of the gas cylinder. The design as shown in the present example ensures that the cap 20 cannot be removed from the safety cap 30 without destruction.
[0052] Figure 6 A view of an alternative cap 20 is shown, which is similar to the view according to Figure 4 The cap 20 has three holding elements 40 on the inside of the shroud 22. The holding elements 40 each have two inwardly pointing webs 41 and 42. The webs 41 and 42 are spaced apart parallel to each other. For the sake of simplicity and clarity, only one of the holding elements 40 is provided with reference numerals. The webs 41 and 42 are connected to both the shroud 22 and the cover plate 21. This increases the rigidity of the cap 20. The function of these holding elements 40 is described below with reference to Figure 7 .
[0053] Figure 7 A further cross section through the cap 20 placed on a gas cylinder, i.e. the cap 20 as shown in Figure 6 It can be seen that the holding elements 40, and in particular the webs 41 and 42, each engage on both sides of the axial protrusion 32 of the safety cap 30, so that the cap 20 is fixed against rotation relative to the safety cap 30.
[0054] Figure 8 A perspective view of a further cap 20' is shown. With regard to the function and the cooperation with a gas cylinder or a safety cap of a gas cylinder, reference is made to the description of the other figures. The cap 20' also has a cover plate 21 and a shroud 22. The shroud 22 is divided by a thin material point 24 into an upper part 221 and a safety ring 222. The separation strip 24 extends on the cover plate 21 and leads to a tongue 27, which is designed as a radial extension and extends from the periphery of the cap 20 on the shroud.
[0055] The encircling thin material points 25 are connected to the thin material points on both sides of the separation strip 24. These thin material points are formed centrally in the cover plate 21 and on the outside at the edge of the cover plate 21.
[0056] The encircling thin material points 25 are also arranged such that the cover plate 21 and a part of the shroud are essentially connected to each other with an uninterrupted wall thickness.
[0057] Figure 9 A perspective view of the lower surface of the cap 20' according to Figure 8 is shown. It can be seen here that the thin material points are arranged in the central region of the cover plate 21 on the inner side and on the outer side on the periphery of the cover plate 21 and in the region of the sheath 22. The separation strip 24 extends into the tongue 27. By arranging the thin material points 25 on the outside in the region of the cover plate 21, the force expenditure for opening or tearing off the separation strip 24 after gripping the tongue 27 is also reduced.
[0058] The cap 20' has a protrusion 23 on the inner side of the sheath 22, which is interrupted at three points. The three interruptions provide three retaining elements 40. In each case, the retaining elements 40 are delimited by two inwardly pointing surfaces 41 and 42. Similar to the webs 41 and 42 according to Figure 6 , the surfaces 41 and 42 are spaced apart parallel to one another. For the sake of simplicity and clarity, only one of the retaining elements 40 is provided with reference numerals. Since the retaining elements 40 are provided by the protrusion 23, they have a high rigidity. The function of these retaining elements 40 is similar to the retaining elements described with reference to Figure 7 .
[0059] The protrusion 23 has an insertion bevel (not shown in detail) in order to be able to easily snap the cap 20' onto the safety cap of a gas cylinder. This insertion bevel is compatible with all embodiments.
Claims
1. A cap (20) for providing a tamper-evident feature on a container, in particular a gas container, the cap (20) having a cover plate (21) and a sheath (22) protruding from the cover plate, wherein, A radially inwardly directed protrusion (23) is formed on the shroud (22) for engaging in a safety cap (30) of a gas cylinder, in particular for engaging under a protrusion (31) projecting radially from the safety cap (30), characterized in that a thin point of material (25) is formed on the cap (20) and separates a separation strip (24) from the cap (20).
2. The cap (20) of claim 1, characterized in that The separation strip (24) at least partially, in particular completely, divides the cover plate (21) into two halves.
3. The cap (20) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The separation strip (24) divides the shroud (22) of the cap (20) into an upper portion (221) and a safety ring (222).
4. The cap (20) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that A further thin point of material is arranged circumferentially along the shroud (22) and separates the shroud (22) into an upper portion (221) and a safety ring (222).
5. The cap (20) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that The protrusion (23) is arranged on the safety ring (222).
6. The cap (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that A substantially central opening (26) is arranged on the cover plate (21), wherein a tongue (27) is arranged within the opening (26), which tongue is connected to the separation strip (24).
7. The cap (20) of claim 6, characterized in that The tongue (27) is connected to the cover plate (21) via two material webs (28).
8. The cap (20) according to any one of claims 6 to 7, characterized in that, The separation strip (24) is formed circumferentially on the periphery of the cap (20) and at its ends extends over the shroud (22) into the cover plate (21) and leads to the tongue (27).
9. The cap (20) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that, The tongue (27) covers less than 40% of the central opening (26).
10. Cap (20) according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that The tongue (27) protrudes beyond the cover plate (21).
11. The cap (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that A tongue (27) is connected to the separation strip (24), wherein the tongue (27) is designed as a radially extending extension that extends from the shroud (22) of the cap (20).
12. The cap (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that A recess is formed on the outside of the shroud (25) in order to provide the thin point of material (25) in the region of the shroud (22).
13. The cap (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that A recess is formed on the inside of the cover plate (21) in order to provide the thin point of material (25) in the region of the cover plate (21).
14. The cap (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that A QR code (29) is arranged on the cover plate (21), in particular in the region of the separation strip (24).
15. The cap (20) of claim 14, characterized in that The QR code (29) extends over the thin point of material (25).
16. The cap (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that At least one inwardly facing holding element (40) is arranged on the cap (20).
17. The cap (20) of claim 16, characterized by The holding element (40) is connected to the cover plate (21).
18. The cap (20) according to claim 16 or claim 17, characterized in that, The holding element (40) is designed as two spaced-apart webs (41, 42).