jug stopper

Abstract

A jug stopper (1), particularly for closing beer steins or 0.5 l jugs, comprises a lower part (2) designed to be inserted into a jug, an upper part (3) designed to be placed on the jug, and a handle (4) rotatable relative to the upper part (3). A ramp mechanism (20) allows movement between the upper part (3) and the lower part (2). The upper part (3) forms a flat bearing surface (12), which is divided into annular inner and outer regions (13, 15) by a ring section (11) projecting from this surface (9). The ring section (11) is guided on a cylindrical circumferential surface (10) of the lower part (2). The cylindrical circumferential surface (10) of the lower part (2) extends from a flat upper end surface (9), which acts as a stop surface against the upper part (3), to a flange (7) of the lower part (2).An elastic ring (14) intended for contacting an inner surface of the jug is inserted between the flange (7) and the ring section (11).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a jug closure which is particularly suitable for closing 0.5 l or 1.0 l jugs, i.e. beer jugs.

[0002] US 287,189 A discloses a closure mechanism intended to be suitable for containers such as milk jugs. The closure mechanism operates with a rubber band, the lower portion of which rests against a cylindrical wall of a first part and the upper portion of which rests against a likewise cylindrical surface of a second part of the closure. When the two parts are moved toward each other, the rubber band bulges outward according to the teaching of US 287,189 A, being pressed into an annular groove in the container to be closed. In order to displace the two aforementioned parts, against each of which the rubber band rests with a portion of its inner circumferential surface, relative to each other in the axial direction of these parts and of the rubber band, a ramp mechanism is provided, which includes a rotary handle.

[0003] DE 1 068 577 A relates to a clamping plug for container openings, particularly those of beer kegs. It is assumed that a tapping sleeve of a beer keg has a stepped passage. The clamping plug, which is to be inserted into the tapping sleeve, comprises two interlocking and mutually displaceable parts, between which a sealing ring is provided, which bulges against each other when the parts are adjusted and clamps against the opening wall. One of the two mutually displaceable parts has a lug on each of two opposite sides, which engages in a corresponding recess in the tapping sleeve and thus acts as an anti-twist contour. The clamping plug according to DE 1 068 577 A is said to be able to be clamped using an operating key.

[0004] CH 280428 A describes a bottle closure in which a conical ring is slidably mounted on a screw, designed to be pressed into the mouth of the bottle to be sealed. A piece of tubing made of rubber-elastic material is slid onto the screw between the smaller end face of the conical ring and a protruding edge, i.e., the flange, of the screw. A rotary handle is screwed onto the screw on the opposite, i.e., upper, end face of the conical ring. When the rotary handle is operated, the screw is drawn into the rotary handle and the tubing is compressed to seal the bottle neck.

[0005] The invention is based on the object of providing a jug closure which is further developed compared to the prior art and is also suitable for closing jugs made of earthenware which have considerable dimensional tolerances.

[0006] This object is achieved according to the invention by a jug closure having the features of claim 1. The jug closure according to the application comprises the following components: - a lower part intended for insertion into a jug, in particular a beer stein, - a top designed to be placed on the rim of the jug, - a handle part located on the upper part and rotatable relative to the upper part.

[0007] A ramp mechanism is provided to move the upper part relative to the lower part; this ramp mechanism is formed by the contours of the handle and the upper part. On its underside, the upper part has a support surface facing the lower part. This support surface is formed by an inner support area and a concentric outer support area. The outer support area is the ring-shaped area that comes into contact with the rim of the jug when the jug closure is placed on the jug. The two support areas, which lie in a common plane, are separated from one another by a ring section, which is also formed by the upper part and projects downwards from the support surface. This ring section is guided on a cylindrical peripheral surface of the lower part so that it can move in any relative position of the upper and lower parts.The cylindrical peripheral surface of the lower part is defined on the one hand by an upper end surface, which forms a stop surface against the inner support area of ​​the upper part, and on the other hand by a flange extending beyond the cylindrical peripheral surface of the lower part. An elastic ring is inserted between the flange and the ring section, intended to contact an inner surface of the jug.

[0008] The ring section is an integral part of the top of the jug closure. The three parts—top, bottom, and handle—can be manufactured, in particular, from plastic. Manufacturing one, two, or all of these parts from wood or metal, for example, stainless steel, is also possible.

[0009] According to various possible designs, the lower part has a central pin protruding from the support surface, onto which the upper part and the handle part are attached. In this case, the handle part can be secured against removal from the pin by means of a screw connection. The pin functions as a tension rod and, in a modified, equivalent design, can also be directed downwards and firmly connected to another component of the jug closure, in particular to the handle part, or can be formed as a single piece. Variants in which the handle part can be tilted about a horizontal axis, whereby tilting of the handle part causes a displacement between the upper and lower parts of the jug closure, are also feasible.

[0010] In each of the aforementioned cases, the screw connection or a similarly effective fixing mechanism can absorb axial forces between the mutually movable parts of the jug closure, i.e., between the lower and upper parts, and can be adjustable. Disassembly of the jug closure, for example, for cleaning purposes, is easily achieved by loosening the mechanism, which is particularly designed as a screw connection and transmits axial forces between the lower and upper parts.

[0011] The ramp mechanism, which is intended to actuate the jug closure, can be arranged in a space-saving manner in a recess on the top of the upper part, which surrounds the pin in a ring. This means that the contours of the ramp mechanism formed by the upper part dip into said recess.

[0012] The upper part, which can be moved along the lower part, can be mounted on the lower part in a rotatable manner, i.e., without contours that prevent rotation between the aforementioned parts by means of a positive fit. Theoretically, this would mean that if the handle part rotates and the upper part rotates with it, the ramp mechanism would be ineffective. However, it has been shown that such simultaneous rotation is not a practical process, since, on the one hand, frictional forces between the lower and upper parts counteract any rotation between these parts and / or the user intuitively grasps the upper part with the other hand when manually operating the handle part, thus preventing the upper part from rotating with the handle part.

[0013] In a modified design, the upper part can be moved on the lower part in a rotation-proof manner, whereby the rotation-proof device can be realized, for example, by means of strip-shaped projections and recesses, so that a relative rotation between the upper part and the lower part is categorically excluded.

[0014] In each of the described designs, the adjustment range, i.e., the maximum displacement range between the lower part and the upper part, can be, for example, at least 70% and at most 90% of the height, i.e., the axial extent, of the annular section formed by the upper part. The adjustment range can, for example, correspond to a proportion of at least 30% and at most 60% of the height, i.e., the axial extent, of the cylindrical peripheral surface of the lower part. The diameter of the flange formed by the lower part can correspond to the outer diameter of the annular section.

[0015] In brief, the jug closure, which is particularly suitable for closing liter or half-liter jugs made of stoneware or glass, comprises a lower part designed to be inserted into a jug, an upper part designed to be placed on the jug, and a handle part that can be rotated relative to the upper part. A ramp mechanism enables axial displacement between the upper and lower parts. The upper part forms a flat support surface, which is divided into an annular disc-shaped inner and outer region by a ring section protruding from this surface. The ring section is guided on a cylindrical peripheral surface of the lower part. The cylindrical peripheral surface of the lower part extends from a flat upper end surface, which acts as a stop surface relative to the upper part, to a flange of the lower part.An elastic ring made of plastic, silicone, or rubber, for example, is inserted between the flange and the ring section. This ring is designed to contact an inner surface of the jug. This ring enables a pressure-tight seal of the jug.

[0016] An embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing. In the drawings: Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 a jug closure in exploded view, Fig. 3 the jug closure in a sectional view, with an upper part of the jug closure placed on a lower part of the jug closure and thus an elastic ring located between the upper and lower parts being squeezed as far as possible, Fig. 4 partial view of the jug closure in the setting according to Fig. 3 in plan view, Fig. 5 partial view of the jug closure in the setting according to Fig. 3 in side view, Fig. 6 to 8 the jar closure in a second setting, namely with the ring as relaxed as possible in representations analogous Fig. 3 to 5.

[0017] A jug closure, designated overall by reference numeral 1, is particularly suitable for tightly sealing beer mugs or 0.5 liter jugs made of stoneware or glass. The plastic components of the jug closure 1 include a lower part 2, an upper part 3, and a handle 4. Each of the components 2, 3, and 4 has a circular basic shape, as can be seen from the figures. In the case of the handle 4, other shapes, such as a star shape or the shape of a two-armed lever, are also possible.

[0018] The lower part 2 has a disc-shaped base part 5 and a pin 6 protruding from it. A flange 7 is formed on the lower edge of the base part 5. The diameter of the lower part 2 is determined by the diameter of the flange 7. The flange 7 merges seamlessly into the underside of the lower part 2, designated 8. An annular disc-shaped end surface 9 lies opposite the underside 8 of the base part 5. The diameter of the end surface 9, designated d9, corresponds to the diameter of the base part 5 minus the flange 7. The cylindrical peripheral surface of the base part 5, which extends between the flange 7 and the end surface 9 and has a diameter d9, is designated 10. The diameter of the central pin 6, designated d6, is 15 ± 3% of the diameter d9 of the end surface 9 in the exemplary embodiment.

[0019] The upper part 3 has a significantly more complex shape than the lower part 2. On the underside of the upper part 3, a cylindrical ring section 11 is visible, which is intended to be fitted onto the cylindrical peripheral surface 10. This provides direct contact between the inner peripheral surface of the ring section 11 and the cylindrical peripheral surface 10 of the lower part 2. The inner diameter of the ring section 11 thus corresponds at least approximately to the diameter d9. The diameter designated d 11 designated outer diameter of the ring section 11 corresponds at least approximately to the diameter of the flange 7. The diameter d 11is dimensioned such that the jug closure 1 can be used in common 1-liter stoneware beer mugs, taking into account considerable manufacturing tolerances of the mugs. For smaller mugs, which have a smaller inner diameter at their upper rim, jug closures with adapted dimensions must be used, which, in terms of their basic structure, do not differ from the Fig. 1 to 6 shown jug closure 1.

[0020] The ring section 11 projects downward from a support surface, designated overall by 12, of the upper part 3. The plane in which the support surface 12 lies as a whole is referred to as plane E1. If the beer mug is closed with the mug closure 1, plane E1 touches the rim of the mug, although full contact of the rim of the mug with plane E1 is not absolutely necessary. Rather, due to the imperfect shape of the mug, it is conceivable that plane E1 touches only individual areas on the circumference of the mug rim. The function of the mug closure 1 is not impaired by this.

[0021] Radially within the ring section 11 is an inner support area 13, which is assigned to the support surface 9. The inner support area 13 can be brought into surface contact with the end surface 9. In this state, an elastic ring 14, which is inserted between the flange 7 and the ring section 11 and surrounds the cylindrical peripheral surface 10, is maximally compressed.

[0022] Radially outside the ring section 11, an outer support area 15 adjoins it, which, like the inner support area 13, is assigned to the support surface 12 located in the plane E1. The outer support area 15 can extend beyond the jug and is intended to rest on the rim of the jug. The outer peripheral surface of the upper part 3, designated 16, is smooth in this case. Alternatively, a structure, for example, ribbing, could be provided on the outer peripheral surface 16.

[0023] On the upper side of the upper part 3 there is a central recess 17 in which a ramp contour 18, which is somewhat like a screw contour, is formed. A corresponding ramp contour on the handle part 4 is designated 19. Overall, the ramp contours 18, 19 form a ramp mechanism 20 which enables the upper part 3 to be displaced relative to the lower part 2 by rotating the handle part 4. The ramp contour 18 on the upper part 3 is formed in an annular region at the transition between a base of the upper part 3, designated 25, i.e. base 25 of the recess 17, and the edge of the recess 17, which has a circular outline overall. In the exemplary embodiment, the wall thickness of the base 25 deviates by no more than 50% from the wall thickness of the annular section 11. This means that the ramp contour 18 takes up a large part of the axial, i.e. vertical, extension of the upper part 3.

[0024] The pin 6, which is an integral part of the lower part 2, is inserted through an opening 21 in the upper part 3 and through an opening 22 in the handle part 4. A screw 23 is screwed into an internal thread of the pin 6, with the upper part 3 abutting against the screw head of the screw 23. Optionally, a washer is inserted between the screw head and the pin 6. In any case, the screw 23 absorbs axial forces that permanently occur when the ramp mechanism 20 is actuated or when the jug closure 1 is inserted into the jug and seals the jug liquid-tight.

[0025] The jug closure 1 can be operated intuitively by turning the handle 4, whereby the upper part 3 can be held at the outer circumferential surface 16. The jug closure 1 can be easily disassembled if necessary by unscrewing the screw 23 from the pin 6. The screw 23 also provides an adjustment option for the jug closure 1. Overall, the jug closure 1 is characterized by the fact that, despite its low height, designated H, it can be used for different jugs. The diameter of the upper part 3, designated d3, i.e. the diameter of the outer circumferential surface 16, is more than 1.5 times, namely almost twice, the height H in the exemplary embodiment. The operation of the handle 4 is facilitated in the present case by recessed grips 24, which are distributed around the circumference of the handle 4.In this case, the intuitive operation of the jug closure 1 is further facilitated by the fact that the handle part 4 is colour-coded to contrast with the upper part 3 and lower part 2.

[0026] The two extreme settings of the jug closure 1 are particularly evident from the Fig. 3 and Fig. 6. In the setting after Fig. 3, the upper part 3 rests on the lower part 2, which means that the greatest possible axial distance between the upper part 3 and the handle part 4 is set by means of the ramp mechanism 20. The elastic ring 14 is thereby maximally squeezed, which is expressed in a pronounced outward curvature of the ring 14. The ring 14 is designed as an open profile, i.e. not as a tube. In the setting according to the Fig. 3 to 5, or even with a less extreme squeezing of the ring 14, the ring 14 lies sealingly against the inner wall of the jug.

[0027] If the jug closure 1 is to be removed from the jug, the handle 4 is turned to adjust it according to the Fig. 6 to 8 or at least to an intermediate setting not shown. As is particularly evident from Fig. 6, the upper part 3 is raised relative to the lower part 2 in comparison to the setting according to Fig. 3 more space for the elastic ring as far as its extension in the axial direction is concerned.

[0028] In Fig. 6 is the height of the cylindrical peripheral surface 10 to be measured in the axial direction with H 10 The maximum raised upper part 3 ensures that a significant part of the height H 10 can be filled by the elastic ring 14, which, as can be seen from Fig. 6, lies almost flat against the peripheral surface 10. The adjustment range of the jug closure 1 in this case corresponds to at least 30% and a maximum of 60% of the height H 10the cylindrical peripheral surface 10 of the base part 5 of the lower part 2. The H 11 The height of the cylindrical ring section 11, which is also to be measured in the axial direction, is less than the height H 10 the cylindrical peripheral surface 10. The adjustment range of the jug closure 1, i.e. the displacement path of the upper part 3 between the Fig. 3 given setting and the setting according to Fig. 6, corresponds in the case outlined at least 70% and a maximum of 90% of the height H 11 of the cylindrical ring section 11.

[0029] In the Fig. In the state shown in Figure 6, the elastic ring 14 is detached from the inner wall of the jug or at least placed against the inner wall with such a small force that the jug closure 1 can be lifted off the jug without any significant expenditure of force. List of reference symbols 1 jug stopper 2 lower part 3 Top 4 Handle part 5 Base part 6 pin 7 Flange 8 Bottom of the base part 9 End surface of the lower part 10 cylindrical peripheral surface of the base part 11 cylindrical ring section 12 Support surface of the upper part 13 inner support area 14 elastic ring 15 outer support area 16 Outer peripheral surface 17 central recess 18 Ramp contour on the upper part 19 Ramp contour on the handle 20 Ramp mechanism 21 Opening in the upper part 22 Opening in the handle 23 Screw 24 recessed grips 25 Bottom of the top d3 Diameter of the upper part d6 diameter of the pin d9 Diameter of the end surface of the lower part d 11 Outer diameter of the cylindrical ring section E1 level H Height of the jug cap H 10 Height of the cylindrical peripheral surface H 11 Height of the ring section

Claims

[1] Jug closure (1), with the following components: - A base (2) designed to be inserted into a jug, - an upper part (3) designed to be placed on the jug, - a handle part (4) located on the upper part (3) and rotatable relative to the upper part (3), wherein - the upper part (3) is displaceable relative to the lower part (2) by means of a ramp mechanism (20) formed by the handle part (4) and the upper part (3), - the upper part (3) has a support surface (12) facing the lower part (2), which is formed by an inner support area (13) and an outer support area (15) concentric therewith, wherein the said support areas (13, 15) lying in a common plane (E1) are separated from one another by a ring section (11) also formed by the upper part (3) and projecting from the support surface (12), - the ring section (11) is guided on a cylindrical peripheral surface (10) of the lower part (2) in each relative positioning of the upper part (3) and the lower part (2), - the cylindrical peripheral surface (10) of the lower part (2) is delimited on the one hand by an upper end surface (9), which forms a stop surface with respect to the inner support area (13), and on the other hand by a flange (7) projecting beyond the cylindrical peripheral surface (10), - an elastic ring (14) intended to contact an inner surface of the jug is inserted between the flange (7) and the ring section (11). [2] Jug closure (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the lower part (2) has a central pin (6) protruding from the end surface (9), onto which the upper part (3) and the handle part (4) are placed. [3] Jug closure (1) according to claim 2, characterized bythat the handle part (4) is secured against being pulled off the pin (6) by means of a screw connection. [4] Jug closure (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized by that the ramp mechanism (20) is arranged in a recess (17) located on the upper side of the upper part (3) and surrounding the pin (6) in a ring shape. [5] Jug closure (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that the upper part (3) can be freely rotated and moved on the lower part (2). [6] Jug closure (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that the upper part (3) can be moved on the lower part (2) without twisting. [7] Jug closure (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by that the adjustment range, i.e. the maximum displacement range between the lower part (2) and the upper part (3), is at least 70% and at most 90% of the height (H 11 ), i.e. axial extension, of the ring section (11). [8] Jug closure (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by that the adjustment range is at least 30% and at most 60% of the height (H 10 ), that is to say axial extent, corresponds to the cylindrical peripheral surface (10) of a base part (5) of the lower part (2). [9] Jug closure (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by that the diameter of the flange (7) corresponds to the outer diameter of the ring section (d 11 ) corresponds.

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