A locking mechanism for a container closure that can be released by external force.

Abstract

Container closure comprising a closure base (11) with a mouthpiece (15) and, in addition to the closure base (11), a cap (12) with a mouthpiece cover (20), wherein the container closure has an area with which it can be arranged on a container, in particular screwed on, wherein the mouthpiece cover (20) is connected to the cap (12) by means of at least one locking connection (25, 26) which can be released by an external force.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a container closure according to the features of the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] From DE 10 2014 207 652 A1, a container closure (1) is known, comprising a closure base (5) and a cap (2), as well as a mouthpiece (3) and an associated mouthpiece cover and means for piercing a sealing film, wherein a tamper-evident band (6) is provided which ensures that the sealing film can only be pierced by the means once the tamper-evident band (6) has been removed, the tamper-evident band (6) being arranged between the closure base (5) and the cap (2). The container closure (1) is placed on a container, in particular by screwing it on. The reference numerals refer to the aforementioned document.

[0003] The invention is based on the objective of improving a known container closure with regard to the ability to recognize whether the container closure is in its new state or has already been operated, and also with regard to its environmental compatibility.

[0004] This problem is solved by the features of claim 1.

[0005] According to the invention, the mouthpiece cover is connected to the cap via at least one latching connection that can be released by an external force. The latching connection between the mouthpiece cover and the cap is designed such that it cannot be released by hand using normal force. Only when a force greater than normal is applied to the latching connection by hand, using an additional actuating element, can it be released, and the mouthpiece cover then detached from the cap or opened. As long as no external force is applied, the latching connection is closed, which is visually apparent. The mouthpiece cover cannot be operated. Only when the latching connection has been released by external force can the mouthpiece cover be operated and the contents dispensed from the container via the mouthpiece.This released state of the locking connection is also recognizable by examining the container closure. If the mouthpiece cover is permanently attached to the lower part of the closure at least at one point, yet still relatively movable, a so-called "tethered cap" is realized, which improves the environmental aspect of the container closure according to the invention, as it cannot be lost. The externally applied force can be a rotary motion or a linear motion (preferably a manually applied pushing motion) or a combination of both. The additional actuating element can be formed by the lower part of the closure and / or the cap. It can also be a separate element from the container closure, either additionally or alternatively. A normal force is understood to be the force with which the container with the closure is typically handled, for example, when carrying or drinking from it.A higher force, on the other hand, is understood to mean a deliberately applied force that is not usually applied, for example, exerting a pressure force on the cap (and thus also on the mouthpiece cover) with a finger, preferably with the thumb.

[0006] In the Fig. Figures 1 to 3 show in a first embodiment that the mouthpiece cover 20 is connected to the cap 12, in particular to a central area of ​​the cap 12, by means of at least one detachable locking connection which can be released by an external force.

[0007] According to the invention, a releasable locking connection is provided which can only be released by applying an external force, thus enabling the opening of the mouthpiece cover 20, i.e., pivoting around the film hinge 23 or opening in another way. The external force here is a compressive force.

[0008] In its initial state, particularly in its delivery state, the mouthpiece cover 20 is in a first position, which is in the Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the mouthpiece cover 20 is located on the upper part of the cap 12. On one side, it is attached via the film hinge 23. However, actuation of the mouthpiece cover 20 by pivoting it around the film hinge 23 is only possible when the detent connection, formed by a detent hook 25 on the mouthpiece cover 20 and a corresponding detent hook 26 on the cap 12, is released by applying an external force. To enable the external force to release the detent connection, a projection 27, for example, designed as a bead, is arranged on the lower part of the closure 11 as an additional actuating element, and a corresponding chamfer 28 is arranged on the cap 12. The projection 27 and the chamfer 28, which engages with it, are arranged either completely or partially circumferentially on the lower part of the closure 11 and the cap 12, respectively.They can also be present multiple times around the circumference, interrupted by areas that do not correspond to each other and cannot be brought into operative contact. Instead of the projection 27, the lower part of the closure 11 can be conically shaped in the movement area of ​​the ramp 28 such that the conicity of the lower part of the closure 11, when the ramp 28 of the cap 12 slides over it, causes the locking connection 25, 26 to be released.

[0009] In Fig. Figure 1 shows that the two locking hooks 25, 26 are in operative connection with each other, so that it is not possible to actuate the mouthpiece cover 20, in particular to pivot it around the film hinge 21 so that the mouthpiece 15 would be made accessible.

[0010] In Fig. Figure 2 shows this condition again in a detailed section. It can be seen that the cap 12 has a thicker area below its locking hook 26, which tapers along a slope 28 to a correspondingly smaller material thickness of the cap 12, for example, at the level of the projection 27. The slope 28 is shown as stepped in the figures. Alternatively, it can also be curved.

[0011] When an external force is applied to the cap 12, more precisely to the surface of the mouthpiece cover 20, this causes the cap 12 to move when viewed from the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 downwards. This downward pressure brings the inclined surface 28 into contact with the projection 27 (or the beginning of the conical area), i.e., the area of ​​the cap 12 with the initially thinner wall thickness slides along the projection 27 of the lower part of the closure 11 and enters the area of ​​the cap 12 with the then thicker wall thickness, so that the area of ​​the cap 12 in the region of the locking connection 25, 26 is widened. This widening causes the upper part of the cap 12 in the area with the locking hook 26 to move away from (lift off) the locking hook 25 of the mouthpiece cover 20, as shown in Fig. Figure 3 is shown. In this state, the locking connection 25, 26 is released, making it possible to move the mouthpiece cover 20 and thus to make the mouthpiece of the lower part of the closure 11 accessible.

[0012] In the Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, the locking connection 25, 26 is present only over a small portion of the circumference of the cap 12 or the mouthpiece cover 20, and preferably opposite the film hinge 23. Alternatively, however, it is possible to provide not just one partial locking connection, but several partial locking connections between the cap 12 and the mouthpiece cover 20. In this case, the film hinge 23 can be omitted entirely, particularly if the locking connection 25, 26 is provided fully or partially (interrupted by sections without a locking connection) on the cap 12 and correspondingly on the mouthpiece cover 20.

[0013] The locking hook 25, as it is in Fig. 3, which is clearly visible, does not necessarily have to be hook-shaped; it can also be a recess or a (partially) circumferential groove. The same applies to the locking hook 26. The locking connection can thus be designed as a tongue-and-groove joint. Alternatively, it is conceivable to provide at least one or exactly one dot-shaped recess in the mouthpiece cover 20 and at least one or exactly one pin on the cap 12, pointing inwards and corresponding to the dot-shaped recess (or vice versa). Other geometric shapes can also be chosen.

[0014] Releasing the locking mechanism by means of a pressure force allows the mouthpiece cover 20 to be pivoted open, so that the mouthpiece 15 becomes accessible and the medium, in particular a liquid, located in the container on which the container closure is arranged, preferably screwed on, can be removed.

[0015] In the Fig. Figures 4 to 12 show a further embodiment of a container closure in which the locking mechanism can be released by a rotational movement. The locking mechanism, which here also consists of two corresponding locking hooks 25, 26, is initially closed, so that it is not possible to actuate the mouthpiece cover 20 with normal force, in particular to pivot it around a film hinge. Only when the cap 12 has been rotated a certain distance does an element, preferably arranged in a recess, cause one locking hook 26 to deflect, so that it lifts off the other locking hook 25, thereby releasing the locking mechanism.

[0016] This solution of locking by a rotary movement allows the mouthpiece cover 20 to be pivoted open, so that the mouthpiece 15 becomes accessible and the medium, in particular a liquid, located in the container on which the container closure is arranged, preferably screwed on, can be removed. Reference symbol list 11 Locking part 12 caps 15 Mouthpiece 20 Mouthpiece cover 23 film hinge 25 locking hooks 26 locking hooks 27 lead 28 Slanted QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2014 207 652 A1

[0002]

Claims

[1] Container closure comprising a closure base (11) with a mouthpiece (15) and, in addition to the closure base (11), a cap (12) with a mouthpiece cover (20), wherein the container closure has an area with which it can be arranged on a container, in particular screwed on, characterized by , that the mouthpiece cover (20) is connected to the cap (12) via at least one locking connection (25, 26) which can be released by an external force. [2] Container closure according to claim 1, characterized by , that the mouthpiece cover (20) is arranged on the cap (12) via a film hinge (23). [3] Container closure according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the mouthpiece cover (20) is arranged over at least one predetermined breaking point on the cap (12). [4] Container closure according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized by, that the mouthpiece cover (20) is connected to a central area of ​​the cap (12) via the locking connection. [5] Container closure according to any one of the preceding claims 2 to 4, characterized by , that in an initial state, in particular a delivery state, the mouthpiece cover (20) is arranged in a first position on the upper area of ​​the cap (12), wherein the mouthpiece cover (20) is attached via the film hinge (23) and the actuation of the mouthpiece cover (20) by pivoting around the film hinge (23) is only possible when the locking connection, formed by a locking hook (25) on the mouthpiece cover (20) and a further corresponding locking hook (26) on the cap (12), is released by applying the force from the outside. [6] Container closure according to claim 5, characterized by, that a projection (27) is arranged on the lower part of the closure (11) as an additional actuating element and a corresponding slope (28) is arranged on the cap (12).

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