Plug cap made entirely of aluminum
The fully aluminum plug cap with a press-fit assembly and spring element addresses the recyclability and assembly challenges of existing caps, offering secure fitting and enhanced aesthetics without glue, thus improving recyclability and appearance.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- DE202024001946
- Authority / Receiving Office
- DE · DE
- Patent Type
- Utility models
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-10-11
- Publication Date
- 2024-12-24
- Estimated Expiration
- 2034-10-31
AI Technical Summary
Existing plug-in caps in the cosmetics sector typically consist of aluminum shells and plastic functional parts, necessitating glue for assembly and lacking recyclability.
A fully aluminum plug cap design with multiple parts assembled in a press fit, incorporating a spring element with locking cams and centering ribs, ensuring secure fitting without glue, and optionally featuring an additional aluminum weight for larger caps to enhance perceived value.
The solution provides a recyclable, securely fitting plug cap with enhanced assembly efficiency and aesthetic appeal, eliminating the need for glue and enhancing the perceived value through additional weight.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
[0001] As a rule, the plug-in caps used in the cosmetics sector have an outer shell made of aluminum and a plastic part inside as a functional part for the locking function.
[0002] With my invention it is different.
[0003] Here is the complete plug cap (21,22) made of aluminum.
[0004] Which is of course a huge advantage for recycling.
[0005] In order to enable the locking function, the plug-in cap (21, 22) is designed in several parts.
[0006] The plug-in cap (21) consists of an inner part (3) onto which the spring element (2) is pushed, over which the cap (1) is then pushed.
[0007] All components are press-fitted, so no adhesive is required.
[0008] The inner part (3) has a flange (4) to close the gap required for the spring element (2). Above the flange (4), three rectangular holes (5) are evenly spaced around the circumference for the locking cams (7) attached to the spring element (2).
[0009] In addition, centering ribs (6) are attached. These ensure good centering of the plug-in cap (1) on the closure (11) of the bottle (10) and also serve as an external mounting channel for the locking cams (7) of the spring element (2). The centering ribs (6) are precisely adapted to the diameter of the closure (11).
[0010] The spring element (2) has three locking cams (7) evenly spaced around the circumference. Pockets (9) are punched out between them to achieve the spring action. The selected pocket width allows for optimized spring action.
[0011] In order to fix the cap (1) in the press fit, three mounting cams (8) are attached.
[0012] If a very strong locking mechanism is required on the closure, three additional support tabs can be attached to the spring element (2).
[0013] For caps (22) with a larger diameter, a different structure is necessary.
[0014] The spring element (2) is manufactured with a slip-on base (15). Additionally, it features a collar (17) for press-fitting.
[0015] Three clamping tabs (16) are attached to the collar (17) and are arranged evenly around the circumference.
[0016] These are used for the adhesive-free positioning of an additional weight (18). This is often required for larger caps to increase the perceived value of the cap (22). The additional weight (18) is also made of aluminum and is preferably manufactured as a turned or cast part. It has a circumferential groove (19) for clamping. A ring (20) is mounted at the end. Application
[0017] When the plug-in cap (21, 22) is placed on the closure (11) of the bottle (10), the locking cams (7) slide springily over the bead (12) of the closure (11) and lock behind the bead (12). The centering ribs (6) center the plug-in cap (21, 22) on the closure (11). The invention is explained with reference to Figures 1 to 10.
[0018] They show: Fig. 1 cap. Explosion drawing Fig. 2.....Sectional drawing of plug-in cap with bottle and closure. Fig. 3 ....Sectional drawing of plug cap. Fig. 4 ....Sectional drawing of inner part with centering ribs Fig. 5 ....spring element with additional tab Fig. 6 .... Cap large diameter exploded drawing Fig. 7.....Sectional drawing of large plug-in cap with bottle and cap. Fig. 8 ....Sectional drawing of large plug-in cap Fig. 9 ....Detail clamping cam with weight Fig. 10 ....Detail locking cam engaged on lock Reference symbol list 1 cap 2 spring element 3 Inside part 4 Flange 5 Rectangle Hole 6 centering ribs 7 locking cams 8 mounting cams 9 bag 10 bottles 11 Closure 12 Closure bead 13 Cap large diameter 14 Additional flap 15 Slip-on base 16 clamping tab 17 Bund 18 Additional weight 19 grooves 20 rings 21 plug-in cap 22 plug cap large diameter
Claims
[1] Plug-in cap with locking function made entirely of aluminum. characterized by that the plug-in cap (21,22) is made of several parts [2] according to claim 1 characterized by that the components are connected completely without adhesive [3] according to one of the preceding claims characterized by that the additional weight (18) is fixed with clamping straps (16) [4] according to one of the preceding claims characterized by that the centering of the plug-in cap (21, 22) on the closure (11) is carried out by means of centering ribs (6) [5] according to one of the preceding claims characterized by that both small and large plug cap diameters are feasible with the invention. [6] according to one of the preceding claims characterized by that the spring force of the locking cams (7) can be adjusted with the pocket width of the spring element (2) [7] according to one of the preceding claims characterized bythat an increase in the spring force is achieved with additional tabs (14) on the spring element (2).