Attached plastic closure

Abstract

Closure (10) for use as a tied closure, comprising: - a safety strap (12); - a closure sleeve (11) which is separably connected to the safety tape by at least one weakening line (6, 7), wherein the closure sleeve comprises a tongue (1) which extends radially from the circumference of the sleeve; - two flexible links (4) which are each connected at a connection point (5) to the closure sleeve (11) and the safety strap (12); - wherein the flexible links (4) and connection points (5) enable the closure sleeve (11) to pivot relative to the safety strap (12), and wherein the tongue (1) engages in a tongue receiving slot (3) on the safety strap (12) in the pivoted position, the tongue receiving slot (3) comprising a narrowing structure (2).

Description

AREA OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for closing liquid containers. The device is an attached closure or cap that is placed on the container and is designed such that it remains attached to the container in an open position. BACKGROUND

[0002] Plastic waste is a significant environmental problem, permeating landfills, oceans, and ecosystems worldwide. This widespread pollution harms wildlife, disrupts food chains, and contributes to the broader issue of climate change due to the carbon footprint of plastic production and decomposition. Among the various forms of plastic waste, plastic bottle caps play a unique and concerning role. Often overlooked in recycling processes, these caps are lightweight and small, and tend to be scattered and transported by wind and water. Once in the environment, they pose a threat to marine life, which may mistake them for food, leading to ingestion and often fatal blockages or toxicity.Addressing the impact of plastic waste requires targeted strategies to effectively manage and recycle plastic closures, thereby reducing their presence in natural habitats and mitigating their harmful effects.

[0003] Since the implementation of Directive (EU) 2019 / 904, the European Parliament has aimed to reduce such plastic waste. This directive stipulates that plastic closures and lids for liquid containers cannot be attached to the containers in a way that allows them to be detached. In other words, the closures or lids must be tied to the containers. While this is a step forward towards a more environmentally friendly Europe, it unfortunately reduces the usability of plastic closures, as they are often not user-friendly or robust enough to withstand repeated use. Many tied closures get in the way when drinking or pouring and are often difficult to reattach without breaking.

[0004] EP3966126 describes an attached closure and spout comprising a tongue and flexible arms that allow the closure to pivot relative to the spout. In this design, the tongue engages the screw thread of the spout rather than any part of the closure itself. This means the closure locking mechanism is only effective on certain types of containers.

[0005] EP3853142 describes a hinged closure that includes a tongue and a tongue-receiving slot for locking the closure in an open position. However, this solution has minimal engagement between the closure and its locking mechanism, making it less secure. Furthermore, the joints are not flexible, which makes opening and closing the closure difficult.

[0006] There remains a need to provide a fixed closure that can remain at a specific angle after the container is opened and that can be used regardless of the type of container. The present invention offers a solution to this problem. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention and embodiments thereof serve to provide a solution to one or more of the aforementioned disadvantages. To this end, the present invention relates to an attached plastic closure according to claim 1. The closure is designed such that it is held firmly in place in an open position and facilitates more convenient pouring of the liquid. Furthermore, unlike most other devices, the closure can be designed for any type of container. This means that the present invention can be used universally for any container opening. Preferred embodiments of the device are shown in any one of claims 2 to 18. In another aspect, the invention also relates to a container according to claims 19 to 22. DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0008] The following description of the figures of specific embodiments of the invention is merely exemplary and is not intended to limit the present teachings, their application, or uses. In the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate identical or corresponding parts and features. Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of the front view of a first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Figure 2 shows a detail of a schematic representation of the front view of a first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of a cross-section of a first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Figure 4 shows a schematic representation of a closure attached to a container. Fig. Figure 5 shows a schematic representation of a second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Figure 6 shows a detail of a schematic representation of a second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention relates to a closure designed for sealing containers, such as beverage cartons or plastic bottles. The closure is attached to the container, ensuring that it does not detach when in an open position.

[0010] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used in the disclosure of the invention, including technical and scientific terms, have the meanings generally understood by a person skilled in the art in the field to which this invention belongs. Further guidance is provided to include definitions of terms in order to better understand the teaching of the present invention.

[0011] As used herein, the following terms have the following meanings: “Ein”, “eine” and “der / die / das”, as used herein, refer to both singular and plural referents or forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. For example, “ein Fach” refers to one or more subjects.

[0012] “Approximately,” as used herein with reference to a measurable value such as a parameter, quantity, duration, and the like, shall include variations of ±20% or less, preferably ±10% or less, more preferably ±5% or less, more preferably ±1% or less, and more preferably ±0.1% or less of the specified value, insofar as such variations are appropriate to be carried out in the disclosed invention. It is understood, however, that the value to which the modifier “approximately” refers is itself also specifically disclosed.

[0013] “Include”, “comprehensive”, “encompassing”, and “manufactured from”, as used herein, are synonymous with “contain”, “containing”, “includes”, “includes”, “includes”, and are inclusive or open terms that specify the presence of the component subsequently mentioned and do not exclude or anticipate the presence of additional, unspecified components, features, elements, links, or steps known in the field or disclosed therein.

[0014] Furthermore, the terms first, second, third, and the like are used in the description and in the claims to distinguish between similar elements and not necessarily to describe a sequential or chronological order, unless otherwise specified. It is understood that the terms used in this way are interchangeable under suitable circumstances and that the embodiments of the invention described herein may be operated in orders other than those described or illustrated herein.

[0015] The naming of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all numbers and fractions that are subsumed within this range, as well as the named endpoints.

[0016] The expression “% by weight”, “weight percent”, “wt%”, or “% wt.” refers here and throughout the entire description, unless otherwise defined, to the relative weight of the respective component in relation to the total weight of the formulation.

[0017] While the terms “one or more” or “at least one”, such as one or more or at least one member(s) of a group of members, are clear per se through further illustration, the term includes, among other things, a reference to any one of the members or to any two or more of the members, such as e.g. any ≥ 3, ≥ 4, ≥ 5, ≥ 6 or ≥ 7 etc. of the members and up to all of the members.

[0018] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used in the disclosure of the invention, including technical and scientific terms, have the meanings generally understood by a person skilled in the art in the field to which this invention belongs. Further guidance will be provided by way of definition for the terms used in the description in order to better appreciate the teaching of the present invention. The terms or definitions used herein are provided solely to aid understanding of the invention.

[0019] The reference throughout the description to "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the expressions "in an embodiment" or "in one embodiment" at various points throughout the description does not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics in one or more embodiments may be combined in any suitable manner, as is apparent to a person skilled in the art from this disclosure.While some embodiments described herein contain some, but not other, features that are included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are also intended to be within the scope of protection of the invention and to form different embodiments, as is understandable to the person skilled in the art.

[0020] In a first aspect, the invention relates to a plastic closure comprising a tamper-evident band and a closure sleeve. The tamper-evident band serves as an initial indication of whether the bottle has been previously opened, thereby ensuring the integrity and safety of the bottle's contents. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the tamper-evident band is the part of the closure that connects to the upper part of a container. This connection can be achieved via a threaded connection, a crimp connection, a snap or press connection, a bayonet fitting, a friction fit, or an eyelet closure. In one embodiment, the closure is crimped onto the bottle, preferably by adding a crimp band to the underside of the tamper-evident band. In another embodiment, the tamper-evident band includes a tongue-receiving slot, which can be irregularly shaped or rectangular, square, oval, round, or triangular.In a preferred embodiment, the tongue receiving slot is rectangular.

[0021] In another embodiment, the closure has a closure sleeve that is connected to the security band via one or two, preferably two, weakening lines. In one embodiment, the weakening lines include a plurality of bridges designed to be stretched and broken upon initial opening of the closure. In one embodiment, the upper weakening line extends around the full circumference of the closure, while the lower weakening line extends only around a portion of the circumference.

[0022] In one embodiment, the closure sleeve is connected to the safety band by two connection points at the ends of two flexible links. These flexible links divide two weakening lines into an upper and a lower weakening line. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the connection points allow the closure sleeve to pivot relative to the safety band. The flexible links allow for a gap between the opening of the liquid container and the closure sleeve. This design has the advantage that the closure sleeve does not obstruct the use of the container. In one embodiment, the flexible links have a length between 5 mm and 50 mm, preferably between 10 mm and 30 mm, and more preferably between 15 mm and 25 mm. In another embodiment, the flexible links can be either symmetrical or asymmetrical.

[0023] In another embodiment, the flexible links can have different shapes, such as a circumferential arc, a serpentine-like design, L-shaped, wave-shaped or another design known in the art.

[0024] In one embodiment, the closure comprises a tongue and a constricting structure that interlock. In this embodiment, a tongue is present on the underside of the closure sleeve and extends radially outward from the circumference of the sleeve. This tongue can be irregularly shaped or round, oval, square, triangular, or rectangular. In a preferred embodiment, the tongue is rectangular.

[0025] In one embodiment, the tongue can have a length, where the length is defined as the longest dimension of the tongue. In one embodiment, the length is between 0.1 mm and 2 mm, more preferably between 0.3 mm and 1 mm, and more preferably between 0.5 mm and 1 mm. Furthermore, the tongue can extend outwards from the shell to a distance of 0.05 mm to 3 mm, more preferably 1 mm to 2 mm.

[0026] In one embodiment, the constricting structure is located on the underside of the tongue receptacle slot beneath the locking tab and is directed towards the center of the tongue receptacle slot. In another embodiment, the constricting structure is located in the center of the underside of the tongue receptacle slot. In yet another embodiment, the constricting structure may be located on the left or right side of the underside of the tongue receptacle slot. In one embodiment, more than one constricting structure is located on the underside of the tongue receptacle slot. The constricting structure may have any suitable shape. The constricting structure may be irregularly shaped or round, oval, square, trapezoidal, triangular, or rectangular. In one embodiment, the constricting structure may have the same shape as the locking tongue or a different shape.In one embodiment, the length of the constricting structure is shorter than the length of the locking tongue. In particular, the length of the structure is between 5% and 25%, preferably between 10% and 20%, of the length of the locking tongue.

[0027] In one embodiment, the tongue and the constricting structure interlock when the closure is changed to an open position. The tongue clicks behind the tab and rests between the tab and the top of the tongue-receiving slot. The inclusion of both the top of the tongue-receiving slot and a constricting structure on the underside holds the closure sleeve firmly and tightly in place, ensuring the open shape of the closure regardless of any manipulations performed on the container. Reducing the size of the constricting structure means less plastic is required to manufacture the closure, which offers both economic and environmental advantages.

[0028] In one embodiment, a guide zone is present around or below the tongue receptacle slot. This guide zone is concave with respect to the closure. The guide zone ensures that, when the closure is opened, the tongue is guided towards the tongue receptacle slot so that it can engage with the constricting structure. This results in smooth and ergonomic opening of the closure and easy engagement of the locking mechanism.

[0029] In one embodiment, the closure in an open position comprises one or more predetermined positions. In another embodiment, the closure and the opening of the container form an angle between 90° and 180°, preferably between 90° and 145°.

[0030] In one embodiment, the closure sleeve comprises one or more grooves, in particular vertical grooves. These grooves can be arranged on the outside of the sleeve at regular or irregular intervals.

[0031] Containers often include a sealing gasket beneath a closure to extend the shelf life of the product inside, particularly in the case of food products. In such cases, a closure with a cutting mechanism can be used to cut the gasket when the container is first opened. In one embodiment of the present invention, the closure includes the cutting device. In another embodiment, the closure itself includes a sealing gasket that is bonded to the container before first use. When the closure is opened, the gasket tears away from the container opening.

[0032] In one embodiment, the closure comprises one or more tongues on the upper surface of the closure shell. These tongues can have any shape known in the art and extend radially outward from the circumference of the shell. The length, defined as the longest side of the tongue, can be between 50% and 150% of the diameter of the closure shell. These tongues provide an ergonomic aid for opening the bottle. In an embodiment with only one such tongue, this tongue is located on the opposite side of the locking mechanism. In an embodiment with multiple tongues, these can be positioned at equal intervals or at any intervals on the closure shell. In an embodiment with multiple such tongues, they can vary in shape and size, or be similar or even identical to one another.

[0033] In one embodiment, the closure is manufactured in one piece. The closure can be manufactured by any suitable means available in the art, such as injection molding, blow molding, compression molding, thermoforming, rotational molding, extrusion molding, injection stretch blow molding, 3D printing, casting, or any method known in the prior art. In another embodiment, the closure sleeve and the safety band are manufactured separately by each of the aforementioned methods and joined after manufacture.

[0034] In one embodiment, the closure is made of one of the following materials: polyethylene (PE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or polystyrene (PS). In one embodiment, all parts of the closure are made of the same material. In a second embodiment, different parts are made of different materials; for example, the closure sleeve can be HDPE and the tamper-evident band PET.

[0035] In one embodiment, the closure can have a diameter of at least 2 cm, preferably between 2 cm and 6 cm, more preferably between 2.5 cm and 5 cm.

[0036] In a second aspect, the invention relates to a liquid container comprising an opening configured with the attached plastic closure described above. In one embodiment, the container includes a structure for attaching the closure to the container's opening. This attachment structure preferably serves to crimp the closure to the container. In another embodiment, the container's opening includes a screw thread for engaging with the closure.

[0037] The invention is further described by the following non-limiting examples, which further illustrate the invention and are not intended to limit or interpret its scope. DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0038] With the aim of better illustrating the properties of the invention, the following, by way of example and in no way limiting other possible applications, presents a description of a number of preferred applications of the method for checking the condition of the potting compound used in a mechanical connection based on the invention, wherein:

[0039] Fig. Figure 1 shows the front view of an embodiment of the present invention; a plastic closure (10) comprising a closure sleeve (11) and a safety band (12), wherein the closure sleeve (11) includes grooves (13) for improved grip. The safety band (12) and the closure sleeve (11) are connected to each other via an upper and a lower weakening line (6, 7) and two connection points (5) at the end of a flexible link (4). The weakening lines comprise a plurality of bridges (8, 9) which are configured to be stretched and broken when the closure sleeve (11) is moved from a first orientation before opening to a second orientation after opening.

[0040] The safety band (12) includes a tongue-receiving slot (3) that is completely enclosed by the safety band and is rectangular in shape. The center of the underside of the tongue-receiving slot (3) includes a narrowing structure (2) designed to engage a tongue on the closure sleeve (11) when the closure sleeve is moved to an open position. The narrowing structure (2) blocks the tongue (1), while the upper edge of the tongue-receiving slot (15) holds the tongue, ensuring a firm grip on the tongue and immobilizing the closure sleeve when the closure is in an open position. A guide zone (18) is provided below the tongue-receiving slot (3) to ensure the tongue (1) is positioned within the tongue-receiving slot (3) when the closure is moved from a closed to an open position.In this embodiment, the narrowing structure (2) has a size of 15% of the tongue (1), therefore less plastic is needed for the construction of the closure, while still ensuring a sufficiently firm grip on the tongue.

[0041] Fig. Figure 2 shows a detail of the tongue receiving slot (3), the narrowing structure (2) and the tongue (1).

[0042] Fig. Figure 3 shows a cross-section of the same embodiment of the present invention. The screw thread (14) of the closure sleeve (11) is visible here. The screw thread (14) ensures a tight connection with a container when the closure (10) is in a closed position.

[0043] Fig. Figure 4 shows an embodiment in which the closure (10) is mounted on a container (16), in this case a beverage carton. The closure is in an open position.

[0044] Fig. Figure 5 shows the front view of an embodiment of the present invention; a plastic closure (10) comprising a closure sleeve (11) and a safety band (12). The safety band (12) and the closure sleeve (11) are connected to each other via a weakening line (6) and two connection points (5).

[0045] The safety band (12) includes a tongue-receiving slot (3) that is completely enclosed by the safety band and is rectangular in shape. The underside of the tongue-receiving slot (3) includes a narrowing structure (2) designed to engage a tongue on the closure sleeve (11) when the closure sleeve is moved to an open position. The narrowing structure (2) blocks the tongue (1), while the upper edge of the tongue-receiving slot (15) holds the tongue, ensuring a firm grip on the tongue and immobilizing the closure sleeve when the closure is in an open position. A guide zone (18) is provided below the tongue-receiving slot (3) to ensure the tongue (1) is positioned within the tongue-receiving slot (3) when the closure is moved from a closed to an open position.

[0046] The closure sleeve includes an additional tongue (17) on the opposite side from the tongue that engages in the constricting structure. This tongue aids in the ergonomic opening of the closure.

[0047] Fig. Figure 6 shows a detail of the tongue receiving slot (3), the narrowing structure (2) and the tongue (1). Parts in the figures: 1 tongue on closure sleeve 2 constricting structure 3 tongue receptacle slots 4 flexible link 5 connection point 6 Weakness line 7 Weakness line 8 lower bridge 9 upper bridge 10 Closure 11 Closure sleeve 12 safety tape 13 Nut 14 screw threads 15 upper edge tongue receptacle slot 16 cartons of drinks 17 Tongue for opening the bottle 18 Leadership zone 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] EP 2019 / 904

[0003] EP 3966126

[0004] EP 3853142

[0005]

Claims

[1] Closure (10) for use as a tied closure, comprising: - a safety strap (12); - a closure sleeve (11) which is separably connected to the safety tape by at least one weakening line (6, 7), wherein the closure sleeve comprises a tongue (1) which extends radially from the circumference of the sleeve; - two flexible links (4) which are each connected at a connection point (5) to the closure sleeve (11) and the safety strap (12); - wherein the flexible links (4) and connection points (5) enable the closure sleeve (11) to pivot relative to the safety strap (12), and wherein the tongue (1) engages in a tongue receiving slot (3) on the safety strap (12) in the pivoted position, the tongue receiving slot (3) comprising a narrowing structure (2). [2] Closure according to claim 1, wherein the closure comprises a plurality of bridges (8, 9) comprising a plurality of upper bridges (9) forming an upper weakening line (7) and a plurality of lower bridges (8) forming a lower weakening line (6) connecting a lower edge of the closure sleeve (11) to an upper edge of the security band (12). [3] Closure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the tongue of the closure sleeve (11) fits into the tongue receiving slot (3) and is held by the narrowing structure (2) when the closure sleeve (11) is in an open position, and wherein the tongue receiving slot (3) has an upper rim (15) for firmly holding the closure sleeve (11). [4] Closure according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the narrowing structure (2) is a tooth. [5] Closure according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the tooth (2) extends towards the center of the tongue receiving slot (3). [6] Closure according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the closure is a plastic closure. [7] Closure according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the length of the closure tongue (1) is between 2% and 50% of the diameter of the closure shell (11), preferably between 10% and 30% and preferably between 15% and 30%. [8] Closure according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the length of the narrowing structure (2) is between 5% and 25%, preferably between 10% and 20%, of the length of the closure tongue (1). [9] Closure according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the narrowing structure (2) is positioned in the center of the tongue receiving slot (3). [10] Closure according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the ratio of the length and width of the tongue (1) is between 10:1 and 5:

1. [11] Closure according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the tongue (1) and / or the narrowing structure (2) are trapezoidal. [12] Closure according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the tongue receiving slot (3) on the safety band (12) is wider than the closure sleeve tongue (1). [13] Closure according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the tongue receiving slot (3) on the safety band is rectangular. [14] Closure according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the safety band comprises a guide zone below the tongue receiving slot. [15] Closure according to one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the flexible links (4) is connected to a different area of ​​the closure shell (11), is arranged to rise and provide a gap between a mouth of a bottle and the closure shell (11) when the closure (10) is opened. [16] Closure according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of bridges (8, 9) is arranged to be stretched and broken when the closure shell (11) is moved from a first orientation before opening to a second orientation after opening. [17] Closure according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the outside of the closure shell (11) comprises vertical grooves (13) for improved grip. [18] Closure according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the closure (10) comprises a screw thread (14) for engagement with the opening of a container. [19] Container comprising an opening that configures the attached closure (10) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 21. [20] Container according to claim 19, wherein the container is a bottle, a squeeze bottle, a sports bottle or a drink carton (16). [21] Container according to any of the preceding claims 19-20, wherein the container comprises a structure for crimping the closure (10). [22] Container according to any of the preceding claims 19-21, wherein the container comprises an opening with a screw thread for engagement with the closure (10).

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