Attached plastic closure

Abstract

Closure for use as a tied closure, comprising: • a safety strap comprising two flexible links that form a first weakening line; • a locking sleeve which is separably connected to the safety band by a second weakening line parallel to the first weakening line, wherein the locking sleeve comprises a tongue extending downwards to the safety band, the tongue comprising a tooth extending radially from the circumference of the sleeve; • wherein the two flexible links are each connected to the closure sleeve at a connection point on one side and to the safety band on the other side, and wherein the flexible links and connection points allow the closure sleeve to pivot relative to the safety band, and wherein in the pivoted position the tooth engages with the safety band, and wherein the length of the first weakening line is at least 30%, preferably at least 37.5%, of the outer circumference of the closure.

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 12. In another aspect, the invention also relates to a container according to claims 13 to 16. 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 the front view of a first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Figure 5 shows a schematic representation of a closure attached to a container. 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. “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. “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.

[0012] 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.

[0013] The naming of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all numbers and fractions that are subsumed within this range, as well as the named endpoints.

[0014] 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.

[0015] 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.

[0016] 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.

[0017] 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.

[0018] In a first aspect, the invention relates to a plastic closure for use as a tied-on closure, comprising a safety band with two flexible links forming a first weakening line, and a closure sleeve. The closure sleeve is detachably connected to the safety band by a second weakening line parallel to the first weakening line. The closure sleeve includes a tongue extending downwards towards the safety band, the tongue comprising a tooth extending radially from the circumference of the sleeve. The two flexible links are each connected to the closure sleeve at a connection point on one side and to the safety band on the other. The flexible links and connection points allow the closure sleeve to pivot relative to the safety band, and in the pivoted position, the tooth engages with the safety band.Furthermore, the length of the first weakening line is at least 30, preferably at least 37.5%, of the outer circumference of the closure.

[0019] In one embodiment, the tamper-evident band comprises a plurality of bridges, including a plurality of lower bridges forming the first weakening line and a plurality of upper bridges forming the second weakening line. The bridges connect a lower edge of the closure sleeve to an upper edge of the tamper-evident band. The plurality of bridges is designed to be stretched and broken when the closure is first opened. "Opening the closure" refers to the movement of the closure sleeve from a first orientation to a second orientation. In this way, the tamper-evident band serves as an initial indicator of whether the bottle has been previously opened, thus ensuring the integrity and safety of the bottle's contents.

[0020] In one embodiment, the tamper-evident band is the part of the closure that is connected to the upper part of a container. This connection can be achieved via a threaded connection, a crimp connection, a snap or press-fit connection, a bayonet fitting, a friction fit, or a loop 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.

[0021] 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 a first and second weakening line and are connected to another area of ​​the closure sleeve. They are designed to rise and provide a gap between the opening of a container and the closure sleeve when the closure is opened. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the connection points allow the closure sleeve to pivot relative to the safety band. The flexible links enable the creation of 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 and 50 mm, preferably between 10 and 30 mm, and more preferably between 15 and 25 mm. In another embodiment, the flexible links can be either symmetrical or asymmetrical.

[0022] In another embodiment, the flexible links can have different shapes, such as a circumferential arc, a serpentine design, L-shape, or wave-shaped. In a preferred embodiment, the flexible links are L-shaped. The flexible links and the connection point form an angle in the first weakening line. This angle is between 90° and 180°, preferably between 100° and 150°, preferably about 120°. The flexible links and the connection point form an angle in the second weakening line. This angle is between 90° and 180°, preferably between 90° and 120°, preferably about 100°.

[0023] In one embodiment, the closure comprises a tongue. 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 5% and 50% of the outer diameter of the closure, more preferably between 10% and 40%, and more preferably between 20% and 40%. The tongue can have various shapes, e.g., square, circular, or rectangular. In a preferred embodiment, the tongue is rectangular.

[0024] In one embodiment, the tongue comprises a tooth. The tooth can extend radially from the circumference of the closure. In one embodiment, the tooth has a length, the length being defined as the longest dimension of the tooth, which is between 30% and 100% of the length of the tongue, preferably between 50% and 100%, more preferably between 70% and 100%. In one embodiment, the tooth can have various shapes, e.g., square, circular, or rectangular. In one embodiment, the tooth is positioned to the right, in the middle, or to the left of an edge of the tongue. The tooth can be positioned at any edge of the tongue. In a preferred embodiment, the tooth is positioned in the middle of the tongue at the opposite edge of the closure sleeve.

[0025] In one embodiment, the tongue and the safety band engage when the closure is moved to an open position. The tooth clicks behind the safety band and rests against it. By enclosing both a top surface facing the tongue slot and a tapered structure on the underside, the closure sleeve is held firmly and securely in place, ensuring the open position of the closure regardless of any manipulations performed on the container. Reducing the size of the tapered structure means less plastic is required to manufacture the closure, which offers both economic and environmental advantages.

[0026] In one embodiment, the closure, when in an open position, comprises one or more predetermined positions. In one embodiment, the closure and the opening of the container form an angle between 90° and 180°, preferably between 90° and 145°.

[0027] In one embodiment, the closure sleeve comprises one or more grooves, particularly vertical grooves. These grooves can be positioned on the outside of the sleeve at regular or irregular intervals. The purpose of these grooves is to provide improved grip for both the user and machines during the manufacturing process. The grooves can be evenly distributed across the outside of the closure or they can be irregularly distributed.

[0028] In one embodiment, the closure includes a screw thread on the inside. This screw thread is designed to engage with a screw thread on the opening of a container. The screw thread ensures a secure closed position of the closure to prevent spillage of the liquid inside the container.

[0029] 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.

[0030] 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.

[0031] 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.

[0032] 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.

[0033] 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.

[0034] In a second aspect, the invention relates to a liquid container comprising an opening that configures the attached plastic closure as described above. In one embodiment, the container includes a structure for attaching the closure to the opening of the container. This attachment structure preferably serves to crimp the closure onto the container. In another embodiment, the opening of the container includes a screw thread for engaging with the closure. The container can be a bottle, such as a squeeze bottle or a sports bottle, or a beverage carton.

[0035] 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.

[0036] 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. EXAMPLES AND / OR DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0037] 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: Fig. Figure 1 shows a front view of an embodiment of the present invention; a plastic closure (1) comprising a closure sleeve (2) and a safety band (3) with a diameter of 38 mm, the closure sleeve (2) having grooves (12) for improved grip. The safety band (3) and the closure sleeve (2) are connected to each other via an upper and lower weakening line (8, 9) and two connection points (7) at the end of a flexible link (6). The weakening lines comprise a plurality of bridges (10, 11) configured to be stretched and broken when the closure sleeve (2) is moved from a first orientation before opening to a second orientation after opening. The closure sleeve (2) includes a tongue (4) that extends downwards towards the safety band (3). The tongue (4) includes a tooth (5) at one end. This tooth (5) is configured to engage with the safety band (3) when the closure (1) is in an open position. The tongue (4) has a length of 11 mm, which is 28% of the diameter of the closure (1). The tooth (5) has a length of 11 mm, which is 100% of the length of the tongue. In this embodiment, the angle α formed by the flexible link (6) and the connection point (7) is 120°. The angle β formed by the flexible link (6) and the connection point (7) is 105°.These angles, combined with the length of the first weakening line (x), which is 45% of the circumference of the closure (1), ensure that the closure (1) has sufficient freedom to move from an open to a closed position without engaging with the neck of the container. Fig. Figure 2 shows a detail of the tongue (4) and the tooth (5). Fig. Figure 3 shows a cross-section of the same embodiment of the present invention. The screw thread (13) of the closure sleeve (2) is visible here. The screw thread (13) ensures a tight connection with a container when the closure (1) is in a closed position. Fig. Figure 4 shows the front view of an embodiment of the present invention; a plastic closure (1) comprising a closure sleeve (2) and a safety band (3) with a diameter of 38 mm, the closure sleeve (2) having grooves (12) for improved grip. The safety band (3) and the closure sleeve (2) are connected to each other via an upper and lower weakening line (8, 9) and two connection points (7) at the end of a flexible link (6). The weakening lines comprise a plurality of bridges (10, 11) configured to be stretched and broken when the closure sleeve (2) is moved from a first orientation before opening to a second orientation after opening.

[0038] The closure sleeve (2) includes a tongue (4) that extends downwards towards the safety band (3). The tongue (4) includes a tooth (5) at one end. This tooth (5) is designed to engage with the safety band (3) when the closure (1) is in an open position. The tongue (4) is 11 mm long, which is 28% of the diameter of the closure (1). The tooth (5) is 8 mm long, which is 72% of the length of the tongue. The length of the first weakening line is 60% of the circumference of the closure (1), ensuring that the closure (1) has sufficient freedom to move from an open to a closed position without engaging the neck of the container.

[0039] Fig. Figure 5 shows an embodiment in which the closure (1) is mounted on a container (14), in this case a beverage carton. The closure is in an open position. Parts in the figures: 1. Closure 2. Closure sleeve 3. Safety tape 4. Tongue on closure sleeve 5. Tooth on tongue 6. Flexible link 7. Connection point 8. First line of weakness 9. Second line of weakness 10. Lower Bridge 11. Upper Bridge 12. Nut 13. Screw thread 14. Container a. Angle formed by the flexible link and the connection point in the first weakening line β. Angle formed by the flexible link and the connection point in the second weakening line

[0040] The present invention is by no means limited to the embodiments described in the examples and / or shown in the figures. Rather, methods according to the present invention can be implemented in many different ways without deviating from the scope of the invention. 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 for use as a tied closure, comprising: • a safety strap comprising two flexible links that form a first weakening line; • a locking sleeve which is separably connected to the safety band by a second weakening line parallel to the first weakening line, wherein the locking sleeve comprises a tongue extending downwards to the safety band, the tongue comprising a tooth extending radially from the circumference of the sleeve; • wherein the two flexible links are each connected to the closure sleeve at a connection point on one side and to the safety band on the other side, and wherein the flexible links and connection points allow the closure sleeve to pivot relative to the safety band, and wherein in the pivoted position the tooth engages with the safety band, and wherein the length of the first weakening line is at least 30%, preferably at least 37.5%, of the outer circumference of the closure. [2] Closure according to claim 1, wherein the closure comprises a plurality of bridges, comprising a plurality of lower bridges forming the first weakening line and a plurality of upper bridges forming the second weakening line, connecting a lower edge of the closure shell to an upper edge of the security band. [3] Closure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the flexible link and the connection point form an angle α in the first weakening line which is between 90° and 180°, preferably between 100° and 150°, preferably about 120°. [4] Closure according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the flexible link and the connection point form an angle β in the second weakening line which is between 90° and 180°, preferably between 90° and 120°, preferably about 100°. [5] Closure according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the tongue of the closure sleeve has a length between 5% and 50% of the outer diameter of the closure, preferably between 10% and 40%, more preferably between 20% and 40%. [6] Closure according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the tooth has a length between 30% and 100% of the length of the tongue, preferably between 50% and 100%, more preferably between 70% and 100%. [7] Closure according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the tooth is positioned in the middle of the tongue at the opposite edge of the closure sleeve. [8] Closure according to one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the flexible links is connected to a different area of ​​the closure shell, is arranged to rise and provide a gap between an opening of a container and the closure shell when the closure is opened. [9] Closure according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of bridges is arranged to be stretched and broken when the closure shell is moved from a first orientation before opening to a second orientation after opening. [10] Closure according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the outside of the closure shell comprises vertical grooves for improved grip. [11] Closure according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the closure is a plastic closure. [12] Closure according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the closure comprises a screw thread for engagement with the opening of a container. [13] Container comprising an opening that configures the attached closure according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 12. [14] Container according to claim 13, wherein the container is a bottle, a squeeze bottle, a sports bottle or a drink carton. [15] Container according to any of the preceding claims 13-14, wherein the container comprises a structure for crimping the closure. [16] Container according to any of the preceding claims 13-15, wherein the container comprises an opening with a screw thread for engagement with the closure.

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