CONTAINER CLOSURE

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a container closure and a container according to the preamble of the independent claim.

[0002] A variety of container closures are known from the prior art. US 2010 / 0326948 A1, for example, shows a container closure with a guarantee seal. Guarantee seals or quality seals are elements that allow, for example, a buyer to visually or tactilely verify the integrity of a container. The guarantee seal of the container closure in US 2010 / 0326948 A1 is also designed as a securing element that prevents the container closure from being completely removed from the bottle. The guarantee seal is rotatably mounted on the container. When the container closure is unscrewed, it rotates with it until sufficient tension is built up in the guarantee seal and it breaks. A sufficiently long thread must be provided to build up the required tension. This requires a considerable size.There's also a risk that the warranty seal could become wedged or stuck to the container while unscrewing the container cap, causing it to break prematurely. There's then a risk that the security element could tear off if the container cap is unscrewed further.

[0003] The object of the invention is to remedy one or more disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, a container closure is to be created that is easy to manufacture, preferably has a low overall height, and is particularly suitable for various containers, such as plastic bottles or cardboard containers.

[0004] This object is achieved by the device defined in the independent patent claim. Further embodiments are set forth in the dependent patent claims.

[0005] A container closure according to the invention comprises a closure cap with an internal thread for application to a pouring opening with an external thread. The container closure comprises a connecting element with a first end and a second end. The first end of the connecting element is connected to the closure cap. The connecting element runs at least partially along a circumference of the closure cap. The second end of the connecting element is fixed or fixable in a rotationally fixed manner with respect to the pouring opening and is arranged outside the closure cap. At least one tear-off web is formed on the connecting element. Preferably, several tear-off webs are formed on the connecting element.

[0006] The arrangement of the second end of the connecting element outside the closure cap allows the closure cap to be manufactured with a lower overall height. Furthermore, an internal thread arranged or formed in the closure cap can be connected to a corresponding external thread of a pouring opening over its entire height.

[0007] In addition, the connecting element ensures that the cap remains securely attached to the container where the pouring opening is located after opening. In other words, the cap is permanently connected to the container. This prevents the cap from being lost and ensures that all components are disposed of together at the end of their service life, particularly for recycling. This prevents environmental pollution and allows resources to be reused.

[0008] The rotationally fixed arrangement of the second end of the connecting element relative to the pouring opening ensures that the second end of the connecting element assumes a defined position relative to the pouring opening. This conditional, fixed position ensures that the first end of the connecting element, which is arranged on the closure cap, moves, in particular rotates, relative to the second end when the container closure is opened. In other words, the relative position of the first end to the second end of the connecting element is changed when the container closure is opened.

[0009] Tear-off tabs on the connecting element allow for the provision of a quality seal. This allows for inspection of the container, particularly the quality seal provides a so-called tamper evident guarantee. The buyer can thus determine whether the container closure has already been opened or not.

[0010] The tear-off webs are in particular designed in such a way that they are torn off or broken open, in other words separated, by the relative rotation of the first end of the connecting element with respect to the second end of the connecting element.

[0011] The pouring opening is preferably designed as a circular cylindrical hollow body which has a first opening into the interior of a container and a second opening for dispensing a medium, for example a beverage.

[0012] The pouring opening thus has a wall on or at which the external thread can be formed. The second opening for dispensing the medium has a contact element with one or more contact surfaces. The contact element, in particular the contact surfaces, are designed to operatively engage with corresponding contact surfaces of the closure cap and seal the interior of a container from the environment.

[0013] The connecting element can wrap around the closure cap at a wrap angle of 30°. Preferably, the connecting element wraps around the closure cap at a wrap angle of more than 45°, preferably more than 90°, in particular more than 180°.

[0014] This allows for a space-saving arrangement of the connecting element. Furthermore, such a wrap around the connecting element requires a minimum length. This minimum length defines a corresponding maximum possible rotation of the closure cap, which is essentially twice this minimum length.

[0015] Preferably, the connecting element is arranged completely outside the closure cap.

[0016] By arranging the connecting element completely outside the closure cap, the entire closure cap is available for forming an internal thread. This means that the closure cap can be designed to interact with a corresponding external thread across its entire height and utilized accordingly.

[0017] Accordingly, with the same effective thread length compared to the state of the art, both the closure cap and the pouring spout can be manufactured with a lower overall height. This saves material while maintaining the same strength or rigidity of the connection.

[0018] The at least one tear-off strip can be formed between a first section of the connecting element and a second section of the connecting element. Additionally or alternatively, the at least one tear-off strip or one or more further tear-off strips can be formed between the connecting element and the closure cap. It is conceivable that multiple tear-off strips are formed in each case.

[0019] This makes it easy to create the quality seal formed by the tear-off tabs. A visual or manual inspection of the integrity of the tear-off tabs is possible, thus providing reliable control of the initial opening.

[0020] Preferably, the connecting element is arranged in a meandering shape.

[0021] The connecting element can thus be arranged outside the closure cap in a space-saving manner. Furthermore, the meandering arrangement allows for easy formation of the tear-off webs between a first section of the connecting element and a second section of the connecting element.

[0022] Preferably, the connecting element runs along the circumference of the closure cap starting from its first end in the direction of rotation when the closure cap is opened.

[0023] This ensures that the closure cap can be rotated unhindered in this direction of rotation, at least until the connecting element wraps around the closure cap over its entire length in the opposite direction to the starting position of the connecting element.

[0024] The container closure may comprise a shaped piece for attachment to a container. The container is, in particular, a cardboard container. The pouring opening is formed on the shaped piece.

[0025] This makes it possible to provide a complete container closure that can be easily applied to a container.

[0026] The second end of the connecting element is preferably arranged on the molded piece. The arrangement of the second end of the connecting element on the molded piece and the formation of the pouring opening on the molded piece ensure that the second end of the connecting element is rotationally fixed relative to the pouring opening. The container closure can be provided as a complete unit with an intact quality seal.

[0027] The closure cap and the connecting element can be formed as one piece.

[0028] This enables simple production, for example in an injection molding process.

[0029] The container closure can be made of a polyolefin, in particular polyethylene or polypropylene, or a blend thereof. Alternatively, it can be made of PET, PET-G, PCT-G, a bioplastic, or a polystyrene blend.

[0030] The material of the container closure can be selected according to the desired properties. For container closures for carbonated beverages, a certain degree of strength is particularly desirable.

[0031] A further aspect of the invention relates to a container, in particular a beverage container, comprising a container closure as described herein. By providing a container with a container closure as described herein, a complete package can be provided.

[0032] It can be provided that, for example, the second end of the connecting element is connected to the container, i.e. is directly fixed to the container. The second end can be fixed directly to the container, for example by means of an adhesive. Alternatively, it is possible or conceivable that a corresponding surface or a corresponding element is also formed on the container, to which, for example, the second end of the connecting element can be fixed. For example, it would be conceivable to form a pin or a recess on the container, onto or into which the second end of the connecting element can be pressed. Additionally or alternatively, it would be conceivable to provide an adhesive. Preferably, the second end of the connecting element is fixed to the container by means of ultrasonic welding.

[0033] If the container closure is formed with a shaped piece, the connection options described here are formed accordingly between the shaped piece and the second end of the connecting element.

[0034] The invention is explained in more detail with reference to figures, which merely represent exemplary embodiments. They show schematically: Figure 1: A perspective view of a container closure; Figure 2: A top view of the container closure of Figure 1; Figure 3: A perspective view of the container closure according to Figure 1 in an open position; Figure 4: A top view of the container closure of Figure 3; Figure 5: The view according to Figure 3 in a partially cutaway view; Figure 6: A perspective view of another container closure; Figure 7: A top view of the container closure of Figure 6; Figure 8: A perspective view of the container closure according to Figure 6 in an open position; Figure 9: A plan view of the container closure of Figure 6; Figure 10: The view according to Figure 6 in a partially cutaway view.

[0035] The Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a container closure 100. The container closure 100 has a closure cap 1. The closure cap 1 is mounted on a pouring opening 2 (see Figure 3 or 5 ). The pouring opening 2, in turn, is arranged on a shaped piece 4. A connecting element 3 extends between the closure cap 1 and the shaped piece 4. The connecting element 3 is connected to the closure cap 1 by a first end 31 and to the shaped piece 4 by a second end 32. Accordingly, the second end 32 is arranged in a rotationally fixed manner relative to the pouring opening 2. The connecting element 3 has a plurality of tear-off webs 33, only one of which is provided with a reference symbol.

[0036] The Figure 2 shows a plan view of the container closure 100 from the Figure 1 The meandering arrangement of the connecting element 3 is clearly visible. In the present case, this arrangement has three loops, with a section of the connecting element 3 being arranged between each loop. In the loop openings, in other words in areas of the connecting element 3 facing away from the loops, tear-off webs 33 are arranged, which each connect two sections of the connecting element 3 to each other. A further tear-off web 33 is arranged in the area of ​​a loop opening of the connecting element 3, which is arranged between the closure cap 1 and the connecting element 3. In other words, the connecting element 3 is connected to the closure cap 1 by a tear-off web 33. The connecting element 3 is arranged on the shaped piece 4 in the present case. Also shown in the Figure 2is the direction of rotation R in which the closure cap 1 must be rotated to open the container closure 100. The connecting element 3, in this case a portion of the connecting element 3, wraps around the closure cap 1 starting from the first end 31 of the connecting element in the direction of rotation R over a wrap angle of 45°.

[0037] The Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the container closure 100 according to Figure 1 in an open position. In other words, the closure cap 1 was rotated in the direction of rotation R. In doing so, the first end 31 of the connecting element 3 was moved relative to the second end 32 of the connecting element 3. Accordingly, the tear-off webs 33 (see Figure 2) was cut or torn off. At the same time, by rotating the closure cap 1 in the direction of rotation R, the connecting element 3 was wound around the closure cap 1 opposite to its original position, so that the connecting element 3 at least partially wraps around the closure cap 1 opposite to the direction of rotation R (see Figure 4 ). The cap 1 can be removed from the pouring opening 2 (see Figure 5 ), but it remains connected to the fitting 4 via the connecting element 3.

[0038] The Figure 4 shows a top view of the container closure 100 of Figure 3 . From the Figure 4 It is evident that the meandering configuration, as shown in the Figure 2 shown, and the tear-off strips 33 (see Figure 2 ) are separated. By rotating the closure cap 1, the connecting element 3 is wound around the closure cap 1, starting from its first end 31, in the opposite direction to the direction of rotation R.

[0039] The Figure 5 shows the view according to Figure 3 in a partially cutaway view. Only the closure cap 1 and the connecting element 3 are shown cutaway. The molded piece 4 is essentially flat and has a bottom side (not shown in more detail here) for fastening to a cardboard container. The pouring opening 2 is formed integrally with the molded piece 4. On the outer circumference of the pouring opening 2, an external thread is formed, which can be brought into engagement with an internal thread formed in the closure cap 1. In the illustration according to Figure 5 the closure cap 1 has already been unscrewed so far that the internal thread and the external thread are separated and the closure cap 1 can be lifted off the pouring opening 2. As can be seen from the Figure 4However, as can be seen, the closure cap 1 is still connected to the shaped piece 4 via the connecting element 3 and is thus held captively on the shaped piece 4. In generic use, the shaped piece 4 is arranged on and connected to a cardboard container which holds a beverage.

[0040] The Figure 6 shows a perspective view of another container closure 200. The container closure 200 has a closure cap 201. The closure cap 201 is mounted on a pouring opening 202 (see Figure 8 or 10 ). The pouring opening 202 is in turn arranged on a shaped piece 204. Between the closure cap 201 and the shaped piece 204 extends a connecting element 203 with a first end 231 (see Figure 7) and a second end 232. The first end 231 is connected to the closure cap 201. The second end 232 is connected to the fitting 204. The second end 232 is connected to the fitting 204 by ultrasonic welding.

[0041] The Figure 7 shows a top view of the container closure 200 of Figure 6 . From the Figure 7It can be seen that the connecting element 203 wraps around the closure cap 201 and approximately 210°. The wrap of the connecting element 203 begins at its first end 231 and runs in the direction of rotation R along the circumference of the closure cap 201. Between the connecting element 203 and the closure cap 201, two tear-off webs 233 are arranged, which provide a quality seal. When opening the container closure 201, in other words when rotating the closure cap 201 in the direction of rotation R, the first end 231 of the connecting element 203 is twisted relative to the second end 232 of the connecting element 3 and the tear-off webs 233 are separated. The opened container closure 200 is in the Figure 8 shown.

[0042] The Figure 8 shows a perspective view of the container closure 100 according to Figure 6in an open position. The closure cap 201 is still connected to the shaped piece 204 via the connecting element 203 and is thus held captively on the shaped piece 204. In generic use, the shaped piece 204 is arranged on and connected to a cardboard container that holds a beverage. Thus, the closure cap 201 is correspondingly captively arranged on a corresponding container.

[0043] The Figure 9 shows a top view of the container closure 200 of Figure 6 . In comparison to the representation of the closed container closure 200 according to the Figure 6 or 7 In Figure 9 the container closure 200 is shown open (see also Figure 8 ). In contrast to the representation from the Figure 7 the connecting element 203 now wraps around the closure cap 201 against the direction of rotation R.

[0044] The Figure 10 shows the view according to Figure 6in a partially cutaway view. Only the closure cap 201 and the connecting element 203 are shown cutaway. The shaped piece 204 is essentially flat and has a bottom side (not shown in detail here) for fastening to a cardboard container. The pouring opening 202 is formed integrally with the shaped piece 204. It has a configuration as shown in Figure 5 On the outer circumference of the pouring opening 202, an external thread is formed, which can be brought into engagement with an internal thread formed in the closure cap 201. In the illustration according to Figure 10The closure cap 201 has already been unscrewed to such an extent that the internal thread and the external thread are separated from each other and the closure cap 201 can be lifted from the pouring opening 202. As can be seen from Figure 204, however, the closure cap 201 is still connected to the molded piece 204 via the connecting element 203 and is thus held captively on the molded piece 204.

Claims

1. Container closure (100, 200) comprising a closure cap (1, 201) with an internal thread for fitting onto a pouring opening (2, 202) with an external thread, and a connecting element (3, 203) with a first end (31, 231) and a second end (32, 232), wherein the first end (31, 231) is connected to the closure cap (1, 201) and the connecting element (3, 203) runs at least partially along a circumference of the closure cap (1, 201), wherein at least one tear-off bar (33, 233) is formed on the connecting element (3, 203), preferably several tear-off bars (33, 233) are formed, characterised in that the second end (32, 232) of the connecting element (3, 203) is fixed in a rotationally fixed manner with respect to the pouring opening (2, 202) and is arranged outside the closure cap (1, 201).

2. Container closure (100, 200) according to claim 1, characterised in that the connecting element (3, 203) wraps around the closure cap (1, 201) at an angle of 30°, preferably at an angle of more than 45°, preferably more than 90°, in particular more than 180°.

3. Container closure (100, 200) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the connecting element (3, 203) is arranged completely outside the closure cap (1, 201).

4. Container closure (100, 200) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the at least one tear-off bar (33, 233) is formed between a first section of the connecting element (3, 203) and a second section of the connecting element (3, 203) and / or between the connecting element (3, 203) and the closure cap (1, 201).

5. Container closure (100, 200) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the connecting element (3, 203) is arranged in a meandering pattern.

6. Container closure (100, 200) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the connecting element (3, 203) runs from its first end (31, 231) in the direction of rotation when the closure cap (1, 201) is opened, along the circumference of the closure cap (1, 201).

7. Container closure (100, 200) according to one of claims 1 to 6, comprising a moulded part (4, 204) for attachment to a container, in particular to a cardboard container, wherein the pouring opening (2, 202) is formed on the moulded part (4, 204).

8. Container closure (100, 200) according to claim 7, characterised in that the second end (32, 232) of the connecting element (3, 203) is arranged on the moulded part (4, 204).

9. Container closure (100, 200) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the closure cap (1, 201) and the connecting element (3, 203) are formed in one piece.

10. Container closure (100, 200) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the container closure (100, 200) is made of a polyolefin, in particular polyethylene or polypropylene or mixtures thereof, or of PET or PET-G or PCT-G or of a bioplastic or of a polystyrene mixture.

11. Container, in particular beverage container, comprising a container closure (100, 200) according to one of claims 1 to 10.