CONTAINER CAP

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a container closure for attaching to an opening of a container and to a container comprising a container closure according to the preamble of the independent claims.

[0002] Various container closures for closing and / or attaching to the opening of a container are known from the prior art.

[0003] In its simplest form, a container closure consists of a cap that screws onto the opening of a container, thus sealing off the contents from its surroundings. These containers are typically made of a plastic such as PET and are designed to hold a beverage. The beverages they are meant to hold come in two main forms: carbonated and uncarbonated. In other words, the beverages are either carbonated or uncarbonated. Some beverages, such as beer, do not have carbon dioxide added artificially but obtain it through fermentation.

[0004] In other words, there are basically two types of container closures: those designed to keep a liquid under pressure and those that do not. Container closures of the latter type are known, among other things, as flip-top closures. These are closures that do not have a thread but are simply pressed onto a corresponding opening in a container or base. Typically, such flip-top closures have a cap that is attached to the container or base by a hinge, allowing it to be easily flipped open. Flipping the cap open releases the spout, and a beverage inside the container can then be dispensed.Such closures are also known as sports caps because they are particularly useful in various sports, as they can be operated with one hand. US Patent 3,773,203 discloses a flip-top closure that incorporates an additional safety feature to prevent unsupervised opening by children.

[0005] A disadvantage of these container closures is that they are not suitable for pressurized containers, i.e., containers holding carbonated beverages. Due to the pressure that can build up inside the container as the beverages degas, there is a risk that the flip-top closures will open on their own.

[0006] The object of the invention is to overcome at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, a container closure is to be created that is easy to use and, in particular, allows one-handed operation and is preferably suitable for sealing containers with a carbonated beverage tightly and, in particular, securely.

[0007] This problem is solved by the device defined in the independent claim. Further embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

[0008] An inventive container closure for attaching to the mouth of a container, in particular for closing an opening of a container, comprises a base body for attaching to the container. The base body has a discharge opening. The container closure also comprises a closure cap for closing the discharge opening, the closure cap being rotationally fixed to the base body. The container closure has a locking element for pressing the closure cap against the discharge opening. The locking element is rotatably arranged on the container closure. Preferably, the locking element is rotatably arranged on the base body.

[0009] A rotationally fixed connection of the closure cap makes it possible to remove it from the dispensing opening by means of a tilting or folding motion, in the sense of a flip-top closure, in order to open the container and thus to release the dispensing opening with one hand.

[0010] Providing a locking element to press the cap against the dispensing opening allows this container closure to also be used to seal containers holding carbonated beverages. The locking element prevents gas from escaping and also prevents the container closure from opening unintentionally due to overpressure inside the container.

[0011] The rotatable connection of the locking element makes it possible to rotate it into several different positions and, in particular, to rotate it from a locking position in which the closure cap is pressed onto the discharge opening to a release position in which the closure cap can be opened.

[0012] In the generic usage, container closures are typically located at a substantially upper end of a container. A container typically has a longitudinal axis that extends through both the container and the corresponding container closure. A container closure therefore has, along this longitudinal axis, a region or end facing the container and a region or end facing away from the container. The direction from the interior of the container towards the container closure is the discharge direction, essentially the direction in which any liquid to be discharged, i.e., the contents of the container, is discharged.

[0013] Preferably, the locking element is designed as a sleeve and has at least one projection for engaging behind a container-side end of the base body.

[0014] In other words, the projection encompasses a container-side end of the base body in the opposite direction to the exit direction.

[0015] The projection preferably extends around one edge of the sleeve.

[0016] The sleeve design allows the locking element to completely encircle the base body along its circumference. The sleeve is preferably designed such that an inner surface of its wall slides on the base body and, in particular, is in contact with it, at least partially.

[0017] A projection for engaging the container-side end of the base body allows a force acting on the locking element to be transferred to the base body in the opposite direction of its emission. A circumferential projection ensures that the force is applied evenly to the container-side end of the base body.

[0018] In other words, a force to press the closure cap against the discharge opening can be applied and transmitted through the locking element to the base body, in particular to a container-side end of the base body.

[0019] The end cap has at least two protrusions for interaction with the locking element.

[0020] The protrusions allow the cap to be easily pressed against the discharge opening. Through the interaction between the locking element and the cap, forces acting on the cap can be specifically transferred to the locking element. Such forces can arise when there is overpressure inside the container and / or when, for example, a sealing lip is pressed, or is intended to be pressed, against a sealing surface. The sealing lip can be located on the cap and the sealing surface at the discharge opening. A reverse arrangement is also conceivable.

[0021] The locking element has retaining elements, with each projection of the closure cap being assigned a retaining element of the locking element.

[0022] The retaining elements allow for easy interaction with the projections of the cap. This facilitates the simple transfer of forces, which in turn enables the cap to be pressed easily and effectively onto the dispensing opening.

[0023] The retaining elements are preferably arranged such that they engage behind the projections of the closure cap. It goes without saying that this applies at least to the locked position. Viewed along the axis towards the interior of the container, the projections are positioned behind the retaining elements in the locked position, so that movement of the projections in the exit direction is prevented by the retaining elements. In the release position, the projections of the closure cap and the retaining elements are arranged one after the other circumferentially around the axis, so that when the closure cap is opened, the projections slide past or are moved past the retaining elements.

[0024] By interlocking the projections, the cap is prevented from lifting in the exit direction and is thus secured against unintentional opening.

[0025] The locking element and the end cap have sliding surfaces that are essentially complementary to each other. The sliding surfaces are inclined along one direction of movement of the locking element. The sliding surfaces are located, in particular, on the projections of the end cap and on the retaining elements of the locking element.

[0026] The direction of movement of the locking element corresponds to a circular motion in the circumferential direction around the longitudinal axis of the container, or around the longitudinal axis of the combination of the container and the container closure as defined here. In other words, the movement is circular. An inclination of a sliding surface along a direction of movement thus corresponds, comparatively, to the pitch of a thread around the aforementioned axis. The sliding surfaces can be designed according to a flat thread and thus be oriented essentially perpendicular to the axis, or according to a pointed thread and be oriented at an angle of more or less than 90° to the axis.

[0027] This allows for easy interaction between the locking element and the cap. The provision of sliding surfaces reduces frictional resistance.

[0028] The inclination of the sliding surfaces creates a movement sequence that allows the locking element to be rotated from the release position to the locking position, thereby pulling the closure cap towards the discharge opening and, through the corresponding wedge effect of the inclined sliding surfaces, generating a correspondingly large contact force of the closure cap on the discharge opening.

[0029] The angle of the sliding surfaces also ensures that when the cap is opened, i.e., when the locking element is turned from the locked position to the release position, the cap is released slowly, allowing any pressure inside the container to dissipate gradually. This prevents a sudden or abrupt pressure equalization.

[0030] A film hinge can be formed on the end cap to ensure a rotationally fixed connection to the base body. Preferably, the base body, the end cap, and the film hinge are formed in one piece.

[0031] The inclusion of a film hinge on the cap allows for a specific movement of the cap when opening. This film hinge simplifies manufacturing. In particular, the one-piece production of the cap together with the base body and the film hinge facilitates easy manufacturing.

[0032] The container closure as described above is preferably designed such that one of the two projections of the closure cap is formed on the film hinge.

[0033] This presses or holds the cap in the area of ​​the film hinge towards the inside of the container when the locking element is in the locked position. The influence of any residual stresses caused by the film hinge can be reduced.

[0034] The cap may have a tab for opening it.

[0035] This makes it easier to operate the container closure with one hand.

[0036] To form a warranty seal, a tear-off strip may be provided on the cap. This tear-off strip may have an opening. A pin may be provided on the base of the cap to engage with this opening.

[0037] The opening and the pin are designed in such a way that, when the container closure is closed, the pin engages in the opening. The pin may, for example, be designed with a mushroom-shaped head, or it may be welded to the tear-off tab when the container closure is first closed.

[0038] This creates a connection between the cap and the base, which is destroyed when the container is opened. Specifically, the tear-off tab is broken off when the container is opened. This allows for a simple and quick visual check to see whether the container has already been opened or not.

[0039] To limit the rotational movement of the locking element, at least one stop can be arranged on the base body.

[0040] This allows the locking position and the release position to be set and, in particular, prevents the locking element from rotating beyond these positions.

[0041] Additionally, the end cap and / or the base body and the locking element may be provided with bumps and indentations to generate haptic feedback about the end position, i.e., the locked position and / or the release position. Such bumps and / or indentations can, for example, be formed on the projections and the retaining elements and preferably constitute part of the sliding surfaces. Such feedback can also be achieved, for example, if the sliding surfaces are designed with a contour similar to a cam or a cam mechanism. The sliding surfaces can, for instance, have different slopes.

[0042] Sealing surfaces that are essentially complementary to each other can be arranged on the cap and the base body.

[0043] This allows the interior of the container to be sealed against the environment. As described above, the sealing surfaces can have a sealing surface and a sealing lip.

[0044] The locking element may have a rough surface structure. This rough surface structure is particularly pronounced as a ribbing.

[0045] A rough surface structure, and in particular a knurled texture, makes it easier for the user to turn the locking element.

[0046] The container closure is preferably manufactured using injection molding. Polyolefins, in particular polyethylene or polypropylene, can be used for its production.

[0047] Another aspect of the invention relates to a container comprising a container closure as described herein.

[0048] The container and the container closure can be coordinated and, in particular, offered as a unit.

[0049] The following figures describe in detail one possible embodiment of a container closure. They show: Figure 1: A perspective view of a container closure in the closed state; Figure 2: The container closure from the Figure 1 in the open state; Figure 3: the illustration according to Figure 2 with partially hidden elements; Figure 4: a perspective view of a locking element; Figure 5: a top view of the container closure from the Figure 1 Figure 6: a sectional view along line AA from the Figure 5 Figure 7: a view according to Figure 5in a rotated position of the locking element.

[0050] The Figure 1 Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a container closure 100 in the closed state. The container closure 100 comprises a base body 10, a closure cap 20, and a locking element 30. The closure cap 20 has a lug 23 for actuating the closure cap 20. In the view according to the Figure 1 The container closure 100 is shown in the closed state. This means that the closure cap 20 closes a discharge opening 11 (see Figure 2 ) and the locking element 30 is in the locked position. In the locked position, the locking element 30 presses the closure cap 20 against the discharge opening 11.

[0051] The Figure 2 shows the container closure 100 from the Figure 1 in the open state. As seen from the Figure 2As can be seen, the locking element 30 was rotated from its locked position to its release position. The closing cap 20 was folded away from the discharge opening 11, thus releasing the discharge opening 11.

[0052] The Figure 3 shows the representation according to Figure 2 with partially hidden elements. In this case, the locking element 30 is hidden. In the Figure 3 Only the base body 10 and the end cap 20 are visible. The end cap 20 is connected to the base body 10 by a film hinge 22. The film hinge 22 has two creases. A force is applied to the nose 23 (see also Figure 1 ) the closure cap 20 was folded away from the discharge opening 11 so that the discharge opening 11 is released.

[0053] Three projections 21 are visible on the closure cap 20, and a fourth projection 21 is formed as an integral part of the film hinge 22. Adjacent to a projection 21 opposite the film hinge 22, a tear-off tab 24 is arranged, which has an opening 241. Essentially complementary to this opening 241, a pin 13 for engaging this opening 241 is arranged on the base body 10. Through the interaction of the opening 241 with the pin 13, a tamper-evident seal, in other words a so-called first-opening guarantee, can be provided. Two stops 14 are arranged on the base body 10 to prevent rotation of the locking element 30 (see Figure 1 to limit. The film hinge 22 has a total of two creases. The base body 10, together with the film hinge 22 and the end cap 20, is manufactured in one piece using an injection molding process.

[0054] The Figure 4Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a locking element 30. The locking element 30 is designed as a sleeve with a jacket 34. The jacket 34 has knurling 341, which allows a user to rotate the locking element 30. [The last sentence appears to be incomplete and requires context.] Figure 4 At the upper end of the mantle 34 are four retaining elements 32. The retaining elements 32 extend towards the center of the locking element 30. This extension towards the center of the locking element 30 enables the retaining elements 32 to engage corresponding projections 21 on the end cap 20. This will be described below with reference to the Figure 6explained in detail. A sliding surface 321 is arranged on each retaining element 32. The sliding surfaces 321 are inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis extending through the locking element 30 in the pouring direction. The sliding surfaces 321 and the retaining elements 32 are each designed as segments of flat threads with straight flank angles with respect to the shape of the sliding surfaces 321. The individual retaining elements 32 are separated from each other by recesses, two of which extend into the sleeve 34 of the locking element 30. These two recesses 33 form a clearance in the area of ​​the film hinge 22 (see [reference]). Figure 2 ) as well as in the area of ​​pin 13 (see also Figure 3) in the release position of the locking element 30. These recesses 33 allow, on the one hand, the film hinge 22 to move freely and, on the other hand, enable free access to the quality seal (tear-off tab 24 and pin 13, see Figure 3).

[0055] The Figure 5 shows a top view of the container closure 100 from the Figure 1 . Drawn in the Figure 5 Figure 5 shows a section line AA that extends through the nose 23 and the film hinge 22 of the closure cap 20. Also visible in Figure 5 are the base body 10 and the locking element 30.

[0056] The Figure 6 shows a sectional view along line AA from the Figure 5 . The Figure 6This provides a view into the interior of the container closure 100. The container closure 100 has a base body 10 in which a thread 17 is arranged. The thread 17 is designed to engage with a corresponding thread on the opening of a container. As can be seen, the individual threads are divided into individual sections. In the illustration according to the Figure 6 The base body 10 has several retaining studs 16 at its lower end which, after the container closure 100 is screwed on, are in operative contact with a tamper-evident ring of a container and thus secure the container closure 100 against unintentional unscrewing. The Figure 6 The position of the container closure 100 shown corresponds essentially to a position of the container closure 100 in accordance with the generic use.

[0057] Reference numeral 12 designates a container-side end of the base body 10. In other words, the retaining lugs 16 are located in the area of ​​the container-side end 12 of the base body 10. The thread 17 is located downstream of the container-side end 12 in the outlet direction. Downstream of the thread 17 is a sealing area 18 which interacts with the upper end of a container opening and thus seals the container towards the container closure 100. Together, these elements form a fastening area.

[0058] The base body 10 extends beyond the mounting area essentially in the form of a hollow cylindrical sleeve in the discharge direction, with this hollow cylindrical sleeve defining the discharge opening 11. The wall of this hollow cylindrical sleeve terminates with a radius that provides a sealing surface 35. When the container closure 100 is closed, the sealing surface 35 of the discharge opening 11 interacts with a substantially complementary sealing surface 25 on the closure cap 20. For improved sealing and centering, the closure cap 20 has an inner wall that extends in the opposite direction to the discharge. The interaction of the sealing surfaces 25 and 35 seals the interior of the container from its surroundings. The locking element 30 is rotatably mounted on the periphery of the base body 10.

[0059] The end cap 20 may also be equipped with elements that provide the user with haptic feedback as to whether the end cap 20 is correctly positioned on the dispensing opening 11 when closed. For example, the centering element on the end cap 20 may have a ridge or thickening that interacts with a corresponding surface, in particular a recess, on the dispensing opening 11.

[0060] The locking element 30 is designed as a substantially hollow cylindrical sleeve, the sleeve having a jacket 34. In the region of the container-side end 12 of the base body 10, the jacket 34 has a projection 31 that extends along the edge of the sleeve. This projection 31 engages behind the container-side end 12 of the base body 10.

[0061] Opposite the projection 31, the retaining elements 32 are arranged. The retaining elements 32 extend towards the center of the container closure 100; in other words, they project towards the center of the container closure 100 relative to the sleeve's surface. Sliding surfaces 321 are also arranged on the retaining elements 32. These sliding surfaces are operatively connected, or can be brought into contact, with substantially complementary sliding surfaces 211 located on projections 21 of the closure cap 20. The projections 21 extend outwards from the center of the container closure 100. In other words, they project outwards relative to the surface of the closure cap 20. The projections 21 and the retaining elements 32 are arranged such that the retaining elements 32 engage behind the projections 21 in the exit direction. Figure 6In the depicted position, the projections 21 are clamped over at least a portion of the base body 10 between the projections 31 and the retaining elements 32, such that the closure cap 20 with its sealing surfaces 25 is pressed against sealing surfaces 35 at the discharge opening 11. Accordingly, a container onto which the container closure 100 is screwed is sealed from its surroundings. The retaining elements 32 and the projections 21 are thus arranged sequentially in the discharge direction.

[0062] The Figure 7 shows a view according to the Figure 5 in a rotated position of the locking element 30. The locking element 30 is in the Figure 7 compared to the position of the locking element 30 in the Figure 5 rotated by approximately 45°. A comparison of these two figures shows that, unlike the Figure 5 in Figure 7The projections 21 of the closure cap 20 are visible and freely accessible. In other words, the retaining elements 32 and the projections 21 are arranged next to each other in the direction of rotation or circumferentially in the release position and do not interfere with each other. The closure cap 20 can therefore be opened because the projections 21 can move past the retaining elements 32 in the exit direction.

[0063] By rotating the locking element 30 relative to the base body 10 and correspondingly relative to the closure cap 20, the inclined sliding surfaces 211 and 321 slide against each other. Due to the inclination, when the locking element 30 is opened or rotated from the locked position to the release position, the pressure of the closure cap 20 on the discharge opening 11 is first reduced, and a gap is gradually created between the sliding surfaces 211 and 321. If pressure has built up inside the container, this gap will not increase; instead, the closure cap 20 will slowly begin to lift away from the discharge opening 11. Any pressure inside the container can thus be gradually relieved before the closure cap 20 is completely released.

Claims

1. Container closure (100) for attachment to an opening of a container, comprising a main body (10) for attachment to the container, wherein the main body has a discharge opening (11), a closure cap (20) for sealing the discharge opening (11), wherein the closure cap (20) is rotationally fixed to the main body (10), wherein the container closure (100) has a locking element (30) for pressing the closure cap (20) against the discharge opening (11), wherein the locking element (30) is rotatably arranged on the container closure (100), characterized in that the closure cap (20) has at least two protrusions (21) for interaction with the locking element (11) and that the locking element (11) has holding elements (32), wherein each protrusion (21) of the closure cap (20) is associated with a holding element (32) and that the locking element (30) and the closure cap (20) have sliding surfaces (211, 321) that are essentially complementary to each other and have an inclination along a direction of movement of the locking element (30), wherein the sliding surfaces (211, 321) are arranged in particular on the protrusions (21) of the closure cap (20) and on the holding elements (32) of the locking element (30).

2. Container closure (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking element (11) is designed as a sleeve and has at least one protrusion (31), preferably continuous along an edge of the sleeve, for engaging behind a container-side end (12) of the main body (10).

3. Container closure (100) according to one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that a film hinge (22) is formed on the closure cap (20) for the rotationally fixed connection to the main body (10), wherein preferably the main body (10), the closure cap (20), and the film hinge (22) are formed in one piece.

4. Container closure (100) according to one of claims 1 to 2 and claim 3, characterized in that one of the two protrusions (21) is formed on the film hinge (22).

5. Container closure (100) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a nose (23) for opening the closure cap (20) is formed on the closure cap (20).

6. Container closure (100) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that for forming a tamper-evident seal, a tear-off web (24) is formed on the closure cap (20), wherein the tear-off web (24) has an opening (241) and wherein a pin (13) for engagement in the opening (241) is formed on the main body (10).

7. Container closure (100) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that at least one stop (14) is arranged on the main body (10) for limiting a rotational movement of the locking element (30).

8. Container closure (100) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that sealing surfaces (24, 111) that are essentially complementary to each other are arranged on the closure cap (20) and on the main body (10).

9. Container closure (100) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the locking element (30) has a rough surface structure, in particular a knurling.

10. Container closure (100) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the container closure is manufactured by an injection molding process from a polyolefin, in particular from polyethylene or polypropylene.

11. Container comprising a container closure (100) according to one of claims 1 to 10.