CLOSURE ORDER FOR A CONTAINER

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of closure arrangements for indicating a preferably first-time tampering or opening attempt on a container. In this context, the present invention particularly relates to the technical field of closures designed to make a first-time opening process or opening attempt obvious to potential users in order to ensure that consumers can be confident that the closure has remained in its closed position after filling the container and has not been opened prior to use or sale. This indication can thus indicate unwanted tampering and ensure that a purchased container is in an authentic state without any prior tampering attempt having been made.

[0002] Against this background, the present invention relates to a closure arrangement for indicating a preferably first attempt at intervention (opening attempt) on a container.

[0003] The present invention also relates to a container, preferably a bottle, in particular a standard bottle, for storing a liquid, preferably a drinking liquid, with a closure arrangement according to the invention.

[0004] The present invention also relates to a container crate, preferably a bottle crate, in particular a beverage crate, more preferably a standard beverage crate, with a plurality of receptacles for containers which are designed according to the invention or are closed with the closure arrangement according to the invention.

[0005] In addition, the present invention also relates to the method according to the invention for producing the closure arrangement according to the invention.

[0006] Furthermore, the present invention also relates to a method for filling and closing a container with a closure arrangement according to the invention.

[0007] Finally, the present invention also relates to the use of the closure arrangement according to the invention for indicating a preferably first attempt at intervention on a container.

[0008] To convey to consumers of containers, especially beverage bottles, a state of authenticity or an undamaged condition, it is known from the state of the art to incorporate a tamper-evident security band as part of the screw cap. This tamper-evident security band, which runs around the screw cap, usually forms an extension of the screw cap's thread. When the screw cap is unscrewed, the tamper-evident security band tears off, making it clearly visible that the bottle has already been opened. To achieve this, the bottle must have a sufficiently long thread and an edge onto which the tamper-evident security band engages during the closing process. This requires a correspondingly higher material usage for the bottle and cap (closure).

[0009] The safety band generally only breaks once the screw cap has been unscrewed a certain distance. However, unscrewing the screw cap by less than the distance necessary to tear the safety band can result in the bottle already being partially opened, even though the screw cap still has an intact, surrounding safety band. This can lead to food and / or beverages contained in such a bottle spoiling unnoticed, for example, because carbon dioxide from a carbonated beverage escapes and / or oxygen can penetrate.

[0010] In this context, DE 101 46 817 A1 discloses a screw cap for a container. This screw cap has a base on the top, from which a circumferential skirt extends, which has a retaining device for securing the screw cap to the container. A securing band is provided on an edge of the skirt facing away from the base, which is connected to the screw cap via a predetermined breaking line. This securing band has at least one stretch zone.

[0011] A disadvantage of closure assemblies that rely on a security band arranged on the jacket side as a tamper-evident indicator is that this security band is only visible from a side view or from a view of the jacket of the closure assembly. However, containers or bottles of the type described above are usually stored in corresponding crates, particularly beverage crates, which usually only allow a convenient top-side view of the containers contained therein. To enable a clear or unobstructed side view of the closure assembly, the consumer is sometimes forced to lift individual bottles from the beverage crate in order to inspect the jacket of the closure assembly and reliably determine the condition of the security band or the tamper-evident status of the container. This is cumbersome and impractical.

[0012] In this light, there is a strong need in the state of the art to provide appropriate closure arrangements for containers, particularly for (beverage) bottles, that allow for a practical and convenient indication of the tamper-evident state of the container. Particularly when containers are collected and / or stored together in an associated box, the solutions proposed in the state of the art are inadequate or impractical, since grasping or lifting individual containers is sometimes unavoidable to ensure tamper-evident integrity.

[0013] From EP 2 763 910 B1, the closest prior art which discloses the preamble of claim 1, a tamper-evident closure for closing the opening of a container with an opening emerges, wherein the tamper-evident closure extends along a longitudinal direction.

[0014] US 3 918 602 A discloses a safety closure for a container having a cylindrical neck over which a closure can be fitted, the closure comprising an inner cap which can be secured to the neck of the container by a rotating movement, and an outer cap which surrounds the inner cap to selectively prevent rotation of the inner cap.

[0015] EP 1 501 741 B1 describes a safety closure for liquid containers, having an opening defined by a neck extending axially from the body of the container.

[0016] Against this background, the present invention is based on the object of providing an efficient concept for indicating a preferably first attempt to open a container, wherein the previously described disadvantages of the prior art are to be at least largely avoided or at least mitigated.

[0017] In this context, one object of the present invention is to provide a closure arrangement for indicating a first attempt at intervention (opening attempt) on a container, which allows an unhindered or comfortable view and / or detection of an attempt at intervention on the container, in particular if the container is placed in an upright position, in particular in an associated container or beverage crate.

[0018] Furthermore, a further object of the present invention is to provide a closure arrangement for indicating a preferably first attempt at tampering with a container, which closure arrangement continues to be designed as a reliable closure means for the container even after a first attempt at tampering with the container, in particular wherein sufficient sealing of the container via the closure arrangement is ensured over the entire service life even after the first attempt at tampering with the container, without this being associated with an impairment of the visibility of the attempt at tampering that has already been made.

[0019] A further object of the present invention is to provide a corresponding closure arrangement which is robust in its construction and improved in its manufacture, whereby reliable, in particular intuitive, handling by a consumer is ensured and production can be implemented economically even in large quantities.

[0020] A further object of the present invention is also to be seen in the fact that the closure assembly as such is universally applicable in that it can be used to close numerous types of containers, with the focus of the closure assembly according to the invention being its use as a screw cap for containers for liquids, in particular beverages, i.e., (beverage) bottles of any kind. In this context, the application extends to beverage containers or beverage bottles of any kind, in particular, also encompassing the suitability for beverages containing carbon dioxide or a similar gas.

[0021] To achieve the above-described problem, the present invention thus proposes - according to a first aspect of the present invention - the closure arrangement according to the invention for indicating a preferably first attempt at intervention (opening attempt) on a container according to claim 1; further advantageous developments and refinements of this aspect of the invention are the subject of the corresponding subclaims relating to the closure arrangement according to the invention.

[0022] Yet another object of the present invention is also - according to a second Aspect of the present invention - the container according to the invention for storing a liquid according to the independent patent claim relating to this container according to the invention.

[0023] Yet another object of the present invention - according to a third Another aspect of the present invention is the method for producing a closure arrangement for a container for indicating a preferably first attempt at intervention (opening attempt) on a container according to the relevant independent patent claim relating to this method according to the invention.

[0024] The present invention also further relates to - according to a fourth Aspect of the present invention - the method for filling and closing a container with a closure arrangement arranged according to the invention according to the relevant independent patent claim.

[0025] Finally, another object of the present invention - according to a fifth Another aspect of the present invention is the use of a closure arrangement designed according to the invention for indicating a preferably first attempt at intervention (opening attempt) on a container.

[0026] It goes without saying that in the following description of the present invention, such configurations, embodiments, advantages, examples or the like which are explained below - for the purpose of avoiding unnecessary repetition - only with regard to a single aspect of the invention, naturally also apply accordingly with regard to the other aspects of the invention, without the need for express mention.

[0027] Furthermore, with regard to the following description of the present invention, the features of the present invention cited in connection with the specific configurations, embodiments, advantages, examples, or the like are also deemed to be disclosed in their combinations. Thus, superior and subordinate combinations of individual or multiple features or groups of features cited for the respective configurations, embodiments, application examples, or the like are also deemed to be disclosed.

[0028] Furthermore, it goes without saying that the following specifications of values, numbers, and ranges are not to be understood as limiting; it is self-evident to the person skilled in the art that, depending on the individual case or application, deviations from the specified ranges or specifications may occur without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0029] For the purpose of illustrating the present invention, the following description of the inventive objects also makes reference to the reference numerals shown in the figures; the use of the reference numerals in this regard is purely illustrative and does not imply any limitation of the inventive objects.

[0030] Having said that, the present invention will be described in more detail.

[0031] The subject of the present invention is therefore - according to a first Aspect of the present invention - a closure arrangement for indicating a preferably first attempt at intervention (opening attempt) on a container, wherein the closure arrangement comprises a cap part which can be secured to a pouring spout of the container and is movable, in particular rotatable, along an engagement direction from a tamper-evident position (sealing position) into an engagement position, wherein the closure arrangement comprises a disc-shaped sealing part which, at least in the sealing position, preferably in the sealing position and in the engagement position, closes, in particular sealingly, a pouring opening of the pouring spout of the container with a sealing side, and is connected to the cap part with a cap side, wherein a relative position can be changed upon movement, in particular rotation, of the cap part from the tamper-evident position into the engagement position relative to the sealing part, wherein a visible surface of the cap side of the sealing part is at least partially visible from the outside and / or through the cap part,to indicate the engaged position of the cap part and thus the attempted engagement with the container, wherein the cap part and the sealing part are arranged coaxially to one another and are rotatably mounted relative to one another, wherein the sealing part has an axial, cylindrical bearing projection on the cap side for positive engagement with a complementarily formed opening on a lid of the cap part, wherein the visible surface is formed by an upper side of the bearing projection, wherein the visible surface and an adjoining surface of the lid lie substantially in a common plane and form a common upper visible surface of the closure arrangement, and wherein a first piece of information is arranged on the upper side of the lid of the cap part and a second piece of information is arranged on the visible surface of the bearing projection, wherein the two pieces of information form a complete piece of information in the sealing position,which changes due to the change in the relative position of the cap part with respect to the sealing part in the engaged position.

[0032] A central idea of ​​the closure assembly according to the invention is therefore initially the use of components that are movable relative to one another, in particular rotatable, and that form the closure assembly. Specifically, a cap part and a sealing part are provided that are rotatable relative to one another. A top seal on the visible surface of the cap side of the sealing part is visible from the outside both in the sealed position and in the engaged position, in order to indicate to the potential consumer the condition of the container, whether it is still in an original condition or already in an opened state.

[0033] In contrast to the solution proposed in the prior art, an uncomfortable manipulation of the container on the shell side, for example lifting, is unnecessary in the solution according to the invention because the present or inventive closure arrangement allows an unobstructed top view, on the basis of which the consumer can conveniently obtain information about the originality state of the container.

[0034] In other words, this ultimately means that the prior art arrangement of a sealing band on the jacket side is omitted and replaced by the solution according to the invention. This firstly eliminates the need to attach corresponding sealing sections or sealing means to the jacket side of the closure during filling and closing, thus also eliminating the costs incurred in this regard. At the same time, the inventive replacement of the prior art sealing means with the closure arrangement according to the invention represents an improvement in that an inspection of the jacket side of the closure is no longer necessary to determine the sealing status of the closure or the container. Rather, the solution according to the invention aims at a convenient inspection from the top, which is not usually impaired in the normal use or storage state of containers, in particular beverage bottles.In this respect, the solution according to the invention represents a more user-friendly replacement for conventional sealing devices for closure arrangements on containers, in particular on beverage bottles, compared to the prior art.

[0035] In this context, the term "tamper-evident position" or "sealed position" preferably refers to an undamaged condition of the container. In particular, a container is in the sealed position immediately after filling and closing – i.e., especially in a saleable state. In this state, the container is thus intended for sale and subsequent consumption before being opened for the first time.

[0036] In contrast to the tamper-evident position, the term "engagement position" refers to a state of the closure arrangement in which the sealing position or tamper-evident position is released due to a first attempt at opening.

[0037] The closure arrangement according to the invention then makes it possible, due to parts that can be moved relative to one another, to make the change from the tamper-evident position of the closure arrangement to the engaged position visible to the consumer from the outside, namely via a visible surface of the sealing part or its cap side that is visible on the top.

[0038] In other words, the term "intervention" is used within the scope of the present invention, particularly in connection with a (first-time) use and / or opening of the container in question (i.e., initial use or opening). In particular, the closure arrangement according to the invention is designed and / or suitable for indicating an actual (first-time) intervention (or attempt) or opening (or attempt).

[0039] In this context, however, it should be noted that the closure arrangement continues to be designed, in particular, to seal the container after the engagement position has been reached, and is therefore still usable, but with the difference that it is now clear to a consumer that an initial engagement has taken place and that the corresponding container is no longer in its original state.

[0040] The term "engagement direction" refers in particular to a movement of the cap part relative to the sealing part, which is caused by the cap part being grasped by a consumer or user and then moved, preferably twisted, by exerting force. In contrast, when the cap part moves from the tamper-evident position to the engaged position, the sealing part preferably remains at least substantially stationary or immobile on the pouring spout. Accordingly, the relative movement preferably occurs exclusively due to the movement or twisting of the cap part. This is particularly due to the fact that the sealing part always functions as a seal for the pouring spout, whereas the cap part functions as an actuating means for a consumer to actuate the closure arrangement or open the container. Usually orParticularly preferably, the cap part is rotated, which is usually carried out in the form of a counterclockwise rotational movement as an opening movement for opening a container or for releasing a liquid contained therein.

[0041] Furthermore, with regard to the term "visible surface" of the cap side of the sealing part, this term preferably refers to a partial surface of the cap side or the top side of the sealing part, which is always visible to a consumer in a top view of the closure assembly, both in the tamper-evident position and in the engaged position. In particular, the visible surface forms a partial section of the top side of the closure assembly itself to ensure top-side visibility or the top-side indication of any attempted tampering.

[0042] As regards the connection of the sealing part and the cap part after reaching the engagement position, it is preferred according to the invention that the sealing part and the cap part are fixed to one another in the engagement position of the cap part, in particular are locked, so that a relative movement of the sealing part with respect to the cap part is blocked and / or locked after reaching the engagement position.

[0043] In this context, this means, in other words, that after a further movement of the cap part in the engagement direction after reaching the engagement position, the sealing part is moved exclusively or necessarily together with the cap part. This occurs by a fixing or locking of these two parts after reaching the engagement position, accompanied by a dissolution of the relative movement. In this respect, the opening process of the container after reaching the engagement position, in which the sealing part continues to close the pouring spout, in particular in a sealing manner, is characterized by the fact that upon further movement in the engagement direction, a joint movement of the cap part and the sealing part relative to the pouring spout occurs until the closure arrangement can then be completely removed from the pouring spout.Even after the closure arrangement has been removed from the pouring spout, the fixing of the sealing part relative to the cap part is maintained, so that when the pouring spout is subsequently closed again by the closure arrangement according to the invention, the fixed relative position of the cap part to the sealing part is maintained in the engaged position.

[0044] In this context, the closure assembly can be applied to the pouring spout in a conventional manner, preferably by screwing it on, until a sufficient sealing force is achieved as a result of the application or screwing on. According to the invention, however, the engagement position is further indicated by the locking of the sealing part, wherein the locking or locking is so robust that even with a high force applied as a result of the application or screwing on the pouring spout, a change in the fixed relative position of the two components of the closure assembly is not possible, at least not without causing damage.

[0045] It is provided that the sealing part is disc-shaped, in particular with the sealing side associated with the pouring spout forming a first flat side, and the cap side associated with the cap part forming a second flat side of the sealing part, opposite the sealing side. The disc-shaped design of the sealing part enables simple production and ensures a reliable seal with the pouring spout.

[0046] It is also provided that the cap part and the sealing part are arranged coaxially to one another and / or aligned and rotatably mounted relative to one another. In this context, it is provided that the sealing part has an axial, cylindrical and coaxially arranged bearing projection on the cap side for positive engagement in a complementarily formed opening on a cover of the cap part. In other words, the sealing part with the bearing projection penetrates the cover of the cap part in order to enable coaxial mounting of the cap part relative to the sealing part. In this context, the opening in the cap part functions to a certain extent as a bearing eye, into which the complementary cylindrical bearing projection of the sealing part engages accordingly in order to enable rotation. The cap part and the sealing part are thereby radially fixed to one another.

[0047] It is provided that the visible surface of the sealing part is formed by the surface of the bearing projection, wherein the visible surface and an adjoining upper side or surface of the cover of the cap part lie essentially in a common plane and form a common upper visible surface or cover surface of the closure assembly. In other words, the upper side of the closure assembly is composed of the visible surface of the sealing part on the one hand and the adjacent upper side of the cap part or the cover of the cap part, which in turn form a common upper side or surface of the closure assembly.

[0048] As regards the sealing of the pouring spout by means of the sealing part, it is preferably provided that the sealing part has at least one preferably first circumferential sealing lip on the sealing side for internal contact with the pouring spout.

[0049] In this context, the sealing part of the closure arrangement according to the invention preferably meets all requirements for sealing components known from the prior art, which are used in particular as components of screw caps for sealing beverage bottles. The dimensioning and / or orientation of the sealing lip can relate in particular to the type of beverage contained. For example, beverages containing CO2 can place higher demands on the sealing lip, in particular in that a double inner circumferential sealing lip must be provided. Furthermore, the use of a second, preferably circumferential, sealing lip can also be provided in this context in order to ensure external contact with and sealing of the pouring spout of the container.In any case, the sealing part in the sense of the present invention is thus suitable for closing a pouring spout of a container on the sealing side, not only in the tamper-evident position or sealing position, but also in the subsequently adoptable engagement position, in order to ensure repeated use or repeated closing by means of the closure arrangement according to the invention even after the existing engagement position.

[0050] As far as the design of the cap part is concerned, this preferably has a flat, in particular disc-shaped lid and a collar protruding from this lid for preferably circumferentially engaging over the pouring spout. In particular, the collar is surface-modified at least in some areas on its outer circumference, preferably grooved, in order to increase the roughness or grip, in particular by means of a plurality of elongated notches and / or projections. In this context, it has proven particularly advantageous if the collar has an inner profile on its inner circumferential surface for operative connection with a corresponding outer profile of the outlet spout, in particular wherein the inner profile and / or the outer profile are designed as a thread.

[0051] In this context, it should be noted that the closure assembly is preferably secured, in particular fastened, to the pouring spout via the collar. In particular, the collar is positively and / or non-positively fixed to the circumference of the pouring spout, such that the sealing part is subsequently fixed or pressed with the sealing side against the top of the pouring spout, analogous to conventional bottle closures, in particular screw caps. This is achieved in particular by a compressive force acting from the lid onto the sealing part.

[0052] As far as the indication of the preferably first attempt at intervention on the container is concerned, it is provided that a first piece of information is arranged on the upper side of the lid of the cap part and a second piece of information is arranged on the visible surface of the sealing part, wherein the two pieces of information in the sealing position form and / or convey an overall information and / or an overall impression which changes due to the change in the relative position of the cap part with respect to the sealing part in the engagement position.

[0053] In this context, the first and / or second information is / are selected from the group of colors, symbols, arrows, numbers, words, word components, letters, emblems, and combinations thereof, in particular wherein the first and / or second information is / are selected from the same group of information or from different groups of information.

[0054] In this context, the term "comprehensive information" refers to a clear statement that is readily apparent to a person skilled in the art and is suitable for unambiguously implementing the attempted intervention or the dissolution of the tamper-evident position. This can be achieved, for example, by a word on the top side of the closure assembly conveying a coherent or complete impression in the sealed position, which, however, is dissolved in the engaged position. This is implemented, for example, by arranging a word component on the visible surface of the sealing part that changes in the engaged position as a result of the change in its relative position to the cap part, so that the word component arranged on the visible surface dissolves the coherent word of the sealed position and thereby signals to the consumer that the closure assembly is no longer in the sealed position.

[0055] In addition, further variants can be provided accordingly, for example by changing the relative position of symbols and / or arrows and / or colour sections to resolve a meaning conveyed in the sealed state in order to visually convey to the consumer the occurrence of the intervention position.

[0056] The above statements make it clear that, in principle, there are no limits to the design freedom for displaying the seal position or engagement position; ultimately, any visually representable information can be used according to the invention, as long as the consumer is immediately presented with a change in the overall impression in the engagement position compared to the seal position. In this respect, the technical teaching should be understood broadly in this context.

[0057] Alternatively or additionally, however, the engagement state can also be visualized by deformation of sections of the sealing part and / or cap part as a result of the change in the relative position. It is known, for example, that plastics in particular can undergo a color change as a result of tensile stress or expansion. This can be utilized within the scope of the present invention in that sections of the visible surface are deformed as a result of the relative movement of the cap part, which in turn is associated with a change in the color impression. On this basis, the consumer is then also signaled that a color change has occurred compared to the sealing position and that the closure arrangement is now in the engaged position or that an initial opening attempt has been made.

[0058] In particular, it can be provided that sections of the visible surface are slightly discoloured in the sealing position, whereas as a result of the relative movement of the cap part, a colour change of sections on the visible surface occurs such that these sections then take on a signal colour, which thus clearly conveys to the consumer an attempt at intervention.

[0059] With regard to securing the sealing part relative to the cap part in the engaged position of the cap part, it is preferably provided that the sealing part has at least one locking projection on the cap side for engaging in a preferably complementarily formed recess on the cap part. In this context, the locking recess is arranged in particular on the inside of the collar, wherein the locking projection is arranged on an intermediate step of the sealing part arranged between a base step and the bearing projection and, in particular, is designed to project radially from the intermediate step and / or is offset radially inward relative to the base step.

[0060] In particular, it is preferred in this context that the locking projection is displaceable or mounted radially inwardly on the sealing part, in particular via at least two preferably elastically deformable spring webs which are formed due to the preferably slot-shaped recess in the region of the locking projection.

[0061] In this context, it has proven particularly advantageous if the cap part, preferably the inside or inner surface of the collar, has at least one sealing stop for the locking projection in order to block movement of the cap part in the sealing position opposite to the direction of engagement, in particular wherein the locking recess and the sealing stop are connected to one another via a sliding surface on the cap in such a way that the locking projection, starting from the sealing position, slides along the sliding surface when the cap part moves in the direction of engagement starting from the sealing stop and after passing the sliding surface, locks into the locking recess, preferably automatically or independently. In particular, it is provided in this context that the sliding surface has a gradient section directly adjacent to the sealing stop in order to displace the locking projection radially inwards orinto a radially inwardly tensioned state, in particular wherein the sliding surface has a transition section which is curved in the engagement direction and arranged between the slope section and the locking recess in order to hold the locking projection in the radially inwardly offset and / or tensioned state when the cap part moves in the engagement direction, wherein the locking projection engages and / or snaps into the locking recess after passing the transition section, in particular automatically due to elastic tension energy.

[0062] On this basis, it is possible for the locking projection in the sealing stop to first pass the sloped section when the cap part is actuated in the engagement direction and, due to the radially inwardly inclined design of the sloped section, to be elastically displaced radially inward. After passing the sloped section, the locking projection then passes the transition section, in which the radial position of the locking projection does not change. Finally, upon reaching the engagement position or the locking recess, the locking projection then snaps into the locking recess automatically as a result of the radially inwardly tensioned state or the associated tension energy and is then secured to the cap part.

[0063] According to an alternative embodiment of the fixing of the sealing part and the cap part, however, it can also be provided that the sealing part has on the cap side at least one preferably elongated locking recess for receiving a preferably complementarily formed, preferably elongated locking projection of the cap part, in particular wherein the locking recess is arranged in the edge region of the cap side and / or is designed to be continuously deepened starting from the edge region in the direction of a central axis of the sealing part.

[0064] In this context, it has proven particularly advantageous that the locking projection is arranged on the inside of the lid of the cap part, in particular wherein the locking projection has a bevelled surface with an axial extension increasing from the edge region of the inside of the lid and / or increasing axial extension in the direction of the central axis of the sealing part.

[0065] According to this embodiment, it can be particularly preferably provided that the sealing part on the cap side has at least one sealing stop for the locking projection in order to block a movement of the cap part in the sealing position opposite to the engagement direction, in particular wherein the sealing stop is formed by the side surface of a web formed on the cap side.

[0066] According to a particularly preferred embodiment of this specific embodiment, it is then provided that the locking recess and the sealing stop are connected to one another via a ramp section extending in the engagement direction such that the locking projection, starting from the sealing position, slides along the ramp section when the cap part moves in the engagement direction starting from the sealing stop and after passing the ramp section, engages in the locking recess, in particular automatically or independently.

[0067] In this context, it is particularly preferably provided that the ramp section is arranged directly adjacent to the sealing stop on the cap side of the sealing part and has a sliding surface which rises in the engagement direction of the cap part and on which the locking projection of the cap part slides, in particular wherein the ramp section is designed as a material recess on the cap side of the sealing part and / or, starting from the locking recess, tapers in the engagement direction in particular in a sickle-shaped and / or pointed manner and, due to the rising sliding surface, finally ends flush and / or without interruption with the cap side of the sealing part and / or merges into it.

[0068] Particularly preferably, the sliding surface or the ramp section is inclined towards the central axis of the sealing part.

[0069] According to a further, particularly preferred embodiment, it is provided that the sealing part and the cap part interact with each other in such a way that a change in the relative position of the cap part relative to the sealing part is only possible when the cap part moves in the engagement direction, but when a direction opposite to the engagement direction is blocked.

[0070] As far as the relevant structural design is concerned, this can preferably be achieved by arranging flexible locking teeth on the cap side of the sealing part in such a way that they can be brought into engagement between locking teeth arranged on the cap part and slide past the locking teeth of the cap part in the engagement direction according to the principle of a ratchet, but block a relative movement when the cap part is actuated in the opposite direction to the engagement direction.

[0071] In particular, the locking teeth are arranged circumferentially in the engagement direction on an intermediate step of the sealing part arranged between a base step and the bearing projection and, in particular, are designed to project radially from the intermediate step and / or are aligned offset radially inwards with respect to the base step.

[0072] It is particularly preferred that a locking tooth associated with the engagement position is provided with a stop in order to strike against a stop provided on the cap part in the engagement position and thus prevent further relative movement in the engagement direction.

[0073] In other words, in this embodiment, the change in the relative position between the sealing position and the engagement position is only possible in the engagement direction, wherein after reaching the engagement position, the change in the relative position upon actuation of the cap element in the engagement direction is also stopped or blocked by corresponding stops.

[0074] In an alternative design embodiment of this particularly preferred aspect of the invention, it can also be provided that locking ramps are arranged on the cap side of the sealing part such that they can be brought into engagement between locking ramps arranged on the cap part and slide past the locking ramps of the cap part in the engagement direction according to the principle of a ratchet, but block movement in the opposite direction of the engagement direction. In this context, it has proven particularly preferred if the ramps extend in the engagement direction, in particular extend coaxially, and are arranged on the cap side of the sealing part, in particular adjacent to the bearing projection.

[0075] In order to ensure, on the basis of this embodiment, a fixing of the relative position even when actuated in the engagement direction after reaching the engagement position, a stop is provided on the cap side of the sealing part in order to strike against a corresponding or associated stop of the cap part in the engagement position and thus to prevent further relative movement even if the cap part is moved further in the engagement direction after reaching the engagement position.

[0076] In particular, in this context, it is provided that the stop is arranged in the edge area of ​​the cap side and / or is arranged directly radially adjacent to the locking ramps.

[0077] With regard to the production of the closure assembly according to the invention, the sealing part and / or the cap part, preferably the sealing part and the cap part, can be manufactured additively. In particular, additive manufacturing technology allows for the economical production of even comparatively complex components, for example, with undercuts, with a particularly high degree of geometric precision. Since caps and sealing parts with locking recesses or projections and / or sliding surfaces are preferably used in the closure assembly according to the invention, which requires a certain degree of precision fit, these associated requirements can be addressed particularly effectively using additive manufacturing processes.

[0078] Yet another object of the present invention is also - according to a second Aspect of the present invention - a container, preferably a bottle, in particular a standard bottle, for storing a liquid, preferably a drinking liquid, wherein the container has a pouring spout for receiving and dispensing the liquid, and wherein the pouring spout is closed with a closure arrangement according to the invention. In this way, the previously discussed advantages and special features can be realized.

[0079] A container closed with the closure arrangement provided according to the invention is thus characterized in particular by an unobstructed or convenient top-side display for detecting a preferably first attempt at tampering with a container. This is particularly advantageous when the associated container, usually together with other containers, is accommodated or stored in a corresponding box, which is usually associated with a restriction to the side view of the containers. However, the top view is usually not affected by this restricted view, so that within the scope of the inventive concept, a free or unobstructed view of the top view is thus enabled for detecting a preferably first attempt at tampering with the container.

[0080] In this context, it is preferred if the pouring spout of the container is surface-modified at least in sections on its surface, in particular to increase the frictional engagement with the sealing side of the sealing part. In particular, the surface modification in question serves to increase or ensure a sufficient sealing effect between the top side of the pouring spout and the sealing side of the sealing part such that sufficient sealing of the container by means of the closure arrangement is guaranteed both in the sealing position and in the engaged position. In particular, this sealing should also be ensured for gas-containing liquids, in particular beverages such as mineral water or soft drinks. In this respect, the surface modification in question preferably serves as an addition to the sealing means orSealing lips to ensure that the closure arrangement can be used multiple times to close the container, whereby in this context it is crucial that sufficient sealing is ensured, especially in the engaged position.

[0081] Furthermore, the closure assembly according to the invention is characterized by its high usability, whereby a wide variety of containers can be equipped with the closure assembly according to the invention, whether made of glass or plastic, in particular HDPE. In particular, the closure assembly according to the invention is compatible and usable with bottles, in particular beverage bottles, of any type.

[0082] Yet another subject of the present invention—according to a further aspect of the present invention—is a container crate, preferably a bottle crate, in particular a beverage crate, in particular a standard beverage crate, with a plurality of receptacles for containers, wherein a container according to the invention is accommodated in at least one, preferably in all, receptacles of the container crate. In this way, the previously described advantages and special features of the invention can be realized.

[0083] A container crate within the meaning of the present invention is understood to mean, in particular, a bottle crate or beverage crate used for transporting beverage bottles. This crate is made of a plastic material, particularly HDPE. The container crate in question is used here, particularly for deposit bottles, which, as beverage crates used in retail, are constructed in such a way that a bottom surface engages with the surface of a similarly constructed crate when the beverage crates are placed on top of one another. This makes the crates easy to stack and suitable for transport.

[0084] Particularly preferred examples of beverage crates are, for example, beer crates with twenty 0.5 l bottles, mineral water crates with twelve 0.75 l bottles and juice crates with six 0.75 l bottles or six 1 l bottles. Beverage crates for soft drinks, for example Coca-Cola or the like, which are characterized, for example, by twelve 1 l reusable PET containers, are also covered by the idea of ​​the present invention.

[0085] Likewise, the subject of the present invention is - according to a third Aspect of the present invention - a method for producing the closure assembly according to the invention, wherein the closure arrangement has a cap part which can be fixed to a pouring spout of the container and is movable, in particular rotatable, in an engagement direction starting from a tamper-evident position (sealing position) into an engagement position, wherein the closure arrangement has a sealing part which, at least in the sealing position, preferably in the sealing position and in the engagement position, closes, in particular sealingly, a pouring opening of the pouring spout of the container with a sealing side, and is connected to the cap part with a cap side, wherein the cap part and the sealing part are movable, in particular rotatable, relative to one another, and wherein the cap part and / or the sealing part are / is produced generatively.

[0086] As already explained in connection with the closure assembly according to the invention, generative manufacturing is a particularly preferred manufacturing method for the closure assembly according to the invention. The basis of generative manufacturing is a computer-aided graphic model (CAD model), on the basis of which the closure assembly to be manufactured is then generated generatively, i.e. layer by layer, in a device for generative manufacturing. The starting material used in generative manufacturing is preferably a powder, for example a plastic or metal powder, which is melted layer by layer by the application of laser energy and subsequently solidifies, with the component to be manufactured then being generated layer by layer on this basis.

[0087] In this context, the closure assembly can be manufactured within the framework of a joint additive manufacturing process, in particular such that the cap part and the sealing part are already ready for use after the additive manufacturing process, possibly after subsequent cleaning. In particular, the sealing part is already permanently or permanently inserted into the cap part immediately after additive manufacturing.

[0088] Alternatively, however, it is also possible to initially produce the sealing part and the cap part spatially separated from each other in a joint or separate manufacturing process using additive manufacturing. The closure assembly is then assembled, with the sealing part preferably being inserted, in particular, into the cap part.

[0089] In particular, in this context, it is provided that the sealing part can be snapped or latched into the cap part in such a way that subsequent separation of the sealing part from the cap part is only possible with considerable force and / or not without causing damage. In this context, it should be noted that the sealing part is preferably firmly arranged or mounted in the cap part for the entire service life of the closure assembly.

[0090] Nevertheless, it can also be provided that the closure assembly is used over a long period of use, which could make it necessary to replace the sealing part during the service life, in particular to maintain an adequate sealing effect. In this context, it is then preferably provided that the sealing part can be removed without destroying the cap part and can be replaced with a new sealing part, in particular by means of reversible locking or snap-in connections between the cap part and the sealing part. Against this background, the use of the closure assembly according to the invention is not limited to a purely disposable article, but can take place over several applications or application cycles, which are characterized, for example, by the complete consumption period of a liquid placed in the container.

[0091] In particular, the closure arrangement according to the invention can replace conventional or previously industrially used closures of beverage bottles in the long term, thereby enabling a significantly longer service life compared to conventional closures.

[0092] Another object of the present invention - according to a fourth Aspect of the present invention is a method for filling and closing a container with a closure arrangement designed according to the invention, comprising the following method steps, (A) Filling the container with a liquid, in particular a beverage liquid, (B) Applying, in particular screwing, a closure arrangement designed according to the invention onto the pouring spout of the container in such a way that the sealing part placed on the pouring spout exerts a sufficiently large sealing force to seal the pouring spout, both in the sealing position and in the engaged position.

[0093] In this context, the above aspect of the invention is thus directed toward equipping a container filled with a liquid with the closure assembly according to the invention. For this purpose, after filling the container, the closure assembly according to the invention is applied, in particular screwed, to the pouring spout of the container. The force, in particular the torque, with which the cap part of the closure assembly is applied to the pouring spout is preferably selected such that the sealing side of the sealing part exerts a sufficient pressing effect on the top side of the pouring spout to ensure a reliable sealing effect.

[0094] In this context, it is noteworthy that when the cap part moves from the sealing position to the engaged position, the cap part moves away from the pouring spout, thereby reducing the pressing effect of the sealing part. This must be taken into account when applying or screwing on the cap part, in such a way that the pressing effect is guaranteed not only in the sealing position, but also in the engaged position, which is usually characterized by a reduced pressing effect compared to the sealing position. Finally, the closure assembly is preferably used several times as a closure after reaching the engaged position, whereby it is necessary in this context that an adequate seal is possible when screwing on the closure assembly even in this configuration.

[0095] The above-mentioned method can preferably be carried out in large quantities or industrially and, in particular, can be easily applied to previously common methods for closing beverage bottles, in particular since the closure arrangement according to the invention does not require extensive modifications of corresponding filling and closing devices for the industrial filling and closing of beverage bottles, in particular since the cap part differs at most slightly from conventional closures for beverage bottles with regard to its outer contour.

[0096] Finally, the present invention relates - according to a fifth Aspect of the present invention - the use of a closure arrangement designed according to the invention for indicating a preferably first attempt at intervention (opening attempt) on a container.

[0097] With the use according to the invention and the aforementioned methods, the previously outlined advantages, as mentioned with regard to the closure arrangement according to the invention, can be realized in a corresponding manner.

[0098] The above and following aspects and features of the present invention can be combined with each other as desired, but can also be implemented independently of each other.

[0099] In the following, preferred embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to the drawings or figure representations.

[0100] In connection with the invention of these preferred embodiments of the present invention, which, however, are in no way limiting with respect to the present invention and can be combined with one another as required, further advantages, properties, aspects and features of the present invention are also shown.

[0101] In the figure representations shows: Fig. 1 a schematic sectional view of a proposed container with a proposed closure arrangement; Fig. 2 an enlarged section of the Fig. 1illustrated closure arrangement in an upper corner area; Fig. 3 a schematic top view of the closure arrangement; Fig. 4 a perspective bottom view of the closure arrangement according to a first embodiment; Fig. 5 a perspective top view of the closure arrangement according to the first embodiment; Fig. 6 a further perspective illustration of the closure arrangement according to the first embodiment; Fig. 7 a further perspective top view of the closure arrangement according to the first embodiment; Fig. 8 a perspective bottom view of the closure arrangement according to a second embodiment; Fig. 9 a perspective top view of the closure arrangement according to a second embodiment; Fig. 10 a perspective bottom view of the closure arrangement according to a third embodiment; Fig. 11 a perspective top view of the closure arrangement according to the third embodiment; Fig.Fig. 12 shows a perspective bottom view of the closure assembly according to a fourth embodiment; Fig. 13 shows a perspective top view of the closure assembly according to the invention according to the fourth embodiment; and Fig. 14 shows a perspective view of a container box according to the invention with a plurality of containers according to the invention accommodated therein.

[0102] In the figures, the same reference symbols are used for identical or similar components and devices, whereby the same or corresponding advantages and properties can result, even if a repeated description is omitted.

[0103] Fig. 1 shows a schematic sectional view of a closure arrangement 1 according to the invention for indicating a preferably first attempt at intervention or opening of a container 2.

[0104] The closure arrangement 1 has a cap part 3 which can be fixed, preferably screwed, to a pouring spout 4 of the container 2 and along an engagement direction E, which can be Fig. 5 is shown and in particular represents a rotational movement counterclockwise, is movable, in particular rotatable, from an originality position or sealing position into an entry position.

[0105] In addition, the closure arrangement 1 has a sealing part 5 which, at least in the sealing position, preferably in the sealing position and in the engagement position, closes, in particular sealingly closes, a pouring opening of the pouring spout 4 of the container 2 with a sealing side 7 and is connected to the cap part 3 with a cap side 8.

[0106] According to the invention, a relative movement is possible when moving, in particular rotating, the cap part 3 from the tamper-evident position into the engaged position relative to the sealing part 5, which will be discussed in more detail below.

[0107] In order to enable a consumer to change the relative position by looking at the closure arrangement 1 from above, the cap side 8 of the sealing part 5 has a visible surface 6 which is at least partially visible from the outside and / or through the cap part 3 in order to indicate the engagement position of the cap part 3 and thus the attempted engagement on the container 2 (cf. Fig. 1 and 2 ).

[0108] Particularly preferably, the sealing part 5 and the cap part 3 are fixed to one another in the engaged position of the cap part 3, in particular locked, so that a relative movement of the sealing part 5 with respect to the cap part 3 is blocked and / or locked after reaching the engaged position. This fixing can be implemented according to the invention through various structural designs, which will be explained below using different exemplary embodiments.

[0109] In particular, the sealing part 5 and the cap part 3 are displaceable and / or movable relative to one another, in particular rotatable relative to one another, when the cap part 3 is moved, in particular rotated, from the tamper-evident position into the engaged position.

[0110] In other words, it is provided in particular that the cap part 3 is displaceable and / or movable, in particular rotatable, against or opposite the sealing part 5 when the cap part 3 is moved, in particular rotated, from the tamper-evident position into the engagement position.

[0111] In particular, it can be provided that the change in the relative position when moving, in particular rotating, the cap part 3 from the tamper-evident position into the engaged position relative to the sealing part 5 is brought about by displacement and / or movement, in particular rotating, of the cap part 3 against or relative to the sealing part 5.

[0112] In particular, it may be expedient that a relative position when moving, in particular rotating, the cap part 3 from the tamper-evident position into the engagement position relative to the sealing part 5 can be changed by displacement and / or movement, in particular rotating, of the cap part 3 against or relative to the sealing part 5.

[0113] An essential functional principle of the present invention is therefore based in particular on the fact that the cap part 3 on the one hand and the sealing part 5 on the other hand are designed to be displaceable or movable, in particular rotatable, relative to one another.

[0114] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it can be provided in particular that an adhesion and / or adhesive force and / or frictional force formed or existing between the sealing side 7 of the sealing part 5 and the pouring opening of the pouring spout 4 is greater than an adhesion and / or adhesive force and / or frictional force formed or existing between the cap side 8 of the sealing part 5 and the cap part 3, preferably in the contact area of ​​the cap side 8 and the cap part 3, in particular at least in the sealed position and / or in particular at least before and / or during the first attempt to intervene (open) on the container 2. In particular, the different adhesion and / or adhesive force and / or frictional force can be brought about and / or effected by a corresponding selection of materials for the sealing part 5 and the cap part 3; the corresponding selection of materials lies within the skill and discretion of a person skilled in the art.

[0115] In other words, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, it can be provided in particular that an adhesion and / or adhesive force and / or frictional force formed or existing between the sealing side 7 of the sealing part 5 and the pouring opening of the pouring spout 4 is designed in such a way that during the first attempted engagement (opening attempt) on the container 2, in particular when moving, in particular twisting, the cap part 3 from the tamper-evident position into the engaged position relative to the sealing part 5, at least substantially no change in the relative position of the sealing part 5 relative to the pouring opening of the pouring spout 4 occurs and / or is brought about. This can occur and / or be brought about in particular by appropriately selecting the material for the sealing part 5 and the cap part 3; as previously stated, the appropriate selection of material is within the skill and discretion of a person skilled in the art.

[0116] As shown in particular by Fig. 1 As can be seen, the sealing part 5 is disc-shaped and / or has an at least substantially disc-shaped base body.

[0117] In particular, it is provided in this context that the sealing side 7 assigned to the pouring spout 4 forms a first flat side and the cap side 8 assigned to the cap part 3 forms a second flat or further flat side of the sealing part 5 opposite the sealing side 7.

[0118] Again referring to Fig. 1 it is provided that the cap part 3 and the sealing part 5 are arranged or aligned coaxially with each other, in particular rotatably mounted with respect to each other and / or fixed radially with respect to each other.

[0119] In this context, it is provided that the sealing part 5 has an axial, cylindrical, bearing projection 9 on the cap side 8 for positive engagement in a complementarily formed opening 10 on the cap part 3 (cf. Fig. 2 ).

[0120] The visible surface 6 is formed by the upper side of the bearing projection 9, wherein the visible surface 6 and an adjoining surface 11 of the cap part 3 lie essentially in a common plane and / or form a common upper visible surface or cover surface of the closure arrangement 1 (cf. Fig. 3 ).

[0121] As with reference to Fig. 2 As can be seen, the sealing part 5 is designed for sealing contact with the pouring spout 4 of the container 2. In this context, the sealing part 5 has, in particular on the sealing side 7, a first circumferential sealing lip 12 for internal contact with the pouring spout 4.

[0122] In the preferred and illustrated embodiment, the sealing part 5 also has a further, second and preferably circumferential sealing lip 13 on the sealing side 7 in order to also ensure an external contact or sealing with respect to the pouring spout 4.

[0123] As regards the design of the cap part 3 in this context, this preferably has a flat, in particular disc-shaped, cover 14 and a collar 15 protruding from the cover 14.

[0124] The opening 10 is preferably formed in the lid 14, in particular wherein the lid 14 forms an upper side or the upper surface 11 of the cap part 3 as a whole.

[0125] The collar 15 is preferably designed for direct connection to the pouring spout 4 and has a corresponding inner profile 16, which is designed for operative connection with a corresponding outer profile 17 of the pouring spout 4. In particular, the inner profile 16 and the outer profile 17 are each designed as threads or thread turns, so that the collar 15 can be screwed onto the pouring spout 4 via the inner profile 16 onto the outer profile 17.

[0126] Fig. 3 shows the closure arrangement 1 according to the invention in an engaged state.

[0127] In order to make this state visible to a consumer on the top side as a demarcation from the sealing position, a first piece of information 18 is arranged on the surface 11 of the cap lid 14 and a second piece of information 19 is arranged on the visible surface 6 of the sealing part 5, wherein the two pieces of information 18, 19 form and / or convey an overall piece of information and / or an overall impression in the sealing position, which changes due to the change in the relative position of the cap part 3 with respect to the sealing part 5 in the engaged position.

[0128] In the preferred embodiment shown, it is evident that the first piece of information 18 has been rotated relative to the second piece of information 19, such that the aligned position of these two pieces of information 18, 19 relative to one another, as intended in the sealed position, has been disrupted. Specifically, it can be provided that the pieces of information 18, 19 each comprise components of the same word, which form the coherent word in the sealed position. Due to the change in relative position, these two pieces of information 18, 19 or word components are then no longer aligned, whereby the consumer recognizes, by looking at the closure arrangement 1 from above, that the intact sealed state no longer exists, but rather the engaged state.

[0129] It should be noted that the overall impression described above is by no means limited to the specific embodiment based on word components. Ultimately, a variety of designs can be specified to create overall impressions, as long as it is clear that a consumer immediately and unambiguously recognizes that a change in the relative position of the cap part 3 relative to the sealing part 5 has occurred.

[0130] In this context, the information 18, 19 can be selected from the group of colors, symbols, arrows, numbers, words, word components, letters, emblems, and combinations thereof, in particular wherein the first or second information 18, 19 is selected from the same group of information or from different groups of information. In this respect, there are in principle no limits to how the design of the respective overall impressions can be implemented in the sealing position, on the one hand, and in the engagement position, on the other.

[0131] The following is based on Fig. 4 to 7 a first embodiment for fixing the cap part 3 relative to the sealing part 5 after reaching the engagement position is described.

[0132] In this context, Fig. 5 the closure arrangement 1 according to the invention is shown in the tamper-evident or sealing position.

[0133] In contrast, Fig. 7 The same closure assembly 1, but in an engaged state. In this engaged state, a locking projection 20 of the sealing part 5 engages in a complementarily formed locking recess 21 of the cap part 3. Due to this locking, the relative movement of the cap part 3 relative to the sealing part 5 is blocked or eliminated.

[0134] Regarding the arrangement of the locking projection 20 on the sealing part 5, this is preferably arranged, in particular molded, on an intermediate step 23 located between a base step 22 and the bearing projection 9. The locking projection 20 protrudes radially from the intermediate step 23, but is simultaneously offset radially inward relative to the base step 22.

[0135] Furthermore, in the illustrated and preferred embodiment, the locking projection 20 is displaceable and / or mounted radially inward on the sealing part 5. This is specifically achieved by a slot-shaped recess 24 in the intermediate step 23, which is radially adjacent to the locking projection 20 on the inside. This results in a radially elastic or resilient mounting of the locking projection 20, since corresponding spring bars are formed as a result of the recess 24. The exact function of this radial displacement will be explained in more detail below.

[0136] In addition, as shown in particular by Fig. 5As can be seen, the cap part 3 has a sealing stop 25 for the locking projection 20 in order to block a movement of the cap part 3 in the sealing position opposite to the engagement direction E. In this constellation, starting from the sealing position, actuation of the cap part is only possible in the engagement direction E due to the sealing stop 25.

[0137] In addition, the locking recess 21 and the sealing stop 25 are connected to one another via a sliding surface 26, so that the locking projection 20, starting from the sealing position when the cap part 3 moves in the engagement direction E, slides along the sliding surface 26 from the sealing stop 25 and after passing the sliding surface 26, engages in the locking recess 21.

[0138] Specifically, this occurs when the locking projection 20, upon actuation in the engagement direction E, passes a sloped section 27 initially directed radially inward or toward the center axis of the sealing part 5, as a result of which the locking projection 20 is pressed into the recess 24 due to the radial bearing. As a result, the locking projection 20 assumes a radially inner position. Subsequently, the locking projection 20 passes a transition section 28, which is preferably curved in the engagement direction and coaxial with the sealing part 5. When passing this transition section 28, the locking projection 20 remains in the radially inner position, i.e., in a radially inwardly tensioned state.

[0139] Finally, after passing the transition section 28, the locking projection 20 then reaches the locking recess 21 and, as a result of the radially inwardly tensioned state, then automatically or automatically snaps into this locking recess 21, whereby the engagement position is reached and the cap part 3 is locked or fixed relative to the sealing part 5.

[0140] The above movement of the locking projection 20 along the sliding surface 26 as a result of a movement of the cap part 3 in the engagement direction E is particularly in alignment with Fig. 5 (sealed position) with Fig. 7 (intervention position) is particularly evident.

[0141] In the illustrated and preferred embodiment, the above implementation takes the form of a "double locking." This specifically means that the sealing part 5, in particular the intermediate step 23, has two locking projections 20 offset by 180 degrees from each other in the engagement direction E, as well as recesses 24. In comparison, the cap part 3 also has two locking recesses 21 offset by 180 degrees from each other in the engagement direction, two sealing stops 25, and two sliding surfaces 26 with sloped sections 27 and transition sections 28. As a result, the above-described processes in the locking area are performed in a double manner, which is particularly smooth and robust.

[0142] The following is based on Figs. 8 and 9 a second embodiment for fixing the cap part 3 relative to the sealing part 5 is explained.

[0143] In this second embodiment, the sealing part 5 has at least one preferably elongated locking recess 29 on the cap side 8 for receiving a preferably complementary locking projection 30 of the cap part 3. In the preferred embodiment shown, the locking projection 30 is arranged or formed on the inside of the cover 14 of the cap part 30.

[0144] As shown in particular by Fig. 9 As can be seen, the locking recess 29 is arranged in the edge region of the cap side 8 of the sealing part 5 and / or is aligned from this edge region toward the center or a central axis of the sealing part 5. In particular, the locking recess 29 continuously deepens from the edge region toward the center of the sealing part 6.

[0145] Accordingly, the locking projection 30 thus has a surface which is complementary to the deepening formation of the locking recess 29, which surface is in particular bevelled and, starting from the edge region of the inside of the cover 14, increasingly expands axially or thickens in the direction of the central axis of the sealing part 5 in order to ensure a substantially precise engagement in the locking recess 29.

[0146] In addition, the sealing part 5 has on the cap side 8 at least one sealing stop 25 for the locking projection 30 in order to block a movement of the cap part 3 in the sealing position opposite to the engagement direction E, in particular wherein the sealing stop 25 is formed by a side surface of a web 31.

[0147] In the preferred embodiment shown, at least one ramp section 32 extending in the engagement direction is provided on the cap side 8 of the sealing part 5, which ramp section is designed so that the locking projection 3, starting from the sealing position when the cap part 3 moves in the engagement direction E, slides along the ramp section 32 from the sealing stop 30 and, after passing the ramp section 32, engages in the locking recess 29.

[0148] In this context, the ramp section 32 directly adjoins the sealing stop 30 and has a sliding surface rising in the engagement direction E of the cap part 3, on which the locking projection 30 of the cap part 3 can be slid.

[0149] In the illustrated and preferred embodiment, the ramp section 32 is designed as a material recess on the cap side 8 of the sealing part 5 and / or starting from the locking recess 29 in the engagement direction, in particular crescent-shaped and / or tapered, wherein due to the rising sliding surface there is finally a flush and / or uninterrupted termination with the cap side 8 of the sealing part 5 at the end of the cap side 8.

[0150] In particular, the sliding surface or the ramp section 32 is inclined towards the central axis of the sealing part 5.

[0151] Analogous to the previously discussed first embodiment, a "double locking" also occurs according to the second embodiment. Accordingly, two locking recesses 29 are provided on the cap side 8 of the sealing part 5, offset by 180 degrees from one another in the engagement direction E. Two locking projections 30 of the lid 14 of the cap part 3, also offset by 180 degrees from one another in the engagement direction E, engage into these recesses in the engaged position. Accordingly, two sealing stops 25 are also provided on the cap side, offset by 180 degrees from one another in the engagement direction E, which interact with the two locking projections 30 of the cap part 3 in the sealing position.Finally, in this context, two ramp sections 32 are preferably also provided on the cap side 8, each of which begins directly adjacent to an associated sealing stop 25 and then runs upwards in the engagement direction E and finally converges flush with the cap side 8 in the region of an associated locking recess 29. In this preferred embodiment, two webs 31 offset from one another by 180 degrees in the engagement direction E are also provided, each of which forms a sealing stop 25 by one side surface and, with the opposite side surface, forms and / or laterally delimits part of an associated locking recess 29.

[0152] The following is based on Figs. 10 and 11 a further or third embodiment of the invention according to closure arrangement 1 is discussed.

[0153] In general, this embodiment aims at ensuring that the sealing part 5 and the cap part 3 interact with each other in such a way that a change in the relative position of the cap part 3 relative to the sealing part 5 is only possible when the cap part 3 moves in the engagement direction E, but is blocked in a direction opposite to the engagement direction E.

[0154] Specifically, this is achieved in this exemplary embodiment by arranging flexible locking teeth 33 on the cap side 8 of the sealing part 5 in such a way that they can be brought into engagement between locking teeth 34 arranged on the cap part 3, preferably on the cover 14 of the cap part 3, and slide past the locking teeth 34 of the cap part 3 in the engagement direction according to the principle of a ratchet. On this basis, a relative movement opposite to the engagement direction E is then blocked upon actuation of the cap part 3.

[0155] Specifically, the locking teeth 33 are formed circumferentially in the engagement direction E on the intermediate step 23, which is arranged between the base step 22 and in the bearing projection 9, radially projecting, but offset radially inward relative to the base step 22.

[0156] In order to ensure complete locking of the cap part 3 relative to the sealing part 5, a locking tooth 33 assigned to the engagement position is provided with a stop 35 in order to strike against a stop provided on the cap part 3 in the engagement position and thus to connect a further relative movement in the engagement direction E.

[0157] This then completely fixes the relative position of the cap part 3 with respect to the sealing part 5.

[0158] The following is based on Figs. 12 and 13 an alternative embodiment for implementing the ratchet mechanism is presented.

[0159] In this embodiment, locking ramps 36 are arranged on the cap side 8 of the sealing part 5 in such a way that they can be brought into engagement between locking ramps 37 arranged on the cap part 3, in particular on the inside of the cover part 14 of the cap part 3, in such a way that when the cap part 3 is actuated in the engagement direction E, the locking ramps 37 slide past the locking ramps 36 of the sealing part 5 according to the principle of a ratchet, but block movement in the opposite direction to the engagement direction.

[0160] Specifically, in this context, it is preferably provided that the locking ramps 36 run in the engagement direction E, in particular run coaxially, are arranged on the cap side 8 of the sealing part, in particular adjacent to the bearing projection 9.

[0161] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, a stop 38 is provided on the cap side 8 in order to abut against a corresponding stop of the cap part 3, in particular the cover 14 of the cap part 3, in the engaged position and thus prevent further relative movement in the engagement direction E. In the illustrated and preferred embodiment, the stop 38 is arranged on the edge region of the cap side 8 and / or arranged and / or formed directly radially adjacent to the locking ramps 36.

[0162] As already explained above, the special feature of the container 2 according to the invention is that a consumer can determine, by looking at the top of the container or the closure assembly 1, whether the container 2 is in a tamper-evident state or whether a first attempt at tampering or opening has already been made. This is specifically achieved by changing the relative position of the cap part 3 with respect to the sealing part 5, whereby a visible surface on the top provides a consumer with unmistakable information that the attempted tampering has occurred.

[0163] Accordingly, this special feature can also be applied to a Fig. 14 shown container box 39 according to the invention, in which a plurality of containers 2, which are closed with the closure arrangement 1 according to the invention, are accommodated.

[0164] If the container box 39 is accommodated in an associated box frame, as is common in particular in daily use or in the household, this is often in an inclined position, which usually excludes or at least makes it difficult to see the container or the closure arrangement 1 from the side.

[0165] Due to the inventive concept with the closure arrangement 1 provided according to the invention, Fig. 14In the configuration shown, an unobstructed view of the top of the container 2 or the closure assembly 1 allows for checking which container 2 is still intact or in its original condition, and which container has already been opened for the first time, i.e., is in an intervention state. This eliminates the need for a visual inspection of the container from the side, which often requires manipulation, for example, lifting the bottle to be inspected.

[0166] Individual aspects and features of the present invention, in particular of the various embodiments, can be realized and advantageous individually and in any combination. List of reference symbols: 1 Locking arrangement 36 Barrier ramp 2 container 37 Barrier ramp 3 Cap part 38 stop 4 Pouring spout 39 Container box 5 Sealing part 6 Visible area E Direction of intervention 7 Sealing side 8 Cap side 9 Bearing lead 10 breakthrough 11 surface 12 sealing lip 13 sealing lip 14 Lid 15 collar 16 Internal profiling 17 External profiling 18 information 19 information 20 locking projection 21 Recess 22 Basic level 23 Intermediate stage 24 recess 25 Seal strike 26 Sliding surface 27 Uphill section 28 Transition section 29 Recess 30 locking projection 31 web 32 Ramp section 33 ratchet 34 ratchet 35 stop

Claims

1. Closure arrangement (1) for indicating a preferably first attempt to intervene (opening attempt) on a container (2), wherein the closure arrangement (1) has a cap part (3) which can be fixed to a pouring spout (4) of the container (2) and can be moved, in particular rotated, along an engagement direction (E) starting from a tamper-evident position (sealing position) into an engagement position, wherein the closure arrangement (1) has a disk-shaped sealing part (5) which, at least in the sealing position, preferably in the sealing position and in the engaged position, closes, in particular sealingly closes, with a sealing side (7) a pouring opening of the pouring spout (4) of the container (2) and is connected with a cap side (8) to the cap part (3), wherein a relative position can be changed with respect to the sealing part (5) when the cap part (3) is moved, in particular rotated, from the original position into the engaged position, wherein a visible surface (6) of the cap side (8) of the sealing part (5) is at least partially visible from the outside and / or through the cap part (3) in order to indicate the engagement position of the cap part (3) and thus the engagement attempt on the container (2), wherein the cap part (3) and the sealing part (5) are arranged coaxially to one another and are mounted rotatably to one another, wherein the sealing part (5) has an axial bearing projection (9) on the cap side (8) for positive engagement in a complementarily formed aperture (10) on a cover (14) of the cap part (3), wherein the visible surface (6) is formed by an upper side of the bearing projection (9), and wherein the visible surface (6) and an adjoining surface (11) of the cover (14) lie essentially in a common plane and form a common top-side visible surface of the closure arrangement (1), characterized in that the bearing projection (9) is cylindrical and in that a first piece of information (18) is arranged on the upper side of the lid (14) of the cap part (3) and a second piece of information (19) is arranged on the visible surface (6) of the bearing projection (9), the two pieces of information (18, 19) forming an overall piece of information in the sealing position, which changes due to the change in the relative position of the cap part (3) with respect to the sealing part (5) in the engaged position.

2. Closure arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the sealing part (5) and the cap part (3) are fixed relative to one another in the engagement position of the cap part (3), in particular are latched, so that a relative movement of the sealing part (5) relative to the cap part (3) is blocked and / or locked after reaching the engagement position.

3. Closure arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an adhesion and / or adhesive force and / or frictional force formed or existing between the sealing side (7) of the sealing part (5) and the pouring opening of the pouring spout (4) is greater than an adhesion and / or adhesive force and / or frictional force formed or existing between the cap side (8) of the sealing part (5) and the cap part (3), preferably in the contact region of the cap side (8) and cap part (3). adhesion and / or adhesive force and / or frictional force, in particular at least in the sealing position and / or in particular at least before and / or during the first engagement attempt (opening attempt) on the container (2); preferably wherein the different adhesion and / or adhesive force and / or frictional force is achieved and / or caused by the corresponding material selection of sealing part (5) and cap part (3); and / or wherein an adhesion and / or adhesive force and / or frictional force formed or existing between the sealing side (7) of the sealing part (5) and the pouring opening of the pouring spout (4) is adhesion and / or adhesive force and / or frictional force formed or existing between the sealing side (7) of the sealing part (5) and the pouring opening of the pouring spout (4) is designed such that, during the initial engagement test (opening test) on the container (2), in particular when moving, in particular turning, the cap part (3) from the original position into the engagement position relative to the sealing part (5), at least substantially no change in the relative position of the sealing part (5) relative to the pouring opening of the pouring spout (4) takes place and / or is brought about; preferably by selecting the appropriate material for the sealing part (5) and cap part (3).

4. Closure arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing side (7) assigned to the pouring spout (4) forms a first flat side and the cap side (8) assigned to the cap part (3) forms a second flat side of the sealing part (5) opposite the sealing side (7).

5. Closure arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing part (5) has at least one preferably first circumferential sealing lip (12) on the sealing side (7) for internal contact with the pouring spout (4); in particular wherein the sealing part (5) has at least one preferably second circumferential sealing lip (13) on the sealing side (7) for external contact with the pouring spout (4).

6. Closure arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and / or second information (18, 19) is / are selected from the group of colors, symbols, arrows, numbers, words, word components, letters, emblems and combinations thereof, wherein the first and second information (18, 19) are selected from the same group of information or from different groups of information; and / or wherein at least one section of the cap part (3), in particular of the cover (14) and / or the surface (11), and / or at least one section of the sealing part (5), in particular on the visible surface (6) of the sealing part (5), stretch and / or deform when the cap part (3) is moved, in order to cause a color change in this section and / or in these sections and thereby indicate the engagement position.

7. Closure arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing part (5) and the cap part (3) are fixed relative to one another in the engagement position of the cap part (3), in particular are latched, so that a relative movement of the sealing part (5) relative to the cap part (3) is blocked and / or locked after reaching the engagement position; wherein the sealing part (5) has at least one latching projection (20) on the cap side (8) for engagement in a preferably complementary latching recess (21) on the cap part (3); in particular wherein the latching recess (21) is arranged on an inner side of the collar (15) of the cap part (3), wherein the latching projection (20) is arranged on an intermediate step (23) of the sealing part (5) arranged between a base step (22) and the bearing projection (9) and, in particular, is formed to project radially from the intermediate step (23) and / or is offset radially inwards relative to the base step (22); and / or in particular wherein the latching projection (20) is radially inwardly displaceable and / or mounted on the sealing part (5), in particular via at least two preferably elastically deformable spring webs which are formed on the basis of a preferably slot-shaped recess (24) in the region of the latching projection (20).

8. Closure arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the sealing part (5) and the cap part (3) are fixed relative to one another in the engagement position of the cap part (3), in particular are latched, so that a relative movement of the sealing part (5) relative to the cap part (3) is blocked and / or locked after reaching the engagement position; wherein the sealing part (5) on the cap side (8) has at least one preferably elongate latching recess (29) for receiving a preferably complementary, preferably elongate latching projection (30) of the cap part (3); in particular wherein the latching recess (29) is arranged in the edge region of the cap side (8) and / or, starting from the edge region in the direction of the (central) axis of the sealing part (5), is in particular continuously deepening.

9. Closure arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the sealing part (5) and the cap part (3) interact with one another in such a way that a change in the relative position of the cap part (3) relative to the sealing part (5) is only possible when the cap part (3) is moved in the direction of engagement (E), but is blocked in a direction opposite to the direction of engagement (E); wherein flexible locking teeth (33) are arranged on the cap side (8) of the sealing part (5) in such a way that they can be brought into engagement between locking teeth (34) arranged on the cap part (3) and slide past the locking teeth (34) of the cap part (3) in the direction of engagement (E) according to the principle of a ratchet, but block a relative movement when the cap part (3) is actuated in the opposite direction to the direction of engagement (E); in particular wherein the locking teeth (33) are arranged circumferentially in the direction of engagement (E) on an intermediate stage (23) of the sealing part (5) arranged between a base stage (22) and the bearing projection (9) and, in particular, are designed to project radially from the intermediate stage (23) and / or are offset radially inwards relative to the base stage (22); and / or in particular wherein a locking tooth (33) associated with the engagement position is provided with a stop (35) in order to strike against a stop provided on the cap part (3) in the engagement position and thus prevent further relative movement in the direction of engagement (E).

10. Closure arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the sealing part (5) and the cap part (3) interact with one another in such a way that a change in the relative position of the cap part (3) relative to the sealing part (5) is only possible when the cap part (3) is moved in the direction of engagement (E), but is blocked in a direction opposite to the direction of engagement (E); wherein locking ramps (36) are arranged on the cap side (8) of the sealing part in such a way that they can be brought into engagement between locking ramps (37) arranged on the cap part (3) and slide past the locking ramps (37) of the cap part (3) in the direction of engagement (E) according to the principle of a ratchet, but block movement in the opposite direction to the direction of engagement (E); in particular wherein the locking ramps (36) are arranged circumferentially, in particular coaxially circumferentially, in the direction of engagement (E) on the cap side (8) of the sealing part (5), in particular adjacent to the bearing projection (9).

11. Container (2), preferably a bottle, in particular a standard bottle, for storing a liquid, preferably a drinking liquid, wherein the container (2) has a pouring spout (4) for receiving and removing the liquid, and wherein the pouring spout (4) is closed with a closure arrangement (1) defined according to the preceding claims.

12. Container crate (39), preferably bottle crate, in particular beverage crate, in particular standard beverage crate, with a plurality of receptacles for containers (2), wherein a container as defined in claim 11 is accommodated in at least one, preferably in all, receptacles of the container box.

13. A method of manufacturing a closure assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the closure arrangement (1) has a cap part (3) which can be fixed to a pouring spout (4) of the container (2) and can be moved, in particular rotated, in an engagement direction (E) starting from a tamper-evident position (sealing position) into an engagement position, wherein the closure arrangement (1) has a sealing part (5) which, at least in the sealing position, preferably in the sealing position and in the engaged position, closes, in particular sealingly closes, with a sealing side (7) a pouring opening of the pouring spout (4) of the container (2) and is connected with a cap side (8) to the cap part (3), wherein the cap part (3) and the sealing part (5) are movable relative to one another, in particular rotatable, and wherein the cap part (3) and / or the sealing part (5) are / is produced generatively.

14. Method for filling and closing a container (2) with a closure arrangement (1) formed according to one of claims 1 to 10, comprising the following process steps, (A) Filling the container (2) with a liquid, in particular a beverage liquid, (B) Application, in particular screwing on, of a closure arrangement (1) formed according to one of claims 1 to 10 to the pouring spout (4) of the container (2) in such a way that the sealing part (5) placed on the pouring spout (4) exerts a sufficiently large sealing effect in order to seal the pouring spout (4), both in the sealing position and in the engagement position.

15. Use of a closure arrangement (1) formed according to one of claims 1 to 10 for indicating a preferably first engagement attempt (opening attempt) on a container (2).