Closure for an outlet fitting

Abstract

The invention relates to a plastic closure of a tubular outlet fitting of a container with a closure cap which is releasably secured to the fitting. The cap is permanently connected to the fitting via at least one retaining strap, and the closure cap is surrounded by an outer shell at a distance therefrom, said outer shell being formed integrally with the closure cap via connection parts. When the closure cap is closed, at least one region of the retaining strap is arranged on the interior of the outer wall of the outer shell or on the exterior of the outer wall of the outer shell or rests in a recess or groove, which opens outwardly, of the outer wall of the outer shell.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to the plastic closure of a tubular outlet nozzle of a container with a closure cap which is detachably attached to the nozzle, wherein the cap is permanently connected to the nozzle via at least one retaining band.

[0002] It is known to connect the cap of a container outlet to the outlet nozzle of the container in a captive manner by means of a retaining strap or tether in order to reduce environmental pollution, US 2,155,329 and EP 810,952 B1. In this way, it should be apparent to the consumer whether the container closure has already been opened, thus providing a first-use guarantee.

[0003] A state-of-the-art plastic closure is known from US 4,310,105.

[0004] The object of the invention is to improve a plastic closure of the type mentioned above, that the cap can only be swallowed with considerable difficulty, that if swallowed, breathing is possible through the sealing part contained in the cap, that the warranty technology indicating first use is particularly simple and safe, and that the retaining strap does not protrude when the cap is closed and has not yet been opened for the first time, is securely housed and is largely invisible.

[0005] These problems are solved according to the invention by a plastic closure according to claim 1.

[0006] This design features a cap securely held against loss by at least one retaining strap, with an outer shell that enhances user safety and accommodates the retaining strap(s) when the cap is closed. This outer shell serves two purposes: firstly, it indicates the guarantee of use together with the retaining strap, and secondly, it creates an aesthetically pleasing exterior without protruding parts.

[0007] To avoid twisting the retaining strap, its lower end is fixed to a retaining ring which is mounted coaxially to the outlet nozzle axis so as to rotate freely.

[0008] Preferably, it is proposed that the outer shell surrounds the outlet nozzle in a ring shape and coaxially to the nozzle axis, so that there is an annular interior space between the cap and the outer shell which can be breathed through.

[0009] A simple and secure attachment of the retaining strap to or within the outer shell is achieved by its upper end being firmly fixed to the lower edge of the outer shell. The retaining strap is attached to the retaining ring at its first lower end and runs from there, with one section extending laterally along the outer shell. When the cap is closed, the upper section bends to then run downwards again with a second section, until its second end is fixed to the outer shell. This results in a shorter length for the retaining strap when the fitting is closed. With the cap closed, the two strap sections can run parallel to each other for most of their lengths.

[0010] To demonstrate originality, it is proposed that the retaining band be connected to the outer shell between its ends via at least one tearable web. It is also proposed that the two band sections be connected to each other by at least one tearable web. Furthermore, it is proposed that the band be connected to the outer shell via a tearable web.

[0011] Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are listed in the remaining dependent claims.

[0012] Two embodiments of the invention are shown in perspective in the drawings. Fig. 1 a first embodiment in the closed state, Fig. 2 the first embodiment in the open state, Fig. 3 a second embodiment in the closed state, Fig. 4 the second embodiment in the open state.

[0013] A liquid-receiving, bag-shaped container made of plastic has on its upper side a boat-shaped welded-in part 7 with a cylindrical outlet nozzle 1 molded onto the top, projecting vertically upwards and having an external thread 3. A sealing cap 2 with its internal thread is screwed or crimped onto the outlet nozzle, which closes the upper opening of the tubular nozzle 1.

[0014] On the lower part of the outlet nozzle 1, above the welded-in part 7, an outer retaining ring 5 is rotatably mounted coaxially to the axis 8 of the outlet nozzle, to which the lower inner end 4c of a retaining band 4 is fixed. At the upper outer end 4d, a hollow outer shell 9 is captive attached with its lower edge 13. The outer shell 9 has a rotationally symmetrical, annular outer wall 12, the axis of rotation of which coincides with the nozzle axis 8 when the closure is closed.

[0015] The outer wall 12 of the outer shell 9 has a window-shaped recess 11 in which the retaining strap 4 is inserted when the closure is closed. The retaining strap is bent into two strap sections 4a and 4b with an upper bending point 4e, whereby, when the closure is closed, both strap sections lie on top of each other and are located within the recess 11, as shown. Fig. 1 This shows that, with the nozzle axis 8 vertical, the retaining band 4 is attached to the retaining ring 5 at its first lower end 4c and extends upwards from there with a first band section 4a laterally to the outer shell, and, with the cap 2 closed, has a bend 4e in the upper area to extend downwards again with a second band section 4b to its second lower end 4d, which is fixed to the outer shell 9. With the cap 2 closed, the two band sections 4a and 4b run parallel to each other for most of their lengths.

[0016] The outer shell 9 is in the Figs. 3 and 4 The illustrated embodiment is held by two retaining straps 4 attached to the ring 5, wherein the outer wall 12 has a window-shaped recess 11 on diametrically opposite sides, in which the retaining straps lie folded when the closure is closed.

[0017] The annular outer shell 9 is open at its top and bottom and carries in its center the closure cap 2, which, when closed, is attached to the outlet nozzle 1, in particular by its internal thread. The closure cap 2 is held coaxially to the axis of rotation of the outer shell 9 and to the nozzle axis 8 by at least three radial, spoke-shaped connecting elements 10. An annular space 14, open at the top and bottom, exists between the closure cap 2 and the outer shell 9, through which breathing is possible if the closure cap and outer shell are swallowed.

[0018] In embodiments not shown, the outer shell 9 does not have a window-shaped recess 11, but instead forms a groove at this point on the inner or outer surface of the outer wall 12 to receive the retaining strip 4, particularly in its folded state. Furthermore, in the closed state, the retaining strip, particularly in its folded state, can rest against the inner or outer surface of the outer wall 12 and, in particular, conform to the outer or inner contour of the outer shell 9. In this case, the groove may be absent or have a shallow depth.

[0019] In another embodiment, not shown, the outer shell consists of two separate sections or halves, with at least one retaining band located in the space between them. This space allows for continued breathing.

[0020] The clasp features a tamper-evident / guarantee mechanism that detects whether it has been opened before. This is achieved using breakable connecting tabs (not shown). between the two band areas 4a, 4b and / or between the retaining band 4 and the outer shell 9.

[0021] The in Figs. 3 and 4 The depicted version differs from the version according to Figs. 1 and 2 among other things, that the outer shell 9 is connected to the outlet nozzle 1, in particular the retaining ring 5, via two foldable retaining bands 4, that the upper opening of the outer shell 9 has a larger diameter than the diameter of the lower opening, and that the outer shell 9 is divided into two half-shells 9a, 9b, which are separated from each other by two parallel, perpendicular walls 20a, 20b, between which the two retaining bands 4 are folded when the closure is closed.

[0022] Finally, the thread between cap 2 and nozzle 1 can be so steep that cap 2 detaches from nozzle 1 after only a 90 to 180-degree turn of the cap. Alternatively, a bayonet fitting may exist between outlet nozzle 1 and cap 2 instead of a screw connection.

Claims

1. Plastic closure for a tubular outlet connector (1) of a container, comprising the tubular outlet connector (1), a closure cap (2), at least one retaining strip (4) with a first strip region (4a) and a second strip region (4b), and a retaining ring (5), wherein the closure cap (2) is detachably fastened on the connector (1), wherein the closure cap (2) is permanently connected to the connector (1) via the at least one retaining strip (4), wherein the retaining strip (4) comprises a lower, inner end (4c) and an upper, outer end (4d), wherein the closure cap (2) is surrounded at a distance by an outer shell (9), which is integrally formed on the closure cap via connecting parts (10), wherein the retaining ring (5) is mounted on the outlet connector (1) such that it can be rotated coaxially in relation to the connector axis (8) and, when the closure cap (2) is closed, at least one region of the retaining strip (4) is positioned in an outwardly opening recess (11) or groove of the outer wall (12) of the outer shell (9), wherein the retaining strip (4) is fastened on the retaining ring (5) by way of its lower end (4c) and, from there, runs upwards to the side of the outer shell by way of the first strip region (4a), and, when the cap (2) is closed, the retaining strip has a bent-over section (4e) in the upper region so as to run downwards again, by way of the second strip region (4b), to its second, upper end (4d), which is fixed to the outer shell (9) at the lower edge thereof.

2. Closure according to Claim 1, characterized in that the outer shell (9) surrounds the outlet connector (1) in an annular manner and coaxially in relation to the connector axis, at a distance therefrom.

3. Closure according to either of the preceding claims, characterized in that, when the cap (2) is closed, the two strip regions (4a, 4b) run parallel to one another over a large part of their lengths.

4. Closure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, to indicate intactness, the retaining strip (4) is connected, between its ends, to the outer shell (9) via at least one tearable crosspiece.

5. Closure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two strip regions (4a, 4b) are connected to one another by at least one tearable crosspiece.

6. Closure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a respective retaining strip (4) is provided in a diametrically opposite arrangement on either side of the outer shell (9).

7. Closure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cap (2) is detachably fastened on the connector (1) via a thread or a bayonet connection.

8. Closure according to Claim 7, characterized in that the thread between the cap (2) and the connector (1) is so steep that the cap (2) becomes detached from the connector (1) after rotation of the cap through 90 to 180 degrees.

9. Closure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the retaining strip (4) fits against the outer contour or against the inner contour of the outer shell (9).

10. Closure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer shell is divided into two halves which are separate from one another and between which there is an interspace, in which the at least one retaining strip (4) is positioned.

11. Closure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer shell (9) together with the closure cap (1) forms an annular space (14), through which the connecting parts (10) pass and which is open on the underside and upper side of the outer shell (9).

12. Closure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a boat-form weld-in part (7) is moulded on at the lower end of the connector (1).

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