Container closure

Abstract

The invention relates to a container closure (11) which is made of plastic and comprises a spout (15) having a casing (23) for fastening the closure (11) to a container (13) and for drinking from the container (13), and having a lower edge (25) and a nozzle (29) which adjoins the casing (23) and surrounds a pouring opening (30), with an internal thread (31) being formed on the inner face of the casing of the spout (15) for screwing the spout onto the neck (33) of the container (13). The closure (11) also has a closure cap (17) which is connected to the spout (15) and which, on the inner face thereof, has a sealing element (41) for sealing the pouring opening (30), and a hinge (21) by means of which the closure cap (17) is pivotable relative to the spout (15) from a closed position into an open position and vice versa. A plurality of thread turns (43, 45) are formed on the outer face of the casing.

Description

Field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a container closure according to the preamble of claim 1 and a combination of the container closure and a container according to the preamble of claim 13. State of the art

[0002] The state of the art in the field of plastic closures includes flip-top closures with a hinged cap for closing plastic bottles. This cap allows the bottle to be closed particularly quickly, making it particularly suitable for use during exercise. The cap is attached to the top of a retaining sleeve by means of a hinge. The retaining sleeve, in turn, can be screwed onto the neck of a bottle. The retaining sleeve is connected on its underside by predetermined breaking bars to a tamper-evident ring, which is permanently attached to the bottle neck.

[0003] The closure described is unsuitable for carbonated beverages, as the cap can be forced open uncontrollably and accidentally due to excess pressure after initial opening. Furthermore, the retaining sleeve and cap can be unscrewed from the bottle and are therefore not permanently attached to the bottle. However, according to the latest European legislation, the inseparable connection between the flip-top cap and the bottle is a mandatory requirement for a plastic closure used to seal a plastic bottle.

[0004] WO 2007 / 038991 A1 discloses a container closure comprising a flange and a twist lock. A protective lid is hingedly connected to the twist lock, which closes or exposes the pouring opening of the container closure. The flange consists of a first and second cylindrical shell arranged one above the other, the first shell having a larger diameter than the second shell. The first shell has an internal thread and is connected to a tamper-evident ring at its lower end via tamper-evident webs. The first shell therefore resembles a conventional screw cap. The second shell has an external thread that interacts with an internal thread of the twist lock. An inwardly oriented pin is formed on the twist lock, which interacts with a sealing lip of the flange.Because the pin moves axially relative to the sealing lip when the screw cap is turned, the cap can be opened in a controlled manner. This makes it suitable for carbonated beverages, as the excess pressure can be released in a controlled manner by turning the screw cap. Once the excess pressure has been released, the protective lid can be opened.

[0005] However, the container closure has an extremely complex design and is therefore expensive to manufacture. The flange, in particular, is complicated to manufacture due to its two-stage shell. The corresponding injection molding tool is correspondingly expensive.

[0006] US 2012 / 0260487 A1 discloses a pourer for screwing onto a plastic bottle. The pourer comprises a holding element with a handle and a hinged lid. A bung is screwed into the holding element. The hinged lid is locked in the closed position by a clamp. By operating the clamp, the hinged lid is unlocked and can be pivoted into the open position.

[0007] US 2013 / 0248530 A1 discloses a closure unit according to the preamble of claim 1, which comprises a pouring element and a closure cap. The closure cap can be placed sealingly on the pouring element and is held so firmly on the pouring element that the excess pressure from carbonated beverages cannot force the closure cap off. A type of external thread is formed on the pouring element, which interacts with retaining segments formed on the inside of the closure cap. A tamper-evident ring is typically held on the pouring element. By unscrewing, predetermined breaking bars are broken, and the closure cap can be removed from the pouring element. By unscrewing, the excess pressure in the bottle can be released in a controlled manner.

[0008] US Pat. No. 8,794,460 B2 describes a closure unit similar to the one described in the last paragraph, which also allows controlled pressure release. However, the closure cap is pivotally attached to the pouring element by a joint. Object of the invention

[0009] The disadvantages of the described prior art give rise to the task of providing an improved container closure which is as comfortable as possible for the user to use and is cost-effective to produce. Description

[0010] The stated problem is solved in a container closure by the features stated in the characterizing portion of patent claim 1. Further developments and / or advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent patent claims.

[0011] A plurality of threads are formed on the outer surface of the spout. This allows the angle of rotation of the closure cap relative to the spout to be precisely defined. This makes it possible to determine at which angle of rotation the cap can be opened and up to which angle of rotation the opening of the cap is blocked. The pitch of the threads means that when the cap is turned, it is lifted axially away from the spout. This allows for the controlled release of any excess gas pressure built up in the container, depending on the size of the angle of rotation. Furthermore, the threads can be manufactured using a simply designed and therefore cost-effective injection mold. Furthermore, the container neck and its external thread do not need to be adapted to the container closure. The container closure is therefore suitable for screwing onto a standard bottle neck.

[0012] The invention is characterized in that lower threads and upper threads located above them are formed on the outer surface of the casing, and in that at least one first pin (53) is formed on the inside of the guarantee ring (19), which engages in one of the lower threads (43). This has the advantage that the cap can be guided in the upper threads and the guarantee ring can be guided in the lower threads.

[0013] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the lower threads have a first and second stop, which stops limit the lower threads. As a result, the angle of rotation of the cap relative to the spout is clearly defined between the first and second stops.

[0014] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the upper threads have a first stop and an open thread runout. The open thread runout allows the cap to be unlocked after complete rotation relative to the spout and to be opened upwards.

[0015] It is advantageous if the upper and lower threads are of equal length and their first stops are arranged vertically one above the other. This ensures frictionless and synchronous movement of the cap and the guarantee ring. Accordingly, it is also advantageous if the upper and lower threads have the same pitch.

[0016] Conveniently, the threaded ends end at the top edge of the casing. This allows the cap to be folded upward when unlocked.

[0017] According to the invention, the tamper-evident ring is connected to the cap via a hinge at the free edge of the closure cap. The tamper-evident ring is permanently guided in the lower threads, which also secures the cap to the spout. Because the tamper-evident ring interacts with the cap and not with the spout, the spout can be permanently attached to the container neck. This feature is particularly important for a simply designed and captive container closure.

[0018] The first pin can be moved between the first and second stops, thereby defining the angle of rotation of the cap and the tamper-evident ring. Furthermore, the tamper-evident ring is permanently attached to the spout by a plurality of first pins.

[0019] The invention is also characterized in that at least one second pin is formed on the inside of the closure cap above the free edge, which engages in one of the upper threads. As long as the second pin runs in the upper thread, the cap cannot be opened. Only when the second pin is twisted into the thread run-out is the cap in the unlocking position and the second pin can move upwards out of the thread run-out. If the second pin is in the upper thread, the cap cannot be pushed away by excess pressure in the container because it is held on the spout by the second pin.

[0020] Advantageously, a raised portion is formed in the upper and / or lower threads. This raised portion indicates to the user that a pin is striking the raised portion and that the cap is unlocked by overcoming this raised portion. The user therefore receives haptic feedback regarding the current position of the closure cap.

[0021] The protrusion is advantageously high enough that one of the pins can slide over it with noticeable resistance when twisted. The protrusion therefore only provides feedback, but does not damage the pins when the cap is opened and closed repeatedly.

[0022] It is useful if the container closure has a rotation axis around which the closure cap, including the tamper-evident ring, can be rotated relative to the spout. The closure is therefore intuitive and easy to use by simply twisting the cap, yet is still suitable for carbonated beverages that build up excess pressure in the bottle. By slowly twisting the cap, excess pressure in the bottle can be gradually released. The cap can also be turned slightly first to wait until the excess pressure is released. The cap can then be twisted using the resistance of the raised portion and folded into the open position. Furthermore, the closure can be screwed onto standard bottle necks and is held captive.

[0023] It is advantageous if the sleeve has an upper edge with a connecting surface that connects the upper edge to the neck. This connecting surface allows the outer diameter of the neck to be reduced to a comfortable size for insertion into the mouth. Furthermore, the connecting surface allows the sleeve to be screwed onto a standard bottle neck.

[0024] In another particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, an undercut is provided on the inside of the spout above the lower edge, which is shaped to ensure a permanent, positive fit with the container. The undercut can snap over an annular bead on the container neck. The annular bead is present on every standard bottle neck. The undercut allows the spout to be screwed onto any standardized bottle neck while still remaining securely attached.

[0025] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one recess is provided on the free edge of the closure cap, in which the at least one predetermined breaking bar for releasably connecting the closure cap to the tamper-evident ring is arranged. The recess makes it possible to clearly identify whether the predetermined breaking bar is intact or broken. This ensures that the cap has not been opened as long as the predetermined breaking bar is intact.

[0026] The hinge preferably has a locking mechanism that secures the cap in the open position. This locking mechanism can be implemented using retaining straps or a film hinge, which can be overstretched when the cap is pivoted and then shortened again in the first open position.

[0027] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, an outer ring is formed on the inside of the cap, and in the closed position, the end of the nozzle is arranged between the outer ring and the sealing element. This provides multiple seals to the nozzle end, allowing gas pressures of up to 10 bar to be sealed. The outer ring prevents the nozzle end from deforming outward due to the excess pressure and becoming leaky.

[0028] The outer surface of the casing is conveniently ribbed at the bottom edge, allowing the spout to be easily held when unscrewing the cap.

[0029] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, a sealing ring is formed on the inside of the connecting surface. The sealing ring can act as a "cone sealer" in a known manner. The pourer has all the features of a standard closure cap and can therefore be screwed onto any standardized bottle neck.

[0030] A further aspect of the invention relates to a combination of the container closure and the container described above. The invention is also characterized in that the undercut interacts with the annular bead in such a form-fitting manner when the container closure is first screwed onto the container neck that the container closure is permanently held to the container. As a result, the container closure is held captive to the container. In an elegant way, the annular bead, which typically holds a tamper-evident ring of a closure cap, is used for a form-fitting, permanent connection with the spout.

[0031] Further advantages and features will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment of the invention with reference to the schematic representations. These are not to scale: Figure 1: a perspective view of a container closure placed on a container with a spout and a closure cap which is pivotally attached to a guarantee ring, the closure being closed; Figure 2: a longitudinal section through the container closure and the container neck; Figure 3: a perspective view of the container closure, with the cap being free to be opened; Figure 4: a perspective view of the closure, with the cap opened; Figure 5: a side view of the spout; Figure 6: a perspective view of the closure cap and the guarantee ring; and Figure 7: a further perspective view of the cap, showing a hinge for opening the cap.

[0032] In the Figures 1 to 4A container closure is shown, designated overall by reference numeral 11. The closure 11 is screwed onto a container 13, in particular a bottle 13. The closure 11 is injection-molded from a plastic, and the bottle is preferably blow-molded from a plastic. The bottle, of course, also covers a preform from which it is blow-molded.

[0033] The closure 11 has a spout 15, a closure cap 17 and a guarantee ring 19. The user can drink from the spout 15 when the cap 17 is open ( Figure 4 ) and the spout can be screwed onto the container 13. The cap 17 can be pivoted from a closed position to an open position and vice versa. The cap 17 is pivotally connected to the guarantee ring 19 by a hinge 21. The guarantee ring 19 is held on the spout 15.

[0034] The spout 15 has a casing 23 with a lower edge 25 and a connecting surface 27 on its upper edge 26. A spout 29 with a smaller outer diameter than the outer diameter of the casing 23 is connected to the connecting surface 27. The spout 29 surrounds a pouring opening 30. The spout 29's small outer diameter makes drinking from the container 13 easier. An internal thread 31 is formed on the inner surface of the casing, with which the casing 23 can be screwed onto a standard neck 33 of a container 13 with an external thread 35. The standard container neck, in particular a bottle neck 33, usually has an annular bead 37 and a support ring 39 in addition to the external thread 35. The annular bead 37 is arranged below the external thread 35, and the support ring 39 is arranged below the annular bead 37. The annular bead typically serves to hold a tamper-evident ring of a standard closure cap.A sealing element 41 is formed on the inside of the closure cap 17, which seals the pouring opening 30 in a liquid- and gas-tight manner when the cap 17 is in the closed position. The neck 33 merges into the container body 42.

[0035] A plurality of lower threads 43 and upper threads 45 are formed on the outer surface of the casing. The lower threads 43 are not open and are delimited by a first and a second stop 47a, 49. The upper threads 49, however, have an open thread runout 51 and a first stop 47b, whereby the upper threads are open on one side. The open thread runouts 51 terminate in the upper edge 26 of the casing 23.

[0036] On the inside of the guarantee ring 19, first pins 53 are formed, which engage with the lower threads 43. On the inside of the closure cap 17, above the free edge 55, second pins 57 are formed, which engage with the upper threads 45. Elevations 59 are formed in the upper threads 45.

[0037] An undercut 61 is provided on the inside of the spout 15 above the lower edge 25. The undercut 61 snaps over the annular bead 37 when the spout 15 is screwed onto the container neck 33. This ensures that the spout is held securely and firmly to the neck 33.

[0038] Before the cap 17 is opened for the first time, the guarantee ring 19 is connected to a plurality of predetermined breaking bars 63, which break when the cap 17 is opened for the first time. At least one recess 65 is provided on the free edge 55 of the cap 17. A predetermined breaking bar 63 is arranged in the recess. The recess 65 makes it easy to determine whether the predetermined breaking bar 63 is intact ( Figure 6 ) or broken ( Figure 3 ) is.

[0039] On the inside of the cap 17, an outer ring 67 is formed around the sealing element 41. The end of the nozzle 29 is arranged between the sealing element 41 and the outer ring 67 in the closed position, with the sealing element 41 projecting into the nozzle. This seals the pouring opening 30 against excess CO2 pressure from a carbonated beverage. A sealing ring 69 is formed on the inside of the connecting surface 27 and projects into the neck 33. The sealing ring is designed as a cone-shaped sealing ring 69, which acts as a so-called "conesealer."

[0040] The casing has a ribbing 71 on the lower edge of the outer surface. This allows the spout 15 to be held securely when the cap 17 is rotated relative to the spout 15.

[0041] The hinge 21 connects the cap 17 to the tamper-evident ring 19, around which the cap 17 can be pivoted relative to the tamper-evident ring 15 or the spout 15 from a closed position to an open position and vice versa. The hinge 21 is preferably implemented by a first and second retaining strap 73a, 73b. The hinge 21 is designed such that the cap 17 can lock in the open position.

[0042] The container closure works as follows: After filling the bottle 13, the closure 11 is screwed onto the neck 33. The closure 11 must be turned clockwise (i.e., in the screwing direction) until the undercut 61 is pressed over the annular bead 37, thereby creating a positive fit. This positive fit results in the closure 11 being permanently attached to the bottle 13 and can no longer be unscrewed. The closure 11 is characterized by the fact that the excess pressure created by carbonated beverages in the sealed bottle 13 can be released in a controlled and intuitive manner. To do this, the cap 17 and the tamper-evident ring 19 must be rotated relative to the spout about the rotation axis 75 of the closure 11. When the cap 17 is closed gas-tight, the sealing element projects into the pouring opening 30 and the second pins 57 are held in the upper threads 45.As a result, the cap 17 cannot be opened and is locked.

[0043] When twisted, which serves to open the cap 17 in a controlled manner, the first and second pins 53, 57 slide in the lower and upper threads 43, 45. The pitches of the lower and upper threads 43, 45 are identical. The cap 17 is raised in the axial direction according to the pitches. This allows it to be raised continuously. The excess pressure can therefore escape from the bottle 13 more quickly or more slowly, depending on how far the closure cap 17 and the tamper-evident ring 19 are twisted. For example, the cap 17 is twisted slightly until most of the pressure is released and can then be twisted further to release the remaining excess pressure.

[0044] The cap 17 and the guarantee ring 19 can be turned further until the second pins 57 abut the elevations 59. This haptic signal indicates to the user that the closure cap 17 can be opened once the resistance caused by the elevation 59 is overcome. Once this resistance is overcome, the cap is in an unlocking position. The elevation 59 is high enough that the second pin 57 can be pushed over it without damage. Advantageously, the excess pressure is completely released before the cap 17 is in the unlocking position. In the unlocking position, the second pins 57 are located in the area of the open thread runout 51. Therefore, the path for the second pins 57 upwards is clear and the cap 17 can be pivoted into the open position. Due to the special design of the hinge 21 with two bands 73a, 73b, the cap 17 can lock in the open position.When the cap 21 is opened for the first time, the predetermined breaking bars 63 break.

[0045] From the unlocked position, the cap 21 cannot be rotated any further because the first pins 53 abut the second stops 49. By reversing the opening process, the cap can be returned to the gas-tight closure position. The gas-tight closure position is haptically indicated by the first and second pins 53, 57 abutting the first stops 47a, 47b. It is therefore preferred if the first stops 47a, 47b of the upper and lower threads 43, 45 are arranged vertically one above the other and the upper and lower threads 43, 45 are of equal length.

[0046] The present container closure 11 is suitable for closing a container or bottle 13 in which an elevated internal pressure prevails or builds up. The closure 11 is therefore particularly suitable for carbonated beverages filled into the bottle 13, even though it has a pivotable cap 21.

[0047] By slowly turning the cap from the second closed position to the second open position, the internal pressure in the bottle 13 can be released in a controlled manner. Only in the second open position is the cap released for pivoting. The cap can then be pivoted from the first closed position to the first open position. The cap is also resealable, which prevents the carbonated liquid from evaporating after initial opening. In addition, the cap 11 is securely attached to the bottle 13. Legend:

[0048] 11Container closure 13Container, especially bottle 15Spout 17Closing cap 19Guarantee ring 21Hinge 23Jacket 25Lower rim 26Upper rim 27Connecting surface 29Spout 30Pouring opening 31Internal thread 33Neck of the container 35External thread 37Annular bead 39Support ring 41Sealing element 42Container body 43Lower threads 45Upper threads 47a, 37bFirst stop 49Second stop 51Open thread run-out 53First pins 55Free rim 57Second pins 59Protrusion 61Undercut 63Break bars 65Indentation 67Outer ring 69Sealing ring 71Ribbing 73a, 73bFirst and second retaining strap 75rotation axis

Claims

1. Container closure (11) made of plastic, having - a spout (15) with a jacket (23) for fastening the closure (11) to a container (13) and for drinking out of the container (13), and having a lower rim (25), and a nozzle (29) adjoining the jacket (23) and surrounding a pouring opening (30), which spout (15) has an internal thread (31) formed on the inner face of the jacket for screwing onto the neck (33) of the container (13) and has a plurality of thread turns (43, 45) formed on the outer face of the jacket, - a closure cap (17) which is connected to the spout (15) and has on its inner side a sealing element (41) for closing the pouring opening (30), - a tamper-proof ring (19), which is connected to the closure cap (17) on the free rim (55) of the closure cap (17) by at least one predetermined breaking web (63), wherein the container closure (11) also features - a hinge (21) with which the closure cap (17) is pivotable relative to the spout (15) from a closed position into an open position and vice versa wherein the tamper-proof ring (19) is connected to the closure cap (17) on the free rim (55) of the closure cap (17) with the hinge (21), as well characterized in - that thread turns (43, 45) are formed as lower thread turns (43) and upper thread turns (45) lying above them and - that at least one first pin (53), which engages in one of the lower thread turns (43), is formed on the inner side of the tamper-proof ring (19).

2. Container closure according to claim 1, characterized in that the lower thread turns (43) have a first and a second stop (47a, 49), which stops (47a, 49) delimit the lower thread turns (43).

3. Container closure according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the upper thread turns (45) have a first stop (47b) and an open thread runout (51).

4. Container closure according to claim 3, characterized in that the thread runouts (51) open into the upper rim of the jacket (23).

5. Container closure according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that the upper and lower threads (43, 45) are of the same length, and their first stops (47a, 47b) are arranged vertically one above the other.

6. Container closure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one second pin (57) is formed on the inner side of the closure cap (17) above the free rim (55) and engages in one of the upper thread turns (45).

7. Container closure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an elevation (59) is formed in the upper thread turns (45) and / or in the lower thread turns (43), wherein the elevation (59) is of such a height that, during rotation, one of the pins (53, 55) can slide over the elevation (59) with a resistance perceptible to the user.

8. Container closure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container closure (11) has an axis of rotation (75) about which the closure cap (17) together with the tamper-proof ring (19) is rotatable relative to the spout (15).

9. Container closure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the jacket (23) has formed an upper rim (26) on which a connecting surface (27) adjoins, which connects the upper rim (26) to the nozzle (29).

10. Container closure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an undercut (61) is provided on the inner side of the spout (15) above the lower rim (25), said undercut being formed for a non-detachable form-fit with the container (13).

11. Container closure according to one of one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one indentation (65) is provided on the free rim (55) of the closure cap (17), in which indentation the at least one predetermined breaking web (63) is arranged for releasably connecting the closure cap (17) to the tamper-proof ring (19).

12. Container closure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an outer ring (67) is formed on the inner side of the cap (17), and, in the closed position, the end of the nozzle (29) is arranged between the outer ring (67) and the sealing element (41).

13. Combination of a container closure (11) according to one of the preceding claims and a container (13) having - a container body (42) for receiving a filling material, - a container neck (33), adjoining the container body (42) and enclosing a dispensing opening (35), and on the outer surface of said neck an outer thread (35) is formed, and - an annular bead (37) which is formed below the external thread (35), characterized in that the undercut (61), when the container closure (11) is being screwed onto the container neck (33) for the first time, interacts in a form-fitting manner with the annular bead (37) in such a way that the container closure (11) is held non-detachably on the container (13).

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