Resource-saving closure device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a closure device for selectively closing or opening a container, wherein the closure device comprises a closure cap, the closure cap having a cap cover plate and a cap shell adjoining the cap cover plate circumferentially, the cap shell extending at least partially cylindrically and / or conically around a closure cap axis, the cap shell having an outer surface facing away from the closure cap axis and an inner surface facing towards the closure cap axis, the closure cap having a first guide means arranged on the inner surface of the cap shell, the first guide means being designed and arranged such that it can engage with a second guide means of a container to close the container opening of the container.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a closure device for selectively closing or opening a container, wherein the closure device comprises a closure cap, the closure cap having a cap cover plate and a cap shell adjoining the cap cover plate circumferentially, the cap shell extending at least partially cylindrically and / or conically around a closure cap axis, the cap shell having an outer surface facing away from the closure cap axis and an inner surface facing towards the closure cap axis, the closure cap having a first guide means arranged on the inner surface of the cap shell, the first guide means being designed and arranged such that it can engage with a second guide means of a container to close the container opening of the container.

[0002] Container closure devices are produced in large quantities. Therefore, it is desirable to minimize resource consumption during the production of a closure device. This not only reduces production costs but also the ecological footprint of the closure device. For example, document DE 10 2025 111 245 A1 deals with an easily manufactured closure cap made from a reduced amount of plastic, which ensures a secure fit on a bottle neck even under increased internal pressure.

[0003] However, the reduction in the raw materials used should not lead to a decrease in the stability of the closure device.

[0004] It is therefore an object of the present invention to create a locking device which, on the one hand, requires significantly less material and, on the other hand, has consistent stability and load-bearing capacity.

[0005] The above problem is solved by a locking device having the features of claim 1.

[0006] In particular, the problem is solved by a closure device for selectively closing or opening a container, wherein the closure device comprises a closure cap, the closure cap having a cap cover plate and a cap shell adjoining the cap cover plate circumferentially, the cap shell extending at least partially cylindrically and / or conically around a closure cap axis, the cap shell having an outer surface facing away from the closure cap axis and an inner surface facing the closure cap axis, the closure cap having a first guide means arranged on the inner surface of the cap shell, the first guide means being designed and arranged such that it can engage with a second guide means of a container to close the container opening.wherein a grid structure band, composed of a plurality of first recesses and ribs and optionally having several spaced-apart sections, is provided in the inner surface of a cylindrical section of the cap mantle, wherein the grid structure band extends in the circumferential direction and has a sequence of ribs and first recesses, wherein a first recess is arranged between each pair of ribs in the circumferential direction, wherein the grid structure band or a section thereof is arranged on a side of the first guide means facing away from the cap cover plate and / or on a side of the first guide means facing the cap cover plate and / or between two guide means segments arranged one above the other in the direction of the cap axis (hereinafter also referred to as the axial direction).

[0007] The proposed lattice structure band extends circumferentially only along the inner surface of a cylindrical section of the cap body. The shape and dimensions of the cap body's outer surface are not affected by the lattice structure band, so the design of the cap body's outer surface is independent of the lattice structure band. The lattice structure band consists of a plurality of first depressions and ribs, with a rib alternating with a first depression, i.e., a first depression being arranged between two ribs and vice versa. The side walls of the first depressions, i.e., the walls of the first depressions running substantially parallel or at an acute angle (less than 45°) to the axial direction, can simultaneously represent the side walls of the ribs, and vice versa, which simplifies the demolding of injection-molded closure devices.The lattice structure band can have a single section or several spaced-apart sections, and the aforementioned sequence of ribs and first depressions need not always be maintained at the transition from one section to the next. For example, a section may end with a rib, and the next (adjacent) section of the lattice structure band may begin with a rib again. Within a section, however, first depressions and ribs alternate. Sections of the lattice structure band can be spaced apart both circumferentially and axially. Each section of the lattice structure band may, for example, have one first depression, two first depressions, three first depressions, four first depressions, five first depressions, or more than five first depressions, with a rib arranged between each pair of first depressions circumferentially.The first depression is bordered circumferentially by two ribs.

[0008] The grid structure, with its numerous initial depressions on the inner surface of the cap shell, results in a considerable saving of material required for the locking mechanism. This resource conservation is achieved primarily because the amount of cap material can be reduced in the area of ​​the many initial depressions. At the same time, the grid structure ensures that stability and load-bearing capacity remain at least unchanged. Furthermore, the grid structure, consisting of alternating ribs (i.e., raised areas) and initial depressions in the cap shell, advantageously increases the cap shell's flexibility, allowing it to withstand external loads without damage and enabling better distribution of external forces.According to one embodiment, the grid structure band extends, optionally in sections, over a circumferential angle of at least 180°, preferably over a circumferential angle of at least 270°. Areas of the cap wall between two sections are included in this calculation, wherein, according to one embodiment, the areas between two sections do not exceed 30% of the circumferential angle. For several sections of the grid structure band that lie one above the other in the axial direction, the respective circumferential angles are added, so that, according to one embodiment, the grid structure band has a circumferential angle greater than 360°, according to another embodiment, a circumferential angle greater than 540°, and according to yet another embodiment, a circumferential angle greater than 720°.If sections of the lattice structure band lie next to each other in the circumferential direction, the circumferential angle assumed is determined such that a section is arranged at the beginning and at the end of the respective circumferential angle (and not an area between two sections).

[0009] For the purposes of the present invention, protrusions and depressions associated with first guiding means, such as internal threads or bayonet elements, are not to be considered part of the grid structure band. In particular, when considering the inner surface of the cap shell and its distance from the cap axis, the first guiding means or any further guiding means arranged on the inner surface are excluded from consideration. Consequently, the first guiding means or any further guiding means, even with their profile thickness(es), do not create a depression in the inner surface of the cap shell or web as defined by the present invention. A first guiding means can, for example, be an internal thread.The first guiding means are characterized by their function in connection with the closing device, namely that they engage with corresponding second guiding means of the container when the container opening is closed or the closing device is actuated to close the container opening.

[0010] By arranging the grid structure band or its sections according to the invention on a side of the first guide means facing away from the cap cover plate and / or on a side of the first guide means facing the cap cover plate and / or in particular between two guide means segments arranged one above the other in the direction of the closure cap axis, the surfaces available on the inside of the cap shell are optimally utilized for a saving of material, without impairing the functionality of the closure device, for example the function of the guide means, and, as shown above, its strength.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the grid structure band extends at least over a circumferential angle segment over which the first guide element (or optionally a segment of the first guide element) extends without interruption. This circumferential extension results in a significant material saving. In combination with the first guide element, it also ensures good stability of the closure cap.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the lattice structure has several first depressions, each first depression extending over a specific circumferential angle segment and axial length (length in the direction of the cap axis). The radial distance of the inner surface to the cap axis within a first depression, i.e., in the region of the depression base, is greater than in sections of the inner surface that adjoin the respective first depression on both sides in the circumferential direction, i.e., in the web areas, including the web walls. The respective first depression in the inner surface is, for example, radially recessed (deepened) by 0.25 mm or 0.3 mm (in other embodiments, e.g., by 0.2 mm to 1.5 mm) relative to the adjacent web areas that adjoin the respective first depression on both sides in the circumferential direction.According to one embodiment, at least one of the first recesses is designed as a recess whose base extends axially and parallel to the cap axis. According to another embodiment, at least one side surface of the first recess or of the adjacent rib can, for example, run parallel to the cap axis. In this case, the rib areas can have the same or a smaller radial distance to the cap axis than adjacent sections of the inner wall of the cap shell that have neither recesses nor guide means.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the dimension of the grid structure band or its section in the direction of the closure cap axis corresponds to the length of the respective first recess, including the side walls of the first recess extending in the direction of the closure cap axis (axial direction) (the dimension thus corresponds to the axial length of the respective recess base and the side walls extending in the axial direction), and is smaller than the extent of the first guide element in the direction of the closure cap axis. According to another embodiment, the webs extend over the entire dimension of the respective grid structure band in the direction of the closure cap axis. The grid structure band can therefore have a constant axial dimension over the entire grid structure band or a section thereof, or a varying axial dimension.The axial dimension can vary periodically or non-periodically, e.g. increasing and / or decreasing.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the locking device, the length in the direction of the locking cap axis is at least half of the first recesses of the grid structure band in the axial direction, and is at least 1 mm, for example at least 1.2 mm. According to one embodiment of the locking device, the length of at least half of the first recesses of the grid structure band in the axial direction is at least 3 mm.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the locking device, at least half of the webs of the grid structure strip extend axially over a distance of at least 1 mm. According to one embodiment of the locking device, at least half of the webs of the grid structure strip extend axially over a distance of at least 3 mm. According to one embodiment of the locking device, at least half of the webs of the grid structure strip extend axially over a maximum of 15 mm.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the closure device, the base of each first recess is planar and runs parallel or obliquely to the axis of the closure cap.

[0017] Here, a groove base parallel to the cap axis means that every longitudinal section of the first groove (i.e., every section in a plane that includes the cap axis) runs parallel to the cap axis. With an oblique groove base, the section of the first groove along the plane specified above runs obliquely to the cap axis; that is, the upper section of the groove base is, for example, less deeply recessed, i.e., further from the cap axis, than the lower section of the groove base, or vice versa. The angle to the cap axis is small; for example, it can be no more than 30°.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the locking device, the first guide means is an internal thread. An internal thread within the meaning of the present invention can have a continuous profile or consist of several segments intersecting each other. The internal thread or an internal thread segment has a profile depth greater than zero and a thread pitch greater than zero along its extent.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the locking device, the first guide element is a bayonet element. The bayonet element can be designed as a profile with a profile depth greater than zero, wherein the profile extends planarly in a plane perpendicular to the locking cap axis in certain sections. In other words, the profile has a slope of zero in such a section. Additionally, the profile can have a ramp region in which the profile rises at a slope angle greater than zero relative to the surface perpendicular to the locking cap axis.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the first guide means has at least one second recess extending in the direction of the cap axis, the dimension of which in the direction of the cap axis (i.e., in the axial direction) is greater than or equal to the extent of the guide means. The first guide means can be interrupted circumferentially in the region of at least one second recess on the inner surface by the at least one second recess, such that the at least one second recess separates two circumferentially adjacent guide means segments of the first guide means. According to one embodiment, the first guide means is interrupted circumferentially in the region of several such second recesses on the inner surface, such that the several second recesses each separate two circumferentially adjacent guide means segments.The at least one second recess, which, for example, has a circumferential dimension of at least 1 mm and an axial length of at least 5 mm, serves as a venting groove and is used in connection with containers that may be pressurized (e.g., containing carbonated beverages). According to one embodiment, the grid structure band can be interrupted circumferentially in the region of at least one second recess on the inner surface, such that the at least one second recess separates two circumferentially adjacent sections of the grid structure band. According to another embodiment, the plurality of first recesses, circumferentially, are arranged in sections located between two circumferentially adjacent second recesses.The first depressions can be arranged directly between adjacent second depressions or are located in sections that extend axially (beyond the respective axial end of the second depressions) from these areas formed directly between adjacent second depressions. According to a further embodiment, the lattice structure band is interrupted circumferentially in the areas of several such second depressions on the inner surface, so that the multiple second depressions each separate two circumferentially adjacent sections of the lattice structure band. According to another embodiment, raised areas are formed on the outer surface of the cap shell, each raised area running parallel to a second depression such that the cap shell has a U-shaped profile in the area of ​​the second depression.This results in a further improvement in stability. According to another embodiment, the raised areas on the outer surface of the cap shell extend into an annular section of the cap shell, which (viewed axially) lies below the end of the second recesses furthest from the cap cover plate. This gives the cap shell a greater wall thickness in the area of ​​the raised areas within the annular section than in the areas between the raised areas. According to one embodiment, the first recesses of the lattice structure band can be arranged exclusively in these areas of the annular section located between the raised areas.Consequently, three different wall thicknesses are realized in the ring-shaped section: a first, large wall thickness in the area of ​​the raised sections on the outer surface, a third, small wall thickness in the area of ​​the first depressions, and a second wall thickness that is in the value between the first and third wall thicknesses, with the second wall thickness being formed between the raised sections on the outer surface, in the area of ​​the webs of the grid structure band.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the grid-like structure band is arranged in a section of the cap shell located below the end of the second recess facing away from the cap cover plate, or in a section of the cap shell that begins at this end of the second recess and extends axially away from the cap cover plate. In the side of the second recess facing away from the cap cover plate, which in many cases is also located on the side of the first guide element facing away from the cap cover plate, there is a section of the cap in which the grid-like structure band can be arranged particularly easily and in which it can extend over a large circumferential angle range, thus allowing the resource-saving properties of the grid-like structure band to be particularly advantageous. Furthermore, the grid-like structure band provides this section with good stability.According to one embodiment, a first recess and / or a rib of the lattice structure strip can be arranged directly below a second recess, wherein the first recess and / or the rib has a predetermined axial distance from the underside of the second recess, so that the cap shell possesses the required stability despite the reduced wall thickness. According to one embodiment, the distance can be, for example, at least 0.2 mm, and according to another embodiment, at least 0.5 mm.

[0022] According to one embodiment, each first depression in the plane of a rolled-out cap shell, viewed as such, has a rectangular, triangular, circular, elliptical, or polygonal shape, or a shape composed of these shapes. These shapes are particularly easy and cost-effective to produce by injection molding. Furthermore, for the same reason, it is advantageous if the first depressions, viewed as such in the plane of the rolled-out cap shell, have similar shapes. According to one embodiment, the axial dimension of a first depression among the plurality of first depressions can be between 0.3 mm and 5 mm, for example, between 0.5 mm and 4 mm. According to another embodiment, the circumferential dimension of a first depression among the plurality of first depressions can be between 1 mm and 10 mm, for example, between 1.3 mm and 7 mm.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the closure device, the grid structure band extends axially towards the cap cover plate only up to an upper axial limit and no further, the upper axial limit being a maximum of 5 mm axially from the cap cover plate. According to a related embodiment, the upper axial limit of the grid structure band is a maximum of 2 mm from the cap cover plate. In particular, the upper axial limit can be essentially identical to the axial position of the inner surface of the cap cover plate. Accordingly, first recesses designed in this way extend over a large axial area of ​​the cap body and thus enable particularly high savings in the resources used to manufacture the closure device.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the first depressions in a section of the lattice structure strip are arranged in groups of three first depressions arranged side by side in the circumferential direction. This means that a group of three first depressions (and associated webs) forms one section of the lattice structure strip, and the next, for example, adjacent, section also has a group of three first depressions (and correspondingly 2, 3, or 4 webs). Such a distribution of first depressions into individual sections has proven particularly advantageous with regard to the stability of the cap shell. Alternatively, sections of the lattice structure strip can, for example, have groups of four or five first depressions arranged side by side in the circumferential direction.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the closure device, the cap mantle has at least a first cylinder section and a second cylinder section, wherein the second cylinder section is arranged on the side of the first cylinder section facing away from the cap cover plate, wherein the second cylinder section has no lattice structure band and an inner radius that is larger than the inner radius of the first cylinder section in a region without a first or second recess, wherein the first cylinder section has the lattice structure band, wherein the lattice structure band extends axially in a direction facing away from the cap cover plate exclusively to a lower axial limit and not beyond, wherein according to a first alternative, the lower axial limit of the second cylinder section has a predetermined distance in the axial direction and is thus arranged closer to the cap cover plate than the second cylinder section.This allows, among other things, the attachment of a tamper-evident ring with a flexible band. The tamper-evident ring can, for example, be positioned as an imaginary axial continuation of the second cylinder section at the lower end of the cap and connected to the cap body via an easily breakable link. Due to the larger inner radius of the second cylinder section compared to the first, the tamper-evident ring can also feature an inwardly foldable flexible band, allowing it to engage with a pilfer-proof ring on the container neck.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the closure device, the cap shell has a constant wall thickness in at least one cross-sectional plane perpendicular to the closure cap axis, which does not intersect the grid structure band of the inner surface. According to another embodiment, the closure device has a substantially varying wall thickness in a cross-sectional plane extending along the grid structure band, with the wall thickness being reduced in the areas of the recesses, and any guide elements being disregarded when determining the wall thickness.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the locking device, at least half of the first recesses of the grid-like structure strip extend circumferentially over a circumferential angle of at least 2 degrees. According to one embodiment, at least half of the first recesses of the grid-like structure strip extend circumferentially over a circumferential angle of at least 5 degrees. According to one embodiment, at least half of the first recesses of the grid-like structure strip extend circumferentially over a circumferential angle of up to 30 degrees.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the locking device, at least half of the webs of the grid structure band extend circumferentially over a circumferential angle of at least 1 degree. According to another embodiment, at least half of the webs of the grid structure band extend circumferentially over a circumferential angle of at least 3 degrees.

[0029] According to one embodiment of the locking device, at least half of the first recesses of the grid structure strip extend circumferentially over an arc length equal to or greater than the axial extent of the respective recess. According to another embodiment of the locking device, at least half of the webs of the grid structure strip extend circumferentially over an arc length equal to or less than the axial extent of the respective web.

[0030] According to one embodiment of the locking device, the grid structure band extends circumferentially as a complete ring over a circumferential angle of 360°, located on the side of the first guide element facing away from the cap cover plate. This provides high rigidity and flexibility in a particularly stressed area of ​​the locking device, while simultaneously saving considerable material, thus reducing the risk of deformation of the locking device due to external forces.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the closure device, the closure device comprises a plastic material. In particular, the closure device can consist of one or more plastic materials. The closure device can be manufactured, in particular, by injection molding.

[0032] According to one embodiment of the locking device, the locking device has a maximum inner diameter of 25 mm to 80 mm, preferably of 26 mm to 70 mm.

[0033] According to one embodiment of the locking device, the locking device has an overall axial height of 14 mm to 50 mm, preferably of 15 mm to 40 mm.

[0034] According to one embodiment of the locking device, the cap has at least one detent projection for receiving a sealing disc, wherein the at least one detent projection is arranged on the inside and between the cap cover plate and the first guide element. In particular, such an embodiment can also have a tamper-evident ring, either completely removable or attached, to indicate the initial opening of the locking device. In combination with a sealing disc, this provides sufficient sealing and safety.

[0035] According to one embodiment of the closure device, the closure cap has a support ring extending circumferentially around the closure cap axis and a cutting tooth, with both the support ring and the cutting tooth being arranged on the outer surface of the cap lid plate. In other words, the support ring and cutting tooth are arranged above the cap lid plate. The support ring can, in particular, be designed as an axial extension of the cap body, extending axially beyond the cap lid plate. The cutting tooth can have a cutting edge that extends at least partially axially. Such closure devices are particularly advantageous if the opening of a container, whose pouring spout is closed by the closure device, has an additional sealing film with which the pouring spout is closed before first use.In such a case, the cap can be unscrewed when first opened, turned upside down, placed on the container neck, and secured against the neck by the support ring. When the cap is then rotated around its axis, the cutting tooth cuts the sealing film, allowing access to the container's pouring spout.

[0036] According to one embodiment of the closure device, the closure device has a tamper-evident band, preferably a tamper-evident ring, wherein the tamper-evident band is connected to the cap shell by at least one easily tearable connection, wherein, according to a first alternative, the tamper-evident band is completely detachable from the cap shell. According to a second alternative, the tamper-evident band is permanently connected to the cap shell by a connecting element. Preferably, the tamper-evident band is connected to the cap shell by such a connecting element that the connecting element withstands a tensile force of at least 12.5 Newtons, preferably at least 25 Newtons, without the closure cap detaching from the tamper-evident band. The tamper-evident band can be designed as a complete tamper-evident ring. In particular, the tamper-evident band can be arranged on the side of the cap shell facing away from the cap cover plate.

[0037] According to one embodiment of the closure device, the closure device includes a tamper-evident ring, which is connected to the cap shell via a tearable connection. Such a tamper-evident ring can include a flexible band, which can be configured as a ring or a ring segment and pivotally connected to an upper section of the tamper-evident ring, allowing the flexible band to fold towards the cap axis and, in this folded position, engage with a pilfer-proof ring of a container. The flexible band thus enables the tamper-evident ring to be attached to the container. The tearable connection between the tamper-evident ring and the cap shell can then be torn by axially acting forces when the cap is opened.

[0038] According to one embodiment of the closure device, the closure device has a tamper-evident ring, wherein the tamper-evident ring is connected to the cap shell via a tearable connection, wherein the tamper-evident ring has internal locking elements, the locking elements being designed such that they can engage with projections of a container neck to prevent co-rotation of the tamper-evident ring and the closure cap. This allows the tearable connection to be ruptured by shear forces.

[0039] The embodiments of the locking device according to the invention described above can be combined with one another, unless mutually exclusive alternatives are expressly named.

[0040] The present invention also relates to a combination of a container with a closure device according to one of the previously described embodiments, wherein the combination also solves the above-mentioned problem.

[0041] According to one embodiment of the combination according to the invention, the container has a container opening, wherein the container has a second guiding means, wherein the first guiding means and the second guiding means can be brought into engagement with each other in order to close the pouring opening and thus bring it into a closed state, wherein the first guiding means and the second guiding means can be brought out of engagement in order to release the container opening and thus bring it into an open state.

[0042] The container opening can, in particular, have a circular cross-sectional area. The combination can be designed such that the circular cross-sectional area is completely exposed when open. For the purposes of the present invention, a circular cross-sectional area is to be understood as a complete circular area and not, for example, a merely annular area.

[0043] According to one embodiment of the combination, the container has a sealing film or sealing plate, wherein the sealing film or sealing plate closes the pouring opening before the closure device is opened for the first time.

[0044] According to one embodiment of the combination according to the invention, the container has only a single container opening.

[0045] Those features of the closure device according to the invention that have been previously described in connection with such a device can also be features of a closure device that is part of a combination of a container and a closure device according to the invention. Conversely, a closure device according to the invention can also have features that are only described in connection with a combination according to the invention.

[0046] Within the scope of the present invention, the terms "below" and "above" or "below" and "above" are to be understood such that "below an element" denotes an arrangement on one side of the corresponding element, which is reached by following an axial direction pointing from the cap cover plate towards the cap shell. "Above an element" consequently denotes an arrangement on one side of the corresponding element, which is reached by following an axial direction pointing from the cap shell towards the cap cover plate.

[0047] In connection with the present invention, the "first recess" and "second recess" denote elements of the closure device and "first wall thickness", "second wall thickness" and "third wall thickness" denote different wall thicknesses, the words "first" and "second" not being to be understood as an enumeration.

[0048] Further features, advantages, and embodiments of the present invention can be seen in the accompanying figures and the accompanying description. They show schematically: Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a locking device according to the invention in a perspective side view, Fig. 2 shows the embodiment according to Fig. 1 in a cross-section, Fig. 3 a section of another cross-section of the embodiment according to Fig. 1 , Fig. 4 an enlargement of section A of the Fig. 3 Fig. 5 shows a second embodiment of a locking device according to the invention in a perspective side view, Fig. 6 shows the embodiment according to Fig. 5 in a cross-section, Fig. 7 a section of another cross-section of the embodiment according to Fig. 5 , Fig. 8 an enlargement of section B of the Fig. 7Fig. 9 shows a third embodiment of a locking device according to the invention in a perspective side view, Fig. 10 shows the embodiment according to Fig. 9 in a cross-section, Fig. 11 a section of another cross-section of the embodiment according to Fig. 9 , Fig. 12 an enlargement of section C of the Fig. 11 Fig. 13 shows a fourth embodiment of a locking device according to the invention in a perspective side view, Fig. 14 shows the embodiment according to Fig. 13 in a cross-section, Fig. 15 a section of another cross-section of the embodiment according to Fig. 13 , Fig. 16 an enlargement of section D of the Fig. 15 Fig. 17 shows a fifth embodiment of a locking device according to the invention in a perspective side view, Fig. 18 shows the embodiment according to Fig. 17 in a cross-section, Fig. 19 a section of another cross-section of the embodiment according to Fig. 17, Fig. 20 an enlargement of section AA of the Fig. 19 Fig. 21 shows a sixth embodiment of a locking device according to the invention in a perspective side view, Fig. 22 shows the embodiment according to Fig. 21 in a cross-section, Fig. 23 a section of another cross-section of the embodiment according to Fig. 21 , Fig. 24 an enlargement of section BB of the Fig. 23 Fig. 25 shows a seventh embodiment of a locking device according to the invention in a perspective side view, Fig. 26 shows the embodiment according to Fig. 25 in a cross-section, Fig. 27 a section of another cross-section of the embodiment according to Fig. 25 , Fig. 28 an enlargement of section CC of the Fig. 27 Fig. 29 shows an eighth embodiment of a locking device according to the invention in a perspective side view, Fig. 30 shows the embodiment according to Fig. 29in a cross-section, Fig. 31 a section of another cross-section of the embodiment according to Fig. 29 and Fig. 32 an enlargement of section DD of the Fig. 31 .

[0049] In the Figs. 1 to 4Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a closure device 1 according to the invention in the form of a closure cap 2, which has a substantially cylindrical cap shell 3 and a cap cover plate 4. The cap shell 3 adjoins the circumference of the cap cover plate 4. An outer surface 6 of the cap shell has a circumferential grip groove in the upper section 6a, which ensures a good grip on the closure cap 2 when turning it to open or close a container opening (not shown). An inner surface 7 has a guide element in the form of an internal thread 9, wherein the internal thread 9 is interrupted by second recesses 10, which are arranged equidistantly around the inner circumference of the cap shell 3. Each of the second recesses 10 extends axially parallel to the closure cap axis 13 and over the entire axial extent of the internal thread 9 and represents a venting groove.Every second recess 10 separates two adjacent thread segments, which form an imaginary, continuous thread, from each other in the circumferential direction. The imaginary thread of the internal thread 9 extends as follows: Fig. 3 As can be seen, the circumferential angle exceeds 720°. Therefore, to completely unscrew or screw the shown closure device 1 onto a container neck with a corresponding external thread (not shown) surrounding the container opening, a rotation angle of more than 720 degrees is necessary, i.e., more than two full turns. Alternatively, internal threads with shorter imaginary thread pitches can be used, particularly in the range of 360° to 720° or even below 360°.

[0050] Below the upper section 6a of the cap shell 3, which has grip knurling on the outer surface 6 and an internal thread 9 on the inner surface 7, a circumferential ring 6b is attached, projecting radially beyond the upper section 6a. At the lower end of the ring 6b, a guarantor ring 14 is arranged, which is connected to the cap shell 3 via a weakening line 15. The guarantor ring 14 has a Figs. 1 to 3 The clearly visible flexible band section 17 is articulated to an outer section of the guarantee ring 14 at its lower end and is bent inwards in the illustration shown here. The flexible band section 17 also has weakening recesses 18. These weakening recesses 18 facilitate folding the flexible band section 17 inwards.

[0051] The locking device 1 also has a grid structure band on its inner surface, which comprises several sections 19a to 19e, each separated from the other by the second recesses 10. Each section 19a to 19e of the grid structure band has a first recess 20 and webs 21 arranged circumferentially on both sides next to the first recess 20. The base of each first recess 20 has a substantially rectangular shape (corresponding here and in the following embodiments to the shape when the cap shell 3 is unfolded). In particular, in the magnified view of the Fig. 4It is evident that the wall thickness (material thickness in the radial direction with respect to the cap axis 13) of the cap shell 3 is reduced in the area of ​​the first recess 20. The first recesses 20 and the webs 21 are arranged in a region of the cap shell 3 below the internal thread 9, that is, on the side of the internal thread 9 facing away from the cap cover plate 9. A section of the sections 19a to 19e of the grid structure band is provided circumferentially between two adjacent second recesses 10, which serve for venting. The axial extent of each first recess 20 is, for example, 2.3 mm, with the in Fig. 2 on the right side and in Fig. 3 The first depressions 20 shown have a smaller axial extent (e.g. 1.7 mm) than the others, in Fig. 2The first recesses 20 shown. The ribs 21 form the transition to the second recesses 10. The grid structure band with the first recesses 20 and the ribs 21 extends over a circumferential angle of approximately 210°, with each section 19a to 19e of the grid structure band encompassing a circumferential angle of 30°. In the circumferential direction, the first recesses 20 have, for example, a length of approximately 6 mm. The base of the first recesses 20 runs parallel to the end cap axis 13 (see Fig. 4 The wall thickness is, as in particular Fig. 4As can be seen, the wall thickness in the area of ​​the first recesses 20 is reduced by the amount r of, for example, 0.25 mm compared to the wall thickness in the other areas of the inner wall 7 (see, for example, areas 7a and 7b above and below the internal thread 9). This results in a considerable saving of material, without impairing the stability and load-bearing capacity of the closure device, since the grid structure consists of first recesses 20 and webs 21. It should be noted that the radially measured wall thickness of the cap shell 3 is identical in all areas excluding second and first recesses 10, 20, since, in the context of the present invention, the cap shell 3 is considered a separate element from the internal thread 9, which serves as a guide. Due to the one-piece construction of the cap shell 3 and the internal thread 9 shown here, the following occurs in the Figs. 2 and 3The section planes shown relate to the variation in material thickness, since the first guide element, designed as an internal thread 9 with a thread pitch greater than zero, naturally exhibits a variation in radial material thickness in the axial direction in a section plane parallel to the end cap axis 13.

[0052] The in the Figs. 5 to 8 The embodiment shown and all subsequent embodiments of the locking device are identical to the first embodiment with respect to many features. The same reference numerals refer to the same elements, so reference is made to the explanations above. The following discussion focuses solely on the differences between the embodiments shown.

[0053] The second embodiment (see Figs. 5 to 8In contrast to the first embodiment, the closure device 1 has first recesses 40 in sections 19a to 19e, the base of which runs obliquely to the closure cap axis 13. This is particularly evident in Fig. 8 As can be seen, the reduction r in wall thickness is greater in the lower region of the first recess 40 than in the upper region, with the reduction r at the lower end of the first recess 40 being, for example, approximately 0.25 mm. The material reduction due to the grid structure band with the webs 21 and first recesses 40 is therefore somewhat less than in the first embodiment. However, the grid structure band possesses somewhat greater stability.

[0054] The in the Figs. 9 to 12The third embodiment shown has in each section 19a to 19e a group of three first recesses 60 and between them, or laterally bounding, ribs 61 of the respective section 19a to 19e, which are arranged side by side in the circumferential direction. The first recesses 60 each have a triangular shape on their base when the cap shell 3 is unrolled. The ribs 61 are adapted accordingly to this shape. The first recesses 60 and ribs 61 are in the Figs. 10 and 11 For the sake of clarity, only some of them are described. The same applies analogously to the other ones, based on the Figs. 13 to 32described embodiments. The first recesses 60 and the webs 61 are arranged in a region of the cap shell 3 below the internal thread 9. The axial extent of each first recess 60 is, for example, 1.25 mm. The lattice structure band with the first recesses 60 and the webs 61 extends over a circumferential angle of approximately 210°, with each section 19a to 19e of the lattice structure band comprising a circumferential angle of 30°. Each first recess 60 is approximately 1.4 mm long at its lower end in the circumferential direction. The base of the first recesses 60 runs as follows: Fig. 12 The wall thickness is, as can be seen in particular, parallel to the end cap axis 13. Fig. 12As can be seen, the wall thickness in the area of ​​the first recesses 60 is reduced by the amount r of, for example, 0.25 mm compared to the wall thickness in the remaining areas of sections 19a to 19e, i.e., the webs 61. The shapes of the first recesses 60 and the webs 61 increase the stability of the area of ​​the cap shell 3 in the region directly adjacent to the internal thread 9. It is understood that other shapes for the recess base (for example, pentagons or circles) can also be provided.Furthermore, the first recesses 60 of a section 19a to 19e, as shown, can be provided with the same orientation of the recess base shape (one upward-pointing corner of the triangular shape) or with different orientations with respect to the circumferential direction or the cap axis (for example, the recess base shape of the middle first recess 60 is a triangle with a downward-pointing corner, the two adjacent first recesses are triangles with an upward-pointing corner) or with different recess base shapes.

[0055] The fourth embodiment, which is described in the Figs. 13 to 16As shown, instead of the triangular first recesses of the third embodiment, in the areas of the cap shell 3 below the internal thread 9, each section of the lattice structure band 19a to 19e has three first recesses 80 and, between them and laterally arranged circumferentially, webs 81 that have a rectangular shape at the base of the recesses. The centrally located first recess 80 is slightly longer circumferentially than the two laterally arranged first recesses 80. For example, each first recess 80 is approximately 2.6 mm or 1.3 mm long circumferentially. Furthermore, in an area between two superimposed thread segments, the lattice structure band has additional groups 19f to 19j, each consisting of three first recesses 82 and corresponding webs 83, the first recesses 82 also having a rectangular shape at the base of the recesses.Above the internal thread 9, that is, on the side of the internal thread 9 facing the cap cover plate 4, there are also, as can be seen in particular from . Fig. 13 As can be seen, further groups 19k to 19o are arranged, each consisting of three first recesses 84 with corresponding ribs 85, wherein the first recesses 84 also have a rectangular shape at the recess base. The first recesses 84 have, for example, an axial distance of approximately 1 mm from the cap cover plate 4. The lattice structure band with the first recesses 80, 82, 84 and the ribs 81, 83, 85 thus extends over a total circumferential angle of approximately 630°, with each section 19a to 19o of the lattice structure band encompassing a circumferential angle of 30°. The recess base of the first recesses 80, 82, 84 runs as follows: Figs. 15 and 16As can be seen, parallel to the end cap axis 13. The circumferential length of each first recess 82, 84 corresponds to the length of the first recess 80 of approximately 2.6 mm and 1.3 mm, respectively. The axial extent of the first recesses 80, 82, and 84 differs. As can be seen in particular Fig. 14 As can be seen, not all of the first recesses 80 have the same axial length. This length varies, for example, between 0.3 mm and 3 mm. The axial length of the first recesses 82 is, for example, approximately 0.3 mm, and that of the first recesses 84 is, for example, between 3.2 mm and 1.5 mm. It is understood that in this embodiment, a particularly large material saving is achieved without compromising the stability of the cap shell 3. The wall thickness is, as can be seen in particular Fig. 16It can be seen that in the area of ​​the first recesses 80, the wall thickness is reduced by the amount r of e.g. 0.25 mm compared to the wall thickness in the other areas of sections 19a to 19o, i.e. the webs 81, 83, 85.

[0056] The in the Figures 17 to 32The illustrated embodiments five to eight differ from the first four embodiments partly in the design of the closure cap 2. The closure cap has raised sections 11 on the outer surface 6 in the upper section 6a, which run parallel to the second recesses 10 used for venting, such that the cap body 3 has a U-shaped profile in this area. Furthermore, the cap body 3 is conically shaped in an upper section of the raised sections 11 before transitioning into a cylindrical shape. The circumferential ring 6b of the outer surface 6 has a knurled grip in an upper section. The second recesses 10 extend over the entire axial height of the internal thread 9 in the respective section. The raised sections 11 also extend into an annular section 3a of the cap body 3 (exemplarily shown in Figure 1). Fig. 22(designated), which is located below the end of the second recesses 10, facing away from the cap cover plate 4. There, in the area of ​​the raised sections 11, is a first wall thickness of the cap shell. In the embodiments described in more detail below, Figures 17 to 32At least part of the first depressions 100, 120, 140, 160 of the respective lattice structure band 19, 19a are located in this annular section 3a, but between the raised sections (or, in other words, in extension of the sections located between the second depressions 10). Therefore, the annular section 3a has a second wall thickness in the area between the raised sections 11 and where the webs 101, 121, 141, 161 are located, which is thinner than the first wall thickness in the area of ​​the raised sections 11. Furthermore, a third wall thickness, which is thinner than the second wall thickness, is present in the area of ​​the first depressions 100, 120, 140, 160. This further improves the stability of the closure cap.

[0057] The lattice structure band 19 of the fifth embodiment has only a single section with a plurality of first recesses 100 and webs 101, which are arranged alternately next to each other in the circumferential direction. The lattice structure band 19 thus runs below the second recesses 10 and the internal thread 9. The dimensions of the first recesses 100 of the lattice structure band 19 are 2.9 mm in the axial direction and 7.3 mm in the circumferential direction. The wall thickness is, as for example Fig. 20 It can be seen that in the area of ​​the first depressions 100 the wall thickness is reduced by the amount r of e.g. 0.3 mm compared to the wall thickness in the other areas of the grid structure band 19 (that is, in the area of ​​the webs 101).

[0058] Analogous to the difference between the first and second embodiments, the base of the first recesses 120 of the grid structure band 19 of the sixth embodiment with the first recesses 120 and webs 121 runs obliquely to the axis of the closure cap. The dimensions of the entire grid structure band 19 and the first recesses 120 correspond to the dimensions of the fifth embodiment with the recesses 100 and the webs 101. The reduction in wall thickness in the area of ​​the first recesses 120 is approximately r = 0.3 mm at the lower end of the first recesses 120 compared to the wall thickness in the other sections of the grid structure band 19 (webs 121).

[0059] The seventh embodiment also differs from the first embodiment analogously to the difference between the third embodiment. The lattice structure band 19 consists of adjacent groups of three first recesses 140 and corresponding webs 141 in a lattice structure band 19 with a single section, wherein the webs 141 between circumferentially adjacent groups of three have a greater circumferential length than the webs 141 that are arranged between two first recesses 140 of the same group. Each first recess 140 has a triangular shape on its base when the cap shell 3 is unrolled. Each such recess 140 has, for example, an axial dimension of 1.9 mm, a circumferential dimension at the lower end of 2.2 mm, and a reduction in wall thickness in the region of the first recess 140 of r = 0.3 mm (see Fig. 28) compared to the wall thickness in the other sections of the grid structure band 19 (webs 141).

[0060] Finally, the eighth embodiment differs from the seventh embodiment analogously to the difference between the fourth and third embodiments. A section 19a of the lattice structure band is formed below the internal thread 9. This section consists of adjacent groups of three first recesses 160 and corresponding webs 161, wherein the webs 161 between circumferentially adjacent groups of three have a greater circumferential length than the webs 161 arranged between two first recesses 160 of the same group. The webs 161 each have approximately the same circumferential length, for example, 2.2 mm.Between axially superimposed thread segments of the internal thread 9, sections 19b to 19l of the lattice structure band are provided, each with three first recesses 162 and corresponding webs 163, arranged between two second recesses 10. Above the internal thread, also between adjacent second recesses 10, sections 19m to 19w with first recesses 164 and webs 165 are provided, the first recesses 164 being, for example, 3 mm to 4 mm away from the cap cover plate 4. The lattice structure band with the first recesses 160, 162, 164 and the webs 161, 163, 165 thus extends over a total circumferential angle of approximately 630°, with each section 19a to 19w of the lattice structure band encompassing a circumferential angle of 30°. The bottom of the first depressions 160, 162, 164 runs as follows. Figs. 31 and 32As can be seen, parallel to the end cap axis 13. The circumferential length of each first recess 162, 164 corresponds to the length of the first recess 160 of approximately 2.2 mm. The axial extent of the first recesses 160, 162 and 164 differs. As can be seen in particular Fig. 30 As can be seen, not all first recesses 160, 164 have the same axial length. This length varies, for example, between 3.7 mm and 1.2 mm. The axial length of the first recesses 162 is, for example, 0.7 mm. Analogous to the fourth embodiment, it is understood that in this embodiment, too, a particularly large material saving is achieved without compromising the stability of the cap shell 3. Each first recess 160, 162, 164, for example, has a reduction in wall thickness in the area of ​​the first recess 160, 162, 164 of r = 0.3 mm (see Fig. 32 ) compared to the wall thickness in the other sections (e.g. webs 161).

Claims

1. A closure device for selectively closing or opening a container opening, wherein the closure device comprises a closure cap (2), the closure cap (2) having a cap cover plate (4) and a cap shell (3) adjoining the cap cover plate (4) circumferentially, the cap shell (3) extending at least partially cylindrically and / or conically around a closure cap axis (13), the cap shell (3) having an outer surface (6) facing away from the closure cap axis (13) and an inner surface (7) facing towards the closure cap axis (13), the closure cap having a first guide means (9) arranged on the inner surface (7) of the cap shell (3), the first guide means (9) being designed and arranged such that it can engage with a second guide means of a container to close the container opening of the container.wherein a lattice structure band (19, 19a to 19w) composed of a plurality of first recesses (20, 40, 60, 80, 82, 84, 100, 120, 140, 160, 162, 164) and webs (21, 41, 61, 81, 83, 85, 101, 121, 141, 161, 163, 165) is provided in the inner surface (7) of a cylindrical section of the cap shell (3), wherein the lattice structure band extends circumferentially and has a sequence of webs and first recesses, wherein a first recess is arranged circumferentially between each pair of webs, wherein the lattice structure band is located on a side of the first guide means (9) facing away from the cap cover plate and / or on a side of the first guide means facing the cap cover plate (9) and / or is arranged between two guide element segments arranged one above the other in the direction of the end cap axis (13).

2. Closure device according to claim 1, wherein the grid structure band has at least two sections (19a to 19w) spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction.

3. Locking device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the grid structure band extends at least over a circumferential angle section over which the first guide means extends.

4. Closure device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the dimension of the grid structure band or its section in the direction of the closure cap axis corresponds to the length of the respective first recess (20, 40, 60, 80, 82, 84, 100, 120, 140, 160, 162, 164) including the side walls of the first recess adjoining the closure cap axis (13) in this direction and is smaller than the extent of the first guide means (9) in the direction of the closure cap axis, wherein the webs (21, 41, 61, 81, 83, 85, 101, 121, 141, 161, 163, 165) preferably extend over the entire dimension of the respective grid structure band in the direction of the closure cap axis (13).

5. Closure device according to claim 4, wherein the first guide means has at least a second recess (10) which extends in the direction of the closure cap axis (13) and whose dimension in the direction of the closure cap axis (13) is greater than or equal to the extent of the guide means (9) in the direction of the closure cap axis (13).

6. Closure device according to claim 5, wherein elevations (11) are formed on the outer surface (6) of the cap mantle (3), each elevation being parallel to a second recess (10) such that the cap mantle has a U-shaped profile in the area of ​​the second recess.

7. Closure device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the grid structure band (19, 19a) is arranged in a section of the cap mantle (3) which is arranged below the end of the second recess (10) facing away from the cap cover plate, or in a section of the cap mantle (3) which begins at this end of the second recess (10) and extends in the axial direction away from the cap cover plate (4).

8. A locking device according to one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the plurality of first recesses, viewed in the circumferential direction, are arranged in sections that lie between two circumferentially adjacent second recesses.

9. Closure device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein each first recess (20, 40, 60, 80, 82, 84, 100, 120, 140, 160, 162, 164) viewed in the plane of a rolled-up cap shell has a rectangular, triangular, circular, elliptical or polygonal shape or a shape composed of these shapes.

10. Closure device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first recesses (20, 40, 60, 80, 82, 84, 100, 120, 140, 160, 162, 164) have similar shapes when viewed in the plane of the rolled-down cap shell.

11. Closure device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first recesses (60, 80, 82, 84, 120, 160, 162, 164) are arranged in a section (19a to 19w) of the grid structure strip in groups of three first recesses arranged side by side in the circumferential direction.

12. Closure device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the recess base of each first recess (20, 40, 60, 80, 82, 84, 100, 120, 140, 160, 162, 164) is planar and runs parallel or obliquely to the closure cap axis.

13. Locking device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the grid structure band extends, optionally in sections, over a circumferential angle of at least 180°.

14. Combination of a container with a closure device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the container has a container opening and a second guide means and the closure device cooperates with the container for selectively closing or releasing the container opening, wherein the first guide means of the closure device can be brought into engagement with the second guide means of the container for this purpose.

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