Container closure with an indicator element

Abstract

In a container closure (10) having a base ring (14), a closure cap (16) and at least one indicator element (42) which is separate from the base ring (14) and from the closure cap (16) and which has at least one actuating part (44), an indicator part (46) and a predetermined breaking point (48) between the actuating part (44) and the indicator part (46), wherein the actuating part (44) has an engaging surface (52) which, in the closed position, is opposite a correspondingly shaped engaging surface (53) of the base ring (14) and counteracts a movement of the closure cap (16) into the open position, the predetermined breaking point (48) is dimensioned such that when the closure cap (16) is first opened the engaging surface (52) of the actuating part (44) engages with the engaging surface (53) of the base ring (14), limits a movement of the actuating part (44) relative to the base ring (14), causes a pulling movement of the indicator part (46) relative to the closure cap (16) from an initial position to an end position, and only breaks after reaching the end position.

Description

CONTAINER CLOSURE WITH AN INDICATOR ELEMENT FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to a container closure with a base ring which extends around a reference axis of the container closure, a closure cap which covers an opening of the base ring in a closed position and leaves the opening open in an open position, and an indicator element whose state changes irreversibly when the closure cap is opened. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] From document WO2022 / 189351, a container closure of the type mentioned above is known, wherein the indicator element is designed as a tamper-evident ring. The tamper-evident ring has an annular bead, an indicator part, and a predetermined breaking point between the bead and the indicator part. The bead extends in a form-fitting manner in an annular groove of an outer wall of the closure cap, which faces radially outward. The indicator part engages behind a shoulder of the base ring. When the cap part is opened, the predetermined breaking point breaks, so that the indicator part can fall due to gravity into a lower region of a cavity formed by the base ring, where it can provide a visible indication of the first opening.

[0003] The tamper-evident ring is placed on the cap part in the closed position by elastic deformation until the annular bead penetrates the annular groove and the tamper-evident ring is connected to the base part in a hook-like manner. This tamper-evident ring is therefore particularly suitable for container closures in which the outer wall of the cap part tapers from the groove in the direction opposite to the base ring. It is less suitable for closures with a cylindrical cap.

[0004] In addition, the movement of the display part, which is caused by gravity, is only possible in a predetermined vertical orientation of the container.

[0005] WO 94 / 03371 A1 discloses a one-piece plastic closure for attachment to a container. It consists of a base with a cover surface in which a pouring opening is arranged, and a cap pivotably connected to the base surface via a hinge axis. It also includes a tamper-evident element integrally connected to the closure and positively connected to the base of the closure. The tamper-evident element is pivoted about the main axis when the entire cap is first opened, automatically changing from the tamper-evident state to a visually recognizable usable state by pivoting it about the main axis. The tamper-evident element has a plate that, in the tamper-evident position, is connected to the cover surface of the cap via predetermined breaking points.On the underside of the plate is a strut with a positive locking device, which, in the guaranteed position, penetrates a recess in the cover surface of the closure base and is held in the recess in the base under preload. The strut is connected to the plate via a predetermined breaking point. A retaining element is arranged on the underside of the cap. During the initial opening movement, the strut pulls the plate into the retaining element. As the opening movement continues, the strut detaches from the plate in the area of ​​the predetermined breaking point. This container closure features complex, intricate shapes with numerous undercuts, which are very difficult to produce using a high-performance injection molding process.

[0006] From WO2009128095A1, a screw closure for a container is known, comprising a base ring which extends around a reference axis of the container closure, a screw cap which, in a closed position, covers an opening of the base ring and, in an open position, provides access to the opening of the base ring, and at least one indicator element which is separate from the base ring and the closure cap and which has at least one actuating part, an indicating part and a predetermined breaking point between the actuating part and the indicating part, wherein the actuating part has a locking surface which, in the closed position, lies opposite a correspondingly shaped locking surface of the base ring and counteracts a movement of the closure cap into the open position. The predetermined breaking point is so dimensioned so that when the closure cap is first opened, the locking surface of the actuating part engages with the locking surface of the base ring, limits movement of the actuating part relative to the base ring, causes movement of the display part relative to the closure cap from an initial position to an end position, and only breaks after the end position has been reached. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The invention is based on the object of equipping a container closure of the type mentioned above with means which provide a visible signal of the first opening regardless of the orientation of the container closure, but which is easy to manufacture.

[0008] In a container closure comprising a base ring which extends around a reference axis of the container closure, a closure cap which, in a closed position, covers an opening of the base ring and, in an open position, provides access to the opening of the base ring, a hinge which connects the base ring to the closure cap and is integral with the closure cap and the base ring, and at least one indicator element which has at least one actuating part, an indicating part and a predetermined breaking point between the actuating part and the indicating part, wherein the actuating part has a locking surface which, in the closed position, lies opposite a correspondingly shaped locking surface of the base ring and counteracts a movement of the closure cap into the open position, the predetermined breaking point being dimensioned such that, upon a first opening of the closure cap, the locking surface of the actuating part engages with the locking surface of the base ring,a movement of the actuating part relative to the base ring is limited, a movement of the indicating part relative to the closure cap from an initial position to an end position is caused, and only after reaching the end position does it break, the problem is solved by the indicating element forming a molded part separate from the closure cap and the base ring.

[0009] Although the manufacturing process requires an assembly step for the display element, it allows the separate production of a first piece, which forms the base ring, the closure cap and the hinge, and a second piece which forms the display element, by injection molding.

[0010] Because the indicator element forms a separate molded part from the closure cap and the base ring, it can be of a different color than the closure cap or made of a different material, which makes the indicator element and its position clearly visible.

[0011] The fact that the movement of the indicator element in relation to the cap during opening is not caused by gravity but by the actuating part ensures that this change takes place regardless of the orientation of the container closure.

[0012] The at least one predetermined breaking point can be formed by one or more detachable bridges or a continuous detachable weakening line.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment, the indicator part, together with the closure cap, forms an irreversible backstop that holds the indicator element in the initial position in front of the first opening and prevents movement of the indicator part from the end position to the initial position. The indicator part can, in particular, have at least one locking projection that cooperates with a corresponding stop on the closure cap to hold the indicator element in the initial position in front of the first opening.

[0014] The movement of the indicator part with respect to the closure cap from the starting position to the end position is irreversible to prevent fraudulent manipulation. According to a preferred embodiment, the locking projection of the indicator part in the end position cooperates with the corresponding stop of the closure cap to prevent movement of the indicator part from the end position to the starting position. Optionally, the indicator element can have two actuating parts, wherein the locking projection runs between the actuating parts. This balances the forces acting on the indicator element during opening.

[0015] Preferably, the movement of the indicator part with respect to the closure cap from the starting position to the end position is a translation. In order to guide this translational movement, the closure cap can have a shaft that extends in the axial direction, wherein the indicator part is at least partially received in the shaft and sits deeper in the shaft in the end position than in the starting position. According to a preferred embodiment, the shaft opens axially at a head plate of the closure cap. The indicator part can have a flat upper wall that corresponds to an inner circumference of the shaft. This upper wall is then visible in both the starting position and the end position through the mouth of the shaft on the head plate of the closure cap. Preferably, the upper wall of the indicator part is aligned with the head plate of the closure cap in the starting position.

[0016] If necessary, the shaft is adjacent to an outer peripheral wall of the closure cap, which may be cylindrical.

[0017] In the closed position, the display element is preferably located radially outside the mouth of the base ring.

[0018] The base ring can define a cavity which accommodates the actuating part after the predetermined breaking point has broken or after the cap part has been closed again.

[0019] Preferably, the actuating part is not visible from the outside in the closed position.

[0020] In order to compensate for the forces acting on the indicating element during opening, the indicating element is preferably symmetrical with respect to a plane of symmetry containing the reference axis and, where appropriate, also a plane of symmetry of the entire container closure.

[0021] The hinge is preferably a snap-action hinge. The indicator element is preferably located diametrically opposite the hinge.

[0022] The closure cap, hinge, and base ring can be manufactured in one piece by injection molding, preferably in the open position, and then moved into the closed position. The indicator element can be mounted either before or after closing.

[0023] The base ring is preferably suitable for tight attachment to a container neck and, for this purpose, has a peripheral wall with at least one radially inwardly directed projection in the form of a locking projection or thread. Alternatively, it is also provided that the base ring is mounted with a fastening ring that has a peripheral wall with at least one radially inwardly directed projection in the form of a locking projection or thread for tight attachment to a container neck.

[0024] The closure cap may have a radially inwardly directed locking projection which, in the closed position, engages behind a radially outwardly directed locking projection of the base ring in order to secure the closed position.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the base ring has a spout surrounding the mouth, and the closure cap has an inner sealing skirt which, in the closed position, is in sealing contact with a preferably cylindrical or frustoconical sealing seat formed by the spout, the sealing seat preferably facing radially inwards. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1: a perspective view of a container closure in the open position before a first closing; - Figure 2: a perspective view of the container closure of Figure 1 after the first closing, with a display element not yet inserted; - Figure 3: a sectional view of the container closure of Figure 1 in the closed position before a first opening after the indicator element has been inserted; - Figure 4: a top view of the container closure of Figure 3 - Figure 5: a detailed view of a section through the section plane V of Figure 4, before the first opening of the container closure; - Figure 6: a detailed view of a section passing through the section plane VI of Figure 4, before the first opening of the container closure; - Figure 7: a detailed view of a section passing through the section plane V of Figure 4, during the first opening of the container closure. - Figure 8: a detailed view of a section passing through the section plane VI of Figure 4 during the first opening of the container closure. - Figure 9 sectional view of the container closure of Figure 1 in a half-open position after the first opening of the container closure; - Figure 10: a detailed view of a section passing through the section plane V of Figure 4, after the container closure has been reclosed; Figure 11: a detailed view of a section passing through the section plane VI of Figure 4, after the container closure has been reclosed.

[0027] In all drawings, individual reference symbols designate identical or similar elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT

[0028] Referring to the figures, a preferred embodiment of a container closure of the present invention is designated by reference numeral 10. The closure 10 is designed to be mounted on the neck 12 of a container. The closure 10 can be made of a plastic or other material compatible with the container contents. A polymer, particularly a thermoplastic such as polyethylene or polypropylene, is preferred.

[0029] The container closure 10 comprises a base ring 14, a closure cap 16, and a hinge 18 that connects the base ring 14 to the closure cap 16. The hinge 18 is shown here as a snap hinge and enables a pivoting movement of the closure cap 16 about a pivot axis 180 that runs perpendicular to the sectional plane of Figure 3.

[0030] The base ring 14 extends around a reference axis 100 of the container closure 10 and has a spout 20 which encloses an opening 200 of the base ring 14 and the container closure 10. The base ring 14 has means intended for fastening to the container neck 12, in this embodiment a circumferential fixing bead 21 with supporting wall sections which are distributed on a peripheral wall 22 of the base ring and which, when mounted on the container neck, engage behind a circumferential retaining bead 121 of the container neck and are located between this retaining bead 121 and a flange edge 122 of the container neck, also known in technical terms as a "support ring" (see Figure 9). However, other means are conceivable, e.g. a series of elastic locking hooks or a thread. The spout 20 has one or more slit-like openings 23 which provide access to a cavity 300 which is enclosed by the peripheral wall 22.

[0031] The closure cap 16 comprises a head plate 24, a peripheral wall 26 surrounding an inner wall surface 28 of the head plate 24 and preferably cylindrical, and a gripping projection 30, which optionally protrudes from a lower edge of the peripheral wall 26, as shown. The head plate 24 can be flat or curved. An annular sealing skirt 32 (see Figure 4) preferably extends from the inner side of the head plate 24 and is surrounded by the peripheral wall 26 at a radial distance. This sealing skirt 32 can have a circumferential sealing bead 37 and is intended, in the closed position, to come into sealing contact with a sealing seat 34 formed by the spout 20. In the closed position, the sealing bead 37 preferably engages behind a radially outwardly directed locking bead of the sealing seat 34 to provide some resistance to opening.In this embodiment, the spout 20 is enclosed by the sealing apron, but it is also provided that in a variant the spout 20 surrounds the sealing apron 32.

[0032] If necessary, the base ring 14 may have a flow restrictor or a valve 38 that closes the mouth 200.

[0033] The closure cap has a shaft 40 that opens at the top plate 24 of the closure cap 16 and extends to a bottom 41 in a direction that, in the closed position, runs parallel to the reference axis 100 of the container closure 10. The shaft 40 is located radially outside the sealing skirt 32, diametrically opposite the hinge 18, and borders the outer peripheral wall 26 of the closure cap 16.

[0034] The container closure 10 has a display element 42, which is designed as a molded part separate from the base ring 14 and the closure cap 16 and is at least partially received in the shaft 40.

[0035] The indicator element 42 comprises at least one actuating part 44, an indicating part 46, and a predetermined breaking point 48 between the actuating part 44 and a connecting projection 49 of the indicating part 46. The indicating element 42 is preferably symmetrical with respect to a plane of symmetry containing the reference axis 100 and may optionally have two parallel actuating parts 44, as shown. The bottom 41 of the shaft 40 of the closure cap 16 has slot-like openings 50 that face the slot-like openings 23 of the base ring 14 and are aligned with the connecting projections 49 and actuating parts 44 that pass through them.

[0036] Each actuating part 44 has a locking surface 52 which, in the closed position, lies opposite a correspondingly shaped locking surface 53 on the edge of a respective slot-like opening 50 of the base ring 14.

[0037] The indicator part 46 has a flat upper wall 54 which, in the initial position, is aligned with the head plate 24 of the closure cap 16 and corresponds to an inner circumference of the shaft 40, and at least one locking projection 56 which projects from the upper wall 54 in an axial direction and optionally extends between the actuating parts 44 of the indicator element 42.

[0038] In the initial position of Figure 3, the locking projection 56 cooperates with a corresponding stop 58 in the shaft 40 of the closure cap 16 to hold the indicator part 46 in this initial position. The stop 58 may, for example, have a concave, frustoconical upper wall 581 that cooperates with a corresponding convex, frustoconical wall 561 of the locking projection 56 to elastically counteract the pulling movement, while a flat lower wall 582 of the stop 58 engages against a corresponding first flat surface 562 of the locking projection 56 to prevent upward movement of the locking projection.

[0039] At the latest when the closure cap 16 is opened for the first time, the locking surface 52 of each actuating part 44 engages with the locking surface 53 of the base ring 14 (see Figures 5 and 6) to limit movement of the actuating part 42 relative to the base ring 14. The opening of the closure cap 16 from the closed position to a temporary intermediate position causes a pulling movement of the indicator part 46 with respect to the closure cap 16, counter to the opening direction, from an initial position to an end position (see Figure 7), in which the upper wall 54 of the indicator part 46 rests against the bottom 41 of the shaft 40. During the pulling movement, the stop 58 deforms elastically and expands to allow the locking projection 56 to pass through. The predetermined breaking points 48 are dimensioned to withstand this pulling movement of the indicator part 46 between the initial and end positions (see Figure 8).In the intermediate position of the closure cap, each actuating part 44 counteracts further movement of the closure cap 16 into the open position. If the opening movement continues, the predetermined breaking points 48 break.

[0040] In the end position, the indicator part 46 sits deeper in the shaft 40 than in the starting position. A second flat surface 563 of the locking projection 56 rests against the flat bottom wall 582 of the stop to counteract movement of the indicator part 46 from the end position to the starting position, whereby the movement of the indicator part 46 relative to the closure cap 16 from the starting position to the end position is irreversible.

[0041] The locking projection 56 thus forms an irreversible backstop with the stop 58, with the indicator part 46 being designed like a rack and pinion, while the stop 58 assumes the function of a pawl. If necessary, the same function can be reinforced or assumed by a circumferential lip 59 located in the shaft.

[0042] The pulling movement of the indicator part 46 with respect to the closure cap 16 from the starting position to the end position is a translation that follows the orientation of the shaft 40.

[0043] The base ring 14 encloses a cavity 300, which accommodates the actuating part 44 after the predetermined breaking points 48 have been broken or after the cap part 16 has been reclosed (see Figures 10 and 11). In the closed position, the actuating part 44 is not visible from the outside either before the first opening or after the closure cap 16 has been reclosed.

[0044] The base ring 14, the closure cap 16, and the hinge 18 are cast together in one piece in the open position of Figure 1. As shown in Figure 2, the indicator element 42 is inserted into the shaft 40 after the container closure 10 is first closed.

[0045] Variants are envisaged. The base ring 14 can be a fastening ring mounted on a container neck 12 and in which a separate spout is mounted, or a spout separate from a fastening ring. The closure cap 16 is not necessarily connected to the base ring by a hinge. For example, it is envisaged that the closure cap is hinged to a fastening ring or a spout separate from the base ring. The hinge 18 can be replaced by one or more strips or can be omitted entirely.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS 1. A container closure (10) comprising a base ring (14) which extends around a reference axis (100) of the container closure (10), a closure cap (16) which, in a closed position, covers an opening (200) of the base ring (14) and, in an open position, provides access to the opening (200) of the base ring (14), a hinge (18) which connects the base ring (14) to the closure cap (16) and is integral with the closure cap (16) and the base ring (14), and at least one indicator element (42) which forms a molded part separate from the base ring (14) and the closure cap (16) and has at least one actuating part (44), an indicating part (46), and a predetermined breaking point (48) between the actuating part (44) and the indicating part (46), wherein the actuating part (44) has a latching surface (52),which, in the closed position, lies opposite a correspondingly shaped locking surface (53) of the base ring (14) and counteracts a movement of the closure cap (16) into the open position, wherein the predetermined breaking point (48) is dimensioned such that, upon a first opening of the closure cap (16), the locking surface (52) of the actuating part (44) engages with the locking surface (53) of the base ring (14), limits a movement of the actuating part (44) relative to the base ring (14), causes a pulling movement of the indicator part (46) with respect to the closure cap (16) from an initial position to an end position, and only breaks after reaching the end position, characterized in that the indicator element (42) forms a molded part separate from the base ring (14) and the closure cap (16).

2. Container closure (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the display element (42) has a different color than the closure cap (16).

3. Container closure (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the indicator part (46) together with the closure cap (16) forms an irreversible backstop which holds the indicator element (42) in the Maintains the initial position before the first opening and prevents movement of the display part (46) from the end position to the initial position.

4. Container closure (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that the indicator part (46) has at least one latching projection (56) which cooperates with a corresponding stop (58) of the closure cap (16) in order to hold the indicator element (42) in the starting position in front of the first opening.

5. Container closure (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that the latching projection (56) in the end position cooperates with the corresponding stop (58) of the closure cap (16) to prevent movement of the indicator part (46) from the end position to the starting position.

6. Container closure (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that the display element (42) has two actuating parts (44), wherein the latching projection (56) extends between the actuating parts (44).

7. Container closure (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pulling movement of the indicator part (46) with respect to the closure cap (16) from the starting position to the end position is a translation.

8. Container closure (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that the closure cap (16) has a shaft (40) which extends in the axial direction, wherein the display part (46) is at least partially received in the shaft (40) and in the end position sits deeper in the shaft (40) than in the starting position.

9. Container closure (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that the shaft (40) opens axially at a head plate (24) of the closure cap (16).

10. Container closure (10) according to one of claims 7 to 8, characterized in that the indicator part (46) has a flat upper wall (54) which corresponds to an inner circumference of the shaft (40).

11. Container closure (10) according to claim 9, characterized in that the upper wall (54) is aligned with the head plate (24) of the closure cap (16) in the starting position.

12. Container closure (10) according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the shaft (40) adjoins an outer peripheral wall (26) of the closure cap (16).

13. Container closure (10) according to claim 11, characterized in that the peripheral wall (26) of the closure cap (16) is cylindrical.

14. Container closure (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the closed position the display element (42) lies radially outside the mouth (200) of the base ring (14).

15. Container closure (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base ring (14) delimits a cavity (300) which receives the actuating part (44) of the display element (46) after the predetermined breaking point (48) has broken or after the cap part (16) has been closed again.

16. Container closure (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the closed position the actuating part (44) of the display element (46) is not visible from the outside.

17. Container closure (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the display element (42) is symmetrical with respect to a plane of symmetry containing the reference axis (100).

18. Container closure (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the display element (42) is diametrically opposite the hinge (18).

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