Patent Application
20240140659
The invention relates to a container closure having a base part, a pouring area and a cap part which is connected to the base part by a hinge and can be rotated back and forth between a closed position and an open position about a pivot axis extending perpendicular to the reference axis.
From the document DE69605288T2 a container closure of the type mentioned at the beginning is known, in which the drinking part has a circumferential wall which extends around a reference axis of the container closure and extends axially from the base part to a circumferential upper edge of the pouring area which surrounds the drinking opening. The cap part has a base and an outer wall that extends axially from the base to a circumferential bottom edge of the cap part. In the closed position, the drinking part is surrounded and covered by the cap part. In the open position, the cap part lies on a side opposite the drinking part of a first reference plane of the container closure that contains the axis of the hinge and extends parallel to the reference axis. The hinge is designed as a bistable snap hinge and is arranged in a notch in the outer wall of the cap part, which is a leaky location of the closure. To provide aseptic protection of the pouring area, the cap part has an inner skirt extending from the base to an annular sealing collar, wherein in the closed position the inner skirt encloses the drinking part and the sealing collar abuts an annular sealing surface of the base part, while the circumferential lower edge of the cap part faces a shoulder of the base part. However, this configuration creates a non-aseptic annular cavity between the outer wall and the inner skirt, which can be contaminated by the leaky snap hinge and is difficult to rinse off. In addition, the high inner skirt of the cap part takes up volume, which limits the design space for the drinking part. In particular, the distance from the base part to the upper edge of the pouring area and the diameter of this upper edge must be kept small so that the drinking part does not constitute an obstacle during the transition of the cap part between the closed position and the open position. Further, this closure requires a significant amount of plastic material.
With a shorter inner skirt, such as disclosed in GB2430667, the upper edge of the pouring area can be made higher and wider, but the sealing of the pouring area against contamination by the gap between the hinge and the outer wall of the cap part is no longer guaranteed.
From EP2250102B1 a container closure is known which is compatible with an aseptic seal of a drinking part. The closure has a base part, a cap part, and an external hinge arrangement arranged to project radially outwardly from the cap part and the base part of the closure when the closure is in the closed position and connected to each of these parts by a radially extending bridge. This ensures that the interface between the hinge and the cap part does not have any leakage. However, this hinge configuration requires a lot of space in the radial direction. Further, it is sensitive to shock and difficult to install in a filling line.
From EP0590325, a container closure having a base part and a cap part is known, wherein the cap part is connected to the base part by a snap hinge having two side hinge tabs and a center hinge. The hinge tabs abut at their ends against ridges free-standing in a step-shaped recess in the outer wall of the cap part or base part, wherein these ridges can be bent out to prevent overstretching of the hinge tabs. However, the center hinge is attached directly to the outer wall of the cap part, and forms a leaky location, making the closure unsuitable for aseptic use. Furthermore, the pivot axis of the hinge is close to the outer wall, and the leg movement of the cap part that can be achieved with it is unsuitable for a container closure with an axially extending drinking part.
The object of the invention is to provide a container closure of the prior art which remedies at least one of the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art.
In a container closure having a base part, a pouring area having a peripheral wall extending about a reference axis of the container closure and extending axially from the base part to a peripheral top edge of the pouring area surrounding a drinking opening, a cap part connected to the base part by a hinge and rotatable back and forth between a closed position and an open position about a pivot axis extending perpendicular to the reference axis, wherein the cap part has a base and a peripheral outer wall surrounding an inner surface of the base and extending axially from the base to a peripheral lower edge of the cap part, wherein the outer wall and the base of the cap part together surround and cover the pouring area in the closed position, the object is solved in that the cap part has an anchor wall which extends outside the outer wall at a radial distance from the outer wall and is rigidly connected to the lower edge of the cap part by a radially extending bridge of the cap part, wherein in the closed position the anchor wall projects from the bridge in a direction opposite to the base part and the hinge is connected to the anchor wall and extends from the anchor wall towards the base part.
The bridge connecting the anchor wall to the outer wall of the cap part provides separation between the hinge and the outer wall, allowing the outer wall to enclose the pour area without interruption and provide aseptic protection of the pour area. The fact that the anchor wall extends radially outside the outer wall means that the distance of the pivot axis from the reference axis is greater than the distance of the outer wall from the reference axis, thus ensuring sufficient design freedom for the pouring area. The location of the bridge on the lower edge of the outer wall reduces the risk of damage from an impact and simplifies the mounting of the container closure on the container in a filling line. The channel formed by the anchor wall, the bridge and the opposite surface of the outer wall is easy to wash down.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the bridge has a planar contact surface that faces a planar surface of the base part in the closed position and preferably contacts the planar surface of the base part. The bridge is protected by the base part.
For a pleasant user experience, the hinge is preferably designed so that, in the open position, the cap part lies on a side opposite the pouring area of an orthoradial reference plane of the container closure that contains the axis of the hinge and extends parallel to the reference axis. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the hinge is a bistable snap hinge that can preferably be pivoted back and forth through more than 180°. In particular, the hinge can be designed as a film hinge or butterfly hinge.
In the closed position, the hinge may lie partially in a recess in the anchor wall and, if necessary, be protected by the anchor wall surrounded laterally. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the hinge is connected to a preferably flexible ridge that is free-standing in the cavity of the anchor wall, which avoids over-extension of the hinge.
Similarly, in the closed position, the hinge may be partially located in a recess of the base part and may be laterally surrounded and protected by the base part. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the hinge is connected to a preferably flexible ridge which is free-standing in the recess of the base part and avoids overstretching of the hinge.
To ensure safe aseptic protection of the pouring area, the outer wall of the cap part may have a circumferential sealing surface which, in the closed position, abuts a circumferential sealing surface of the circumferential wall of the pouring area. One of the two seals can be a seal collar and the other a seal seat. The geometry is preferably such that, in the closed position, a circumferential line of contact between the sealing surfaces has a distance from a cross-sectional plane containing the pivot axis and extending perpendicular to the reference axis that is less than one-third of the distance of the upper edge of the pouring area from the second reference plane. Preferably, the circumferential contact line has a diameter greater than the distance of the upper edge of the pouring area from the cross-sectional plane. Preferably, the circumferential contact line has a distance to an orthoradial reference plane containing the axis of the hinge and extending parallel to the reference axis which is greater than the distance of the circumferential contact line to the cross-sectional plane.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the cap part has an inner circumferential centering bead that, in the closed position, surrounds the top edge of the pouring area and contacts the top edge of the pouring area. This prevents lateral impacts from damaging or leaking the closure during transport or bearing of the closed containers. The centering bead may have a circumferential contact surface with the upper edge of the spout area in the closed position, which may help to seal the drinking opening.
To seal the drinking opening, the cap part may have an inner sealing skirt extending axially from the inner surface of the base of the cap part and, in the closed position, coming into contact with an inner annular fold of the peripheral wall of the spout area.
In accordance with one embodiment, the cap part is designed integrally with the hinge and the base part. The pouring area can be designed in one piece with the base part or separated from the base part. In accordance with one variation, the base part has a base piece and an anchor ring that engages in an annular notch of the base piece, wherein the anchor ring is integrally designed with the hinge and the cap part.
The pouring area can be designed in one piece with the base part. Alternatively, the container closure may have a spout separate from the base part forming a spout area and the drinking opening of the container closure, wherein the spout is covered by the cap part in the closed position.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the base part has a connection point, particularly a thread, for connection to a container neck. However, other fastening means are conceivable, e.g., a circumferential fixing collar or a series of elastic latching hooks distributed around the circumference of the base part and engaging behind a circumferential retaining collar of the container neck when mounted on the container neck.
The base part can have a sealing collar, preferably directed radially outward, to ensure a tight connection to the container neck.
The cap part has a base that closes the opening of the base part. Preferably, the outer wall of the cap part tapers from the notch to the base.
Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:
In all drawings, individual reference numerals denote identical or similar elements.
With reference to
In this embodiment, the container closure 10 is produced from a single injection molded piece 12 in an injection mold in an open position in accordance with
The injection molded piece 12 comprises a base part 16, a cap part 18, and a hinge 20 connecting the cap part 18 to the base part 16. Throughout the description, implicit reference is made to an upward direction corresponding to an orientation in a closed position of the container closure 10 in which a reference axis 100 of the container closure 10 is perpendicular and the cap part 18 is located above the base part 16 (see, for example,
The base part 16 features an attachment area 22 that surrounds the reference axis 100 of the container closure 10, and has fastening protrusions 24, such as a thread, for fastening to the neck of the container. The attachment area 22 may also include a sealing skirt 26, which is determined to engage the interior of the container neck when the container closure 10 is placed on the container neck. The sealing skirt 26 may have a circumferential bead or curvature. Further, the base part 16 has a spout area 28 that projects axially in the direction opposite the attachment area 22. This pouring area 28 has a peripheral wall 29 which extends about the reference axis 100 of the container closure 10 and extends and tapers axially from the attachment area 22 to a peripheral upper edge 30 of the pouring area 28, forming a radially inwardly directed fold at the upper edge of the pouring area 28 which surrounds a drinking opening 31.
The cap part 18 comprises a base 32, an outer wall 34 surrounding an inner wall surface 36 of the base 32, and a gripping projection 38 extending radially outwardly from the outer wall 34.
The base 32 may be flat or curved. Extending from the inner wall surface 36 of the base 32 is an annular sealing skirt 40, which is enclosed by the outer wall 34 at a radial distance. This sealing skirt 40 is determined to engage the interior of the drinking opening 31 of the pouring area 28 when the cap part 18 is in the closed position. The sealing skirt 40 may have a circumferential bead or curvature. At the edge of the base 32, the cap part 18 has an inner circumferential centering bead 41 which, in the closed position, surrounds and externally contacts the upper edge 30 of the spout area 28. Where appropriate, the centering bead 41 may have a circumferential contact surface with the upper edge 30 of the spout area 28.
The outer wall 34 has a free peripheral lower edge 41 which extends in a plane about the reference axis 100 of the container closure 10 over an angle of preferably more than 180°, in the example more than 260°, and bounds an approximately rectangular recess 141 over the remaining angle of preferably more than 30°, in the example more than 90°. This recess 141 houses an indicator part 114, which has a pull tab 156 and a hook area 162, shown in detail on
On the inside, the outer wall 34 has an annular lower sealing bead 42 which is located axially at a certain distance from the recess 141 and, in the closed position of the closure piece 12, rests radially against an, for example, cylindrical or slightly conical, radially outwardly directed seating surface 44 of the in a connection area between the pouring area 28 and the attachment area 22 of the base part 14. Thus, in the closed position, the cap part 18 encloses the pouring area 28. The sealing bead 42 and sealing skirt 40 allow liquid and gas tight sealing of the space enclosed by the cap part 18 and base part 14. This is advantageous for the use of the closure for aseptic filling. If necessary, the sealing bead may be present on the spout part and the seating surface on the cap part.
The seating surface 44 is partially enclosed by a curved hook wall 46 which projects axially from the attachment area 22 and extends through an angle preferably greater than 30°, in the example greater than 90° about the reference axis 100 of the container closure 10. The seating surface 44 and the hook wall 46 are radially spaced apart and define an arcuate cavity 48 into which the hook area of the indicator part 58 intrudes in the closed position, as does the protrusion. The hook wall 46 has a radially inwardly projecting shoulder 52 below which the hook area 162 of the indicator part 58 and the protrusion 262 engage.
The cap part 18 further has an anchor wall 80 extending radially outwardly from the outer wall 34 and rigidly connected to the lower edge 41 of the cap part 18 by a bridge 82 of the cap part 18 extending radially outwardly from the lower edge 41 of the cap part 18. In the closed position, the anchor wall projects from the bridge 82 in an axial direction opposite to the attachment area 22, while the bridge 82 itself faces a flat surface 84 of the base part 16 and preferably comes into contact with the flat surface 84 of the base part 16. The anchor wall 80 is used for fastening the hinge 20 to the cap part 18, and for this purpose has a recess 86 in which a part of the hinge 20 is accommodated. In the closed position, this recess 86 is axially opposite a recess 88 of the base part, which also houses a part of the hinge 20. As previously mentioned, the bridge 82 connecting the anchor wall 80 to the outer wall 34 of the cap part 18 provides separation between the hinge 20 and the outer wall 34, allowing the outer wall 34 to enclose the pouring area 28 without interruption and provide aseptic protection of the pouring area. By having the anchor wall 80 extend radially outwardly from the outer wall 34, it is further achieved that the distance of the pivot axis 200 from the reference axis 100 is greater than the distance of the outer wall 34 from the reference axis 100, thereby providing sufficient design clearance for the pouring area 28. The location of the bridge 80 at the lower edge 41 of the outer wall 34 reduces the risk of damage from an impact and simplifies the mounting of the container closure 10 on a container in a filling line. The channel formed by the anchor wall 80, the bridge 82 and the opposite surface of the outer wall 34 can be easily washed away.
The hinge 20 is preferably a snap hinge and allows the cap part 18 to pivot about a pivot axis 200 extending perpendicular to the reference axis of the container closure between a stable closed position and a stable open position. As shown particularly with reference to
The snap hinge 20 preferably pivots back and forth through more than 180° so that, in the open position, the cap part 18 lies on a side opposite the pouring area of an orthoradial reference plane 300 of the container closure which contains the pivot axis 200 of the hinge 20 and extends parallel to the reference axis 100.
In the closed position, characteristic dimensions of the container closure 10 can be observed. A circumferential line of contact between the sealing bead 42 and the seating surface 44 has a distance from a cross-sectional plane 400 containing the pivot axis 200 and extending perpendicular to the reference axis 100 that is less than one-third of the distance from the upper edge 30 of the pouring area to said cross-sectional plane 400. The circumferential line of contact has a diameter greater than the distance of the upper edge 400 of the pouring area 28 from the cross-sectional plane 400. The circumferential contact line has a distance to the orthoradial reference plane 300 that is greater than the distance of the circumferential contact line to the cross-sectional plane 400.
The container closure 10 is produced by an injection molding method in the open position of
To open the container closure 10, the user pulls the pull tab 156, see
In common with the first embodiment, all further embodiments have a hinge 20 connected to an anchor wall 80 separate from an outer wall 34, the anchor wall 80 being fixedly connected to the lower edge of the outer wall by a bridge 82. The embodiments differ mainly in the indicator device, in the number of injection molded parts that make up the container closure, and in the distribution of the various functions between these parts. To avoid repetition, the following description focuses on the differences, wherein the common features described in the first embodiment are not necessarily repeated.
With reference to
In this embodiment, the container closure 10 is composed of two separate injection molded parts, namely a closure piece 12 and a guarantee ring 14. The closure piece 12 may be produced from a plastic or other material that is compatible with the contents of the container. Preferred here is a polymer, particularly a thermoplastic such as polyethylene or polypropylene. In particular, opaque materials such as opaque polypropylene or high-density polyethylene (HDPE) can be used here. The guarantee ring 14 can be produced from a plastic, particularly an opaque plastic, preferably with a color that provides a desirable color contrast with the closure piece.
The closure piece 12, shown individually in
The base part 16 has an attachment area 22 that surrounds a reference axis 100 of the container closure 10, and means for fastening to the container neck, in this embodiment a thread 24. A sealing skirt 26 is also provided in the attachment area and is determined to engage the interior of the container neck when the container closure 10 is in place on the container neck. The sealing skirt 26 may have a circumferential bead or curvature. In this embodiment, the base part 16 further has a spout area 28 that projects axially in the direction opposite the attachment area, and surrounds a drinking opening 31.
The cap part 18 comprises a base 32, an outer wall 34 surrounding an inner wall surface 36 of the base 32, and a gripping projection 38 extending radially outwardly from the outer wall 34.
The base 32 may be flat or curved. Extending from the inner wall surface 36 of the base 32 is an annular sealing skirt 40, which is enclosed by the outer wall 34 at a radial distance. This sealing skirt 40 is determined to engage the interior of the drinking opening 31 of the pouring area 28 when the cap part 18 is in the closed position. The sealing skirt 40 may have a circumferential bead or curvature.
The outer wall 34 has a lower cylindrical or slightly tapered edge area 42 that, in the closed position of the closure 12, radially abuts a cylindrical or slightly tapered radially outwardly directed seating surface 44 in a connection area between the spout area 28 and the attachment area 22 of the base part 14. Thus, in the closed position, the cap part 18 encloses the pouring area 28. The edge area 42 and the sealing skirt 40 may allow liquid and gas tight sealing of the space enclosed by the cap part 18 and base part 14. This is advantageous for the use of the closure for aseptic filling.
The seating surface 44 is partially enclosed by a curved peripheral wall 46 which projects axially from the attachment area 22 in the direction opposite the thread 24 and extends through an angle preferably greater than 90°, in the example greater than 180° about the reference axis 100 of the container closure 10. The seating surface 44 and the peripheral wall 46 are radially spaced apart and define an arcuate cavity 48 into which the lower edge area 42 of the outer wall 34 of the cap part 18 enters in the closed position. The arcuate cavity 48 is bounded circumferentially by two stops 50, as shown in
The outer wall 34 of the cap part 18 has a radially outwardly directed annular notch 54, which is preferably located in a central area of the cap part 18 axially between the base 32 and the lower edge area 42 and which, in the closed position, is not covered by the curved peripheral wall 46 of the base part 16.
The guarantee ring 14 shown in
As in the first embodiment, the cap part 18 has an anchor wall 80 that extends outside the outer wall 34 at a radial distance from the outer wall 34 and is rigidly connected to the lower edge 41 of the cap part 18 by a bridge 82 of the cap part 18 extending radially outward from the lower edge 41 of the cap part 18.
The container closure 10 is produced as follows. The closure piece 12 is produced by an injection molding method in the open position of
The indicator part 58 is partially located in an upper area of the cavity 48, radially between the peripheral wall 46 and the lower edge area 42 of the cap part 18, and circumferentially between the stops 50, and projects axially out of the cavity 48 such as to remain partially radially visible in front of the first opening. The hinge 20 and the indicator part 58 are on the same side of a transverse plane 500 that extends through the annular collar 56.
When the container closure 10 is first moved from the closed position of
When the container closure 10 is returned to the closed position of
The container closure 10 in accordance with the third embodiment is shown in
The container closure 10 in accordance with the fourth embodiment is shown in
The container closure 10 in accordance with the fifth embodiment is shown in
The base piece 12.1 comprises a connection area 22 having a thread 24 for connection to a container neck, a pouring area 28 forming the drinking opening 31 of the container closure 10, and a curved hook wall 146 projecting axially from a flat upper bearing surface 122 of the attachment area 22 in the direction opposite to the thread 24 and extending through an angle preferably greater than 180°, in the example greater than 270° about the reference axis 100 of the container closure 10. The two circumferentially opposite ends of the hook wall 146 form two lateral stops 150 that circumferentially define a recess 120 of the base piece. The hook wall 146 has a radially inwardly projecting shoulder 152 and defines a notch 148 with the upper bearing surface 122 of the attachment area 22.
The head piece 12.2 has a cap part 18, a hinge 20, and an anchor ring 210 connected at a lower extension 212 of the hinge.
The anchor ring 210 comprises an annular flat lower bearing surface 222, an annular flat upper bearing surface 224 and an arcuate anchor projection 248, the dimensions of which correspond to the dimensions of the bearing surface 122, or the circumferential wall 146 and its shoulder 152, so that after mounting the anchor projection 248 behind the shoulder 152 engages positively or non-positively while the bearing surface 222 rests on the bearing surface 122 over a wide area, in such a way that there is no longer any possibility of movement between the anchor ring 210 and the base piece 12.1. positively/force-fit behind the shoulder 152 while the bearing surface 222 rests on the bearing surface 122 over a wide area, in such a way that there is no longer any possibility of movement between the anchor ring 210 and the base part 12.1, and that the anchor ring 210 and the base part 12.1 together form a base part 16 which has the same external shape as the base part 16 of the first embodiment.
The hinge 20 is shown here as a snap hinge and allows the cap part 18 to pivot about a pivot axis 200 that extends perpendicular to the sectional plane of
As in the other embodiments, the cap part 18 has an anchor wall 80 which extends radially outwardly from the outer wall 34 and is rigidly connected to the lower edge 41 of the cap part 18 by a bridge 82 of the cap part 18 extending radially outwardly from the lower edge 41 of the cap part 18, and to which the hinge 20 is connected.
After mounting, the head piece 12.2 and the base piece 12.1 together form an assembly 12.3 which has the same external shape and the same function as the closure piece 12 of the first embodiment, except that the two parts 12.1, 12.2 may be made of two different materials, or have different colors. It is possible, for example, to manufacture the head piece 12.2 from transparent or opaque polypropylene (PP) and the base piece 12.1 from high-density polyethylene (HDPE).
The anchor ring 210 has a curved hook wall 46 that extends through an angle preferably greater than 180°, in the example greater than 270° about the reference axis 100 of the container closure 10. The hook wall 46 has a radially inwardly projecting shoulder 52, which has the same shape and function as the shoulder 52 of the first embodiment, and after mounting is radially opposite the lower edge area 42 of the outer wall 34 of the cap part 18 and defines a cavity 48 with the latter and the upper bearing surface 224.
The guarantee ring 14 is identical to that of the first embodiment, to which reference is made for a detailed description.
The container closure 10 is produced as follows. The three parts 12.1,12.2,14 are produced separately by injection molding, with the head piece 12.2 in the open position of
If necessary, the sequence of the three assembly steps can be changed. The cap part 18 can be brought into the closed position, for example, after the open head piece 12.2 has been placed on the base piece 12.1. The guarantee ring 14 can be placed on the open head piece 12.2 if necessary.
After mounting, the indicator part 58 is partially within an upper area of the cavity 48, radially between the hook wall 46 and the lower edge area 42 of the cap part 18, and partially out of the cavity 48 so as to remain partially radially visible in front of the first opening. When the container closure 10 is first moved from the closed position of
Where appropriate, the hook wall of the anchor ring may have recesses or windows, which may correspond to recesses in the hook wall of the base piece and through which the cavity may be seen before the fracture is separated and the indicator part may be seen after the fracture is separated.
Other variants are foreseen. The outer guarantee ring 12 according to the invention can be applied to a container closure having a closure piece 12 and a spout piece 128, wherein the closure piece 12 has a base part 16 and a cap part 18 which are injection molded in the closed position, and the spout piece 128 is inserted into the closed closure piece 12.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 2021 105 870.8 | Mar 2021 | DE | national |
| 10 2021 113 872.8 | May 2021 | DE | national |
| 10 2021 132 116.6 | Dec 2021 | DE | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2022/055746 | 3/7/2022 | WO |
