CLOSURE CAP

Abstract

The invention relates to a closure cap for closing the pour opening of a container, having a cylindrical threaded part, which has an open edge and an internal thread which is formed on the inside and can interact with an external screw thread of a container neck of the container, a tamper-proof ring which is designed to be held on a protrusion formed on the container neck, and a retaining strip having a first and a second end. In the unopened state, the retaining strip is arranged between the threaded part and the tamper-proof ring and along the circumference of the tamper-proof ring and extends in an arc with a first angle ranging from 30 to 50 degrees. Third predetermined breaking elements are arranged in that portion of the threaded part in which threaded part and tamper-proof ring lie directly on top of each other.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a closure cap for closing a container according to the preamble of claim 1, and to a container having such a closure cap according to the preamble of claim 20.

PRIOR ART

Closure caps which are captively held on the container and close the pour opening thereof are known from the prior art in the field of plastic closure caps with a tamper-proof ring. The holding function is also important since legal regulations are to be expected under which closures of beverage bottles must be connected captively to the beverage bottle even when in the open state.

A container closure having a threaded part and a tamper-proof ring is known from the prior art. The open edge of the threaded part is connected to the tamper-proof ring by means of a retaining strip, whereby the threaded part is captively held on the tamper-proof ring or the container even after being unscrewed from a container. However, the unscrewed threaded part is a hindrance to the user when product is poured out and also when drinking from the bottle. In addition, the retaining strip can be easily torn off when the bottle is opened, as a result of which the threaded part is no longer held on the tamper-proof ring.

CH 715 953 A2 and CH 716 074 A1 disclose closure caps with a first and a second retaining strip between the tamper-proof ring and the threaded part. The two retaining strips are indispensable for holding the threaded part in the open position in a stable and wobble-free manner on the beverage bottle. The dimensioning and the design of the two retaining strips are complicated with regard to smooth functioning.

Advantages of the Invention

From the disadvantages of the described prior art, the present invention advantageously provides a captive closure cap in such a way that it no longer has these disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention comprises a closure cap for closing the pour opening of a container via the features given in the independent claims. Developments and/or advantageous alternative embodiments form the subject-matter of the dependent claims.

The invention advantageously provides a single retaining strip, the single retaining strip in the unopened state is arranged between the threaded part and the tamper-proof ring and along the circumference of the tamper-proof ring and extends in an arc with a first angle ranging from 30 to 50 degrees, wherein third predetermined breaking elements are arranged in that portion of the threaded part in which the threaded part and the tamper-proof ring lie directly on top of each other. This angular dimension enables the formation of a relatively short retaining strip which has a restoring force or a spring force and can press the threaded part against the container neck in the opened state. The length of the retaining strip therefore enables a stable open position of the threaded part with a single retaining strip. Both the retaining ring and the tamper-proof ring are held on the threaded part by the third predetermined breaking elements, as a result of which the original closure of the closure cap can be clearly recognized visually and by the increased opening force.

In one embodiment of the invention, the first connection between the retaining strip and the threaded part is made along the open edge of the lateral surface, and this first connection extends over an arc with a second angle ranging from 10 to 25 degrees. As a result of this wide connection, the retaining strip is held firmly on the threaded part, whereby unintentional tearing is reliably prevented. This is particularly important when the threaded part is unscrewed from the container and a high tensile force acts on the short retaining strip in the process.

Advantageously, the first connection between the retaining strip and the threaded part in cross section along an imaginary sectional plane is 4 mm² to 6 mm². Together with the dimensioning of the second angle, this results in a stable connection of the retaining strip to the threaded part, which connection withstands high tensile forces.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the second connection between the retaining strip and the tamper-proof ring is made along the tamper-proof ring, and this second connection extends over an arc with a third angle ranging from 6 to 10 degrees. As a result, the second end of the retaining strip is also held in a stable manner on the tamper-proof ring when the threaded part is unscrewed.

Advantageously, the second connection between the retaining strip and threaded part in cross section along an imaginary sectional plane is 3 mm² to 5 mm². Together with the dimensioning of the third angle, this results in a stable connection of the retaining strip to the tamper-proof ring, which connection withstands high tensile forces.

Advantageously, the first end of the retaining strip is connected to the open edge of the threaded part, and the second end is connected to the tamper-proof ring by means of, respectively, a first and a second film hinge. This facilitates the pivoting of the retaining strip, which is necessary for the opened state of the threaded part. In addition, the retaining strip attains a predefined position by the film hinges in the opened state.

It has proven expedient if the tamper-proof ring has a circumferential stop edge on the side facing the threaded part. The open edge can be fixed in the opened state to this stop edge. This is made possible by the retaining strip pressing the threaded part against the stop edge.

In a further embodiment, a groove extending in the circumferential direction is provided on the outer side of the lateral surface. In the opened state, the groove is pressed against the support ring of the container, whereby the threaded part can be fixed to the container. It is also conceivable that the groove can be fixed to the stop edge. The groove can be present only in a specific circumferential part of the threaded part or run completely around the lateral surface. The groove indicates to the user that it is to be used for fixing the threaded part in the opened state. The groove therefore improves the intuitive use of the closure cap.

Advantageously, in the unopened state of the closure cap, the retaining strip is accommodated in a recess of the tamper-proof ring. As a result, the retaining strip requires only a small additional space, and the additional height of the tamper-proof ring is minimal.

It has proven expedient if the at least one first predetermined breaking element and the at least second predetermined breaking element have different tensile or tear strengths or that an internal thread is formed on the inner side of the retaining strip, which internal thread can interact with the external thread of the container neck, wherein the third predetermined breaking elements have identical tensile or tear strengths to the at least one first predetermined breaking element. As a result, it is possible during the unscrewing operation to control the retaining strip such that it remains in the recess until it is pulled upward in a defined manner. The retaining strip therefore attains its length not necessarily during unscrewing, but rather only when the length for fixing the threaded part to the container neck is needed.

Because the retaining strip has a cross section between 1.5 mm² and 2.5 mm², it has an increased torsional stiffness in the longitudinal direction. As a result, the threaded part in the open position is pressed or rotated in the direction of the container neck.

Due to the increased cross section, the retaining strip projects beyond the tamper-proof ring and the lateral surface. As a result, the torsional stiffness of the retaining strip can be increased individually by the retaining strip projecting more or less beyond the tamper-proof ring and the lateral surface. The material used for this is minimal.

Advantageously, the first predetermined breaking element is a first predetermined breaking web and the second predetermined breaking element is a second predetermined breaking web and the third predetermined breaking elements are third predetermined breaking webs. The predetermined breaking webs can be defined in such a way that they tear in a defined manner, depending on the axial force acting on them.

It proves advantageous if one to three first predetermined breaking webs are arranged between the open edge of the threaded part and the first edge of the retaining strip. It is also advantageous if one to three second predetermined breaking webs are arranged between the tamper-proof ring and the second edge of the retaining strip. The number of first and second predetermined breaking webs determines how firmly the retaining strip is affixed. When the closure cap is pressed onto the container neck, the retaining strip is stabilized by the predetermined breaking webs and cannot be damaged when pressed on.

It has proven expedient if the tear strength of the second predetermined breaking webs is greater than the tear strength of the first and third predetermined breaking webs. As a result, the retaining strip remains on the tamper-proof ring when the threaded part is unscrewed, and it is possible to release the retaining strip from the tamper-proof ring when it is required for pressing the threaded part onto the container neck.

It is advantageous if the first and second predetermined breaking webs are arranged at uniform distances along the first and the second edge, respectively. It is also advantageous if the third predetermined breaking webs are arranged at uniform distances between the threaded part and the tamper-proof ring.

A further aspect of the invention relates to a container comprising a container body, a container neck with an external thread, a support ring formed at the transition from the container body to the container neck, and a closure cap according to the above description.

The invention is also characterized in that the free edge of the threaded part or the groove can be latched to the support ring.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further advantages and features will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment of the invention with reference to the schematic drawings. In the drawings, which are not true to scale:

FIG. 1: shows a closure cap in an isometric view;

FIG. 2: shows the closure cap of FIG. 1 in a side view with an optional groove;

FIG. 3: is a sectional view through the closure cap along the central axis;

FIG. 4: is a further isometric view of the closure cap with the optional groove;

FIG. 5: is a sectional view in a first sectional plane perpendicular to the central axis with three illustrated angles;

FIG. 6: is a sectional view in a second sectional plane perpendicular to the central axis

FIG. 7: is a sectional view through the tamper-proof ring along the central axis

FIG. 8: is an isometric view of the closure cap and the container obliquely from above, wherein the cap is in the open position;

FIG. 9: is a further isometric view of the closure cap and the container from the side, wherein the cap is in the open position and

FIG. 10: is a further isometric view of the closure cap and the container obliquely from above, wherein the cap is latched with a groove to the support ring of the container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 through 4 show a closure cap which is denoted as a whole by reference sign 11. The closure cap 11 is captively held on a container 13 (FIGS. 8 to 10), in particular on a bottle 13. The closure cap 11 comprises a cylindrical threaded part 15, a tamper-proof ring 17, and a retaining strip 19.

The threaded part 15 comprises a head plate 21 and a lateral surface 23 having an open edge 25. An internal thread 27 is formed on the inside of the casing 23. The container 13 comprises a container body 28 and a container neck 29 adjoining the container body 28. An external thread 31 is formed on the container neck 29 and interacts with the internal thread 27. As a result, the threaded part 15 can be screwed onto and unscrewed from the container neck 29. The closure cap 11 closes off the pour opening 32 which is provided within the container neck 29.

The tamper-proof ring 17 is held in a form fit on the container neck 13. For this purpose, an annular protrusion (not visible in the figures) is formed on the outside of the container neck 29 and can be engaged from below by protrusions 30 formed on the inside of the tamper-proof ring 17. The tamper-proof ring 17 is rotatable relative to the container neck 29.

The retaining strip 19 has a first end 33 and a second end 35. The first end 33 is fixedly connected to the open edge 25. The second end 35 is fixedly connected to the tamper-proof ring 17. As a result, the closure cap 11 is captively held on the container 13. Furthermore, the retaining strip 19 has a first edge 37 and a second edge 39. The first edge 37 is connected to the open edge 25 by a plurality of first predetermined breaking webs 41, and the second edge 39 is releasably connected to the tamper-proof ring 17 by a plurality of second predetermined breaking webs 43. It is advantageous if 1 to 3 first predetermined breaking webs 41 and 1 to 3 second predetermined breaking webs 43 are present and they are arranged uniformly along the retaining strip 19. It is also advantageous if the retaining strip 19 has a width between 4 mm and 5 mm so that it is sufficiently stable and that it can be removed manually from the threaded part 15 or the tamper-proof ring 17. At the locations at which the open edge 25 and the tamper-proof ring 17 are directly adjacent to one another and are not separated from one another by the retaining strip 19, third predetermined breaking webs 45 connect the threaded part 15 to the tamper-proof ring 17. The third predetermined breaking webs 45 are advantageously arranged at uniform distances between the open edge 25 and the tamper-proof ring 17.

By unscrewing from the container neck 29, the threaded part 15 can be transferred from the unopened state to the opened state. By screwing it on, the threaded part 15 can be returned from the opened state to the unopened state. In the unopened state, the retaining strip 19 is arranged between the threaded part 15 and the tamper-proof ring 17 and along the circumference of the tamper-proof ring 17. In the unopened state, the retaining strip 19 extends in an arc with a first angle 49 ranging from 30 to 50 degrees and is accommodated in a recess 47 of the tamper-proof ring. As a result, the retaining strip 19 is integrated in a space-saving manner into the tamper-proof ring 17.

The first connection 51 between the retaining strip 19 and the threaded part 15 is made along the open edge 25, and this first connection 51 extends over an arc with a second angle 53 ranging from 10 to 25 degrees. The first connection 51 in cross section along an imaginary sectional plane horizontal to the central axis 55 is 4 mm² to 6 mm².

The second connection 57 between the retaining strip 19 and the tamper-proof ring 17 is made along the tamper-proof ring, and this second connection 57 extends over an arc with a third angle 59 ranging from 6 to 10 degrees. The second connection 57 between the retaining strip 19 and the threaded part 15 in cross section along an imaginary sectional plane horizontal to the central axis 55 is 3 mm² to 5 mm².

The length of the retaining strip is as short as possible due to the size of the first angle 49. Furthermore, the retaining strip 19, due to its cross section 61 between 1.5 mm² and 2.5 mm², has an increased torsional stiffness along its longitudinal axis. Due to this enlarged cross section, the retaining strip 19 can project beyond the tamper-proof ring 17 and the lateral surface 23. As a result, the retaining strip 19 has a restoring force or a spring force and presses the threaded part 15 against the container neck 29 in the opened state.

So that during unscrewing, the retaining strip 19 does not tear away from the threaded part 15 or the tamper-proof ring 17 despite its short longitudinal extension, the first and second connections 51, 57, as described above, are designed with an enlarged cross section.

The first end 33 of the retaining strip 19 is connected to the open edge 25 of the threaded part 15 by a first film hinge 63. The second end 35 is connected to the tamper-proof ring 17 by means of a second film hinge 65. By means of the hinges 63, 65, the retaining strip 19 can be better folded outward when the threaded part 15 is transferred into the opened state.

A circumferential stop edge 67 is placed on the tamper-proof ring 17. In the opened state, the threaded part 15 is pressed by the retaining strip 19 against the tamper-proof ring 17 in such a way that the open edge 25 can be latched to the stop edge 67.

In a further embodiment, a groove 69 extending in the circumferential direction can be provided on the threaded part 15, which groove can run around the entire lateral surface 23. In the opened state, a support ring 71 usually present on the container neck 29 can latch in the groove 69. It is also possible for the stop edge 67 to latch in the groove. It is also conceivable for the free edge 25 to be latched below the support ring 71. As a result, in the opened state, the threaded part 15 is fixed to the container 13 and is therefore not a hindrance when product is poured out or when drinking from the bottle 13. The groove 69 serves the user as a fixing aid in that the user latches the groove 69 intuitively to the support ring 71 after the user has unscrewed the threaded part 15.

The first and second predetermined breaking webs 41, 43 have different tear strengths. That is to say, the second predetermined breaking webs 43 can have a greater tear strength than the first predetermined breaking webs 41. The first and third predetermined breaking webs 41, 45 can have identical tear strengths. Advantageously, the first and the second predetermined breaking webs 41, 43 are arranged or formed at uniform distances on the first edge 37 and on the second edge 39, respectively. It is also advantageous if the cross-sectional areas of the first predetermined breaking webs 41 are of the same size and if the cross-sectional areas of the second predetermined breaking webs 43 are of the same size.

Because the first and second predetermined breaking webs 41, 43 have different tensile and tear strengths, the first and third predetermined breaking webs 41, 45 advantageously break when the threaded part 15 is unscrewed, before the second predetermined breaking webs 43 break. After unscrewing the threaded part 15, the retaining strip 19 therefore remains on the threaded part 15 or on the tamper-proof ring 17. The tamper-proof ring 17 is displaceable by a few millimeters in the axial direction relative to the annular protrusion of the container neck. As a result, the retaining strip 19 can remain completely on the threaded part 15 or on the tamper-proof ring 17 since the retaining strip 19 does not have to provide any “height” between the threaded part 15 and the tamper-proof ring 17 when the threaded part 15 is unscrewed. After unscrewing the threaded part 15, the second predetermined breaking webs 43 can be torn off, depending on the length of the retaining strip 19 needed for fixing to the container neck 29.

Claims

1. A closure cap for closing the pour opening of a container, comprising: a cylindrical threaded part with a lateral surface having an open edge, a head plate connecting to the lateral surface, and an internal thread formed on an inside of the lateral surface and configured to interact with an external thread of a container neck of the container;a tamper-proof ring configured to be held on a protrusion formed on the container neck;a retaining strip having a first and a second end and a first and a second edge, wherein the first end is fixedly connected to the open edge of the threaded part via a first connection, the second end is fixedly connected to the tamper-proof ring via a second connection, the first edge is releasably connected to the open edge of the threaded part by at least one predetermined breaking element, and the second edge is releasably connected to the tamper-proof ring by at least one second predetermined breaking element;a single retaining strip that when in an unopened state is arranged between the threaded part and the tamper-proof ring and along a circumference of the tamper-proof ring and extends in an arc with a first angle ranging from 30 to 50 degrees; andthird predetermined breaking elements arranged in a portion of the threaded part in which the threaded part and the tamper-proof ring lie directly on top of each other.

2. The closure cap according to claim 1, wherein the first connection between the retaining strip and the threaded part is made along the open edge of the lateral surface and the first connection extends over an arc with a second angle ranging from 10 to 25 degrees.

3. The closure cap any of claim 1, wherein the first connection between the retaining strip and threaded part in cross section along an imaginary sectional plane is 4 mm2 to 6 mm2.

4. The closure cap of claim 1, wherein the second connection between the retaining strip and the tamper-proof ring is made along the tamper-proof ring, and extends over an arc with a third angle ranging from 6 to 10 degrees.

5. The closure cap according to claim 1, wherein the second connection between the retaining strip and the threaded part in cross section along an imaginary sectional plane is 3 mm2 to 5 mm2.

6. The closure cap according to claim 1, wherein the first end of the retaining strip is connected to the open edge of the threaded part and the second end is connected to the tamper-proof ring by a first and a second film hinge, respectively.

7. The closure cap according to claim 1, wherein the tamper-proof ring has a circumferential stop edge on a side facing the threaded part.

8. The closure cap according to claim 7, wherein the closure cap is configured to be fixed to the stop edge in the opened state.

9. The closure cap according to claim 1, further comprising a groove extending in a circumferential direction is provided on an outer side of the lateral surface.

10. The closure cap according to claim 1, wherein, in an unopened state of the closure cap, the retaining strip is accommodated in a recess of the tamper-proof ring.

11. The closure cap according to claim 1, wherein the at least one first predetermined breaking element and the at least second predetermined breaking element have different tensile or tear strengths, or that an internal thread is formed on the inner side of the retaining strip, which internal thread can interact with the external thread of the container neck, wherein the third predetermined breaking elements have identical tensile or tear strengths to the at least one first predetermined breaking element.

12. The closure cap according to claim 1, wherein the retaining strip has a cross section between 1.5 mm2 and 2.5 mm2.

13. The closure cap any of claim 1, wherein the retaining strip projects beyond the tamper-proof ring and the lateral surface.

14. The closure cap according to claim 1, wherein the first predetermined breaking element is a first predetermined breaking web, the second predetermined breaking element is a second predetermined breaking web, and that the third predetermined breaking elements are third predetermined breaking webs.

15. The closure cap according to claim 14, wherein one to three first predetermined breaking webs are arranged between the open edge of the threaded part and the first edge of the retaining strip.

16. The closure cap according to claim 14, wherein one to three second predetermined breaking webs are arranged between the tamper-proof ring and the second edge of the retaining strip.

17. The closure cap according to claim 1, wherein a tear strength of the second predetermined breaking webs is greater than the tear strength of the first and third predetermined breaking webs.

18. The closure cap according to claim 1, wherein the first and second predetermined breaking webs are arranged at uniform distances along the first and the second edge, respectively.

19. The closure cap according to claim 18, wherein the third predetermined breaking webs are arranged at uniform distances between threaded part and tamper-proof ring.

20. A container, comprising: a container body;a container neck adjoining the container body;an external thread formed on the container neck;a support ring formed at the transition from the container neck to the container body;a closure cap for closing a pour opening defined by the container neck, comprising:a cylindrical threaded part having an open edge and an internal thread that interacts with the external thread of the container neck,a tamper-proof ring held on a protrusion formed on the container neck; anda retaining strip having a first and a second end and a first and a second edge, wherein the first end is fixedly connected to the open edge of the threaded part, the second end is fixedly connected to the tamper-proof ring, the first edge releasably connected to the open edge of the threaded part by at least one first predetermined breaking element, and the second edge releasably connected to the tamper-proof ring by at least one second predetermined breaking element;wherein the closure cap further comprising a single retaining strip that when in an unopened state is arranged between the threaded part and the tamper-proof ring and along a circumference of the tamper-proof ring and extends in an arc with a first angle ranging from 30 to 50 degrees; andwherein third predetermined breaking elements are arranged in a portion of the threaded part in which the threaded part and the tamper-proof ring lie directly on top of each other.

21. The closure according to claim 20, wherein the free edge of the threaded part or a groove is configured to be latched to the support ring.