From the prior art, closure systems are known which are used by means of a sealing film or a tamper-evident strip for tamper-proofing for example medicaments or beverages, in order to indicate the tamper-free condition after the filling process at the manufacturer's site. Moreover, foils/films may be used as protective barriers for extending the shelf life of sensitive contents by ensuring a level of tightness that goes beyond the tightness that is achieved using simple closure caps or caps with metering inserts according to the present prior art.
Moreover, closure systems are known from the prior art which contain metering elements applied to the container opening. It has so far not been possible to protect such closure systems using barrier films at the same time, especially where the container openings are relatively small.
In known closure systems from the prior art, sealing films are opened in the course of the initial screw opening process and have to be subsequently removed. Tamper-evident strips tear off in a visible manner during initial unscrewing. Sealing films provided below screw caps do not constitute reliable tamper-proofing because they are not visible but the closure itself has to be secured against opening.
Document DE 43 23 666 A1 describes a self-piercing closure device for small bottles. On the outside of the closure device, a warranty seal is provided which has to be torn off in order to gain access to the content of the small bottle. This means that the warranty seal may also fulfil the function of tamper-proofing. However, due to the external attachment of the warranty seal, there is a risk that the latter could become damaged or manipulated during production or transport.
It is the object of the present invention to provide a particularly tamper-proof closure which is also simple in design, can be produced as cost-efficiently as possible and is easy to handle.
According to the invention, a closure having a sealing element for a container filled with a fluid is provided with at least one securing mechanism arranged to be irreversibly changed in a visible manner upon initial opening of the closure. The irreversible change may manifest itself for example by the fact that an element of the closure is torn off, broken off, permanently deformed and/or discoloured as a result of the opening process. As a result of such a securing mechanism, it can be detected by the user beyond doubt whether the closure is still as originally sealed. As a result, the consumer can ascertain whether the content of the container is still in its original condition or whether its shelf life has been adversely affected by a prior opening of the closure or whether it may have been manipulated and/or contaminated.
The securing mechanism may comprise at least one visible securing element that is irreversibly changed in a visible manner due the application of a force on the closure relative to the container, which force has at least one force component along an axis perpendicular to an opening level of an opening of the container that was closed by the closure. The force mentioned above is greater than the force a user would normally apply in order to open the closure, and in particular significantly greater than any forces that would normally occur during transport of the closure and the container. As a result of its direction, the force effects a movement of the closure onto the opening of the container towards it and away from it. This means that a visible irreversible change occurs particularly if an attempt is made to remove the closure from the container or to push it against the container, for example in order to gain access to the opening and thus to the content of the container. As a result of the solution according to the invention, also an inadvertent intervention, for example as a result of improper handling or improper transport, in the closure is indicated.
The securing element may be provided on the side of the closure that faces the container, and/or may be arranged to space the closure apart from the container. As a result, it may be designed in a structurally simple manner in such a way that it will be irreversibly changed during said application of force, and/or it will reliably prevent the container from being opened.
The securing element may be connected to the closure via at least one, for example tensionally unstable, in particular radially unstable, predetermined breaking point. As a result of the predetermined breaking point, the securing element may get detached from the closure as a result of an, in particularly specifically radial, application of force in a predictable and well visible manner. Alternatively, the securing element may comprise a predetermined kinking point. The kinking of the securing element, predefined by the predetermined kinking point, is preferably visible and irreversible. According to a particular embodiment of a securing element having a predetermined kinking point, the securing element may be pushed either completely or only partially under the closure or in particular the first and/or second elements by sliding the first and second elements into the second position. Apart from the indication effect, this pushing under may also have a clamping effect in order to additionally secure the closure in the second (usage) position.
The securing element may surround the opening closed by the closure, preferably essentially in an annular manner. As a result, the opening and thus the content of the container is additionally protected against manipulation.
The securing element may be designed so that it can be torn off from the closure, and the securing element may comprise for example a handle element, in particular a tab. Due to the fact that the securing element is designed so that it can be torn off, for example by means of predetermined breaking points between the securing element and the closure and/or within the securing element, it can be removed by the user in order to open the closure in an unhindered manner. Due to the use of a handling element, in particular a tab, the tearing off can be accomplished in a particularly simple manner. Due to the fact that the tab is circumferentially connected to the securing element by a tear-off element, inadvertent or premature tearing off for example during the handling or closing process will also be prevented, especially since the circumferentially attached tear-off element is advantageously designed in such a way that it offers only few attacking points for mechanical interference.
The securing element and/or the first and/or the second element may have latching means such as at least one latching nose, wherein the container may have for example at least one latching pin that is complementary to the latching nose. Alternatively, also the at least one latching pin may be provided for example on the securing element and/or at least one latching nose on the container that is complementary thereto. The latching nose and the latching pin may cooperate in a form-locking manner during a movement of the securing element along the axis away from the container and in a force-locking manner during a movement thereof towards the container. The terms “latching nose” and “latching pin” are not to be understood to have a limiting effect on the form of the latching element but are merely intended to illustrate their functional interplay. According to the invention, latching means between the first and second elements secure two positions preferably into latching stages against tampering, namely in particular the first position of the first and second elements which is adjusted during production (e.g. “delivery position”), and a second position (e.g. “usage position”) generated by the user of the container. The securing element, however, may according to the invention be designed with just one latching stage in a user-induced position, with the first element, the second element and/or the container as the latching partner. Advantageously, the securing element cooperates with the first element if at all only slightly in a force-locking manner, so that the first element may be decoupled, at least to a large degree, from force effects of the securing element.
By means of latching noses and/or latching pins, the securing element may be reliably held in its position on the container. As a result of a force-locking connection of the latching noses and the latching pins during a movement of the securing element towards the container, the closure together with a security element may be attached to the container whilst overcoming the resistance during the filling process, which is caused by the form lock. The form-locking connection in the opposite direction prevents a pulling off of the securing element and in particular the closure with the security element from the container. Advantageously, the resistance caused by the form lock, for example as a result of a suitable choice of material and/or shape, may be selected to be greater than the force necessary for an irreversible change to the security element. As a result it is assured that the closure cannot be pulled off from the container without irreversibly and visibly changing the securing element.
The securing element may consist of at least one elastically deformable material, preferably made from a plastic. The use of an elastic material ensures that the securing element will not already be irreversibly changed for example during filling or during transport, but only in the case of an attempt to open the container.
The closure may comprise a second element and a first element for receiving the second element. Here, the first element and the second element may be displaced relative to each other from a first position into a second position, and in the first position the sealing element is intact and in the second position the sealing element has been penetrated by the second element. The first element and the second element are preferably connected to each other in all positions. For example, the second element may be an insert for the first element. The sealing element may here be attached in the first element by means of a sealing ring and may in particular be tensioned by the sealing ring. Moreover, a sealing ring is advantageous in order to maintain a reliable seal and in order to facilitate a simpler attachment of the sealing element in the first element. The sealing ring is here adapted in its size to the circumference of the first element, so that a reliable seal is ensured. The fluid may for example be a drinking fluid, such as for example water, or a drinkable or inhalable, in particular gaseous medicament or one that evaporates or sublimes under ambient conditions.
For example, at least one control element is attached to the second element as part of the securing mechanism, through which control element it can be seen whether the second element is still in its initial position. As a result, it is meant to be more evident and simpler to detect whether an opening action has already been carried out, in order to indicate the tamper-free condition to consumers.
Further, the at least one control element is irreversibly changed by displacing the second element relative to the first element. As a result of the irreversible change to the at least one control element it is ensured that, if the second element is brought back into the initial position after the initial opening, it can be detected that an opening process of the container has already occurred. In this case, suitable control elements are in particular for example so-called flaps which, when the second element is pushed in, kink in a visible and irreversible manner. In particular, a prior opening of the container may be detected by deformations or material discolorations for example as a result of material fatigue on the control elements. It is also conceivable to connect the first element and the second element to each other in an unopened initial condition of the container, and the connection can be separated by means of a displacement from the first position into the second position using an amount of force that is low for a user of the container. Such a connection may for example be an at least partial welding of the first element to the second element. However, also other embodiments such as for example a seal strip attached between the first and second elements are conceivable, which seal strip tears off when pushed in, thus indicating an initial opening.
The second element can essentially completely envelope the first element at least on the side facing away from the container. As a result, the first element may be concealed and thus additionally be protected against manipulation. This is prudent in particular if the first element is used to fix a sealing element on the container. By concealing the first element, thus also manipulations on the sealing element that is essential for the protection of the container content are prevented.
In an advantageous embodiment, at least one cutting surface for severing the sealing element at least partially or in sections is provided on the second element. Such a cutting surface is advantageous in order to ensure a reliable severing and in order to provide a sufficient opening, through which the fluid can exit. It is conceivable to remove a section from the sealing element or to generate, by means of a preferably nonlinear cut, an opening in the still connected sealing element. Moreover it is advantageous that the cutting surface is a part of the second element and is located on the part of the second element that is located closest to the sealing element in the displacement direction. However, it would also be possible to attach the cutting surface via an attachment or the like to the second element. Further it is also possible to provide a plurality of cutting surfaces on the second element in order to sever the sealing element in several places at the same time. The cutting surfaces are designed such that the opening generated thereby can carry a fluid flow and ensures the latter, which at least corresponds to that of a spout of the closure.
In a particular embodiment, the closure comprises a holding element for holding a movable section generated by severing the sealing element. By holding such a movable section, the movable section is secured in a defined holding position, so that a constant flow of fluid through the penetrated sealing element is ensured. This prevents for example that a lobe-shaped movable section of the sealing element is movable in the fluid flow or flaps. The holding element may be designed for example in a spit-shaped manner for skewering a section of the sealing element, and is preferably movable in the piercing direction against the sealing element and is even more preferably provided with barbs for holding the section of the sealing element in the piercing direction.
The closure may have an internal thread that is complementary to an external thread of the container. Alternatively, the closure may also have an external thread that is complementary to an internal thread of the container. As a result, the closure may be securely fastened to the container by screwing it on. The closure may here have for example be a ratchet that is designed to allow the closure to be screwed onto the container and to prevent the closure from being screwed off from the container. As a result of the ratchet, the closure may be readily screwed on during the filling process, however it can no longer be removed thereafter, so that an unnoticed access to the container content is not possible. In particular, also any possible fixing of the sealing element on the container by the closure cannot be compromised.
The ratchet may have a number of for example three follower ribs and/or an in particular a same number or a number that is divisible by an integer or a multiple of for example three snap-on ribs. Here, in particular the follower ribs may be provided on a first part of the closure that is accessible from the outside of the closure, and/or the snap-on ribs may be provided on a second part of the closure that is connected to the internal thread. The first and second parts of the closure may in particular be the first and second elements of the closure. Alternatively, the arrangement of the follower ribs and the snap-on ribs may also be interchanged. During the screwing on of the closure, the follower ribs and the snap-on ribs cooperate in a form-locking manner, so that a rotary movement of the first part of the closure is transmitted onto the internal thread, so that the closure may be screwed on tightly. In the case of a screwing-off attempt, the follower ribs and the snap-on ribs cooperate only in a force-locking manner, and the ratchet is preferably designed in such a way that the maximum torque that can be transmitted by the form lock is lower than the minimum torque that is required for screwing the closure off from the container. As a result, in the case of an attempt of screwing the closure off, only the first part of the closure rotates, whereas the second part of the closure, which carries the thread, remains firmly on the container and in particular maintains the sealing effect of the sealing element.
The sealing element may be formed as a film type, preferably as a multi-layer sealing film, in order to ensure a good seal of the internal cavity of the container against the environment of the container.
It is possible for the sealing element to be connected in a firmly bonded manner neither with the closure nor with the container. The sealing element may in particular simply be placed within the closure and/or may be placed on the container and may be clamped between the closure and the container by attaching the closure to the container. As a result, the need for an additional fastening step for the sealing element for example by welding during production and/or during filling is eliminated. Advantageously, the sealing element may be clamped in the closure in a movable, but captive manner.
It is further advantageous if the sealing element is designed as a circumferential sealing element made from an elastic material. It is particularly preferred here that the sealing element is made from an extensive closed pore foam. To this end, above all PE foam is suitable, in particular due to its elasticity and its low production costs. The use of a foam has the advantage, with regard to sealing the various elements, that the latter is uniformly pressed against the various elements. This also allows a reliable sealing effect to be ensured even in the case of greater manufacturing tolerances in the first and second elements. In particular, the extensively designed closed pore foam is covered with a film element at least on one side. An additional attachment of a foil offers the advantage that the foam, in particular for example also for alcoholic solutions, becomes impermeable so as to ensure a reliable seal. Aluminium is preferably used as the material for the foil.
In particular, the sealing element may be provided with weak points that are impermeable to the fluid, which act as predetermined breaking points for a predefined opening of the sealing element. The predefined opening occurs for example when the sealing element breaks only on one side when displacing the second element into the second position, and/or is pushed towards one side in such a way that the sealing element does not substantially reduce the cross-sectional area of the opening of the container that is closed by the closure. As a result, in particular a combination with a metering element is facilitated, which relies on a fluid flow from the container that is as unhindered as possible.
Further, at least one, preferably exactly one, return channel is provided in the closure, in particular in the second element, via which air can get into the container. To this end, the closure, in particular the second element, may be provided with at least one vent.
In a further advantageous embodiment, a channel for fluid is provided in the closure, in particular in the second element, particularly eccentrically. An eccentric arrangement, and also a cross section of the fluid channel that is as large as possible, are in each case particularly advantageous in order to optimise a maximum through-flow through the return channel in any given design of the closure. Thus, a possible capillary effect may be substantially reduced or completely prevented. However, it would also be conceivable to have a central arrangement of the fluid channel, as a result of which an annular return channel would be obtained. However, this is not advantageous because in the case of small spaces, a stronger capillary effect occurs in an annular return channel. Further, as a result of a central arrangement of the fluid channel, a plurality of return channels is possible. A plurality of return channels offers the possibility of ensuring a higher structural stability as a result of a larger number of walls between the return channels. A circumferential return channel is advantageous because it allows any residual medium in the closure element to be recycled back into the bottle.
It is further possible for the first and second elements to be sealed against each other via sealing surfaces at least in the second position. Particularly advantageous is such a sealing in the second position because the sealing element is severed in this position and the sealing that exists as a result of the sealing element thus no longer completely exists. To this end, the sizes of two elements are matched to each other in such a manner that external surfaces of the second element in a certain area cooperate in a sealing manner at least partially with complementary internal surfaces of the first element, whilst at the same time displacement of both elements relative to each other is still possible. In this connection, at least the first element is made from an at least partially elastic material, for example from polyethylene (PE), in order to facilitate displacement. If polyethylene is used, this may be of the HD (high density; PE-HD) or the LD (low density; PE-LD) type. PP and PE are preferred because types are available for these materials that are certified and admissible for foodstuffs or medicaments. Alternatively, it is possible for the second element to cooperate in a sealing manner with a sealing element and/or the sealing ring in the second position. Such cooperation of these elements is advantageous because in this way, a reliable sealing after the initial opening can be ensured.
Particularly preferably, the first element and/or the second element are provided with at least one latching nose and/or with at least one latching pin that is complementary to the latching nose. The purpose of providing latching noses and complementary latching pins is that the second element is reliably held both in the first and in the second positions.
In a further preferred embodiment, the at least one latching nose acts only in a form-locking manner against a displacement direction and/or in a force-locking manner along the displacement direction. A form-locking connection against the displacement direction is advantageous because in this way, an undesired pulling out of the second element from the first element is reliably prevented. Further it is also prevented that the second element slides out of the first element by itself during transport. A force-locking connection along the displacement direction is advantageous because in this way a certain force has to be applied in order to carry out the initial opening process, which prevents an accidental and self-induced pushing in or sliding of the second element for example during transport. Further advantageously, the second element is still secured against pushing back after displacement on the first element by a number of latching noses and complementary latching pins in the second position, e.g. the use position, in order to reliably maintain the tightness between the first and second elements. The sealing effect may be generated either between the first and the second element, the first element and the container and/or the second element and the container, preferably by pressing the sealing element between the respective sealing partners.
Advantageously, a cap is provided for sealing, which preferably seals both the liquid channel and the return channel. This cap may in particular be suitable for reversibly closing the container after initial opening. The cap is here advantageously designed in such a way that it is fastened, via a flexible element, for example a film hinge, to the closure, in particular on the first or the second element, and can thus simply be folded over the two channels. Closing of the two channels is necessary in order to ensure that no fluid can exit from the container even if the container is not stored in an upright position. The cap, or at least a coating of the cap, and the flexible element, at least however the flexible element, may be made from an elastic material such as for example polyethylene (PE) or the like. Further, a variety of other types of rubber such as for example styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) or the like are conceivable, which have a sufficient flexibility in order to allow pivoting of the cap.
The cap may advantageously be formed without its own securing mechanism. As a result of a securing mechanism according to the invention, the necessity of securing the cap against improper opening is eliminated. As a result, the cap can be produced in a simpler and more cost-effective manner and can be opened more simply by a consumer.
Further, particularly preferable, a facility for securing against manipulation is provided in the fluid channel and/or in the at least one return channel, in such a way that there is no free, substantially linear path from a pour opening or a return opening to the sealing element. Particularly advantageously, the facility for securing against manipulation has lateral openings and a closed underside and/or vaulting provided on the sealing element. The underside and/or vaulting is for example a continuous surface or a surface that is interrupted in sections, which is for example secured against penetration by a syringe. By means of a manipulation security designed in such a way it is intended to be reliably prevented that the content of the bottle is manipulated from the outside, for example by means of a syringe, for which the sealing element is accessible through an opening of the closure. The lateral openings ensure that after opening, the fluid reaches the pour opening through the fluid channel.
Further advantages and embodiments will become evident from the attached drawings.
Any technical features listed therein are also claimed in isolation from their combination of features which is listed only by way of example. Any technical features having the same or a similar effect are identified with the same reference numerals. For the sake of clarity, the identification with reference numerals of technical features shown several times has partially been omitted. In the figures:
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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10 2015 016 817.7 | Dec 2015 | DE | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/EP2016/002160 | 12/22/2016 | WO | 00 |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
WO2017/108186 | 6/29/2017 | WO | A |
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5992659 | Nofer et al. | Nov 1999 | A |
5992692 | Boissay | Nov 1999 | A |
6116445 | Ikemori | Sep 2000 | A |
20130292275 | Smart | Nov 2013 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
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387946 | Apr 1989 | AT |
4323666 | Jan 1994 | DE |
102010029259 | Dec 2011 | DE |
102011055700 | May 2013 | DE |
2533890 | Apr 1984 | FR |
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WO 2008044442 | Apr 2008 | WO |
Entry |
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International Preliminary Report on Patentability (w/translation) issued in application No. PCT/EP2016/002160, dated Jun. 26, 2018 (12 pgs). |
International Search Report and Written Opinion (w/translation) issued in application No. PCT/EP2016/002160, dated Mar. 15, 2017 (17 pgs). |
European Official Action issued in related European Patent Application Serial No. 16 834 235.0, dated Jul. 8, 2020 with translation (11 pgs). |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20180370698 A1 | Dec 2018 | US |