CH717622A1 - container closure. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a container closure (11) made of plastic, comprising a retaining ring (19) which can be undetachably connected to a container neck (13) of a container (15) and borders a first filling material outlet (23), and a lid (21) which has a is held on the retaining ring (19) by a hinge and can be pivoted from a closed position, in which the cover (21) closes the first filling material outlet (23), into an open position, in which the first filling material outlet (23) is released. On the inside of the retaining ring (19) there is an internal thread which is designed in such a way that the container closure (11) can be held on an external thread (31) of the container neck (13). According to the invention, a jacket section (33) is formed on the lid (21), on the inside of which a second holding means (37) is formed, the second holding means (37) being latchable on the external thread (31) of the container neck (13).

Description

field of invention

The invention relates to a container closure made of plastic according to the preamble of claim 1 and a container with such a container closure according to the preamble of claim 14.

State of the art

Closures are known from the prior art in the field of plastic container closures, which have a retaining ring and a lid pivotably held on the retaining ring with a joint. Such closures are also referred to as flip-top closures and are held on a container neck in order to close and release the pouring opening which the container neck delimits. The lid can be transferred from a closed position to an open position by means of the hinge. In the closed position, the lid latches onto the container neck or the retaining ring so that the contents do not unintentionally flow out of the container.

Such a flip-top closure is known, for example, from WO 2019/192714 A1. The retaining ring can be latched onto a first annular projection of the container neck by means of first retaining means formed on its inner wall and is thus retained on the container neck in a non-detachable manner. A ring-shaped sealing extension is formed on the inside of the lid, which protrudes into the pouring opening in the closed position and closes it with a seal. A second annular projection is formed on the open edge of the container neck, which can snap onto second retaining means on the inside of the retaining ring when the lid is in the closed position. As a result, the lid has a snap function in the closed position.

Although the tip-top closure described works well with specially adapted container necks, it is unsuitable for container necks with a standard external thread for screwing on a closure. In addition, the manufacture of the closure requires a relatively complex and correspondingly expensive mold in order to be able to form the second holding means

object of the invention

The disadvantages of the prior art described result in the task of providing a generic flip-top closure which can be mounted on a standard container neck with an external thread, the lid of which seals the pouring opening bordered by the container neck.

Another object is that the flip-top closure has a structurally simple designed snap function.

description

The solution to the problem is achieved with a container closure made of plastic by the features listed in the characterizing section of claim 1. Further developments and/or advantageous embodiment variants are the subject matter of the dependent patent claims.

On the inside of the retaining ring there is a first retaining means which is designed in such a way that the container closure can be held on an external thread of the container neck. This first holding means has the particular advantage that the container closure according to the invention can be mounted on a container neck with a standard external thread. This means that the container closure can be used for existing bottles with an external thread on existing bottling plants. Thanks to its large product outlet, the container closure allows drinks to be poured out of the container quickly. This also includes milk bottles, for which a flip-top closure is often used. The first holding means can be realized by one or more projections.

The invention is preferably characterized in that a jacket section is formed on the lid, on the inside of which a second holding means is formed, the second holding means being latchable on the external thread of the container neck. As a result, a snap closure for the cover is implemented in a simple manner. When the lid is closed, the jacket section is bent outwards by the external thread until the second retaining means snaps into the external thread of the container neck. To open the jacket section, the user bends it slightly outwards and then opens it. The snap lock reliably prevents the lid from being opened unintentionally. It is also conceivable that the second holding means latches onto a structure which, although it does not follow or correspond to the external thread, is designed in such a way that it does not interfere with the function of the thread

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the first holding means is an internal thread which can interact with the external thread of the container neck. The internal thread makes it possible for the container closure to be pressed onto the container neck in the bottling plant. It goes without saying that the container closure can also be screwed onto the container neck. It is also conceivable that the geometry of the first holding means can deviate from the standard thread form.

It has proven to be expedient if a recess is provided on the retaining ring, in which the casing section is accommodated in the closed position. As a result, the jacket section does not take up any additional space. Because of the internal thread formed on its inside, the retaining ring has a certain height, which can be used for the recess.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the recess interrupts the internal thread and the second holding means supplements the interrupted internal thread as a threaded section. The thread section has the same thread pitch as the external thread. As a result, the threaded section can latch exactly and flush with the external thread.

Accordingly, it is preferred if the threaded section has the thread pitch of the internal thread, since the pitch of the external thread and the internal thread are usually identical.

The outer contours of the jacket section expediently correspond to the outer contours of the recess. This protects the external thread, since there are no free spaces between the recess and the jacket section. In addition, this embodiment is visually appealing.

It proves to be advantageous if an anti-rotation device is formed on the retaining ring. As a result, the container closure can no longer be removed after it has been mounted on the container neck for the first time. Manipulation of the contents of the container is therefore reliably prevented. In addition, the anti-twist device ensures that the container closure is held captive on the container, as a result of which future regulations relating to environmental protection are met.

The anti-rotation device is expediently realized by at least one retaining lug formed on the lower edge of the retaining ring. The retaining lug has a ramp and a step adjoining the ramp. Using the ramp, the retaining lug can be pushed over corresponding projections on the container neck in the unscrewing direction. Unscrewing is prevented because the step cannot overcome the projections on the container neck.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the hinge is realized by at least one holding web which connects the mutually facing edges of the retaining ring and the lid. The holding web can be designed as a film hinge at each of its ends, so that it acts as a double joint. As a result, the edge of the lid is spaced from the retaining ring by the length of the retaining web in the open position. This is particularly beneficial for the hook described below.

The invention is also preferably characterized in that a hook is formed next to the hinge on the retaining ring, with which the lid latches in the open position. Preferably two hinges are provided which are spaced apart from the hook. The edge of the lid can be pulled over the hook thanks to the double joint. In the open position, the lid latches onto the hook. Therefore, there is a snap function both in the closed position and in the open position, which holds the lid in a defined position.

A sealing element with a sealing edge for sealing the container neck in the closed position is expediently present on the inside of the lid. The sealing element can be what is known as a “cone sealer” which, thanks to its truncated cone-shaped wall, makes it possible to seal against the container neck.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, a tongue is formed in the area of the hinge on the sealing edge, which increases the height of the sealing element in the area of the hinge. The tongue rests against the edge of the container neck when the lid is in a half-open position. As a result, a further open position of the lid is realized.

It proves to be expedient if the mutually facing edges of the retaining ring and the lid are connected to one another by predetermined breaking webs which break when the lid is first opened. The predetermined breaking webs indicate the opening of the lid by being broken, as a result of which the container closure has the function of a guarantee closure.

A further aspect of the invention relates to a container which comprises the container closure described above. Because the first retaining means snaps into place on the external thread in the closed position and the cover snaps into place on the hook in the open position, the double snap function described above is made possible.

Further advantages and features emerge from the following description of an embodiment of the invention with reference to the schematic representations. In a representation that is not true to scale: FIG. 1 shows a first side view of a container closure; FIG. 2: a second side view of the container closure from FIG. 1; FIG. 3: a third side view of the container closure from FIG. 1; FIG. 4: a first sectional illustration of the container closure; FIG. 5: a second sectional illustration of the container closure; FIG. 6: a third sectional illustration of the container closure; FIG. 7: a first axonometric view of the container closure; FIG. 8: a second axonometric view of the container closure; FIG. 9: an axonometric sectional representation of the container closure and FIG. 10: a detail of an axonometric sectional representation of the container closure mounted on a container neck.

In the figures 1 to 10, a container closure is shown in different views, which is denoted by the reference numeral 11 as a whole. FIG. 10 shows that the container closure 10 can be mounted or screwed onto the container neck 13 of a container 15 . The container neck 15 transitions into a container body 17 .

The container closure 11 comprises a retaining ring 19 and a cover 21. The retaining ring 19 borders a first filling material outlet 23 through which the filling material can flow out of the container 15 in order to empty it. The cover 21 is connected to the retaining ring 19 in an articulated manner by means of a hinge 25 . The lid 21 can be pivoted from a closed position into an open position by means of the hinge 25 . In the closed position the cover 21 closes the first filling material outlet 23 and in the open position this is released by the cover 21 . It goes without saying that when the container closure 11 is mounted on the container neck 13, the cover 21 also closes and releases the second filling material outlet 27 (FIG. 10), which is bordered by the container neck 13. The diameter of the first filling material outlet 23 is slightly larger than the diameter of the second filling material outlet 27. This allows the filling material to be emptied quickly from the container. This is an advantage with beverage bottles, for example.

On the inside of the retaining ring 19, a first retaining means is preferably formed in the form of an internal thread 29. The internal thread 29 interacts with an external thread 31 formed on the outside of the container neck 13, as a result of which the retaining ring 19 is held on the container neck 13. The container closure 11 can therefore be screwed or pressed onto the container neck 13 .

A further advantage of the container closure according to the invention is that the cover 21 latches or snaps in the closed position and in the open position. These snap functions are realized by the following features: A casing section 33 is formed on the cover 21, which can also be regarded as a tongue. So that the jacket section 33 has room in the closed position of the cover 21, a recess 35 is provided on the retaining ring 19, in which the jacket section 33 is accommodated. The outer contours of the recess 35 and the jacket section 33 essentially correspond to one another. A second holding means in the form of a threaded section 37 is formed on the inside of the jacket section. The internal thread 29 is necessarily interrupted in the area of the recess 35 and is supplemented by the threaded section 37 when the cover 21 is in the closed position. It is preferred if the thread section 37 has the same pitch as the internal thread. Accordingly, the threaded section 37 can latch exactly onto the external thread 31 since the external thread 31 also has the same thread pitch. When the cover 21 is closed, the jacket section 33 is bent outwards slightly by the external thread 31 until it snaps into place on the external thread 31 . As a result, the container closure 11 is reliably closed and cannot open by itself. The cover 21 can only be pivoted to open when the user bends the jacket section outwards.

So that the container closure 11 satisfies future regulations relating to environmental protection, it is held captive on the container 15 . This is realized by an anti-twist device, for example in the form of at least one first retaining lug 39a and one further retaining lug 39b. The retaining lugs 39a, 39b are arranged on the lower edge 45 of the retaining ring 19. The retaining lugs 39a, 39b have a ramp 41 and a step 43. As a result, the retaining lugs 39a, 39b can be rotated via projections on the container neck (not shown in FIG. 10). Unscrewing is no longer possible because the steps 43 cannot overcome the projections.

The hinge is realized by a first and second holding web 25a, 25b. A hook 47 is formed on the retaining ring 19 between the two retaining webs 25a, 25b. In the open position, the cover 21 can latch or snap into place on the hook 47 and is thereby held in a clear open position. For this purpose, it is preferred if an edge 49 is formed on the cover 21, which protrudes beyond the cover 21. This edge 49 can latch onto the hook 47 in a defined manner.

For reliable sealing of the first and second filling material outlet 23 , 27 , a sealing element 51 with a sealing edge 53 is formed on the inside of the cover 21 . The sealing element 51 can be realized in that the cover 21 is turned partially inwards. This is a conversion of the sealing element 51 that is gentle on the material. In the closed position, the sealing edge 53 rests on the inside of the container neck 13 . A tongue 55 is formed on the sealing edge 53 (FIGS. 5 and 6). The tongue 55 is formed in the area of the hinge 25 on the sealing edge 53 and increases the height of the sealing element 51. The tongue 55 can provide a further open position in which the tongue rests on the open edge of the container neck 13. In this further open position, the cover 21 is not open as wide as in the open position in which it is locked on the hook 47 .

To ensure an original seal, or to indicate that the cover 21 has not yet been opened, the mutually facing edges of the retaining ring 19 and the cover 21 are connected to one another by predetermined breaking webs 57 . The predetermined breaking webs 57 break when the cover 21 is opened for the first time and thereby indicate that the cover 21 has already been opened.

Legend:

11 Container closure 13 Container neck 15 Container 17 Container body 19 Retaining ring 21 Lid 23 First filling material outlet 25a,b Hinge, first and second holding web 27 Second filling material outlet 29 First holding means, internal thread 31 External thread 33 Shell section 35 Recess 37 Second holding means, threaded section 39a,b anti-twist device , retaining lugs 41 ramp 43 step 45 lower edge of the retaining ring 47 hook 49 edge 51 sealing element 53 sealing edge 55 tongue 57 predetermined breaking ridges

Claims (15)

1. Container closure (11) comprising plastic - A retaining ring (19) which can be undetachably connected to a container neck (13) of a container (15) and which borders a first filling material outlet (23), and - A cover (21) which is held on the retaining ring (19) by a hinge (25) and can be pivoted from a closed position, in which the cover (21) closes the first filling material outlet (23), into an open position, in which the first filling material outlet (23) is released, with a first holding means (29) being present on the inside of the holding ring (19), which is designed in such a way that the container closure (11) is held on an external thread (31) of the container neck (13). can be, characterized, in that a jacket section (33) is formed on the lid (21) and on the inside of which a second holding means (37) is formed, the second holding means (37) being latchable on the external thread (31) of the container neck (13). 2. Container closure according to claim 1, characterized in that the first holding means is an internal thread (29) which can interact with the external thread (31) of the container neck (13). 3. Container closure according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a recess (35) is provided on the retaining ring (21), in which the casing section (33) is accommodated in the closed position. 4. Container closure according to claim 3, characterized in that the recess (35) interrupts the internal thread (29) and the second holding means supplements the interrupted internal thread (29) as a threaded section (37). 5. Container closure according to claim 4, characterized in that the threaded portion (37) has the thread pitch of the internal thread (29). 6. Container closure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer contours of the jacket section (33) correspond to the outer contours of the recess (35). 7. Container closure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an anti-twist device (39) is formed on the retaining ring (25). 8. Container closure according to claim 7, characterized in that the anti-twist device is implemented by at least one retaining lug (39a) formed on the lower edge of the retaining ring. 9. Container closure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hinge is realized by at least one retaining web (25a) which connects the mutually facing edges of the retaining ring (21) and the lid (21). 10. Container closure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that next to the hinge (25) on the retaining ring (21) a hook (47) is formed, with which the lid (21) latches in the open position. 11. Container closure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the inside of the lid (21) there is a sealing element (51) with a sealing edge (53) for sealing the container neck (13) in the closed position. 12. Container closure according to claim 11, characterized in that in the region of the hinge (25) on the sealing edge (53) a tongue (55) is formed, which increases the height of the sealing element (51) in the region of the hinge (25). 13. Container closure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mutually facing edges of the retaining ring (19) and the lid (21) are connected to one another by predetermined breaking webs (57) which break when the lid (21) is opened for the first time. 14. Container (15) comprising - a container body (17), - a container neck (13) adjoining the container body (17) with an external thread (31), which container neck (13) borders a second filling material outlet (27) and - A container closure (11) made of plastic - A retaining ring (19) which can be permanently connected to the container neck (13) and has a first filling material outlet (23) as its border, and - a cover (21), which is held on the retaining ring (19) by a hinge (25) and can be pivoted from a closed position, in which the cover (21) closes the first and second filling material outlet (23, 27), into an open position is, in which the first and second filling material outlet (23,27) are released, characterized, that the container closure is a container closure (11) according to any one of the preceding claims. 15. Container according to claim 14, characterized in that in the closed position the first retaining means (29) snaps on the external thread (31) and that in the open position the lid (21) snaps on the hook (47).