EP0959016A1 - Screw-cap closure for a container's mouth - Google Patents

Abstract

A screw cap for a container mouth (40) with a screw cap (10) and a sealing element (30) arranged between the screw cap and the container mouth, which is tightly clamped between the screw cap and the container mouth when the screw cap is closed, is characterized in that an additional Elastic element (20) is provided, of which at least sections (21) are clamped in the clamping area between the clamped part of the sealing element (30) and the screw cap (10), and the screw cap (10) one or more, when the rotary closure is closed Has openings (15) through which grip area sections (23) of the additional elastic element (20) protrude into the grip area of the user. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a rotary closure for a container mouth with a Screw cap that has at least one opening and with an between the screw cap and the container mouth arranged sealing element, that when the screw cap is closed between the screw cap and the Container mouth is tightly clamped.

Twist locks with screw caps are known in many forms. Often they serve to close a container mouth of a container with a liquid that is not in contact with for any period of time may have the outside space because it is, for example, chemicals or Foods that react with contact with oxygen. Furthermore must be ensured in the event of containers accidentally or intentionally tipping over be that these do not easily leak or liquid through the closure can penetrate to the outside.

For this purpose, the twist locks have an additional sealing element. This sealing element can either be a flat sealing washer be or a cup seal. In both cases, the radially outer area of the sealing element mostly designed so that it is flat on the outer edge of the (round) container mouth rests and with the screwed on Screw cap is firmly clamped.

From DE 33 22 326 A1 a similar twist lock is known, in which one metallic disc with a sealant rests on the edge of the container and tightened by a ring part with an internal thread on the container opening becomes. By selecting smooth surfaces as gliding surfaces, this should be the case Closing and opening the twist lock can be facilitated. However, that is in many practical cases not desirable or not allowed to a Opening in the event of accidental application of force to the side Avoid twist lock.

As a rule, the container is closed with the twist lock the manufacturer or bottler of the liquid, and that by machine. To one To ensure absolutely secure closure, the twist lock with a high force of 15 Nm, for example. This makes it an absolute secure clamping and sealing of the screw cap guaranteed.

However, this becomes problematic for the user if he now turns the screw cap want to open again. This is often only with special tools, Pliers or special keys are possible, which are either kept ready or must be added to the liquid by the manufacturer. As a general rule these opening aids are not always at hand when they are needed.

This is very annoying on a regular basis, and it can have a negative impact on work with certain liquids, e.g. B. infusion solutions or other medical technology Liquids in hospitals, doctor's or dentist's offices. More often it can be observed that medical assistants or nurses try very hard to open the containers, their contents just is urgently needed. This can cost valuable time or cause to wait anyway with the opening of the container until one Person with stronger arm strength becomes available.

It is also general for certain bottles, canisters and barrels impossible to open it by hand, as it guarantees tightness Tightening forces are required that are no longer manually applied to release can be.

It would be desirable if there were twist locks that, on the one hand, provided the required Ensure tightness, but also be opened can, without it being technical aids and / or particularly powerful Auxiliary needs.

This object is achieved in a generic twist lock, that an additional elastic element is provided, of which when closed Twist lock at least sections in the clamping area between the pinched part of the sealing element and the screw cap in turn are pinched, and that through one or more openings the screw cap handle portion of the additional elastic Project elements into the user's grip area.

normale" Öffnungsvorgang würde sich auch unverändert schwierig gestalten, da gegenüber der bisherigen Ausführung ohne das elastische Element gar keine Veränderung eintritt. Die Reibungskraft in tangentialer Richtung, die aufgebracht werden müßte, um den Drehverschluß normal und üblich aufzudrehen, wird ja durch das zusätzliche elastische Element in keiner Weise verändert. Es wird jedoch erfindungsgemäß möglich, diejenigen Abschnitte der zusätzlichen Abschnitte des zusätzlichen Elements, die in den Griffbereich des Benutzers ragen, in eine andere Richtung zu ziehen, nämlich radial nach innen zur fiktiven Achse der Behältermündung hin. In dieser Richtung ist der Reibungswiderstand aber wesentlich geringer, denn es ist ja nicht der Reibungswiderstand auf dem kompletten Umfang der Behältermündung zu überwinden, sondern lediglich über die wenigen Millimeter Klemmbereich in radialer Richtung, in denen die Schraubkappe auf der Behältermündung aufliegt. Dies ist etwa die Größenordnung der Dicke der Behälterwandung oder vielleicht das Doppelte oder auch das 3-fache davon, jedenfalls etwa ein bis zwei Größenordnungen weniger als der Umfang der Behältermündung.The additional elastic element surprisingly solves the problem. When the screw cap is closed on the container mouth, the manufacturer clamps it together with the sealing element between the screw cap and the container mouth. The high contact pressure of 15 Nm can be easily achieved and is in no way adversely affected by the elastic additional element. Of the

Normal "opening process would still be difficult, since there is no change compared to the previous version without the elastic element. The frictional force in the tangential direction, which would have to be applied to turn the screw cap normally and normally, is due to the additional elastic element However, it is possible according to the invention to pull those sections of the additional sections of the additional element which protrude into the grip area of the user in a different direction, namely radially inwards towards the fictitious axis of the container mouth However, the frictional resistance is much lower, because it is not the frictional resistance that has to be overcome on the entire circumference of the container mouth, but only over the few millimeters of clamping area in the radial direction in which the screw cap rests on the container mouth the order of magnitude of the thickness of the container wall or perhaps twice or even three times it, in any case approximately one to two orders of magnitude less than the circumference of the container mouth.

In addition, not only is the overall friction lower. Since it is only necessary is the additional elastic element out of the clamping area Pulling inwards is also the necessary movement on these few Millimeter limited.

Now the additional elastic element is made on a small area pulled out of the clamping area of the twist lock is another pull out relieved over the rest of the circumference of the container mouth.

If the additional elastic element is now completely removed, this is the The screw cap has not yet been opened because the screw cap together with the sealing element sits exactly where it is after the screwing process was attached. But now is the clamping pressure with which the sealing element the container mouth was pressed, significantly reduced, to one Fraction that depends on the thickness of the additional elastic element. In any case, it is now possible without much effort Unscrew the screw cap from the container mouth and insert it Put the sealing element aside and the liquid from the container too remove.

It is also possible to use the container again after partial emptying the still intact screw cap including the sealing element to close again. Of course it is no longer possible to use it again original force, but for normal and temporary use there is an easily sealed closure.

It is particularly preferred if the grip area sections of the additional elastic element have radially outwardly directed tongues.

This ensures that the extractability from the clamping area is still is further improved without the quality of the seal suffering.

It is also particularly favorable if the grip area sections of the additional elastic element have a pull tab. This is especially true when the pull tab is in the unopened closed state of the twist lock Before opening for the first time using tear-off bars with the clamping area sections connected is. This ensures that on the one hand particularly easy handling for the user arises; Furthermore also an originality assurance. If the still closed original, Containers coming directly from the manufacturer are opened this way for the first time is, the additional elastic element is destroyed at the same time, because the Tear bars are torn so that the pull tab by the user can be gripped and used correctly. So it is not possible at first make an opening by means of the pull tab and then by manipulation the additional elastic element back to its original Bring the place and give the impression that the container is not yet open been. This is becoming increasingly interesting to the user's safety to give that he has a previously unopened container in front of him. The torn tear-off bars will immediately catch his eye and his suitable one Awaken suspicion.

Tear tabs on sealing rings are already in another context have been proposed, for example in DE-PS 960 970. Use in Twist locks have not yet been considered.

Two variants are preferred for the screw cap itself. For one, there is the possibility that the screw cap has a central opening in its Has head plate.

On the other hand, there is also the possibility that the screw cap one has circumferential slot as an opening in the head plate and that central, inner area of the head plate within the circumferential slot with the outer area of the screw cap is connected via webs and in is offset axially towards the container mouth.

It is possible not only one, but also several openings in the To provide the head plate as a screw cap.

Figur 1

eine Draufsicht auf eine Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Drehverschlusses;

Figur 2

eine Explosionsdarstellung im Schnitt der Ausführungsform aus Figur 1;

Figur 3

einen Schnitt durch einen Ausschnitt des Drehverschlusses.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention is described in detail below with reference to the drawing. Show it:

Figure 1

a plan view of an embodiment of a twist lock according to the invention;

Figure 2

an exploded view in section of the embodiment of Figure 1;

Figure 3

a section through a section of the twist lock.

FIG. 1 shows a top view of the invention. In contrast to the usual practice, one element is shown in solid lines and a second element in dashed lines. Figure 2 shows the element in section.

A screw cap 10 is equipped with an internal thread 11, which is shown in FIG 2 is clearly visible in the top third of the exploded view. To the To be able to open the screw cap better are several, for example eight ribs 12 are provided. These ribs 12 have bores 13 on, on the one hand for simplified production and on the other hand for additional To be able to insert tamper-evident pins that are not shown here are.

The screw cap 10 is closed at the top by the head plate 14. In contrast to conventional screw caps, the top plate 14 has Screw cap 10 has a central, symmetrical central opening 15.

In Figure 1, the screw cap 10 can be seen from above, in the middle Opening 15. The ribs 12 outside allow a manual attack and facilitate turning around the fictitious, central axis of rotation.

A sealing element 30 is shown in the lower third in FIG. 2, here one Cup seal with a cup 3. The sealing element 30 is on a Container mouth (not shown) placed on closing, the Support surface 32 is placed on the top of the container mouth.

According to the invention, an additional elastic element 20 is now provided, which can be seen in the middle third of the exploded view in FIG. 2. This additional element 20 is placed on the sealing element 30 so that its outer clamping area sections 21 on the area of the sealing element 30 come to rest, the underside of which forms the support surface 32.

Then the screw cap 10 can again be put over and screwed on become.

In practical production, however, the additional elastic is first Element 20 and then the sealing element 30 in the screw cap 10 inserted and then screwed this entire construction onto the container mouth become.

When tightening with great force, which is usually done mechanically the clamping area sections 21 and the areas on the support surface 32 of the sealing element 30 through the head plate 14 of the screw cap 10 pressed the top of the container mouth.

As shown in Figure 1 in plan view, the additional elastic element 20 in its clamping portion 21 tongues 22, either a larger number of about 10 to 20 tongues or in another embodiment also only 3, 4 or 5 tongues of then larger angular dimensions. These tongues 22 of the clamping area portions 21 of the additional elastic Elements 20 are closed after the twist lock the head plate 14 of the screw cap 10 and are covered for the user not visible.

In contrast, a grip area section 23 can be seen by the user a pull tab 24, namely under the opening 15 in the top plate 14 of the Screw cap 10 is arranged ready to hand.

To prevent the pull tab 24, which is only on one side with the Clamping section 21 has a durable web, now unintentionally can fold freely and loosely, it is additionally connected via tear-off webs 25. These tear-off bars are so thin that the user can lift them the pull tab 24 immediately tears through the tear-off webs 25 so that they only still holds on a retaining web 26.

If the user then pulls on the pull tab 24, the area opposite of the holding web 26 is the part of the clamping region section 21 located there with its tongues 22 from the clamping between the sealing element 30 and the screw cap 10 pulled out. This is done proportionately short distance with relatively low friction.

If the pull tab 24 is then pulled further, the pull tabs are also moved in succession further peripheral areas of the clamping area sections 21 from the clamping pulled radially inward towards the axis of rotation of the twist lock.

As a result, the pressure drops significantly and the screw cap 10 can then easily be solved.

FIG. 3 schematically shows in section one side of a container mouth with a screw cap 10 attached, which clearly shows what effects occur when the additional elastic element 20 is pulled out.

The area of a container mouth can be seen on one side. The container 40 with a flat one on the top, slightly conical here The top goes into a mouth neck 41 near the container mouth over, provided with an external thread, not shown in Figure 3 is. The screw cap is on the mouth neck 41 with its external thread 10 screwed with its internal thread 11 (also not shown in Figure 3). The screw cap 10 is therefore parallel with its side walls to the mouth neck 41. This cylindrical side wall of the screw cap 10 with the internal thread 11 is closed at the top by the head plate 14.

To ensure that the closure is tight, a sealing element 30, here a flat gasket, with the contact surface 32 on the top edge of the Mouth neck 41 placed on the opening of the container 40. In Figure 3 is for better recognition of the individual elements between two elements left a small gap that is not there in reality because as said, a seal should be made. It is still conceivable, here in addition To provide sealing layers for induction seals or the like.

Above the sealing element 30, but still below the head plate 14 Screw cap 10 is in the area where the top plate 14 is over the sealing washer 30 presses against the support surface 32, the additional elastic element 20th intended. On average it is disc-shaped, similar to the flat gasket of the Sealing element 30. The head plate 14 is in contrast to conventional Provide screw caps 10 with the opening 15, which is simple in FIG. 3 as missing head plate ". In this area, the additional elastic element by pull tabs 24, not shown in this figure be taken. This makes it possible to apply force in the direction of arrow 28 the additional elastic element 20 or in particular on its clamping area sections 21 exercise. This force in the direction of arrow 28 goes out the clamping area above the contact surface 32 in the direction of the fictitious Axis of the mouth neck 41 of the container 40. The frictional force in this Direction is relatively small because it only takes a relatively short distance.

If the elastic element is pulled out, the result is purely optical 3 shows an empty space between the top of the sealing element 30 and the underside of the head plate 14 of the screw cap 10. Of course here in in reality no empty space, but the sealing element 30 will immediately expand accordingly due to the lack of contact pressure, since FIG. 3 is not to scale. In any case, the contact pressure of the head plate 14 of the screw cap 10 on the support surface 32 on the top of the neck 41 of the container 40 significantly reduced and it is now possible to Rotate screw cap 10 with less effort. A rotary motion in 3 of the screw cap 10 would run exactly perpendicular to the image plane, since the Tangent to the screw cap is of course perpendicular to the axis of rotation.

It is immediately clear that the effort is normally in this direction and the frictional force is much higher, because then the entire contact surface of the mouth neck 41 of the container 40 over the entire This radius comes into play.

Reference list

10th

Screw cap

11

inner thread

12th

Ribs

13

Holes

14

Headstock

15

Opening in top plate 14

20th

additional elastic element

21

Clamping area sections

22

Tongues in the clamping area 21

23

Grip area sections

24th

Pull tab

25th

Tear bars

26

Landing stage

28

arrow

30th

Sealing element

31

Bowl

32

Contact surface

40

container

41

Muzzle neck

Claims (7)

Rotary lock for a container mouth (40) with a screw cap (10) which has at least one opening (15) and with a sealing element (30) arranged between the screw cap and the container mouth, which is tightly clamped between the screw cap and the container mouth when the screw cap is closed ,
characterized by
that an additional elastic element (20) is provided, of which at least sections (21) in the clamping area between the clamped part of the sealing element (30) and the screw cap (10) are clamped in turn when the rotary closure is closed, and that by one or by a plurality of openings (15) of the screw cap (10) of the grip area sections (23) of the additional elastic element (20) protrude into the grip area of the user. Twist lock according to claim 1,
characterized by
that the clamping area sections (21) of the additional elastic element (20) have radially outwardly directed tongues (22). Twist lock according to claim 1 or 2,
characterized by
that the grip area sections (23) of the additional elastic element have a pull tab (24). Twist lock according to claim 3,
characterized by
that the pull tab (24) is additionally connected to the clamping area sections (21) in the unopened closed state of the twist lock prior to first opening via tear-off webs (25). Twist lock according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized by
that the screw cap (10) has exactly one central opening (15) in its head plate (14). Twist-off cap according to one of claims 1 to 4,
characterized by
that the screw cap (10) has a circumferential slot (16) as an opening (15) in the head plate (14), the central, inner region of the head plate (14) with the outer region of the screw cap (10) via webs (17) is connected and is offset in the axial direction towards the container mouth. Twist lock according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized by
that the additional elastic element (20) has a thickness of 0.2 to 1 mm in the axial direction.

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