DE202021103289U1 - Closure for a container with better controlled initial opening and various uses for it - Google Patents

Abstract

Closure for a container, in particular a bottle or a cardboard / plastic composite pack (P), with a base element, comprising a rotatably opening closure cap with a lateral cap casing (23, 23 ', 23 "), one over a hinge element (5, 5') , 5 ") articulated to the cap shell (23, 23 ', 23") anchor ring (4, 4', 4 ") and an essentially circumferential free gap (22, 22 ', 22") between anchor ring ( 4, 4 ', 4' ') and cap shell (23, 23', 23 ''), whereby the free gap (22, 22 ', 22' ') adjoins the hinge element (5, 5', 5 ") on both sides, characterized in that in the free gap (22, 22 ', 22 ") there are no material bridges which can be broken during the initial opening between the anchor ring (4, 4', 4") and the closure cap.

Description

The invention relates to a closure for a container, in particular a bottle or a cardboard / plastic composite pack, with a base element comprising a rotatably opening closure cap with a lateral cap casing, an anchor ring articulated to the cap casing via a hinge element and an anchor ring extending essentially in the circumferential direction Free gap between the anchor ring and the cap shell, the free gap adjoining the hinge element on both sides.

A generic closure is from that which goes back to the applicant DE 20 2019 106 992 U1 and DE 20 2019 106 993 U1 famous. In order to ensure that the closure caps of containers do not inadvertently get into the environment, it is desirable to securely attach the closure caps to their respective container so that loose plastic parts are reliably avoided even after opening. This solution is combined here in a pouring element that can be reclosed with the closure with a very clearly visible tamper-evident seal attached outside the anchor ring.

From the EP 1124 734 B1 a closure device for a PET bottle with a ring arranged under the closure cap, which is connected to the closure cap via a film hinge as a hinge element and prevents the closure cap from being pulled off even in the open state, is known.

the WO 2020/227 813 A1 shows a closure cap for a bottle with a ring which is arranged under the closure cap and which is materially connected to the closure cap via two connecting bridges. The ring and the bottle are designed in such a way that the ring cannot be pulled off the bottle.

Different types of hinge elements are shown here, such as a central tab with hinge parts on both sides or a Y-shaped hinge part that consists of two arms that are interrupted on the cap shell.

Furthermore, from the WO 2020/041640 A2 a screw cap for a conventional bottle is known. The screw cap consists of a cap and a ring connected via a hinge element. Here, too, the ring ensures that the screw cap is connected to the bottle with tensile strength in the axial direction and at the same time serves as a tamper-evident seal.

Elements that ensure a secure connection of closure caps to their respective pack even when they are open have long been known from the prior art, especially as described above in the area of closures for commercially available PET bottles. The connection itself is also used directly as a tamper-evident seal, for example by attaching breakable material bridges between the closure cap and the connection, which are intended to indicate an initial opening if they are broken. Using such breakable material bridges as originality seals is a matter of course nowadays, even if, for the sake of simplicity, they are not always shown in figures. Unfortunately, you are very limited in the design of such elements because they are directly related to the connection.

It can seldom be guaranteed that the tamper-evident seal will be broken within a clearly defined framework if the corresponding breakable material bridges are not attached to a stable location on the closure, but rather, for example, between two elements that are unevenly pulled apart when opening for the first time. Usually these are formed between the cap shell and the element adjoining it. The underlying element can then roughly be divided into different parts, such as connecting arms, one of which runs clockwise and the other counterclockwise, and the main part, the anchor ring, on which completely different forces act during the initial opening. One of the arms is pulled over the cap shell while the other is pushed and a mixture of forces acts on the areas in between. Accordingly, the material bridges also break in an unpredictable manner, if all break at all.

It is also desirable that the closure cap and anchor ring remain as freely rotatable as possible. A radial adjustment of the screw cap into a locked open position is advantageous in order to enable pouring from any direction of the container neck, especially in the case of asymmetrical containers. Because of this, the tamper-evident seal cannot simply be broken by blocking the anchor ring, which could alleviate at least some of the aforementioned problems.

Proceeding from this, the present invention is based on the object of designing and developing a closure for a container of the type mentioned at the beginning in such a way that the disadvantages mentioned are overcome. The forces that the consumer has to use to open a container for the first time should be as low as possible and as constant as possible over the largest possible range of rotation to be possible. The differences in the opening forces between individual containers should also be kept as low as possible.

In the case of a closure with the features of the preamble of claim 1, this object is achieved in that no material bridges that can be broken during initial opening are arranged in the free gap between the anchor ring and the closure cap.

On the one hand, the opening forces can be kept low, but it also creates clarity for the consumer. With the known closures from the state of the art, especially with attached closure caps, it can often happen that individual breakable material bridges do not tear completely when they are opened for the first time. These must then be broken in a further opening step by directly pulling the screw cap that has been loosened so far, which often occurs with the usual attached caps because the gaps - or weakening lines, as they are often called in these cases with breakable material bridges - only part of the Clamp around the circumference of the cap, which, as mentioned, leads to unequal forces being applied to the individual material bridges when opening for the first time. Since these breakable material bridges are not used here, the opening behavior of the closure is always the same. Of course, with the material bridges you lose the seal of originality that is usually required. For example, as described below in some embodiments of the invention, a freely configurable tamper-evident seal decoupled from the hinge element can now be used, but other solutions are also conceivable.

The object is also achieved by two alternative containers, which are also described in more detail in the figures. On the one hand, this is a combination of a closure according to the invention and a bottle, the closure being attached to the bottle neck of the bottle.

Alternatively, a solution is provided by a resealable pouring element for cardboard / plastic composite packs with a base element having a circumferential fastening flange, with a closure according to the invention and opening means arranged at least in the unopened state of the pouring element inside the base element Unscrewing the closure cap by breaking open the composite material of the pack or a barrier layer located in the base element, a pouring opening is created within the pouring element.

Another teaching of the invention provides that the anchor ring has a second free gap running in the circumferential direction, which separates the anchor ring in one section into an upper part and a lower part, the upper part and the lower part being arranged at a distance from one another in the axial direction . It is particularly advantageous if there are no material bridges between the upper and lower parts that break when the container is first opened in the second free gap. This is the logical extension of the inventive concept to the second free gap. It is advantageous if the second free gap is arranged in the circumferential direction in the area of the hinge element. The hinge element can thus be connected to the upper parts of the anchor ring in such a way that the upper parts are twisted after the screw cap has been pivoted open.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the second free gap is extended via a connecting piece and is connected to the free gap in such a way that a single free gap is created which spans more than one rotation. This means that the closure only has a single upper part as a connection to the anchor ring. Such a one-sided connection allows the closure cap to be pivoted away to the side more easily after it has been lifted off.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the entire closure is originally formed in one piece and the clearance is formed in this way. Common primary molding processes for closures include injection molding and compression molding or hybrid injection compression molding. Particularly in injection molding and injection compression molding, free gaps according to the invention can be produced simply by means of so-called slides, which are closed (laterally) in the injection mold, or collets. This is a simple variant because it only comprises a single production and assembly step, but such more complex tools are of course more expensive.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the closure is initially formed in one piece and then the clearance is made with a knife. This allows a simpler and cheaper production of the closure in the primary molding step and also allows production processes to be used that cannot directly introduce gaps, such as compression molding. The use of a knife is the common variant and is well known from the prior art, especially because it allows material bridges to be created easily. However, since such material bridges are not required according to the invention, alternative methods can also be used. For example, the closure can initially be formed in one piece and then the free gap with a Laser be introduced. Other variants would also be conceivable, such as ultrasound, hot air or radiation.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the clearance is made in the closure prior to mounting on the container neck or the base element. Assembling is understood to mean the process in which the closure is applied to its counterpart, for example a bottle neck or a base element for a composite pack. In the case of a base element, this step can also include attaching an opening element. The closure is taken loosely, processed and only then assembled and thus brought into a salable condition. In the case of a bottle, a fully closed container filled with content would be present after assembly, whereas a pouring element can be sold fully assembled before it is applied to a composite pack.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the closure is first applied to the container neck or the base element and then the closure is fully assembled by introducing the clearance. This allows the semi-finished closure products to be handled much more easily before assembly. Because at this point in time no weakening or possible material bridges have been introduced into the material, it is possible to design the processes that have occurred before with more leeway. The semi-finished closing products can, for example, be transported at significantly higher speeds on belts or by means of air support without fear of damage. The assembly process itself can also be designed to be less sensitive and, for example, fasteners can be pressed with greater force or screwed together at greater speeds. In the case of a pouring element for composite packs, the free gap could even be introduced only in the applicator for pouring elements onto said compound packs in order to complete the assembly of the closure with free gap there. This can be done using the same procedures already mentioned.

Another teaching of the invention provides that the free gap has material bridges which are so thin that they are completely broken in any case before the initial opening. With such a solution, existing machines can preferably be used in the various production processes. A known closure is produced here, with only the strength of the breakable material bridges having to be adapted in such a way that they definitely break during the preceding processes - before the closure becomes a product ready for sale. Such processes are, for example, closure handling, such as transporting or aligning the individual parts, mounting the closure on a bottle or a base element, for example by screwing it on or pressing it on, or also applying a pouring element to a composite pack or when gripping it during application. In the case of the applicator mentioned, the material bridges could also be broken in the same machine upstream or downstream of the application itself with a (separate) module. These procedures can also be supported selectively with hot air or ultrasound in order to reduce the required refractive power. In these machine processes it can be estimated very well which forces occur and accordingly the breakable material bridges can also be designed in such a way that they are already broken at the planned time in all cases.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the anchor ring has at its lower end a substantially circumferential, radially inwardly directed web in order to prevent the anchor ring from being pulled off the container neck or base element. The container neck or the base element naturally has a corresponding outwardly protruding and essentially circumferential collar on the outside. Also, at least either the collar or the web can be interrupted at one or more points, provided that it is ensured that the anchor ring with its web facing the base element cannot slip over the collar provided on the base element.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the closure comprises a tamper-evident seal which, in the unopened state, is connected to the anchor ring via at least one breakable element. Comparable solutions with an additional originality seal, but in connection with breakable material bridges in the free gap, are already known from the previously cited DE 20 2019 106 992 U1 or WO 2021/063 669 A1 which deals specifically with the breakable material bridges in the various free gaps. However, the combination of a tamper-evident seal on the anchor ring and a clearance without predetermined breaking points allows the problems mentioned in the task to be tackled at once. For example, a tamper-evident seal can be used which is blocked very quickly when the closure cap is rotated, thereby breaking the at least one predetermined breaking point. Because the tamper-evident seal is blocked independently of the anchor ring, the anchor ring can continue to be designed to be freely rotatable and independent of the elements to be broken. The more clearly defined states around the at least one breakable element ultimately enable a better one Control of the force distribution during the initial opening of the entire closure, which in the known state of the art was much more difficult due to the variety of breaking material bridges. For example, instead of a very quickly blocking element, one can also be used in which individual, increasingly stronger predetermined breaking points gradually break over a larger angle of rotation range in order to distribute the forces as evenly as possible over the entire area. In principle, a closure according to the invention allows a decoupling of the design of the hinge element and the precise coordination of the tamper-evident seal. Of course, it is advantageous if the closure remains freely rotatable in the radial direction, regardless of whether the screw cap is in its locked open position or closed, which is more easily made possible by such a tamper-evident seal. This has the great advantage that the screw cap can be turned into a position desired by the user. In the locked position, however, a slight external force must be applied in order to enable rotation, since the fixing of the screw cap with respect to its pivoting open creates an increased frictional resistance between the hinge element and the base element. However, the increased frictional resistance is also desirable so that the screw cap does not move by itself in the direction of the pouring jet during pouring, caused by the force of gravity.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the tamper-evident seal on the anchor ring is designed in such a way that the breakable element is broken after a relative rotational movement between the closure cap and the container of a maximum of 25 °. This is generally useful, as it guarantees that the tamper-evident seal will be broken quickly. In the case of a closure for a pouring element for cardboard / plastic composite packs, however, such a solution is advisable. There the respective opening means begins to attack the integrity of the pack as soon as the closure cap is rotated. Accordingly, it is appropriate if the tamper-evident seal has already been broken while the composite package is still sealed. An angle of rotation of 25 ° has proven to be a good measure, whereby it is preferably already broken after 20 ° or 15 ° in order to guarantee this in any case.

In the case of a closure according to the invention, the tamper-evident seal is preferably designed as at least one protruding tamper-evident seal which, in addition to the breakable element for the anchor ring, is also firmly connected to the closure at one end. This can consist of a band, one end of which is firmly connected to the anchor ring and in which the other end is connected to the anchor ring by means of a breakable element in such a way that the breakable element is broken open by at least one pin element arranged on the fastening flange when the screw cap is screwed on and thus informs the consumer that the first opening has already taken place.

According to a further embodiment of the closure according to the invention, a further ring is arranged below the anchor ring, which is connected to the anchor ring via a plurality of material bridges and serves as a tamper-evident seal. Here, the screw cap, the anchor ring and the further ring serving as a tamper-evident seal are manufactured in one piece. Preferably, the ring can only be rotated to a limited extent by blocking webs protruding inward from the ring with locking elements arranged over the circumference of the base element, so that when the screw cap is unscrewed for the first time it is released from the anchor ring by tearing off the material bridges and remains in its position on the base element. It also helps here if the tamper-evident seal, which has been decoupled from the connection function, breaks quickly so that the rest of the opening process can take place without any problems. In order to ensure that the ring cannot be removed from the container even when the screw cap is open, an outwardly protruding and essentially circumferential collar is usually formed on the outside of the container, the clear inner diameter of the collar being smaller than the clear distance between the respective oppositely arranged webs of the ring.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the closure cap is designed as a screw cap with an internal thread. The conventionally known variant of a screw cap allows easy and familiar operation by consumers and also simple assembly, for example by linear pressing or evenly screwing the closure and the corresponding counterpart.

According to a further embodiment of the closure according to the invention, the inside of the cap shell is provided with elements such that a bayonet lock is formed on the container so that the closure cap moves on a clearly defined path when actuated. This allows significantly more design freedom for the other elements associated with the closure, such as the opening means of a pouring element, and enables opening over a significantly shortened opening distance, usually in the range of 60 ° to 120 ° rotation.

• 1 ein erstes Ausführungsbeispiel eines erfindungsgemäßen Verschlusses in Form eines Ausgießelements in ungeöffnetem Zustand (ohne Karton/Kunststoff-Verbundpackung) in perspektivischer Darstellung,
• 2 das Ausgießelement aus 1 in einer Seitenansicht,
• 3 ein Basiselement des Ausgießelements aus 1 in perspektivischer Darstellung,
• 4 das Ausgießelement aus 1 im Vertikalschnitt entlang der Linie IV-IV,
• 5 das Ausgießelement aus 1 zu Beginn des Aufschraubvorgangs des Schraubdeckels in perspektivischer Ansicht,
• 6 das Ausgießelement aus 1 mit bereits aufgeschraubtem aber noch zugeklapptem Schraubdeckel in einer Seitenansicht im Halbschnitt
• 7 das Ausgießelement aus 1 mit abgeschraubtem und weggeschwenkten Schraubdeckel in einer Seitenansicht,
• 8 das Ausgießelement aus 1 mit abgeschraubtem, weggeschwenkten und arretiertem Schraubdeckel in einer Seitenansicht,
• 9 ein zweites Ausführungsbeispiel eines erfindungsgemäßen Verschlusses in Form eines Ausgießelements in ungeöffnetem Zustand (ohne Karton/Kunststoff-Verbundpackung) in perspektivischer Darstellung, 10 das Ausgießelement aus 9 im Vertikalschnitt entlang der Linie X-X,
• 11 das Ausgießelement aus 9 in einem Horizontalschnitt entlang der Linie XI-XI aus 10,
• 12 das Ausgießelement aus 9 mit bereits aufgeschraubtem aber noch zugeklapptem Schraubdeckel in einer Seitenansicht im Halbschnitt entlang der Linie XII-XII aus 11 und
• 13 ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel eines erfindungsgemäßen Verschlusses in Kombination mit einem Flaschenhals eines flaschenförmigen Behälters in einer Seitenansicht.

Show in the drawing

• 1 a first embodiment of a closure according to the invention in the form of a pouring element in the unopened state (without cardboard / plastic composite pack) in a perspective view,
• 2 the pouring element 1 in a side view,
• 3 a base element of the pouring element 1 in perspective view,
• 4th the pouring element 1 in vertical section along the line IV-IV,
• 5 the pouring element 1 at the beginning of the screwing process of the screw cap in perspective view,
• 6th the pouring element 1 with the screw cap already screwed on but still closed in a side view in half section
• 7th the pouring element 1 with unscrewed and swiveled screw cap in a side view,
• 8th the pouring element 1 with unscrewed, swiveled away and locked screw cap in a side view,
• 9 a second embodiment of a closure according to the invention in the form of a pouring element in the unopened state (without cardboard / plastic composite pack) in a perspective view, 10 the pouring element 9 in vertical section along the line XX,
• 11 the pouring element 9 in a horizontal section along the line XI-XI 10 ,
• 12th the pouring element 9 with the screw cap already screwed on but still closed in a side view in half section along the line XII-XII 11 and
• 13th a further embodiment of a closure according to the invention in combination with a bottle neck of a bottle-shaped container in a side view.

The drawing shows a preferred embodiment of a closure according to the invention in combination with a container neck. In order to make the functioning of the invention in a complete system clear, a reclosable pouring element is described below which comprises the closure according to the invention. In 1 a pouring element without composite packing shown in a perspective view. The pouring element has a circumferential fastening flange 1 having base element 2 (which in 1 is not visible) and a screw cap 3 , which is used for the initial opening and for reclosing a composite pack, not shown, on.

Below the screw cap 3 is a non-rotatably connected anchor ring 4th arranged to remove the screw cap 3 from the base element 2 or a composite packing provided with it. This includes the screw cap 3 and the anchor ring 4th articulated via a hinge element 5 , whose pivot axis is tangential to the outer circumference of the screw cap 3 aligned, connected to each other. A free space can also be seen 22nd between the anchor ring 4th and a cap coat 23 of the screw cap 3 . The free space 22nd extends in the circumferential direction around a large part of the circumference of the screw cap 3 , where he is only from the hinge element 5 is interrupted. The free space 22nd so closes on both sides next to the hinge element 5 at. In other words, free gaps span 22nd and hinge element 5 in this case together the entire circumference of the closure cap. The anchor ring 4th likewise has a second free gap running in the circumferential direction 6th on who the anchor ring 4th in one section in upper parts 4A and a lower part 4B separates, with the upper parts 4A and the lower part 4B are arranged spaced apart from one another in the axial direction. The hinge element 5 can compared to the rest of the screw cap 2 be designed with a larger, the same or smaller wall thickness

In 2 it can be clearly seen that the second free gap 6th in the circumferential direction centrally to the hinge element 5 is arranged. The hinge element 5 is with the upper parts 4A of the anchor ring 4th connected and with respect to its pivot axis in the unopened state above the lower third of the base element 2 arranged. Also goes out 2 show that free space 22nd and second free gap 6th are arranged overlapping each other over a certain angular range, which is why the upper parts 4A develop. In addition, there are at the bottom of the base element 2 towards the anchor ring 4th protruding outwards and perpendicular to the mounting flange 1 extending ribs 7th intended. These center the anchor ring 4th with respect to the base element 2 and ensure even friction when twisting the anchor ring 4th .

3 shows the basic element 2 of the in 1 shown pouring element. It can be seen that the basic element 2 an external thread 8th has, by means of which the in 3 screw cap not shown 3 on the base element 2 can be screwed on. The basic element 2 also points on its outside above the Ribs 7th an outwardly protruding and radially circumferential collar 9 on.

Furthermore is inside the base element 2 a cutting element 10 This can be seen when the composite pack is opened for the first time by unscrewing the screw cap 3 creates a pouring opening within the pouring element.

In 4th the pouring element is now shown in vertical section in the unopened state. In 4th can be seen that the collar 9 with its outer peripheral surface in the upper area of the anchor ring 4th the inner surface of the anchor ring 4th touched. The anchor ring 4th has at its lower end a radially circumferential to the base element 2 directed bridge 11 on, the one below the on the base element 2 provided collar 9 is arranged. Pulling off the anchor ring 4th over the collar 9 addition is prevented thereby. The collar 9 is in the unopened state of the pouring element in the upper area of the anchor ring 4th arranged so that with the screw cap screwed on 3 the movement of the anchor ring 4th and thus also that of the hinge element 5 in the axial direction upwards is made possible until the web 11 with the collar 9 comes into contact.

In the in 4th The preferred embodiment shown is an opening means consisting of that in the interior of the base element 2 arranged cutting element 10 and inside the screw cap 3 arranged driving webs 12th , which are firmly connected to this, recognizable. When the composite packing is opened for the first time, this becomes an external thread 13th having cutting element 10 by means of the carrier bars 12th and one on the base element 2 trained internal thread 14th by unscrewing the screw cap 3 conveyed in the direction of the composite pack, so that a pouring opening is created within the pouring element. It can be clearly seen that the driver bars 12th compared to the outer peripheral surface of the screw cap 3 protrude downwards, so that they come out of the inside of the screw cap when swiveled open 3 stick out.

the 5 until 8th finally illustrate the function of the pouring element during the opening process of the screw cap 3 .

In 5 is the pouring element at the beginning of the screw cap screwing process 3 shown. It can be seen here that the anchor ring 4th freely rotatable radially with the base element 2 is connected so that the anchor ring 4th with the turning movement of the screw cap 3 moved along.

In 6th is the pouring element with the screw cap already screwed on but still closed 3 shown. On the left of the 6th the pouring element is shown in a side view, while the right side of the 6th represents a vertical section. The anchor ring 4th and consequently the hinge element 5 have moved through the movement of the screw cap 3 upwards also moved upwards. In this state, the touch on the base element 2 provided collar 9 and the web arranged on the anchor ring 11 . The second free gap 6th has gotten through the carriage of the screw cap 3 enlarged upwards at least in the middle in the axial direction, so that the pivot axis of the hinge element 5 has moved further up in the axial direction. The free space 22nd however, enables the subsequent pivoting away of the screw cap 3 only because it extends over a large part of the circumference.

In 7th the pouring element is in an open state and with a swiveled-away screw cap 3 shown with a composite packing. As in 6th can also be seen here that the anchor ring 4th not over the collar 9 can slip out, so that this despite its rotatability with respect to the base element 2 tensile strength in the axial direction with the base element 2 connected is. As a result, the anchor ring will be pulled off 4th and thus also the screw cap 3 reliably prevented.

Also goes out 7th shows that by swinging open the screw cap 3 the upper parts 4A of the anchor ring 4th at one end that connects to the hinge element 5 manufacture, twist, but not tear off. The hinge element 5 rotates when the screw cap is swung open 3 in the direction of the second free gap 6th until this like in 8th shown folded so that it is locked in its open position at an opening angle of 120 ° to 150 ° with respect to its pivoting open. The screw cap 3 can nevertheless be freely rotated radially in its locked open position, even if a certain external force has to be applied due to increased frictional resistance in order to enable rotation.

In the 7th and 8th it can be clearly seen that driving bars 12th of the opening means in the pivoted-open state from the interior of the screw cap 3 stick out.

In addition, the 7th and 8th infer that on the anchor ring 4th a ribbon serving as a seal of originality 15th is attached, one end of which is fixed to the anchor ring 4th is connected and in which the other end is connected to the anchor ring by means of a predetermined breaking point 4th is connected in such a way that the predetermined breaking point of one on the mounting flange 1 arranged mandrel element 16 when unscrewing the screw cap for the first time 3 is broken up.

9 shows a further embodiment of a pouring element without composite packing in a perspective view. This pouring element has, as in the first embodiment according to 1 , a circumferential mounting flange 1' and a screw cap 3 ' on. Below the screw cap 3 ' As in the first exemplary embodiment, there is an armature ring connected to it in a rotationally fixed manner 4 ' for connecting the screw cap 3 ' on (in 9 unrecognizable) basic element. The execution of screw cap 3 ' and the anchor ring below 4 ' correspond exactly to the first embodiment 1 .

Below the anchor ring 4 ' however, there is another ring in this embodiment 17th , which with a plurality of material bridges 18th with the anchor ring 4 ' is integrally connected.

10 initially corresponds essentially to the vertical section according to FIG 4th so that on the description of the screw cap 3 ' , the anchor ring 4 ' and the cutting element 10 ' can be referenced. Below the anchor ring 4 ' however, it is clearly the (further) ring 17th to recognize which is designed as a seal of authenticity. This is what the ring points to 17th a plurality of webs distributed over the circumference and protruding inwards 19th which is the first time the screw cap is unscrewed 3 ' with corresponding from the base element 2 ' outgoing blocking elements 20th come in contact and further rotation of the ring 17th block, as described in more detail below.

In 11 the pouring element is off 9 in horizontal section along the line XI-XI 10 shown. Here you can clearly see the surrounding ring 17th , from which a plurality of inwardly protruding webs 19th , 19A and 19B go out. To make sure the ring 17th when unscrewing the screw cap 3 ' not with the anchor ring 4 ' rotates with the base element 2 ' a plurality of outwardly protruding locking elements 20th , 20A and 20B on which with the aforementioned webs 19th , 19A and 19B cooperate in such a way that the ring 17th blocked when unscrewing, so that the material bridges arranged above it 18th first to be stretched and then tear off, after which he continued rotation of the anchor ring 4 ' no longer disabled.

From the 11 and 12th clearly shows that the basic element 2 ' on its outside an outwardly protruding and essentially circumferential collar 21 having, the clear inner diameter of the collar 21 is smaller than the clear distance between the respective oppositely arranged webs 19th of the ring 17th . This reliably prevents the ring from moving 17th even when the screw cap is screwed on from its lower position 17th on the base element 2 ' can move. This ensures that the ring 17th as a "loose plastic part" cannot get into the environment.

In 13th a further embodiment of a closure according to the invention is shown in combination with a bottle neck. This is the neck of a beverage bottle, which in this variant is no longer designed as a base element of a separate pouring element. Accordingly, the screw cap 3 '' be made much simpler and cheaper, since no opening means is required. A second ring is used as a seal of authenticity 17 '' used. The second free gap 6 '' is so about a connector 24 " with the free space 22 '' connected so that a single free element is created that spans more than one rotation. Similar elements (not shown here) to the external thread 8th , the collar 9 and at least the collar 21 from the previous exemplary embodiments can of course also be found on the bottle neck.

In particular, the various designs of tamper-evident seals and hinge elements are conceivable in many other combinations without departing from the idea of the invention. In addition to the elements already shown in the figures, a hinge element could, however, also be designed, for example, as a single or multi-part, radially outwardly protruding hinge that connects the anchor ring and the closure cap to one another. Various other variants are known from the prior art, such as a hinge element made of an elastomer or one that additionally has a tab protruding downwards. These possibilities are also independent of whether the closure is used for a pouring element as in the first two described embodiments or for a bottle neck as in the third embodiment.

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent literature cited

• DE 202019106992 U1 [0002, 0023]
• DE 202019106993 U1 [0002]
• EP 1124734 B1 [0003]
• WO 2020/227813 A1 [0004]
• WO 2020/041640 A2 [0006]
• WO 2021/063669 A1 [0023]

Claims (20)

Closure for a container, in particular a bottle or a cardboard / plastic composite pack (P), with a base element, comprising a rotatably opening closure cap with a lateral cap shell (23, 23 ', 23 "), one over a hinge element (5, 5') , 5 ") articulated to the cap shell (23, 23 ', 23") anchor ring (4, 4', 4 ") and an essentially circumferential free gap (22, 22 ', 22") between anchor ring ( 4, 4 ', 4'') and cap shell (23, 23', 23 ''), the free gap (22, 22 ', 22'') adjoining the hinge element (5, 5', 5 ") on both sides, characterized in that in the free gap (22, 22 ', 22 ") there are no material bridges which can be broken during the initial opening between the anchor ring (4, 4', 4") and the closure cap. Closure after Claim 1 , characterized in that the anchor ring (4, 4 ', 4 ") has a circumferentially extending second free gap (6, 6', 6") which the anchor ring (4, 4 ', 4 ") in one section separates into an upper part (4A, 4A ') and a lower part (4B, 4B'), the upper part (4A, 4A ') and the lower part (4B, 4B') being arranged at a distance from one another in the axial direction. Closure after Claim 2 , characterized in that in the second free gap (6, 6 ', 6 ") no material bridges breaking when the container is first opened are formed between the upper (4A, 4A') and lower part (4B, 4B '). Closure after Claim 2 or 3 , characterized in that the second free gap (6, 6 ', 6 ") is arranged in the circumferential direction in the region of the hinge element (5, 5'), the hinge element (5, 5 ') having two upper parts (4A, 4A ') of the anchor ring (4, 4') is connected so that the upper parts (4A, 4A ') are twisted after the closure cap has been pivoted open. Closure after Claim 2 or 3 , characterized in that the second free gap (6 ") is extended via a connecting piece (24") and connected to the free gap (22 ") in such a way that a single free gap is created which spans more than one rotation. Closure according to one of the Claims 1 until 5 , characterized in that the entire closure is formed in one piece and the free gap (22, 22 ', 22 ") is formed in this way. Closure according to one of the Claims 1 until 5 , characterized in that initially the closure is formed in one piece and subsequently the free gap (22, 22 ', 22'') is introduced with a knife. Closure according to one of the Claims 1 until 5 , characterized in that initially the closure is molded in one piece and subsequently the free gap (22, 22 ', 22 ") is introduced with a laser. Closure after Claim 7 or 8th , characterized in that the clearance (22, 22 ', 22 ") is introduced into the closure prior to mounting on the container neck or the base element. Closure after Claim 7 or 8th , characterized in that first the closure is applied to the container neck or the base element and then the closure is fully assembled by introducing the clearance (22, 22 ', 22 "). Closure according to one of the Claims 1 until 10 , characterized in that the free gap (22, 22 ', 22 ") has material bridges which are so thin that they are completely broken in any case before the first opening. Closure according to one of the Claims 1 until 11 , characterized in that the anchor ring (4, 4 ', 4 ") has at its lower end a substantially circumferential, radially inwardly directed web (11, 11', 11") in order to allow the anchor ring (4, 4 ', 4'') from the container. Closure according to one of the Claims 1 until 12th , characterized in that the closure comprises a tamper-evident seal which, in the unopened state, is connected to the anchor ring (4, 4 ', 4 ") via at least one breakable element. Closure after Claim 13 , characterized in that the tamper-evident seal on the anchor ring is designed in such a way that the breakable element is broken after a relative rotational movement between the closure cap and the container of a maximum of 25 °. Closure according to one of the Claims 13 or 14th , characterized in that the tamper-evident seal is designed as at least one protruding tamper-evident seal (15) which, in addition to the breakable element for the anchor ring (4), is also firmly connected to the closure at one end. Closure according to one of the Claims 13 or 14th , characterized in that the tamper-evident seal is designed as a further ring (17, 17 ") below the anchor ring (4 ', 4"), which is connected to the anchor ring (4') via a plurality of breakable material bridges (18, 18 ") , 4 '') is connected. Closure according to one of the Claims 1 until 16 , characterized in that the Closure cap is designed as a screw cap (3, 3 ', 3'') with an internal thread. Closure according to one of the Claims 1 until 16 , characterized in that the inside of the cap shell (23, 23 ', 23 ") is provided with elements such that a bayonet lock is formed on the container so that the closure cap moves on a clearly defined path when actuated. Combination of a closure according to one of the Claims 1 until 18th and a bottle, the closure being attached to the bottle neck of the bottle. Reclosable pouring element for cardboard / plastic composite packs (P) with a base element (2, 2 ', 2 ") having a circumferential fastening flange (1, 1', 1"), with a closure according to one of the Claims 1 until 18th and opening means arranged at least in the unopened state of the pouring element in the interior of the base element (2, 2 ', 2 "), wherein the opening means when the composite pack (P) is opened for the first time when the closure cap is screwed on by breaking open the composite material of the pack (P) or an im Base element (2, 2 ', 2 ") located barrier layer a pouring opening is created within the pouring element.

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