DE29600635U1 - Screwable closure cap with indication of the state of the closure - Google Patents

Description

• · &ogr; ·

DESCRIPTION

Screwable cap with closure status indicator

STATE OF THE ART WITH LOCATIONS

Lids of a conventional design only allow a conclusion to be drawn about the original factory closure by means of additional sealing using paper seals, tabs, etc.

The following examples of frequently used designs show the following weak points:

• Paper seals: The condition of the seals used can be manipulated relatively easily

• Metal caps which are pressed in the lower part and have predetermined breaking points: risk of injury from sharp metal edges

• Plastic caps which are pressed in the lower part and have predetermined breaking points: annoying plastic flags when re-closing or re-opening

• Plastic caps from which ring-shaped parts detach and remain on the vessel

Determining whether a container is open is only possible for colored containers that are standing upright and, above all, containers that are in boxes by carefully checking the seal, visually checking the liquid level, checking the weight by lifting it, etc.

Separating materials for recycling purposes is difficult with composite lids (e.g. metal with a plastic seal). Separating ring-shaped, severed parts and glass containers is complex.

PROBLEM

The invention specified in the protection claim is based on the problem of creating a vessel closure which, in the original closure state, has properties which change permanently and easily perceptibly after opening.

Risk of injury, obstruction and manipulation should be excluded.
Good recyclability should be guaranteed.

SOLUTION

The problems mentioned are solved with the features listed in claim 1.
When opened for the first time, the position of the cap body changes permanently by shifting it to the sealing disc underneath using an integrated mechanism (toothing). At least one recess in the surface of the cap then allows areas of the sealing disc with different properties (e.g. color) to be seen. The sealing disc and the associated mechanism are designed in such a way that

ROLF HAINKE « DIPL.- ING. ARCHITECT . HÄNDELSTR. 10 . 22761 HAMBURG . TELEPHONE / FAX . 040 I 890 29 41

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designed and installed in such a way that any attempt to manipulate it will inevitably result in damage.

A change only occurs inside the cap; outside no parts are destroyed or severed.

By connecting the parts purely mechanically, a simple separation of the material is possible if necessary; no separated parts remain on the vessel itself.

BENEFITS ACHIEVED

Manipulation of the closure seal is virtually impossible.

There is no risk of injury from sharp or pointed parts.

Any obstruction of the closing or opening process is excluded.

The closure status of the vessel can be easily detected from a greater distance.

Unnecessary, laborious checking of the closure status is no longer necessary.

The changeable surface of the cap can be used for games, information purposes, advertising, etc.

No parts outside the cap are destroyed or severed.

Easy material separation for recycling purposes is possible, and reuse of individual parts is conceivable (e.g. cap body).

FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF THE INVENTION

An advantageous embodiment of the invention is specified in claims 2 and 3. Different formal and color designs of the changing surfaces for information, advertising purposes or the like (according to Fig. A 10 -12).
The arrangement of a transparent viewing window as an additional element (see Fig. A 13 and A 14).

DESCRIPTION OF ONE OR MORE EMBODIMENTS

A simple embodiment of the invention is explained with reference to Figures A 1 - 9.

A1 Cap in unopened condition (top view)

A2 Cap during the opening process

A3 Cap in the opened state (and in further use)

A4 Cap in plan and section / view with vessel neck (8) A5 Cap body (1) in plan and section / view
A6 sealing disc (2) in plan and section / view

A7 Functional diagram of the mechanism (micro-toothing) (6) in the unopened state A8 Functional diagram of the mechanism (micro-toothing) (6) during the opening process A9 Functional diagram of the mechanism (micro-toothing) (6) in the opened state

ROLF HAINKE · DIPL.- ING. ARCHITECT · HÄNDELSTR. 10 . 22761 HAMBURG . TELEPHONE / FAX · 040 I 890 23 41

Functionality, explained using figures A 1 - 9

Parts of the sealing disc (2) underneath are visible through cutouts (3) in the top of the cap body (1).

The sealing disc (2) is designed in different ways (e.g. color) (4) depending on the position of the cutouts (3) in the cap.

The sealing disc (2) is rotatably mounted in a groove (11) in the cap rim.

Due to the resistance of the sealing disc (2) on the edge of the container that must be overcome when opening for the first time, the teeth (12) arranged in the cap body (1) slide over the toothed strip (13) located on the cam (15) of the sealing disc (2). The contact pressure of the sealing disc (2) on the edge of the container that is necessary for further function is generated by the teeth (12).
The cam (14) of the cap body (1) moves into a position in front of the cam (15) of the sealing disc (2).

The cam (14) of the cap body (1) is then fixed by the teeth (12) and the cam (15) of the sealing disc (2).

After this and during further use, it is not possible to twist the cap body (1) relative to the sealing disc (2).

There has been a displacement of the cap body (1) relative to the sealing disc (2).
In the cutouts (3) in the upper side of the cap body (1) another property (e.g. color) (4) can be perceived.

The sealing disc (2) and associated mechanism (6) are designed and installed (e.g. predetermined breaking points) (5) in such a way that any attempt at manipulation will inevitably result in damage.
By arranging an element (16) lying on the sealing disk (2), in front of the cam (14) of the cap body (1), an increased initial resistance is brought about, the overcoming of which is associated with a clear acoustic signal (e.g. cracking).
An inverted or even bilateral arrangement of the teeth is possible.

VERSIONS

Variants, explained using Figures A 10 -15

A10 Exemplary variant of cap cutouts (3) (shape, color, material, etc.), top view A11 Exemplary variant of cap cutouts (3) (shape, color, material, etc.), top view A12 Exemplary variant of cap cutouts (3) (shape, color, material, etc.), top view Creating product- or company-specific cutouts for information or advertising purposes, etc.

A13 Cap with transparent viewing window (9) as an additional element in top view and section / View with vessel neck (8)

A14 Transparent viewing window (9) in plan and section / view
An improvement in function, appearance and hygiene is achieved.

ROLF HA(NKE · DIPL.- ING. ARCHITECT · HÄNDELSTR. 10 · 22761 HAMBURG · TELEPHONE / FAX · 040 I 890 29 41

&Agr;15 Cap edge in section with transparent viewing window (9) and optimized variant of the sealing disk (2). The sealing disk (2) is designed in such a way that cams and toothed strips (mechanics) (6) are housed in the edge area, in the installation height of the sealing disk (2).

This results in less space being required for the mechanics.

Variant according to claim 3, explained using figures A16 - 24

A16 Cap with lamellar sealing disc and slotted disc (7) in the unopened state (top view) A17 Cap with lamellar sealing disc and protective disc (7) during the opening process A18 Cap with lamellar sealing disc and slotted disc in the opened state

A19 Cap with transparent viewing window (9) and lamellar sealing disc (17) with slotted disc

(7) in plan and section / view with vessel neck (8) A20 slotted disc (7) in plan and section / view
A21 Lameilen sealing washer (17) before installation in plan view and section / view

A22 Functional diagram of slotted (7) and lamellar sealing disc (17) in the unopened state A23 Functional diagram of slotted (7) and lamellar sealing disc (17) during the opening process
A24 Functional diagram of slotted (7) and lamellar sealing disc (17) in the open state

Functionality of the variant sealing disc with lamellas and slotted disc, explained using figures A 16-24

The flexible slats (18) arranged on the sealing disc (17) are inserted into the diagonal slots (19) of the slotted disc (7) in such a way that they are not visible from above when not opened. The slotted disc (7) is connected to the cap body (1) by means of cams or the like (20) to prevent it from twisting. During the opening process, the slats (18) slide through the slots (19) of the slotted disc (7) under the viewing window (9). When opened, the slats (18) are positioned so that their front edge (21) covers the corresponding front slot. When viewed from above, almost the entire surface of the slotted disc is covered by the slats (18).

The advantage is better visibility, as well as improved opportunities for advertising, information, gaming purposes, etc.

MISCELLANEOUS

The elements listed can be freely combined as required. A practical design is made of plastic, but the use of other materials is possible.

ROLF HAlNKE « DJPL,- INC. ARCHITECT . HÄNDELSTR. 10 . 22761 HAMBURG · TELEPHONE / FAX ♦ 040 1 890 29 41

Claims (3)

PROTECTION CLAIMS 1 screwable cap with closure status indicator for closing containers (e.g. bottles) characterized, that when opened for the first time, the position changes permanently by moving the cap body (1) to a surface underneath (e.g. sealing disc) (2) by means of an integrated mechanism (e.g. teeth) (6) , that thereafter, through at least one recess (3) in the surface of the cap, areas with other properties (e.g. colour) (4) are visible. 2 Sealing disc according to protection claim 1
characterized, that the sealing disc (2) and associated mechanism (6) are designed to be stable against internal pressure of carbonated liquids and are constructed and installed in such a way,
that any attempt at manipulation will inevitably result in damage (e.g. due to predetermined breaking points) (5). that the material and surface properties and, if applicable, the formal design ensure that the sealing disc (2) on the vessel rim has the resistance necessary for its function. 3 Sealing disc with lamellas and slotted disc according to protection claim 1
characterized, that when opened for the first time, the position of the cap body (1) and the slotted disc (7) connected to it is permanently changed by means of an integrated mechanism (toothing) (6) in relation to the sealing disc with slats (17) located underneath, that the lamellae (18) of the sealing disc (17) slide through the slots (19) of the slotted disc (7), that in the recess (3) of the cap body (1) below the transparent viewing window (9) the surfaces of the slats (18) of the sealing disk (17) are visible. ROLF HAlNKE · DIPL.- ING. ARCHITECT . HÄNDELSTR. 10 . 22761 HAMBURG . TELEPHONE / FAX · 040 / 890 29 41 KAPR7028.DOC HAMBURG, 03.02.96