EP2851311B1 - Screw closure plug for containers - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a detachable screw plug for containers and the plugged container itself.

It is known to serve containers such as cylindrical cans and other vessels, or containers of various kinds, which have a filling or discharge opening, and for storage and transportation or for presentation of liquids such as drinks, oils, but also colors and other Secure, fluid-tight plugs such as corks, which are used after filling the vessel with a press fit, can hardly be used again after first removal so readily that the contents of the container leak-proof and protected. Vessels intended for contents that generate pressure must be closed with consideration of various features. Such contents may be, for example, carbon dioxide-releasing liquids such as beer, but also sodas or sparkling wines. For them are conventional plugs, which are not secured against knocking out when pressure is increased, only conditionally, and applying a thread on the container for screw cap sealing is usually less suitable for pressure-generating substances. Often, the filling process is only process-optimized and quality assurance possible if the opening of the container, such as the beer can or beer keg - quasi a can with 2 or 5 or more liters capacity, is sufficiently large to quality-filling the fluid pressurized to fill. The introduction of a closure device that could interfere with the filling process must then take place after filling. Unlike liquids such as oil, which are allowed to flow into a vessel with a fluid-tight closure device, such as a flanged in the can or the container and glued plastic thread, since no special requirements are placed on the filling.

Known beverage cans, which are designed so that pressure fluctuations in the vessel can be intercepted, are usually not resealable. Known resealable containers for corrosive liquids, such as beer cans with appropriate screw plug, also bring the risk of contact corrosion at the opening edge of the opening in which the plug sits, with him, or the plug closure is only partially safe.

US 5 513 780 A relates to a sealing plug for placement in the opening of a container, wherein the sealing plug at its outwardly facing end has a screw thread and at its end pointing into the barrel a peripheral conical sealing collar which engages behind the insertion of the plug into the opening. Further, the sealing collar to improve the tightness may have an elastic seal which is provided between the sealing collar and the opening.

Based on this prior art, the present invention based on the object to provide an alternative, improved screw plug, which can avoid corrosion at the edge of a filling opening of corrosive material and is safe in terms of fluid outlet.

This object is achieved by a screw plug with the features of independent claim 1.

Next, a container is to be created, which is safe and suitable for the transport of gas-forming and optionally corrosive substances and which is resealable.

This object is achieved by the container with the features of claim 10.

The screw plug according to the invention, which is suitable for releasably closing an opening of a container, has, in a first embodiment, an annular flange, from the annular plane of which extends longitudinally axially oriented to a first side a sealing sleeve, which is designed for sealing arrangement in the opening of the container is. Sealing or fluid-tight herein means the tightness with respect to the edge between plug and opening edge. Completely The arrangement is only sealed with a screw cap.

The sealing sleeve has on its outer circumferential surface at least one retaining element, which is supported in a use arrangement of the screw plug against an edge of the opening. By "edge" is meant the inner edge of the container opening. On its outer circumferential surface, the sealing sleeve carries a sealing element. From the annular flange ring plane extends from the second side of the flange longitudinally axially oriented a hollow cylindrical threaded piece. The sealing sleeve tapers away from the annular flange facing away conical, according to the invention consists of the retaining element or the retaining device, which secures the stopper against falling out or loosening, from spring tongues that require little material and are formed integrally with the sleeve. In this case, the free end of the spring tongues to the first - in use arrangement of the plug with the involvement of the vessel - lower, inner side of the annular flange. The spring tongues, as is known to those skilled in the art, snap radially outwardly after the stopper has been pressed in and thus form a resistance against pulling out at the inside edge of the opening.

Thus, the screw plug according to the invention combines the advantages of a rotary closure and a plug and can be in a container opening a tin can, but also other vessels, which are also suitable for gas-forming substances such as beer, after filling and before entering the sales, use fluid-tight.

When increasing the pressure in the vessel, caused for example by temperature fluctuations that cause outgassing, the lid bulges and the plug follows, without losing its sealing effect. The sealing element prevents corrosive contact with the container opening in which the plug is seated, and the thread allows the fitting of a corresponding complementary threaded rotary closure.

The screw plug can therefore be used in the wake of filling in a vessel and then screwed; the screw cap could be at Inserting the screw plug may already be turned up, but it can also be turned on afterwards. Alternatively, instead of the screw cap, if necessary, a tapping device with a screw thread could be turned on, so that the sword or the riser pipe extends through the sealing sleeve into the container.

Advantageously, the sealing sleeve, the annular flange and the hollow cylindrical threaded piece are made in one piece, for example by injection molding, which is easily possible in the case of the use of hard plastic.

The threaded piece is provided in the closed state with a screw cap, which has a corresponding thread with the counter thread - alternatively, but also a tap with screw thread could be turned on, which also has a corresponding with the threaded part counter thread and is screwed onto the threaded piece, with a Riser tube of the dispensing device extends into the container.

Through the screw plug, the closable opening of the beverage container is fluid-tightly sealed, while the dispensing device makes containers with volumes that are not intended for a single removal, ready for use and virtually forms a temporary closure.

The sealing element may be a sealing ring and consist of a material which has a lower modulus of elasticity than the sealing sleeve, that is softer than this and therefore is able to seal the sleeve against the inner edge of the opening of the container; In addition, the plug can be forced through this opening by this softer material while applying a certain pressure so that a suitable fluid tightness is achieved. Suitable materials for the sealing ring are known to those skilled thermoplastic elastomers (TPE).

The sealing ring is conically formed in a further embodiment, which simplifies the insertion of the sleeve into the container interior, assuming that the outer diameter of the sleeve below the flange is just so great that he fits in the opening of the container. In this case, the sealing ring advantageously adjoins the annular flange from the inside, which, in conjunction with the softer material-with respect to the sleeve-makes it possible to seal against the liquid in relation to the opening edge, which prevents or reduces contact corrosion.

The sealing ring may have a sealing bead to improve the sealing effect.

In one embodiment, the sealing ring may extend from the annular flange longitudinally below a projection of the spring tongues. Then, the sealing ring is designed with recesses through which the spring tongues extend.

The in use arrangement of the plug out of the vessel facing threaded piece on which the lid is turned on, may have at least one circumferential position an interruption or preferably have a plurality of equally spaced angular intervals, so that even with bonds by z. B. crystals the ease of the thread is maintained.

Further, for ease of handling and good grip of the annular flange on its outer surface a non-slip surface structure, preferably several circumferentially arranged, radially extending grooves, knurling and / or a friction-increasing surface coating have. In addition, it may at a predetermined distance near the annular flange, so spaced by a few millimeters, have a circumferential locking collar having an annular surface opposite the annular face, which is plane-parallel to the annular flange. This locking collar may have a pointing to the free end of the threaded portion tapered end face, which forms a contact surface for a locking ring of the lid. The above design forms a Losdrehsicherung for the screw.

In yet another embodiment, the sealing sleeve for optimal emptying of the container have radial passage openings. It is very suitable for this purpose to chamfer the end of the sealing sleeve facing away from the annular flange and to position the passage openings in the chamfer.

The container according to the invention, which has an opening in a container wall, which is fluid-tight - with respect to the edge between plug and opening edge - closed with a plug, which is here a screw cap according to the invention. In this case, the one first side of the annular flange rests on an (outer) edge of the opening and the at least one retaining element or the retaining device is supported from an inner side of the container against an edge of the opening.

• Fig. 1 eine perspektivische Ansicht des Schraubverschlussstopfens,
• Fig. 2 eine Seitenansicht des Schraubverschlussstopfens,
• Fig. 3 einen Längsschnitt des Schraubverschlussstopfens,
• Fig. 4 einen Längsschnitt eines Teils des Behälters,
• Fig. 5 eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Teils des Behälters.

These and other advantages are set forth by the following description with reference to the accompanying figures. The reference to the figures in the description is to aid in the description and understanding of the subject matter. The figures are merely schematic representations of embodiments of the invention, It shows:

• Fig. 1 a perspective view of the screw plug,
• Fig. 2 a side view of the screw plug,
• Fig. 3 a longitudinal section of the screw plug,
• Fig. 4 a longitudinal section of a part of the container,
• Fig. 5 a perspective view of a part of the container.

In Fig. 1 the screw cap according to the invention 1 is shown in a perspective view. The screw plug 1 is substantially cylindrical and extends along the longitudinal axis L. Approximately in the middle of the longitudinal axial extent an annular flange 11 is arranged, which on its outer circumferential surface 112 circumferentially grippy gutters 113, which should improve the handling. Alternatively, other precautions may be taken instead of the gutters to improve tangibility; the peripheral shape of the flange may be polygonal, for example.

To one side (in the figure down) extends parallel to the longitudinal axis L, the sealing sleeve 12, which is intended to be guided through a container opening and sealingly abut there. The annular flange 11 is when inserted into the opening a longitudinal axial end stop, the mounting error as well as excludes. to The other side of the annular flange 11, a hollow cylindrical threaded portion 14 which can be closed fluid-tight with a corresponding screw, wherein the threaded portion 14 and the sealing sleeve 12 form a piece, so that the screw plug 1 according to the invention used as a spout for drinks in containers such as food containers in particular can be.

When using the plug in the container, the sealing sleeve 12, which tapers away from the annular flange, inserted into a container opening, wherein by the barb-like spring tongues 13 which project resiliently from the body of the sealing sleeve 12, a support at an edge of the container opening becomes (see also Fig. 4 ). On an outer circumferential surface 121 of the sealing sleeve 12, a sealing ring 2 is arranged, which is slightly conical so that it is compressed during insertion of the screw plug 1 into the container opening by the mounting force and produces a sealing contact of the outer circumferential surface 121 of the sealing sleeve 12 and the container opening. It is readily apparent that the outer diameter of the sealing sleeve 12 and the inner diameter of the opening should be coordinated so that they can be precisely engaged with each other.

With the screw plug 1 according to the invention, it is possible to combine the advantages of the bottle-type screw cap with the advantages of a thin-walled container such as a metal can or a metal drum. Thus, the metal containers are very light, inexpensive to produce, excellent recyclable and are also suitable for strong gas-forming liquids, such as beer, since the frontal lid provide a deformation space with volume increase due to the thin wall thickness and low rigidity.

For beer or other carbonated drinks, it is advantageous that the container manufacturer can deliver the containers with a temporary closure of the opening or open to the bottler of the beverage; this filled with its filling machines, without finding at the opening disturbing attachments, and sets after filling the plug, which can be pre-screwed. The end user can easily remove the drink and only needs to release the screw cap and reseal if the jar has not been emptied. Screw caps always seal reliably even with repeated opening and closing, which is proven in reusable containers

With the screw plug 1 according to the invention also durable food, such as oils, stored in a metal container and metered as needed.

In the side view of Fig. 2 In particular, the shape of the threads 141 and the configuration of the sealing ring 2, which is present coaxially over a "body" of the sealing sleeve 12, can be seen. The threads 141 here have a trapezoidal cross-section, similar to a bottle thread in PET returnable bottles, and are interrupted at a plurality of angular positions at regular angular intervals, with the interruptions 141 'serving the known opening pressure relief when required by the contents. At a longitudinal end of the threaded piece 12 close to the annular flange 11, the locking collar 142 is arranged at a predetermined distance D from the annular flange 11, whose annular face 142 pointing to the annular flange 11 "is plane-parallel to the annular flange 11. At this annular end face 142" can be a Losdreh circlip of a screw cap support. On the other hand, the flat 142 'of the locking collar 142 facing the free end of the threaded part 14 runs in a conically tapered manner in order to enable the loose twist-locking ring of the screw cap to easily slide over it during the first unscrewing. The unthreaded circlip is then received in the receiving portion 143 of the threaded portion "behind" the stop collar 142 and can no longer be non-destructively, ie without being separated from the screw cap.

It can be seen on the sealing sleeve 12 that it tapers away from the annular flange 11 in a pronounced manner and has a chamfered end at its free end, which additionally serves as an import aid. The chamfer 124 is pierced by a plurality of marginal passage openings 123, of which in Fig. 2 only two can be seen, but with reference to Fig. 1 it can be seen that the passage openings 123 are present here in a 90 ° distance. This does not have to be this way, but is an example.

The marginal passage openings 123 help to empty a container into which the screw cap 1 is inserted, since the residual liquid level is reduced by the distance of the passage openings 123 from the free end of the sealing sleeve 12 when the container is in the overhead position. The passage openings can also be provided further up the sleeve.

In Fig. 3 is a section of the screw plug 1 shown by the longitudinal center plane, it being understood that the sealing ring 2 is a subsequently molded part, which advantageously consists of a more elastic material than the "body" of the sealing sleeve 12, over which the sealing ring 2 is guided , such as an elastomer or a thermoplastic material. The sealing ring 2 extends in the longitudinal axis direction from an end face 111 of the annular flange 11 facing the free end of the sealing sleeve 12 to beyond the locking tongues 13, in each case having an opening or window for the locking tongues 13 in the region of the locking tongues 12. The container wall, usually the inside of the lid, is in the inserted state of the screw plug 1 on the end face 111 of the annular flange, wherein the wall in the longitudinal direction up to a clamping collar facing the collar 11 of the spring tongues 13 extends (see Fig. 4 ).

It can also be seen the pronounced conical shape of the sealing ring 2 in the area between the annular flange 11 and spring tongues 13, whereby the Schraubverschlusstopfen 1 can be well mounted: To push the plug this with a pusher, such as a cylinder or a hammer, so far pressed into the opening or pressed that the spring tongues 13 snap out when released or when pressure relief occurs. Thus, the spring tongues 13 are supported against the edge.

The screw cap plug 1 mounted in a container 10 is in Fig. 4 shown in section through the longitudinal center plane of the screw plug 1. The section of the container wall 103 shown is an end face of a can, which has a flat wall portion, on which the first side 111 of the annular collar 11 abuts, which is also referred to here as the end face 111 of the annular collar. Due to this, when mounting the screw plug 1 is an axial stop provided. The edge of the container wall 103 is crimped inwardly to facilitate the insertion of the screw plug 1 from the outside and to prevent the seal 2 is damaged by the edge. The height of the "flanged edge", which forms the edge of the passage opening 101, corresponds to the longitudinal axial distance of the end face 111 of the locking tongues 13, which are supported by a clamped portion of the sealing ring 2 on the beaded edge.

The screw cap 1 set in the keg is in Fig. 5 also shown in a perspective view, wherein the keg can have about a filling volume of about 2I to 6I, wherein such kegs are also known as party can. The screw plug 1 according to the invention is inserted into an opening in an end face of the drum 10, wherein the annular flange 11 rests on the end face. On the threaded piece 14 (see Fig. 4 ), a screw cap 3 is turned on, which closes the screw plug 1 sealing. The screw cap 3 has on its lateral surface a similar structuring as the annular flange 11, wherein the gutters 113 of the annular flange are provided here in particular to secure the screw plug 1 when opening or screwing the screw cap 3 against turning in the opening of the container 10. The screw cap 3 further comprises a Losdreh-locking ring 31 which extends over the locking collar 142 (see Fig. 4 ) of the sealing sleeve 12 is pushed and can only be removed destructively when turning the screw cap, which can be known to be used as an open-control for the customer.

Unlike known screw caps for kegs or cans, the screw plug 1 according to the invention is suitable to be inserted into the opening just after the container has been filled with more complex filling systems. Other known closures are sprayed fluid-tight, for example, to the edge, which always takes place before filling. With the screw plug 1 according to the invention, outgassing liquids such as beer in cans can be filled with screw caps, since during filling itself there is a large, unobstructed opening, into which the closure is inserted only after successful filling. Due to the good gas and fluid-tight sealing of the sealing sleeve over the Fassrand is also corrosion resistance against. reached the filling liquid, while the threaded piece with screw cap for long storage of the once opened container is ideally suited, which is known from reusable beverage bottles.

Claims (10)

1. A removable screw closure plug (1) to be arranged in an opening of a container (10),
   wherein the screw closure plug (1) includes an annular flange (11),

   - wherein a sealing sleeve (12) which is formed to be sealingly received in the opening of the container (10) extends from the annular plane of said annular flange (11) to a first side in a longitudinally axial orientation, wherein the sealing sleeve (12) has on its exterior lateral surface area (121)

   - at least one retaining element (13) which is supported against an edge (102) of the opening while the screw closure plug (1) is in an arrangement of use, and

   - carries a sealing element (2),

   - wherein a hollow cylindrical threaded piece (14) extends from the annular plane of the annular flange (11) to a second side in a longitudinally axial orientation, and that

   - the sealing sleeve (12) tapers conically away from the annular flange (11),

   characterised in that
   the retaining element (13) is formed by a plurality of flexible tongues (13) being circumferentially present on the sleeve (12), wherein said flexible tongues (13) are formed integrally with the sleeve (12) and the free end of said flexible tongues (13) faces the first side of the annular plane of the annular flange (11).
2. The screw closure plug (1) in accordance with Claim 1,
   characterised in that
   the sealing sleeve (12), the annular flange (11) and the hollow cylindrical threaded piece (14) are formed integrally.
3. The screw closure plug (1) in accordance with Claim 1 or 2,
   characterised in that
   the threaded piece (14)

   - includes a screw cap which has a mating thread corresponding to the threaded piece (14), or

   - includes a tap device with a screw thread, said tap device having a mating thread corresponding to the threaded piece (14) and being screwed onto the threaded piece (14), wherein a riser of the tap device projects into the container.
4. The screw closure plug (1) in accordance with at least any one of Claims 1 to 3,
   characterised in that
   the sealing element (2) is a gasket ring (2) and consists of a material that has a lower elasticity modulus than the sealing sleeve, and preferably is a gasket ring that consists of thermoplast, more preferably of a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE).
5. The screw closure plug (1) in accordance with at least any one of Claims 1 to 4,
   characterised in that

   - the gasket ring (2) is designed conically and is located adjacent to the annular flange (11) and/or

   - includes a sealing bead.
6. The screw closure plug (1) in accordance with at least any one of Claims 1 to 5,
   characterised in that
   the gasket ring (2) extends from the annular flange (11) to below a projection of the flexible tongues (13) in a longitudinally axial orientation, wherein the gasket ring (2) includes recesses (21) through which the flexible tongues (13) are extending.
7. The screw closure plug (1) in accordance with at least any one of Claims 1 to 6,
   characterised in that
   at least one pitch (141) of the threaded piece (14) includes a gap (141') at at least one circumferential position, preferably a plurality of gaps (141') arranged at equal angular distances.
8. The screw closure plug (1) in accordance with at least any one of Claims 1 to 7,
   characterised in that

   - the annular flange (1), at least on its exterior lateral surface area (112), includes a non-slip surface structure, preferably a plurality of depressions (113) arranged circumferentially and extending in longitudinal direction, a knurl and/or a friction-increasing surface coating, and/or

   - the threaded piece (14) includes a circumferential detent collar (142) at a predetermined distance near the annular flange (11), said detent collar (142) being arranged spaced apart from the annular flange (11) by a groove, wherein the detent collar (142) has a front face (142") opposite the annular flange (11), said front face (142") being plane-parallel to the annular flange (11),

   and that, preferably, the detent collar (142) has a conically tapering front face (142') facing the free end of the threaded piece (14).
9. The screw closure plug (1) in accordance with at least any one of Claims 1 to 8,
   characterised in that
   the sealing sleeve (12) includes radial through openings (123) wherein, preferably, the end of the sealing sleeve (12) facing away from the annular flange (11) is chamfered and the through openings are present in the chamfer (124).
10. A container (10) having an opening (101) in its container wall (103) which is closed with a plug in a fluid tight manner,
    characterised in that
    the plug is a screw closure plug (1) in accordance with at least any one of Claims 1 to 9, wherein the one first side of the annular flange takes its bearing against an edge of the opening and the at least one retaining element (13) is supported against an edge of the opening from an inside of the container.

Images