U.S. patent application number 10/490231 was filed with the patent office on 2004-12-02 for dispenser closure for a container that contains a flowable product.
Invention is credited to Jackel, Gerhard F.K., Lenz, Franz, Schaffer, Eldon.
Application Number | 20040238540 10/490231 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 7961920 |
Filed Date | 2004-12-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040238540 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jackel, Gerhard F.K. ; et
al. |
December 2, 2004 |
Dispenser closure for a container that contains a flowable
product
Abstract
The invention relates to a dispenser closure (10) for a
container that contains a flowable product, especially for a
beverage container. Said dispenser closure comprises: a closing
body (100) with a cover (120) from whose outer rim a jacket (110)
extends downward that can be fastened via an opening of the
container on the same, an outlet opening (126) in an upper face of
the closing body (100), which communicates with the opening of the
container, and a closure element (200) for opening or closing the
outlet opening (126) of the closing body (100), and a dome-shaped
raised section (124) of the closing body (100), which is disposed
around the outlet opening (126) of the closing body (100). The
closing body (100) is provided with a covering element (150) that
covers at least partially an outer area of the dome-shaped raised
section (124), the material of the covering element (150) being
softer than the material of the dome-shaped raised section (124)
and/or the cover (120) and/or the material of the closing body
(100). The invention allows for an increased tightness of the
dispenser closure and a pleasant feel when the user comes into
direct contact with the dispenser closure.
Inventors: |
Jackel, Gerhard F.K.;
(Freyung, DE) ; Lenz, Franz; (Hinterschmiding,
DE) ; Schaffer, Eldon; (Munchen-Freimann,
DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WOOD, PHILLIPS, KATZ, CLARK & MORTIMER
500 W. MADISON STREET
SUITE 3800
CHICAGO
IL
60661
US
|
Family ID: |
7961920 |
Appl. No.: |
10/490231 |
Filed: |
June 28, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
March 20, 2002 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP02/03124 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/259.1 ;
215/237; 220/847; 220/849; 222/556 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 47/103 20130101;
B65D 47/0804 20130101; B65D 2251/205 20130101; B65D 2401/10
20200501; B65D 2251/20 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/259.1 ;
222/556; 215/237; 220/847; 220/849 |
International
Class: |
B65D 043/14 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 20, 2001 |
DE |
201 15 488.9 |
Claims
1. A dispensing closure (10) made from plastic for containers which
contain free-flowing substances, in particular for drinks
containers, the dispensing closure comprising: a closure body (100)
having a cover (120), from the outer edge of which projects a
casing (110) which can be secured to the container over an opening
in the latter, a substantially horizontal annular shoulder (122) of
the cover (120), from the radially inner region, with respect to
the longitudinal center axis, of which a dome-like elevation
extends outward, with an outlet opening (126), which is in
communication with the opening in the container, at its outer end,
a sleeve element (150), which at least partially covers an outer
region of the dome-like elevation and the material of which is
softer than the material of the dome-like elevation, and a closure
element (200) for the outlet opening (126), characterized in that
the dome-like elevation forms a drinking stub (124), the outlet
opening (126) of which has a termination edge (136) which is bent
off radially inward and in its top region runs virtually
horizontally, the dimensions of the sleeve element (150) made from
thermoplastic polyester and of the drinking stub (124), and also of
a cylindrical pinch member (280) provided on the inner side of a
head plate (210) of the closure element (200), being matched to one
another in such a way that, in the closed position of the closure
element (200), the pinch member (280) engages over the drinking
stub (124) with the sleeve element (150) arranged thereon virtually
without any noise.
2. The dispensing closure as claimed in claim 1, characterized in
that the diameter of the drinking stub (124) is stepped over its
height.
3. The dispensing closure as claimed in one of the preceding
claims, characterized in that a first, upper step (128) of the
drinking stub (124), with respect to the cover (120), is arranged
above a second, lower step (134).
4. The dispensing closure as claimed in one of the preceding
claims, characterized in that each of the steps (128, 134) of the
drinking stub (124) is of substantially cylindrical design.
5. The dispensing closure as claimed in one of the preceding
claims, characterized in that the two steps (128, 134) of the
drinking stub (124) have similar heights, but the first step (128)
has a smaller diameter.
6. The dispensing closure as claimed in one of the preceding
claims, characterized in that the outer-side transitions between
the first step (128) and the second step (134) of the drinking stub
(124) and between the second step (134) of the drinking stub and
the annular shoulder (122) are rounded.
7. The dispensing closure as claimed in claim 1, characterized in
that the sleeve element (150) covers only the first step (128) and
the transition between the first step (128) and the second step
(134) of the drinking stub (124).
8. The dispensing closure as claimed in claim 1, characterized in
that the sleeve element (150) extends substantially over the entire
outer region of the drinking stub (124) and follows the contour of
the latter.
9. The dispensing closure as claimed in claim 1, characterized in
that the inner region of the drinking stub (124) is likewise
stepped, with the internal diameter of the drinking stub (124)
increasing in the inward direction below the smallest internal
diameter of the outlet opening (126).
10. The dispensing closure as claimed in claim 9, characterized in
that the inner region of the drinking stub (124), after the first
widening of its internal diameter below the termination edge (136)
of the outlet opening (126), extends substantially cylindrically
over the entire axial extent of the first step (128) and widens out
approximately at the height of the transition region between the
first step (128) and the second step (134).
11. The dispensing closure as claimed in one of the preceding
claims, characterized in that the inner region of the second step
(134) is frustoconical below the annular groove (132) and widens
out in the downward direction, before merging at its lower end into
the horizontal annular shoulder (122) of the cover. (120).
12. The dispensing closure as claimed in one of the preceding
claims, characterized in that the lower end of the first step (128)
of a flexible tube holder (180), in the inner region of the
drinking stub (124), forms an annular stop face (130), which at the
same time delimits an annular groove (132) in the upper region of
the second step (134)
13. The dispensing closure as claimed in one of the preceding
claims, characterized in that a flexible dispensing tube can be
inserted into the inner region of the closure body (200), which
flexible dispensing tube is securely fixed in the inner region of
the drinking stub (124), with its outer end projecting out of the
outlet opening (126) to facilitate removal of the free-flowing
substances.
14. The dispensing closure as claimed in claim 1, characterized in
that the closure body (200) is designed substantially in the form
of a lid and comprises a head plate (210) and a side region (220)
which extends from the head plate and, in a closed position of the
closure element (200), is substantially flush with the casing (110)
of the closure body (100).
15. The dispensing closure as claimed in claim 14, characterized in
that a hinged lid, as the closure element (200) for opening and
closing the outlet opening (126) of the closure body (100), is
articulatedly mounted integrally and pivotably on the closure body
(100) by means of an integral hinge (290).
16. The dispensing closure as claimed in claim 15, characterized in
that the closure element (200), on its opposite side from the hinge
(290), has a groove (260) for receiving a quality assurance element
(160), the groove (260), in the closed position of the closure
element (200), being recessed inward in the upper region, so that
the quality assurance element (160) can be pressed into this
recessed region in order to break the seal.
17. The dispensing closure as claimed in claim 16, characterized in
that the groove (260) for the quality assurance element (160) is
delimited by a lug (262) and a protuberance (264) in its upper and
lower regions.
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a dispensing closure for containers
which contain free-flowing substances, in particular for drinks
containers.
[0002] Numerous designs of dispensing closures of this type are
known from the prior art, and the closures are used for drinks
containers made from various materials, in particular from glass
and plastic.
[0003] In particular in recent years, increased demands have been
imposed on drinks containers of this type and associated dispensing
closures for various intended uses and applications, in which
context on the one hand reliable sealing of the dispensing closure
even under high levels of loads, as occur for example when the
drinks containers are carried along during sporting activity,
causes problems, and on the other hand it is desirable for the user
of the containers to have as pleasant an experience as possible
during removal of the substances, in particular when drinking, when
the user's mouth generally comes into direct contact with the
dispensing closure.
[0004] Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to
provide an improved dispensing closure for containers which contain
free-flowing substances, in particular for the abovementioned
drinks containers, which on the one hand ensures an improved
sealing of the dispensing closure and on the other hand allows a
pleasant sensation to be felt in the event of direct contact with
the dispensing closure.
[0005] This object is achieved by a dispensing closure for
containers which contain free-flowing substances, in particular for
drinks containers, the dispensing closure comprising: a closure
body having a cover, from the outer edge of which projects a casing
which can be secured to the container over an opening in the
container, an outlet opening in a top side of the closure body,
which is in communication with the opening in the container, and a
closure element for opening and closing the outlet opening of the
closure body, a dome-like elevation of the closure body, which is
arranged around the outlet opening in the closure body, which is
provided with a sleeve element which at least partially covers an
outer region of the dome-like elevation, the material of the sleeve
element being softer than the material of the dome-like elevation
and/or of the cover and/or of the material of the closure body.
[0006] This dispensing closure of the invention has a very positive
influence on the contact sensation of the user who, for example
during drinking, comes into contact substantially or exclusively
with the sleeve element, which consists of the softer material.
Furthermore, the sealing of the dispensing closure is improved by
the softer material used for the sleeve element, since the closure
element which closes off the outlet opening preferably seals off
the outlet opening by direct contact with the sleeve element.
Furthermore, the fact that the softer material is highly
compressible means that it is possible to select the dimensions of
the components in such a way that while a reliable seal is
obtained, it is not necessary to impose excessively high demands on
the accuracy of the manufacturing tolerances. If necessary, it is
additionally possible to provide a tamperproofing means in the form
of a closure for the outlet opening of the closure body. In this
way, in order to maintain the quality of the contents of the pouch,
any possibility of air or oxygen reaching the interior of the
container is ruled out until the container is opened for the first
time. This tamperproofing means may consist of the same material as
the sleeve element and/or of the material of the closure body. In
addition to in this way achieving a high level of quality assurance
for the contents of the container, it is thereby possible to
significantly simplify and reduce the costs of mass production of
the dispensing closure. Therefore, the invention is based on the
surprising discovery that the provision of the sleeve element
consisting of softer material makes it possible to achieve or solve
both the abovementioned objects or problems.
[0007] A further advantage of the dispensing closure having the
sleeve element consisting of soft material is the noise insulation,
since there is no disruptive noise produced when a lid, in
particular a hinged lid, is opened and closed. This is advantageous
in particular if, for example, a corresponding container is to be
opened as unobtrusively as possible in a quiet atmosphere, for
example in a library or during a lecture.
[0008] Suitable preferred materials for the sleeve element are in
particular thermoplastic polymers, in particular thermoplastic
polyester (TPE), high-pressure polymers (low-density polyethylene,
LDPE), but also other soft plastics, rubber and/or silicone. These
materials can be set to the desired softness of the sleeve element
but are also stable enough to ensure a long service life of the
sleeve element and therefore of the dispensing closure.
[0009] Of course, it is possible for the sleeve element to be made
from a combination of two or more of the abovementioned materials
without departing from the subject matter of the present
invention.
[0010] It is preferable for the closure body to be formed
integrally with a dome-like elevation which projects above the top
side or edge of the closure body and can be used as a drinking stub
for the user. Furthermore, it is preferable for the diameter of the
dome-like elevation to be stepped over its height, the dome-like
elevation preferably having a smaller diameter toward its outer
region and having the opening at its outer end.
[0011] In one preferred embodiment, the sleeve element is designed
in such a way that the dome-like elevation, in its outer region, is
covered by the sleeve element substantially completely, i.e. if
appropriate including the opening and/or its tamperproof closure
made from the material of the closure body. This ensures that the
entire area which can come into contact with the mouth of a person
who is drinking is covered by the sleeve element, so that the
pleasant contact sensation is fully retained. Furthermore, this
allows the configuration of the closure element to be made more
variable, because a mating element, provided for sealing purposes,
of the closure element can engage at various locations of the
sleeve element and thereby ensure a seal. For example, if the
tamperproof element is designed as a tear-off tab which seals the
opening, the user, for example a cyclist, can tear off the tear-off
tab using his teeth, without having to use one of his hands, while
cycling in order to open the container.
[0012] However, the sleeve element may extend only over certain
partial regions of the dome-like elevation, in particular over an
upper region of the dome-like elevation. This configuration, in
particular the size of the dome-like elevation, can be
appropriately adapted to the desired use by a person skilled in the
art.
[0013] By contrast, the sleeve element may extend not only over the
dome-like elevation and, if desired, over its opening, but rather
may also cover further partial regions of the closure body.
[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the closure element is a hinged
lid which is articulatedly mounted integrally on the closure body
by means of a hinge. Therefore, the closure element and the closure
body form a single unit which is injection-molded integrally from
plastics material and in which the closure element is not lost
after it has been fitted to the container.
[0015] Of course, it is also possible for separate closure elements
to be provided instead of a closure element which is connected to
the hinged lid. Furthermore, without departing from the scope of
the invention, it is conceivable to use all possible closure
options, e.g. a closure element which is secured to the closure
body by a snap-action mechanism or a screw thread.
[0016] The invention is described in more detail below with
reference to a diagrammatic drawing of exemplary embodiments of a
dispensing closure. In the drawing:
[0017] FIG. 1 shows an opened dispensing closure in the form of a
center longitudinal section;
[0018] FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of a dispensing closure in
the form of a center longitudinal section as in FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment of a dispensing closure in
the same form of illustration as in FIGS. 1 and 2;
[0020] FIG. 4 shows a fourth embodiment of a dispensing closure in
the same form of illustration as in FIGS. 1-3; and
[0021] FIG. 5 shows a three-dimensional illustration of the
dispensing closure from FIG. 4.
[0022] FIG. 1 shows a dispensing closure 10 for containers which
contain free-flowing substances, having a closure body 100 and a
closure element 200 designed as a lid. The closure body 100 and the
closure element 200 are connected to one another on one side by
means of a hinge 290, which is designed as an integral hinge, so
that the closure element 200 can be pivoted through 180.degree.,
about an axis formed by the integral hinge 290, from the position
in which it opens up the closure body as shown in FIG. 1 into the
position in which it closes the closure body.
[0023] On its top side, the closure body 100 has a cover 120, from
the radially outer edge of which a casing 110 extends laterally.
The casing 110 is of substantially cylindrical design and has an
internal screw thread 112, by means of which it can be screwed onto
a container (not shown) having a corresponding mating screw thread
and can thereby be secured in place.
[0024] As an alternative to the screw connection, it is also
possible to provide other ways of securing the closure body on a
container, e.g. snap-action connections. It is also possible for
the dispensing closure to be formed directly integrally with a
corresponding container.
[0025] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, in the upper region of
the casing 110 of the closure body 100, in the vicinity of the
outer edge of the cover 120 of the closure body 100, there is a
sealing lip 114 which is designed in the form of a ring which
slopes downward slightly with respect to the horizontal, so that
this sealing lip 114, when the closure element 100 is being screwed
onto the container, presses onto and seals a top side of the
container opening.
[0026] In the embodiment shown here, the sealing lip 114 is formed
integrally with the closure body but consists of a soft material,
in this case silicone, unlike the hard plastic from which the
closure body 100 and also the closure element 200 of the dispensing
closure 10 are made. However, at this point it should be noted that
in another embodiment the sealing lip 114 may be made from the same
material as the closure body 100, which simplifies the production
process.
[0027] The cover of the closure body 100 has a substantially
horizontal annular shoulder 122, from which a radially inner
region, with respect to the longitudinal center axis, extends
outward beyond the annular shoulder in the style of a dome and in
stepped form, the diameter of the dome-like elevation 124 being
stepped over its height, and the dome-like elevation 124 having an
outlet opening 126 at its outer end.
[0028] The dome-like elevation substantially comprises a first (or
upper) step 128, which, with respect to the cover 120, lies above a
second (or lower) step 134. Each of the steps 128, 134 is
substantially cylindrical in form, with the two steps 128, 134
having similar heights, but the first step 128 having a smaller
diameter. The transitions between the first step 128 and the second
step 134 and between the second step 134 and the annular shoulder
122 on the outer side are rounded, so that there are no sharp
edges. Above the first step 128 there is a termination rim 136 of
the outlet opening 126 which is bent off radially inward and in its
top region runs virtually horizontally.
[0029] The inner region of the dome-like elevation 124 of the cover
120 is also stepped: beneath the smallest internal diameter of the
outlet opening 126 within the dome-like elevation, the internal
diameter of the dome-like elevation widens out in the downward or
inward direction. After a first widening of the internal diameter
directly beneath the termination rim 136, the inner region extends
substantially cylindrically over the entire axial extent (in the
direction of the height) of the first step and widens out further
approximately at the height of the transition region between the
first step 128 and the second step 134.
[0030] The lower end of the first step 128 of the flexible tube
holder 180, in the inner region, forms an annular stop face 130,
which at the same time delimits an annular groove 132 in the upper
region within the second step 134. The inner region of the second
step 134 below the annular groove 132 has a frustoconical profile
and widens out downward, merging at its bottom end into the lower
side of the horizontally positioned annular shoulder 122 of the
cover 120.
[0031] The closure element 200 is substantially designed in the
form of a lid and comprises a head plate 210 and a side region 220
which extends from the head plate, the side region 220
substantially being designed in such a way that, in a closed
position of the closure element 200, it is substantially flush with
the casing 110 of the closure body 100.
[0032] Furthermore, on its opposite side from the hinge 290, the
closure element 200 has a groove 260 for receiving a quality
assurance element 160, the groove 260 (in the lower region in the
position of the closure element 200 shown in FIG. 1, and therefore
in the upper region in the closed position) being recessed inward,
so that the quality assurance element 160 can be pressed into this
recessed region in order to break the seal. The groove 260 for the
quality assurance element 160 is delimited by a lug 262 and a
protuberance 264 in its upper and lower regions.
[0033] The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 has a sleeve element 150
which consists of thermoplastic polyester (TPE), extends
substantially over the entire outer region of the dome-like
elevation 124 of the cover 120 and follows the contour of the
dome-like elevation 124.
[0034] The dimensions of the sleeve element 150 made from
thermoplastic polyester and of the dome-like elevation 124 and a
pinch member 280, which is provided on the inner side of the head
plate 210 of the closure element 200 and is substantially circular
in design, are matched to one another in such a way that, when the
closure element 200 is closed virtually without any noise, the
pinch member 280 engages over the first step 128 of the dome-like
elevation 124 with the sleeve element 150 arranged thereon, and in
this way closes off the outlet opening 126 in a sealed manner with
respect to the outside.
[0035] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the external diameter of
the sleeve element 150, at the height of the first step 128, in its
uncompressed state is slightly larger than the internal diameter of
the circular pinch member 280 of the closure element 200, so that
as a result of the closure element 200, which is designed as a
hinged lid, being closed, with the sleeve element 150 being
slightly compressed at the same time, a press fit is produced
between the pinch member 280 and sleeve element 150, which leads to
reliable sealing at this location, even if minor manufacturing
tolerances in the geometry and/or dimensions of the individual
elements are present, which is inevitable at least to a small
extent, in particular in the case of mass production or else
relatively expensive production processes will be required in order
to comply with more accurate tolerance requirements.
[0036] Purely for the sake of completeness, it should be noted that
the embodiment of the dispensing closure shown in FIG. 1 is
designed in such a way that it is additionally also possible for a
flexible dispensing tube to be inserted into the inner region of
the closure body 200, which flexible dispensing tube is fixed
securely in the inner region of the dome-like elevation 124, with
its outer end projecting out of the outlet opening 126, in order if
necessary to make it even easier for the free-flowing substances to
be removed.
[0037] FIG. 2 shows a further embodiment of a dispensing closure,
which is substantially identical to the embodiment shown in FIG.
1.
[0038] Unlike in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, however, the
sleeve element 150 is designed in such a way that it covers only an
upper region of the dome-like elevation 124, namely the first step
128 and the transition between the first step 128 and the second
step 134 of the dome-like elevation 124. Furthermore, in this
embodiment the sleeve element 150 is made from a low-density
polyethylene (LDPE).
[0039] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, a dispensing closure is
designed substantially in the same way as in the embodiment shown
in FIG. 1. However, the outlet opening 126 in the top side of the
closure body 100 is provided with a tamperproof closure 300. This
tamperproof closure 300 forms an integral part of the dispensing
closure 10 and for this purpose is made from the relatively soft
material of the sleeve element 150. A weakened line 302, which
follows the edge of the outlet opening 126 in the dome-like
elevation 124, connects the tamperproof closure 300 which seals off
the outlet opening 126 to the sleeve element 150. It is
advantageous for a tear-off tab 304 to be connected to the
tamperproof closure 300 and preferably to be formed integrally
therewith. The tear-off tab 304 makes it easy to open the container
by tearing off the tear-off tab 304 even if this cannot be done by
hand, as is the case, for example, in cycling races or the
like.
[0040] The tamperproof element 300 therefore ensures that air or
oxygen cannot adversely affect the quality of the contents of the
container until the container or bottle is opened for the first
time. In this case too, the sleeve element 150 together with the
tamperproof closure 300 may consist of thermoplastic polyester
(TPE) and/or of low-density polyethylene (LDPE), or of rubber,
silicone and/or a soft plastic or a combination of these
materials.
[0041] The embodiment of a dispensing closure 10 shown in FIG. 4
differs from that shown in FIG. 3 only through the fact that a
tamperproof closure 400 is made from the material of the closure
body 100 and is produced together with the latter as an integral
workpiece using the plastics injection-molding process. This
tamperproof closure 400 is exposed at the top or outside and is
connected or produced integrally with the closure body 100 by a
weakened line 402 which follows the annular edge of the outlet
opening 126. A tear-off tab 404, which as in FIG. 3 projects
obliquely from the top side of the tamperproof closure 400,
consists of the same material as the closure body 100 and is
intended to facilitate opening of the container provided with the
dispensing closure 10 but to ensure that the quality of the
contents of the container is preserved until it is opened by
hermetically sealing the outlet opening 126 of the container. The
closure body 100 is produced integrally with the tear-off tab 404,
preferably from polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene (PE) using the
injection-molding process.
[0042] Of course, if necessary it is also possible for the
tamperproofing means 400, which consists of the material of the
closure body 100, and its tear-off tab 404 additionally to be
covered with the soft material of the sleeve element 150, in
particular if a container equipped therewith is to be used for a
purpose in which the container cannot be opened by hand or can only
be opened by hand with difficulty, as is the case in certain forms
of sport, such as for example cycling etc.
[0043] FIG. 5 gives a general impression of the described
dispensing closure from FIGS. 3 and 4, with the dispensing closures
shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 also being comparable to the illustration of
the dispensing closure provided in FIG. 5 if one imagines that the
tamperproof closure 400 and the tear-off tab 404 are absent, and
instead there is an open outlet opening 126 of the closure body
100.
List of reference numerals
[0044] 10 Dispensing closure
[0045] 100 Closure body
[0046] 110 Casing
[0047] 112 Screw thread
[0048] 114 Sealing lip
[0049] 120 Cover
[0050] 122 Annular shoulder
[0051] 124 Dome-like elevation
[0052] 126 Outlet opening
[0053] 128 First step
[0054] 130 Annular stop face
[0055] 132 Annular groove
[0056] 134 Second step
[0057] 136 Termination rim
[0058] 150 Sleeve element
[0059] 160 Tamperproof element
[0060] 200 Closure element
[0061] 210 Head plate
[0062] 220 Side region
[0063] 260 Groove
[0064] 262 Lug
[0065] 264 Protuberance
[0066] 280 Pinch member
[0067] 290 Hinge
[0068] 300 Tamperproof closure
[0069] 302 Weakened line
[0070] 304 Tear-off tab
[0071] 400 Tamperproof closure
[0072] 402 Weakened line
[0073] 404 Tear-off tab
* * * * *