U.S. patent application number 10/513547 was filed with the patent office on 2005-12-22 for hinged lid closure provided with a tamper-evident element for a container containing a free-flowing product.
Invention is credited to Graswald, Martin, Jackel, Gerhard F.K..
Application Number | 20050279727 10/513547 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 7971046 |
Filed Date | 2005-12-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050279727 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Graswald, Martin ; et
al. |
December 22, 2005 |
Hinged lid closure provided with a tamper-evident element for a
container containing a free-flowing product
Abstract
A swing-lid closure (30; 100; 200) for containers, having a
closure body (32; 214) which, on its top side, has an annular
shoulder (42; 108; 212) and a through-passage channel (38) which
opens out in an outlet opening (50), having a swing lid (34; 114;
208) with a lid shell (48; 112; 216) of a hinge (56) can be pivoted
between a closed position and an open position, having a radial
depression (58; 118; 220) of the lid shell (48; 112; 216), which is
provided on the front side of the swing lid (34; 114; 208) and
extends over part of the circumference of the swing lid (34; 114;
208), having a tamperproof securing strip (60; 104; 204) which
extends in the circumferential direction on the annular shoulder
(42; 108; 212) of the closure body (32; 214) and has its bottom
edge fastened on the annular shoulder (42; 108; 212) via
predetermined breaking points (64) and, in the original closed
position of the swing lid (34; 114; 208), projects up into the
depression (58; 118; 220) of the lid shell (48; 112; 216) in an
arcuate manner, and, for the purpose of forming a tear-off opening
(66), the circumferential length of the depression (58; 118; 220)
of the lid shell (48; 112; 216) is greater, at least in a
circumferential direction of the lid shell (48; 112; 216), than the
circumferential length of the tamperproof securing strip (60; 104;
204). In its position which indicates the intact state, the
tamperproof securing strip (60; 104; 204) is secured by a device
(68; 70; 72; 74; 76; 78; 80; 82; 106; 108; 110; 202; 206; 210) by
means of which the tamperproof securing strip (60; 104; 204) is
connected in a form-fitting and/or force-fitting manner to the
swing lid (34; 114; 208). This results in the tamperproof securing
strip being better safeguarded against manipulation.
Inventors: |
Graswald, Martin; (Passau,
DE) ; Jackel, Gerhard F.K.; (Freyung, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WOOD, PHILLIPS, KATZ, CLARK & MORTIMER
500 W. MADISON STREET
SUITE 3800
CHICAGO
IL
60661
US
|
Family ID: |
7971046 |
Appl. No.: |
10/513547 |
Filed: |
June 22, 2005 |
PCT Filed: |
May 6, 2003 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP03/04738 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
215/237 ;
215/253; 220/259.1; 222/541.5; 222/541.6 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 55/06 20130101;
B65D 47/0804 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
215/237 ;
215/253; 222/541.5; 222/541.6; 220/259.1 |
International
Class: |
B65D 047/10 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 10, 2002 |
DE |
202 07 423.4 |
Claims
1. A swing-lid closure (30; 100; 200) for containers containing
free-flowing material, comprising a closure body (32; 214) which
can have its bottom, open end connected to the container via an
opening of the latter and, on its top side, has an annular shoulder
(42; 108; 212) and a through-passage channel (38) for the
free-flowing material, the through-passage channel being connected
to the interior of the container and opening out in an outlet
opening (50), a swing lid (34; 114; 208) with a lid shell (48; 112;
216), which is articulated on the periphery of the top side of the
closure body (32; 214) by a hinge (56) such that it can be swung
between a position in which it partially engages over the closure
body (32; 214) and closes the outlet opening (50) and a position in
which it exposes the outlet opening (50), a radial depression (58;
118; 220) of the lid shell (48; 112; 216), which is provided on the
front side of the swing lid (34; 114; 208), the front side being
located opposite the hinge (56), and extends over part of the
circumference of the swing lid (34; 114; 208), a tamperproof
securing strip (60; 104; 204) which extends in an arcuate manner in
the circumferential direction on an outer periphery of the annular
shoulder (42; 108; 212) of the closure body (32; 214) and has its
bottom edge fastened on the annular shoulder (42; 108; 212) via
predetermined breaking points (64) and, in the original closed
position of the swing lid (34; 114; 208), projects up into the
depression (58; 118; 220) of the lid shell (48; 112; 216) in an
arcuate manner over part of the circumference of the closure body
(32; 214), the depression (58; 118; 220) of the lid shell (48; 112;
216) having a circumferential length which, at least in a
circumferential direction of the lid shell (48; 112; 216), is
dimensioned to be greater than the circumferential length of the
tamperproof securing strip (60; 104; 204), for the purpose of
forming a tear-off opening (66) for the tamperproof securing strip
(60; 104; 204), characterized in that, in its vertical position,
which indicates the intact state and in which it is protected in
the depression (58; 118; 220) of the swing lid (34; 114; 208), the
tamperproof securing strip (60; 104; 204) is secured by a device
(68, 70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, 82; 106, 108, 110; 202, 206, 210) by
means of which the tamperproof securing strip (60; 104; 204) and
the swing lid (34; 114; 208) are connected to one another in a
form-fitting or force-fitting manner.
2. The swing-lid closure as claimed in claim 1, characterized in
that at least one snap-in hook (68) projects radially outward, in
relation to the main axis (x) of the swing-lid closure (30), from
the bottom edge (62) of the lid shell (48), which forms the
radially inner rear wall of the depression (58), and the
tamperproof securing strip (60) is provided, in the region of its
bottom edge (62), with at least one latching edge (70) for the
snap-in hook (68).
3. The swing-lid closure as claimed in claim 1, characterized in
that at least one locking opening (80) is provided on the underside
of the gripping ridge (74) of the swing-lid (34), this at least
partially enclosing the top edge of the tamperproof securing strip
(60).
4. The swing-lid closure as claimed in claim 2, characterized in
that at least one locking pin (78) projects up from the top edge of
the tamperproof securing strip (60), and at least one corresponding
locking opening (80) is provided in the underside of the gripping
ridge (74) of the swing lid (34).
5. The swing-lid closure as claimed in claim 2, characterized in
that the tamperproof securing strip (60) is fastened on a radially
outer, axially offset, arcuate stepped portion (82) of the annular
shoulder (42) of the closure body (32), the radial width of this
corresponding approximately to the sum of the radial width of the
tamperproof securing strip (60) and of the snap-in hook (68) on the
lid shell (48).
6. The swing-lid closure as claimed in claim 1, characterized in
that the gripping ridge (74) extends more or less over a semicircle
and, in the intact position of the swing lid (34), covers over at
least the top edge of the tamperproof securing strip (60) and is
aligned with the circumferential surface of the same.
7. The swing-lid closure as claimed in claim 1, characterized in
that at least one retaining element (102) is integrally formed on
the inside of the tamperproof securing strip (104), the retaining
element extending radially inward and the swing lid (114) resting
thereon by way of its lid shell (112) in the closed position of the
swing lid (114).
8. The swing-lid closure as claimed in claim 7, characterized in
that the at least one retaining element (102) is U-shaped and
engages around the lid shell of the closed swing lid (114), in
which case one of the two U-legs is formed by the tamperproof
securing strip (104), from the bottom edge of which a U-crosspiece
(106) extends radially inward as a support for the lid shell (112)
and merges into the second U-leg (110), which extends parallel to
the radially inner surface of the tamperproof securing strip
(104).
9. The swing-lid closure as claimed in claim 7, characterized in
that the at least one U-shaped retaining element (102) is arranged
on both sides of the snap-in hook (116).
10. The swing-lid closure as claimed in claim 1, characterized in
that the at least one latching edge (202) of the tamperproof
securing strip (204) for the at least one snap-in hook (206) of the
swing lid (208) is formed by at least one latching tongue (210)
which, as an integral constituent part of the tamperproof securing
strip (204), extends radially inward in the direction of the
annular shoulder (212) of the closure body (214) and the free end
of which terminates at an axial distance from the annular shoulder
(212).
11. The swing-lid closure as claimed in claim 10, characterized in
that that side of the at least one latching edge (202) which is
directed toward the swing lid (208) is beveled radially inward in
the direction of the annular shoulder (212) of the closure body
(214) and that side of the at least one snap-in hook (206) which is
directed toward the latching edge (202) is beveled
correspondingly.
12. The swing-lid closure as claimed in claim 10, characterized in
that that side of the at least one snap-in hook (206) which is
directed toward the latching edge (202) is arranged level with the
bottom edge of the lid shell (216), the height of this bottom edge
being reduced by the height of the snap-in hook (206).
13. The swing-lid closure as claimed in claim 10, characterized in
that at least one radially inwardly set-back portion of the lid
shell (216) is provided, in the region of the radial depression
(220) thereof, with at least one radially outer latching shoulder
(222), which engages beneath the latching edge (202) of the
latching tongue (210) of the tamperproof securing strip (204) in
the closed position of the swing lid (208).
14. The swing-lid closure as claimed in claim 10, characterized in
that the radially set-back portion (218) of the lid shell (216) is
designed as an axis-parallel guide groove (224) for the latching
tongue (210) of the tamperproof securing strip (204) and is offset
radially inward to an extent which corresponds approximately to the
sum of the radial dimensions of the tamperproof securing strip
(204) with its latching tongue (210) and the snap-in hook (206) of
the swing lid (208).
15. The swing-lid closure as claimed in claim 10, characterized in
that the bottom edge of the latching shoulder (222), this bottom
edge being directed toward the closure body (214), is aligned with
the bottom edge of the lid shell (216).
16. The swing-lid closure as claimed in claim 1, characterized in
that a cap shell (36) of the closure body (32) is provided, on the
inside, with fastening means (40) by way of which the closure body
(32) can be fastened on a container neck enclosing the container
opening, a radially inner annular shoulder (42) bounding the top
end of the cap shell (36) and merging into a tubular outlet nozzle
(44) which forms the through-passage channel (38), and in that the
inside of the swing lid (34; 114; 208) is provided with a coaxial,
tubular closing nozzle (228) for sealing the outlet opening (50)
when the swing lid (34; 114; 208) is closed.
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a swing-lid closure for containers
containing free-flowing material, comprising
[0002] a closure body which can have its bottom, open end connected
to the container via an opening of the latter and, on its top side,
has an annular shoulder and a through-passage channel for the
free-flowing material, the through-passage channel being connected
to the interior of the container and opening out in an outlet
opening,
[0003] a swing lid with a lid shell, which is articulated on the
periphery of the top side of the closure body by a hinge such that
it can be swung between a position in which it partially engages
over the closure body and closes the outlet opening and a position
in which it exposes the outlet opening,
[0004] a radial depression of the lid shell, which is provided on
the front side of the swing lid, the front side being located
opposite the hinge, and extends over part of the circumference of
the swing lid,
[0005] a tear-off tamperproof securing strip which extends in an
arcuate manner in the circumferential direction on an outer
periphery of the annular shoulder of the closure body and has its
bottom edge fastened on the annular shoulder via predetermined
breaking points and, in the original closed position of the swing
lid, projects up into the depression of the lid shell in an arcuate
manner over part of the circumference of the closure body, the
depression of the lid shell having a circumferential length which,
at least in a circumferential direction of the lid shell, is
dimensioned to be greater than the circumferential length of the
tamperproof securing strip, for the purpose of forming a tear-off
opening for the tamperproof securing strip.
[0006] Swing-lid closures in front of the abovementioned generic
type belong to the prior art and are often used for containers or
bottles which are intended for goods for mass consumption, such as
free-flowing body-care products, e.g. skin lotion, bath gel or skin
oil, or for household and kitchen care products, e.g. furniture
polish or cleaning agents for cooking utensils, or for substances
used for adding to or seasoning food, e.g. ketchup or soy sauce.
Such swing closures with a tamperproof securing means are also used
for materials in drug stores and pharmacies, in order to make it
obvious that such packs comprising a container and swing closure
have been manipulated without authorization. Tamperproof securing
means for such swing closures, which constitute mass-produced
articles, have to be capable of being produced cost-effectively
and, in particular have to ensure a high level of reliability for
the tamperproof securing means. It is thus an aim to improve the
tamperproof securing means for such swing closures further.
[0007] The object of the invention is thus to improve the extent to
which such containers equipped with a tamperproof securing strip
are safeguarded against manipulation, to the effect that the
tamperproof securing strip cannot be gripped at its top edge, and
bent outward around the predetermined breaking points, with or
without the aid of a tool-like article, without the predetermined
breaking points, which connect the tamperproof securing strip to
the closure body, being destroyed.
[0008] The invention achieves this object in that, in its vertical
position, which indicates the intact state and in which it is
protected in the depression of the swing lid, the tamperproof
securing strip is secured by a retaining device and connected in a
form-fitting and/or force-fitting manner to the swing lid.
[0009] This considerably improves the extent to which the swing-lid
closure is safeguarded against manipulation because it is virtually
impossible to open the swing-lid closure without this being
obvious, i.e. without destroying the predetermined breaking points
which connect the tamperproof securing strip to the closure body
and without the tamperproof securing strip being separated off from
the closure body as a result.
[0010] According to a first embodiment of the invention, at least
one snap-in hook projects radially outward, in relation to the main
axis of the swing closure, from the bottom edge of the lid shell,
which forms the radially inner rear wall of the depression. The
tamperproof securing strip is provided, in the region of its bottom
edge, with at least one latching edge for the snap-in hook.
Furthermore, at least one locking opening is provided on the
underside of the gripping ridge of the swing lid, this at least
partially enclosing the top edge of the tamperproof securing strip.
In a further configuration of this first embodiment, at least one
locking pin projects up from the top edge of the tamperproof
securing strip, at least one corresponding locking opening being
provided in the underside of the gripping ridge of the swing lid.
The tamperproof securing strip is fastened on a radially outer,
axially offset, arcuate stepped portion of the annular shoulder of
the closure body, the radial width of this corresponding
approximately to the sum of the radial widths of the tamperproof
securing strip and of the snap-in hook on the lid shell. It is
possible for the gripping ridge to extend more or less over a
semicircle, and, in the intact position of the swing lid, to cover
over at least the top edge of the tamperproof securing strip and to
be aligned with the circumferential surface of the same.
[0011] According to a second embodiment, retaining elements are
integrally formed on the inside of the tamperproof securing strip,
the retaining elements extending radially inward and the swing lid
resting thereon, by way of its lid shell in the closed position of
the swing lid. It is possible here for the retaining elements to be
U-shaped and to engage around the lid shell of the closed swing
lid, in which case one of the two U-legs is formed by the
tamperproof securing strip, from the bottom edge of which a
U-crosspiece extends radially inward as a support for the lid shell
and merges into the second U-leg, which extends parallel to the
radially inner surface of the tamper proof securing strip. The
U-shaped retaining elements are advantageously arranged on both
sides of the snap-in hook.
[0012] According to a third embodiment, the at least one latching
edge of the tamperproof securing strip with the at least one
snap-in hook of the swing lid may be formed by at least one
latching tongue which, as an integral constituent part of the
tamperproof securing strip, extends radially inward in the
direction of the annular shoulder of the closure body and the free
end of which terminates at an axial distance from the annular
shoulder. That side of the snap-in hook which is directed toward
the latching edge is preferably arranged level with the bottom edge
of the lid shell, the height of this bottom edge being reduced by
the height of the snap-in hook. It is further advantageous if at
least one radially inwardly set-back portion of the lid shell is
provided, in the region of the radial depression thereof, with at
least one radially outer latching shoulder, which engages beneath
the latching edge of the latching tongue of the tamperproof
securing strip in the closed position of the swing lid.
[0013] In a further configuration of this third embodiment, it is
recommended for the radially set-back portion of the lid shell to
be designed as an axis-parallel guide groove for the latching
tongue of the tamperproof securing strip and to be offset radially
inward to an extent which corresponds approximately to the sum of
the radial dimensions of the tamperproof securing strip with its
latching tongue and the snap-in hook of the swing lid. It is
further advantageous if the bottom edge of the latching shoulder,
this bottom edge being directed toward the closure body, is aligned
with the bottom edge of the lid shell.
[0014] The invention is described in more detail hereinbelow with
reference to the schematic drawing of the exemplary embodiments of
the closure. In the drawing:
[0015] FIG. 1 shows a three-dimensional illustration of a first
embodiment of an open swing-lid closure according to the
invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 shows a longitudinal section along section line II-II
of the open swing-lid closure in FIG. 4;
[0017] FIG. 3 shows a central longitudinal section of the swing-lid
closure in FIGS. 1 and 2 in the closed state;
[0018] FIG. 4 shows a plan view of the open swing-lid closure
according to FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 5 shows a further sectional view of the swing-lid
closure in FIGS. 1 to 4 along section line V-V in FIG. 4;
[0020] FIG. 6 shows the swing-lid closure according to FIG. 5
albeit in the closed state;
[0021] FIG. 7 shows a front view of the swing-lid closure in FIGS.
1 to 6 in the closed state;
[0022] FIG. 8 shows a view of the open swing-lid closure in the
direction of the arrow VIII in FIG. 5;
[0023] FIG. 9 shows a perspective illustration of a second
embodiment of the swing-lid closure according to the invention in
the open position;
[0024] FIG. 10 shows a plan view of the swing-lid closure in FIG.
9;
[0025] FIG. 11 shows a rear view of the open swing-lid closure in
the direction of the arrow XI in FIG. 9;
[0026] FIG. 12 shows a central longitudinal section of the
swing-lid closure along section line XII-XII in FIG. 10;
[0027] FIG. 13 shows a front view of a closure body in the open
state of the swing-lid closure in the direction of the arrow XIII
in FIG. 9;
[0028] FIG. 14 shows the swing-lid closure according to FIG. 12 in
the closed state;
[0029] FIG. 15 shows a front view of the closed swing-lid closure
according to FIGS. 9 to 14;
[0030] FIG. 16 shows a perspective illustration of a third
embodiment of a swing-lid closure;
[0031] FIG. 17 shows a plan view of the open swing-lid closure in
FIG. 16;
[0032] FIG. 18 shows a central longitudinal section along section
line XVIII-XVIII in FIG. 17;
[0033] FIG. 19 shows a rear view of the open swing-lid closure
according to FIGS. 16 to 18 in the direction of the arrow XIX in
FIG. 16;
[0034] FIG. 20 shows a front view of the open swing-lid closure in
the direction of the arrow XX in FIG. 16;
[0035] FIG. 21 shows a central longitudinal section of the
swing-lid closure in FIG. 18 in the closed state; and
[0036] FIG. 22 shows a front view of the closed swing-lid closure
in FIGS. 16 to 21.
[0037] FIGS. 1 to 8 illustrate the first embodiment of the
swing-lid closure 30 for bottles or containers which contain
free-flowing material, are known per se and are thus not shown. The
swing-lid closure 30 comprises a closure body 32 which can have its
bottom, open end connected to the container via an opening of the
latter and, on its top side, has an annular shoulder 42 and a
through-passage channel 38 for the free-flowing material, the
through-passage channel being connected to the interior of the
container and opening out in an outlet opening 50.
[0038] Also provided is a swing lid 34 with a lid shell 48, which
is articulated on the periphery of the top side of the closure body
32 by a hinge 56 such that it can be swung between a position in
which it partially engages over the closure body 32 and closes the
outlet opening 50 and a position in which it exposes the outlet
opening 50. A radial depression 58 of the lid shell 48 is provided
on the front side of the swing lid 34, this front side being
located opposite the hinge 56, and extends over part of the
circumference of the swing lid 34.
[0039] A tamperproof securing strip 60 extends in an arcuate manner
in the circumferential direction on an outer periphery of the
annular shoulder 42 of the closure body 32 and has its bottom edge
fastened on the annular shoulder 42 via predetermined breaking
points 64. In the original closed position of the swing lid 34, the
tamperproof securing strip 60 projects up into the depression 58 of
the lid shell 48 in an arcuate manner over part of the
circumference of the closure body 32, the depression 58 of the lid
shell 48 having a circumferential length which, at least in a
circumferential direction of the lid shell 48, is dimensioned to be
greater than the circumferential length of the tamperproof securing
strip 60, for the purpose of forming a tear-off opening 66 (FIG. 4)
for the tamperproof securing strip 60.
[0040] A cap shell 36 of the closure body 32 is provided, on the
inside, with fastening means, in the present exemplary embodiment
with a thread 40 by way of which the closure body 32 can be screwed
on to a corresponding external thread on a container neck enclosing
the opening. Of course, as is known per se, other fastening methods
such as clip-in protuberances, welding, or forming the container
and closure body integrally are likewise possible. At the bottom
end of the cap shell 32, in a manner known per se, an encircling
tamperproof securing strip 41 is fastened, via one or more
predetermined breaking points (not shown), with inner protuberances
43, which engage beneath an annular bead on the neck of the
container and secure the tamperproof securing strip 41 if the
closure body 32 is unscrewed from the container neck.
[0041] The annular shoulder 42 bounds the top end of the cap shell
36 and merges into a tubular outlet nozzle 44 which forms the
through-passage channel 38. The outlet nozzle 44 is tapered
conically to a slight extent in the direction of its outer, free
end and can thus also be used as a drinking nozzle.
[0042] On the underside of the annular shoulder 42, an encircling
sealing lip 46 which is directed obliquely inward toward the
container is provided at a radial distance from the inside of the
cap shell 36 for the purpose of sealing the closure body 32 in
relation to the end surface of the container neck.
[0043] The swing lid 34 engages, by way of the lid shell 48 over
the top, outer end of the closure body 32, this end being formed by
the outlet nozzle 44, and is provided with the outlet opening 50
(FIGS. 1 and 3), which is arranged coaxially in relation to the
through-passage channel 38 of the closure body 32. The swing lid 34
also engages, by way of a tubular stub 54 which projects down from
the underside of a head wall 52, over the outlet nozzle 44 of the
closure body 32 and butts with sealing action, by way of its inner
circumferential surface, against the outer circumferential surface
of the outlet nozzle 44.
[0044] The swing lid 34 is connected integrally to the closure body
32 by the hinge 56 and is arranged such that it can be pivoted
between the closed position, which is shown in FIGS. 3, 6 and 7 and
an open position which is shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 5 and 8 and in
which the outlet opening 50 of the outlet nozzle 44 is exposed.
[0045] The tamperproof securing strip 60 projects vertically, i.e.
in an axis-parallel manner to the main axis of the swing-lid
closure 30, but in an arcuate manner in the circumferential
direction of the same, into the correspondingly shaped depression
58 of the lid shell 48, such that the outer circumferential surface
of the tamperproof securing strip 60 is located within an outer
enveloping surface of the swing closure 30 and thus does not make
it any more difficult for the swing closure 30 to be either
produced or fitted.
[0046] According to the invention, in its vertical position, which
indicates the intact state and in which it is protected in the
depression 58 of the swing lid 34, the tamperproof securing strip
60 is secured by a device by means of which the tamperproof
securing strip 60 is connected in a form-fitting and/or
force-fitting manner to the swing lid 34.
[0047] According to the first embodiment, the securing device
comprises, inter alia, two snap-in hooks 68 which project radially
outward, in relation to the main axis x of the swing-lid closure
30, from the bottom edge 62 of the lid shell 48, which forms the
inner rear wall of the depression 58. The tamperproof securing
strip 60 is provided, in the region of its bottom edge 62, with two
latching edges 70 for the snap-in hooks 68, these being formed by
rectangular cutouts 72 of the bottom edge of the tamperproof
securing strip 60. Of course, it is also possible to provide just
one snap-in hook 68, or more than two snap-in hooks 68, on the
swing lid 34 and a corresponding number of latching edges 70 on the
tamperproof securing strip 60.
[0048] The securing device of this embodiment also includes a top
edge 76 of the tamperproof securing strip 60 being anchored in the
gripping ridge 74 of the swing lid 34. For this purpose, preferably
two locking pins 78 project up from the top edge 76 of the
tamperproof securing strip 60. Accordingly, for the engagement of
the locking pins 78, two corresponding, pocket-like locking
openings 80 are provided in the underside of the gripping ridge 74
of the swing lid 34. In the original closed position, the two
locking pins 78 thus engage in the two locking openings 80, while
the lower-level top edge on either side of the locking openings 80
of the tamperproof securing strip 60 butts directly against the
planar underside of the gripping ridge 74 and, by means of the
gripping ridge 74 which projects outward beyond the tamperproof
securing strip 60 is protected against unauthorized manipulation.
This locking of the tamperproof securing strip 60 at its top edge
76 is offset on both sides in relation to the snap-in-hook locking
68, 70 as can clearly be seen from FIGS. 1, 4 and 8. Since the
snap-in hook 68 engages beneath the tamperproof securing strip 60
at the latching edge 70, the top edge 76 and the locking pins 78
are permanently and reliably enclosed in the locking openings 80 of
the gripping ridge 74. Depending on the respective use conditions
and on the size of the swing-lid closure, it is thus possible to
use at least one locking pin with at least one associated locking
opening, that is to say a single locking opening can form an
arcuate longitudinal groove for the engagement of the entire top
edge, located on the same level, of the tamperproof securing strip
60.
[0049] It can be seen that, in this way, it is also the case that
the top edge 76 of the tamperproof securing strip 60 is not
accessible with the aid of tool-like equipment and the tamperproof
securing strip 60 can only be removed, for the purpose of opening
the swing lid 34, as a result of its predetermined breaking points
64 being destroyed. Consequently, it is virtually impossible to
gain unauthorized access to the contents of the container without
the destruction or removal of the tamperproof securing strip 60
being obvious.
[0050] This stable anchoring of the top edge 76 of the tamperproof
securing strip 60 is preferably, and significantly, assisted in
that the tamperproof securing strip 60, as a result of being curved
in the circumferential direction, is resistant to being bent
outward, but is also fastened on a radially outer, axially offset,
arcuate stepped portion 82 of the annular shoulder 42 of the
closure body 32, the radial width of this corresponding
approximately to the sum of the radial widths of the tamperproof
securing strip 60 and of the snap-in hook 68 on the lid shell 48.
As a result, the snap-in hook 68, which engages beneath the
latching edge 70, is secured between the approximately
axis-parallel circumferential surface 84 in FIG. 3 of the annular
shoulder 42, this circumferential surface bounding the stepped
portion 82 in the radially inward direction, and the inside of the
tamperproof securing strip 60, i.e. it cannot be pushed or moved
radially inward in order to be unlocked.
[0051] The gripping ridge 74, located diametrically opposite the
hinge 56 extends more or less over a semicircle, and, in the intact
position of the swing lid 34 covers over, as has been described
above, at least the top edge 76 of the tamperproof securing strip
60 and, according to FIG. 3, projects outward to a large extent, in
a protective manner beyond the tamperproof securing strip 60.
[0052] FIGS. 9 to 15 illustrate the second embodiment of a
swing-lid closure 100 according to the invention, in which case, in
order to avoid repetition, the same parts are not described anew,
and use is made of the designations which were utilized for the
first embodiment.
[0053] In the case of the present second embodiment, two retaining
elements 102 which are of U-shaped configuration, are provided for
a tamperproof securing strip 104. The upwardly projecting
tamperproof securing strip 104 here forms one of two legs of the
U-shaped retaining elements 102. A horizontal crosspiece 106 of the
U-profile of the retaining elements 102 extends radially inward
from the inside of the tamperproof securing strip 104, in the
region of the bottom edge of the latter and approximately parallel
to an annular shoulder 108, and bears a second leg 110 parallel to,
and at a sufficient distance from, the tamperproof securing strip
104, so that the U-shaped retaining elements 102 each engages
around a lid shell 112 of a closed swing lid 114 from the bottom
edge thereof, as can clearly be seen from FIG. 14. The radially
inwardly extending, horizontal U-crosspiece 106, which is
approximately parallel to the annular shoulder 108, forms the
support for the lid shell 112 here. Of course, it is also possible,
if appropriate, to provide just a single retaining element 102 of
appropriate dimensions.
[0054] According to a variant of this second embodiment, it may be
sufficient, in certain circumstances, if only the U-crosspiece 106
of the retaining elements 102 extends radially inward and the leg
106 is omitted, with the result that an L-profile is formed in
cross section with the tamperproof securing strip 104. In this
case, the lid shell 112, in its closed position, rests on the
horizontal leg or crosspiece 106 of the L-profile and retains the
tamperproof securing strip 104 in its position in which it projects
up from the annular shoulder 108 within a depression 118 beneath a
gripping ridge 120.
[0055] FIGS. 16 to 22, show the third embodiment of a swing-lid
closure 200, in the case of which at least one latching edge 202 of
a tamperproof securing strip 204 for at least one snap-in hook 206
of a swing lid 208 is formed by at least one latching tongue 210.
The latching tongue 210 is formed as an integral constituent part
of the tamperproof securing strip 204 and extends radially inward,
and downward in the direction of an annular shoulder 212 of a
closure body 214, from the top side of the tamperproof securing
strip 204. The free end of the latching tongue 210 terminates at an
axial distance from the annular shoulder 212. That side of the
latching edge 202 which is directed towards a swing lid 208 is
beveled radially inward in the direction of the annular shoulder
212 of the closure body 214 and that side of the at least one
snap-in hook 206 which is directed toward the latching edge 202 are
beveled correspondingly. That side of the snap-in hook 206 which is
directed toward the latching edge 202 is arranged level with the
bottom edge 226 of the lid shell 216, the height of this bottom
edge being reduced by the height of the snap-in hook 206 (FIG.
22).
[0056] The snap-in hook 206 is arranged in a radially inwardly
set-back U-shaped portion 218 which forms an axial guide groove 224
in the lid shell 216 for the latching tongue 210 is provided, in
the region of a radial depression 220, with at least one radially
outer latching shoulder 222, which engages beneath the latching
edge 202 of the latching tongue 210 of the tamperproof securing
strip 204 in the closed position of the swing lid 208 (FIG. 22).
The axis-parallel guide groove 224 for the latching tongue 210 of
the tamperproof securing strip 204 is offset radially inward to an
extent which corresponds approximately to the sum of the radial
dimensions of the tamperproof securing strip 204 with its latching
tongue 210 and the snap-in hook 206 of the swing lid 208. In the
closed position, the latching tongue 210 locks the latching hook
206, with elastic prestressing, on the stepped portion 82 in a
force-fitting and form-fitting manner in relation to the outside 84
of the annular shoulder 212, with the result that, as a result of
the gripping ridge 74 engaging over the top edge of the tamperproof
securing strip 204, unauthorized bending out of the tamperproof
securing strip 204 without the predetermined breaking points being
destroyed is virtually impossible.
LIST OF DESIGNATIONS
[0057] 30 Swing-lid closure
[0058] 32 Closure body
[0059] 34 Swing lid
[0060] 36 Cap shell
[0061] 38 Through-passage channel
[0062] 40 Screw thread
[0063] 42 Annular shoulder
[0064] 44 Outlet nozzle
[0065] 46 Sealing lip
[0066] 48 Lid shell
[0067] 50 Outlet opening
[0068] 52 Head wall
[0069] 54 Tubular stub
[0070] 56 Hinge
[0071] 58 Radial depression
[0072] 60 Tamperproof securing strip
[0073] 62 Bottom edge
[0074] 64 Predetermined breaking points
[0075] 66 Tear-off opening
[0076] 68 Snap-in hooks
[0077] 70 Latching edge
[0078] 72 Locking openings
[0079] 74 Gripping ridge
[0080] 76 Top edge
[0081] 78 Locking pin
[0082] 80 Locking opening
[0083] 82 Stepped portion
[0084] 100 Swing-lid closure
[0085] 102 Closure body
[0086] 104 Tamperproof securing strip
[0087] 106 Crosspiece
[0088] 108 Annular shoulder
[0089] 110 Second leg
[0090] 112 Lid shell
[0091] 114 Swing lid
[0092] 116 Snap-in hook
[0093] 118 Depression
[0094] 120 Gripping ridge
[0095] 200 Swing-lid closure
[0096] 202 Latching edge
[0097] 204 Tamperproof securing strip
[0098] 206 Snap-in hook
[0099] 208 Swing lid
[0100] 210 Latching tongue
[0101] 212 Annular shoulder
[0102] 214 Closure body
[0103] 216 Lid shell
[0104] 218 Portion (lid shell)
[0105] 220 Radial depression
[0106] 222 Latching shoulder
[0107] 224 Guide groove
[0108] 226 Bottom edge (latching tongue)
[0109] 228 Closing nozzle
* * * * *