U.S. patent application number 11/248220 was filed with the patent office on 2007-02-08 for device for holding liquid.
This patent application is currently assigned to ADELHOLZENER ALPENQUELLEN GmbH. Invention is credited to Eric Biermann, Erwin Haechl, Albert Reischenboeck.
Application Number | 20070029353 11/248220 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36650686 |
Filed Date | 2007-02-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070029353 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Haechl; Erwin ; et
al. |
February 8, 2007 |
Device for holding liquid
Abstract
A device for holding liquid includes a container with an outlet
opening. A closure for closing the outlet opening of the container,
wherein a sealing body structured for sealing engagement with the
outlet opening when the closure is arranged in a position closing
the outlet opening. At least one capture attachment coupled to the
sealing body. Further, at least one engagement element coupled to
the closure element being detachably attachable to the at least one
capture attachment. The instant abstract is neither intended to
define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended
to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
Inventors: |
Haechl; Erwin; (Inzell,
DE) ; Reischenboeck; Albert; (Bergen, DE) ;
Biermann; Eric; (Leiden, NL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GREENBLUM & BERNSTEIN, P.L.C.
1950 ROLAND CLARKE PLACE
RESTON
VA
20191
US
|
Assignee: |
ADELHOLZENER ALPENQUELLEN
GmbH
Siegsdorf
DE
|
Family ID: |
36650686 |
Appl. No.: |
11/248220 |
Filed: |
October 13, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/556 ;
215/237; 220/203.11 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 53/04 20130101;
B65D 47/2031 20130101; B65D 41/045 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/556 ;
215/237; 220/203.11 |
International
Class: |
B65D 39/00 20060101
B65D039/00; B65D 47/00 20060101 B65D047/00; B65D 51/16 20060101
B65D051/16 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 21, 2005 |
DE |
10 2005 034 178.0 |
Claims
1. A device for holding liquid, comprising: a container with an
outlet opening; a closure for closing the outlet opening of the
container; a sealing body structured for sealing engagement with
the outlet opening when the closure is arranged in a position
closing the outlet opening; at least one capture attachment coupled
to the sealing body; at least one engagement element coupled to the
closure element being detachably attachable to the at least one
capture attachment.
2. The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the sealing body
is structured and arranged for sealing engagement with an edge of
the outlet opening when the closure is arranged in the position
closing the outlet opening.
3. The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one
capture attachment is part of the sealing body.
4. The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one
engagement element is interlockable with the at least one capture
attachment.
5. The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the closure
includes an intermediate unit, a passage opening and a removable
cap.
6. The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the intermediate
unit is mounted on the outlet opening.
7. The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the sealing body
has a grip attachment arranged on a side facing away from the
closure.
8. The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one
capture attachment is arranged on a side of the sealing body facing
towards the closure.
9. The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one
capture attachment is formed by an outer circumferential edge of
the sealing body.
10. The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one
engagement element is arranged in at least one piece on the
closure.
11. The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one
engagement element is arranged on at least a portion of the
intermediate unit.
12. The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one
engagement element is arranged on an element connected to the
closure.
13. The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one
engagement element includes at least one indentation extending in
the circumferential direction of the closure.
14. The device in accordance with claim 13, wherein the at least
one indentation extends in the circumferential direction of the
intermediate unit.
15. The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one
engagement element is an element to extend on the capture
attachment.
16. The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one
engagement element is enlarged on an end facing towards the capture
attachment.
17. The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein a plurality of
the engagement elements are uniformly arranged on a circumference
of the capture attachment of the sealing body.
18. The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the capture
attachment is arranged on a free end with directing slopes for the
at least one engagement element.
19. The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein a valve unit is
arranged to the intermediate unit of the closure.
20. The device in accordance with claim 7, wherein the passage
opening is closed by a removable closure element connected to the
intermediate unit via a predetermined breaking point.
21. The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least one
barb and at least one barb receptacle is arranged on one of the
cap, the closure element, the capture attachment.
22. The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein a plug is
integrally formed by a predetermined breaking point arranged either
in or out of a passage opening of the closure.
23. The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the engagement
element includes at least one fork shape extension.
24. A device for holding liquid, the device comprising: a container
with an outlet opening; a closure for closing the outlet opening of
the container; a sealing body in sealing engagement with the outlet
opening when the closure is arranged in a position closing the
outlet opening; and at least one engagement element coupled to the
closure that is detachably attachable with a free end of the
sealing body.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119 of German Patent Application No. 10 2005 034 178.0, filed
on Jul. 21, 2005, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated
by reference herein in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The invention relates to a device for holding a liquid. The
device includes a container with an outlet opening, a closure for
closing the outlet opening of the container, and a sealing body.
The sealing body can be placed on the outlet opening and brought
into sealing engagement with the edge of the outlet opening by the
closure, closing the outlet opening.
[0004] 2. Discussion of Background Information
[0005] Holding liquid devices or containers can be used for holding
liquids, such as beverages enriched with gases, e.g., carbon
dioxide gas and/or oxygen gas. According to DE 195 12 971 A1, a
sealing body embodied in a disk-shaped manner can ensure the
gas-tightness of a holding device in a storage state between the
production and the consumption of the liquid. In particular, for
consumers to drink the liquid or beverage from the container, they
must first remove the closure, i.e., physically taking off the
sealing body, before consuming the beverage (by placing the liquid
holding device to his/her mouth) from the outlet opening of the
container. It is possible for gaps to develop in the sealing body,
which may result in beverage leaks. For example, if the consumer
fails to remove the sealing body before attempting to consume the
beverage, the beverage may spill over on the clothes of the
consumer through the leaks in the gap, or by the beverage forcing
the seal off of the container which it in an inverted position.
Obviously, this situation would be an unpleasant experience for the
consumer. The present invention looks to overcome the
above-mentioned disadvantages of the containers, so that the
consumer is not faced with the above-noted potential unpleasant
experiences.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention provides a device to reliably avoid
unpleasant experiences to the consumer from the consumer
unintentionally leaving a sealing body on a outlet opening of a
container after removing a closure.
[0007] According to the invention, the device can be used with
conventional cup-shaped closures as well as with modem two-part
closures. The modern two-part closures may include an intermediate
unit mounted on an outlet opening having a passage opening, e.g., a
drinking spout and/or cap, which closes the passage opening and/or
can be removed therefrom. Further, the invention can be utilized in
drinking closures associated with the "Active O.sub.2" beverage
series of the assignee of the instant invention.
[0008] According to the invention, the device may be adapted to
conventional cup-shaped closures using sealing bodies having a
solid disk, which separates a head room of the container from a
closure chamber formed in the closure above the sealing body.
Further, the present invention can be adapted to sealing bodies
which provide a connection between the head room and the closure
chamber, e.g., ring-shaped sealing bodies. It is also possible in
the latter case that when a sealing ring which, unnoticed by the
consumer, is still located on the outlet opening, is suddenly
detached from the outlet opening, the consumer is surprised and
spills liquid on his clothing as a result of an unmindful movement
by the consumer.
[0009] According to another feature of the invention, the device
may include a sealing body having at least one capture attachment
in which the closure has at least one engagement element that can
be brought into capture engagement with the at least one capture
attachment, wherein the capture engagement is detachable again. Due
to this capture engagement, when the closure is removed from the
outlet opening, the sealing body can also be simultaneously removed
from the outlet opening, so that it cannot be left on the outlet
opening unintentionally by the consumer. For example, the at least
one engagement element can be interlockable with the capture
attachment of the sealing body.
[0010] According to another feature of the invention, when the
device is used with a solid-disk sealing body with a drink closure,
the capture engagement between the sealing body and the closure can
be cancelled or detached again by the consumer by removing the
sealing body from the closure. Detaching the sealing body from the
closure can be facilitated, e.g., in that on its side facing away
from the closure the sealing body has a grip attachment, which the
consumer can grasp in order to remove the sealing body from the
closure. The grip attachment can be embodied in different ways. For
example, it can be made of a pin-like element, which is provided on
its free end preferably with a thickening or ribs, which prevent
the consumer's fingers from slipping. However, the grip attachment
can also be formed by a finger loop.
[0011] According to another feature of the invention, the at least
one capture attachment can be provided on the side of the sealing
body facing the closure. For example, an interlocking may occur via
the free end of the capture attachment embodied with a thickening
which can be engaged from behind by the at least one engagement
element. It is also possible for at least one capture attachment to
be formed by the outer circumferential edge of the sealing body. In
both of the above cases, the capture attachment can be embodied to
facilitate the interlocking with at least one directing slope for
the at least one engagement element.
[0012] According to another feature of the invention, at least one
engagement element can be integrally formed on the closure, e.g.,
on its intermediate unit, in one piece. However, it is possible for
at least one engagement element to be embodied on an element that
can be connected to the closure, e.g., its intermediate unit. In
the latter case, the element that can be connected to the closure
may be a circular cylindrical part, that is, interlockable with the
closure or its intermediate unit. Furthermore, the element that can
be connected may be made as an injection-molded part, e.g., of PP
(polypropylene).
[0013] According to another feature of the invention, there are
several embodiments of the at least one engagement element.
[0014] A first variant may include, but is not limited to, at least
one engagement element having at least one indentation extending in
the circumferential direction of the closure, e.g., of its
intermediate unit. The opening of the indentation can point both
radially inwards as well as radially outwards with respect to one
axis of the container.
[0015] Additionally or alternatively, a second variant may include,
but is not limited to, at least one engagement element extending on
the capture attachment. The extension direction of the element can
run essentially radially with respect to one axis of the container.
If the at least one engagement element is enlarged on its end
facing towards the capture attachment, it wraps around the capture
attachment at a relatively large angle at the circumference, but
still practically does not impede the liquid flowing past through
the intermediate unit.
[0016] Further, if that the capture engagement between the at least
one capture attachment and the at least one engagement element is
ensured during the removal of the closure from the container, at
least one engagement element for facilitating the production of
this capture engagement deviating from the essentially radial
extension can extend in the direction of the capture. attachment
and of the outlet opening.
[0017] However, it is possible to further stabilize the capture
engagement between the capture attachment and the engagement
element by using a barb. For example, at least one engagement
element extends toward the capture attachment and away from the
outlet opening creating the barb, which results in preventing a
simple release through the form closure of the at least one
engagement element with the shaft of the capture attachment.
Although a possible destruction of the capture attachment and/or
the at least one engagement element may occur during the removal of
the sealing body from the closure, such negative effects will not
effect the function of the closure from the removal of liquid from
the container.
[0018] According to another feature of the invention, a plurality
of engagement elements can be evenly distributed over the
circumference of the capture attachment of the sealing body. For
example, two engagement elements arranged diametrically opposite
one another can be sufficient, since practically no radial relative
movements between the sealing body resting on the interior
circumference of the outlet opening and the engagement elements of
the closure occur, when attaching the closure to the container.
Further, the above arrangement of the two engagement elements would
work equally as well when the closure is a conventional screw top.
However, it is also possible to provide more than two engagement
elements, e.g., three engagement elements arranged essentially like
the Mercedes star.
[0019] It is possible to produce the capture engagement between the
at least one capture attachment and the at least one engagement
element while mounting the closure on the outlet opening, which may
already be provided with the sealing body. However, to simplify the
closing of the outlet opening of the container, the closure can be
equipped with the sealing body and the closure assembly, providing
a single unit to be installed on the outlet opening.
[0020] Furthermore, when a two-part closure is used, a valve unit
can be provided preventing the liquid from slopping out of the
container in an uncontrolled manner after the cap is opened and
allows the liquid to escape from the container via suctioning or by
compressing the container at the intermediate unit. The above valve
unit may be for example, from the "Active O.sub.2" beverage series
of the instant assignee, but is not limited to only this example.
The valve unit can be assigned to the intermediate unit of the
closure. Furthermore, it is possible to embody the valve unit as a
separate element, e.g., of silicone, which can be attached to the
intermediate unit of the closure. Alternatively, however, the valve
unit can also be integrated into the intermediate unit.
[0021] According to another feature of the invention, the device is
able to provide a holding chamber or drinking closure for liquid
that may be gas-tight, liquid-tight, as well as sealable against
outside influences, e.g., against penetration by germs and the
like. When using the above holding chamber or drinking closure in
combination with the above-mention ring seal, a passage opening of
the intermediate unit of the closure can be closed via a removable
closure element, which is connected to the intermediate unit via a
predetermined breaking point. Since this concept is also
advantageous irrespective of the solubility of the capture
engagement between capture attachment and engagement element,
independent protection is can also be included.
[0022] The closure element can be embodied in one piece with the
intermediate unit, e.g., by an injection molding method. The
predetermined breaking point can be provided on the inside of the
passage opening.
[0023] In order to be able to easily remove the closure element
from the passage opening during the first removal of the liquid
from the container, it is possible for at least one barb to be
provided at one of the parts, cap or closure element, and at least
one barb receptacle to be provided on the respectively other part,
closure element or cap. The barb and barb receptacle can, e.g.,
already be connected to one another during production, so that the
closure element is already removed during the first opening of the
cap.
[0024] Furthermore, in order to be able to further improve the
gas-tightness of the device for holding liquid according to the
invention, a thrust washer can be provided which can be pressed on
the engagement area between the outlet opening of the container and
the sealing body during the mounting of the closure on the
container. The thrust washer can be firmly interlocked with the
closure. Furthermore, the thrust washer can be produced as an
injection-molded part, e.g., of EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate).
[0025] According to another feature of the invention, the sealing
body can be produced as an injection-molded part, e.g., of HDPE
(highly dense polyethylene).
[0026] According to another feature of the invention, the two-part
closures may have the cap connected to the intermediate unit in a
hinged manner. Further, the cap and the intermediate unit can be
produced in one piece as an injection-molded part, e.g., of PPC
(polypropylene copolymer), such that a film hinge can form the
hinged connection.
[0027] The present invention is directed to a device for holding
liquid that includes a container with an outlet opening. Further,
the device may include a closure for closing the outlet opening of
the container, and a sealing body structured for sealing engagement
with the outlet opening when the closure is arranged in a position
closing the outlet opening. Further still, at least one capture
attachment can be coupled to the sealing body, and at least one
engagement element may be coupled to the closure element so as to
be detachably attachable to the at least one capture
attachment.
[0028] According to another feature of the invention, the sealing
body is structured and arranged for sealing engagement with an edge
of the outlet opening when the closure is arranged in the position
closing the outlet opening. Further, the at least one capture
attachment may be part of the sealing body. Further still, the at
least one engagement element can be interlockable with the at least
one capture attachment.
[0029] According to another feature of the invention, the device
may include the closure having an intermediate unit, a passage
opening and a removable cap. The intermediate unit can be mounted
on the outlet opening. Further, the sealing body may have a grip
attachment arranged on a side facing away from the closure.
[0030] The at least one capture attachment can be arranged on a
side of the sealing body facing towards the closure. Further, the
at least one capture attachment can be formed by an outer
circumferential edge of the sealing body. Further still, the at
least one engagement element can be arranged in at least one piece
on the closure. The at least one engagement element can be arranged
on at least a portion of the intermediate unit. Another feature of
the invention provides for the at least one engagement element
being arranged on an element connected to the closure. Further, the
at least one engagement element may include at least one
indentation extending in the circumferential direction of the
closure. Further still, the at least one indentation may extend in
the circumferential direction of the intermediate unit. The at
least one engagement element can have an element to extend on the
capture attachment. Further, the at least one engagement element
can be enlarged on an end facing towards the capture
attachment.
[0031] According to another feature of the invention, the device
may include a plurality of the engagement elements that may be
uniformly arranged on a circumference of the capture attachment of
the sealing body. Further, the capture attachment can be arranged
on a free end with directing slopes for the at least one engagement
element. Further still, a valve unit may be arranged to the
intermediate unit of the closure. The passage opening can be closed
by a removable closure element connected to the intermediate unit
via a predetermined breaking point. Wherein at least one barb and
at least one barb receptacle may be arranged on one of the cap, the
closure element, and/or the capture attachment.
[0032] According to another feature of the invention, the device
may include a plug that may be integrally formed by a predetermined
breaking point arranged either in or out of a passage opening of
the closure. Further, the engagement element may include at least
one fork shape extension.
[0033] According to another feature of the invention, the device is
for holding liquid including a container with an outlet opening.
The device may include a closure for closing the outlet opening of
the container. Further, a sealing body in sealing engagement with
the outlet opening when the closure can be arranged in a position
closing the outlet opening. Further still, at least one engagement
element coupled to the closure that is detachably attachable with a
free end of the sealing body.
[0034] Other exemplary embodiments and advantages of the present
invention may be ascertained by reviewing the present disclosure
and the accompanying drawing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0035] The present invention is further described in the detailed
description which follows, in reference to the noted plurality of
drawings by way of non-limiting examples of exemplary embodiments
of the present invention, in which like reference numerals
represent similar parts throughout the several views of the
drawings, and wherein:
[0036] FIG. 1 A section side view of a holding device according to
the invention;
[0037] FIG. 2 An enlarged representation of the sealing body and
the elements of the holding device according to FIG. 1 adjacent
thereto;
[0038] FIG. 3 A section view along the line III-III in FIG. 1;
[0039] FIG. 4 A view similar to FIG. 3 of another embodiment;
[0040] FIG. 5 A view similar to the detail V in FIG. 1 of another
embodiment;
[0041] FIGS. 6 and 7 Enlarged representations of an area
surrounding the outer circumferential edge of the sealing body
according to further embodiments; and
[0042] FIGS. 8 and 9 Enlarged representations of an area
surrounding the passage opening of the intermediate unit of the
closure according to further embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0043] The particulars shown herein are by way of example and for
purposes of illustrative discussion of the embodiments of the
present invention only and are presented in the cause of providing
what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood
description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the present
invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural
details of the present invention in more detail than is necessary
for the fundamental understanding of the present invention, the
description taken with the drawings making apparent to those
skilled in the art how the several forms of the present invention
may be embodied in practice.
[0044] FIG. 1 shows a device 10 for holding liquid according to the
invention. The device 10 includes a container 12 (partially shown
in FIG. 1) with an outlet opening 12a, a sealing body 14 positioned
on the outlet opening. 12a and a closure 16.
[0045] The closure 16 includes an intermediate unit 18 which can be
screwed onto an external thread 12b of the container 12 via an
internal thread 18a. A cap 20 may be embodied in one piece with the
intermediate unit 18 and connected via a film hinge 22. Further, a
thrust washer 24 can be accommodated in the intermediate unit 18,
so that the thrust washer presses on the engagement area 26 between
the outlet opening 12a and the sealing body 14. When the
intermediate unit 18 is screwed onto the container 12, the
resulting effect may be to ensure a gas-tight sealing of the
internal space 12c of the container 12 in which a liquid or a
beverage (e.g., a beverage mixed with gas, for example, carbon
dioxide gas and/or oxygen gas), can be held.
[0046] Furthermore, a carrier body 28, may be embodied in a
circular cylindrical manner arranged in the area of a spout
attachment 18b of the intermediate unit 18 on the inside of the
intermediate unit 18. The carrier body 28 can serve as a carrier
for a valve unit 30, which is clamped between the intermediate unit
18 and the carrier body 28. Further, the carrier body 28 may be
interlocked with the intermediate unit 18. The embodiment of the
intermediate unit 18 with the carrier body 28 and valve unit 30 is
known from the drink closures can be considered part of the "Active
O.sub.2" beverage series of the instant assignee.
[0047] FIG. 2 shows the sealing body 14 having an essentially
disk-shaped base part 14a, which has a collar-shaped edge area
14a1. When the sealing body 14 is mounted on the outlet opening 12a
of the container 12, the sealing body 14 clings with the
collar-shaped edge 14a1 to the container, thus sealing it.
[0048] On the side facing the closure 16, the sealing body 14 can
be embodied with a capture attachment 14b which can be arranged in
an area of the center axis A of the base part 14a. At its free end,
the capture attachment 14b has an expanded head section 14c, which
can be engaged in an interlocking manner from behind by engagement
elements 28a of the carrier body 28 of the intermediate unit 18 of
the closure 16 in the course of closing the container 12.
[0049] During the closing of the container 12, after the liquid has
been filled into its internal space 12c, the sealing body 14 is
first placed on the outlet opening 12a of the container 12, whereby
it clings to the inner edge of the outlet opening 12a with its
collar-shaped edge 14a1. Subsequently, the closure 16, or more
precisely its intermediate unit 18, can be screwed onto the thread
12b of the container 12. Due to the centering effect of
intermediate unit 18 and container 12, the engagement elements 28a
thereby come into contact with the expanded head part 14c of the
capture attachment 14b of the sealing body 14 (FIG. 5). While the
closure 16 is further screwed onto the container 12, the engagement
elements 28a are deformed until they engage the expanded head part
14c from behind and thus come into capture engagement with the
sealing body 14 as a whole. Sloping surfaces 14c1 provided on the
expanded head part 14c hereby serve as directing slopes and
facilitate interlocking.
[0050] If the closure 16 is unscrewed, e.g., for the purpose of
removing liquid from the container 12, due to the capture
engagement of the engagement elements 28a with the capture
attachment 14b and its expanded head part 14c, the sealing body 14
remains on the closure 16 and is thus assuredly removed from the
outlet opening 12a of the container 12. The consumer now only need
grasp the sealing body 14 by a grip attachment 14d, which is
arranged on the side of the base part 14a of the sealing body 14
facing away from the closure 16, and pull it until the interlocking
engagement between the engagement elements 28a and the capture
attachment 14b or its expanded head section 14c is released.
Subsequently, the closure 16 can then be screwed onto the container
12 again. The closure 16 may now be ready for use as a drink
closure, through the passage opening 16a of beverage can be
dispensed from the container.
[0051] FIG. 3 shows the carrier body 28 having two engagement
elements 28a arranged diametrically opposite one another. However,
it is also possible to provide more than two engagement elements,
e.g., three engagement elements 28a arranged essentially in the
manner of the Mercedes star, as shown in FIG. 4.
[0052] FIG. 3 shows another feature of the engagement elements 28a
including fork-shaped extensions 28a1 on their free ends facing
towards the capture attachment 14b. Through these extensions 28a1,
the capture attachment 14b can also be held safely by only two
engagement elements 28a. However, the fork-shaped extensions 28a1
can also improve holding or stabilizing the capture attachment 14b
by using more than two engagement elements, e.g., the embodiment
according to FIG. 4.
[0053] FIG. 5 shows another feature of the engagement elements 28a
of the carrier body 28 that can be adjusted at an angle .alpha. in
the direction of the expanded head section 14c. From the resulting
barb effect of the above feature, the engagement between the
capture attachment 14b and the engagement elements 28a is further
stabilized. However, it is indicated by broken lines in FIG. 5 that
the engagement elements. 28a of the carrier body 28 can also be
adjusted at an angle .alpha. in the direction away from the
expanded head section 14c.
[0054] As shown and explained above the sealing body 14
respectively had only a single capture attachment 14b, however
other embodiments are possible so as to provide a plurality of
capture attachments. Further, the capture attachment or attachments
do not necessarily need to be arranged in the center of the sealing
body 14, but could be structured in a different manner, e.g.,
embodied as a ring-shaped attachment.
[0055] According to another feature of the invention, FIG. 2 shows
a plurality of capture attachments 14b' shown by broken lines, and
arranged at a predetermined spacing from axis A. In this case, the
engagement elements are formed by indentations 28a' in the carrier
body 28 extending in the circumferential direction opening radially
outwards, in which indentations hook attachments 14b1' embodied
with directing slopes 14b2' of the capture attachments 14b' can be
interlocked.
[0056] Furthermore, it is indicated with a broken line in FIG. 2
that the grip attachment 14d can be provided on its free end with
at least one element facilitating the consumer's grip, e.g., a
thickening 14d1 or ribs.
[0057] FIGS. 6 and 7 show at least one capture attachment 114b,
214b which may be arranged on the surface of the sealing body
facing towards the closure, but can also be provided on the
circumferential edge 114e, 214e of the sealing body 114, 214. In
addition, in both cases the engagement elements are formed by
indentations 128a, 228a in the intermediate unit 118, 218 of the
closure 116, 216 extending in the circumferential direction and
opening radially inwards, into which indentations the
circumferential edge of the sealing body 114, 214 can be
interlocked.
[0058] FIG. 6 shows the circumferential edge 114e of the sealing
body 114, in contrast to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, projecting
radially over the outlet opening 112a of the container 112 in order
to be able to engage in the indentation 128a. Further, the sealing
body 114 can be is pressed onto the outlet opening 112a directly by
a section 118c of the intermediate unit 118 running essentially
horizontally. An adequate clinging of the sealing body 114 to the
outlet opening 112a of the container 112 and the intermediate unit
118 is for the gas-tight sealing.
[0059] In order to be able to ensure a sufficient clinging, FIG. 7
shows the surfaces 214f, 214g of the sealing body 214 coming into
contact with the outlet opening 212a of the container 212 and the
intermediate unit 218. Further the sealing body can be made of an
elastically compressible material, e.g., silicone. Since
elastically compressible materials usually do not have the
necessary stiffness to withstand the forces occurring during
twisting of the closure 216 onto the outlet opening 212a of the
container 212, the elastically compressible material can be
connected to a carrier element 232. The carrier element 232 can be
made of a stiffer material, e.g., HDPE, via injection molding. As
shown in FIG. 7, the elastically compressible material penetrates
openings 232a of the carrier element 232 which are embodied in the
elastically compressible material adjacent to its circumferential
edge. The circumferential edge of the carrier element 232 forms the
circumferential edge 214e of the sealing body 214, which interlocks
into the indentation 228a of the intermediate unit 218.
[0060] According to another feature of the invention, a first
variant portrays the carrier element embodied as a carrier disk
which completely covers and closes the outlet opening of the
container as shown in FIG. 1.
[0061] According to another feature of the invention, a second
variant portrays the carrier element as a carrier ring, such that
the ring opening is spanned by the elastically compressible
material in order to fully cover and close the outlet opening of
the container.
[0062] According to another feature of the invention, a third
variant portrays the sealing body as a whole in a ring-shaped
manner, wherein a carrier ring is connected to a likewise
ring-shaped body of elastically compressible material.
[0063] FIGS. 8 and 9 show two different embodiments, in which the
passage opening of the intermediate unit also can be sealed
gas-tight and liquid-tight, in order to close off the liquid held
in the interior of the container before the first use. FIGS. 8 and
9 show an example of a plug 336, 436 provided in one piece with the
intermediate unit 318, 418 of the closure 316, 416, e.g., by
injection molding, and is connected to the intermediate unit 318,
418 via an integrally formed predetermined breaking point 336a,
436a. Note, form of the plug is understood not to be limited to a
one piece structure, but can include one or more pieces. In both
cases, the predetermined breaking point 336a, 436a is arranged on
the inside of the passage opening 316a, 416a, in order to be able
to provide the consumer a smooth outer surface of the intermediate
unit 318, 418 even after opening the container, e.g., during
drinking.
[0064] In addition, in both solutions the predetermined breaking
point 336a, 436a is broken during the first opening of the cap 320,
420 via elements gripping in tandem, of which 336b, 436b are
integrally formed on the plug 336, 436 and the others 320a, 420a
are integrally formed on the cap 320, 420. The embodiment according
to FIG. 8 could thereby be called the "external" solution and the
embodiment according to FIG. 9 could be called the "internal"
solution. Namely, in the embodiment according to FIG. 8, the plug
336 projects out of the passage opening 316a and the barb elements
320a integrally formed on the cap 320 wrap around the 336b of the
plug 336 from outside, whereas with the embodiment according to
FIG. 9, the plug 436 is housed inside the passage opening 416a and
the barb element 420a of the cap 420 projects into the plug
436.
[0065] Furthermore, both solutions are presented with an unopened
state of the container, and a predetermined spacing D is provided
between the cap 320, 420 and the plug 336, 436 seen in the
direction of the axis of the container. Spacing D ensures that when
a force is unintentionally applied to the cap 320, 420 towards the
container, e.g., when several such containers are stacked one on
top of the other, the cap 320, cannot engage with the plug 336,
436, such that the predetermined breaking point 336a, 436a is
destroyed. The predetermined breaking point 336a, 436a is not
destroyed until the cap 320, 420 is opened, i.e., when it is moved
away from the container.
[0066] Further, the term "liquid" is to be interpreted broadly in
connection with the present invention. In particular, this does not
mean only beverages or other "real" liquids, but also more viscous,
such as paste-like media, which are nevertheless flowable, e.g.,
ketchup, mustard or the like. Moreover, the invention is not
restricted to a device for holding foodstuffs.
[0067] It is noted that the foregoing examples have been provided
merely for the purpose of explanation and are in no way to be
construed as limiting of the present invention. While the present
invention has been described with reference to an exemplary
embodiment, it is understood that the words, which have been used
herein are words of description and illustration, rather than words
of limitation. Changes may be made, within the purview of the
appended claims, as presently stated and as amended, without
departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention in its
aspects. Although the present invention has been described herein
with reference to particular means, materials and embodiments, the
present invention is not intended to be limited to the particulars
disclosed herein; rather, the present invention extends to all
functionally equivalent structures, methods and uses, such as are
within the scope of the appended claims.
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