U.S. patent application number 12/518590 was filed with the patent office on 2010-01-28 for plastic closing device comprising a cutting collar.
This patent application is currently assigned to TERXO AG. Invention is credited to Fritz Dill, Jean-Pierre Meyer.
Application Number | 20100018992 12/518590 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39272675 |
Filed Date | 2010-01-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100018992 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dill; Fritz ; et
al. |
January 28, 2010 |
PLASTIC CLOSING DEVICE COMPRISING A CUTTING COLLAR
Abstract
The invention relates to a plastic closing device comprising a
pouring part (1) for fixing onto packaging, a screw cap (2) that
can be screwed onto the pouring part (1) and a self-opening collar
(3) in the pouring part (1) that can be moved downwards with a
screw action onto the packaging in order to open the latter. The
screw cap (2) has a follower (24), which acts on a stop element
(36) of the self-opening collar (3) and which, when the screw cap
(2) is first opened, moves the self-opening collar (3) inside the
pouring part (1) into a lower position onto the packaging in order
to open the latter. When the pouring part (1) is subsequently
closed by the screw cap (2), the self-opening collar (3) remains in
the lower position. The self-opening collar has several cutting
and/or piercing elements (32a, 32b) with a substantially
quadrangular basic form. Said form is interrupted by a lower
longitudinal edge comprising a sloping and a longer and flatter
rising region. Said form makes the closing device suitable for
various types of packaging.
Inventors: |
Dill; Fritz; (Langenthal,
CH) ; Meyer; Jean-Pierre; (Erlinsbach, CH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SUGHRUE MION, PLLC
2100 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, N.W., SUITE 800
WASHINGTON
DC
20037
US
|
Assignee: |
TERXO AG
Wetzikon
CH
|
Family ID: |
39272675 |
Appl. No.: |
12/518590 |
Filed: |
January 29, 2008 |
PCT Filed: |
January 29, 2008 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/CH2008/000029 |
371 Date: |
June 10, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/83 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 5/747 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/83 |
International
Class: |
B65D 47/10 20060101
B65D047/10 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 31, 2007 |
CH |
166/07 |
Claims
1. A plastic closing device comprising a pouring part for fixing
onto a packaging, a screw caps adapted to be screwed onto the
pouring part, and a self-opening collar adapted to be moved
downwards in the pouring part towards the packaging with a screw
action for opening the packaging, wherein the screw cap comprises
at least one driver, which acts on at least one stop element of the
self-opening collar and which causes the self-opening collar to
move within the pouring part into a lower position towards the
packaging in order to open said packaging when the screw cap is
first opened, and which causes the self-opening collar to remain in
its lower position when the pouring part is subsequently closed by
means of the screw cap, and wherein the self-opening collar
comprises at least two downwards-projecting cutting or piercing
elements arranged along a periphery of the self-opening collar and
forming a lower edge thereof, wherein the cutting or piercing
elements have a substantially rectangular form, wherein a
downwardly projecting longitudinal edge interrupts the rectangular
form and forms a downwardly projecting triangle, thus creating a
downwardly projecting tip, wherein the longitudinal edge has, at
its front relative to the direction of rotation of the collar, a
portion that declines downwards and a portion which subsequently
rises again, and wherein the rising portion is longer and flatter
than the declining portion.
2. The closing device according to claim 1, wherein the rising
portion of the longitudinal edge has a length that is at least 2.5
times the length of the declining portion.
3. The closing device according to claim 1, wherein an obtuse angle
is present between the rising portion and the declining portion of
the longitudinal edge.
4. The closing device according to claim 1, wherein the downwardly
projecting longitudinal edge forms a cutting edge at least in its
declining portion.
5. The closing device according to claim 4, wherein the downwardly
projecting longitudinal edge forms a cutting edge in its declining
portion as well as in its rising portion.
6. The closing device according to claim 4, wherein the cutting
edge is provided on an inner peripheral surface of the self-opening
collar.
7. The closing device according to claim 1, wherein the cutting or
piercing elements project downwards to the same extent.
8. The closing device according to claim 1, wherein the cutting or
piercing elements are arranged along the periphery so as to be
distributed at the same distance.
9. The closing device according to claim 1, wherein the
self-opening collar comprises four to six cutting or piercing
elements.
10. The closing device according to claim 1, wherein the
self-opening collar comprises at least one hold-down element, which
forms the lower edge together with the cutting or piercing
elements.
11. The closing device according to claim 10, wherein the
self-opening collar comprises three to five cutting or piercing
elements and one hold-down element.
12. The closing device according to claim 1, wherein the
self-opening collar comprises an external thread, and wherein the
pouring part comprises an internal thread that cogs with said
external thread, so that the self-opening collar rotates when being
moved downward.
13. The closing device according to claim 12, wherein the external
thread has a pitch, which is chosen in such a manner that the
self-opening collar performs a rotation of less than 360 degrees,
in response to the unscrewing of the screw cap.
14. The closing device according to claim 1, comprising a single
driver.
15. The closing device according to claim 1, comprising a
tamper-proof strip having first bars, the tamper-proof strip being
connected to the cap and surrounding said cap at least partially,
wherein second bars comprising projecting lugs, which run parallel
to a tangent of a pouring spout are provided on a flange of the
pouring part, and wherein the bars of the tamper-proof strip engage
the bars of the pouring part.
16. (canceled)
17. (canceled)
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The invention relates to a plastic closing device comprising
a cutting collar according to the preamble of patent claim 1. The
closing device is in particular suitable for sealed packages, which
contain a free-flowing content, preferably a beverage.
STATE OF THE ART
[0002] A generic closing device is known from EP 1 088 764. This
closing device consists of three parts, namely a screw cap, a
bottom part and a cutting collar. The bottom part is embodied in a
tubular manner and encompasses at its bottom side a circumferential
flange, by means of which it can be fixed onto a drink carton. The
tubular part forms a pouring spout, which can be closed by means of
the screw cap. The cutting collar is also embodied in a tubular
manner and encompasses a cutting tooth at its lower end. In the
unopened state of the packaging, the cutting collar is located
within the bottom part, and the screw cap is screwed onto the
bottom part. In the event that the screw cap is now rotated in
order to open the closing device, the cutting collar rotates as
well, thanks to a follower system, with the cutting collar, thereby
simultaneously moving downwards in axial direction. The packaging
and in particular the film of the packaging is thereby cut open in
a circular manner along a predetermined breaking line. The follower
contact between screw cap and cutting collar is disconnected after
a predetermined rotation angle, that is, when the packaging is
opened to a sufficient extent. Thereafter, the screw cap can be
completely removed from the pouring spout and can be placed thereon
again, as necessary, so as to perform a closing action, without
once again moving the cutting collar, which projects into the
packaging. The cutting collar and the bottom part are molded in one
piece in a pre-assembly group configuration, in which they are
secured coaxially to one another by means of radial connecting
bridges. These bridges extend between the top edge of the cutting
collar and the bottom side of the bottom part. These bridges are
broken when the cutting collar is pushed into the bottom part for
the first time.
[0003] Theoretically, there is no limit to the form and design of
such closures. In practice, however, they must be capable of being
produced in a injection molding process. They should furthermore be
capable of being produced as cost-efficiently as possible.
[0004] Different types of packaging are known, which can be opened
by means of such self-opening closures. Among the known packaging,
there is, in particular, composite packaging, which comprises a
layer of paper or cardboard, which is laminated with one or a
plurality of thin plastic and/or metal layers. A typical composite
packaging comprises, e.g., a cardboard layer, which is provided
towards the inside of the packaging with a thin layer of aluminum,
which, in turn, is provided with a layer of polyethylene (PE).
Lately, packaging which no longer encompasses a cardboard layer,
but which is instead formed from a relatively thick plastic film,
in particular pure PE packaging, which is, at most, provided with
one or a plurality of very thin barrier layers, is also becoming
accepted.
[0005] In the production of the packaging, the packaging is
typically weakened, e.g. pre-punched, in the region in which the
closure is later attached so as to make it possible for the cutting
collar to more easily penetrate the packaging wall. Dependent on
the design of the packaging and on the production method, there are
different possibilities for this. In a pure PE packaging, a
circular weakening line can, e.g., be embodied in the wall having a
lower wall thickness. In a composite packaging, a weakening region
is typically formed in that the cardboard layer is penetrated (e.g.
pre-punched) as completely as possible in a circular curve-shaped
region. In the event that this pre-punching takes place before the
cardboard is coated with the further layers, the circular disk,
which is cut out of the cardboard, usually is removed prior to the
coating with the further layers, thus creating a packaging, which,
in the region of the subsequent opening, encompasses a circular
region, which only consists of the thin film layers of aluminum
and/or plastic, but which does not contain cardboard. However, in
the event that the cardboard layer is perforated only after the
coating, the cut-out circular disk remains connected to the film
layers.
[0006] Typically, a different type of self-opening collar is used
for each of this differently designed packaging. In particular,
e.g. for a composite packaging having a circular region in the
region of the opening that only consists of film layers, it is
disadvantageous if the self-opening collar exerts a high axial
force onto the film layers ("pressing"). In this case, there is a
tendency for the film layers to avoid this force by bulging towards
the interior of the packaging. Instead, such a packaging should be
torn open by means of cutting, if possible. Vice versa, it is
advantageous for packaging in which the cardboard disk is still
present if mainly a pressing force is exerted.
[0007] Known self-opening closures furthermore require a very
accurate positioning of the closure on the opening region as
provided and prepared by means of a weakening. In the event that
the positioning for such closures takes place so as not to be
accurately centered, a clean opening of the packaging is often not
ensured.
[0008] A closure comprising a self-opening collar is known from WO
03/002419, which encompasses two cutting elements, which are
arranged so as to follow one another and which have a triangular
basic form.
[0009] WO 2006/089440 also shows a self-opening collar comprising
two triangular cutting teeth.
[0010] WO 2004/083055 also discloses triangular cutting teeth.
Additionally, a perforating tooth is present herein. In the event
that the cutting teeth did not cleanly cut through a film of the
laminated packaging material, it is pierced by the perforating
tooth.
[0011] WO 2007/030965 discloses a self-opening collar comprising
three teeth. Each of these teeth has a triangular basic form, which
is followed by a reinforcement shoulder. For two teeth, this
shoulder is formed so as to follow the tooth in the direction of
rotation, while for the third tooth it is formed so as to lead that
tooth.
[0012] Each of these self-opening collars is optimized for a
certain type of packaging. None of the self-opening closures thus
delivers a satisfactory result for all of the afore-mentioned types
of packaging, but will fail for at least one type of packaging.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0013] It is thus an object of the invention to create a closing
device of the afore-mentioned type that can be produced in a
cost-efficient manner. It is a further object of the invention to
provide a closing device that is suitable to efficiently pierce
different types of differently designed or differently prepared
packaging. It is a further object of the invention to specify a
closing device that opens different types of packaging in a
satisfactory manner even in the event that it is not perfectly
centered on a weakening region of the packaging.
[0014] A closing device comprising the features of patent claim 1
solves these objects.
[0015] The plastic closing device according to the invention
encompasses a pouring part for fixing onto packaging, a screw cap,
which is adapted to be screwed onto the pouring part, and a
self-opening collar in the pouring part, which is adapted to be
moved downwards towards the packaging with a screw action in order
to open the packaging. The screw cap has at least one drive element
or driver, which acts on at least one stop element of the
self-opening collar and which, when the screw cap is first opened,
causes the self-opening collar within the pouring part to move into
a lower position towards the packaging in order to open the latter.
When the pouring part is subsequently closed by the screw cap, the
self-opening collar remains in its lower position. The self-opening
collar comprises at least two cutting and/or piercing elements,
which project downwards, which are arranged along the periphery of
the self-opening collar and which form a lower edge thereof. These
cutting and/or piercing elements have a substantially rectangular
form. A longitudinal edge, which is relatively long with respect to
the direction of rotation and which projects downwards, interrupts
the rectangular form and forms a triangle, which projects
downwards, thus creating a tip, which projects downwards. With
reference to the direction of rotation of the collar, the
longitudinal edge has at its front a portion that slopes or
declines downwards and that subsequently rises again, wherein the
rising portion is made so as to be longer and flatter than the
declining portion and runs inclined at a flat angle relative to a
plane that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
[0016] This design of the cutting and/or piercing elements
represents the result of an optimization with reference to
fundamentally contradicting demands. It turned out that a
particularly easy and clean opening of the packaging is attained by
means of the proposed form, namely similarly easy for different
types of packaging (in particular laminated cardboard packaging
comprising different types of weakening as well as PE film
packaging). The leading portion of the longitudinal edge thus
substantially has a cutting effect in response to the rotation of
the collar, while the entire longitudinal edge, including the rear
portion, also additionally has a pushing effect in response to the
downwards movement.
[0017] The rising and/or declining portion can be straight or can
be curved. Preferably, it is considerably longer than the rising
portion and preferably has a length, which is at least 2.5 times
the length of the rising portion. Preferably, the rising portion
opens an angle of at least 40.degree., particularly preferred
approx. 50.degree. to the horizontal (thus to a plane, which is
perpendicular to the axis of rotation), all-over, while the angle
of the declining portion to the horizontal is preferably less than
30.degree., particularly preferably less than 20.degree.,all-over.
An obtuse angle, that is, an angle of more than 90 degrees, is
embodied at the location between the rising portion and the
declining portion of the longitudinal edge.
[0018] Preferably, the longitudinal edge projecting downwards
forms, at least in its rising portion, a cutting edge, that is, the
self-opening collar is embodied in this region so as to taper in a
blade-like manner towards the longitudinal edge. The tearing of the
packaging is thus facilitated. Preferably, a cutting edge is also
provided in the declining portion. Film material, e.g., which
stretches elastically across the longitudinal edge, can thus also
be torn efficiently in this region.
[0019] Preferably, the cutting edge is provided on an inner
peripheral surface of the self-opening collar. In other words, the
self-opening collar preferably tapers towards the longitudinal edge
only at its outer periphery in order to thus form the cutting edge,
while the inner circumference in the region of the longitudinal
edge is constant. The cut material is thus displaced outwards,
which adds to a clean cross section of the cut-out material disk of
the packaging.
[0020] Preferably, all of the cutting and/or piercing elements
project downwards to the same extent. They thus contact the
weakening region of the packaging at the same time and perforate
said packaging at a plurality of locations at the same time. Even
in the event that the perforation should not succeed at a location,
an easy opening is ensured. Furthermore, a relatively large, even
pressure is thus exerted onto the weakening region, which is
particularly advantageous for certain types of packaging.
[0021] In order to attain the most even force distribution, the
cutting and/or piercing elements (32a-32e) are preferably arranged
along the periphery so as to be distributed at the same
distance.
[0022] Additionally, the self-opening collar can encompass at least
one hold-down element which forms the lower edge together with the
cutting and/or piercing elements and which serves the purpose of
pressing the detached material disk of the packaging downwards in
order to prevent that said material disk hinders the pouring. The
hold-down element is then arranged so as to follow the cutting
and/or piercing elements in the direction of rotation.
[0023] In this case, the cutting and/or piercing elements are
preferably arranged so as to be distributed successively and at the
same distance along the periphery, and the distance from the
hold-down element to the first cutting and/or piercing element in
the direction of rotation is preferably greater than the distance
of the cutting and/or piercing elements among one another.
[0024] In the event that a hold-down element is available, the
self-opening collar preferably comprises three to five, in
particular four cutting and/or piercing elements. Without hold-down
element, it is advantageous when the self-opening collar
encompasses four to six, in particular five cutting and/or piercing
elements. With a smaller number, the force distribution is less
even and the material thickness of each individual cutting and/or
piercing element must be increased considerably, which increases
the production price. A larger number of such elements, in turn,
has the effect that each individual element becomes smaller, which
is also disadvantageous in view of the stability. With a number of
elements that is too large, the pressing force exerted by each
individual element furthermore becomes too small and it is no
longer possible to attain a clean cutting effect. In essence, the
optimal number is the result of a drawn-out optimization in view of
the different and partly contradictory demands that must be
fulfilled by the self-opening collar in order to render it suitable
for different types of packaging.
[0025] For guiding purposes, the self-opening collar preferably has
an external thread, which cogs with an internal thread of the
pouring part so that the self-opening collar rotates during its
downwards movement. The pitch of the external thread is preferably
chosen in such a manner that the self-opening collar performs a
rotation of less than 360 degrees, in particular 300 degrees, in
response to the unscrewing of the screw cap.
[0026] Preferably, only a single drive element is provided on the
screw cap. Preferably, only a single stop element is accordingly
provided on the self-opening collar as well. Preferably, this stop
element is located in the vicinity of a cutting and/or piercing
element that is foremost in the direction of rotation of the
collar. However, a plurality of stop elements, which are arranged
so as to be distributed along the periphery, can also be available,
wherein the driver only engages with one of them.
[0027] In the case of a single drive element or driver, the closing
device is designed in a very simple manner. This minimizes the
production costs. Material can, in particular, be saved for the
closure, because the driver system is reduced to an absolute
minimum. Thanks to the simple form of the closing device, its
production is also simplified and the waste of closures not
conforming to quality is relatively low.
[0028] Preferably, the driver has a driver edge, which runs in
axial direction. The driver edge then preferably encompasses a stop
surface, which slopes relative to the radial direction. In
particular, the driver can be embodied in a tooth-shaped manner
with the perpendicularly running driver edge and a back edge
comprising an angle of slope of maximally 45.degree.. Preferably,
the driver has a height corresponding approximately to the height
of the pouring part. The stop element can be a lug projecting from
an inner wall of the self-opening collar, which comprises an edge
running in axial direction and which extends only across a part of
the height of the self-opening collar. The lug can then have a
undercut relative to the radial direction.
[0029] Further advantageous embodiments become evident from the
dependent patent claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] The subject-matter of the invention will be exemplified
below by means of preferred embodiments, which are illustrated in
the enclosed drawings.
[0031] FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal section through a closing device
according to a first embodiment in a state prior to its first
use;
[0032] FIG. 2 shows the device according to FIG. 1 in response to
the screw cap having been unscrewed;
[0033] FIG. 3 shows a side view of the device according to FIG.
2;
[0034] FIG. 4 shows a view of the closure according to FIG. 2 from
below, mounted onto a packaging;
[0035] FIG. 5 shows a longitudinal section through the pouring part
and the self-opening collar of the device according to FIG. 1 after
its production;
[0036] FIG. 6 shows a perspective illustration of the device
according to FIG. 1 from below;
[0037] FIG. 7 shows a perspective illustration of the device
according to FIG. 1 from the side;
[0038] FIG. 8 shows a view of the device according to FIG. 1 from
below;
[0039] FIG. 9 shows a side view of the pouring part and of the
self-opening collar according to FIG. 1;
[0040] FIG. 10 shows a section through A-A according to FIG. 9;
[0041] FIG. 11 shows a longitudinal section through a closure
according to the invention according to a second embodiment;
[0042] FIG. 12 shows a perspective illustration of the closure
according to FIG. 11 and
[0043] FIG. 13 shows a view of the closure according to FIG. 11
from below, mounted onto a packaging.
WAYS OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0044] FIGS. 1 to 10 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a
closing device or of a self-opening closure. Such closures are
fixed onto packaging with free-flowing content, in particular onto
drink cartons made of cardboard comprising a film on the inside
thereof. In this region, the packaging preferably already
encompasses a pouring opening, which is predefined, but which is
still closed in an airtight manner. Preferably, the cardboard is
already perforated or otherwise weakened, but the film arranged
therebelow is still intact.
[0045] The device is made of plastic in a injection molding
process, wherein the individual parts can be manufactured from the
same or from a different plastic.
[0046] As can be seen in FIG. 1, the device substantially comprises
a pouring part 1, a screw cap 2 and a self-opening collar 3.
Preferably, a tamper-proof strip 4 is additionally available, which
is preferably produced in one piece with the screw cap 2. Pouring
part 1 and self-opening collar 3 are preferably also produced
together in one piece. However, it is also possible to manufacture
them separately from one another.
[0047] The pouring part 1 substantially consists of a tube-shaped
pouring spout 10 having a continuous pouring opening and a flange
13, which extends outwards from the pouring spout 10 and which is
integrally molded on a lower end of the pouring spout 10. This
flange 13 is welded onto the packaging or is otherwise fixed
thereon so that the pouring spout 10 comes to rest above the
predefined pouring opening of the packaging.
[0048] The pouring spout 10 encompasses an external thread 12 and
an internal thread 14. As is described further below, bars 15
comprising projecting, undercut retaining lugs 15' are arranged in
the lower region of the pouring spout 10 above the flange 13.
[0049] The screw cap 2 preferably has a cylindrical jacket wall 21
and an approximately flat top surface 20. The cap 2 can be screwed
onto the external thread 12 of the pouring part 1 by means of an
internal thread 22. The jacket wall 21 is connected to the
tamper-proof strip 4 via predetermined breaking points 23.
[0050] A circumferential sealing lip 26, which in the closed state
of the cap 2 abuts on the inner side of the pouring spout 10 in a
resilient manner, preferably projects downwards in the inner region
of the cap 2.
[0051] The cap 2 encompasses a single driver 24, which projects
inwards or downwards, respectively, and which is preferably
integrally molded onto the inner side of the top surface 20.
Preferably, the driver 24 has a triangular basic form, wherein it
is curved along a circle that is concentric to the internal thread
14. A driver edge 14 runs in axial direction, wherein it preferably
has a stop surface that slopes towards the radial direction, thus
forming a rear-engaging element. A back follows the driver edge in
the opening direction of rotation of the cap 2, wherein the back
has an angle of inclination of maximally 45.degree.. The height of
the driver 24 corresponds approximately to the height of the
pouring part 1, in particular of the pouring spout 10.
[0052] The self-opening collar 3 has a hollow-cylindrical form and
has a continuous opening. It substantially consists of a ring 30
comprising an external thread 31 and of cutting and/or piercing
elements 32a-32e, which protrude from the ring 30 downwards in
approximately perpendicular direction. These cutting and/or
piercing elements 32a-32e are distributed along the periphery of
the self-opening collar 3 and are arranged at a distance 33 to one
another and form a lower edge thereof. Furthermore, at least
another down-hold element 35 can be available at this edge. These
elements will be described in more detail below.
[0053] The collar 3 encompasses at least one, preferably exactly
one stop element 36, as can be seen in FIG. 2. The stop element 36
is a lug projecting from an inner wall of the self-opening collar
3, which encompasses an edge running in axial direction and which
preferably extends only across a part of the height of the
self-opening collar 3. Preferably, the lug encompasses a stop
surface that is inclined relative to the radial direction. The lug
preferably extends in the region of the external thread 31, wherein
the external thread extends along a greater height than the lug.
The stop element 36 is preferably arranged in the direction of
rotation of the collar 3 in the region of the first cutting and/or
piercing element 32a, wherein it can be arranged in the front or
rear portion thereof or therebetween.
[0054] In FIG. 1, the cap 2 is screwed onto the pouring part 1 and
the self-opening collar 3 is located in the pouring spout 10,
wherein it does not project downwards beyond said pouring spout 10
or the flange 13, respectively. The tamper-proof strip 4 is intact.
This is the situation as it is at hand prior to the first use of
the closure. In this position, the closure can be mounted onto the
packaging.
[0055] In the event that the cap 2 is unscrewed, the driver 24
abuts to the stop element 36. This can be seen in FIG. 6. In the
event that the surfaces thereof are embodied so as to be inclined,
at least a partial form closure takes place moreover, which
reinforces the connection between cap 2 and collar 3.
[0056] The external thread 31 of the collar 3 cogs with the
internal thread 14 of the pouring part 1 so that the collar 3
rotates downwards with a screw action within the pouring spout 10
when the cap 2 is first unscrewed. When the cap 2 is removed, the
engagement between driver 24 and stop element 36 is
disconnected.
[0057] In FIG. 2, the cap 2 is removed, the predetermined breaking
points 23 to the tamper-proof strip 4 are broken and the collar 3
has moved downwards so that the cap 2 is now held in the lower
region of the pouring spout 10 only with its upper part, but
projects downwards beyond the flange 13 with its teeth 32a-32e.
This is the situation as it is at hand after the first-time opening
of the closure.
[0058] This general situation is once again illustrated in FIG. 4,
wherein it can be seen that a section D, which predefines the
pouring opening of the packaging K, is not completely detached, but
remains fixed thereon via a small partial circle. Said section D,
however, is held in an open position by at least one of the cutting
and/or piercing elements 32e.
[0059] The collar 3 now remains in this lower position, even in the
event that the cap 2 is attached again and screwed tightly.
[0060] As can now be seen in FIG. 3, this embodiment encompasses a
total of five cutting and/or piercing elements 32a-32e. These are
preferably made to have the same height. These elements are
arranged so as to be distributed across the periphery of the collar
3 at the same distance.
[0061] Preferably, they are formed to be identical and to have the
same height. They have a substantially rectangular form, wherein a
longitudinal edge projecting downwards interrupts the rectangular
form in each case. The edge is inclined, wherein the height of the
element in the direction of rotation of the collar 3 decreases
rearwards. The longitudinal edge is relatively long so that it is
greater than the distances 33 between the elements. Preferably, it
is at least twice as long as the distance 33 located
therebetween.
[0062] In this example, the longitudinal edge is embodied so as to
be relatively blunt so that the elements rather or exclusively act
as pushers or piercers and not as cutting elements.
[0063] However, as is illustrated in FIGS. 11 to 13, they can also
be designed as cutting elements, without having to considerably
change their basic form. In the further preferred exemplary
embodiment illustrated herein, a longitudinal edge that initially
declines or slopes downwards in the direction of rotation of the
sleeve 3 and which subsequently rises is formed instead of the
longitudinal edge according to FIG. 3, which runs straight, so that
a tip is formed that projects downwards. The rising portion is
thereby embodied so as to be longer and flatter than the declining
portion, which acts as cutting edge. In the instant example, the
length of the rising portion is approximately three times the
length of the declining portion. The declining portion subtends an
angle of approx. 50.degree. to the horizontal (that is, to the
plane that stands perpendicularly on the direction of rotation),
while the rising portion forms an angle of only approx. 12.degree.
to the horizontal. An obtuse angle, which here is approx.
118.degree., is formed between the rising and the declining
portions. The declining as well as the rising portions are designed
in a blade-like manner as a cutting edge. For this, the
self-opening collar tapers towards the cutting edge or approaches
the cutting edge in a blade-like manner, respectively. In the
instant case, this tapering takes place only at the outer side of
the self-opening collar. The inner jacket surface of the
self-opening collar, however, is cylindrical in the region of the
cutting edge. Through this, the cutting edge displaces the cut
material outwards in response to the cutting and thus contributes
to a clean cross-section, on the one hand.
[0064] In the example of FIGS. 11 to 13, a total of four cutting
and/or piercing elements 32a-32d are provided, which are followed
by a single hold-down element 35. All of the cutting elements 32
are designed to have the same size and the same form. The hold-down
element 35 also has approximately the same width and length,
respectively, but does not have a cutting tip and is thus smaller.
The distance from the hold-down element 35 to the first cutting
and/or piercing tooth 32 in the direction of rotation is greater
than the distance of the teeth 32 among one another.
[0065] An advantage of these two embodiments is that they need no
longer be accurately positioned on the predefined pouring opening.
Thanks to their cutting and/or piercing elements, which are
relatively long or wide in the direction of rotation of the collar
3, they can also contact the section at a distance to the
perforation and can still exert a sufficient amount of pressure in
order to disconnect the section D from the packaging. Furthermore,
a relatively steep thread can be chosen between collar 3 and
pouring spout 10 thanks to these elements so that a rotation of
less than 360.degree., in particular of less than 300.degree., is
sufficient to open the closure and to push down the section D.
[0066] FIG. 5 illustrates a possibility for producing such a
closure. The cap is molded separately, the collar 3 and the pouring
part 2, however, are produced in one piece. The collar 3 thereby
projects partially beyond the pouring spout 2 on top, wherein it is
connected to the pouring part 2 via connecting bridges 5. After the
part has been molded, the collar 3 is pressed completely into the
pouring spout 10, wherein the connecting bridges 5 break.
[0067] FIGS. 7 to 10 illustrate a preferred embodiment of a first
opening identification. This type of identification can be used not
only for this closure but for all closures that comprise a pouring
spout having a flange and a cap that can be screwed onto the
spout.
[0068] Starting at the pouring spout 10, a plurality of bars 15,
which run parallel to a tangent at the pouring spout 10 and
parallel to one another, are integrally molded on the upper side of
the flange 13. Preferably, their free ends are located on a common
circle, which runs concentrically to the outer periphery of the
pouring spout 10. One bar 15 or a plurality of bars 15, here two,
can also run perpendicular to the remaining bars 15. This can be
seen in FIG. 10. The free ends form undercut retaining lugs 15', as
can be seen in FIG. 9.
[0069] As is illustrated in FIG. 7, the tamper-proof strip 4 is
injection molded at the cap 2 via predetermined breaking bridges
23, wherein said tamper-proof strip 4 preferably completely rotates
around the cap 2. In the state in which the closure has never been
opened, the retaining bars 40 of the tamper-proof strip 4 engage
with the retaining lugs 15' and prevent a mutual rotation of cap 2
and pouring part 1, as can be seen in FIG. 10. In response to a
rotation of the cap 2, the predetermined breaking bridges 23 are
disconnected by axial drag and the tamper-proof strip is completely
disconnected from the cap 2.
[0070] Preferably, connecting bridges 6, which are preferably wider
than the bars 23, are still available between cap 2 and
tamper-proof strip 4. Preferably, they are arranged evenly along
the periphery of the cap, as can be seen in FIG. 8, for example. In
the example illustrated herein, three such bridges 6 are available,
but their number can vary. These bridges facilitate and shorten the
injection molding process, because a relatively large amount of
material can be transported via these bridges. These bridges 6 are
broken after the production of the cap and preferably prior to the
mounting of the closure. Preferably, they are cut through by means
of a knife or a laser beam. Such connecting bridges can be used for
all embodiments. They can furthermore be used for all individual
components, which are injection molded together. This production
method is not limited to the closures according to the invention as
described herein.
[0071] Additional forms of the self-opening collar 3, in particular
of the cutting and piercing elements, are possible. The number of
teeth can also be varied. Furthermore, the above-mentioned external
and internal threads can be continuous or only partial threads.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0072] 1 pouring part [0073] 10 pouring spout [0074] 12 external
thread [0075] 13 flange [0076] 14 internal thread [0077] 15 bar
[0078] 15' retaining lug [0079] 2 screw cap [0080] 20 top surface
[0081] 21 jacket wall [0082] 22 internal thread [0083] 23
predetermined breaking points [0084] 24 driver [0085] 26 sealing
lip [0086] 3 self-opening collar [0087] 30 ring [0088] 31 external
thread [0089] 32a first piercing element [0090] 32b to [0091] 32e
second to fifth piercing element [0092] 33 distance [0093] 34
second cutting tooth [0094] 35 hold-down tooth [0095] 36 stop
element [0096] 4 tamper-proof strip [0097] 40 retaining bar [0098]
5 connecting bar [0099] 6 connecting bridge [0100] K cardboard
packaging [0101] D section
* * * * *