U.S. patent application number 13/989625 was filed with the patent office on 2013-10-17 for easy-open valve closure.
This patent application is currently assigned to BERICAP GMBH & CO., KG. The applicant listed for this patent is Gunter Krautkramer. Invention is credited to Gunter Krautkramer.
Application Number | 20130270306 13/989625 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45319078 |
Filed Date | 2013-10-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130270306 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Krautkramer; Gunter |
October 17, 2013 |
Easy-Open Valve Closure
Abstract
Valve closure for bottles, comprising a valve portion to be
fitted on a bottle neck and having a valve stopper and devices for
sealed fixing on the bottle neck, an axially movable outer valve
portion comprising a head plate, a valve opening for engagement
with the valve stopper and a female thread screw cap connected to
the head plate, the thread having a nominal radius r in engagement
with a male screw thread of a connecting portion connected to the
valve stopper. To permit easy opening of the closure with one hand,
the screw cap is fixedly connected to an actuating lever extending
radially outwardly from the screw cap so that the lever radius R
defined by the radially outer end of the actuating lever has a
spacing relative to the axis of the screw cap, which is more than
120% than the nominal radius r of the female screw thread.
Inventors: |
Krautkramer; Gunter;
(Budenheim, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Krautkramer; Gunter |
Budenheim |
|
DE |
|
|
Assignee: |
BERICAP GMBH & CO., KG
Budenheim
DE
|
Family ID: |
45319078 |
Appl. No.: |
13/989625 |
Filed: |
November 25, 2011 |
PCT Filed: |
November 25, 2011 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2011/071076 |
371 Date: |
July 3, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/521 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 47/242 20130101;
B65D 2251/023 20130101; B65D 47/249 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/521 |
International
Class: |
B65D 47/24 20060101
B65D047/24 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 30, 2010 |
DE |
10 2010 062 223.0 |
Claims
1. An easy-open valve closure (10) for bottles, comprising a
stationary inner valve portion (1) which can be fitted on to a
bottle neck and which has a valve stopper (2) and devices (22, 23)
for sealed fixing on the bottle neck, and an axially movable outer
valve portion (11) which has a head plate (14) with a valve opening
(12) for engagement with the valve stopper (2) and a screw cap (13)
which is connected to the head plate (14) and which has a female
screwthread (18) of a nominal radius r and is in engagement with
the male screwthread (8) of a threaded connecting portion (4)
fixedly connected to the valve stopper (2), characterised in that
the screw cap (13) is fixedly connected to an actuating lever (16,
15; 16') which extends radially outwardly from the screw cap (13)
so that the lever radius R defined by the radially outer end (15,
16b) of the actuating lever (16, 15; 16') is at a spacing relative
to the axis of the screw cap, which is greater by at least 20% than
the nominal radius r of the female screwthread (14).
2. A valve closure as set forth in claim 1 characterised in that
the lever is guided rotatably about the screw cap axis (20) on an
annular disk (6) of the inner valve portion (1), that extends
around in relation to the threaded connecting portion (5) and
extends radially and in the peripheral direction.
3. A valve closure as set forth in claim 2 characterised in that a
plurality of levers (16') are arranged distributed at preferably
uniform angular spacings around the periphery of the screw cap.
4. A valve closure as set forth in claim 2 characterised in that
the radially outer end (16b) of the lever (16') or the levers
extends parallel and at a small spacing relative to an axially
extending, radially outer end portion of the inner valve
portion.
5. A valve closure as set forth in claim 2 characterised in that
the radially outer end of the lever (16b) or the levers is in the
form of an actuating ring (15) extending at a spacing around the
screw cap.
6. A valve closure as set forth in claim 1 characterised in that
the actuating ring (15), the screw cap (13) and the threaded
connecting portion (4) have the same common axis (20).
7. A valve closure as set forth in claim 2 characterised in that
the lever radius R is larger by at least 20%, preferably by at
least 50%, than the radius r of the thread of the screw cap (13)
and the threaded connecting portion (4).
8. A valve closure as set forth in claim 2 characterised in that
the lever radius R is at least approximately twice as large as the
radius r of the thread of the screw cap and the threaded connecting
portion.
9. A valve closure as set forth in claim 2 characterised in that
the lever radius R is at most ten times the radius r of the thread
of the screw cap and the threaded connecting portion.
10. A valve closure as set forth in claim 1 characterised in that
the devices (22, 23) for sealed fixing on the bottle neck have a
closure foot (7) of U-shaped cross-section.
11. A valve closure as set forth in claim 2 characterised in that
the outer end of the lever (16') or the levers (16'), in particular
in the form of the actuating ring (15), sits on the outer shoulder
of a closure foot (7) which embraces the upper bottle neck edge in
a U-shape in cross-section.
12. A valve closure as set forth in claim 5 characterised in that
the actuating ring (15) has a knurling (17) on its radially outer
side.
13. A valve closure as set forth in claim 5 characterised in that
the actuating ring (15) is connected to the screw cap (13) by way
of a plurality of levers forming spokes (16).
14. A valve closure as set forth in claim 1 characterised in that
the valve opening (12) is provided centrally in a head plate (14)
of the screw cap (13) and like the valve stopper (2) concentrically
relative to the axis (20).
15. A valve closure as set forth in claim 1 characterised in that
the threaded connecting portion (5) and the screw cap (13) have
axial abutment elements (9, 19) which limit the axial motion play
of the screw cap (13) relative to the threaded connecting portion
(5).
16. A valve closure as set forth in claim 15 characterised in that
the abutment elements (9, 19) are respectively provided at an upper
portion of the threaded connecting portion and the screw cap, which
is of a reduced diameter in relation to the nominal diameter (2r)
of the thread.
17. A valve closure as set forth in claim 5 characterised in that
arranged on the actuating ring is a tamper-evident seal which is of
a visibly altered condition after first actuation of the actuating
ring.
18. A valve closure as set forth in claim 17 characterised in that
the tamper-evident seal comprises a tear-off strip connected to the
lower edge of the actuating ring by way of one or more easily
tearable elements which tear upon rotation of the actuating ring so
that the tear-off strip is visibly released from the actuating
ring.
Description
[0001] The present invention concerns an easy-open valve closure
for bottles, comprising a stationary inner valve portion which can
be fitted on to a bottle neck and which has a valve stopper and
devices for sealed fixing on the bottle neck, and an axially
movable outer valve portion which has a valve opening for
engagement with the valve stopper and a screw cap which is
connected to the valve opening and which has a female screwthread
of a nominal radius r and is in engagement with the male
screwthread of a threaded connecting portion fixedly connected to
the valve stopper.
[0002] In that respect the design configuration of the bottle can
be substantially any and the term `bottle` also includes other
containers for loose goods, in particular for liquids, preferably
involving bottles or containers of plastic material.
[0003] A corresponding valve closure is known in the state of the
art. Inter alia so-called `push-pull closures` are known for
example for drinks bottles, which are in principle very similar to
the present closure but do not have a thread but in which the outer
valve portion is simply movable by axially pulling and pushing in
relation to the inner valve portion, wherein the valve stopper and
the valve opening are correspondingly brought out of and into
engagement.
[0004] In addition however a closure is also known in the state of
the art, in which the outer valve portion is formed by a screw cap
which however is of a larger diameter. Such closures with a screw
cap valve, the screw cap of which is of a relatively large diameter
(for example larger than 25 mm) are used inter alia in relation to
bottles with liquid cleaning agents, wherein the bottles which
generally comprise plastic material can be compressed in order in
that way to be able to easily meter the amount of liquid issuing
when the valve is opened.
[0005] Plastic bottles with push-pull closures whose outer valve
portion is of a smaller diameter (up to about a maximum of 20 mm)
are used for example for domestic chemicals but also for drinks
bottles for example for sports people who carry corresponding
bottles with them, in which case the bottles are frequently exposed
to shaking, they are possibly transported in a lying position and
in that case must remain substantially sealed while on the other
hand they should be suitable for being used during active
involvement in or performance of a sport such as for example
cycling, running or the like. The sports person is (and wants) to
be able to drink from the bottle therefore while carrying on his
sport by pulling the outer valve portion axially out somewhat and
thereby opening the valve and putting it into the mouth in order
then to deliver the drink into the mouth by sucking or pressing on
the outside of the bottle without the risk of spilling or spraying
the drink over the body or clothing of the sports person. In that
case the outer valve portion is secured to the inner portion in
such a way that it cannot be pulled completely off the inner
portion but is axially reciprocatable substantially only between a
closed and an open position.
[0006] A disadvantage of all known closures of that kind however is
that it is only very difficult and at least complicated to open the
valve with just one hand. The valve stopper and also the outer
portions of the push-pull closure are relatively fixed in their
closed position so that they are not unintentionally released under
the influence of shaking and a certain force is required to pull
the outer valve portion off the valve stopper or vice-versa to pull
a valve stopper out of the valve opening. Both hands are generally
required for that purpose. Opening such a closure by means of the
teeth, by gripping the outer valve portion with the teeth and
pulling on the bottle, is relatively risky and can lead to damage
to or loss of teeth so that it is practised only by few users. In
addition in the further known closure which has a screw cap with a
valve opening, the bottle has to be held firmly with one hand to
loosen the cap by turning it with the other hand, in order to open
the valve, that is to say to turn the screw cap in order to move it
axially so that the head plate of the cap with the central valve
opening comes loose from a valve stopper of the inner valve
portion.
[0007] While opening of drinks bottle with both hands is sometimes
only troublesome, it can also be disadvantageous for other reasons
when dealing with other liquids such as for example household
chemicals or cleaning liquids. In particular the fingers of a hand
can then more easily come into contact with such a liquid, which in
many cases can cause injury and/or trigger allergies, or in other
cases can lead to adulteration and contamination of the liquid such
as for example in the case of contact lens cleaning agents which
are subject to the risk of germ infestation.
[0008] As already mentioned the operation of opening drinks bottles
which are intended to be used during a sporting or other activity
is very annoying if both hands have to be used as in many kinds of
sport, for example when cycling, both hands are not always free,
particularly not when for example the road conditions or other
conditions do not allow cycling hands-off. In addition in the case
of (long-distance) running bringing both hands together on the
drinks bottle or the closure to be able to open it disturbs the
running rhythm of the person in question and is therefore found to
be detrimental.
[0009] It is therefore desirable to have a corresponding valve
closure which on the one hand can be used in the usual way as a
push-pull closure and which also fits firmly and sealingly on an
inner valve portion with the shaking which usually occurs but which
on the other hand permits simple and quick opening with just one
hand.
[0010] That object is attained in that on the one hand a
corresponding closure with screw cap is used, wherein however the
screw cap in turn is fixedly connected to an actuating lever which
extends radially outwardly from the screw cap so that the lever
radius R defined by the radially outer end of the actuating lever
is at a spacing relative to the axis of the screw cap, which is
greater by at least 20% than the nominal radius r of the female
screwthread (14).
[0011] In that respect the screw cap is approximately in the form
of and of the size of the outer valve portions of the known
push-pull closures and should be of an outside diameter no greater
than 25 mm, preferably no greater than 20 mm. In a corresponding
fashion the nominal diameter 2r of the female thread of the screw
cap (and accordingly also the nominal diameter of the male thread
of the threaded connecting portion) is relatively small and is
typically of the order of between 8 and 15, preferably in the
region of between 10 and 12 mm. The outside diameter 2R of the
screw cap which forms the outer valve portion which is usually put
in the mouth when drinking from such a bottle is accordingly of a
value of the order of magnitude of between 12 and 18 mm, typically
between 14 and 16 mm. It will be noted however that in contrast to
the usual push-pull closures this screw cap does not need a
radially projecting upper edge which in the case of push-pull
closures possibly serves as a gripping aid to be able to exert a
suitable axial pull on the closure for opening the valve.
[0012] In contrast with the closure according to the invention the
axial movement is produced by rotation of the screw cap. It will be
noted however that the screw cap itself is not gripped for that
purpose, but rather an actuating lever which extends radially
outwardly from the screw cap so that the lever radius R defined by
the radially outer end of the lever is at a spacing relative to the
axis of the screw cap, which is at least 20% greater than the
nominal radius r of the female thread. It will be appreciated that
the outer end of the lever can still be at a substantially greater
spacing relative to the axis of the screw cap, which for example is
between two and three times the nominal radius r of the thread; but
an only slightly larger spacing from the axis already provides that
a markedly greater force can possibly be applied to the screw cap
by way of the lever, than is possible by gripping the screw cap
which in many cases is smooth and small.
[0013] According to the invention therefore the screw cap has an
actuating lever in the form of a radial projection, whose radially
outer end is at a greater spacing from the axis of the screw cap
than the outside peripheral surface of the screw cap which
typically is cylindrical or slightly conical or also cylindrically
stepped and is also at least relatively smooth. That actuating
lever can rest for example on the top side of a radial enlargement
of the inner valve portion. Frequently a bottle neck on which such
a closure is mounted is of a markedly larger diameter than the
axially movable outer valve portion of a push-pull closure and the
associated inner connecting portion of the inner valve portion.
Therefore beneath that valve connecting portion the inner valve
portion typically has a radially markedly enlarged portion with a
closure foot forming the transition to the further bottle neck, is
fitted on to the bottle neck and makes a sealed connection between
the edge of the bottle neck and the inner valve portion. Therefore
a suitable lever can for example lie on that radial enlargement
which typically is in the form of an annular disk so that it is
better protected from unintended actuation because it does not
simply project freely from the screw cap of the inner valve
portion. A preferred embodiment accordingly is one in which the
lever is guided rotatably about the screw cap axis on an annular
disk of the inner valve portion, that extends around in relation to
the threaded connecting portion and extends radially and in the
peripheral direction.
[0014] It is also possible for a plurality of levers to be arranged
to project in different directions at the same time from the screw
cap, for example in the form of the spokes of a wheel, which are
preferably distributed at uniform angular spacings around the
periphery of the screw cap.
[0015] In addition it is desirable if the radially outer end of the
lever or the levers extends parallel and at a small spacing
relative to an axially extending, radially outer end portion of the
inner valve portion. The lever then therefore extends for example
from the lower edge of the screw cap along the top side of a radial
enlargement of the inner valve portion to its radially outer edge
and somewhat therebeyond in order then to extend in axis-parallel
relationship downwardly along the outside of the enlargement of the
inner valve portion. That lever portion which projects slightly
from the surface of the outer edge of the enlargement can then be
easily gripped with a finger, preferably with the thumb, of one
hand and displaced in the opening direction while the other fingers
of the same hand hold the bottle. It will be appreciated that this
presupposes that the bottle or a corresponding container, beneath
the closure region, is of dimensions which make it possible for the
bottle or the container to be actually held with the fingers of a
hand and the ball of the hand or the ball of the thumb while for
example the thumb still remains free for actuation of the lever.
However the invention can be used even in relation to bottles or
containers of larger dimensions as it is sufficient if the bottle
stands fast on the ground or a surface for supporting it or can
possibly be held fast with a part of a hand so that it does not
readily rotate when a finger or thumb which remains free actuates
the closure or the lever of the closure.
[0016] Finally it is also possible for corresponding levers to be
connected in spoke form to a peripherally extending ring so that
effectively this gives an actuating ring in which the spokes can
optionally also be replaced by a closed annular disk which makes
the connection to the outer actuating ring and the further inwardly
disposed screw cap. However an actuating ring with a few spokes is
preferred as the actuating ring means that the individual spokes or
levers are best protected from unintended actuation, the ring
imparts good stability to the entire actuating element and finally
the ring requires only little additional material and is also very
well suited as an actuating element. In other words therefore the
radially outer end of the lever is in the form of an actuating ring
extending peripherally at a spacing around the screw cap.
[0017] Preferably the ratio of the outside diameter D (=2R) of the
actuating ring to the thread diameter d (=2r) of the screw cap is
in the region of between 1.2 and 3 and corresponding ratios
approximately also apply to the ratio of the outside diameter of
the actuating ring to the outside diameter of the screw cap which
is larger than the thread diameter only by the wall thickness of
the screw cap.
[0018] Because of the larger diameter of the actuating ring, a
lever step-up transmission effect is effectively provided at a
corresponding order of magnitude for actuation of the thread of the
screw cap which is of a markedly smaller diameter. It is also
possible for such an actuating ring to be arranged for example in
the region of a bottle neck mouth and of approximately the same
diameter as the bottle neck mouth so that it is easily accessible
whereas the usual push-pull closures including those which are
suitable for being and are intended to be put directly in the mouth
to drink from a container are often radially back relative to the
bottle neck so that, even if the bottle is held fast with a hand in
the region of the bottle neck, it can only be reached and gripped
with difficulty by the fingers of the same hand.
[0019] As however according to the invention there is provided an
actuating lever or ring which is of a larger diameter or actuating
radius and which accordingly projects from the screw cap of the
outer valve portion it is relatively easily possible to embrace the
bottle for example beneath the actuating ring or in the proximity
of the bottle neck with the hand, in which case the thumb for
example points vertically upwardly, and to then apply the thumb to
the outside of the actuating ring and to turn the actuating ring by
lateral movement of the thumb.
[0020] It will be appreciated that, for such a purpose, in a
preferred embodiment of the invention the actuating ring has on its
outside a knurling which markedly increases the friction between
the fingers or the thumb of a hand and the actuating ring and thus
permits force to be more easily and more simply applied to the ring
by thumb or fingers. That knurling however does not involve the
screw cap, which makes it better suited for drinking out of the
bottle.
[0021] It is desirable in that respect if the actuating ring, the
screw cap and the threaded connecting portion have the same common
axis, even if it would be possible in principle for the actuating
ring to be eccentric.
[0022] As already mentioned the lever ratio between the actuating
diameter and the thread diameter should be of the order of
magnitude of between 1.2 and 2.5 or 3, but if possible the inside
radius of the actuating ring should be at least 50% larger than the
radius of the thread on the screw cap and the threaded connecting
portion. In an embodiment of the invention for example the thread
diameter is 12 mm while the inside diameter of the actuating ring
is about 28 mm and its outside diameter is about 30 mm. That
provides an effective lever ratio of almost 2.5, which considerably
facilitates actuation of the closure with one hand.
[0023] The devices for sealed fixing of the inner valve portion on
the bottle neck preferably include a closure foot of U-shaped
cross-section so that the closure foot embraces the edge of the
bottle neck from outside, above and inside. That closure foot
including its connection to the inner valve portion forms the
cylindrical enlargement of the inner valve portion, as already
mentioned hereinbefore. That inner valve portion and in particular
the closure foot can have per se known locking elements
co-operating with corresponding elements of the bottle neck to
avoid rotation of the inner valve portion relative to the bottle
neck.
[0024] The actuating lever which is preferably in the form of an
actuating ring preferably lies with its portion extending between
the screw cap and its outer end (that portion being specifically
the spokes) on the top side of a radial enlargement of the inner
valve portion which connects the valve connecting portion to the
closure foot. The outer end of the lever or in the preferred
embodiment the actuating ring in that case embraces the outside of
the closure foot and extends substantially parallel to the common
axes of the closure portions.
[0025] In that way the outer end of the lever or the actuating ring
is guided on the upper outer shoulder of the closure foot.
[0026] Preferably the threaded connecting portion and the screw cap
should have axial abutment elements which limit the axial motion
play of the screw cap relative to the threaded connecting portion.
In particular both threads on the screw cap and the threaded
connecting portion, more precisely the thread overlap thereof, are
of an axially correspondingly short configuration so that they come
out of engagement when the screw cap has been moved axially so far
that the valve stopper and the valve opening are sufficiently far
away from each other to be able to drink out of the opening or to
be able to press out liquid. In addition for example outwardly and
inwardly projecting beads can be provided at the outside of the
threaded connecting portion and the inside of the screw cap
respectively, which at any event do not permit the screw cap to be
pulled axially off the threaded connecting portion without applying
considerable forces.
[0027] Preferably the abutment elements are respectively provided
at an upper portion of the threaded connecting portion and the
screw cap, which is of a reduced diameter in relation to the
nominal diameter of the thread. In that way the thread can be moved
without any problem axially beyond the abutment elements and
brought into engagement with the threaded connecting portion.
[0028] Further advantages, features and possible uses of the
present invention will be apparent from the description hereinafter
of a preferred embodiment and the associated Figures in which:
[0029] FIG. 1 shows an axial section through a preferred
embodiment,
[0030] FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the closure of FIG. 1 in an
axial direction from above,
[0031] FIG. 3 shows a section corresponding to the section of FIG.
1 through another simplified embodiment, and
[0032] FIG. 4 shows a view from above of the closure shown in FIG.
3.
[0033] FIG. 1 shows an inner valve portion 1 and an outer valve
portion 11, each distinguished by different hatchings. The inner
valve portion 1 comprises a closure foot 7 and a central threaded
connecting portion 4 which is connected thereto by way of an
annular disk 6 and from the inside wall of which a plurality of
limbs 3 extend radially inwardly, which limbs carry an axially
upwardly extending valve stopper 2, the upper portion of which is
in the form of an upwardly closed cylinder.
[0034] The threaded connecting portion 4 in turn has an upper
narrowed holding portion 4a and a lower threaded portion 4b which
is radially somewhat enlarged in relation to the holding portion
4a. The small-diameter holding portion 4a, in the proximity of its
upper end, has an outwardly projecting bead 9 which serves as an
axial abutment element for a holding bead 19 projecting radially
inwardly on the inside of the screw cap. The holding portion 4a and
its bead 9 are of such a dimension in relation to the threaded
portion 4b with the thread 8 that the inside diameter of the female
thread 18 of the screw cap 13 is at least as large as the outside
diameter of the bead 9 whereas the free inside diameter of the bead
19 on the inside of the upper portion of the screw cap must
obviously be smaller than the outside diameter of the bead 9 so
that both beads can serve as axial abutment elements which limit
the axial motion clearance of the screw cap with respect to the
threaded connecting portion 4 or with respect to the entire inner
valve portion 1. The cross-section of the holding bead 19 is
therefore of a somewhat nose-shaped configuration, that is to say
its lower flank includes a smaller angle with the axis 20 of the
closure than the upper flank so that it can admittedly be moved
past the bead 9 for mounting purposes in the axial direction with
slight expansion of that portion of the screw cap 13 and
compression of the threaded connecting portion 4 in the region of
the bead 9, and then latches behind the bead 9. The motion
clearance of the screw cap is limited downwardly in the axial
direction inter alia by placement of the head plate of the screw
cap 13 on the upper edge of the threaded connecting portion or also
by the lower end of the screw cap 13 being applied to the radial
enlargement of the inner valve portion 1.
[0035] The lower end of the threaded connecting portion 4 is
delimited by a radially and peripherally extending annular disk 6
connecting the lower end of the threaded connecting portion 4 to
the closure foot 7 which is of U-shaped cross-section. The U-shaped
closure foot embraces the upper edge of a corresponding bottle neck
which is not shown here and at the outer limb of the U-shape has an
inwardly projecting holding bead 22 and at the inner limb of the
closure foot an outwardly projecting sealing bead 23 which comes
into sealing engagement with the inside surface of a bottle neck
(not shown). At the same time the annular disk 6 also forms the
portion of the U-shaped cross-section, that joins the inner and
outer limbs of the U-shape.
[0036] The outer valve portion 11 substantially comprises a screw
cap 13 with a female thread 18, wherein that female thread 18 is
provided only at the lower portion of the screw cap 13 and
preferably extends at a maximum over the lower half of the screw
cap 13, as well as an actuating ring 15 connected to the screw cap
13 by way of spokes 16. The upper portion of the screw cap is of a
radially somewhat narrowed configuration with respect to the lower
portion, which is basically advantageous for reasons of saving
material, but on the other hand is also not absolutely necessary
just as long as the female thread 18 of the lower portion of the
screw cap is of an inside diameter larger than the outside diameter
of the bead 9 on the threaded connecting portion 4.
[0037] The screw cap 13 in turn has a head plate 14 which is domed
up somewhat in its central region and in that central region also
has a valve opening 12 which in the closed condition receives the
valve stopper 2 in appropriate sealing relationship. In addition
extending in the axial direction from the head plate 14 there is
also a peripherally extending sealing ring 24 which engages with
the inside surface of the holding portion 4a of the threaded
connecting portion 4 in order to completely seal off the screw cap
13 with respect to the threaded connecting portion 4 in the closed
condition and generally to prevent liquid from escaping through the
thread.
[0038] In the present embodiment the lower end of the screw cap 13
is connected by way of three spokes 16 to an outer actuating ring
15 which is L-shaped in cross-section, wherein a shorter limb of
the L-shape rests on the annular disk 6 of the inner closure
portion and an axial limb extends parallel to the outer limb of the
closure foot 7 and bears substantially thereagainst, that is to say
the inside diameter of the axial limb of the actuating ring 15
substantially corresponds to the outside diameter of the closure
foot.
[0039] In addition, as can be clearly seen in particular from FIG.
2, the actuating ring on its outside has a knurling 17 which
facilitates actuation of the closure by gripping with just one
finger or the thumb of a hand.
[0040] Rotating the actuating ring in the opening direction
involves also transmitting a corresponding force by way of the
spokes 16 to the screw cap 13 so that, because of the threaded
engagement of the female thread of the screw cap with the male
thread of the threaded connecting portion 5, the screw cap
(together with the actuating ring 15) is moved upwardly in the
axial direction until the threads come out of engagement, in which
case in addition the abutment elements 9, 19 prevent a further
axial movement of the screw cap 13 relative to the threaded
connecting portion 5.
[0041] In that case the head plate 18 is also moved upwardly with
the screw cap 13 and as a result the valve stopper 5 comes out of
engagement with the valve opening 12 so that liquid can now issue
through that valve opening when the corresponding container or
bottle is turned and/or put under external pressure.
[0042] Desirably the length of the axial limb of the actuating ring
15 is greater than the axial motion clearance of the screw cap 13
with respect to the threaded connecting portion 4 which is defined
by the above-described abutment elements, the axial extent of the
thread and placement of the screw cap on the annular disk 6 or on
the upper edge of the threaded connecting portion 4.
[0043] When the screw cap is screwed down by actuation of the
actuating ring 15 in the closing direction the threads on the screw
cap and the threaded connecting portion come into engagement again,
in which case the screw cap moves axially downwardly so that
finally the valve stopper 2 slides into the valve opening 12 again
and sealingly closes it.
[0044] In that way there is provided a closure which in its
function substantially corresponds to the so-called push-pull
closure but has a screw cap which is operable with just one hand by
virtue of the actuating lever provided.
[0045] FIGS. 3 and 4 show a further embodiment even if not
absolutely preferred. In accordance with a similar variant (not
shown here), instead of an actuating ring, there is only an
actuating lever 16' which extends only from one side of the screw
cap 13 and which substantially corresponds to one of the spokes 16
in relation to a short portion of the actuating ring 15 in FIG. 3,
wherein the `spoke` or the lever 16' is only somewhat more stable
to increase its stability. In the embodiment in FIGS. 3 and 4 there
are in each case three such spokes 16' at equal angular spacings of
120.degree..
[0046] The mode of operation of this closure is substantially the
same as that of the embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1
and 2. Here too, it is possible for example to grip a bottle or
other container with one hand and in so doing still leave the thumb
of the same hand free and pointing upwardly so that the outer end
of the lever 16' can be engaged with the thumb and moved in the
opening or closing direction respectively. If only one such lever
16' is provided it will be appreciated however that there is the
disadvantage that, for the situation where rotation of for example
markedly more than 120.degree. is required to open the closure, the
hand has to be further turned once again with respect to the
bottle, and therefore it is necessary once again to change the grip
to be able to turn the lever 16' sufficiently far.
[0047] In an alternative embodiment therefore for example it would
be possible to provide two diametrally opposite levers 16' or, as
shown in the case of FIGS. 3 and 4, also three (or more)
corresponding levers 16' which could substantially correspond to
the spokes 16 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 and which with
their free ends project beyond the outer edge of the closure, as is
shown both in the section in FIG. 3 and also in the plan view of
FIG. 4. In that case it is possible to reach the next lever 16'
after rotation of the closure through a corresponding angle.
[0048] Even if such a design configuration is readily possible and
basically also practicable, nonetheless the embodiment with an
actuating ring as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is preferred.
[0049] In particular the preferred embodiment with the actuating
ring also allows the easy arrangement of tamper-evident securing
elements, such as for example a conventional tear-off strip.
[0050] For example a tamper-proof band can be arranged beneath the
actuating ring and can be connected to the actuating ring by way of
a weakening line. That tamper-proof strip can be secured in
relation to a rotary movement for example by interengaging tooth
arrangements on the bottle neck and on the tamper-proof strip so
that it has to be first removed if or before the actuating ring is
rotated.
[0051] For the purposes of the original disclosure it is pointed
out that all features as can be seen by a man skilled in the art
from the present description, the drawings and the claims, even if
they are described in specific terms only in connection with
certain other features, can be combined both individually and also
in any combinations with others of the features or groups of
features disclosed here insofar as that has not been expressly
excluded or technical aspects make such combinations impossible or
meaningless. A comprehensive explicit representation of all
conceivable combinations of features and emphasis of the
independence of the individual features from each other is
dispensed with here only for the sake of brevity and readability of
the description.
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