U.S. patent application number 16/491626 was filed with the patent office on 2020-01-16 for closure device for a container.
This patent application is currently assigned to RPC Bramlage GmbH. The applicant listed for this patent is RPC Bramlage GmbH. Invention is credited to Martin PRESCHE.
Application Number | 20200017263 16/491626 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 61837724 |
Filed Date | 2020-01-16 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200017263 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
PRESCHE; Martin |
January 16, 2020 |
CLOSURE DEVICE FOR A CONTAINER
Abstract
A closure device for a container opening includes a lid element
for closing the container opening, a chamber associated with the
lid element, and an inner housing, the chamber and the inner
housing also having mutually corresponding closure means and
opening means which are in interaction with each other such that a
discharge opening associated with the chamber as opening means can
be released by rotationally moving the closure means connected to
the lid element relative to the inner housing such that a medium
stored in the chamber can exit into the container. The closure
means is a closure pin which is fixedly connected to the chamber
and which comprises a vertical extension provided with respect to a
rotational axis and that the closure means are formed in the
vertical extension, with different areas: a flow-through area and a
closure area.
Inventors: |
PRESCHE; Martin; (Dinklage,
DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
RPC Bramlage GmbH |
Lohne |
|
DE |
|
|
Assignee: |
RPC Bramlage GmbH
Lohne
DE
|
Family ID: |
61837724 |
Appl. No.: |
16/491626 |
Filed: |
March 8, 2018 |
PCT Filed: |
March 8, 2018 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2018/055747 |
371 Date: |
September 6, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 41/0485 20130101;
B65D 51/2864 20130101; B65D 51/2892 20130101; B65D 41/04
20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 51/28 20060101
B65D051/28; B65D 41/04 20060101 B65D041/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 10, 2017 |
DE |
10 2017 105 179.1 |
Claims
1. A closure device (1) for a container (2) with a container
opening (3), wherein the closure device (1) comprises a lid element
(4) for closing the container opening (3), a chamber (6) assigned
to the lid element (4) and an inner housing (5), and wherein the
chamber (6) and the inner housing (5) have closure means and
opening means, which correspond to one another and interact with
one another in such a way that a discharge opening (8) assigned to
the chamber (6) as opening means can be released by rotationally
moving the closure means connected to the lid element (4) relative
to the inner housing (5) such that a medium stored in the chamber
(6) can exit into the container (2), wherein the closure means is a
closure pin (7), which is rigidly connected to the chamber (6) and
has a vertical extent with respect to a rotational axis, and
wherein the the vertical extent comprises a flow-through region and
a closure region.
2. The closure device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the closure
means is a closure pin (7), and wherein the closure pin (7) is
connected to the chamber by a snap-lock part (22).
3. The closure device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the opening
means has an output recess (26, 27) that is designed dependent on
the rotating direction and/or wherein the inner housing (5) has a
first output recess (27), which is during an unscrewing process
correspondingly aligned with a second output recess (26) formed on
the chamber (6) due to a relative rotation between the chamber (6)
and the inner housing (5) without requiring a relative motion in a
direction of the rotational axis and/or wherein the second output
recess (26) is formed on a closure pin (7) and/or wherein the
closure pin (7) is connected to the chamber (6) by a snap-lock part
(22) and/or wherein the motion takes place without an axial
relative motion between the chamber (6) and the inner housing
(5).
4. The closure device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the lid
element (4) is, relative to the chamber (6) in a removal direction
of the lid element (4), movable relative to the container (2) to a
limited degree in a first motion segment of the lid element (4) in
a course of a removal of the lid element (4) from the container (2)
and motion-coupled to the container (2) in a second motion
segment.
5. The closure device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the motion
between the chamber (6) and the inner housing (5) allows a
discharge of medium by merely moving the closure means and the
opening means relative to one another in a horizontal plane and/or
wherein the lid element (4) is configured to be rotationally moved
relative to the chamber (6) in the first motion segment and/or
wherein the chamber (6) has a closure part in the form of a closure
pin (7) and the opening means interact with the closure part and/or
wherein the closure pin (7) is formed integrally with the chamber
(6).
6. The closure device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the closure
pin (7) has a freely projecting closure end (9) that is configured
to be inserted into the closure opening (8), wherein the closure
end (9) preferably has a diameter that essentially corresponds to
an inside diameter of the closure opening (8).
7. The closure device (1) according to claim 1, wherein a sealing
element (10) is assigned to the closure opening (8) and/or the
closure pin (7) in order to close the closure opening (8) with the
closure pin (7) in a fluid-tight manner.
8. The closure device (1) according to claim 1, wherein a sealing
element (10) is assigned to an inner wall of the closure opening
(8) and/or wherein the inner wall is coated with the sealing
material in order to form the sealing element (10).
9. The closure device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the closure
opening (8) is part of a flow channel (11), a length of which
corresponds to at least five times its diameter and to no more than
twenty times its diameter, and/or wherein the chamber (6) is
arranged concentrically in the inner housing (5), wherein the
chamber (6) is configured to be axially displaced within the inner
housing (5) due to an opening process of the closure device (1) on
the container (2), and/or wherein the chamber (6) has an opening on
a container side and a snap-lock part (22) with U-shaped cross
section encompasses an opening edge of the opening.
10. The closure device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first
output recess (27) of the chamber (6) also forms a lowermost region
of the discharge path in an open state of the closure and/or
wherein the discharge opening on the inner housing (5) forms a
sealing lip (29) that abuts on the closure means of the chamber
(6).
11. The closure device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the
chamber (6) has a chamber bottom (33), and wherein the chamber
bottom (33) transforms into a channel (34) that has a discharge
opening (8).
12. The closure device (1) according to claim 1, wherein channel
(34) is closed in an annular manner.
13. The closure device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the
discharge opening (8) is formed in a channel bottom (37) and/or in
a channel sidewall (36).
14. The closure device (1) according to claim 1, wherein multiple
discharge openings (8) are formed over a circumference of the
channel (34).
15. The closure device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the
chamber bottom (33) comprises a soft plastic layer (38).
16. The closure device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the
discharge opening (8) is only formed in the soft plastic layer
(38).
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The invention initially pertains to a closure device for a
container with a container opening, wherein the closure device
comprises a lid element for closing the container opening, a
chamber assigned to the lid element and an inner housing, and
wherein the chamber and the inner housing furthermore have closure
means and opening means, which correspond to one another and
interact with one another in such a way that a discharge opening
assigned to the chamber as opening means can be released by
rotationally moving the closure means connected to the lid element
relative to the inner housing such that a medium stored in the
chamber can exit into the container.
PRIOR ART
[0002] Closure devices of the aforementioned type are known from
the prior art. They serve for closing a container and for
simultaneously providing a chamber for the separate storage of
liquid or powdery mediums, for example tea essences or the like,
such that these mediums do not immediately come in contact with
and/or are mixed with the contents of the container, for example
water, when the container is filled, but only at the time, at which
the closure device is removed from the container. This is typically
the time, at which the contents of the container should be
consumed.
[0003] For example, publication WO 2007/129116 A1 pertains to a
closure device of the aforementioned type, which upon opening a
container closed with this closure device releases a supplemental
liquid located in the chamber into the container. The closure
device comprises a lid element, a chamber and an inner housing. The
inner housing has a discharge opening, into which a plug element
connected to the inner housing engages in a sealing manner. The lid
element and the inner housing are connected to one another by means
of screw threads, wherein the lid element can be raised relative to
the inner housing from a closed position, in which the plug element
closes the discharge opening of the chamber, into a discharge
position, in which the plug element is at least partially retracted
from the discharge opening, in order to thereby produce a passage
from the chamber into the main liquid space of the container. In
this way, the medium stored in the chamber can exit into the
container, where it is mixed with the medium located in the
container.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Based on the above-described prior art, the invention aims
to disclose a closure device that can be cost-effectively
manufactured and at the same time makes it possible to effectively
empty the chamber in the course of a removal of the lid
element.
[0005] According to a first solution, the invention proposes that
the closure means is a closure pin that is rigidly connected to the
chamber and has a vertical extent with respect to the rotating
direction, and in that the closure means is over the vertical
extent realized with different regions, namely a flow-through
region and a closure region.
[0006] The closure means preferably is a closure pin. In this case,
the closure region may be realized in the form of a cylindrical
part with an outside diameter that corresponds to or slightly
exceeds the inside diameter of the opening means, e.g. the
discharge opening. The latter particularly is sensible and possible
if the opening means consists in this region of an elastic,
flexible material, particularly a thermoplastic elastomer.
[0007] In contrast, the flow-through region may be a tapered region
extending over the entire circumference or only part of the
circumference of the closure means. A clearance space is formed
when the tapered region protrudes upward from the opening means due
to a corresponding rotation of the lid element, wherein a mass
contained in the chamber, particularly a liquid, can flow out of
the discharge opening through said clearance space. The
flow-through region also may extend entirely or partially within
the opening means in this case.
[0008] The above-defined objective is furthermore attained with a
closure device, in which the closure means is a closure pin and the
closure pin is connected to the chamber by means of a snap-lock
part. The design of the closure means in the form of a closure pin,
which is snap-locked to the chamber, makes it possible to
manufacture the closure pin of a different material than the
chamber. The chamber also may be initially realized open on the
side of the closure means in order to thereby simplify its
manufacture, e.g. in an injection molding process. The snap-lock
connection between the closure means and the chamber may at the
same time also be used for producing a seal in the snap-lock
region.
[0009] With respect to the above-described first solution, in
particular, the closure means may alternatively also be realized in
the form of a closure pin that is rigidly connected to the
chamber.
[0010] The discharge opening may selectively also be referred to as
closure opening.
[0011] The closure means, in this case particularly the closure
pin, is arranged on the chamber whereas the opening means, in this
case particularly the closure opening or discharge opening,
preferably is realized on the inner housing. In a closed position
of the closure device, the closure pin closes the closure opening
in that it either engages into or covers the closure opening. The
closure pin is removed from the closure opening by opening the
closure device, i.e. by spacing apart the lid element from the
container--and thereby simultaneously displacing the chamber
relative to the inner housing--such that the medium contained in
the chamber can flow into the container through the closure
opening. During the manufacture of the closure device, the chamber
advantageously is inserted into the inner housing concentrically,
wherein the closure pin is simultaneously displaced into a
position, in which it closes the closure opening. Since the closure
pin is rigidly connected to the chamber, its position and
orientation relative to the chamber are also preserved during the
assembly of the closure device such that the closure pin
automatically comes in contact with the closure opening due to its
position and orientation on the chamber.
[0012] According to another inventive solution, it is proposed that
the lid element is, relative to the chamber in a removal direction
of the lid element, movable relative to the container to a limited
degree in a first motion segment of the lid element in the course
of a removal of the lid element and motion-coupled to the container
in a second motion segment. In this way, the lid element can be
lifted off to a certain degree without moving along the
container.
[0013] The lid element particularly can be rotationally moved
relative to the chamber in the first motion segment.
[0014] It is furthermore proposed that the lid element preferably
can be moved vertically to the chamber in the first motion segment.
The chamber therefore remains in its originally assumed position
referred to a vertical line while the lid element is raised, for
example due to an unscrewing motion.
[0015] According to another inventive idea, it is proposed that the
opening means has an opening part, which can be moved relative to
the chamber during an opening process and forms two circumferential
sealing zones, wherein said sealing zones are arranged concentric
to one another in a direction extending perpendicular to a moving
direction of the opening means relative to the chamber during the
opening process.
[0016] The opening means respectively can interact with the chamber
on the two sealing zones that are arranged concentric to one
another. In this respect, it is possible to realize an interaction
with a closure pin, which is rigidly connected to the chamber, as
well as an additional interaction with a receptacle opening on the
chamber for the opening means, which is designed so as to surround
the closure pin.
[0017] A medium to be discharged from the chamber preferably is
under pressure. If the medium is a liquid, a corresponding
compressed gas region may be provided for this purpose above a
liquid level during the filling process.
[0018] A reliable seal, as well as a seal that can be
advantageously managed with respect to the manufacturing
technology, is particularly important in connection with such
pressurized mediums.
[0019] Since two concentric sealing zones are formed, two
circumferential regions, preferably cylindrical regions, can be
suitably encompassed in a sealing manner. This may concern, in
particular, a cylindrical inner surface and a cylindrical outer
surface of corresponding regions of the chamber, which are
encompassed by the opening means in a sealing manner.
[0020] The invention also pertains to a closure device for closing
a container opening of a container, particularly a beverage bottle,
wherein the closure device comprises a lid element, a chamber
arranged on the lid element and an inner housing, and wherein the
chamber and the inner housing have closure means and opening means,
which correspond to one another and interact with one another in
such a way that a medium contained in the chamber can exit into the
container due to a motion of the lid element relative to the inner
housing.
[0021] In order to additionally enhance a closure device of the
type in question, another solution proposes that the closure means
is a closure pin, which is connected to the chamber by means of a
snap-lock part and can be removed from a closure opening of the
inner housing that forms the opening means by moving the lid
element relative to the inner housing.
[0022] In this potential embodiment, the closure pin can be
manufactured separately of the chamber and accordingly may be
initially supplied in the form of a loose part in the course of the
assembly of the closure device. This provides advantages with
respect to the manufacture, particularly with respect to the
material selection. The closure pin therefore may simply consist of
a different material, particularly plastic material, than the
chamber that ultimately holds the closure pin.
[0023] The closure pin preferably is snap-locked to the chamber,
e.g. by using a snap-lock part or snap-lock section provided for
this purpose. Furthermore, a welded connection or optionally even
an adhesive connection may also be used for holding the closure pin
on the chamber.
[0024] The invention furthermore pertains to a closure device for a
container with a container opening, wherein the closure device
comprises a lid element for closing the container opening, a
chamber arranged on the lid element and an inner housing, wherein
the chamber and the inner housing have closure means and opening
means, which correspond to one another and interact with one
another in such a way that a discharge opening assigned to the
chamber can be released by moving the lid element relative to the
inner housing such that a medium stored in the chamber can exit
into the container, and wherein the lid element furthermore has a
thread for unscrewing the closure device from the container.
[0025] Closure devices of this type are also known from the
initially cited prior art.
[0026] In order to develop an alternative closure device of this
type, a potential inventive solution proposes that the inner
housing has a first output recess, which is during an unscrewing
process correspondingly aligned with a second output recess formed
on the chamber due to a mere relative rotation between the chamber
and the inner housing.
[0027] According to the invention, the medium stored in the chamber
can only exit into the container through the discharge opening when
the output recesses of the inner housing and the chamber are moved
into a corresponding position. This can be achieved by simply
rotating the lid element relative to the inner housing. One of the
output recesses is moved into the corresponding position relative
to the other output recess due to this rotation. An axially
directed sliding motion may also be superimposed on the rotational
motion.
[0028] The motion of the lid element, particularly its rotation,
preferably is limited by stops.
[0029] A discharge path between the chamber and the discharge
opening is only produced by displacing one output recess into the
corresponding alignment with the other output recess.
[0030] In a potential embodiment, the closure device acts
functionally identical to a rotary slide valve.
[0031] According to another inventive idea, it is in this context
proposed that the chamber has a (second) output recess, which opens
a discharge path due to an axial relative displacement between the
chamber and the inner housing.
[0032] In this case, the closure device acts functionally similar
to a sliding valve. The output recess of the chamber is axially
displaced into a position, in which a flow path from the chamber
into the container interior is released, due to the displacement of
the lid element relative to the inner housing, particularly a
rotational displacement of the lid element.
[0033] The output recesses may be realized in the form of channels
in the respective components or alternatively in the form of
groove-like depressions in the region of the interacting surfaces
of the inner housing and the chamber.
[0034] In another embodiment, a (second) output recess on the
chamber side may be formed in the region of the closure means on
the chamber side and a (first) output recess may optionally be
formed corresponding thereto in the region of the opening means on
the side of the inner housing.
[0035] The closure pin may be realized integrally with the chamber.
In this respect, it is particularly advantageous to manufacture the
chamber including the closure pin by means of a plastic injection
molding process such that no separate manufacturing step is
required for connecting the closure pin to the chamber. An
injection molding process is particularly advantageous in this
respect because the chamber is typically manufactured of a plastic
such as polybuteneterephthalate (PBT) or even polypropylene (PP) or
polyethylene (PE). Due to the integral design of the closure pin on
the chamber, the position and orientation of the closure pin
relative to the chamber remain constant such that the closure pin
reliably reaches a position, in which it closes the closure
opening, during the connection of the chamber to the inner housing.
In addition to the integral design, however, it is basically also
possible to arrange the closure pin on the chamber in a different
way. For example, the closure pin may be bonded or welded to the
chamber. The closure pin or a section carrying this closure pin may
also be snapped on the chamber such that an operationally
inseparable snap-lock connection is produced. It is essential to
produce the rigid connection between the chamber and the closure
pin such that the closure pin cannot be separated from the chamber
during the insertion into the closure device.
[0036] It is furthermore proposed that the closure pin has a freely
projecting closure end that can be inserted into the closure
opening. For example, the closure pin may be arranged on the
chamber wall in the form of an L-shaped web such that the free
closure end points in the direction of the closure opening of the
inner housing. If the chamber is realized cylindrically, the end
region of the closure pin carrying the closure end is arranged on
the longitudinal axis of the chamber. Different designs of the
closure pin are basically conceivable. For example, multiple webs
arranged in a star-shaped manner may also radially extend from the
inner wall of the chamber to the longitudinal axis, wherein the
webs carry the end region with the closure end in a star-shaped
manner. In this case, the closure pin advantageously is arranged in
a portion of the chamber, which is tapered relative to the
remaining region of the chamber in the form of a discharge region
such that the chamber has a smaller diameter in the region of the
closure pin.
[0037] In addition, the closure end advantageously has a diameter
that essentially corresponds to the inside diameter of the closure
opening. In this case, the outside diameter of the closure end and
the inside diameter of the closure opening are realized
correspondingly such that the closure end can be inserted into the
closure opening, if applicable with interposition of a sealing
element. Consequently, the closure pin is inserted into the closure
opening in the form of a plug. In the alternative instance, in
which the closure end is not inserted into the closure opening, but
rather closes the closure opening from outside, it is advantageous
if the closure end has a correspondingly larger diameter than the
closure opening.
[0038] It is proposed that a sealing element is assigned to the
closure opening and/or the closure pin in order to close the
closure opening with the closure pin in a fluid-tight manner. A
sealing element for connecting the closure end or closure pin and
the closure opening in a fluid-tight manner is advantageous in
instances, in which the closure end of the closure pin is arranged
in front of the closure opening, as well as in instances, in which
the closure end protrudes into or even extends through the closure
opening and optionally protrudes from the underside of the closure
opening. The sealing element may be advantageously realized in the
form of a rubber seal or the like. This sealing element may either
be arranged on an edge region of the inner housing that defines the
closure opening, on the closure end of the closure pin or on the
closure opening and on the closure pin.
[0039] A sealing element is advantageously assigned to the inner
wall of the closure opening, wherein the inner wall particularly is
coated with the sealing material. In this respect, it is proposed
to insert the closure end of the closure pin into the closure
opening with interposition of the sealing element/the coating. Due
to the coating of the inner side of the closure opening with a
sealing material, it is possible to realize a sealing element that
always maintains its position on the closure opening and thereby
contributes to an optimal seal of the closure opening.
[0040] It is furthermore proposed that the closure opening is part
of a flow channel, the length of which corresponds to at least five
times its diameter and to no more than twenty times its diameter.
The medium flowing out of the chamber therefore has to flow through
the flow channel in order to reach the container. In this way, the
medium is not discharged from the chamber in a surge-like manner,
but rather over a certain period of time and in the form of a
relatively fine jet. This not least promotes the superior
miscibility of the medium present in the container with the medium
flowing out of the chamber. In this case, the closure end of the
closure pin does not have to be inserted into the flow channel over
the entire length thereof, but rather may, for example, only be
inserted into the flow channel with a longitudinal section of a few
millimeters in the region of the closure opening. This simplifies
the process of joining the chamber with the inner housing because
the closure end or the closure pin does not have to be inserted
into the flow channel over a greater length, particularly not over
the entire longitudinal extent of the closure pin and/or the flow
channel.
[0041] It would also be possible that the chamber has an opening on
the container side and that a snap-lock part with U-shaped cross
section encompasses an opening edge of the opening. The opening
edge of the opening preferably is designed for snapping the
snap-lock part comprising the closure part thereon. The snap-lock
cannot be operationally disengaged.
[0042] In addition, the (second) output recess of the chamber may
also form a lowermost region of the discharge path in an open state
of the closure. Furthermore, the closure means that optionally
comprises the output recess preferably can also penetrate into the
interior of the container freely, i.e. not directly encompassed by
sections of the inner housing, with its free end pointing away from
the chamber in the open position of the closure.
[0043] In another embodiment, the discharge opening on the inner
housing may form a sealing lip that abuts on the closure means of
the chamber. If the closure means has a circular-cylindrical
design, this sealing lip preferably is provided circumferentially
and interacts with the facing outer surface of the closure means in
the closed position of the closure, as well as in its open
state.
[0044] The medium preferably is discharged under pressure when the
closure is opened. The sealing lip abutting on the closure means is
raised into an open position by the exiting medium. After the
chamber has been emptied and the pressure exerted upon the sealing
lip has decreased accordingly, the sealing lip once again abuts on
the outer surface of the closure means due to its elastic
resilience. The arrangement and the effect of the sealing lip
counteract an uncontrolled drainage of residual amounts of the
medium (dripping).
[0045] In another embodiment, the chamber may have a chamber
bottom, wherein the chamber bottom may transform into a channel
that has a discharge opening. In such an embodiment, the channel
bottom preferably is spaced apart from a region of the chamber
bottom in the axial direction. This may result in a slope between
the chamber bottom and the channel, particularly the channel
bottom, wherein said slope is in a potential embodiment formed, if
applicable, exclusively by the channel wall that defines the
channel bottom in the transition to the chamber bottom.
[0046] The channel may be closed in an annular manner, particularly
annular with respect to a rotational axis. If applicable, the
channel thereby completely surrounds the chamber bottom and at the
same time optionally defines this chamber bottom radially
outward.
[0047] The discharge opening may be formed in a channel bottom
and/or in a channel sidewall. In a preferred embodiment, the lowest
arrangement possible of the discharge opening is realized if the
discharge opening is respectively arranged or formed in the channel
bottom. In this case, a center axis of the discharge opening may
respectively extend essentially perpendicular to the chamber bottom
or to a bottom plane that is aligned transverse to the rotational
axis.
[0048] If the discharge opening is respectively arranged or formed
in the region of the channel sidewall, the discharge flow of the
medium from the chamber is directed radially outward starting from
the channel. Such a discharge opening preferably is also formed
within the axial height of the channel and optionally at least
tangent to the channel bottom.
[0049] Furthermore, the discharge opening may be arranged in the
channel bottom, as well as in the channel sidewall, by optionally
providing a discharge opening in the channel bottom and a discharge
opening in the channel sidewall. In addition, a discharge opening
may--with respect to a cross section--only be provided in a
transition region from the channel bottom into the channel
sidewall.
[0050] Multiple discharge openings may also be formed over the
circumference of the channel, namely either only in the region of
the channel bottom or only in the region of the channel sidewall,
but optionally also alternately in the region of the channel bottom
and the channel sidewall.
[0051] In a potential embodiment, the chamber bottom may comprise a
soft plastic layer, particularly for interacting with the closure
means in a sealing manner. The closure means preferably interacts
with the soft plastic layer, in particular, in the closed position.
In another potential and preferred embodiment, the soft plastic
layer extends into the region of the channel, particularly
including the region of the discharge opening.
[0052] The soft plastic layer furthermore may extend over the
channel bottom and/or the channel sidewall.
[0053] In this case, the discharge opening optionally may be formed
only in the soft plastic layer. Accordingly, the soft plastic layer
extends into the region of the discharge opening in this case,
preferably such that it completely forms the wall of the discharge
opening.
[0054] The closure means may penetrate into the discharge opening
in a pin-like manner in order to tightly close the discharge
opening. In an alternative embodiment, the closure means acts like
a slide.
[0055] For example, a thermoplastic elastomer may be used for
manufacturing the soft plastic layer.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0056] The invention is described in greater detail below with
reference to exemplary embodiments. In the drawings:
[0057] FIG. 1 shows a vertical section through a closure device
according to a first embodiment;
[0058] FIG. 2 shows the closure device according to FIG. 1 in an
arrangement on a container that concerns the closed position;
[0059] FIG. 3 shows an enlarged detail of the region III in FIG.
2;
[0060] FIG. 4 shows an illustration that corresponds to FIG. 2, but
concerns the discharge position;
[0061] FIG. 5 shows an enlarged detail of the region V in FIG.
4;
[0062] FIG. 6 shows an illustration that corresponds to FIG. 2 and
concerns a second embodiment;
[0063] FIG. 7 shows an enlarged detail of the region VII in FIG.
6;
[0064] FIG. 8 shows the closure device according to the second
embodiment in a discharge position;
[0065] FIG. 9 shows an enlarged detail of the region IX in FIG.
8;
[0066] FIG. 10 shows an illustration that corresponds to FIG. 9 and
concerns an additional alternative embodiment;
[0067] FIG. 11 shows an illustration that corresponds to FIG. 2 and
concerns an additional alternative embodiment;
[0068] FIG. 12 shows an enlarged detail of the region XII in FIG.
11;
[0069] FIG. 13 shows the discharge position of the additional
embodiment;
[0070] FIG. 14 shows an enlarged detail of the region XIV in FIG.
13;
[0071] FIG. 15 shows a section that essentially corresponds to FIG.
11 and concerns an additional embodiment;
[0072] FIG. 16 shows a section along the line XVI-XVI in FIG.
15;
[0073] FIG. 17 shows an enlarged detail of the region XVII and FIG.
15;
[0074] FIG. 18 shows an illustration that corresponds to FIG. 13
and concerns the embodiment according to FIGS. 15 to 17;
[0075] FIG. 19 shows an enlarged detail of the region XIX in FIG.
18;
[0076] FIG. 20 shows a section through a closure device according
to an additional embodiment, wherein said section essentially
corresponds to FIG. 2 and concerns the closed position;
[0077] FIG. 21 shows an enlarged detail of the region XXI in FIG.
20;
[0078] FIG. 22 shows a section that corresponds to FIG. 20, but
concerns the discharge position; and
[0079] FIG. 23 shows an enlarged illustration that corresponds to
FIG. 21 and concerns the region XXIII in FIG. 22.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0080] A closure device 1 with a chamber 6 having a lower opening
is illustrated in the figures and described below, wherein an
opening means, which makes it possible to empty the chamber 6, is
provided relative to said chamber opening. The opening means
specifically consists of an opening part, which in this exemplary
embodiment particularly is formed by a sealing element 10. This
opening part comprises two circumferential sealing zones, namely a
sealing zone, which preferably is formed on an outer
circumferential surface of the opening means that interacts with an
inner surface of the chamber 6, and another sealing zone, which in
comparison is inwardly offset and in the exemplary embodiment
interacts with a closure pin 7 that forms a closure means V. The
aforementioned sealing zones are arranged concentric to one another
in a direction extending perpendicular to the chamber 6--referred
to a moving direction R of the opening means during an opening
process.
[0081] FIG. 2 shows an upper portion of a container 2, in this case
a beverage bottle, on the container opening 3 of which a closure
device 1 according to a first embodiment is arranged. The closure
device 1 is in a position relative to the container 2, in which it
closes the container opening 3 in a fluid-tight manner. The closure
device 1 is conventionally screwed on the container 2 such that the
container opening 3 is closed. In this state, the container can be
stored for a prolonged period of time, during which the contents
are prevented from escaping from the container 2. In order to open
the container 2, the closure device 1 is conventionally unscrewed
from the container 2 such that the container opening 3 ultimately
is completely exposed.
[0082] The closure device 1 comprises a lid element 4, a chamber 6
arranged on the lid element 4 and an inner housing 5. In
the--non-restrictive--embodiment shown, the lid element 4 is a
plastic lid, for example of polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene
(PE).
[0083] FIGS. 1 to 5 show an embodiment of the closure device 1, in
which the chamber 6 is manufactured in the form of a separate part,
e.g. in a plastic injection blow molding process. However, the
chamber can also be manufactured by using a plastic injection
blow-stretch molding process, in which the heated preform is in
addition to the normal injection blow molding process (extrusion
blow molding process) stretched in the longitudinal direction, for
example by using a stretching rod extending through the preform
opening, prior to or simultaneously with the blow molding process
in order to manufacture hollow bodies of a thermoplastic material.
For example, an attainable inflation rate (smallest opening
diameter: to largest outside diameter) may be as high as 1:10 in
this case.
[0084] The thusly manufactured chamber 6 is subsequently snapped to
the lid element 4 and accordingly snap-locked thereon.
[0085] To this end, a circumferential collar 19 may be provided on
the outer side of the wall of the chamber 6 as shown, wherein said
collar serves for interacting with a corresponding snap-lock
projection 20 of the lid element 4 in an interlocking manner.
[0086] For example, flattened regions 21 may be provided over the
circumference of the chamber wall and in the corresponding regions
of the lid element wall in order to transmit the screw torque
during a screw-type actuation of the lid element 4. The chamber 6
is held on the lid element in a rotationally rigid manner. FIG. 2
shows an exemplary longitudinal section through the flattened
regions of the closure device 1. In contrast to the other
longitudinal sections in FIGS. 1 and 4, this longitudinal section
in FIG. 2 is illustrated offset by approximately 90.degree. about
the longitudinal axis.
[0087] The chamber 6 therefore has a one-piece design with respect
to the circumferential chamber wall and the chamber ceiling, as
well as the discharge nozzle 13 that is located directly adjacent
to the chamber wall in the longitudinal direction and has an
opening on the container side.
[0088] In this embodiment, the closure means V or the closure pin 7
is respectively snap-locked on the chamber 6, particularly on the
discharge nozzle 13. This is realized with the aid of a snap-lock
part 22. In a longitudinal section, the latter essentially is
realized in a U-shaped manner with a circumferential snap-lock
collar 23 that encompasses the free end region of the discharge
nozzle 13. In the interlocking position, this snap-lock collar
engages behind a correspondingly adapted radial step of the
discharge nozzle 13 along the opening edge.
[0089] The snap-lock part 22 forms an inner circumferential wall,
the inner side of which is supported on the discharge nozzle 13.
The closure pin 7 is integrally formed on this wall, for example by
means of a cross web arrangement.
[0090] The inner housing 5 has a pot-like design with a
circumferential pot wall and a collar for being supported on the
container edge surrounding the container opening 3.
[0091] A circumferential sealing lip 24 is integrally formed on the
underside of the inner housing collar. In the assigned position,
this sealing lip interacts with the container wall surrounding the
container opening 3.
[0092] In this case, the inner housing 5 also forms a channel dome
14 on the side of the pot bottom. This channel dome centrally
carries a pin-shaped structure with the flow channel 11. This
pin-shaped structure with the flow channel 11 may be connected to
the channel dome 14 by means of a cross web-like connection that,
however, is not illustrated in greater detail.
[0093] In the exemplary embodiment shown, particularly the
above-described connecting region is spray-coated with the material
of the sealing element 10 such that the sealing element 10
essentially extends facing the chamber 6, but also at least
partially underneath the dome ceiling.
[0094] According to FIG. 1, for example, the sealing element 10 may
on the side facing the chamber 6 have a cross section that is
tapered in a funnel-shaped manner from radially outside toward the
center.
[0095] The outside diameter of the sealing element 10 corresponds
to that of the channel dome 14 and is furthermore adapted to the
clear inside diameter of the snap-lock part 22 carrying the closure
pin 7 such that a sealing effect between the sealing element 10 and
the inner wall of the chamber 6 or the snap-lock part 22 is
respectively achieved in the operative position.
[0096] Furthermore, the snap-lock part 22 may also be held on the
chamber 6 by means of a welded connection.
[0097] In this case, the inner housing 5 is also connected to the
chamber wall by means of a thread 15.
[0098] In the closed position according to FIG. 2, the closure pin
7 penetrates into the closure opening or discharge opening 8 in
order to tightly close the chamber 6.
[0099] An axial displacement of the closure pin 7 relative to the
inner housing 5 is achieved due to the lid element 4 and thereby
the chamber 6, wherein the closure pin 7 releases the closure
opening 8 in order to discharge the stored medium from the chamber
6 into the container interior.
[0100] The inner housing 5 (initially) is secured against rotating
by means of a frictional connection between the sealing lip 24 and
the container wall.
[0101] FIGS. 6 to 9 show another embodiment. In this case, the
chamber 6, particularly the circumferential chamber wall and the
chamber ceiling, preferably is realized in the form of an insert
part that is spray-coated in order to form the lid element 4. The
section of the chamber 6, which essentially forms the discharge
nozzle 13 and in this embodiment integrally forms the closure pin
7, preferably can be manufactured separately and ultimately
connected to the insert part, preferably by means of a welded
connection, in order to form the chamber 6.
[0102] The discharge nozzle 13 has a section that is tapered in a
funnel-shaped manner and transforms into a cylinder section 25 that
carries the closure pin 7 on its end. In this case, the closure pin
7 preferably is also held on the cylinder section 25 by means of a
cross web arrangement, wherein the closure pin 7 protrudes over the
free end of the cylinder section 25 in the axial direction.
[0103] The sealing element 10 on the side of the inner housing has
a pot-shaped design with a circumferential sealing wall, the outer
side of which abuts on the cylinder section of the discharge nozzle
13.
[0104] The closure opening 8 is formed in the sealing pot bottom.
The flow channel 11 essentially is formed by the sealing element
10.
[0105] On the outer side of its wall and on the underside of the
sealing pot bottom, the pot-shaped sealing element 10 is
circumferentially covered by a section of the inner housing 5 that
has a corresponding pot-like design.
[0106] In the closed position according to FIGS. 6 and 7, a seal
essentially is produced in two concentric regions. One seal is
produced in the region between the cylindrical wall of the
discharge nozzle 13 and the circumferential sealing pot wall and
another seal is produced in the region of the flow channel 11, in
which the relevant circumferential wall of the sealing element 10
abuts on the corresponding outer wall of the closure pin 7.
[0107] The closure pin 7 has a (second) output recess 26. This
output recess is formed by a longitudinally directed groove that
opens toward the circumferential wall surface of the closure pin 7,
as well as toward the free end thereof.
[0108] In the embodiment shown, the closure pin 7 is completely
seated in the flow channel 11 in the closed position. In this case,
the output recess 26 extends over an axial length that is shorter
than the axial length of the sealing region between the closure pin
7 and the sealing element 10. For example, the output recess 26
extends over half the axial length of the closure pin 7.
[0109] The figures only show one output recess 26 in the form of a
groove. However, an arrangement of multiple grooves or the like,
which are distributed over the circumference, would likewise be
conceivable. Furthermore, a circumferential radial constriction may
be used for realizing the output recess 26.
[0110] Due to the axial displacement of the chamber 6 relative to
the inner housing 5, the closure pin 7 is in this case also raised
into a position according to FIG. 9, in which the cross-sectionally
unaffected region of the closure pin 7, which interacts with the
sealing element 10 in a sealing manner, exits the flow channel 11
and the output recess 26 is moved into a position, in which it
releases a flow channel between the chamber interior and the flow
channel 11. The output recess 26 is raised beyond the plane of the
output opening.
[0111] According to FIG. 9, it suffices if the closure pin 7 is not
completely lifted off the sealing element 10 in this case although
such a solution is also possible as illustrated in FIG. 10.
[0112] If the closure pin 7 is axially extended downward beyond the
inner housing 5, this output recess 26 may furthermore form a
lowermost region of the discharge path in the discharge state
according to FIG. 9 (see the illustration drawn with dot-dash lines
in FIG. 9).
[0113] In this embodiment, the closure pin 7 and the inner housing
5 or the sealing element 10 respectively interact in the form of a
slide valve.
[0114] FIGS. 11 to 14 show an embodiment, in which the closure pin
7 and the sealing element 10 interact in the form of a rotary slide
valve.
[0115] Based on the fundamental arrangement and design of the
closure device 1 in accordance with the above-described exemplary
embodiment, the inner housing 5 is in this case not connected to
the chamber 6 by means of a thread, but rather by means of a
snap-lock connection that preferably allows a rotation of the
chamber 6 relative to the inner housing 5 over a predefined angular
range.
[0116] In this embodiment, the closure pin 7 is permanently seated
in the sealing element 10 and accordingly is not axially displaced
relative thereto.
[0117] In this case, only a displacement of the closure pin 7
relative to the sealing element 10 in the circumferential direction
takes place, wherein said displacement preferably is limited to an
angle of approximately 180.degree. by means of stops.
[0118] Analogous to the above-described exemplary embodiment, the
closure pin 7 in this case also has a (second) output recess 26 in
the form of a groove that extends in the axial direction on the
side of the wall. With respect to a cross section perpendicular to
the axial direction, this groove is in the closed position
according to FIGS. 11 and 12 aligned such that it is offset by
approximately 180.degree. relative to a first output recess 27 on
the side of the inner housing. This first output recess 27
preferably is also realized in the form of a groove, particular in
the form of a groove that extends in the axial direction and is
arranged on the side of the wall of the flow channel 11 formed by
the sealing element 10. The output recess 27 approximately extends
over half the longitudinal extent of the flow channel 11 starting
from the closure opening 8 or the opening plane that is directed
toward the chamber 6, respectively.
[0119] This accordingly results in a partial radial widening of the
channel cross section over its circumference in this region.
[0120] A rotational displacement causes the closure pin 7 seated in
the sealing element 10 to be turned into the discharge position, in
which the output recesses 26 and 27 are moved into a corresponding
alignment as illustrated in FIG. 14. The groove-like output
recesses therefore overlap in the axial direction such that they
form the flow path for discharging the medium located in the
chamber 6.
[0121] In this embodiment, the inner housing 5 likewise is already
axially raised relative to the container opening 3 over the first
rotational path of approximately 180.degree. in order to reach the
discharge position. The sealing lip 24 has an adequate axial length
for generating a sufficiently high holding torque in order to
prevent the inner housing 5 from rotating despite this axial
displacement in the course of the rotational displacement from the
closed position into the discharge position.
[0122] A circumferential sealing lip 29 is integrally formed on the
inner housing 5 or directly formed by the sealing element 20 in the
region of the discharge opening 28. This sealing lip acts against
the circumferential surface of the assigned region of the closure
pin 7, namely in the closed position, as well as in the open
position. In this way, the flow channel 11 is sealed in the
discharge position of the closure device 1, which also corresponds
to the removed position of the lid. A lid that was removed after
the discharge of the medium from the chamber 6 into the container 2
and placed on a work surface therefore cannot lose any residual
amount of medium that may still be present in the chamber 6.
Soiling of the work surface and the environment is thereby
counteracted.
[0123] Since the pressure in the chamber 6 is no longer higher than
the ambient pressure after the discharge of the medium in the
discharge position, such a lip-shaped seal suffices for preventing
potential residual amounts from dripping out.
[0124] The closure device 1 can be conventionally filled:
filling--preassembly--pressurization--assembly.
[0125] Furthermore, the inner housing 5 may also be snap-locked on
the chamber 6 in the open valve position after the chamber 6 has
been filled, wherein the chamber 6 is subsequently pressurized and
closed due to a relative rotation between the inner housing 5 and
the chamber 6. It is also possible to snap on the inner housing 5
in the closed valve position after the chamber 6 has been
filled.
[0126] The sealing element 10 is constructed in such a way that it
essentially abuts on the closure pin 7 permanently with a prestress
in the region of the discharge opening. On the one hand, this
prevents anything from depositing in the first output recess 27
between the sealing element 10 and the closure pin 7. On the other
hand, the sealing lip 29 can provide an effective drip
protection.
[0127] In the embodiment shown, the sealing lip 29 has a fluting 30
on the outer side in order to additionally increase the flexibility
such that the least resistance possible is generated during the
pressurized discharge of the chamber contents.
[0128] FIGS. 15 to 19 show another embodiment that essentially is
based on the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 11 to 14.
[0129] In this case, the chamber 6, the discharge nozzle 13 and the
closure pin 7 are also connected to one another in a rotationally
rigid manner and rotatable relative to the inner housing 5 as a
whole, but rigidly connected to this inner housing in the axial
direction.
[0130] As in the above-described exemplary embodiment, a preferably
outer circumferential bead 9 on the discharge nozzle 13 may in this
case also engage into an assigned annular groove 12 of the inner
housing 5. This allows the rotational displacement, in particular,
of the closure pin relative to the inner housing 5. However, a
relative displacement in the axial direction is prevented.
[0131] In the previous embodiment, a rotation of the lid element 4
from the closed position in the direction of a lid removal position
(initially) causes a rotation of the chamber 6 with the closure pin
7 relative to the inner housing 5 and a superimposed axial
displacement of the inner housing 5 and the chamber 6 with the
closure pin 7 in the lid removal direction, but only a rotation of
the closure pin 7 relative to the inner housing 5 via the chamber 6
without the aforementioned axial displacement can initially be
realized in the embodiment according to FIGS. 15 to 19 at the
beginning of the rotation of the lid element 4 out of the closed
position according to FIG. 15.
[0132] An axial displacement of the chamber 6 with the closure pin
7 and the inner housing 5 in the removal direction preferably is
prevented until a discharge position illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 19
is reached.
[0133] This is essentially achieved with a freewheel of the lid
element 4 relative to the chamber 6 referred to the axial
direction.
[0134] To this end, a stopping rib 15, which in the longitudinal
section according to FIG. 15 points radially outward in the
direction of the inner wall surface of the lid element 4, may be
provided on the outer side of the wall of the chamber 6. In the
closed position of the lid according to FIG. 15, a driving rib 16,
which in the exemplary embodiment shown essentially protrudes
radially inward, is provided on the inner side of the wall of the
lid element 4 at an axial distance underneath this stopping rib
15.
[0135] The axial distance between the driving rib 16 and the
stopping rib 15 in the optionally sealed closed position of the lid
according to FIG. 15 preferably can be adapted to the axial
displacement path of the lid element 4 during a rotation thereof by
about 180 degrees. The axial distance therefore may lie between 1
mm and 2.5 mm, for example between 1.6 mm and 1.8 mm.
[0136] The chamber 6 is held in the lid element 4 in a rotationally
rigid manner, but can be linearly displaced in the lid element 4 in
the axial direction by the above-described dimension. To this end,
axially extending ribs 31 are provided on the outer side of the
wall of the chamber 6 and engaged with correspondingly adapted ribs
32 on the inner side of the wall of the lid element 4, which
likewise extend in the axial direction (see FIG. 16).
[0137] In this way, the chamber 6 and the elements connected to the
chamber 6 can be vertically displaced relative to the lid element 4
and the chamber 6 is at the same time rotationally driven by the
lid element 4.
[0138] Due to the rotational displacement of the lid element 4 out
of the closed position according to FIG. 15 and the correspondingly
driven rotation of the chamber 6, the closure pin 7 seated in the
sealing element is in this embodiment also turned into the
discharge position, in which the output recesses 26 and 27 are
moved into a corresponding alignment as illustrated in FIGS. 18 and
19. In this case, the groove-like output recesses also overlap in
the axial direction and thereby form the flow path for discharging
the medium.
[0139] No axial displacement of the chamber 6 and of the inner
housing 5 takes place in the course of this initial rotational
displacement over an exemplary angle of approximately 180 degrees.
This axial displacement, particularly for removing the inner
housing 5 from the container opening 3, preferably only begins once
the discharge position according to FIGS. 18 and 19 is reached by
continuing the rotational displacement of the lid element 4 and
thereby causing the rib 32 on the side of the lid to act upon the
rib 31 on the side of the chamber.
[0140] FIGS. 20 to 23 show another embodiment, in which a chamber
bottom 33 is formed by the inner housing 5 in the assigned state as
it is essentially also the case in the above-described embodiments.
With respect to the cross section illustrated in FIG. 20, this
chamber bottom extends at an acute angle to the plane aligned with
the body axis of the closure device 1.
[0141] The chamber bottom 33 transforms into a channel over its
entire circumference. With respect to the section illustrated in
FIG. 20, this channel is defined by an inner channel sidewall 35
and a radially outer channel sidewall 36, as well as by a channel
bottom 37.
[0142] The radially inner sidewall 35 transforms into the chamber
bottom 33 whereas the radially outer channel sidewall 36
essentially forms the housing wall of the inner housing 5.
[0143] A soft plastic layer 38 particularly covers the surface of
the channel bottom 37, but preferably also the surface of the
radially inner channel sidewall 35 pointing into the channel space
and optionally also the surface of the chamber bottom 33 facing the
chamber 6 as shown. This soft plastic layer preferably can be
manufactured together with the inner housing 5 in a two-component
injection molding process. The soft plastic layer 38 may
alternatively be manufactured separately in the form of a pot-like
part and, for example, snap-locked on the inner side of the inner
housing 5.
[0144] At least one discharge or closure opening 8 is formed in the
region of the channel bottom 37, wherein the opening axis of said
discharge or closure opening preferably is directed identically to
the body axis of the closure device 1, i.e. essentially aligned
along a vertical line in a standing state of the container 2.
[0145] The discharge opening 8 is realized in the form of a bore
and extends through the hard plastic material in the region of the
chamber bottom 33, as well as through the soft material in the
region of the soft plastic layer 38.
[0146] Analogous to the description of the embodiments illustrated
in FIGS. 11 to 19, the closure means and the sealing element in the
embodiments according to FIGS. 20 to 23 also interact in the form
of a rotary slide valve.
[0147] The sealing element 10 is formed by the soft plastic layer
38. The closure means V is in this embodiment essentially realized
in a plug-like manner and particularly formed by the wall of the
discharge nozzle 13.
[0148] The discharge nozzle 13 essentially extends in the form of a
circular cylinder, wherein the free annular end, which usually
points downward in the operative state, penetrates into the channel
34 of the inner housing 5.
[0149] The closure means V, which in this case corresponds to the
annular end region of the discharge nozzle 13, is permanently
seated in the sealing element 10, in this case the channel 34, and
accordingly not displaced relative to the sealing element in the
direction of the axis. The closure means V preferably is only
displaced relative to the sealing element 10, particularly the soft
plastic layer 38, in the circumferential direction, wherein the
displacement of the closure means takes place over an angle, for
example, of 180.degree. and is limited by stops.
[0150] In this case, the closure means V has a (second) output
recess 26 in the form of a groove, the edges of which are open
radially inward in the direction of the radially inner channel
sidewall 35 and axially downward in the direction of the discharge
opening 8. In the closed position according to FIGS. 20 and 21,
this groove is aligned such that it is offset by approximately
180.degree. relative to a first output recesses 27, which is formed
in the region of the channel sidewall 35 in the direction of the
channel 34. Accordingly, this groove is formed in the region of the
soft plastic layer 38.
[0151] This first output recess 27 preferably is also realized in
the form of a groove, particularly in the form of a groove
extending in the axial direction. According to the exemplary
embodiment shown, this first output recess 27 is provided in the
transition from the channel sidewall 35 into the chamber bottom 33
and axially spaced apart from the discharge opening 8.
[0152] Accordingly, the channel 34 is radially widened in the
region of the first output recess 27.
[0153] A rotational displacement causes the plug-shaped closure
means V seated in the channel 34 to be turned into the discharge
position, in which the output recesses 26 and 27 are moved into a
corresponding alignment as illustrated in FIG. 23. This means that
the groove-like output recesses overlap in the axial direction and
the second output recess 26 is assigned to the discharge opening 8
such that the output recesses form the flow path for discharging
the medium located in the chamber 6.
[0154] The first output recess 27 opens in the axial direction
toward the chamber 6.
[0155] The preceding explanations serve for elucidating all
inventions that are included in this application and respectively
enhance the prior art independently with at least the following
combinations of characteristic features, namely:
[0156] A closure device 1, which is characterized in that the
closure means is a closure pin 7, which is rigidly connected to the
chamber 6 and has a vertical extent with respect to the rotational
axis, and in that the closure means is over the vertical extent
realized with different regions, namely a flow-through region and a
closure region.
[0157] A closure device 1, which is characterized in that the
closure means is a closure pin 7, and in that the closure pin 7 is
connected to the chamber by means of a snap-lock part 22.
[0158] A closure device 1, which is characterized in that the
opening means has an output recess 26, 27 that is designed
dependent on the rotating direction.
[0159] A closure device 1, which is characterized in that the inner
housing 5 has a (first) output recess, which is during an
unscrewing process correspondingly aligned with a (second) output
recess formed on the chamber 6 due to a mere relative rotation
between the chamber 6 and the inner housing 5.
[0160] A closure device 1, which is characterized in that the
(second) output recess (26) is formed on a closure pin 7.
[0161] A closure device 1, which is characterized in that the
closure pin 7 is connected to the chamber 6 by means of a snap-lock
part 22.
[0162] A closure device 1, which is characterized in that the
motion takes place without an axial relative motion between the
chamber 6 and the inner housing 5.
[0163] A closure device 1, which is characterized in that the lid
element 4 is, relative to the chamber 6 in a removal direction of
the lid element 4, movable relative to the container 2 to a limited
degree in a first motion segment of the lid element 4 in the course
of a removal of the lid element 4 from the container 2 and
motion-coupled to the container 2 in a second motion segment.
[0164] A closure device 1, which is characterized in that the
motion between the chamber 6 and the inner housing 5 allows a
discharge of medium by merely moving the closure means and the
opening means relative to one another in a horizontal plane.
[0165] A closure device 1, which is characterized in that the lid
element 4 can be rotationally moved relative to the chamber 6 in
the first motion segment.
[0166] A closure device 1, which is characterized in that the
chamber 6 has a closure part in the form of a closure pin 7, and in
that the opening means interact with the closure part.
[0167] A closure device 1, which is characterized in that the
closure pin 7 is realized integrally with the chamber 6.
[0168] A closure device 1, which is characterized in that the
closure pin 7 has a freely projecting closure end 9 that can be
inserted into the closure opening 8.
[0169] A closure device 1, which is characterized in that the
closure end 9 has a diameter that essentially corresponds to the
inside diameter of the closure opening 8.
[0170] A closure device 1, which is characterized in that a sealing
element 10 is assigned to the closure opening 8 and/or the closure
pin 7 in order to close the closure opening 8 with the closure pin
7 in a fluid-tight manner.
[0171] A closure device 1, which is characterized in that a sealing
element 10 is assigned to the inner wall of the closure opening 8,
and in that the inner wall is coated with the sealing material in
order to form the sealing element 10.
[0172] A closure device 1, which is characterized in that the
closure opening 8 is part of a flow channel 11, the length of which
corresponds to at least five times its diameter and to no more than
twenty times its diameter.
[0173] A closure device 1, which is characterized in that the
chamber 6 is arranged concentrically in the inner housing 5,
wherein the chamber 6 can be axially displaced within the inner
housing 5 due to an opening process of the closure device 1 on the
container 2.
[0174] A closure device 1, which is characterized in that the
chamber 6 has an opening on the container side, and in that a
snap-lock part 22 with U-shaped cross section encompasses an
opening edge of the opening.
[0175] A closure device 1, which is characterized in that the
(first) output recess 27 of the chamber 6 also forms a lowermost
region of the discharge path in an open state of the closure.
[0176] A closure device 1, which is characterized in that the
discharge opening on the inner housing 5 forms a sealing lip 29
that abuts on the closure means of the chamber 6.
[0177] A closure device 1, which is characterized in that the
chamber 6 has a chamber bottom 33, and in that the chamber bottom
33 transforms into a channel 34 that has a discharge opening 8.
[0178] A closure device 1, which is characterized in that the
channel 34 is closed in an annular manner.
[0179] A closure device 1, which is characterized in that the
discharge opening 8 is formed in a channel bottom 37 and/or in a
channel sidewall 36.
[0180] A closure device 1, which is characterized in that multiple
discharge openings 8 are formed over the circumference of the
channel 34.
[0181] A closure device 1, which is characterized in that the
chamber bottom 33 comprises a soft plastic layer 38.
[0182] A closure device 1, which is characterized in that the
discharge opening 8 is only formed in the soft plastic layer
38.
[0183] All disclosed characteristic features are essential to the
invention (individually, but also in combination with one another).
The disclosure content of the associated/attached priority
documents (copy of the priority application) is hereby fully
incorporated into the disclosure of this application, namely also
for the purpose of integrating characteristic features of these
documents into claims of the present application. The
characteristic features of the dependent claims characterize
independent inventive enhancements of the prior art, particularly
for submitting divisional applications on the basis of these
claims.
LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS
[0184] 1 Closure device [0185] 2 Container [0186] 3 Container
opening [0187] 4 Lid element [0188] 5 Inner housing [0189] 6
Chamber [0190] 7 Closure pin [0191] 8 Closure opening [0192] 9 Bead
[0193] 10 Sealing element [0194] 11 Flow channel [0195] 12 Annular
groove [0196] 13 Discharge nozzle [0197] 14 Channel dome [0198] 15
Stopping rib [0199] 16 Driving rib [0200] 17 Thread [0201] 18
Thread [0202] 19 Collar [0203] 20 Snap-lock projection [0204] 21
Flattened region [0205] 22 Snap-lock part [0206] 23 Snap-lock
collar [0207] 24 Sealing lip [0208] 25 Cylinder section [0209] 26
Output recess [0210] 27 Output recess [0211] 28 Discharge opening
[0212] 29 Sealing lip [0213] 30 Fluting [0214] 31 Rib [0215] 32 Rib
[0216] 33 Chamber bottom [0217] 34 Channel [0218] 35 Channel
sidewall [0219] 36 Channel sidewall [0220] 37 Channel bottom [0221]
38 Soft plastic layer [0222] V Closure means
* * * * *