U.S. patent application number 17/280787 was filed with the patent office on 2022-01-06 for captive closure with stabilised opening angle.
The applicant listed for this patent is BERICAP Holding GmbH. Invention is credited to Gunter Krautkramer.
Application Number | 20220002021 17/280787 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-01-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220002021 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Krautkramer; Gunter |
January 6, 2022 |
CAPTIVE CLOSURE WITH STABILISED OPENING ANGLE
Abstract
The invention relates to a closure consisting of a screw cap
(10) with a tamperproof strip (3). The screw cap has at least one
cylindrical cap casing (2) with an inner thread and a
circumferential tamperproof strip at the lower open end of the cap
casing, said tamperproof strip being connected to the lower edge of
the cap casing along easily tearable weakness lines (13, 14),
wherein the tamperproof strip remains captively connected to the
cap casing after a tearing process along the weakness lines by
means of holding strips (15, 16). The aim of the invention is to
design a captive screw cap with a tamperproof strip in such a
manner that after the screw cap has been unscrewed and released
from the bottleneck opening, the screw cap is folded away or tilted
into a position in which the screw cap does not interfere with the
additional use of the bottle or with pouring or drinking out of the
bottle and can remain there without additional measures. According
to the invention, this is achieved in that the holding strips are
formed by two weakness lines, each of which is interrupted at least
once in the circumferential direction and which partly overlap in
the circumferential direction and run at an axial distance to each
other at least in the overlap region. The separating web (11, 12)
of each of the two weakness lines is bridged by the respective
other weakness line preferably at an axial distance.
Inventors: |
Krautkramer; Gunter;
(Budenheim, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
BERICAP Holding GmbH |
Budenheim |
|
DE |
|
|
Appl. No.: |
17/280787 |
Filed: |
November 6, 2019 |
PCT Filed: |
November 6, 2019 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2019/080338 |
371 Date: |
March 26, 2021 |
International
Class: |
B65D 1/02 20060101
B65D001/02; B65D 41/34 20060101 B65D041/34; B65D 55/16 20060101
B65D055/16 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 16, 2018 |
DE |
10 2018 128 886.7 |
Jul 31, 2019 |
DE |
10 2019 120 725.8 |
Claims
1. A closure comprising a screw cap (10) with a tamper-evident band
(3), the closure having at least one cylindrical cap skirt (2)
having a female thread and a peripherally extending tamper-evident
band (3) at the lower open end of the cap skirt (2), the
tamper-evident band being connected along easily tearable weakening
lines (13, 14) to the lower rim of the cap skirt, wherein after
tearing along the weakening lines the tamper-evident band (3)
remains non-detachably connected to the cap skirt (2) by way of
holding bands (15, 16), characterised in that the holding bands
(15, 16) are formed by two weakening lines (13, 14) the weakening
lines being respectively interrupted at least once in the
peripheral direction, the weakening lines partially overlapping in
the peripheral direction, and the weakening lines extending at an
axial spacing relative to each other at least in the overlap
region, wherein the separating strips (11, 12) of both weakening
lines (13, 14) are bridged over by the respective other weakening
line (14, 13).
2. A screw cap according to claim 1 characterised in that each
weakening line has precisely one separating strip and the centre
points of the separating strips (11, 12) are in diametrically
opposite relationship.
3. A screw cap according to claim 1 characterised in that the
separating strip (11) of the upper weakening line (13) extends over
a peripheral angle of between 10.degree. and 75.degree..
4. A screw cap according to claim 1 characterised in that the
separating strip (12) of the lower weakening line (14) extends over
a peripheral angle between 120.degree. and 200.degree..
5. A screw cap according to claim 1 characterised in that the width
measured in the axial direction of the upper separating strip (11)
remaining on the cap skirt (2) is at least half the width of the
intact tamper-evident band (3).
6. A screw cap according to claim 1 characterised in that the width
measured in the axial direction of the upper separating strip (11)
remaining on the cap skirt (2) is at least 2.5 mm and less than 5
mm.
7. A screw cap according to claim 1 characterised in that the
separating strip (11) of the upper weakening line has a radial
thickening at least at its free lower rim.
8. A screw cap according to claim 7 characterised in that the
radial thickening is limited to the outside of the tamper-evident
band and that the radial excess of the thickening in relation to
the wall thickness of the tamper-evident band outside the
thickening is up to 0.6 mm.
9. A screw cap according to claim 7 characterised in that the
radial thickening extends over the entire periphery and/or as far
as the lower rim of the tamper-evident band.
10. A screw cap according to claim 1 characterised in that the wall
thickness of the tamper-evident band (3) outside a possible radial
thickening is between 0.5 and 0.8 mm.
11. A screw cap according to claim 1 characterised in that the
tamper-evident band (3) is in the form of a flexband having a
radially outer part and a folded-over radially inner part.
12. A screw cap according to claim 1 characterised in that the
minimum spacing of the weakening lines (13, 14) is greater than 1.5
mm.
13. A combination comprising a bottle neck (20) having a male
thread and a closure according to claim 1, characterised in that
the outside diameter of the bottle neck (20) above a pilferproof
ring (21), the inside diameter of the tamper-evident band (3) and
the width and the peripheral extent of the upper separating strip
(11) are so matched to each other that after an opening rotation of
the screw cap and subsequent tipping of the screw cap (10) upon
twisting of the holding bands (15, 16) together with the separating
strip (11) the free lower edge of the separating strip (11a) comes
into engagement with the bottle neck (20) and when a tipping angle
of more than 90.degree. is moved beyond a dead centre point so that
thereafter the outside of the separating strip (11) comes into
contact with the outside of the bottle neck (20) and the screw cap
(10) is stabilised in that position of being tipped through more
than 90.degree..
14. A combination according to claim 13 characterised in that the
outside diameter of the bottle neck (20) in a region above the
pilferproof ring (21) in which the tamper-evident band (3) of the
closure is arranged is by at most 2.5 mm, preferably at most 1.5 mm
smaller than the nominal inside diameter of the tamper-evident band
(3).
15. A combination according to claim 13 characterised in that the
pilferproof ring (21) has a profile defined by a lower flank (22)
which extends in an axial section at at least 80.degree. relative
to the bottle neck axis (50), a region of maximum diameter (23) and
an upper flank (24) which extends at an angle of inclination
<90.degree. relative to the bottle neck axis (50) and beneath
the thread (25) of the bottle neck (20) transitions into the outer
bottle neck diameter, wherein the upper flank (24) or a portion of
the bottle neck above the upper flank (24) of the profile of the
pilferproof ring (21) goes at least into or as far as an axial
position which is reached at a maximum folded-over position of the
screw cap from the lower edge (11a) of the upper separating strip
is of a larger outside diameter than the bottle neck (20) without
thread profile.
16. A combination according to claim 15 characterised in that the
difference in the outside diameter (D) of the upper flank or the
portion disposed thereabove and the bottle neck diameter (d)
without a thread profile is at least 0.1 mm.
17. A combination according to claim 15 characterised in that the
pilferproof ring (21) is of a triangular or trapezoidal profile,
the base of which is defined by an axis-parallel line on the
cylindrical outside surface of the container neck and the bottom
flank of which includes an angle >80.degree. with the axis (50)
of the container neck (20), wherein the upper flank of the profile
includes an angle .ltoreq.40.degree. with the axis (50) of the
container neck (20).
Description
[0001] The present invention concerns a captive closure comprising
a screw cap which has at least one cylindrical cap skirt having a
female thread and a peripherally extending tamper-evident band at
the lower open end of the cap skirt, wherein the tamper-evident
band is connected to the lower edge of the cap skirt by way of at
least one easily tearable weakening line, wherein after tearing
along the weakening lines the tamper-evident band remains connected
non-detachably to the cap skirt by way of holding bands. The
present invention also concerns a combination comprising a
container neck having a male thread and a corresponding screw
cap.
[0002] Plastic products and corresponding plastic waste, in
particular in the form of so-called microplastics, which are formed
by abrasion and decay from plastic waste are increasingly the
subject of focus of public attention. Screw closures to which the
present invention relates also comprise plastic, typically
polyethylene or polypropylene. The deposit system which was also
introduced for disposable bottles of plastic admittedly reduces the
number of plastic bottles ending up in residual waste, which
instead are passed for recycling, but that does not prevent the
situation whereby in many cases the closures of the bottles after
being emptied are not screwed on to the bottle again but are
discarded or disposed of separately and thus pass uncontrolledly
into the environment and for example at riverbanks and beaches into
the sea.
[0003] There were and there are therefore endeavours to design
closures on bottles, in particular on drinks bottles, in such a way
that even after opening of a bottle they remain connected to the
bottle neck. Such a property is also referred to as "captive".
[0004] Captive closures are known in principle.
[0005] Particularly in the case of disposable bottles the so-called
tamper-evident bands which are connected to the lower edge of a cap
skirt by way of weakened locations remain hanging from the bottle
neck under a so-called pilferproof ring and already form a captive
part of the closure. In that respect it is only necessary to ensure
that, even after opening and release of the screw cap from the
bottle neck thread the screw cap remains connected to the
tamper-evident band by way of at least band portion or the like,
referred to herein as a holding band, the tamper-evident band in
turn being held fast to the bottle neck by way of the so-called
pilferproof ring. A pilferproof ring is typically an annular
projection which extends peripherally beneath the bottle neck
thread and which has a substantially flat or slightly conical
underside, behind which radially inwardly projections or parts of a
tamper-evident band hookingly engage so that when a screw cap is
unscrewed the tamper-evident band is held fast by the pilferproof
ring while the weakened locations between the tamper-evident band
and the cap skirt tear.
[0006] It is then only necessary to ensure that the connection
remaining by way of the at least one holding band between the
tamper-evident band and the cap skirt is sufficiently long to lift
the screw cap completely off the mouth opening of the bottle neck
and to be able to move it laterally or tip it away from the opening
of the bottle neck.
[0007] It will be noted however that these captive screw caps are
frequently found to be highly disruptive in use as the caps, for
example when pouring liquid out of a corresponding bottle, move
back in front of the opening of the bottle or under the action of
the force of gravity turn on the bottle neck and move into the jet
of liquid when it is being poured out.
[0008] In particular if a user wants to drink directly out of a
bottle corresponding screw caps which are still joined to the
bottle neck are often in the way and are a nuisance. The
conventional captive closures can also cause disruptions when
closing bottles in high-output closure installations.
[0009] In practice therefore captive closures have not yet gained
acceptance to a desirable extent. Therefore the object of the
present invention is to design a captive screw cap with
tamper-evident band in such a way that the screw cap after
unscrewing and release from the bottle neck opening is tipped or
pivoted away into a position which does not interfere with further
use of the bottle and drinking from or pouring out of the bottle
and can remain there without additional measures. Here the screw
cap is also referred to for brevity as the "cap".
[0010] That object is attained by a screw closure according to the
present invention as defined in claim 1.
[0011] In the screw closure according to the invention holding
bands are formed by two weakening lines which are respectively
interrupted at least once in the peripheral direction and which
extend at an axial spacing relative to each other and in the
peripheral direction partially overlap alternately, wherein
interruption portions of both weakening lines are bridged over by
the respective other weakening line at an axial spacing. The
weakening lines can be produced by cuts or also by separating lines
with strips, which are already formed in the injection moulding
arrangement.
[0012] The above-mentioned interruption portions in the weakening
lines are referred to hereinafter as "separating strips". The
separating strip of the upper weakening line effectively forms an
axial extension of the cylindrical cap skirt, that is limited to a
peripheral sector. The separating strip of the lower weakening line
forms an axial extension of a lower tamper-evident band portion
which is held stationarily to the bottle neck.
[0013] In conventional closures in which tamper-evident band and
cap skirt are connected together along a single peripherally
extending weakening line, which tears open when the closure is
opened for the first time, the term "tamper-evident band" is used
to denote all portions at the lower edge of a closure cap skirt,
that lie axially beneath or from the cap thread beyond the level of
the weakening line which corresponds to the line referred to here
as the upper weakening line.
[0014] The expression "axially beneath" here also includes the
inwardly and upwardly angled portion of a so-called flexband which
in production of the closure cap forms an axial prolongation of the
outer tamper-evident band portion, even if parts of that angled
flexband portion in the upwardly folded state can extend on the cap
inside above the level of the upper weakening line.
[0015] To simplify the description herein the foregoing definition
of the term "tamper-evident band" is retained, that is to say both
separating strips are viewed as part of the tamper-evident band
insofar as they lie below the level of the upper weakening line,
even if the separating strip of the upper weakening line remains
fixedly connected to the lower edge of the cap skirt and is only
detached along the lower weakening line from the part of the
tamper-evident band, that remains stationarily on the bottle neck.
That similarly also applies to the holding bands which when the
closure is closed also lie below the level of the upper weakening
line, but nonetheless upon and after opening do not remain in that
position.
[0016] The above-defined tamper-evident band comprises a part which
remains stationarily on the bottle neck and which--apart from a
rotation--remains immobile relative to the bottle neck, and
moveable parts like the holding bands and the upper separating
strip which upon opening are moveable relative to the stationary
part and the bottle neck, but remain connected to the stationary
part.
[0017] In that way the closure remains overall non-detachably
connected to the bottle neck.
[0018] The separating strips have ends in the peripheral direction
which over their axial width are respectively connected to one of
the ends of the holding bands. The separating strips are of at
least the same inside radius as the cap skirt. The axially
downwardly facing free end face of the upper separating strip is
referred to as the lower edge while the axial end region of the
upper separating strip, that includes the edge, is referred to as
the "rim".
[0019] The peripherally overlapping portions of the weakening lines
define the holding bands as strip-shaped portions of the
tamper-evident band, that extend between the weakening lines in the
peripheral direction.
[0020] The cylindrical cap skirt with the female thread defines an
axis of the closure and the bottle neck on to which a corresponding
screw cap is screwed defines an axis of the bottle neck. Those axes
coincide in the closed state.
[0021] A sufficient axial spacing of the weakening lines of for
example at least 2 mm in the overlap region thereof leads to
sufficiently strong holding bands which do not tear up to a tensile
force of 30 N and generally even up to 40 N. For an average
consumer and in particular for children it is therefore not readily
possible to tear the screw cap off the part of the tamper-evident
strip which is held fast under the pilferproof ring, by tearing the
holding bands. As a result the cap including the tamper-evident
band remains constantly connected to the bottle neck.
[0022] Suitable matching of the peripheral extent of the separating
strips and the spacing (measured in the axial direction) of the
weakening lines can provide that a screw cap, after being unscrewed
and lifted off and being folded over at a sufficient spacing
relative to the container neck opening, is moved into a
sufficiently stable position in which it remains after opening and
after being folded over and does not move into a disruptive
position in front of the container neck mouth opening even under
its own weight, independently of the orientation of the associated
container or bottle neck.
[0023] The terms "container" and "bottle" are used synonymously in
the context of the present invention as in regard to the invention
the precise kind of container is not an important consideration as
long as it has only one neck with male thread, on to which the
closure or the screw cap of the closure fits.
[0024] Desirably each of the two weakening lines has precisely one
separating strip and the centre points of the two separating strips
are in mutually diametrally opposite relationship. The weakening
lines are at any event at an axial spacing relative to each other
in their overlap regions. In an embodiment when the closure is
unopened the two weakening lines remain along the entire peripheral
extent thereof at the same respective axial position which however
is different between the two weakening lines. The axial position of
the weakening lines however can also vary along the extent thereof
in the peripheral direction as long as the holding bands do not
become too narrow as a result and retain a sufficient tearing
strength of at least 30 N to preferably at least 40 N.
[0025] In regard to the separating strips of the weakening lines
such an axial spacing is admittedly not important and the
respective other weakening line which is not interrupted there
could in this example transition into an axial position which
otherwise corresponds to the interrupted weakening line or which is
at an even larger axial spacing therefrom.
[0026] The upper weakening line defines a separating line between
the lower rim of the cap skirt and the tamper-evident band. The
lower weakening line separates the tamper-evident band along a
peripheral portion into a lower and an upper tamper-evident band
portion, wherein the upper tamper-evident band portion is fixedly
connected to the cap skirt in the region of the interruption in the
upper weakening line and otherwise defines a portion of the
separating line between holding bands and the lower tamper-evident
band portion.
[0027] In an embodiment the tamper-evident band is a so-called
flexband which has a first outer tamper-evident band part which
extends as an axial prolongation of the cylindrical cap skirt and a
second tamper-evident band part which is folded over from the lower
edge of the first tamper-evident band part radially inwardly and
upwardly and whose free upwardly facing end has engagement elements
for engagement with the underside of the pilferproof ring.
[0028] The terms "upper" and "lower" are used here as ensues upon
orientation of the closure when fitted on to the bottle neck
opening of a vertically disposed bottle.
[0029] Separation of the tamper-evident band along the entire
length of the weakening lines means that in the overlap region of
the weakening lines, by virtue of the axial spacing thereof,
strip-shaped portions of the tamper-evident band are produced,
which are referred to herein as holding bands. Those holding bands
connect the respective separating strips of the upper and lower
weakening lines, wherein those separating strips in turn form a
connection to the cap skirt and to the first anti-tamper band part
respectively, which is intended to remain stationarily on a bottle
neck. The separating strip of the lower weakening line is also
determining for the length of the holding bands but does not have
any function going beyond that, in terms of the stability of the
opened cap position. The separating strip of the upper weakening
line (upper separating strip) in contrast, depending on the
respective configuration thereof, contributes substantially to
stabilisation of a widely opened state of the cap. Insofar as
reference is made hereinafter to "separating strip" without more
detailed identification, this therefore always means that upper
separating strip. That separating strip forms an axial extension of
the cap skirt and is fixedly connected thereto.
[0030] The ends of that separating strip in the peripheral
direction are respectively connected to one of the ends of the
holding bands, while the other end of the holding bands is
respectively connected to the ends of the lower separating strip in
the peripheral direction.
[0031] After the screw cap is unscrewed and then pivoted away or
folded over, remaining connected to the bottle neck by way of the
separating strips and by the holding bands, the cap after a pivotal
movement through about 90.degree. moves into a position in which
the lower rim of the separating strip, that is pivoted with the
cap, is moved radially inwardly towards the bottle neck and the
upper rim of the separating strip, directly adjoining the cap
skirt, is moved radially outwardly away from the bottle neck.
[0032] The holding bands between the two separating strips are
thereby twisted and hold the cap or the separating strip which
axially prolongs the cap in contact with the bottle neck. The lower
rim of the separating strip or its lower edge is in contact with
the bottle neck in that situation and forms a pivot point on the
bottle neck, that however is displaced in the axial direction
during the pivotal movement on the bottle neck.
[0033] Apart from a slight return force of the twisted holding
bands the tamper-evident band does not initially oppose any
noteworthy resistance during the folding-over movement of the screw
cap and the pivotal movement of the lower rim of the separating
strip, radially towards the bottle neck.
[0034] As the holding bands are connected to the ends of the
separating strip over the entire width the portions of the holding
bands, which directly adjoin the upper end of the separating strip,
are stretched somewhat more greatly than the portions adjoining the
lower end of the separating strip. The axial height of the
separating strip between the pivot point and the upper attachment
of the holding bands thus forms a lever for the pulling force on
the holding bands, which lever when a dead centre point in respect
of the pivotal movement at about 90.degree. is exceeded assists
with the further opening movement of the cap. As a result the cap
reaches a stable opening angle of about 140.degree. with respect to
its starting position. In addition the holding bands extend over
the pilferproof ring by virtue of the upward movement of the screw
cap with the upper separating strip, and that contributes to
stretching and tensile stressing in the holding bands. The fact
that the separating strip extends over a certain peripheral angle
of for example 20-60.degree. also has the result, when folding over
the cap, because of the arcuate configuration of the separating
strip along the periphery and with the radius of the cap skirt, of
producing an increase in the spacing of the ends of the separating
strip from the bottle neck and thus a corresponding increase in the
tensile force in the holding bands which thus hold the cap in the
wide-opened position by pulling the turned-over separating strip to
the bottle neck.
[0035] In principle however the holding bands, that is to say the
length of the overlap regions of the two weakening lines, and also
the axial height and peripheral length of the separating strip, are
such that stretching of the bands remains in the elastic range and
does not reach the yield point.
[0036] This means that, by virtue of the engagement between the
lower edge of the separating strip and the bottle neck by the
holding bands, a varying force is exerted on the separating strip,
which initially rises upon tipping of the screw cap, then goes
beyond a dead centre point and then decreases again, more
specifically when the screw cap and therewith the upper separating
strip are tipped through more than about 90.degree. with respect to
the closed position thereof, in which case the holding bands
extending between the two separating strips are turned in
themselves. Because of a comparatively small wall thickness of for
example 0.3 to 0.6 or 0.8 mm and a moderate width (measured in the
axial direction) of the holding bands of for example 3 mm the
elastic return forces by virtue of the twisting of those holding
bands are relatively slight in comparison with the force which the
holding bands exert in the direction of the bottle neck on the
upper separating strip.
[0037] As a result the folded-over position of the closure, that is
reached after passing beyond the dead centre point, remains
substantially stable and the screw cap does not move in front of or
too close beside the bottle neck opening, which causes
problems.
[0038] So that the screw cap does not cause a problem in particular
when drinking out of the bottle neck opening in an embodiment the
axis of the closure cap which in the closed state of the closure
coincides with the axis of the bottle neck is to assume a stable
position after opening and lateral pivoting of the closure, in
which position it is pivoted with respect to the starting position
or with respect to the axis of the bottle neck through at least
120.degree., preferably at least 140.degree..
[0039] In consideration of the mode of operation of the captive
closure during and after the screw cap being folded over it will be
clear that the specifically produced return and stabilising forces
depend on a whole series of interacting parameters, which include
inter alia a certain axial width and the peripheral extent of the
upper separating strip fixed to the cap skirt, the difference
between the outside radius of the bottle neck and the inside radius
of the separating strip, which is the same as the inside radius of
the cap, and the peripheral extent of the weakening lines and the
lower separating strip (and thus the length of the holding
bands).
[0040] The above-mentioned parameters can be matched to each other
in different combinations in such a way that the folding-over
movement of the screw cap takes place beyond a dead centre point so
that the screw cap overall has a bistable position, wherein the
screw cap in the completely opened stable position does not
interfere with access to the bottle neck mouth. Preferred and
practically functional values for the above parameters are set
forth hereinafter and in the appendant claims.
[0041] In principle it is desirable even if not necessary that each
weakening line has precisely one separating strip and the centre
points of the separating strips are in diametrally opposite
relationship. The separating strip of the lower weakening line
which is fixedly connected to the other part of the tamper-evident
band delimits in a direction the overlap between the upper and
lower weakening lines and the overlap of the weakening lines
determines the length of the holding bands which connect the
tamper-evident band remaining on the bottle neck to the screw cap
skirt.
[0042] Desirably the separating strip of the upper weakening line
extends over a peripheral angle between 10.degree. and 75.degree.,
preferably in the range between 20.degree. and 60.degree.. An angle
in that range ensures that the separating strip in itself is stable
and is folded over together with the cap skirt and upon opening not
just the cap skirt is bent over with respect to the separating
strip while on the other hand that also provides for an adequate
force which holds the folded-over closure in its completely open
position, for which the separating strip must be of a certain
minimum length in the peripheral direction.
[0043] The separating strip of the lower weakening line which is
diametrally opposite the separating strip of the upper weakening
line can extend over a peripheral angle of between for example
120.degree. and 200.degree., preferably between 170.degree. and
190.degree., wherein the difference in the peripheral angle of the
upper and lower separating strips defines the length of the holding
bands which extend between the remaining part of the tamper-evident
band and the cap skirt.
[0044] The width of the separating strip remaining on the cap skirt
should preferably be at least half the width of the total, intact
tamper-evident band, that is to say which is not divided along the
weakening lines, so that the twisting of that relatively wide
portion in relation to the rest of the tamper-evident band causes a
corresponding difference in diameter and length between the
radially inner lower edge of the separating strip and the upper rim
of the separating strip, that attaches to the screw cap.
[0045] Expressed in numbers the width as measured in the axial
direction (in the intact state) of the separating strip remaining
on the cap skirt is at least 1.5 mm, preferably at least 2 mm and
in particular about 3 mm or more. The wall thickness of the
tamper-evident band in contrast is in a range between 0.3 and 0.8
mm so that it is clear that the forces produced in the band by
twisting of the separating strip with respect to the rest of the
band are governed inter alia by the different inside and outside
radii of the twisted tamper-evident band portions (consisting of
the holding bands and the upper separating strip), which is
correspondingly greater the wider the twisted portion is.
[0046] The minimum width of the holding bands, measured in the
axial direction, depends inter alia on the plastic material
specifically used and also on the wall thickness of the holding
bands. The minimum spacing of the weakening lines, that defines the
minimum width of the holding bands, should accordingly in an
embodiment be greater than 1 mm, preferably greater than 2 mm and
in particular greater than 2.3 mm. An upper limit is respectively
established by the width of the tamper-evident band. The holding
bands which are effectively formed as portions of the
tamper-evident band, that extend between the separating lines, are
then of a sufficient tearing strength to prevent the screw cap from
being forcibly torn off the tamper-evident band--at least by the
hands of a child. Preferably the holding bands are tear-resistant
up to a tensile force of at least 30 N, preferably at least 40
N.
[0047] The combination according to the invention comprising a
bottle neck with a male thread and a closure as was described
hereinbefore is characterised in that the outside diameter of the
bottle neck above a pilferproof ring, the inside diameter of the
tamper-evident band and the width, the peripheral extent and any
thickening of the upper separating strip are so matched to each
other that after being released and when the screw cap is then
folded over the free lower edge of the separating strip comes into
engagement with the bottle neck. In that situation the holding
bands are twisted somewhat. When a tipping angle of about
90.degree. is exceeded the cap with the separating strip is moved
beyond a dead centre point so that thereafter the outside of the
separating strip is towards the outside of the bottle neck and the
screw cap is stabilised by virtue of a certain tensile stress in
the holding bands in that position of being turned over through
more than 90.degree..
[0048] The folding-over or tipping angle is defined here as the
angle between the axis of the bottle neck (which coincides with the
closure axis when the bottle or container neck is closed by the
closure) and the closure axis in the turned-over state.
[0049] The difference between the outside diameter of the bottle
neck in a region above the pilferproof ring, in which after opening
of the closure the upper separating strip of the tamper-evident
band is arranged against the bottle neck, should be at most 2.5 mm,
preferably at most 1.5 mm smaller than the nominal inside diameter
of the tamper-evident band. The term "nominal inside diameter" is
used to denote the inside diameter of the tamper-evident band
without any flexband portion which in particular also corresponds
to the inside diameter of the cap in the region of the upper
separating strip before the weakening lines are separated.
[0050] In the variant discussed hereinafter a slight difference in
diameter between the relevant portion of the bottle neck or the
pilferproof ring, along which the lower edge of the separating
strip slides, and the diameter of the tamper-evident band is
ensured by adaptation of the bottle neck diameter or the
pilferproof ring profile and thus also its diameter.
[0051] A small difference in diameter provides that the lower edge
of the separating strip which is fixedly connected to the upper rim
of the cap skirt and which after the screw cap is released is
disposed above the pilferproof ring already comes into engagement
with the bottle neck upon a relatively small tipping angle and even
after passing beyond the dead centre point a force caused by such
engagement between the bottle neck and the separating strip is
acting, which holds the folded-over screw closure in the
wide-opened position and stabilises it.
[0052] In a variant of the combination according to the invention
comprising container neck with screw thread and closure the
pilferproof ring is of a profile defined by a lower flank which
extends in an axial section at at least 80.degree. relative to the
bottle neck axis, a region of maximum diameter and an upper flank
which extends at an angle of inclination <90.degree. relative to
the bottle neck axis and transitions beneath the thread on the
bottle neck into the outer bottle neck diameter. In that case the
upper flank or a portion of the bottle neck above the upper flank
of the profile of the pilferproof ring extends at least into or as
far as an axial position which at a maximum folded-over position of
the screw cap is reached by the lower edge of the upper separating
strip. That portion is of a larger outside diameter than the bottle
neck without thread profile or in the thread bottom.
[0053] This means that when unscrewing and folding over the screw
cap, the upper separating strip is firstly lifted over the region
of the maximum diameter of the pilferproof ring and its lower edge
slides on to the upper flank thereof, wherein the bottle neck
diameter which is enlarged in that region over which the lower edge
of the separating strip passes urges the separating strip further
radially outwardly than would be possible with the bottle neck
diameter because otherwise it would be present between the
pilferproof ring and the thread and also at the thread bottom. That
causes further twisting of the holding bands and thus rotates the
separating strip and the screw cap into a still further tipped
position.
[0054] The difference in the outside diameter of the upper flank or
the portion above same and the bottle neck diameter without thread
profile, that is to say at the thread bottom, should be at least
0.1 mm, preferably at least 0.3 mm and up to 1 mm in the
above-described variant.
[0055] In particular in the combination according to the invention
of container neck with screw thread and closure the pilferproof
ring is of a triangular profile or a trapezoidal profile, the lower
flank of which extends at an angle of 80.degree. or more, that is
to say perpendicularly or almost perpendicularly to the axis of the
container neck, and the upper flank of which extends at an angle of
about 30.degree. or less relative to the axis of the container
neck. Upon opening of the container by unscrewing the closure the
separating strip slides over the ridge between the flanks of the
pilferproof ring, whereafter firstly the upper flank of the
pilferproof ring comes into contact with the separating strip. By
virtue of the small angle of the upper flank the flank has a large
axial extent and the region defined by that flank of a diameter
greater than the above-mentioned bottle neck diameter thereabove
can readily extend over the region over which the lower edge of the
separating strip passes when the closure cap is opened and folded
over.
[0056] In addition the cylindrical neck portion of the container
neck, on which the cylindrical male thread is provided, can
generally be of a slightly larger diameter (by about 0.3-0.8 mm)
below the thread and above the pilferproof ring, than above same,
which leads to an even stronger engagement between the lower edge
of the upper separating strip and the bottle neck and thus tends to
further increase the tipping angle between the bottle neck axis and
the axis of the closure.
[0057] Many established bottle neck standards are not to be
modified at short notice and otherwise only with the involvement
and with discussions of many participating parties so that as a
result the diameter of a bottle neck or pilferproof ring and the
profile thereof are initially to be deemed invariable. A further
configuration of a closure is presented for that purpose, which is
provided for use on standard bottle necks which have a thread depth
by standard of 1.3 mm or more. An example of this is the bottle
neck in accordance with the PCO standard 1881.
[0058] With a deeper thread the inside radius of the cap skirt also
involves a larger difference in relation to the outside radius of
the bottle neck than in a thread which is less deep as the inside
radius of the cap skirt corresponds at least to the radius of the
thread bottom of the screw cap, which in turn is somewhat larger
than the outside radius of the bottle neck thread.
[0059] That correspondingly applies to the lower edge region of the
cap skirt and the separating strip attached thereto.
[0060] For such deeper threads it is possible to consider a further
parameter of the closure in order to ensure a sufficiently large
and stable pivotal angle for the closure in the open state, more
specifically the radial thickness of the upper separating strip at
its lower rim.
[0061] The lower rim of the upper separating strip in the intact
state of the tamper-evident band extends along the lower weakening
line and is delimited thereby.
[0062] In an embodiment intended in particular for closure and
bottles which have a thread depth beyond 1.2 or 1.3 mm it is
provided that the separating strip of the upper weakening line has
a radial thickening at least at its free lower rim.
[0063] In particular that lower edge (in the closed state) is
radially outwardly thickened. More specifically that thickening
after opening and folding-over of the screw cap lies above the
pilferproof ring against the bottle neck. That thickening at the
separating strip compensates at least for a part of the difference
in radius between the bottle neck and the inside radius of the
upper separating strip which, as explained above, is also increased
because of the deeper thread.
[0064] The radial thickening is provided on the outside of the
separating strip and at least at one or two positions in the region
of its lower edge. After the cap is pivoted over through more than
90.degree. the radial thickening bears against the bottle neck or
however the upper flank of the pilferproof ring. The radial
thickening on the separating strip thus forces the region of the
separating strip, that--in relation to the cap--is radially within
the thickening radially further outwardly in particular at its
lower rim, which effectively amounts to the part of the separating
strip which is notionally considered without the thickening
assuming precisely the same position and angular arrangement as in
the case of a smaller radius difference between the bottle neck and
the inside radius of the separating strip.
[0065] In a variant the wall thickness of the separating strip by
virtue of a radial thickening of its lower rim is up to 1 mm,
wherein the term "thickening" means the radial protrusion of that
region beyond the surface of the tamper-evident band, which surface
is otherwise cylindrical. With a wall thickness of the rest of the
tamper-evident band of about 0.3 to 0.8 mm that thickening is
between 0.2 and 0.7 mm, in particular 0.2 to 0.4 mm. Without that
thickening the wall thickness of the tamper-evident band--apart
from the weakening lines--is substantially constant and equal to
the wall thickness of the cap skirt.
[0066] The thickening however can also extend over the entire
tamper-evident band portion beneath the separating strip, that is
to say to the lower rim of the tamper-evident band, and in
particular also along the entire periphery of a lower
tamper-evident band portion below a line and between the upper and
the lower weakening lines and at a spacing relative to same. That
simplifies production in an injection moulding mould and in
particular production of the lower weakening line, in comparison
with a variant which has a radial thickening restricted only to a
region along the lower rim of the separating strip.
[0067] The radial thickening of the upper separating strip makes
itself noticeable in particular in relation to greater thread
depths on the bottle neck beyond 1.3 mm, like for example in the
case of threads of the wide-spread standard type PCO1881. The
thickening has a stabilising action on the pivoted position of the
opened closure cap and holds the axis of the screw cap tipped in
the opened state through more than 120.degree., preferably more
than 140.degree., with respect to the bottle neck axis.
[0068] The axial dimensions of all parts below the cap skirt
jointly, which conventionally form a tamper-evident band, are in
practice limited to overall about 5 to 6 mm. On the one hand the
requirement for saving material and the specifications involving
suitably adapted container necks already limit that axial dimension
upwardly. That dimension is limited downwardly by a sufficient
functional stability. A tamper-evident band must on the one hand be
secured to the bottle neck in such a way that in practice it cannot
be removed without damaging the bottle neck. On the other hand it
also has to withstand the forces involved in applying the closure
to a bottle neck thread, in particular while it is being moved over
the pilferproof ring. Those conditions can no longer be met if
substantial parts of the tamper-evident band are axially shorter
than for example 2 mm (apart from easily frangible bridges which
can be distributed along a weakening line).
[0069] If as in the present case the closure part is additionally
divided beneath the cap skirt into the elements, stationary part,
holding bands and separating strips, there is only little scope
available for a variation in the axial width of the holding bands
and the axial height of the separating strips. In practice both
dimensions are in the range of 2-3 mm. In the peripheral region of
the holding bands and the upper separating strip an axial width of
about 2-3 mm then remains for the stationary outer tamper-evident
band portion. Any axial variation in the configuration of the
weakening lines along their peripheral extent would therefore also
be limited to an axial range of at most 1 mm in width for practical
reasons. That would not change anything in terms of the fundamental
function of a closure according to the invention and is therefore
not discussed in detail here.
[0070] Moreover in an embodiment of the invention the stationary
part forms a flexband with the outer stationary portion already
described above and a part which is folded over inwardly and
upwardly and which comes into engagement with the pilferproof ring
of a bottle neck.
[0071] In a further variant the closure is designed for use on an
opening spout of a carton pack.
[0072] Such a screw closure for carton packs has a closure lower
part having a peripherally extending flange which can be connected
to the surface of a carton pack in sealed relationship and a
cylindrical pouring spout portion which adjoins the flange and
which has an upper outer and a lower inner opening, a screw cap
having a female thread which can be screwed on to a male thread on
the pouring spout portion, a cutting ring which is arranged in the
pouring spout portion and which at its lower rim has at least one
axially inwardly projecting cutting edge, and an axial lift and
entrainment device on the cutting ring and the screw cap which
includes an entrainment means mounted at the inside of the screw
cap and an axial lift device which upon rotation of the screw cap
in the opening direction moves the cutting ring axially in the
direction of the lower opening and in the peripheral direction and
thereby produces an at least partially circularly extending cut in
the container surface.
[0073] The object of the invention is also attained for such a
closure in that at the lower rim of its cap skirt the screw cap has
a peripherally extending tamper-evident band which with an inner
projection engages behind a pilferproof ring at the outside of the
pouring spout portion beneath the male thread, wherein the
tamper-evident band is partially divided by two cuts which are
separate from each other and which partially extend peripherally
and which partially overlap in the peripheral direction and which
do not cross and is partially separated from the skirt of the screw
cap so that in the regions of the cuts that overlap in the
peripheral direction a respective holding band is formed from parts
of the tamper-evident band, which holding band holds the screw cap
when released from the male thread fixedly to the lower part of the
tamper-evident band, which part remains subdivided on the
closure.
[0074] This variant may also have all features of appendant claims
2 to 12, wherein in regard to the combination of bottle neck and
closure in claims 13 to 17 the respective bottle neck would be
replaced by the closure lower part fitted to a drinks carton.
[0075] In such a closure the cutting ring on its outside has a
second male thread in opposite relationship to the male thread of
the pouring spout portion and which engages with a second female
thread, matching same, on the inside of the pouring spout
portion.
[0076] In this variant the second female thread and the second male
thread can be of a greater pitch than the female thread of the
screw cap and the male thread of the pouring spout portion wherein
preferably the factor between the different pitches is at least
1.5.
[0077] In addition in that respect the entrainment means of the
screw cap can be in the form of a lift cam with an edge or surface
which is inclined relative to the closure axis and an element of
the cutting ring can be in the form of a cam follower and mutually
radially overlapping guide elements can be provided on the outside
of the cutting ring and on the inside of the pouring spout portion,
wherein at the beginning of an opening rotational movement of the
screw cap the guide elements permit only an axial movement of the
cutting ring and it is only after a predetermined axial position of
the cutting ring is reached that they allow entrainment of the
cutting ring in the peripheral direction and limit further axial
movement.
[0078] Further advantages, features and possible uses of the
present invention will be apparent from the description hereinafter
of a preferred embodiment and the accompanying Figures in
which:
[0079] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the closure according to
the present invention,
[0080] FIG. 2 shows a side view of the closure of FIG. 1,
[0081] FIG. 3 shows a 360.degree. developed view of the
tamper-evident band of the closure of FIG. 2,
[0082] FIGS. 4A-C show the closure of FIG. 1 at various stages of
an opening procedure,
[0083] FIG. 5 shows a folded-over closure in which the separating
strip is in engagement with the upper flank of a pilferproof
ring,
[0084] FIG. 6A shows a detail view from FIG. 5,
[0085] FIG. 6B shows an axial section through a bottle neck with a
pilferproof ring according to the invention,
[0086] FIG. 7 shows a detail similar to FIG. 5 with another profile
shape of a pilferproof ring,
[0087] FIGS. 8A and 8B show variants of the configuration of a
bottle neck in the region above a pilferproof ring,
[0088] FIG. 9 shows a side view of a further embodiment of a
closure, partly in section, in particular for greater thread
depths, in the closed state,
[0089] FIG. 9A shows an enlarged sectional view of the detail
region B in FIG. 9,
[0090] FIG. 10 shows a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 9 in the
open state, partly in section,
[0091] FIG. 10A shows an enlarged sectional view of the detail A in
FIG. 10,
[0092] FIG. 11 shows an axial section through a closure according
to the invention for drinks cartons,
[0093] FIG. 12 shows a view from the outside of the closure of FIG.
11 in the closed state,
[0094] FIG. 13 shows a view from above of the closed closure of
FIG. 11,
[0095] FIG. 14 shows the closure of FIG. 11 in a partially opened
state, and
[0096] FIG. 15 shows a completely opened closure as shown in FIG.
11 with a folded-over screw cap.
[0097] In the perspective view in FIG. 1 the closure according to
the invention comprises a screw cap 10 with a tamper-evident band,
wherein the screw cap 10 substantially comprises a cap skirt 2 and
a head plate 1 which closes the cylindrical cap skirt 2 upwardly.
Fitted at the lower end of the cap skirt 2 is a tamper-evident band
3 which in the closure according to the invention cannot be
completely separated from the screw cap 10.
[0098] Conventional screw caps with a tamper-evident band have only
one single weakening line which, unlike the weakening line 13 shown
here, extends without an interruption along the entire periphery of
the screw cap 10 and represents the separation line between the
screw cap 10 and the tamper-evident band 3.
[0099] A weakening line can generally be a peripherally extending
uniform weakening of material which can be produced for example by
a cut which does not extend completely through the material of the
tamper-evident band 3 or the transition to the cap skirt 2, but it
may also involve a cut which passes completely through the wall
thickness of the tamper-evident band 3 but which is interrupted at
individual points by easily frangible bridges.
[0100] The present invention differs from that conventional form of
screw caps with tamper-evident band insofar as it has two weakening
lines 13, 14 which on the one hand are spaced from each other in
the axial direction and which on the other hand do not extend over
the entire periphery of the tamper-evident band but are interrupted
in an upper separating strip 11 of the upper weakening line 13 and
in a lower separating strip 12 of the lower weakening line 14.
[0101] FIG. 2 shows a side view of the closure of FIG. 1 and FIG. 3
shows a developed view of the tamper-evident band 3 over
360.degree., that is to say the ends shown at the right and the
left at 0.degree. and 360.degree. respectively of the
tamper-evident band butt against each other and are connected so
that the tamper-evident band overall is in the shape of a ring. The
separation in that view divides the separating strip 12 into two
parts although it actually involves a single connected separating
strip.
[0102] The interruptions 13, 14 are of differing lengths but are so
arranged that they overlap the separating strip 11 and 12
respectively of the respective other weakening line. In that
respect it is desirable if the centre points of the separating
strips 11, 12 are in mutually diametrally opposite relationship as
in the present case at 0.degree. and 180.degree. in FIG. 3.
[0103] If after opening or unscrewing of the screw cap from a
bottle neck the weak connection which initially still occurs along
the weakening lines 13, 14 is completely severed the holding bands
15, 16 formed in the overlap region of the weakening line form a
substantially tear-resistant connection between the interruption
regions 11, 12. In that case the interruption region 11 is
connected to the lower rim of the screw cap and the interruption
region 12 is connected to the part of the tamper-evident band 3
which remains at its original position, being disposed beneath the
weakening line 14.
[0104] The part of the tamper-evident band 3 remaining beneath the
weakening line 14 together with the interruption region 12 in total
still form a completely peripherally extending fixing band in
engagement with the bottle neck, between the screw cap and the neck
of the container. The interruption regions 12 and 11 are
respectively connected together by remaining holding bands 15, 16
which are produced by the overlapping portions of the two weakening
lines 13, 14 so that effectively the screw cap 10 remains connected
by way of the holding bands 15, 16 to the lower portion of the
tamper-evident band and thus the bottle neck and accordingly is
captive.
[0105] FIG. 4A shows a closure arranged on a bottle neck in a
partially unscrewed state. The connection between the screw cap 10
and the tamper-evident band 3 is severed along both weakening lines
13, 14. As however both weakening lines are interrupted and are
axially displaced relative to each other at least in their overlap
region a moveable connection is maintained between the screw cap 10
and tamper-evident band 3 by way of the holding bands 15, 16
produced between the overlapping weakening lines. It will be
appreciated therefore that upon releasing the closure or the screw
cap 10 by a rotary movement in the opening direction with the cap
skirt 2 the tamper-evident band 3 also rotates about the closure
axis 50, being entrained in the peripheral direction by the holding
bands 15, 16.
[0106] By virtue of the thread pitch the cap skirt moves axially
upwardly while the tamper-evident band is retained to a so-called
pilferproof ring 21 which can only be seen by way of indication in
the Figures. FIG. 4A however shows the separating strips 11 and 12
as well as one of the holding bands 15 extending therebetween while
the weakening lines 13, 14 are moreover expanded to a large axial
spacing.
[0107] As soon as the screw cap in FIG. 4A has been sufficiently
far unscrewed from the thread on the bottle neck the screw cap can
be removed or tilted laterally away as shown in FIG. 4B. FIG. 4C
shows a state in which the screw cap 10 is already tipped or turned
over through more than 90.degree. which respect to the starting
position in FIG. 4A. The tipping angle is defined in that respect
as the angle between the axis 50 of the container neck and the axis
50' of the cylindrical female thread of the cap skirt 2 which in
the closed state of the closure coincide with the bottle neck while
in the case of the opened closure as shown in FIG. 4C the axes 50,
50' have been tipped relative to each other from the closed
position through about 150.degree..
[0108] In that respect particular significance is attributed to the
interruption region 11 which by virtue of the connection to the cap
skirt simply represents a relatively stable axial prolongation of
the cap skirt 2. By tipping of the screw cap as shown in FIG. 4C
that separating strip 11 in the form of a tab-like extension is
also tipped together with the stable closure skirt and in FIG. 4C
has already moved slightly past a horizontal position
(perpendicular to the axis 50), with the holding bands 15, 16 being
correspondingly twisted.
[0109] In that case the lower edge 11a of the separating strip 11
comes into engagement with the outside of the bottle neck 20 as the
edge 11a, by virtue of the tipping of the screw cap and also by
virtue of its axial displacement is forced over the pilferproof
ring 21 and because of the twisting of the holding bands 15, 16 is
forced to a smaller radius than in the FIG. 4A state. An upper
flange of the pilferproof ring 21, which is inclined through about
30.degree. or even somewhat less relative to the closure axis 50,
assists with the folding-over movement of the separating strip 11
when it slides on to the upper flank of the pilferproof ring
21.
[0110] The upper rim of the separating strip 11 which is fixedly
connected to the lower rim of the cap skirt 2 correspondingly moves
on to a larger radius than in the starting state shown in FIG. 4A.
The two holding bands 15, 16 are twisted in that case and axial
displacement of the upper separating strip 11 of the tamper-evident
band additionally leads to an effective reduction in the diameter
of the tamper-evident band inclusive of the separating strip 11, in
particular in the region of the lower edge 11a.
[0111] That lower edge 11a of the separating strip 11 therefore
comes into contact and frictional engagement with the outside of
the bottle neck 20, wherein the force occurring between the bottle
neck 20 and the separating strip 11 or the edge 11a becomes a
maximum when the separating strip 11 is oriented approximately
horizontally, that is to say perpendicular to the bottle neck axis
50. The holding bands 15, 16 are then under a tensile stress.
[0112] Upon a further tipping movement of the screw cap and the
separating strip 11 the tensile stress in the holding bands which
have a certain elasticity is reduced somewhat again so that the
horizontal position of the separating strip 11 defines a dead
point. As soon as that dead centre point has been exceeded the
engagement between the separating strip 11 and the bottle neck 20
effectively causes a force which tends to move the screw cap into
the further turned-over position against elastic return forces in
the holding bands 15, 16. Accordingly the cap skirt 2 and thus the
screw cap 10 overall assumes a sufficiently stable position beyond
the dead centre point. The screw cap thus remains in a state of
being widely opened out even if the bottle neck is rotated or
inclined in any direction.
[0113] In that position the cap skirt is sufficiently far away from
the bottle neck opening so that liquid can be both poured out of
the bottle and also drunk directly out of the bottle without the
screw cap which is still held fast to the bottle neck being a
nuisance in that case.
[0114] Preferably the screw cap 10 is tipped in such a way that it
is in a sufficiently stable position and the cap skirt 2 is at a
distance which is of the maximum possible extent relative to the
bottle neck opening. To permit that the pilferproof ring 21 on the
bottle neck 20 in accordance with the invention can inter alia be
of such a configuration that the screw cap 10 on being folded over
is urged radially outwardly and this therefore involves a greater
twisting of the holding bands 15, 16 and consequently an increase
in the tipping angle.
[0115] FIGS. 5, 6A, 6B, 7, 8A and 8B show embodiments with
pilferproof rings 21 of such a configuration.
[0116] FIG. 5 shows a side view of a closure which is in a
folded-over position. The region in which the separating strip 11
is in engagement with the bottle neck 20, more precisely with the
pilferproof ring 21, is shown in a cross-sectional view and on an
enlarged scale in FIG. 6A.
[0117] As shown in FIG. 6A the profile of the pilferproof ring 21
is substantially triangular. In this case the profile can also be
described as being of a nose-shaped configuration. A lower flank 22
of the pilferproof ring extends almost perpendicularly to the axis
of the container neck 50. Corresponding to the triangular profile
that lower flank 22 comes together with an upper flank 24 in a
region of the maximum diameter. The region of the maximum diameter
is here in the form of a rounded edge which here is also referred
to as a ridge 23 extending between the lower flank 22 and the upper
flank 24. In the FIG. 6A embodiment the upper flank 24 is set
markedly flatter in relation to the bottle neck 20 than the lower
flank. In this case the upper flank extends at an angle of about
30.degree. relative to the axis of the container neck 50.
[0118] When the screw cap 10 is unscrewed the upper separating
strip 11 is now lifted over the ridge 23 at which the pilferproof
ring 21 is of its maximum diameter. In the subsequent tipping
movement the holding bands 15 and 16 are twisted and the lower edge
11A of the separating strip 11 slides on to the upper flank 24 of
the pilferproof ring 21. In that case the separating strip 11, by
virtue of the diameter D of the upper flank 24, that is greater in
relation to the outer bottle neck diameter d, in the region over
which the lower edge 11A of the separating strip 11 passes, is held
further radially outwardly than would be possible in relation to
the bottle neck diameter d, as it is otherwise present between the
pilferproof ring 21 and the thread 25 and also on the thread
bottom. By virtue of that effect the holding bands 15, 16 shown in
FIG. 5 experience a greater torsional effect and the screw cap 10
or its axis 50' is tipped at a larger angle in relation to the
bottle neck axis 50 than would be possible without the profile of
the pilferproof ring 21, shown in FIGS. 5 and 6A.
[0119] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 the tipping angle is about
150.degree..
[0120] A further profile of a pilferproof ring 21 is shown in FIG.
6B. In comparison with the profile shown in FIG. 6A the upper flank
24 in this case is even flatter in relation of the bottle neck 20.
The upper flank includes an angle of about 10.degree. with the axis
50 of the container neck. In addition the upper flank 24 extends
over a larger axial portion of the bottle neck 20.
[0121] By virtue of such a profile of the pilferproof ring 21 as
shown in FIG. 6A or 6B it is possible to structurally establish
that the separating strip 11 or its lower edge 11a remains on the
upper flank 24 and is thus on a larger radius than without the
axially prolonged flank 24 (by virtue of the angle which is less in
relation to the axis 50). The greater the radius on which the edge
11a is held after the cap is folded over, the correspondingly more
are the holding bands 15, 16 twisted and the correspondingly
greater is the tipping angle of the screw cap 10 in a sufficiently
stable end position thereof.
[0122] FIGS. 7, 8A and 8B show further examples in which the
pilferproof ring 21 has such a profile according to the invention
or the bottle neck above the pilferproof ring has corresponding
additional elements. In FIG. 7 the profile is similar to a
trapezium, where in the lower flank 22 extends almost
perpendicularly to the axis of the container neck 50 and the upper
flank 24 extends at an angle of about 45.degree. to the axis of the
container neck 50. The region of maximum diameter 23 extends
axially upwardly to such an extent that the separating strip 11
remains extensively below the upper flank 24 and is thus urged
radially outwardly and again increases the tipping angle of the
screw cap 20 in comparison with bearing against the smaller
(outside) diameter d of the bottle neck 20.
[0123] FIG. 8A shows a profile of a pilferproof ring 21 which is
similar in the lower region to the profile in FIGS. 5 and 6A. In
the FIG. 8A embodiment the upper flank 24 goes into a short
cylindrical upper end portion 24B which defines a diameter D which
is larger in relation to the smaller diameter d of the bottle neck
and against which the separating strip 11 or its lower edge bears
in the folded-over state of the screw cap 10. That ensures in
particular that the screw cap 10 is in a sufficiently stable end
position as a consequence of a larger tipping angle.
[0124] A further alternative is shown in FIG. 8B. The bottle neck
here in addition to the pilferproof ring 21 has an annular
projection 26 arranged peripherally above the upper flank 24 of the
pilferproof ring 21 on the bottle neck. The axial position of the
projection 26 is matched to the closure or the screw cap with the
separating strip 11 in such a way that the closure or the lower
edge 11a thereof bears from below against the projection 26 and
thus the screw cap is held below in the immediate proximity of the
pilferproof ring. Without a projection 29 the bands 15 could pull
the upper separating strip and therewith the entire screw cap
somewhat upwardly until the edge of the separating strip bears
against the thread. There is little space between the lower end of
the neck thread and the pilferproof ring and the possibility of
movement of the separating strip upwardly is very low. As however
the thread extends helically upwardly that axial freedom of
movement becomes greater and greater until with a single-flight
thread turned through 360.degree. relative to the lower thread
start at for example 2.7 mm pitch it also reaches nearly 2.7 mm. As
it is undesirable for the screw cap to be allowed to come closer by
that freedom of movement to the cheek of the person drinking
directly from the bottle the peripherally extending projection 26
prevents or impedes that upward movement.
[0125] FIG. 9 shows a further screw cap according to the present
invention shown partly in section. At its lower rim the screw cap
10 has the tamper-evident band 3 and a detail A shown in section of
the lower region of the screw cap including the part of an
associated bottle neck 20 is shown separately as an enlarged detail
in FIG. 9A.
[0126] The screw cap 10 in FIGS. 9, 9A and 10, 10A is already very
similar to the screw cap shown in FIGS. 5 and 6A with the exception
of the fact that at least the separating strip 11 at its lower rim
has a radial thickening 11b which in the present case however also
extends axially below and at the level of the thickening of the
separating strip 11 over the entire periphery of the tamper-evident
band 3. In this portion below a notional line which is between the
upper and the lower weakening lines and at a spacing relative
thereto the tamper-evident band is of a greater wall thickness than
in the case shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.
[0127] The purpose of the thickening 11b at the lower rim of the
separating strip 11 is to hold the opened screw cap wide open, as
shown for example in FIG. 10, even when using a thread with a
thread depth of more than 1.3 mm.
[0128] The upper weakening line 13 is not present in the region of
the separating strip 11 because of the sectional plane in FIG. 9.
The separating strip 11 is thus continuously connected to the cap
skirt 2. The axial position of the upper weakening line would be
approximately at the height of the maximum diameter of the
pilferproof ring 21.
[0129] The fixing part of the tamper-evident band is formed by a
flexband. It comprises a radially inner, upwardly folded-over part
3a and a radially outer flexband portion 3b which even after
opening of the closure remains stationarily on the bottle neck.
[0130] As can be seen from FIG. 10A which shows an enlarged detail
of the closure in the opened position shown in FIG. 10 the radial
thickening 11b which here is in contact in the region of the
transition between the upper flank of the pilferproof ring 21 and
the bottle neck portion above same provides that the notional
radially inner part 11c of the separating strip 11 (which
corresponds to a separating strip without thickening) and in
particular its lower rim is urged more greatly radially outwardly
from the bottle neck 20 than if the thickening 11b were not
present. As a result in spite of the deeper thread profile the
screw cap 10 remains in a stable position which is turned over
widely, for example through 140.degree..
[0131] FIGS. 11 to 15 each show the same embodiment of a closure
for carton packs, in particular drinks cartons, and are therefore
described in conjunction with each other. FIG. 1 shows a section
and FIG. 4 shows an outside view of a closure lower part which is
generally denoted by reference 40 and comprises a flange 31 with a
pouring spout portion 32 attached thereto. The pouring spout
portion has an upper opening and a lower opening (not visible here)
which, when the closure is on a carton pack, is initially closed by
the surface of the carton material to prevent any contamination of
the container content.
[0132] The flange 1 is welded or glued on to a carton 45, the
welding operation presupposing that the carton material 45 is
provided with a suitable surface coating (for example
polyethylene).
[0133] The lower part 40 of the closure has a male thread 42, on to
which the female thread 41 of a screw cap 10 can be screwed.
[0134] The pouring spout portion 40 also has a further female
thread 31 into which engages a corresponding male thread of a
cutting ring 35 which also has axially projecting cutting elements
33 which in the closed state as shown in FIG. 1 are directly above
the surface of the carton 45. An entrainment means 34 comes into
engagement with a matching counterpart portion 36 on the cutting
ring 35 when the screw cap is rotated in the opening direction. It
is also possible to see on the flange a fixing bar 7 which is
connected to the lower end of the tamper-evident band 30 by way of
two easily frangible bridges 6. As can best be seen in FIG. 2 the
tamper-evident band has two cut lines 18, 19 which are defined
either by weakened material of the tamper-evident band 30 or
however as in the present case by continuous cuts which are
interrupted only by further easily frangible bridges 36 which tear
open upon opening of the screw cap. The lower cut line 18 and the
upper cut line 19 overlap each other, in the present case along a
peripheral angle of about 120.degree., and respectively have a
lower interruption portion 12 and an upper interruption portion 11.
When the screw cap 40 is undone the easily frangible bridges 6
firstly tear very quickly, which indicates that the closure was
rotated at least once through a small angle in the opening
direction, which possibly suffices for the cutting elements to
pierce the carton material 45.
[0135] Upon further rotation of the screw cap 40 in the opening
direction the easily frangible bridges of the cut lines also tear,
which however does not lead to complete separation of the screw cap
from the tamper-evident band as more specifically the upper
interruption portion 11 remains connected by way of the holding
bands 15, 16 (only a respective one is visible in the Figures) to
the lower interruption portion 12 which in turn remains connected
to the peripherally extending stationary lower part of the
tamper-evident band 30, which in turn is held fast to the
pilferproof ring 35 at the closure lower portion 10.
[0136] The length of the holding bands 15, 16, that is to say the
length of the overlap regions of the cut lines, is set as shown in
FIG. 1 such that the lower edge of the upper interruption portion
11 is in engagement with the outside of the pouring spout portion
40 in the opened state of the screw cap 20 in which it is turned
through about 150.degree. and the holding bands 15, 16 in that case
are subjected to stress so that this position of the screw cap is
maintained by the pull of the holding bands and the contact of the
lower edge of the interruption portion 11 of the screw cap 40, even
if the pouring spout portion together with the corresponding
container is tipped in any direction.
LIST OF REFERENCES
[0137] 1 head plate [0138] 2 cap skirt [0139] 3 tamper-evident band
[0140] 3a inner flexband portion [0141] 3b outer flexband portion
[0142] 10 screw cap [0143] 11a lower edge [0144] 11, 12 separating
strip [0145] 11b radial thickening [0146] 13, 14 weakening lines
[0147] 15, 16 holding bands [0148] 20 bottle neck [0149] 21
pilferproof ring [0150] 22 lower flank [0151] 23 region of maximum
diameter [0152] 24 upper flank [0153] 24A lower portion of the
upper flank [0154] 24B upper end portion of the upper flank [0155]
25 thread [0156] 26 projection [0157] 50 axis of the container neck
[0158] 50' axis of the closure [0159] d bottle diameter without
thread profile [0160] D outside diameter of the upper flank or the
portion thereabove
* * * * *