U.S. patent application number 17/632634 was filed with the patent office on 2022-09-15 for closure cap for beverage container.
The applicant listed for this patent is NETSTAL MASCHINEN AG. Invention is credited to Wolfgang Zangerle.
Application Number | 20220289441 17/632634 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000006390513 |
Filed Date | 2022-09-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220289441 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Zangerle; Wolfgang |
September 15, 2022 |
CLOSURE CAP FOR BEVERAGE CONTAINER
Abstract
A closure cap for a beverage container includes a cap, a
guarantee strip and a retaining strip. The cap is connected to the
retaining strip via a retaining strip connection, and the retaining
strip is connected to the guarantee strip via a guarantee strip
connection. The retaining strip connection and the guarantee strip
connection are arranged in a diametrically opposite manner and a
narrowing is provided in each of the two retaining strip portions
between the retaining strip connection and the guarantee strip
connection. The narrowings are such that on unscrewing of the
closure cap an irreversible lengthening of the retaining strip is
generated and the cap is movable into an open position, in which
the underside of the cap lies in or under a plane in which the
retaining strip lies, when the retaining strip rests with its
underside on the upper side of the guarantee strip.
Inventors: |
Zangerle; Wolfgang;
(Ziegelbrucke, CH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
NETSTAL MASCHINEN AG |
Nafels |
|
CH |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000006390513 |
Appl. No.: |
17/632634 |
Filed: |
July 21, 2020 |
PCT Filed: |
July 21, 2020 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2020/070590 |
371 Date: |
February 3, 2022 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 41/3428 20130101;
B65D 55/16 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 55/16 20060101
B65D055/16; B65D 41/34 20060101 B65D041/34 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 20, 2019 |
DE |
10 2019 122 274.5 |
Claims
1. A closure cap for a beverage container, comprising a cap, a
guarantee strip and a retaining strip, wherein the cap has an
internal thread which is configured to be compatible with an
external thread of the beverage container, wherein the cap is
connected to the retaining strip via a retaining strip connection,
and wherein the retaining strip is connected to the guarantee strip
via a guarantee strip connection, wherein the retaining strip
connection and the guarantee strip connection are arranged in a
diametrically opposite manner, that in each of the two retaining
strip portions, which extend between the retaining strip connection
and the guarantee strip connection, the retaining strip is equipped
respectively with a narrowing, wherein the narrowings are
configured in the retaining strip such that on unscrewing of the
closure cap an irreversible lengthening of the retaining strip is
able to be generated, and after the complete unscrewing of the
closure cap the irreversible lengthening of the retaining strip is
present in such a manner that, in open state of the closure cap,
the cap is movable into an open position in which the underside of
the cap lies in or under a plane in which the retaining strip lies,
when the retaining strip rests with its underside on the upper side
of the guarantee strip, and wherein the retaining strip connection
and also the guarantee connection, are configured such that the
open position of the cap is maintained at least in relation to a
standing beverage container, as long as the cap is not moved.
2. The closure cap according to claim 1, wherein the narrowings are
introduced axially and/or radially into the retaining strip.
3. The closure cap according to claim 1, wherein the narrowings are
arranged in a middle portion of the retaining strip portions.
4. The closure cap according to claim 1, wherein between the closed
state of the closure cap and the open state of the closure cap, an
opening stroke is provided corresponding to a maximum of two
rotations of the cap, wherein a path of the cap in circumferential
direction of less than or equal to 720.degree. is present.
5. The closure cap according to claim 1, wherein several retainers
are provided on the guarantee strip, which are able to be brought
into engagement with a retaining shoulder on the beverage container
and, in the closed state of the closure cap, are fixed axially
there.
6. The closure cap according to claim 1, wherein the cap is
connected to the retaining strip via several retaining strip
breaking webs.
7. The closure cap according to claim 1, wherein the retaining
strip is connected to the guarantee strip via several guarantee
strip breaking webs.
8. The closure cap according to claim 1, wherein the retaining
strip connection and/or the guarantee strip connection are
configured as a "butterfly" hinge.
9. The closure cap according to claim 1, produced by means of
injection moulding.
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a closure cap for a beverage
container according to the introductory clause of claim 1.
[0002] Such a closure cap is known from the document U.S. Pat. No.
6,474,491 B1. Such a closure cap has the advantage that in open
state the closure cap hangs on the beverage container and remains
securely connected thereto (see U.S. Pat. No. 6,474,491 B1, FIG.
8). The closure cap can thus not become lost. A disadvantage in
this known closure cap is, on the other hand, that on usage of the
beverage container by a person, the cap can generally come in
contact with the person's face, which is generally perceived as
being intrusive or unpleasant.
[0003] Proceeding herefrom, the invention is based on the problem
of further developing a closure cap of the generic type to the
effect that the closure cap, on opening the beverage container, can
be brought into a position in which, during use of the beverage
container by a person, the cap generally can not come in contact
with the person's face.
[0004] The solution to this problem takes place through a closure
cap having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and
further developments are to be found in the dependent claims.
[0005] A core idea of the invention consists in that the retaining
strip connection and the guarantee strip connection are arranged in
a diametrically opposite manner and that in each of the two
retaining strip portions, which extend between the retaining strip
connection and the guarantee strip connection, the retaining strip
is respectively equipped with a narrowing, wherein the narrowing in
the retaining strip is configured in such a way that on unscrewing
the closure cap an irreversible lengthening of the retaining strip
is able to be produced and after the complete unscrewing of the
closure cap, the irreversible lengthening is the retaining strip is
present in such a way that in open state of the closure cap, the
cap is movable into an open position in which the underside of the
cap lies in or under a plane in which the retaining strip lies when
the retaining strip rests with its underside on the upper side of
the guarantee strip. The retaining strip connection on the one
hand, and the guarantee connection on the other hand, are
configured here such that the open position of the cap remains, at
least with respect to a standing beverage container, as long as the
cap is not moved. Such a closure cap according to the invention has
the advantage that during use of the beverage container by a
person, the cap generally can not come in contact with the person's
face. At the same time, it is ensured that the cap remains securely
connected to the guarantee strip and thus with the beverage
container and does not become lost.
[0006] According to claim 2, the narrowings in the retaining strip
can be introduced axially and/or radially into the retaining strip.
An axial narrowing is present when the narrowing is formed
substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the closure cap.
In a side view of the closure cap, a recess can be seen which runs
in circumferential direction of the retaining strip. A radial
narrowing is present when the narrowing is formed substantially in
radial direction in relation to the longitudinal axis of the
closure cap. In a top view onto the closure cap, it can be seen
that in the region of the narrowing, the retaining strip has a
smaller thickness in radial direction than outside this region. As
a result, a narrowing forms a region with a defined elongation
behaviour, analogous to a tension rod made of plastic, as is used
for test purposes. The narrowing can preferably be arranged so that
with a cross-section of the retaining strip in the region outside
the narrowing a middle or a centre of the cross-section exists and
that the longitudinal axis of the narrowing lies substantially in
this middle or respectively centre.
[0007] The narrowings can preferably be arranged in a middle
portion of the retaining strip portions. This has the advantage
that the length and cross-section of the narrowing can be adapted
to the respective degree of rigidity of the plastic which is
selected for the cap, in order to achieve a suitable, irreversible
lengthening of the narrowing and thereby of the retaining strip or
respectively of the retaining strip portions, which extend between
the retaining strip connection and the guarantee strip connection.
In the closure cap according to the invention, no impairments are
to take place of the extension part or respectively of the
narrowing through the connection to the guarantee strip or the
retaining strip of the closure cap.
[0008] According to the embodiment of claim 4, between the closed
state of the closure cap and the open state of the closure cap, a
threaded portion and thus an opening stroke through the variably
configurable extension segments can also be configured for high
closure caps. The invention is particularly suitable for CSD
beverage containers, in particular CSD in PET bottles. "CSD" is the
abbreviation for "carbonated soft drink" i.e. carbonated drinks.
CSD beverage containers have a standardised thread. This is an
industry standard which is known and generally accepted in the
drinks industry. From the closed state to the open state, an
opening stroke is provided corresponding to approximately two
rotations. In other words, this means a path in circumferential
direction of approximately 720.degree., preferably of approximately
700.degree.. In beverage containers for non-carbonated drinks, a
smaller path in circumferential direction and hence also a smaller
opening stroke is usual and sufficient.
[0009] According to a further embodiment, several retainers can be
provided on the guarantee strip, which are able to be brought into
engagement with a retaining shoulder on the beverage container and
are fixed there axially in the closed state of the closure cap. It
is thereby ensured that on unscrewing the closure cap, the
guarantee strip remains axially fixed and can only co-rotate
radially.
[0010] For a connection between cap, retaining strip and guarantee
strip, so-called breaking webs can be provided in a suitable
manner. Consequently, the cap can be connected to the retaining
strip via several retaining strip breaking webs. Furthermore, the
retaining strip can be connected to the guarantee strip via several
guarantee strip breaking webs. On unscrewing of the closure cap and
on the axial movement of the cap, generated thereby, the breaking
webs break and the cap moves away axially from the guarantee
strip.
[0011] The axial movement of the cap on unscrewing of the closure
cap leads, in addition, to the irreversible lengthening of the
retaining strip, as is indicated in claim 1. This axial movement
namely brings it about that the retaining strip is extended at the
narrowings, wherein the thread of the beverage container remains
embraced by the retaining strip. When the cap is free, it can be
swung away via the retaining strip connection and applied against
the beverage container. In so doing, such an open position is
adopted in which the underside of the cap lies in or under a plane
in which the retaining strip lies, when the retaining strip rests
with its underside on the upper side of the guarantee strip. The
re-closing of the beverage container with the closure cap according
to the invention takes place in the reverse sequence.
[0012] According to claim 8, the retaining strip connection and/or
guarantee strip connection can be configured as a "butterfly"
connection. Such a configuration of the connection offers the
advantage that the closure is pressed firmly onto the bottle
shoulder and fixed in its position, so that in the case of use it
does not interfere during drinking.
[0013] The embodiment according to claim 9 has the advantage that
also the narrowings of the retaining strip have been produced by
means of injection moulding. Compared to narrowings produced
subsequently by a mechanical processing, injection-moulded
narrowings offer a greater holding security of the cap on the
beverage container.
[0014] An example embodiment of the invention is to be described
more closely below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.
[0015] FIG. 1 shows a closure cap in closed state with a view onto
the retaining strip connection 1 between the cap 2 and the
retaining strip 4. FIG. 2 shows the same closure cap in a view
rotated clockwise through 90.degree. about the longitudinal axis A.
Thereby, the holding strip connection 1 between the cap 2 and the
retaining strip 4 can be seen on the right-hand edge of the cap 2.
The guarantee strip connection 13 is situated on the left-hand edge
of the cap 2 in FIG. 2. At the guarantee strip connection 13, the
retaining strip 4 is connected to the guarantee strip 6, which is
situated also in open state of the closure cap beneath the thread
on the beverage container 9 (see FIGS. 2 to 5). According to a
first aspect of the invention, the retaining strip connection 1 and
the guarantee strip connection 13 are thus arranged lying in a
diametrically opposite manner. Two retaining strip portions result
thereby, which extend between the retaining strip connection 1 and
the guarantee strip connection 13, with only one of the two
retaining strip positions being visible in FIGS. 2 to 5, namely the
front retaining strip portion in viewing direction, i.e. the
retaining strip portion which is situated in front of the thread
for the closure cap 2. The other retaining strip portion is
situated behind the thread for the closure cap 2 and is therefore
not visible in the figures. A narrowing 5 is provided--preferably
centrally arranged--in the front retaining strip portion. In the
non-visible rear retaining strip portion a narrowing is also
provided, which is likewise preferably centrally arranged. As a
result, these two narrowings 5 therefore lie diametricaly opposite
one another. According to a further aspect of the invention, the
narrowings 5 are formed in the retaining strip 4 such that, on
unscrewing of the closure cap, an irreversible lengthening of the
retaining strip 4 is able to be generated (see FIGS. 3 to 5).
[0016] For a connection between cap 2, retaining strip 4 and
guarantee strip 6, so-called breaking webs can be provided in a
suitable manner. Consequently, the cap 2 can be connected to the
retaining strip 4 via several retaining strip breaking webs 3.
Furthermore, the retaining strip 4 can be connected to the
guarantee strip 6 via several guarantee strip breaking webs 7.
[0017] The retaining strip connection 1 can preferably be
configured as a so-called "butterfly" connection or respectively as
a "butterfly" film hinge. Such a film hinge is known per se and
therefore does not need to be described more closely here. In FIG.
1 the illustration of the film hinge 1 as an outwardly open double
arrow (>----<) is intended to indicate that this is to
concern a butterfly film hinge.
[0018] The guarantee strip 6 has several retainers 8, distributed
over the circumference, which are oriented inwards and lie against
the beverage container under a retaining shoulder 14. Generally,
these retainers have a conical cross-section, wherein on the
underside of the retainer an oblique surface is present and on the
upper side of the retainer a surface parallel to the cross-section
of the closure cap, and therefore also parallel to the retaining
shoulder, is present. Owing to the oblique surface on the
underside, the closure cap can be pressed onto the beverage bottle,
the retainers 8 being pushed via the retaining shoulder 14 situated
on the beverage container 9. The upper side of the retainer 8 lies
parallel to the underside of the retaining shoulder 14. Thereby,
the guarantee strip 6 remains fixed axially in relation to the
beverage container 9 and can only co-rotate in circumferential
direction on actuating of the closure cap or respectively of the
cap 2.
[0019] FIG. 3 shows the state of the closure cap after the complete
unscrewing of the closure cap. The unscrewing takes place by a
movement of the cap 2 anti-clockwise (see arrow 10 in FIG. 3). In
the case of CSD beverage containers, approximately two
anti-clockwise rotations of the cap 2 are provided from the closed
state to the open state. In other words, this means a path in
circumferential direction of 720.degree., preferably of circa
700.degree.. In beverage containers for non-carbonated drinks, a
smaller path in circumferential direction is usual and sufficient.
The guarantee strip 6 remains axially fixed under the retaining
shoulder 14. Through the axial movement of the cap 2, the breaking
webs 3 and 7 break and the cap 2 moves away axially from the
guarantee strip 6. In addition, the axial movement of the cap
causes the retaining strip 4 to be extended at the narrowings 5.
The retaining strip 4 or respectively the narrowings 5 are
configured such that an irreversible lengthening of the retaining
strip 4 occurs here. The thread of the beverage container remains
embraced here by the retaining strip 4. When the cap 2 is free
(open state), it can be swung away via the retaining strip
connection 1 and applied onto the beverage container 9 (see
reference numbers 11 and 12 in FIG. 3, and FIG. 4 with the
positions of the cap 2 and 2'). At the end of the opening movement,
such an open position can be adopted in which the underside of the
cap 2 lies in or under a plane E in which the retaining strip 4
lies, when the retaining strip 4 rests with its underside on the
upper side of the guarantee strip 6. This situation is illustrated
in FIG. 5. Before the swinging away, the cap has the position 2 in
FIG. 5. The position of the cap 2' shows an intermediate position
during the swinging away of the cap, and the position 2'' shows a
final position at the end of the swinging away of the cap. The
retaining strip connection 1 and the guarantee connection 13 are
configured here such that this open position of the cap 2 is
maintained at least in relation to a standing beverage container 9,
as long as the cap 2 is not moved. The re-closing of the beverage
container with the closure cap according to the invention takes
place in reverse sequence. With a use of the beverage container in
the state as shown in FIG. 5, generally no contact of the cap 2
with the person's face can occur, as long as care is taken that the
cap 2 points to the side during drinking from the beverage
container.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS
[0020] 1 retaining strip connection [0021] 2 cap [0022] 3 retaining
strip breaking webs [0023] 4 retaining strip [0024] 5 narrowing
[0025] 6 guarantee strip [0026] 7 guarantee strip breaking webs
[0027] 8 retainer [0028] 9 beverage container [0029] 10 rotation
direction on unscrewing [0030] 11 first swing away [0031] 12 second
swing away [0032] 13 guarantee strip connection [0033] 14 guarantee
strip retaining shoulder
* * * * *