EP1847470B1 - Lock for a container - Google Patents

Abstract

The seal for a receptacle, especially a tube, has an aiding device for opening the sealed outlet opening, and is associated with the upper section of the seal. The aiding device is transferable from a first into a second position by means of a guiding device in the form of a protrusion, as a result of which a force can be applied to the sealing element, which opens the sealed outlet opening. An independent claim is included for a receptacle, especially a tube, which is formed for application of the seal.

Description

The invention relates to a closure for a container, in particular a tube, wherein the container has an outlet opening, which is sealed in a delivery state with a designed as a predetermined breaking point sealing element, in particular a membrane, wherein the closure is a lower part, which is connected to the container , a passage opening and an upper part, which is connectable to the lower part comprises.

Containers with a sealed outlet port are used, for example, in the cosmetics industry, the pharmaceutical industry or the food industry for packaging products which require particularly safe and possibly detectable product protection, such as, for example, personal care and sun creams or oils. for medicinal ointments and lotions, but also for liquid or pasty foods, such as mayonnaise, mustard or ketchup, as well as other fluid or pasty substances.

In the design of the containers, it is important on the one hand, that the unwanted escape of the contents, in particular the drying of the contents and the ingress of product-harmful substances in the contents, in particular of bacteria or water vapor and oxygen, are prevented. On the other hand, the consumer should be guaranteed the integrity of the product, which is also required by law in many cases.

A particularly reliable product protection is in the construction of such containers z. B. achieved by the use of aluminum foils, usually in combination with materials such as plastic or paper in a composite. In particular, aluminum is used in aluminum or aluminum laminate tubes.

The sealing elements of such containers are often foils which are mounted over the outlet opening and in particular often have aluminum foils or are made entirely of aluminum.

The perforability of sealing membranes has the consequence that they are susceptible to damage. When designing a closure for a container provided with such a sealing element, therefore, there is a requirement that the closure reliably protect the sealing element from manufacture to first use on the part of the consumer, in particular during transport. On the other hand, it is important that the closure by the consumer is easy to use.

Known in the prior art is a threaded closure, which closes the container in the delivery state and protects the sealing membrane against accidental damage. At the top of this closure there is provided an outwardly facing piercing spike which can be used as a tool for piercing the sealing membrane.

The disadvantage here, however, is that the piercing pin by its externally mounted position with bacteria or other undesirable Materials that come into contact with the product as a result of the piercing process, which impairs its purity and durability. Another disadvantage is that the Aufstechprozess requires a certain manual skill of the consumer and therefore uncomfortable for him.

In another known closure, the piercing spike is arranged on the inside of the closure cap and is only applied to the container neck to the extent that the tip of the piercing spike is spaced from the membrane during production of the delivery condition. Once the closure is completely applied, the membrane is pierced by the piercing spike, whereby the use state is established. To prevent inadvertent piercing of the membrane, a removable spacer ring is used, which is mounted between the container shoulder and the underside of the cap and the full application of the cap initially prevents existing spacer ring.

The disadvantage here, however, that the spacer ring is obtained by the removal as a waste product. Moreover, it is disadvantageous that the removal of the spacer ring requires a certain manual skill of the consumer, which can not be assumed in many people.

From the DE 41 90 894 C2 a container with a screw cap and a matching external thread neck with perforable membrane is known, wherein the screw cap has in its interior a perforation, which is brought in the course of Aufschraubvorgangs for conditioning and subsequent perforation of the membrane. In this case, a latching connection is provided between the external thread neck and the screw cap, so that the screw cap is initially connected in a latching position by this latching connection with the external thread. By applying a force on the screw in the direction of the container, the snap connection is overcome, so that the screw cap moved to a position in which the internal thread of the screw cap meets the external thread of the container neck. In this position, the perforation element with its end facing the membrane of this a relatively small distance. A further approximation of the screw cap to the container and thus the system of the lower end of the perforation to the membrane and its perforation is only possible because the screw is screwed onto the male thread neck.

The disadvantage here is that the overcoming of the locking connection results in a jerky movement of the closure cap towards the container, which is stopped by the meeting of the internal thread of the cap on the external thread of the container neck. In particular, a repeated jerky approach of the two threads can damage them permanently, so that a reliable closure of the container may no longer be possible.

From the US 4,779,764 A For example, a closure for a container is known in which a sealing membrane of the outlet opening is opened by means of a piercing spike by a conventional rotary movement. A previously removed tamper evident band on the closure prevents the sealed outlet from being accidentally removed.

From the US 2001/047976 A1 a child-resistant closure for a container is known in which the opening of the closure for children is complicated in that a forced guidance of the closure is provided by means of a guide channel arrangement having a hard to understand for children course, which in particular has a Y-shaped branch ,

From the DE 10 2004 040928 A1 a closure for a container is known, in which also a guide channel arrangement is provided, which has a Y-shaped branch, by means of a captively arranged on the outlet nozzle of the container cap is forcibly guided, which has at its lower end cutting teeth for severing a sealing membrane.

Object of the present invention is to provide a closure for a container and a container, which eliminate the disadvantages described and are safe and also comfortable to handle.

This object is achieved by a closure for a container according to claim 1 and by a container according to claim 42. Preferred developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

In the closure according to the invention for a container, an auxiliary device is provided for opening the sealed outlet opening of the container, which is assigned to the upper part and which can be guided by a guide means from a first to a second position, whereby a force can be applied to the sealing element, which sealed outlet opening opens.

It is possible that the container is a tube, in particular an aluminum tube or a tube made of aluminum laminate. In the delivery state, the container is preferably provided with a designed as a predetermined breaking point sealing element, which may be a membrane. In particular, the sealing element may be formed by an aluminum wall of small thickness, or may comprise an aluminum foil or a foil of aluminum laminate. The container preferably has a container neck, which is arranged coaxially to an axis of the container on an outer side of the container. But it is also possible that no Behältnishals is provided.

The container preferably has latching means, by means of which the lower part can be secured by a latching connection to the container. These locking means preferably have a substantially annular bead, which surrounds the container neck and is preferably arranged close to the container, so that between the bead and the container, a substantially annular Umlaufsnut is formed.

The lower part of the closure is a substantially hollow cylinder-like body, which preferably has latching means for a latching connection with the container. These latching means are preferably formed at its lower end on its inner side as a circumferential projection and as a circumferential groove arranged above it, that the circumferential projection of the lower part can engage in the Umlaufsnut on the container and at the same time engage the circumferential bead on the container in the circumferential groove on the lower part can. In this way, the lower part can be reliably connected by means of the locking connection described with the container. But it is also possible that the lower part is attached to the container by another type of locking connection, that it is fastened by an adhesive connection to the container or that a further type of connection is provided.

The guide device of the closure according to the invention has at least one groove-like guide, which is preferably arranged on the outside of the lower part. But it is also possible that this guide is arranged on the inside of the upper part. In particular, at least three such guides can be provided. The inventive design of this guide allows the guide of the upper part and the auxiliary device associated therewith from a first to a second position.

In addition, the guide device has at least one projection which is preferably arranged on the inside of the upper part and which is designed for positive engagement in this guide and is guided in a movement of the upper part connected to the upper part in the guide. But it is also possible that the projection is provided on the outside of the lower part. In particular, at least three such projections may be provided.

Preferably, three groove-like guides are provided on the outside of the lower part. Correspondingly, three projections are preferably provided on the inside of the upper part, by means of which the upper part moves according to the guide profile, i. can be performed.

The groove-like guide is preferably formed by two mutually parallel walls, which rise from the outer wall of the lower part. However, it is also possible that the guide is formed as a recess in the outside of the lower part.

The guide extends substantially from the upper end of the lower part along its guide line to the lower end of the lower part. Accordingly, the guide has an upper end, which is preferably substantially open, and also has a lower end, which is preferably closed by an end wall. The guide, starting from its upper end, preferably has a first guide area, which in the essentially perpendicular to the container pointing downward. Following this first guide region, the guide preferably has a second guide region, which lies substantially in a horizontal plane and runs counter to the closure direction of the closure, ie, preferably counterclockwise as viewed from above, along the outside of the lower part. This horizontal plane is preferably located approximately halfway up the lower part. This second guidance area is followed by a third guidance area. This third guide region preferably begins approximately at the middle height of the lower part and then runs in the direction of the lower end of the lower part, preferably in the closing direction of the closure, ie seen from above in the clockwise direction. This results in a winding course of the third guide portion of the guide.

An advantage of the design according to the invention of this guide profile is that a comparatively complex course of the movement of the upper part can be predetermined by the comparatively complex course of the guide. So it is also possible that the leadership has other or more leadership areas, resulting in a different leadership. The above-described design of the guide with a first, a second and a third guide region has the advantage according to the invention that two positions of the upper part and its associated auxiliary device can be defined.

In the first position, the auxiliary device is arranged such that its lower end is close to the sealing element of the outlet opening of the container. In this first position, the projection is in a first position within the guide formed by the transition region of the first guide portion and the second guide portion of the guide. In this first position of the projection, the upper part can preferably be moved substantially only upwards or against the closing direction. The advantage of this feature is that one Accidental or unintentional movement of the upper part in the closing direction does not lead to unintentional breaking of the sealing element and thus not to unintentional opening of the outlet opening of the container. It is also excluded by this feature that the sealing element is accidentally broken by the auxiliary device by applying a force directed perpendicularly to the top of the upper part, as may be the case, in particular in a shock load, which occur for example in a fall of the container could. In particular, by the greater compared to a conventional thread depth of the guide results in a higher load capacity against such impact load.

The second position is the position in which the auxiliary device is arranged completely passing through the plane of the outlet opening of the container. In this second position, the projection is in a second position, which is located at the lower end of the third guide region. In this second position, the projection is preferably substantially opposite only to the direction of closure, i. seen from above counter-clockwise movable. Preferably, the projection in this second position can be locked by suitable means. As a result, the upper part can be locked in this second position.

In the region between the first position and the second position of the projection, the projection moves along the second guide region, in which it performs a substantially rotational movement. In the third guide region, the projection performs a movement which is essentially translatory and rotational at the same time. As a result, a similar rotating and translational movement of the auxiliary device is effected, which in this case applies a force to the sealing element and in particular pierces the sealing element in a rotating manner.

The guide may have further means for influencing the mobility of the projection within the guide. It is provided that the guide preferably has at least one constriction in which the guide channel is narrowed by the thickening of at least one inner wall, whereby the accidental passage of the projection through the constriction is less likely, such a passage but by applying a force, in particular an intended Movement of the upper part is possible.

Preferably, such a narrowing point is provided in the first guide region of the guide and also provided in the second guide region of the guide, so that a locking of the projection in the first position can result. The advantage of this locking is that inertial forces, e.g. can occur during transport of a container provided with the closure, preferably does not lead to an unintentional change in the position of the upper part and in particular not to a detachment of the upper part connected to the lower part.

Also preferably, such a constriction point is provided for locking the projection in the second position. By this locking a relatively firm connection of the upper part is achieved with the lower part in this second position.

As a further means for influencing the mobility of the projection in the guide at least one stop element is preferably provided, which is formed on the bottom of the guide groove as a threshold. The height of this threshold is less than the height of the inner wall of the guide, whereby the unintentional transfer of the projection to a position beyond the stubble is less likely, such a transfer but by applying a force, in particular by an intended movement of the upper part is possible.

In particular, such a stop member may be disposed at the upper end of the guide to prevent inadvertent separation of the top from the base, as e.g. can be caused by transport inertial forces or slight impact forces can be prevented.

It is also possible that the guide is formed as a puncture channel, which is provided as a recess in the outside of the lower part.

In a first embodiment of the lower part of this is formed by a substantially hollow cylinder-like element, on whose outer wall at least one guide is arranged and which has for attachment to the container by means of a latching connection preferably at its lower end latching means. In the event that the container has a container neck, it is preferably provided that the lower part is designed on its inner side such that the container neck positively engages in the lower part.

In a second embodiment of the invention, the lower part has two hollow-cylindrical parts in a coaxial arrangement, which are preferably interconnected at its upper end by an annular connecting web, wherein an outer hollow cylinder-like part is provided, on the outer wall of which at least one guide is arranged and an inner hollow cylinder-like Part is provided which forms the passage opening and which preferably has at its lower end latching means for attachment to the container by means of a latching connection.

In a further embodiment of the closure according to the invention, the upper part is designed essentially as a lid, which has a lid end wall and a lid peripheral wall. It is possible that the lid peripheral wall to improve the handling of the lid has a structuring by depressions and / or elevations on the Cover peripheral wall may be formed. The cover end wall is preferably substantially planar, but may also be designed differently and in particular funnel-shaped and, in addition, may be designed in particular for the suitable arrangement of the auxiliary device.

The auxiliary device is preferably a pin, in particular preferably a hollow pin, which is preferably arranged coaxially on the inside of the upper end side of the upper part. The lower end of the auxiliary device preferably has a tapered shape, and may be formed in particular conical. It is provided that the outer diameter is at most as large as the inner diameter of the outlet opening of the container.

In a further embodiment of the closure according to the invention, it is provided that the upper part is designed as a hinged closure cap. The cap shows essentially the features of the DE 198 32 799 B4 described cap and is described by means of embodiments in the figures.

• Figur 1 zeigt eine seitliche Querschnittsansicht des Unterteils mit dem Behältnishals des erfindungsgemäßen Verschlusses gemäß Ausführungsbeispiel 1;
• Figur 2 zeigt eine Schemazeichnung der Führung des erfindungsgemäßen Verschlusses gemäß Ausführungsbeispiel 2;
• Fig. 3 zeigt eine seitliche Querschnittsansicht eines Behältnisses mit dem erfindungsgemäßen Verschluss, insbesondere in dessen erster und dessen zweiter Position, gemäß Ausführungsbeispiel 3;
• Figur 4 zeigt eine Ausführungsform des als Verschlusskappe ausgebildeten Oberteils des erfindungsgemäßen Verschlusses in schematischperspektivischer Ansicht;
• Figur 5 zeigt die in Fig. 4 gezeigte Ausführungsform des als Verschlusskappe ausgebildeten Oberteils des erfindungsgemäßen Verschlusses in Draufsicht;
• Figur 6 zeigt die in Fig. 4 gezeigte Ausführungsform des als Verschlusskappe ausgebildeten Oberteils des erfindungsgemäßen Verschlusses in Schnittansicht entlang der Schnittlinie III-III in Fig. 5;
• Figur 7 zeigt eine weitere Ausführungsform des als Verschlusskappe ausgebildeten Oberteils des erfindungsgemäßen Verschlusses in schematischperspektivischer Ansicht;
• Figur 8 zeigt die in Fig. 7 gezeigte Ausführungsform des als Verschlusskappe ausgebildeten Oberteils des erfindungsgemäßen Verschlusses in Draufsicht; und
• Figur 9 zeigt die in Fig. 7 gezeigte Ausführungsform des als Verschlusskappe ausgebildeten Oberteils des erfindungsgemäßen Verschlusses in Schnittansicht entlang der Schnittlinie VI-VI in Fig. 8; Anhand der Fig. 4 bis Fig. 9 werden die den beiden in den Fig. 4 bis Fig. 9 dargestellten Ausführungsformen gemeinsamen Merkmale erläutert;
• Figur 10 zeigt das als Verschlusskappe ausgebildete Oberteil des erfindungsgemäßen Verschlusses in Verbindung mit dem Unterteil in der ersten Position der Hilfseinrichtung; und
• Figur 11 zeigt das als Verschlusskappe ausgebildete Oberteil des erfindungsgemäßen Verschlusses in Verbindung mit dem Unterteil in der zweiten Position der Hilfseinrichtung.

Further advantages, features and possible applications of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the figures. Like parts have substantially the same reference numerals in the figures to avoid repetitive description.

• FIG. 1 shows a side cross-sectional view of the lower part with the container neck of the closure according to the invention according to embodiment 1;
• FIG. 2 shows a schematic drawing of the guide of the closure according to the invention according to embodiment 2;
• Fig. 3 shows a side cross-sectional view of a container with the closure according to the invention, in particular in its first and second position, according to embodiment 3;
• FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the closure cap designed as upper part of the closure according to the invention in a schematic perspective view;
• FIG. 5 shows the in Fig. 4 shown embodiment of the closure cap designed as upper part of the closure according to the invention in plan view;
• FIG. 6 shows the in Fig. 4 shown embodiment of the closure cap designed as upper part of the closure according to the invention in a sectional view along the section line III-III in Fig. 5 ;
• FIG. 7 shows a further embodiment of the closure cap designed as upper part of the closure according to the invention in a schematic perspective view;
• FIG. 8 shows the in Fig. 7 shown embodiment of the closure cap designed as upper part of the closure according to the invention in plan view; and
• FIG. 9 shows the in Fig. 7 shown embodiment of the closure cap formed as upper part of the closure according to the invention in a sectional view along the section line VI-VI in Fig. 8 ; Based on Fig. 4 to Fig. 9 be the two in the Fig. 4 to Fig. 9 illustrated embodiments common features explained;
• FIG. 10 shows the upper part of the closure according to the invention designed as a closure cap in connection with the lower part in the first position of the auxiliary device; and
• FIG. 11 shows the cap designed as a top of the closure according to the invention in connection with the lower part in the second position of the auxiliary device.

FIG. 1 shows a side cross-sectional view of the lower part with the container neck of the closure according to the invention according to embodiment 1. The embodiment 1 uses the lower part 101 according to its second embodiment. In this embodiment, the lower part 101 has a passage opening 134 and two hollow cylindrical parts, ie an inner hollow cylinder 102 and an outer hollow cylinder 103, which are connected to each other in coaxial arrangement to the axis 105 at its upper side by an annular connecting web 106. The inner hollow cylinder 102 is designed on its inside for the positive engagement of the container neck 108. The container neck 108 and the inner hollow cylinder 102 of the lower part have latching means which enable a latching connection of the lower part 101 to the container neck 108.

These locking means consist in the embodiment 1 of a circumferential groove 110 which is provided at the lower end of the container neck 108 and the container neck circumferential bead 111. Furthermore, these locking means consist of a locking projection 112 which rotates on the inside at the bottom of the inner hollow cylinder 102 and an inner circumferential groove 113, which is disposed on the inside thereof over the locking projection 112 and also rotates in the inner hollow cylinder 102. The locking connection indicated in the drawing comes about in that the locking projection 112 engages in the circumferential groove 110 and the bead 111 in the inner circumferential groove 113.

It is envisaged that the wall of the inner hollow cylinder may be formed at least in its lower portion by downwardly facing tongues, preferably at the lower edge of these tongues described latching means, ie a latching projection 112 and an inner circumferential groove 113 may be provided. These tongues are in the lower area in the radial direction outwardly compared to a closed hollow cylinder wall relatively easily deflected elastically, whereby a conventional injection molding material can be used for the production of the lower part. But it is also possible that the material of the inner hollow cylinder is chosen so soft that on the one hand, the production of the locking connection possible and on the other hand, the locking connection is stable.

In the embodiment 1, the guide 115 is located on the outside of the outer hollow cylinder 103 with a guide profile, as in FIG Fig. 1 shown. The guide 115 consists essentially of two mutually parallel guide walls, which rise vertically from the surface outside of the outer hollow cylinder 103. The lower end is preferably closed by a closure wall 116. At the upper end of the guide is in the embodiment 1, a stop member 117 which is formed as a threshold at the bottom of the guide groove. The height of this stop element is preferably made smaller than the height of a guide wall. It is envisaged that, depending on the height of the stop element, a certain force is necessary to move the projection over the stop element away from the guide and thus to remove the upper part from the lower part. Preferably, the height of the stop element is designed such that the upper part provided with the projections can be attached to the lower part by an increased force without damaging the closure, which may be the case in particular during the mechanical assembly of the closure for producing the delivery state.

At the upper edge of the lower part 101 is located in Fig. 1 1, the upper edge guide 118, which can serve as a guide for threading the projections into the guides, in particular when omitting the stop element 117.

In addition to the stop member 117 are to control the mobility of the projection in the guide and constrictions 119 in the Guiding provided, which are preferably formed by a thickened portion of the inside of one or both guide walls. In this way, in particular a first position 125 and a second position 126 of the projection can be defined in the guide.

The first position 125 of the projection is the position in which the auxiliary device for opening the sealing element is close to the sealing element, but this preferably still not touched. The second position 126 of the projection is the position in which the auxiliary device has completely passed through the sealing element and the outlet opening is thus opened.

In the in Fig. 1 shown embodiment, in this first position by the consumer substantially only a movement of the upper part against the closing direction, ie, seen from above counterclockwise be performed. This has the advantage that an accidental, unintentional or involuntary movement of the upper part can not initially lead to the opening of the outlet opening, whereby a more reliable protection of the tamper-evident seal and the container filling material is achieved. This is especially true for a shock load of the upper part, in which a high force can act on the upper part from above in the direction of the sealing element. Due to the stable design of the guides and the projections preferably also a repeated such loading in the closure according to the invention does not lead to its unwanted damage. In order to be able to pierce the sealing element, the in Fig. 1 illustrated embodiment, the upper part are first moved counterclockwise before then, rotated in a clockwise direction, with its auxiliary device can pierce the sealing element. This is based on the in Fig. 2 illustrated embodiment 2 explained.

Fig. 2 2 shows a schematic drawing of the guide of the closure according to the invention in accordance with exemplary embodiment 2. In the exemplary embodiment 2, the lower part 101 has a guide with a first guide region 131, a second guide region 132 and a third guide region 133.

In the first guide region 131, the projection can perform essentially only a translatory movement. This translational movement, when using a closure designed according to embodiment 2, in connection with the movement of the upper part in the closure direction blocked in the first position 125 of the protrusion, can make clear to the consumer that, by placing the upper part on the lower part, the joining the two parts is still incomplete. A restriction 119 in the first guide area can serve to prevent inadvertent removal of the upper part from the lower part in the delivery state of the closure, in which the projection is preferably in the first position 125, by inertial forces or light impact loads, as z. B. may occur during transport of the container provided with the closure to prevent. In addition, the constrictions 119 have a signal effect on the consumer, since their overcoming requires a perceptible application of force. In particular, the change between the two positions 125 and 126 of the projection is thereby signaled, which in turn makes an accidental puncture of the sealing element less likely. The closure according to the invention therefore becomes even safer due to the constrictions 119.

Only by the deliberate transfer of the upper part and the projection in the second guide portion 132 with a substantially rotational movement at the beginning of the third guide portion 133, we put the upper part in the starting position, in the complete connection of the upper part with the lower part by a third movement possible is.

In the third guide region 133, a simultaneous translational and rotational movement of the projection in the guide 115 and the upper part with respect to the lower part leads to the position 126 of the projection, the auxiliary device pierces the sealing element and opens the outlet opening of the container. The constriction 119 near the protrusion 126 position helps to hold the top in communication with the base, regardless of inertial forces and light impact forces that can act on the top, thereby making the operation of the closure more reliable. But it is also z. B. by a corresponding dimensioning of the parts possible that the upper part is held by a clamping connection between the projection, guide, the inside of the upper end face of the upper part and the upper side of the lower part on the lower part.

In the vicinity of the upper edge of the lower part 101, an upper edge guide 118 runs substantially parallel to the upper edge, wherein the upper edge guide 118, in particular in the illustrated embodiment with a rounded and flowing transition into the guide 115 can simplify the threading of the projections into the guides.

Fig. 3 shows a lateral cross-sectional view of a container with the closure according to the invention, in particular in its first and second position, according to embodiment 3. The embodiment 3 comprises a container 98 with a container neck 108 and an outlet opening 99 and the closure 100, the lower part 101 and an upper part 104 which is arranged substantially coaxially with axis 105. The upper part has on its inner peripheral side projections 114 for engagement in the guides 115 of the lower part 101. The lower part 101 corresponds in the embodiment 3 of the first embodiment of the lower part of the closure according to the invention and is essentially a hollow cylinder-like part.

In the drawing, the upper part and the auxiliary device are shown in their first position to the right of the axis 105, in which the projection is in its first position 125. Left of the axis 105, the upper part and the auxiliary device are shown in their second position, in which the projection is in its second position 126.

In the first position, the auxiliary device 140 is located with its lower end near the position 135 of the sealing member, but this preferably still does not touch. In the second position, the auxiliary 135 passes completely through the position 135 of the sealing element. "Complete" in this context means that in the manner provided for by the construction of the closure according to the invention, the sealing element has passed through the sealing element in which a sufficient opening of the sealing element has taken place and does not necessarily mean that the complete volume of the auxiliary device through the sealing element has entered. It is easy to see that it is also possible that the sealing element is attached to the container after connection of the lower part in particular at least partially on the lower part or even completely on the lower part instead of the container.

The auxiliary device 140 is formed in the embodiment 3 as a substantially hollow cylinder-like pin which tapers conically downwards and has a tip 141 which assists the piercing of the sealing element. But it is also possible that the lower end of the auxiliary device has a different shape than that provided in the embodiment 3 cone point by z. B. has multiple or no tips or projections. The opened to the top of the upper part shape of the formed as a hollow pin auxiliary device, which is made in the embodiment 3 in one piece with the upper part, in particular offers the advantage that the Consumer the perforation tool function of the lid is displayed.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the closure cap designed as upper part of the closure according to the invention in a schematic perspective view.

The two embodiments of the closure caps each have a closure cap body 10 with a substantially cylindrical shape and a circular cross-section. A hollow cylinder 13 with projections 114, which are arranged on the inner wall, is preferably integrally connected to the underside of the upper boundary wall 12 of the closure cap body 10 and ensures a connection between the lower part 101 and the upper part 104. This hollow cylinder 13 is referred to below as a guide wall.

On the closure cap body 10, a round hinged lid 18 is hingedly hinged by means of a hinge connection 28. The hinged lid 18 is in the Fig. 4 to Fig. 9 shown in open position. The hinged lid 18 is curved outward and comes in (not shown) closed position with its lower, annular boundary region 19 preferably on the upper boundary wall 12 of the cap body 10 into abutment. On the curved inner side 32 of the hinged lid 18, a protruding extension 34 with a circular cross-section and a rounded edge region is arranged centrally.

The upper boundary wall 12 of the closure cap body 10 is circular and terminates flush with the closed hinged lid 18. In the center of the circular upper boundary wall 12, a circular outlet opening 16 is arranged. Concentric with the outlet opening 16, an elevated area 14 is aligned in the upper boundary wall 12. In the Fig. 6 and Fig. 9 It can be seen that the raised area 14 tapers in a funnel shape toward the central outlet opening 16.

When the hinged lid 18 is in the closed position, the extension 34 bears against the inside 32 of the hinged lid 18 at the edge of the outlet opening 16 and closes it.

The hinge connection between the cap body 10 and the hinged lid 18 is, as shown in FIG Fig. 5 and Fig. 8 is clear, formed by two mutually and to the upper boundary wall 12 of the cap body 10 parallel webs 50 and 52. The webs 50 and 52 form with the hinged lid 18 and the cap body 10 is a closed unit, ie the hinged lid 18 is formed with the cap body 10 and the interposed webs 50 and 52 preferably integrally made of polypropylene. The webs 50 and 52 are formed with so little material thickness that they can be deformed when the lid is closed. Between two webs 50 and 52 a hatched illustrated, elastically deformable member 30 is mounted, which generates a bias between the cap body 10 and the hinged lid 18 to bring the hinged lid 18 in an unfolded position. When manually closing the hinged lid 18, the elastic member 30 between the cap body 10 and the hinged lid 18 is elastically deformed.

The elastic member 30 is preferably made of a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). The elastic element 30 is fixedly connected to both webs 50 and 52 as well as to the closure cap body 10 and the hinged lid 18 in the region near the articulated connection 28. In order to produce such a solid compound, a so-called turning method is preferably used in the production. In this case, the closure cap body 10 and the hinged lid 18 are formed together with the webs 50 and 52 in a first step of polypropylene. Subsequently, in a second step, the generated shape is rotated by 180 ° and applied a TPE film in the region of the hinge connection. Due to the Thermal conditions in this process creates a strong bond between the polypropylene and the TPE film.

Based on Fig. 4 to Fig. 6 The features of a first embodiment of the closure cap are described below.

The raised region 14 on the upper boundary wall 12 of the closure cap body 10 is preferably made as an elastically deformable region of TPE. Also, this increased TPE region 14 can be produced by the above-mentioned turning process from a TPE film. In order that the increased TPE region 14 and the TPE element 30 can be easily produced in terms of manufacture, a TPE web 15 is preferably formed between the elevated TPE region 14 and the TPE element 30 on the upper boundary wall 12 of the closure cap body 10. Thus, TPE region 14 and TPE element 30 are formed together with TPE land 15 as a contiguous TPE region.

In the in the Fig. 10 and Fig. 11 shown closed position of the hinged lid 18 extends the formed on the inside 32 of the hinged lid 18 extension 34 at least partially zoom in on the outlet opening 16 and is located at the edge of the outlet opening 16 sealingly. In this case, the edge of the outlet opening 16 and the raised portion 14 deform elastically, and a particularly good sealing closure is formed.

The hinged lid 18 has at its edge region 19 in the closed position downwardly facing tongue 20 with an inwardly extending locking projection 22. The locking extension 22 engages in the closed position in the manner of a snap closure, an outwardly extending locking element 24 which is formed within a rectangular recess 44, 45 on the outer wall 46 of the closure cap body 10. For folding the hinged lid 18, the preferably made of polypropylene tongue 20, which has a certain elastic deformability, pulled manually outwards, whereby the locking projection 22 is released and the hinged lid 18 opens.

Based on FIGS. 7 to 9 Finally, the features of a second embodiment of the cap own characteristics are described.

The hinged lid 18 has at its edge region 19 a downwardly facing tongue 20 with an outwardly extending locking extension 38. The locking extension 38 engages in a closed position (not shown) in the manner of a snap closure, a biased inwardly extending locking element 42 which is disposed in an approximately rectangular recess 44 in the outer wall 46 of the cap body 10 and into which the tongue 20 extends. Within the recess 44, an elastically deformable portion 26 is formed, which in turn preferably consists of TPE. At this TPE area, an actuating button 48 is arranged in the lower part and the locking element 42 in the upper part. By manual pressure on the actuating button 48 of the locking projection 38 of the tongue 20 is released by the locking element 42 and the hinged lid 18 folds due to the TPE element 30 in the joint area 28 on automatically.

FIG. 10 shows the cap designed as a top of the closure according to the invention in connection with the lower part in the first position. The cap corresponds essentially to the in the FIGS. 7 to 9 shown embodiment of the closure cap. The design of the lower part 101 corresponds to the lower part described in Example 1. The projection 114 is in the first position 125. The lower end of the auxiliary device is located near the position 135 of the sealing element, but does not touch it.

The elastically deformable element 26 is in the embodiment of FIG. 10 from a press tongue 80, the in a contact region 81, which preferably consists of an elastic material, in particular TPE, is connected to the outer wall of the closure cap body 10, and preferably has a spring tongue 82, which is also connected in the contact region 81 with the outer wall of the closure cap body 10. By a pressure on the pressing tongue 80 moves under elastic deformation of the spring tongue 82 which is arranged here on the Anpresszunge 80 locking element 24 inwardly and releases the locking projection 22 of the arranged here on the hinged lid 18 tongue 20, whereby the hinged lid 18 opens. In the in Fig. 10 In the embodiment shown, the closure cap has a web 85 over which the elastic element 30 is stretched. The web 85 can increase the tension that occurs in the closed position of the hinged lid in the elastic member 30, whereby the opening movement of the hinged lid is supported.

FIG. 11 shows the cap designed as a top of the closure according to the invention in connection with the lower part in the second position of the auxiliary device. The design of the lower part 101 corresponds to that described in Example 1 and in Fig. 10 shown lower part. The projection 114 is in the second position 126. The lower end of the auxiliary has completely passed through the position 135 of the sealing element. The substantially hollow cylinder-like auxiliary device 140 has an upper region 141 with a larger outer diameter compared to the lower region 142. Between the two regions 141 and 142 there is a middle region 143, in which the region 141 to the region 142 preferably tapers conically. The advantage of this design of the auxiliary device 140 is that a better sealing of the two parts in the region of the outlet opening 99 of the container or in the region of the passage opening 134 can be achieved when connecting the upper part 104 to the lower part 101. As a result, the contents of the container is better protected in use.

In the embodiment of Fig. 10 and the Fig. 11 the auxiliary device 140 is substantially formed as a hollow cylinder which is cut at its lower end by a plane whose normal forms an angle of about 25 ° with the axis. However, it is also envisaged that this angle has a different size, preferably forming an angle of 20 °, preferably an angle of 15 °, preferably an angle of 30 ° and preferably an angle of 35 °.

The advantage of this design of the lower end of the auxiliary device 140 is that the auxiliary device not only exerts a pressing force on the sealing element when piercing the sealing element, but also performs a cutting operation by the blade-like design of its lower end, which in particular means the separation of a foil-like sealing element simplified. The cutting operation is based on the structural feature of the guide 115, in addition to a translational at the same time a rotational movement of the upper part and its associated auxiliary device is effected in the third guide portion 133 relative to the lower part.

The hollow cylinder of the auxiliary device forms in the embodiment of Fig. 10 and Fig. 11 a channel through which the contents in the second position of the upper part with opened hinged lid 18 from the outlet opening 99 of the container and from the passage opening 134 of the lower part can pass to exit through the outlet opening 16 of the cap (the upper part). Due to the tight connection of the upper part with the container in the region of the outlet opening 99 and by the resealable closure cap which reliably seals the outlet opening 16 in the region of the extension 34, a closure is provided according to the invention which is particularly safe and comfortable to use.

Claims (42)

1. A closure (100) for a container (98), in particular a tube, the container comprising an outlet opening (99), which in a delivery state is sealed by a sealing element (135) designed as a predetermined breaking point, and more particularly a membrane, the closure comprising a lower part (101) connected to the container, a passage (16; 134) and an upper part (10, 18; 108) which can be connected to the lower part, an auxiliary device (140) being provided for opening the sealed outlet opening, the device being associated with the upper part and transferable from a first position into a second position by means of a guide device, whereby a force can be applied to the sealing element which opens the sealed outlet opening,
   characterized in that
   the guide device comprises at least one projection (125; 126) and at least one groove-like guide (115),
   wherein the guide comprises a first guide region (131), in which the projection can be moved in a substantially translatory manner, a second guide region (132), which adjoins the first guide region and in which the projection can be moved in a substantially rotatory manner, and a third guide region (133), which adjoins the second guide region and in which the projection can be moved at least partially in a translatory and rotatory manner at the same time,
   wherein the projection is guided into a first position by the guide, in which the auxiliary device is in the first position, and the projection is guided into a second position by the guide, in which the auxiliary device is in the second position.
2. The closure according to claim 1, characterized in that either the projection (125; 126) is arranged on the inside of the upper part and the guide (115) is arranged on the outside of the lower part, or the projection is arranged on the outside of the lower part and the guide is arranged on the inside of the upper part, wherein this projection is designed to positively engage with this guide and is guided in the guide during a movement of the upper part connected to the lower part.
3. A closure according to at least one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that at least three projections (125; 126) are provided, which are arranged on the inside of the upper part, and at least three groove-like guides (115) are provided, which are arranged on the outside of the lower part.
4. A closure according to at least one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, during a movement between the first position and the second position, the projection carries out at least partially superimposed translatory and rotatory movements in the guide, whereby a rotating and translatory movement of the auxiliary device (140) is brought about, which thus applies a force to the sealing element (135) and in particular penetrates the sealing element in a rotating manner.
5. A closure according to at least one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that in this first position the lower end of the auxiliary device is arranged close to the sealing element (135), and in this second position it is arranged so as to fully penetrate the plane of the outlet opening (134).
6. A closure according to at least one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the guide, in this first position and in this second position of the projection, comprises a wall (116) which blocks the movement of the projection in the closing direction during the rotation of the upper part.
7. A closure according to at least one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the guide comprises at least one constriction in which the guide groove is constricted by the thickened region of at least one inside wall.
8. A closure according to at least one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the guide comprises at least three constrictions (119).
9. A closure according to at least one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the guide comprises at least one stop element (117) which is designed at the base of the guide groove by a threshold, the height of the threshold being less than the inside wall height of the guide groove.
10. A closure according to at least one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that a threshold (117) is arranged at the upper end of the guide.
11. A closure according to at least one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that a constriction is designed in the guide between this first and this second position close to this first position, and a further constriction is designed close to this second position.
12. A closure according to at least one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the guide is formed by two parallel walls which ascend from the outside wall (103) of the lower part, or the guide is configured as a puncture channel that is designed as a depression in the outside (103) of the lower part, wherein the upper end of the guide is preferably open and the lower end is preferably closed by a wall (116).
13. A closure according to at least one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the lower part is formed by a hollow-cylindrical element (102, 103), on the outside wall of which at least one guide (115) is arranged and which preferably comprises detent means (110, 111) at the lower end for fastening to the container (98) by means of a detent connection.
14. A closure according to at least one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the lower part is formed by two hollow-cylindrical parts (102, 103) in a coaxial arrangement, which are preferably connected to each other at the upper ends by a ring-shaped connecting rib (106), wherein an outer hollow-cylindrical part (103) is provided, on the outside wall of which at least one guide (115) is arranged, and an inner hollow-cylindrical part (102) is provided, which forms the passage (16; 134) and preferably comprises detent means (110, 111) at the lower end for fastening to the container (98) by means of a detent connection.
15. A closure according to at least one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the upper part (104) is designed as a lid having a lid end wall and a lid circumferential wall.
16. A closure according to at least one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the auxiliary device (140) is designed as a pin, and more particularly as a hollow pin, which is coaxially arranged on the upper inside of the upper part and the lower end of which has a pointed (141) shape, and more particularly a conical shape, and the outside diameter of which is at most as large as the inside diameter of the outlet opening of the container.
17. A closure according to at least one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the upper part is designed as a folding closure cap (10, 18).
18. The closure according to claim 17, characterized in that the folding closure cap is provided with a closure cap body (10), which is designed for connection to the lower part (101) and the upper delimiting wall (12) of which comprises a raised region (14) having an outlet opening (16) arranged therein for the medium present in the container, a flip-top lid (18) that is hinged to the closure cap body (10) for closing the outlet opening (16), and a locking device (20, 22, 24, 38, 42) designed on the closure cap body (10) and on the flip-top lid (18), wherein at least the raised region (14) is made of an elastically deformable material, and wherein, in the closed position, the flip-top lid (18) is sealingly seated at least against the edge of the outlet opening (16) and applies a pressing force to the raised region (14) in the closing direction so that the raised region acts as a sealing device that seals the outlet opening in a fluid-tight manner.
19. The closure according to at least either claim 17 or 18, characterized in that an elastically deformable element (30) is effective at the hinged connection (28) between the closure cap body (10) and the flip-top lid (18), wherein the element generates a prestress between the closure cap body (10) and the flip-top lid (18) so as to bring the flip-top lid (18) in a folded-open position and is elastically deformed during manual closing of the flip-top lid (18) between the closure cap body (10) and the flip-top lid (18).
20. A closure according to at least one of claims 17 to 19, characterized in that the folding closure cap is provided with a closure cap body (10), which is designed for connection to the container and the upper delimiting wall (12) of which comprises a raised region (14) having an outlet opening (16) arranged therein for the medium present in the container, a flip-top lid (18) that is hinged to the closure cap body (10) for closing the outlet opening (16), a locking device (20, 22, 24, 38, 42) designed on the closure cap body (10) and on the flip-top lid (18), and an element (30) which is effective on the hinged connection (28), made of an elastically deformable material and generates a prestress between the closure cap body (10) and the flip-top lid (18) so as to bring the flip-top lid (18) in a folded-open position and which, during manual closing of the flip-top lid (18), is elastically deformed between the closure cap body (10) and the flip-top lid (18), wherein the hinged connection (28) is formed of a ribbon-like connecting piece or of a plurality of connecting ribs (50, 52) and the elastic element (30) is integrally formed on one side of the ribbon-like connecting piece or between the connecting ribs (50, 52) in a rigid connection.
21. A closure according to at least one of claims 17 to 20, characterized in that the locking device (20, 22, 24, 38, 42) is designed as a snap-fit closure that can be unlocked manually, wherein the flip-top lid (18) comprises a locking extension (22; 38) which, in the closed position, latches onto a prestressed, manually actuatable locking element (24; 42) arranged on the closure cap body (10) in a region (26) made of an elastically deformable material.
22. A closure according to at least one of claims 17 to 21, characterized in that the folding closure cap is provided with a closure cap body (10), which is designed for connection to the container and the upper delimiting wall (12) of which comprises a raised region (14) having an outlet opening (16) arranged therein for the medium present in the container, a flip-top lid (18) that is hinged to the closure cap body (10) for closing the outlet opening (16), a locking device (20, 22, 24, 38, 42) designed on the closure cap body (10) and on the flip-top lid (18), and an element (30) which is effective on the hinged connection (28), made of an elastically deformable material and generates a prestress between the closure cap body (10) and the flip-top lid (18) so as to bring the flip-top lid (18) in a folded-open position and which, during manual closing of the flip-top lid (18), is elastically deformed between the closure cap body (10) and the flip-top lid (18), wherein the flip-top lid (18) comprises a locking extension (22; 38) which in the closed position latches onto a prestressed locking element (24; 42) in the manner of a snap-fit closure, wherein the locking element (24; 42) is arranged in a region (26) of the closure cap body (10) which is made of an elastically deformable material.
23. A closure according to at least one of claims 17 to 22, characterized in that the edge region of the flip-top lid (18) comprises a downwardly directed tongue (20) having an inwardly or outwardly extending locking extension (22; 38) onto which, in the closed position, a prestressed inwardly or outwardly extending locking element (24; 42) latches in an elastically deformable region (26) of the closure cap body (10) in the manner of a snap-fit closure, wherein the locking element (24; 42) can be disengaged from the locking extension (22; 38) of the tongue (20) by applying manual pressure to the elastically deformable region (26).
24. A closure according to at least one of claims 17 to 23, characterized in that, in the closed position of the flip-top lid (18), the downwardly directed tongue (20) engages in a cut-out (44) on or inside the outside wall (46) of the closure cap body (10).
25. A closure according to at least one of claims 17 to 24, characterized in that the elastically deformable region (26) is designed inside the cut-out (44).
26. A closure according to at least one of claims 17 to 25, characterized in that an actuating button (48) for unlocking the locking device (20, 22, 24) is arranged on the elastically deformable region (26).
27. A closure according to at least one of claims 17 to 26, characterized in that at least the raised region (14) is made of an elastically deformable material, and in the closed position the flip-top lid (18) is sealingly seated at least against the edge of the outlet opening (16) and applies a pressing force to the raised region (14) in the closing direction.
28. A closure according to at least one of claims 17 to 27, characterized in that the raised region (14) has a round or oval base area and is tapered in an approximately funnel-shaped manner toward the outlet opening (16).
29. A closure according to at least one of claims 17 to 28, characterized in that the raised region (14) is curved outward.
30. A closure according to at least one of claims 17 to 29, characterized in that the flip-top lid (18) has an outwardly curved design and, in the closed position, the inside wall (32) thereof sealingly closes the outlet opening (16).
31. A closure according to at least one of claims 17 to 30, characterized in that the inside wall (32) of the flip-top lid (18) which faces the outlet opening (16) comprises an extension (34) which, in the closed position of the flip-top lid (18), extends at least partially into the outlet opening (16) and/or is sealingly seated against the edge of the outlet opening (16), wherein the edge of the outlet opening (16) and/or the raised region (14) elastically deform.
32. A closure according to at least one of claims 17 to 31, characterized in that at least the raised region (14) and/or the elastically deformable element (30) on the hinged connection (28) and/or the elastically deformable region (26) of the locking device (20, 22, 24, 38, 42) are made of a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) or silicone.
33. A closure according to at least one of claims 17 to 32, characterized in that at least the raised region (14) and the elastically deformable element (30) on the hinged connection (28) form a connecting region which is made of a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) or silicone and designed as one piece.
34. A closure according to at least one of claims 17 to 33, characterized in that the regions (14; 26; 30) made of the thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) are formed of a respective TPE film.
35. A closure according to at least one of claims 17 to 34, characterized in that a hollow-cylindrical guide wall is coaxially arranged inside the closure cap body on the inside of the upper delimiting wall (12), the size of the inside diameter of the guide wall being at least that of the outside diameter of the lower part and the inside thereof being provided with at least one projection as part of the guide device.
36. A closure according to at least one of claims 17 to 35, characterized in that at least three projections are provided on the inside of the guide wall as part of the guide device.
37. A closure according to at least one of claims 17 to 36, characterized in that the auxiliary device is arranged concentrically with respect to the outlet opening (16) and the guide wall, inside the closure cap body on the inside of the upper delimiting wall (12).
38. A closure according to at least one of claims 17 to 37, characterized in that the auxiliary device is designed as a hollow cylinder, which at the lower end is cut off by a plane of which the normal forms an angle of preferably 25° with the axis, preferably an angle of 20°, preferably an angle of 15°, preferably an angle of 30°, and preferably an angle of 35°.
39. A closure according to at least one of claims 17 to 38, characterized in that the hollow cylinder of the auxiliary device and the outlet opening (16) have substantially the same inside diameter.
40. A closure according to at least one of claims 17 to 39, characterized in that the outside diameter of the hollow cylinder of the auxiliary device is at most as large as the inside diameter of the outlet opening of the container.
41. A closure according to at least one of claims 17 to 40, characterized in that, in a first upper region in which the hollow cylinder of the auxiliary device is connected to the upper delimiting wall (12), the cylinder has a larger outside diameter than in a second lower region which contains the lower end of the hollow cylinder, and that the cylinder in a third central region has an outside diameter which is preferably conically tapered from the first region toward the second region.
42. A container, in particular a tube, which is provided with the closure according to at least one of claims 1 to 41.

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