DE202020100758U1 - Captive closure with stabilized opening angle - Google Patents

Abstract

Closure, consisting of a screw cap (10) with a guarantee band (3), which has at least one cylindrical cap casing (2) with an internal thread and a circumferential guarantee band (3) at the lower, open end of the cap casing (2), which extends along easily tearable lines of weakness ( 13, 14) is connected to the lower edge of the cap casing, the guarantee band (3) after the tear along the lines of weakness being permanently connected to the cap casing (2) via holding straps (15, 16), characterized in that the holding straps (15 , 16) are formed by two weakening lines (13, 14) interrupted at least once in the circumferential direction, partially overlapping in the circumferential direction and at least axially spaced from one another in the overlapping area, and the separating webs (11, 12) of both weakening lines (13, 14 ) are bridged by the other weakening line (14, 13), preferably at an axial distance.

Description

The present invention relates to a captive closure, consisting of a screw cap, which has at least one cylindrical cap casing with an internal thread and a circumferential guarantee band at the lower, open end of the cap casing, the guarantee band being connected to the lower edge of the cap casing via at least one easily tearable line of weakness , wherein the tamper-evident tape remains tied to the cap jacket after tearing along the lines of weakness via retaining straps. The present invention also relates to a combination of a container neck with an external thread and a corresponding screw cap.

The present invention also relates to a special variant of a captive closure which enables a particularly effective use of material.

Plastic products and corresponding plastic waste, in particular in the form of so-called microplastics, which are formed from abrasion and decay from plastic waste, are increasingly the focus of public attention. The screw closures to which the present invention relates are also made of plastic, typically of polyethylene or of polypropylene. The deposit system, which has also been introduced for single-use plastic bottles, reduces the number of plastic bottles accumulating in the residual waste, which are instead recycled; however, this does not prevent the closures of the bottles from being screwed back onto the bottle after emptying, but instead being disposed of separately or thrown away and thus entering the environment in an uncontrolled manner and, for example, on the banks and beaches into the sea.

There have therefore been and still are efforts to design closures on bottles, in particular on beverage bottles, in such a way that they remain connected to the bottle neck even after a bottle has been opened. Such a property is also called “captive”.

In principle, captive closures are known.

In the case of disposable bottles in particular, the so-called guarantee tapes, which are connected to the lower edge of a cap jacket via weak points, remain underneath a so-called pilfer proof ring on the bottle neck and already form a captive part of the closure. In this respect, you only have to ensure that the screw cap remains connected to the guarantee band even after opening and loosening the screw cap from the bottle neck thread via at least one band section or the like, here referred to as a holding band, which in turn is held onto the bottle neck by the so-called pilferproof ring . A pilfer proof ring is typically an annular projection running around under a bottle neck thread with an essentially flat or slightly conical underside, behind which protruding radially inward projections or parts of a guarantee band, so that the guarantee band is held in place by the pilfer proof ring when a screw cap is unscrewed while the Tear the weak points between the guarantee tape and the cap jacket.

One then only has to ensure that the connection between the guarantee band and the cap jacket remaining via the at least one retaining band is sufficiently long to be able to lift the screw cap completely from the mouth of the bottle neck and to move it sideways or to tilt it away from the bottle neck opening.

However, these captive screw caps have often proven to be very annoying in use, since the caps move back before the opening of the bottle, for example when pouring liquid out of a corresponding bottle, or they twist under the effect of gravity at the bottle neck and when pouring into the liquid jet reach.

Especially when a user wants to drink directly from a bottle, appropriate screw caps still connected to the bottle neck are often in the way and annoying. The conventional captive closures can also cause malfunctions when closing bottles in high-performance closure systems.

In practice, therefore, captive closures have not yet established themselves to a desirable extent. The present invention is therefore based on the object of designing a captive screw cap with a guarantee band in such a way that the screw cap folds away after unscrewing and loosening the bottle neck into a position that does not disturb the further use of the bottle and the drinking or pouring out of the bottle or tilted and can remain there without additional measures. The screw cap is also referred to here briefly as “cap”.

This object is achieved by a screw cap according to the present invention as defined in claim 1.

In the screw cap according to the invention, retaining straps are formed by two weakening lines which are interrupted at least once in the circumferential direction and which are axially spaced from one another and partially overlap each other in the circumferential direction, interruption sections of both weakening lines being bridged axially by the respective other weakening line.The weakening lines can be made by cuts or can also be produced by dividing lines with webs already formed in the injection molding tool.

The above-mentioned interruption sections of the weakening lines are referred to below as “separating webs”. The dividing web of the upper weakening line effectively forms an axial extension of the cylindrical cap shell that is limited to a peripheral sector. The separating web of the lower weakening line forms an axial extension of a lower guarantee band section which is held stationary on the bottle neck.

In conventional closures, in which the guarantee band and the cap casing are connected to one another along a single circumferential weakening line that tears open when they are opened for the first time, the "guarantee band" is understood to mean all sections at the lower edge of a closure cap casing that extend axially below or from the cap thread beyond Levels of the line of weakness lie, which corresponds to the line referred to here as the upper line of weakness.

"Axially below" also includes the inward and upward angled section of a so-called flex band, which forms an axial extension of the outer guarantee band section during the manufacture of the closure cap, even if parts of this angled flex band section in the folded-up state are on the inside of the cap above the Levels of the upper line of weakness can extend.

To simplify the description, the above definition of the term “guarantee band” is retained here, i.e. Both dividers are considered part of the guarantee band insofar as they are below the level of the upper weakening line, even if the dividing web of the upper weakening line remains firmly connected to the lower edge of the cap shell and only along the lower weakening line from the parts of the bottle that remain stationary on the neck of the bottle Guarantee band releases. This also applies analogously to the straps, which are also below the level of the upper weakening line when the closure is closed, but do not remain in this position when and after opening,

The guarantee band defined in this way consists of a part that remains stationary on the bottle neck, which - apart from rotation - remains immovable relative to the bottle neck, and of moving parts, such as the retaining straps and the upper separator, that can be moved relative to the stationary part and the bottle neck when opened are, but remain connected to the stationary part.

In this way, the closure remains permanently connected to the bottle neck.

The separating webs have ends in the circumferential direction which are each connected to one of the ends of the retaining straps over their axial width. The separators have at least the same inner radius as the cap jacket. The lower edge is the free end face of the upper separator pointing axially downwards, while the axial end region of the upper separator comprising the edge is referred to as the “edge”.

The sections of the weakening lines which overlap in the circumferential direction define the holding straps as strip-shaped sections of the guarantee band which run in the circumferential direction between the weakening lines.

The cylindrical cap jacket with internal thread defines an axis of the closure, and the bottle neck, onto which a corresponding screw cap is screwed, defines an axis of the bottle neck. When closed, these axes coincide.

A sufficient axial distance of the weakening lines of, for example, at least 2 mm in their overlap area leads to sufficiently strong holding straps which do not tear up to a tensile force of 30 N and generally also up to 40 N. For an average consumer and especially for children, it is therefore not readily possible to tear off the screw cap from the part of the guarantee band held under the pilferproof ring by tearing the retaining straps. As a result, the cap, including the guarantee band, remains permanently connected to the bottle neck.

By appropriately coordinating the circumferential extent of the separating webs and the distance of the weakening lines (measured in the axial direction), it can be achieved that a screw cap, after unscrewing and lifting off and folding over, is brought into a sufficiently stable position at a sufficient distance from the neck opening of the container in which it can be adjusted the opening and folding does not remain in and regardless of the orientation of the associated container or bottle neck also due to your own weight a disruptive position in front of the bottle neck comes.

The terms “container” and “bottle” are used synonymously in the context of the present invention, since the precise nature of the container is not important with regard to the invention, as long as it only has a neck with an external thread on which the closure or the screw cap of the Closure fits.

Each of the two weakening lines expediently has exactly one separating web and the centers of the two separating webs are diametrically opposite one another. In any case, the weakening lines are axially spaced from one another in their overlapping areas. In one embodiment, in the case of the unopened closure, the two lines of weakness remain along their entire circumferential extent in the same, but different axial position between the two lines of weakness. However, the axial position of the lines of weakness can also vary along their course in the circumferential direction, as long as this does not make the retaining straps too narrow and maintain a sufficient tear strength of at least 30 N to preferably at least 40 N.

Such an axial distance is not important in the dividers of the weakening lines and the other weakening line that is not interrupted there could possibly pass into an axial position in this area, which otherwise corresponds to the broken weakening line or has an even greater axial distance from it. For the present invention, however, it is expedient if the upper separating web has an axial length which corresponds to at least one third of the axial dimension of the guarantee band between the upper weakening line and the lower edge. The lower edge of the guarantee band is the axially most distant edge of the guarantee band.

Especially with a view to simpler manufacture, the lines of weakness should remain at a different but constant axial level over their entire length, and thus at an axial distance from one another. The upper separating web then has an axial height beyond the lower edge of the cap jacket, which corresponds to the axial distance between the two lines of weakness.

The upper weakening line defines a dividing line between the lower edge of the cap casing and the guarantee band. The lower weakening line separates the guarantee band along a circumferential section into a lower and an upper guarantee band section, the upper guarantee band section being fixedly connected to the cap jacket in the region of the interruption of the upper weakening line and otherwise defining a section of the dividing line between retaining straps and the lower guarantee band section.

In one embodiment, the guarantee band is a so-called flex band, which has a first, in the axial extension of the cylindrical cap jacket, outer guarantee band part and a second, from the lower end of the first guarantee band part radially inwardly and upwardly folded guarantee band part, the free, upward-facing part End engaging elements for engagement with the underside of the pilfer proof ring.

The terms "top" and "bottom" are used here consistently, as they result from orienting the closure placed on the bottle neck mouth of a vertically standing bottle, even if the guarantee band arranged at the lower end of the screw cap is opened and opened actually lies on top. Accordingly, the terms “outside” and “inside” refer to the closure when it is placed on a bottle neck.

The separation of the guarantee band along the entire length of the weakening lines leads to the fact that in the overlap region of the weakening lines, because of their axial spacing, strip-shaped sections of the guarantee band are produced, which are referred to here as retaining bands. These retaining straps connect the respective separating webs of the upper and lower weakening lines, these dividing webs in turn forming a connection to the cap jacket or to the first guarantee band part, which is provided for stationary retention on a bottle neck. The separating web of the lower weakening line is a determining factor in the length of the retaining straps, but has no further function with regard to the stability of the opened cap position. The separator of the upper weakening line (upper separator), on the other hand, depending on the design, contributes significantly to the stabilization of a wide open state of the cap. As far as the "separator" is mentioned below without further identification, this upper separator is therefore always meant. This separating web forms an axial extension of the cap jacket and is firmly connected to it.

The ends of this separating web in the circumferential direction are each connected to one of the ends of the retaining straps. the other end of the straps is connected to the ends of the lower separating web in the circumferential direction

After unscrewing and then folding or folding the screw cap, which remains connected to the bottle neck via the dividers and the retaining straps, the cap comes into a position after a pivoting movement of approx. 90 ° in which the cap swiveled the lower edge of the separating web is moved radially inwards to the bottle neck and the upper edge of the dividing web, which is directly adjacent to the cap jacket, is moved radially outwards away from the bottle neck.

The retaining straps between the two separating webs are thereby twisted and hold the cap, or the separating web axially extending the cap, in contact with the bottle neck. The lower edge of the separating web or its lower edge is in contact with the bottle neck and forms a pivot point on the bottle neck, which, however, shifts in the axial direction during the pivoting movement on the bottle neck

Apart from a slight restoring force of the twisted retaining straps, the tamper-evident band initially does not provide any appreciable resistance during the folding movement of the screw cap and the pivoting of the lower edge of the separating web radially towards the bottle neck.

After unscrewing the cap jacket and then tilting the cap jacket into a wide open position, the lower edge of the (upper) separating web comes into contact with the container neck, especially in the area of the pilferproof ring, whereby the straps come under a little tension and the outer ends of the Pull the divider in the direction of the bottle neck. This is due, among other things, to the fact that, on the one hand, the outer edges of the separating web (in the circumferential direction) move away from the bottle neck when the cap is pivoted due to the curved course of the same along the cap jacket, and secondly, this effect is reinforced by the radially inwardly pivoting upper dividing web that presses against the bottle neck, which acts as an abutment.

The lower edge or the lower edge of the separating web forms a contact point with the bottle neck or the pilferproof ring, around which the screw cap pivots. The pivoting position of the cap reaches a dead center when the separating web runs approximately perpendicular to the axis of the bottle neck. The latter is also the axis of the stationary guarantee band remaining on the bottle neck. After the dead center has been exceeded, the tension in the retaining straps and the contact between the separator and the bottle neck support the movement of the cap into an even further open position. The cap is thus stabilized in a wide open position.

According to one embodiment, this stabilizing effect is further enhanced by the fact that the separating web is radially thickened at its lower end, this thickening preferably and, because of easier demolding, also on the area of the guarantee band axially below the upper dividing web, i.e. below the lower line of weakness, and extends over the entire scope of the guarantee band.

However, this increases the material consumption for the closure cap. However, one embodiment makes it possible to create a closure with a screw cap, which nevertheless ensures improved stability of the screw cap on a bottle neck in a wide open state with less material. Compared to the rest of the prior art, the task generally consists in ensuring a stable, wide-open position of the screw cap in the case of a captive closure

This object is achieved in that the upper separating web has at its axially lower edge a projection which projects radially outward with respect to all adjacent outer surfaces of the grant band.

The projection can have only a third or less of the axial height of the upper separating web and its radial projection over the adjoining outer surfaces of the guarantee band is, for example, in the range from 0.2 to 1.2 mm, preferably 0.5-1 mm. Below and in the circumferential direction outside the upper separator, the guarantee tape has an essentially constant wall thickness of 0.3 to 0.8 mm.

In one embodiment, the projection is also limited to the circumferential angle of the upper separating web in the circumferential direction and preferably extends only over part of this circumferential angle. If the circumferential angle over which the separating web extends, for. B. is 50 degrees, the circumferential extent of the radial projection at the lower edge of the separating web z. B. restrict to the central 30 ° of this circumferential angle. The projection can also have a maximum radial extent in the center of its circumferential angle and can run out towards its ends or have a reduced radial extent.

The cross section of the radial projection is largely arbitrary. The maximum radial protrusion over the outer surface of the guarantee band and / or the cap jacket can be somewhat larger (e.g. B. 0.3 to 1.2 mm) than the thickness to be measured in the axial direction, the z. B. is 0.2 to 0.8 mm.

The radial projection is supported when the screw cap is folded over from the closed but detached position to the open position on the bottle neck or the outside of the pilferproof ring on the bottle neck and stretches the holding straps to a dead center, which is approximately a folding angle (starting from from the parallel position of the axes of the guarantee band axis and the screw cap axis) from 90 ° -100 ° to a maximum amount, which decreases somewhat when the dead center is exceeded. This stabilizes the open position of the screw cap beyond the dead center.

In the embodiment described above, the lower edge or the lower edge of the upper separating web defined with respect to the other embodiments is formed by the radially outer edge of the radial projection, which extends in the radial direction from the lower edge of the upper separating web.

Since the retaining straps are connected over their entire width to the ends of the separating web, the sections of the holding tapes which are directly attached to the upper end of the separating web are stretched somewhat more than the sections which attach to the lower of the separating web. The axial height of the separating web between the pivot point and the upper attachment of the retaining straps thus forms a lever for the tensile force of the retaining straps, which supports the further opening movement of the cap when the pivoting movement has exceeded a dead center at approximately 90 °. As a result, the cap achieves a stable opening angle of e.g. B. 140 ° relative to their starting position. In addition, due to the upward movement of the screw cap with the upper separator, the retaining straps extend over the pilferproof ring, which contributes to the stretching and tensile stress in the retaining straps. Also the fact that the separating web extends over a certain circumferential angle of e.g. B. extends 20 - 60 °, when folding the cap leads to an increase in the distance between the ends of the separating web from the bottle neck and thus to a corresponding increase in the tensile force in the retaining straps because of the arcuate course of the separating web along the circumference and with the radius of the cap jacket that hold the cap in the wide open position by pulling the folded divider towards the bottle neck.

Basically, however, the straps, d. H. the length of the overlap areas of the two weakening lines, and also the axial height and circumferential length of the separating web, are designed such that an expansion of the bands remains in the elastic range and does not reach the yield point.

This means that due to the engagement between the lower edge of the divider and the bottle neck by the retaining straps, a varying force is exerted on the divider, which initially rises when the screw cap is tilted, then passes over a dead center and then subsides again, namely when Screw cap and with it the upper separator are tilted by more than about 90 ° with respect to their closed position, the straps extending between the two separators being twisted. Because of a comparatively small wall thickness of, for example, 0.3 to 0.6 or 0.8 mm and a moderate (measured in the axial direction) width of the holding straps of, for example, 3 mm, the elastic restoring forces due to the torsion of these holding straps are relatively low in comparison to the force exerted by the straps towards the bottle neck on the upper separator.

As a result, the folded-over position of the closure reached after overcoming a dead center remains essentially stable and the screw cap does not move in a disruptive manner in front of or too close to the bottle neck opening.

So that the screw cap does not interfere, especially when drinking from the mouth of the bottle neck, in one embodiment the axis of the closure cap, which coincides with the axis of the bottle neck when the closure is closed, should assume a stable position in the opposite direction after opening and folding over to the side the starting position or with respect to the axis of the bottle neck is pivoted by at least 120 degrees, preferably by at least 140 °.

In view of the functioning of the captive closure during and after the screw cap is folded over, it becomes clear that the specifically created restoring and stabilizing forces depend on a whole series of interacting parameters, including, among other things, a certain axial width and the circumferential extent of the upper separating bar fixed to the cap jacket , the difference between the outer radius of the bottle neck and the inner radius of the separating web, which corresponds to the inner radius of the cap, and the circumferential extent of the lines of weakness and the lower dividing web (and thus the length of the retaining straps). In addition, as a further parameter according to the present invention, the radial projection at the lower edge of the upper separating web comes into contact with the outside of the bottle neck when the screw cap is open, in particular in the area of the pilferproof ring stands and additionally stabilizes the open position of the screw cap.

The aforementioned parameters can be coordinated in different combinations in such a way that the flip-over movement of the screw cap takes place over a dead center, so that the screw cap has a bistable position overall, the screw cap not interfering with access to the bottle neck mouth in the fully open, stable position. Preferred and practically functional values for the above parameters are given below and in the dependent claims.

In principle, it is expedient, if not mandatory, that each weakening line has exactly one separating web and the center points of the dividing webs are diametrically opposite one another. The dividing line of the lower weakening line, which is firmly connected to the remaining part of the guarantee band, limits in one direction the overlap between the upper and lower weakening lines and the overlapping of the weakening lines determines the length of the retaining straps that connect the guarantee band remaining on the bottle neck to the screw cap jacket.

The separating web of the upper weakening line expediently extends over a circumferential angle between 10 ° and 75 °, preferably in the range between 20 "and 60 °. An angle in this area ensures that the separating web is stable in itself and together with the cap jacket is folded down and not only is the cap jacket bent over in relation to the separating web when opening, but on the other hand this also provides a sufficient force effect which keeps the folded closure in its fully open position, for which the separating web must have a certain minimum length in the circumferential direction.

The separating web of the lower weakening line, which is diametrically opposite the dividing web of the upper weakening line, can extend over a circumferential angle between e.g. Extend 120 ° and 200 °, preferably between 170 ° and 190 °, the difference in the circumferential angle of the upper and lower separating webs defining the length of the holding straps which extend between the remaining part of the guarantee band and the cap jacket.

The width of the separating web remaining on the cap jacket should preferably be at least half the width of the entire intact, i.e. H. not yet separated along the lines of weakness, guarantee band, so that the torsion of this relatively wide section compared to the rest of the guarantee band causes a corresponding difference in diameter and length between the radially inner, lower edge of the separating web and the upper edge of the dividing web attached to the screw cap.

Expressed in numbers, the width (in the intact state) of the separating web remaining on the cap jacket measured in the axial direction should be at least 1.5 mm, preferably at least 2 mm and in particular about 3 mm or more. The wall thickness of the guarantee band, on the other hand, is in a range between 0.3 and 0.8 mm, so that it is clear that the forces caused in the band by twisting the separating web compared to the rest of the band are caused, among other things, by the different inner and outer radius of the twisted guarantee band sections (consisting of the retaining straps and the upper separating web), which is larger the wider the twisted section is.

The minimum width of the holding straps measured in the axial direction depends, among other things, on the plastic material actually used and also on the wall thickness of the holding straps. The minimum distance between the lines of weakness, which defines the minimum width of the holding straps, should accordingly be greater than 1 mm, preferably greater than 2 mm and in particular greater than 2.3 mm in one embodiment. An upper limit is set by the width of the guarantee band. The retaining straps, which are effectively formed as the sections of the guarantee band running between the dividing lines, then have sufficient tear strength to prevent the screw cap from being torn off from the guarantee band, at least by the hands of children. The retaining straps are preferably tear-resistant up to a tensile force of at least 30 N, preferably at least 40 N.

The combination according to the invention of a bottle neck with an external thread and a closure, as described above, is characterized in that the outside diameter of the bottle neck above a pilfer proof ring, the inside diameter of the guarantee band, as well as the width, the circumferential extent and any thickening of the upper separating web are coordinated so that after loosening and when the screw cap is subsequently folded down, the free lower edge of the separating web engages with the bottle neck. The straps are twisted a little. If a tilt angle of approx. 90 ° is exceeded, the cap with the separating web is moved past a dead center, so that the outside of the dividing web then faces the outside of the bottle neck and the screw cap is folded down by more than 90 ° due to a certain tension in the retaining straps Position is stabilized.

The tilt or flip 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 folded state.

The difference between the outside diameter of the bottle neck in an area above the pilferproof ring, in which the upper separating web of the guarantee band is arranged on the bottle neck after the closure has been opened, should be at most 2.5 mm, preferably at most 1.5 mm, smaller than the nominal one Inner diameter of the guarantee band. “Nominal inside diameter” means the inside diameter of the guarantee band without any flex band section, which in particular also corresponds to the inside diameter of the cap in the area of the upper separating web before the lines of weakness are cut

In the variants discussed below, a small difference in diameter is ensured between the relevant section of the bottle neck or the pilferproof ring, along which the lower edge of the separating slide slides, and the diameter of the guarantee band by adjusting the bottle neck diameter or the pilferproof ring profile and thus also its diameter.

A small difference in diameter ensures that the lower edge of the separator, which is firmly connected to the lower edge of the cap shell and is located above the pilferproof ring after unscrewing the screw cap, engages with the bottle neck at a relatively small tilt angle and also after If the dead center is exceeded, a force caused by this intervention acts between the bottle neck and separator, which holds the stabilized screw cap in the wide open position and stabilizes it.

In a variant of the combination of container neck with screw thread and closure according to the invention, the pilferproof ring has a profile which is defined by a lower flank, which extends in an axial section at least 80 ° to the bottle neck axis, an area of maximum diameter and an upper flank, which extends at an angle of inclination <90 ° relative to the bottle neck axis and merges into the outer bottle neck diameter below the thread of the bottle neck. The upper flank or a section of the bottle neck extends above the upper flank of the profile of the pilferproof ring at least into one or up to an axial position which, when the screw cap is in the maximum folded position, extends from the lower edge ( 11a) of the upper separator is reached. This section has a larger outside diameter than the bottle neck ( 20th ) without thread profile or in the thread base.

This means that when the screw cap is unscrewed and folded over, the upper separator is first raised above the area of the maximum diameter of the pilfer proof ring and its lower edge slides onto its upper flank, the area in this area that is covered by the lower edge of the separator Enlarged bottle neck diameter pushes the separator further radially outwards than would be possible with the bottle neck diameter as it would otherwise be between the pilferproof ring and thread and also on the thread base. This causes a further torsion of the straps and thus rotates the separator and the screw cap into an even further tilted position.

The difference in the outer diameter of the upper flank or the section above and the bottle neck diameter without a thread profile, i.e. H. on the thread base, should be at least 0.1 mm, preferably at least 0.3 mm and up to 1 mm in the variant described above.

In particular, in the combination of container neck with screw thread and closure according to the invention, the pilferproof ring has a triangular profile or a trapezoidal profile, the lower flank of which extends at an angle of 80 ° or more, that is to say perpendicular or almost perpendicular to the axis of the container neck, and the upper flank of which extends at an angle of about 30 ° or less to the axis of the container neck. When the container is opened by unscrewing the closure, the separator slides over the ridge between the flanks of the pilferproof ring, after which the upper flank of the pilferproof ring first comes into engagement with the separator. Due to the small angle of the upper flank, the flank has a large axial extent and the area of a diameter defined by this flank, which is larger than the bottle neck diameter mentioned above, can easily be changed when opening and folding a screw cap from the lower edge of the Extend separator crossover area.

Furthermore, the cylindrical neck section of the container neck, on which the cylindrical external thread is provided, can generally have a slightly larger diameter (approx. 0.3-0.8 mm) below the thread and above the pilferproof ring than above, which leads to a further firmer engagement between the lower edge of the upper separator and the bottle neck and thus the tilt angle between the bottle neck axis and axis of the closure tends to be further enlarged

Some established bottle neck standards cannot be changed in the short term and can only be changed at great expense and with the agreement of many involved parties, so that the diameter of a bottle neck or pilferproof ring and its profile can initially be regarded as unchangeable.For this, a further embodiment of a closure is presented which is suitable for the Use on standard bottle necks is provided, the thread depth of which is 1.3 mm or more as standard. An example of this is the bottle neck according to the PCO standard 1881.

With a deeper thread, the inner radius of the cap shell also has a greater difference to the outer radius of the bottle neck than with a less deep thread, since the inner radius of the cap shell corresponds at least to the radius of the thread root of the screw cap, which in turn is slightly larger than the outer radius of the bottle neck thread.

This applies accordingly to the lower edge area of the cap jacket and the separating web attached to it.

For such deeper threads, a further parameter of the closure can be considered in order to ensure a sufficiently large and stable flip angle of the closure in the open state, namely the radial thickness of the upper separating web at its lower edge.

When the guarantee band is intact, the lower edge of the upper separating web runs along the lower weakening line and is limited by this.

In one embodiment, which is primarily intended for closures and bottles that have a thread depth beyond 1.2 or 1.3 mm, it is provided that the separating web of the upper weakening line has a radial thickening at least on its free lower edge.

In particular, this lower edge (when closed) is thickened radially outwards. This thickening is then after the screw cap is opened and folded over the pilferproof ring on the bottle neck. This thickening on the separating web compensates for at least part of the radius difference between the bottle neck and the inner radius of the upper dividing web, which, as explained above, is also enlarged because of the deeper thread.

The radial thickening is provided on the outside of the separating web and at least in one or two positions in the area of its lower edge. After the cap has been folded down by more than 90 °, the radial thickening lies on the bottle neck or on the upper flank of the pilferproof ring. The radial thickening on the dividing web thus forces the area of the dividing web lying radially within the thickening, particularly at its lower edge with respect to the bottle neck, radially outwards, which effectively amounts to the part of the dividing web which was intended without the thickening assumes exactly the same position and angular position as with a smaller radius difference between the bottle neck and the inside of the separator.

In one variant, the wall thickness of the separating web is up to 1 mm due to a radial thickening of its lower edge, whereby “thickening” means the radial protrusion of this area beyond the otherwise cylindrical surface of the guarantee band. With a wall thickness of the remaining guarantee tape of approximately 0.3 to 0.8 mm, this thickening is between 0.2 and 0.7 mm, in particular 0.2 to 0.4 mm. Without this thickening, the wall thickness of the guarantee tape - apart from the lines of weakness - is essentially constant and equal to the wall thickness of the cap jacket.

However, the thickening can also extend over the entire guarantee band section below the separating web, i.e., to the lower edge of the guarantee band and in particular also along the entire circumference of a lower guarantee band section below a line, and between the upper and lower weakening lines and at a distance from this lies. This simplifies the manufacture in an injection mold and in particular also the creation of the lower weakening line in comparison to a variant which has a radial thickening which is limited to only an area along the lower edge of the separating web.

The radial thickening of the upper separator is particularly noticeable with larger thread depths on the bottle neck beyond 1.3 mm, such as with threads of the widely used standard type PCO1881. The thickening has a stabilizing effect on the folded position of the opened cap and holds it Axis of the screw cap in the open state is tilted by more than 120, preferably by more than 140 ° with respect to the bottle neck axis.

In the case of the present invention, the radial thickening is formed or replaced by a radially outward projection which is limited to the lower edge region of the separating web and is attached to it.

Claims 11 - 14 define further details and dimensions of this radial projection, such as, for example, a radial projection beyond the radial outer surface of the separating web in the range from 0.1 mm to 1.2 mm, preferably 0.3-1 mm and an axial thickness ( Height) of the radial projection has between 0.2 and 1 mm.

The radial projection expediently extends over a circumferential angle which is at most the circumferential angle of the upper separating web ( 11 ) corresponds to and preferably between 50 and 80% of the circumferential angle of the upper separating web ( 11 ) is.

In one embodiment, the radial projection has a maximum radial projection in its central section as seen in the circumferential direction, which decreases towards the ends of the projection.

In the axial direction, the projection is expediently limited to the lower section, that is to say approximately the lower axial half of the upper separating web, because when the screw cap is folded down, in particular this lower section of the separating web comes into contact with the container neck and in cooperation with the starting point and the Tension of the straps stabilizes the open position.

The axial dimensions of all parts below the cap shell, which traditionally form a guarantee band, are in practice limited to a total of about 5 to 6 mm. On the one hand, the demand for material savings and the requirements by appropriately adapted bottle necks limit this axial dimension. This measure is limited at the bottom by sufficient functional stability. On the one hand, a guarantee band must be secured to the bottle neck in such a way that it can practically not be removed from the bottle neck without damage. On the other hand, it also has to withstand the forces when applying the closure to a bottle neck thread, in particular while it is being moved over the pilferproof ring. These conditions can no longer be met if essential parts of the guarantee band are axially shorter than, for example, 2 mm (apart from easily breakable bridges, which can be distributed along a line of weakness).

If, as in the present case, the part of the screw cap below the cap jacket is additionally divided into the elements of the stationary part, retaining straps and separating webs, there is little scope for a variation in the axial width (or height) of the retaining straps and the axial height of the Separators are available. In practice, both dimensions are in the range of 2 - 3 mm. In the circumferential area of the retaining straps and the upper separating web, an axial width of approximately 2-3 mm then also remains for the stationary outer guarantee strap section. Any practical variation in the course of the weakening lines along their circumferential extent would therefore also be restricted to an axial area of at most 1 mm width for practical reasons. This would not change the basic function of a closure according to the invention and is therefore not discussed in detail here.

In one embodiment of the invention, the stationary part also forms a flexible band with the already described outer stationary section and a part which is folded inwards and upwards and which engages with the pilferproof ring of a bottle neck.

In a further variant, the closure is designed for use on an opening neck of a cardboard packaging.

Such a screw cap for cardboard packaging has a lower closure part with a circumferential flange on which a seal can be connected to the surface of a cardboard packaging, as well as a cylindrical pouring spout adjoining the flange, which has an upper outer and a lower inner opening, a screw cap with an internal thread, that can be screwed onto an external thread of the pouring spout, a cutting ring arranged in the pouring spout, which has at least one axially inwardly projecting cutting edge at its lower edge, and an axial lifting and driving device on the cutting ring and the screw cap, one on the inside of the Screw cap attached driver and an axial lifting device which moves the cutting ring axially in the direction of the lower opening and in the circumferential direction when turning the screw cap in the opening direction and thereby an at least partially circular cut in the container lteroberfläche brings.

For such a closure, too, the object underlying the invention is achieved in that the screw cap has a circumferential guarantee band at the lower edge of its cap casing, which, with an inner projection, engages behind a pilferproof ring on the outside of the pouring spout below the pouring thread, the guarantee band being replaced by two Separate, partially circumferential and partially overlapping and non-intersecting cuts are partially divided and partially separated from the jacket of the screw cap, so that in the circumferentially overlapping areas of the cuts from parts of the guarantee band, a retaining band is formed, which the by External screw cap loosely holds onto the lower part of the guarantee band, which remains divided at the closure.

This variant can also have all the features of the dependent claims 2-12, with respect to the combination of bottle neck and closure in claims 13-17 the respective bottle neck would have to be replaced by the lower closure part attached to a beverage carton

In the case of such a closure, the cutting ring has on its outside a second external thread which is opposite to the external thread of the pouring spout and which engages with a matching second internal thread on the inside of the pouring spout.

In this variant, the second internal thread and the second external thread can have a larger pitch than the internal thread of the screw cap and the external thread of the pouring spout, the factor between the different pitch heights preferably being at least 1.5

Furthermore, the driver of the screw cap can be designed as a lifting cam with a surface or edge inclined to the closure axis and an element of the cutting ring as a cam follower, and radially overlapping guide elements can be provided on the outside of the cutting ring and on the inside of the pouring spout, the guide elements allow only an axial movement of the cutting ring at the beginning of an opening rotation of the screw cap and only allow the cutting ring to be taken along in the circumferential direction after a predeterminable axial position of the cutting ring has been reached and limit the further axial movement,

• 1 eine perspektivische Ansicht des Verschlusses gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung
• 2 den Verschluss nach 1 in einer Seitenansicht,
• 3 eine 360°-Abwicklung des Garantiebandes des Verschlusses aus 2,
• 4 A-C den Verschluss nach 1 in verschiedenen Stadien eines Öffnungsvorganges,
• 5 einen umgeklappten Verschluss, bei welchem der Trennsteg mit der oberen Flanke eines Pilferproofringes in Eingriff ist,
• 6A eine Detailansicht aus 5,
• 6B einen axial Schnitt durch einen Flaschenhals mit einem Pilferproofring gemäß der Erfindung,
• 7 Ein Detail analog zu 5 mit einer anderen Profilform eines Pilferproofringes,
• 8A, 8B Varianten der Ausgestaltung eines Flaschenhalses im Bereich oberhalb eines Pilferproofringes,
• 9 eine Seitenansicht einer weiteren Ausführungsform eines Verschlusses, teilweise im Schnitt, insbesondere für größere Gewindetiefen, im geschlossenen Zustand 9A eine vergrößerte Schnittansicht des Detailbereiches B in 9
• 10 eine Seitenansicht der Ausführungsform nach 9 im offenen Zustand, teilweise im Schnitt,
• 10A eine vergrößerte Schnittansicht des Details A aus 10
• 11 einen axialen Schnitt durch einen erfindungsgemäßen Verschluss für Getränkekartons,
• 12 den Verschluss nach 11 in einer Ansicht von außen im geschlossenen Zustand,
• 13 den geschlossenen Verschluss nach 11 in einer Ansicht von oben,
• 14 den Verschluss nach 11 in einem teilweise geöffneten Zustand,
• 15 einen vollständig geöffneten Verschluss gemäß 11 mit einer umgeklappten Schraubkappe,
• 16 eine teilweise geschnittene Seitenansicht einer weiteren Ausführungsform mit einem radialen Vorsprung des oberen Trennsteges in seinem unteren Bereich,
• 17 eine vergrößerte Schnittansicht der Schraubkappe aus 16 im Bereich des oberen Trennsteges und
• 18 eine vergrößerte Schnittansicht der Schraubkappe aus 16 und 17 im umgeklappten Zustand.

Further advantages, features and possible uses of the present invention will become clear from the following description of a preferred embodiment and the associated figures. Show it:

• 1 a perspective view of the closure according to the present invention
• 2nd the closure after 1 in a side view,
• 3rd a 360 ° development of the guarantee band of the closure 2nd ,
• 4 AC the closure after 1 in different stages of an opening process,
• 5 a folded closure in which the separator engages with the upper flank of a pilferproof ring,
• 6A a detailed view 5 ,
• 6B an axial section through a bottle neck with a pilferproof ring according to the invention,
• 7 A detail analogous to 5 with a different profile shape of a pilfer proof ring,
• 8A , 8B Variants of the design of a bottle neck in the area above a pilfer proof ring,
• 9 a side view of a further embodiment of a closure, partly in section, in particular for greater thread depths, in the closed state 9A an enlarged sectional view of the detail area B in 9
• 10th a side view of the embodiment 9 in the open state, partly in section,
• 10A an enlarged sectional view of detail A. 10th
• 11 3 shows an axial section through a closure for beverage cartons according to the invention,
• 12th the closure after 11 in a view from the outside in the closed state,
• 13 the closed closure 11 in a top view,
• 14 the closure after 11 in a partially opened state,
• 15 a fully opened lock according to 11 with a folded screw cap,
• 16 2 shows a partially sectioned side view of a further embodiment with a radial projection of the upper separating web in its lower area,
• 17th an enlarged sectional view of the screw cap 16 in the area of the upper separator and
• 18th an enlarged sectional view of the screw cap 16 and 17th when folded.

According to the perspective view in 1 the closure according to the invention consists of a screw cap 10th with guarantee band, the screw cap 10th essentially from a cap jacket 2nd and a headstock 1 which is the cylindrical cap shell 2nd closes at the top. At the bottom of the cap shell 2nd sets a guarantee band 3rd to that not completely from the screw cap in the closure according to the invention 10th is separable.

Usual screw caps with a guarantee band only have a single weakening line, which is different from the weakening line shown here 13 without interruption along the entire circumference of the screw cap 10th runs and the dividing line between the screw cap 10th and the guarantee tape 3rd represents.

A weakening line can generally be a circumferential, uniform weakening of the material, which can be achieved, for example, by the material of the guarantee band 3rd or the transition to the cap jacket 2nd can not create a completely penetrating incision, or it is a wall thickness of the guarantee tape 3rd completely penetrating incision, which is interrupted at certain points by easily breakable bridges.

The present invention deviates from this customary form of screw cap with a guarantee band in that it has two lines of weakness 13 , 14 has, which are spaced from each other in the axial direction and on the other hand do not extend over the entire circumference of the guarantee band, but in an upper separating web 11 the top line of weakness 13 and in a lower divider 12th the lower line of weakness 14 are interrupted.

The 2nd is side view of the closure 1 to recognize and 3rd shows a processing of the guarantee band 3rd over 360 °, ie the ends of the guarantee band shown on the right and left at 0 ° and 360 ° abut and hang together, so that the guarantee band has an overall ring shape. The separation in this development view divides the divider 12th in two parts, although it is actually a single, continuous separator.

The break lines 13 , 14 are of different lengths, but are arranged so that they are the divider 11 respectively. 12th overlap the other line of weakness. It is useful if the center of the dividers 11 , 12th are diametrically opposed to each other, as in the present case at 0 ° and 180 ° in 3rd .

If after opening or unscrewing the screw cap from a bottle neck, the first along the lines of weakness 13 , 14 existing weak connection is completely separated, form the retaining straps formed in the overlap region of the line of weakness 15 , 16 an essentially tear-proof connection between the interruption areas 11 , 12th . The break area 11 is with the bottom of the screw cap and the break area 12th is with the part of the guarantee band remaining in its original position 3rd , which is below the line of weakness 14 is connected.

The one below the line of weakness 14 remaining part of the guarantee band 3rd forms together with the break area 12th all in all a completely encircling fastening strap, which is in engagement with the bottle neck, between the screw cap and the neck of the container. The break areas 12th and 11 are each by remaining straps 15 , 16 joined together by the overlapping sections of the two lines of weakness 13 , 14 generated so that the screw cap effectively 10th over the straps 15 , 16 remains connected to the lower section of the guarantee band and thus to the bottle neck and is therefore captive.

In 4A one recognizes a closure arranged on a bottle neck in a partially unscrewed state. The connection between screw cap 10th and guarantee tape 3rd is along both lines of weakness 13 , 14 separated. However, since both lines of weakness are interrupted and axially offset from one another at least in their overlap region, there remains over the holding straps generated between the overlapping lines of weakness 15 , 16 a flexible connection between the screw cap 10th and guarantee tape 3rd consist. It is therefore understood that when loosening the closure or the screw cap 10th by a rotary movement in the opening direction with the cap jacket 2nd the guarantee band 3rd around the closure axis 50 turns that from the straps 15 , 16 , is taken along in the circumferential direction.

Due to the thread pitch, the cap jacket moves axially upwards, while the guarantee band on a so-called pilferproof ring 21 is recorded, which is only hinted at in the figures. One recognizes in 4A however, the dividers 11 and 12th and one of the straps extending between them 15 while the lines of weakness 13 , 14 are expanded to a large axial distance.

As soon as the screw cap according 4A is screwed off sufficiently far from the thread of the bottle neck, the screw cap can be removed or tilted sideways, as shown in 4B is shown. 4C shows a state in which the screw cap 10th already more than 90 ° from the starting position in 4A is tilted or folded down. The tilt angle is defined as the angle between the axis 50 of the container neck and the axis 50` of the cylindrical internal thread of the cap jacket 2nd , which collapse on the bottle neck when the closure is closed, while in the case of the open Closure according to 4C the axes 50 , 50 ' , starting from the closed position, have been tilted by approximately 150 ° relative to one another.

The interruption area is of particular importance 11 to, due to the connection with the cap jacket, a relatively stable, axial extension of the cap jacket 2nd represents. By tilting the screw cap according to 4C this separating web 11 in the form of a tab-like extension is also tilted together with the stable closure jacket and has in 4C a horizontal position (perpendicular to the axis 50 ) already slightly exceeded, with the straps 15 , 16 are twisted accordingly.

The bottom edge 11a of the separator 11 occurs with the outside of the bottle neck 20th engaged because of the edge 11a due to the tilting of the screw cap and also because of its axial displacement via the pilferproof ring 21 out and because of the twist of the straps 15 , 16 is forced to a smaller radius than in the state according to 4A . One around 30 ° or a little less relative to the locking axis 50 inclined upper flank of the pilfer proof ring 21 supports the folding movement of the divider 11 if this is on the upper flank of the pilfer proof ring 21 slipped on

The top edge of the divider 11 that is firmly attached to the bottom of the cap shell 2nd connected, moves accordingly to a larger radius than in the initial state according to 4A . The two straps 15 , 16 are twisted and the axial displacement of the upper separator 11 of the guarantee band additionally leads to an effective reduction in the diameter of the guarantee band, including the separating web 11 , especially in the area of the lower edge 11a .

That bottom edge 11a of the separator 11 therefore occurs with the outside of the bottle neck 20th in contact and in frictional engagement, being between the bottle neck 20th and separator 11 or the edge 11a force occurring is maximum when the separator 11 roughly horizontal, ie perpendicular to the bottle neck axis 50 , is aligned. The straps 15 , 16 are then under tension.

If the screw cap and the divider are tilted further 11 the tension in the straps, which have a certain elasticity, is reduced somewhat, so that the horizontal position of the separating web 11 defines a dead center. As soon as this dead center is exceeded, the engagement between the separating web causes 11 and bottleneck 20th effectively a force that the screw cap counteracts elastic restoring forces in the retaining straps 15 , 16 tends to move to the further folded position. This takes the cap jacket 2nd and thus the screw cap 10th overall a sufficiently stable position beyond the dead center. The screw cap thus remains in a wide open state even if the bottle neck is rotated or inclined in any direction.

In this position, the cap jacket is sufficiently far away from the bottle neck opening that liquid can be poured out of the bottle as well as drunk directly from the bottle without the screw cap still attached to the bottle neck having an adverse effect.

The screw cap is preferred 10th tilted so that it is in a sufficiently stable position and the cap jacket 2nd has a maximum possible distance to the bottle neck opening. In order to make this possible, the pilferproof ring can also be used for the purposes of the present invention 21 on the bottle neck 20th be designed such that the screw cap 10th is pushed radially outwards when it is folded down and this leads to a stronger torsion of the retaining straps 15 , 16 and consequently the tilt angle increases.

In the 5 , 6A , 6B , 7 , 8A and 8B are embodiments with pilfer proof rings designed in this way 21 shown.

5 shows a side view of a closure which is in a folded position. The area where the divider 11 with the bottle neck 20th , more precisely with the pilfer proof ring 21 , is engaged is shown in a cross-sectional view and enlarged in 6A shown.

According to 6A is the profile of the pilfer proof ring 21 essentially triangular. In this case, the profile can also be described as nose-shaped. A lower edge 22 the pilferproof ring extends almost perpendicular to the axis of the container neck 50 . This lower flank runs according to the triangular profile 22 in a range of the maximum diameter with an upper flank 24th together. The area of the maximum diameter is formed here as a rounded edge, which here also as a between the lower flank 22 and the top flank 24th running ridge 23 referred to as. The top flank 24th is with the in 6A shown embodiment significantly flatter compared to the bottle neck 20th employed as the lower flank. In this case, the upper flank extends at an angle of approximately 30 ° to the axis of the neck of the container 50 .

When screwing on the screw cap 10th now becomes the top divider 11 over the ridge 23 raised in which the pilfer proof ring 21 has its maximum diameter. During the subsequent tilting, the straps are 15 and 16 twisted, and the bottom edge 11A of the separator 11 slides on the top flank 24th of the pilfer proof ring 21 on. In doing so, the separator 11 through the opposite of the outer bottle neck diameter d larger diameter D the top flank 24th in that from the bottom edge 11A of the separator 11 swept area kept radially outward than this with the bottle neck diameter d would be possible as he otherwise between pilferproof ring 21 and thread 25th and is also present on the thread base. Through this effect the in 5 shown straps 15 , 16 a stronger twist and the screw cap 10th or their axis 50` is at a larger tilt angle compared to the bottle neck axis 50 tilted on than this without that in the 5 and 6A shown profile of the pilfer proof ring 21 it is possible.

At the in 5 In the embodiment shown, the tilt angle is approximately 150 °.

Another profile of a pilfer proof ring 21 is in 6B shown. Compared to that in 6A The profile shown is the top edge 24th in this case even flatter than the bottle neck 20th employed. The upper edge closes with the axis 50 of the neck of the container an angle of approx. 10 °. The upper flank also extends 24th over a larger axial section of the bottle neck 20th .

Through such a profile of the pilfer proof ring 21 as it is in the 6A or 6B is shown, it can be structurally determined that the separator 11 or its lower edge 11a , on the upper flank 24th remains and thus lies on a larger radius than without (due to the axis 50 smaller angle) axially elongated flank 24th . The larger the radius on which the edge is 11a is held after folding, the more the straps are 15 , 16 twisted and the greater the tilt angle of the screw cap 10th in a sufficiently stable end position of the screw cap 10th .

In the 7 , 8A and 8B further examples are shown 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 7 the profile is similar to a trapezoid, with the lower flank 22 almost perpendicular to the axis of the container neck 50 and the top edge 24th at an angle of approx. 45 ° to the axis of the container neck 50 extends. The range of maximum diameter 23 extends axially upwards so far that the separator 11 largely below the top flank 24th remains and is thus pressed radially outwards and compared to an abutment on the smaller (outer) diameter d of the bottle neck 20th again the tilt angle of the screw cap 10th enlarged

In 8A is a profile of a pilfer proof ring 21 shown, the profile from the lower area 5 and 6A resembles. The top flank 24th at the in 8A The embodiment shown goes into a short, cylindrical upper end section 24B over that one versus the smaller diameter d of the bottle neck larger diameter D defines at which of the separator 11 or its lower edge when the screw cap is folded down 10th is present. This ensures in particular that the screw cap 10th subsequently has a larger tilt angle in a sufficiently stable end position.

Another alternative is in 8B shown. The bottle neck points here in addition to the pilferproof ring 21 an annular projection 26 on that above the top flank 24th of the pilfer proof ring 21 is arranged all around the bottle neck. The axial position of the projection 26 is so on the closure or the screw cap with the separator 11 voted that this or its bottom edge 11a from below against the ledge 26 bumps and the screw cap is held in the immediate vicinity of the pilferproof ring. Without a head start 29 could the tapes 15 pull the upper separator and thus the entire screw cap up slightly until the edge of the separator abuts the thread. There is little space between the lower end of the neck thread and the pilferproof ring and there is very little possibility of the divider moving upwards. However, since the thread runs helically upwards, this axial freedom of movement becomes ever greater until it rotates 360 ° with a single thread to the lower thread start at z. B. 2.7mm pitch also reached almost 2.7mm. Since it is undesirable to allow the screw cap to move closer to the cheek of the person drinking directly from the bottle, this circumferential projection prevents or hinders it 26 this upward movement.

9 shows a further screw cap shown partially in section according to the present invention. The screw cap 10th shows the guarantee band at the bottom 3rd on and a detail A shown in section of the lower region of the screw cap including the part of an associated bottle neck 20th is in as an enlarged detail 9A shown separately.

The screw cap 10th in the 9 , 9A and 10th , 10A is that in the 5 and 6A illustrated screw cap already very similar except for the fact that at least the divider 11 at its bottom a radial thickening 11b has, but in the present case also axially below and at the level of the thickening of the separating web 11 over the entire scope of the guarantee band 3rd extends. In this section, the guarantee band has a greater wall thickness below an imaginary line, which lies between and at a distance from the upper and lower weakening lines, than in the case of the 5 and 6 ,

The thickening 11b , at the bottom of the divider 11 , has the purpose of keeping the opened screw cap wide open even when using a thread with a thread depth of more than 1.3 mm, as for example in 10th is shown.

The top line of weakness 13 is because of the cutting plane 9 in the area of the separator 11 not available, the separator 11 is thus continuous with the cap jacket 2nd connected. The axial position of the upper weakening line would be approximately at the height of the maximum diameter of the pilfer proof ring 21 .

The fastening part of the guarantee band is formed by a flexible band. This consists of a radially inner part folded upwards 3a and a radially outer flex band section 3b , which remains stationary on the bottle neck even after the cap has been opened.

How to get in 10A recognizes which an enlarged detail of the closure in the opened position acc. 10th shows, causes the radial thickening 11b that here in the area of the transition between the upper flank of the pilfer proof ring 21 and the bottle neck portion lying above that the imaginary radially inner part 11c of the separator 11 (which corresponds to a separator without thickening), and in particular its lower edge from the bottle neck 20th is pressed more radially outwards than if the thickening 11b would not exist. This leaves the screw cap 10th despite the deeper thread profile in a stable, wide, e.g. 140 °, folded position.

The 11 - 15 each show the same embodiment of a closure for cardboard packaging, in particular beverage cartons, and are therefore described in connection with one another. One notices 1 on average and in 4th an outer view of a lower closure part, which is denoted overall by 40 and consists of a flange 31 with a pouring spout attached to it 32 consists. The pouring spout has an upper opening and a lower opening, not visible here, which, when the closure is on a cardboard packaging, is initially closed by the surface of the cardboard material in order to prevent any contamination of the container contents.

The flange 1 is on a box 45 glued or welded on, the welding presupposing that the cardboard material 45 is provided with a suitable surface coating (e.g. polyethylene).

The bottom part 40 the closure has an external thread 42 on which the internal thread 41 a screw cap 10th can be screwed on.

The pouring spout 40 also has another internal thread 31 , in which a suitable external thread of a cutting ring 35 engages, which also axially protruding and in the closed state according 1 immediately above the surface of the box 45 horizontal cutting elements 33 having. A driver 34 occurs with a matching counterpart 36 on the cutting ring 35 engages when the screw cap is turned in the opening direction. You can also see a fixing bar on the flange 7 that over two easily breakable bridges 6 with the lower end of the guarantee band 30th connected is. The guarantee tape shows how best to be in 2nd recognizes two cutting lines 18th , 19th on either through weakened material of the guarantee band 30th or, as defined in the present case by continuous incisions, only by further easily breakable bridges 36 which are torn open when the screw cap is opened. The lower cut line 18th and the top cut line 19th overlap one another, in the present case along a circumferential angle of approximately 120 °, and each have a lower interruption section 12th and an upper break section 11 on. When loosening the screw cap 40 First, tear the easily breakable bridges very quickly 6 , which indicates that the closure has been rotated at least once by a small angle in the opening direction, which may be sufficient for the cutting elements, the cardboard material 45 to pierce.

When turning the screw cap further 40 in the opening direction, the easily breakable bridges of the cut lines also tear, but this does not lead to a complete separation of the screw cap from the guarantee tape, since the upper interruption section 11 over the straps 15 , 16 (only one visible in the figures) with the lower interruption section 12th remains connected, which in turn with the rotating, stationary lower part of the guarantee band 30th remains connected, which in turn on the pilfer proof ring 35 on the bottom part of the lock 10th is held.

The length of the straps 15 , 16 , ie the length of the overlapping areas of the cutting lines according to 4th set so that the lower edge of the upper interruption section 11 when the screw cap is open and folded by about 150 ° 20th with the outside of the pouring spout 40 is engaged and the straps 15 , 16 are under tension so that this position of the screw cap is caused by the pull of the retaining straps and the contact of the lower edge of the interruption section 11 from the screw cap 40 is held, even if the pouring spout is tilted in any direction together with the corresponding container.

The 16 to 18th show a further closure variant with a radial projection in the lower region on the outside of the separating web 11 . It is 16 a partially broken away side view of a cap (in the broken-away part in axial section) and 17th an enlarged section of the sectional view 16 .

18th shows the screw cap in a wide open, folded state.

This embodiment is very similar to the embodiment of FIG 9 and 10th , in contrast to the embodiment according to 9 and 10th the thickened section 11b in the lower area of the divider 11 through a radial projection 11e is formed, while the guarantee band below the divider 11 and also in the circumferential direction outside the separating web 11 in contrast to the representation in the 9 and 10th is not thickened, but has the same constant thickness as in 9 and 10th above the radial thickening 11b .

The radial lead 11e in the 16 to 18th is at or near the bottom of the divider 11 arranged and serves essentially the same purpose as the radial thickening 11b in the 9 and 10th . The axial extent of the separator is defined by the axial distance between the lines of weakness 13 and 14 , where in the 9 , 10th and 16 - 18th those in the area of the divider 11 broken upper weakening line 13 by a horizontal line at the transition between a conical section of the inner wall of the cap jacket 2nd and the cylindrical inner wall of the separator 11 is indicated. At least, the lower, radially outer edge of the projection 11e , preferably the projection 11e as a whole, is in the lower half of the axial extent of the separator 11 ,

In other words, the radial lead 11e designed and dimensioned so that when opening and folding the screw cap, as shown in 18th is shown on the upper outer flank 24th of the pilfer proof ring 21 and / or the outside of the bottle neck 20th between pilfer proof ring 21 and thread 25th supports in the radial direction and thus effectively pushes the screw cap further out, so that the retaining straps 15 , 16 that at the peripheral ends of the divider 11 or the section 11c of the separator 11 fix the screw cap in the example in 18th Stabilize the folded position shown.

When the screw cap loosened from the bottle neck thread is folded down, the lower, inner edge of the separating web first appears 11 with the bottle neck 20th or its pilferproof ring 21 comes into contact, and after a 90 ° flip angle (starting from the closed position) is exceeded, the radially furthest and outer edge and / or the radially outer edge of the projection finally comes into contact 11e with the bottle neck 20th or the flank 24th of the pilfer proof ring 21 engaged so as to stabilize the folded position in the manner already described above.

The on the circumferential angle of the divider 1 or radial projection limited to a part of this circumferential angle 11e which, on the other hand, compared to the thickening in the 9 and 10th has a somewhat larger radial protrusion from the outside of the separating web and the cap jacket, is still somewhat more effective than the radial thickening in terms of the stabilizing effect 11b and also saves otherwise for radial thickening 11b and the adjacent stationary part 3b of the guarantee band 3rd required material.

Reference list

1

Headstock

2nd

Cap coat

3rd

Guarantee tape

3a

Inner flex band section

3b

Outer flex band section

10th

Screw cap

11a

lower edge

11.12

Dividers

11b

radial thickening

11 e

radial projection

13.14

Lines of weakness

15.16

Straps

20th

Bottleneck

21

Pilferproof ring

22

lower edge

23

Maximum diameter range

24th

upper flank

24A

lower section of the upper flank

24B

upper end section of the upper flank

25th

thread

26

head Start

50

Axis of the neck of the container

50 '

Axis of closure

d

Bottle diameter without thread profile

D

Outside diameter of the upper flank or the section above

Claims (22)

Closure, consisting of a screw cap (10) with a guarantee band (3), which has at least one cylindrical cap shell (2) with an internal thread and a circumferential guarantee band (3) at the lower, open end of the cap shell (2), which extends along easily tearable lines of weakness ( 13, 14) is connected to the lower edge of the cap jacket, the tamper-evident band (3) after the tear along the lines of weakness being permanently connected to the cap jacket (2) by means of retaining bands (15, 16), characterized in that the retaining bands (15 , 16) are formed by two weakening lines (13, 14) interrupted at least once in the circumferential direction, partially overlapping in the circumferential direction and at least axially spaced from one another at least in the overlapping area, and the separating webs (11, 12) of both weakening lines (13, 14 ) are bridged by the other weakening line (14, 13), preferably at an axial distance. Screw cap after Claim 1 , characterized in that each weakening line has exactly one separating web and the center points of the separating webs (11, 12) lie diametrically opposite one another. Screw cap according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the separating web (11) of the upper weakening line (13) extends over a circumferential angle between 10 ° and 75 °, preferably between 20 ° and 60 ° Screw cap according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the separating web (12) of the lower weakening line (14) extends over a circumferential angle between 120 ° and 200 °, preferably between 170 ° and 190 ° Screw cap according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the width, measured in the axial direction, of the upper separating web (11) remaining on the cap casing (2) is at least half the width of the intact guarantee strip (3). Screw cap according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the width, measured in the axial direction, of the upper separating web (11) remaining on the cap casing (2) is at least 1.5 mm, preferably at least 2 mm, in particular at least 2.5 and less than 5 mm is Screw cap according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the separating web (11) of the upper weakening line has a radial thickening at least on its free lower edge. Screw cap after Claim 7 , characterized in that the radial thickening is limited to the outside of the guarantee band and that the radial excess of the thickening compared to the wall thickness of the guarantee band outside the thickening is up to 0.6 mm, preferably between 0.2 and 0.4 mm. Screw cap according to one of the preceding Claims 7 or 8th , characterized in that the radial thickening extends over the entire circumference and / or to the lower edge of the guarantee band. Screw cap after Claim 7 or 8th , characterized in that the radial thickening is formed by a radial projection which is limited to the lower portion of the upper separating web (11). Screw cap after Claim 10 , characterized in that the radial projection forms a radial projection beyond the radial outer surface of the separating web in the range from 0.1 mm to 1.2 mm, preferably 0.3 to 1 mm. Screw cap after Claim 10 or 11 , characterized in that the radial projection has an axial thickness (height) between 0.2 and 1 mm. Screw cap according to one of the Claims 10 to 12th , characterized in that the radial projection extends over a circumferential angle which corresponds at most to the circumferential angle of the upper separating web (11) and is preferably between 50 and 80%% of the circumferential angle of the upper dividing web (11). Screw cap according to one of the Claims 10 to 13 , characterized in that the radial projection has a maximum radial projection in its central section as seen in the circumferential direction, which decreases towards the ends of the projection. Screw cap according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wall thickness of the guarantee band (3) outside a possible radial thickening is between 0.5 and 0.8 mm Screw cap according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guarantee band (3) is designed as a flexible band with a radially outer part and a folded-over radially inner part. Screw cap according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the minimum distance between the weakening lines (13, 14) is greater than 1.5 mm, preferably greater than 2 mm and in particular greater than 2.5 mm. Combination of a bottle neck (20) with an external thread and a closure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outside diameter of the bottle neck (20) above a pilferproof ring (21), the inside diameter of the guarantee band (3), as well as the width and the circumferential extent of the upper separating web (11) are matched to one another in such a way that after an opening rotation of the screw cap and the subsequent tilting of the screw cap (10) upon torsion of the retaining straps (15, 16) together with the dividing web (11), the free lower edge of the dividing web (11a ) engages with the bottle neck (20) and is moved over a dead center when a tilt angle of more than 90 ° is exceeded, so that the outside of the separating web (11) then comes into contact with the outside of the bottle neck (20) and the Screw cap (10) is stabilized in this position tilted by more than 90 °. Combination after Claim 18 , characterized in that the outer diameter of the bottle neck (20) in a region above a pilfer proof ring (21) in which the guarantee band (3) of the closure is arranged is less than the nominal by 2.5 mm, preferably at most 1.5 mm Inner diameter of the guarantee band (3). Combination according to one of the Claim 18 or 19th , characterized in that the pilferproof ring (21) has a profile that through a lower flank (22) which extends in an axial section at least 80 ° to the bottle neck axis (50), an area of maximum diameter (23) and an upper Flank (24) is defined, which extends at an angle of inclination <90 ° relative to the bottle neck axis (50) and merges below the thread (25) of the bottle neck (20) into the outer bottle neck diameter, the upper flank (24) or a section of the bottle neck above the upper flank (24) of the profile of the pilferproof ring (21) has a larger outer diameter at least in or up to an axial position, which is reached from the lower edge (11a) of the upper dividing bar when the screw cap is in a maximally folded position than the bottle neck (20) without thread profile. Combination according to claim 120, characterized in that the difference between the outer diameter (D) of the upper flank or of the section lying above it and the bottle neck diameter (d) without thread profile is at least 0.1 mm, preferably at least 0.3 mm. Combination after Claim 20 or 21 , characterized in that the pilferproof ring (21) has a triangular or trapezoidal profile, the base of which is defined by an axially parallel line on the cylindrical outer surface of the container neck and the lower flank of which is at an angle> 80 ° with the axis (50) of the container neck (20 ), the upper flank of the profile enclosing an angle 40 40 °, in particular ≤ 30 °, with the axis (50) of the container neck (20).

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