EP1194342B1 - Two-part plastic snap hinge closure - Google Patents

Abstract

A two-part hinge closure having a lower part which has a surrounding outer wall and which can be placed on a container, and has a cap which has an outer wall and which can be joined to the lower part in a hinged manner. The lower part and the cap are separately produced and can be assembled together. In an assembled and closed state, the outer walls are situated above each other in an aligned manner, at least in the hinge area of both hinge closure parts. Both closure parts can be joined to one another by a snap hinge having at least one spring element and at least one coupling piece. When the closure is in a closed state, the at least one spring element and the at least one coupling piece are at least almost aligned with the outer wall of the closure part on which they are formed as one piece.

Description

The present invention relates to a two-part Hinge lock with the features of the generic term of Claim 1.

The design forms of plastic closures with Snap hinges have become more and more complicated. Through the additional integration of guarantee bands will Manufacture of plastic snap hinge locks always more complex and complex. The plastic snap hinge locks are in one piece and are mostly used when spraying filled from the bottom. All material must be from Injection location through the lower part and then over at least a film hinge is pressed into the lid and this must be filled. Is also a guarantee band available, this must also be very thin Connection points are filled with material. this leads to that the cycle times for spraying and closing such Plastic parts even with the most modern machines and more optimal Design of the injection molds hardly any cycle times under twenty Allow seconds. The corresponding ones are also open Injection molded closures also problematic for Ejection. Often the guarantee bands or the Spring elements, which the snap action of the snap hinge cause already when ejecting from the Injection mold damaged.

For several years now, there have also been two parts Plastic closures known. The two-part production has different reasons, but this has a direct or always indirectly related to the hinge. So is For example, it is well known that the hinges from one-piece snap hinge locks relatively little are connection-proof and due to the unfavorable in the Film hinges tend to tear. Accordingly, EP-A-0'629'560 proposes Bottom and lid of a snap hinge closure to manufacture separately and a separate hinge element to produce a rubber-like plastic with which the two Locking parts can be connected to one another.

A very similar solution is also shown in US-A-5,381,920, at which is a plastic tool box made from a separate one Lid and a separate lower part is made, one pure hinge part in corresponding receptacles of both parts can be inserted and thus the two parts hingedly connected to each other.

DE-A-195'17'102 is a one-piece plastic closure known in which the spring element of the Snap hinge is made separately. This allows the Production of a closure with customer-specific spring force of the closure, being simultaneously with a considerably simpler injection mold that can be worked higher cycle times allowed.

Real two-part closures are both from DE-A-37'03'193 and also known from EP-A-0'583'204. In both Cases are not snap hinge locks, but only about hinge locks. The reasons for this The main thing is to design closures in two parts to see that these are relatively large closures acts that are intended for continuous use. Accordingly, it is desirable, for example, that such Closures can also be dismantled again to be cleaned in order to be clean again afterwards to be assembled for further use.

A revealing the preamble of claim 1 Plastic closure is known from FR-A-2'769'005. Here is at the bottom a concentric to the wall thickness Center offset receiving slot provided in which the fixed on the cover coupling piece, which the Snap hinge includes, positive and / or non-positive Takes place. This must be tongue-shaped for assembly Coupling piece to be inserted into the receiving slot.

It is the object of the present invention to find a solution to show which of the above advantages in two parts Locks realized with snap hinge and one enables particularly easy assembly.

The task is solved by a two-part plastic closure the features of claim 1.

Thanks to the division in two, the amount of plastic per closure part about half of a one-piece closure reduced. This means that with such a simplified and downsized plastic parts with much shorter ones Cycle times can be worked. In particular are Cycle times in the range between four and eight seconds possible. Furthermore, thanks to the smaller parts per Injection mold arranged almost twice as many cavities become. The relatively simple and small plastic parts allow without any special effort with so-called Stack tools to work which have the capacity multiply according to the number of floors. This means, that practically round with the same plastic injection machine three to ten times more two-part plastic hinge locks can be manufactured as one-piece snap hinge locks according to the previous technology. Requires such a manufacturing an additional assembly machine, yes one knows from analog applications that the capacities such assembly machines are enormously high, so with one Assembly machine easily the manufacturing capacity of two plastic injection machines with the one recorded here Technology can process.

In addition to the purely economic advantages, however, offers a two-part plastic closure still more Benefits. So, of course, the lower part and the upper part can be easily designed in different colors. Further can also cover and base from different Plastics are manufactured. In particular, one can Make the hinge lock with the lower part made of PET can be manufactured. This allows a snap hinge closure be offered for PET containers, too is gastight. For processing reasons previously plastic snap hinge closures not made of PET getting produced.

Today 's trend of falling prices for Plastic snap hinge closures allow practically none to produce own tools for small series. on the other hand customers want the highest possible degree of Individualization. These two demands run completely diametrical. Thanks to the present invention this problem can be easily solved. Lower part and Lids can be practically the same as a modular system be combined. So lower parts with the same Diameters and different bordering manufactured and in the shapes of the lids can be used interchangeable inserts without enormous effort company signs inject. In addition, there are the various already mentioned color variations that can be combined with each other indefinitely can be.

Thanks to the geometrical arrangement of the snap hinge one of the two locking parts and their special Design, the injection molds can be the required Have simplicity and can also be the corresponding simple Assembly done.

The present invention also discloses two preferred ones Method for assembling two according to the invention Embodiments of the subject matter of the invention.

Further advantageous embodiments of the subject matter of the invention emerge from the dependent claims and are explained in the following description.

Figur 1

zeigt einen diametralen Vertikalschnitt durch eine bevorzugte Ausführungsform eines Deckels und

Figur 2

einen ebensolchen Schnitt durch einen zum Deckel nach Figur 1 passenden Unterteil.

Figur 3

zeigt den zusammengebauten Verschluss aus Unterteil und Deckel nach Figuren 1 und 2 in Vorderansicht und

Figur 4

in rückseitiger Ansicht.

A preferred embodiment is shown in the accompanying drawing.

Figure 1

shows a diametrical vertical section through a preferred embodiment of a cover and

Figure 2

a similar section through a lower part matching the lid according to FIG. 1.

Figure 3

shows the assembled closure of the lower part and cover according to Figures 1 and 2 in front view and

Figure 4

in rear view.

The closure according to the invention consists of two Individual parts that are manufactured separately. They are on the one hand the lower part 1 and on the other hand the upper part or Cover 2. Only when assembled do these result two closure parts 1, 2 the entire closure 3 as he is shown in Figures 3 and 4. For those here the invention disclosed is the presence of shell walls mandatory both on the lower part 1 and on the cover 2 required to have an easy-to-assemble fastener achieve that has no protruding parts and also aesthetically satisfies all demands. For all handling both when assembling and when packing the containers with the appropriate closures are protruding parts always problematic. Add to that that prominent or strong protruding parts can practically only be realized, with corresponding sliders, on the one hand the tools complicate and increase the cycle times. The same applies to the closures according to the invention practically only the guarantee bands compared to the jacket walls slightly above.

In general, it applies to all embodiments that the Shell walls of both locking parts in the assembled state must be aligned one above the other, this being the case however, does not require that the jacket walls be vertical run. It is sufficient that the jacket walls of both parts only aligned in the hinge area when assembled are aligned. In the rest of the process, this is not necessary, so all design Freedoms remain. In contrast to one-piece manufactured plastic closures can be with the Technology according to the invention easily closures design that have a conical shape overall. On Another general feature of the invention two-part closures is that practically that Any arrangement principle of the hinge-forming parts can be interchanged. That is, at practical The spring elements can have the same design or can the at least one spring element and at least one coupling piece either on the lower part 1 or be arranged on the cover 2 and correspondingly the receptacles, in which the parts of the coupling piece engage, on respective other closure part may be attached. The same thing naturally also applies to the arrangement of the Guarantee band too.

Accordingly, in the claims as well as in the the following description often of a closure part and spoken of the other closure part to the Interchangeability of the terms bottom part and cover clarify.

A preferred embodiment is shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 shown schematically. The bottom part according to the Figure 1 has a cylindrical jacket wall 10 here. The Of course, lower part 1 has fasteners which the lower part 1 are attached to a container can. These are absolutely conventional means like for example one on the inner wall of the cylindrical Shell wall 10 arranged thread or Fastening cams or fastening beads, depending on whether the lower part 1 can be screwed onto a container or to be bouncy.

The lower part 1 is at the top of a top surface 11 closed in the pouring spout or like here shown a spout 12 is arranged. The The pouring spout is as usual with a circumferential seal or manner of sealing Retaining bead 13 equipped.

A preferred embodiment is shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 shown. This embodiment gives a special compact solution that is also particularly unproblematic in the Assembly is because the two parts in any Angular position to each other perpendicular to each other are put together. This results in a particularly inexpensive Assembly because a corresponding orientation is not is required and the items have no asymmetrical protruding areas that can lead to curling.

In Figure 1, the lid is alone in one shown diametrical vertical section. The lid has one Cover surface 21 and a cylindrical jacket wall 20 with a Spring element 204, which is designed as a snap hinge is. This spring element 204 has a film hinge 201, which is the articulated connection between the spring element 204 and the casing wall 20 of the cover or upper part 2 forms and a second lower film hinge 202, which the articulated connection between the spring element 204 and the forming coupling piece 270 below. The snap hinge 200 is consequently represented by elements 201, 202 and 204 shaped. The snap hinge is in the radial direction 200 delimited by slots 203. The coupling piece 270 has a closed ring shape and is direct connected in alignment under the jacket wall 20 with this. The Coupling piece 270 is not just about that here Snap hinge 200 but also via a tear seam 271 molded onto the aforementioned wall 20. The tear seam 271 extends from the one lateral boundary of the Snap hinge all the way to the other side Boundary 203 of the snap hinge 200 and opens in each case into the slits 203. After severing the tear seam 271 hangs the coupling piece 270 like those previously described Solutions only via the spring element 204 with the Shell wall 20 of the upper part 2 together. The tear seam can be formed as a continuous thin spot or, as in the Known technology, as a separation point over corresponding Stege. The tear seam is 271 in the form shown here shown as a continuous thin spot. The bottom of the Jacket wall 20 is peripheral by a pusher bead 205 protrudes all the way out, designed. In the First use leads to pressure from the user Press bead 205 to separate the tear seam 271.

Are on the inner surface of the circumferential coupling piece 270 two inwardly protruding, sharp-edged ones Retaining beads 206 molded on, that of the form-fitting Connection with that shown in Figure 2 Serve embodiment of the lower part 1. The lid 2 is here provided with a sealing pin 33 which has a circumferential Has sealing bead 34. The sealing pin 33 engages closed state of the closure in the spout 12 and acts with a sealing lip 13 mounted therein as Sealing element.

The lower part 1 has a circumferential jacket wall 10, the upper area 210 approximately inward by the wall thickness is offset. At this area 21 'are on the outer surface ring-shaped, circumferential retaining notches formed in the assembled state of the closure the retaining beads 206 snap in positively. On the shoulder 212, which at the Transition of the jacket wall 10 to the inwardly placed upper one Area 210 is formed, is here on the lower part 1 Guarantee tape 400 molded. The molding can also be used here Tear seam 401 or as a separation point by means of a corresponding separable bridges should be formed. The top of the Guarantee band 400 is projecting inside as Retaining lip 402 shaped. This retention lip 402 lies above the top surface 21, which is also here through a spout 12 is enforced. The sealing pin 33 described above with its sealing bead 34 comes sealingly in the closed state to lie in the mouth area of the pouring spout 12. A Ring wall 16 on the underside of the top surface 11 is used Seal against a bottle neck on which the closure to be put on. For attachment to the container neck can be a thread or, as shown here, a number of Holding knobs 17 may be provided.

In Figures 3 and 4, the closure 3 is assembled shown. The actual connection between lower part 1 and lid or upper part 2 is practically not recognizable, because this area is covered by the 400 guarantee band is covered. In Figure 3, the tab 403 of the Guarantee band 400 visible, while in the rotated by 180 ° Position according to Figure 4 the guarantee band 400 continuously runs. The retention lip 402 on the guarantee band 400 covers the trigger bead 205, which is consequently not visible is. Only in the separation area of the tab 403 is a short one Section of the trigger bead 205 recognizable. This one The illustrated embodiment has many advantages. It is the best in terms of production and assembly technology and best mountable version. There is also a double one Guarantee because before the first opening the guarantee band 400 must be removed and then also the Rip seam 271 must be cut.

Claims (11)

1. A two-part hinge closure (3) consisting of a lower part (1) with a circumferential outer wall (10), which may be placed onto a container, and of a lid (2) with an outer wall, which is connectable to the lower part in a hinge-movable manner, which in are each manufactured separately and may be assembled together, wherein in the assembled, closed condition the outer walls (10, 20) at least in the hinge region of both hinge closure parts (1, 2) lie flush over one another, wherein the two parts (1, 2) are connectable to one another by way of a snap hinge consisting of a spring element (204) and a coupling piece (270), wherein in the closed condition of the closure (3) the at least one spring element (204) and the at least one coupling piece (270) are at least approximately flush with the outer wall (10, 20) of the closure piece (1, 2) on which they are integrally formed as one piece, characterised in that the spring element (204) is arranged between the lid (2) and the annular coupling piece (270) which is integrally formed on the outer wall (20) in a flush manner via a tear seam (271), and the connection of the coupling piece (270) to the lower part (1) is effected such that the outer wall (10) in the upper region (211) comprises a shoulder (212) which is displaced inwards by the thickness of the outer wall and which is provided with retaining notches (211) whereas the coupling piece (270) is provided with retaining beads (206) which fit into the retaining notches with a positive fit.
2. A two-part hinge closure according to patent claim 1, characterised in that the lower part (1) comprises at least one pour-out spout (12) or pour-out opening, and the lid (2) is provided with a sealing element (33) which sealingly cooperates with the at least one pour-out spout or pour-out opening with a positive fit.
3. A two-part plastic closure according to patent claim 1, characterised in that the at least one spring element (204) comprises a snap hinge (200) which is limited by two curved [bent] film hinges (202,204) which in their course approach one another and then move away from one another, wherein the one film hinge (202) forms the connection between the closure part (2) to which the spring element is injected and the other film hinge (204) forms the connection to the coupling element (270).
4. A two-part plastic closure according to claim 1, characterised in that the coupling element (270) and a guarantee strip (400) project at least as equally as high beyond the edge of the outer wall of the closure parts (1, 2) on which they are arranged.
5. A two-part plastic closure according to claim 1, characterised in that a guarantee strip (400) is arranged on that closure part (1) which is free of the spring element (204) and coupling piece (270) and is at least approximately completely circumferential.
6. A two-part plastic closure according to claim 1, characterised in that the two closure parts (1,2) are injected of different plastic materials and/or of different colours.
7. A two-part plastic closure according to claim 6, characterised in that at least one closure part (1,2) is manufactured of PET.
8. A two-part plastic closure according to claim 1, characterised in that the coupling piece (270) is designed such that in the assembled condition of the closure (3) is forms a part of the outer wall (10) on the closure part on which may be assembled.
9. A two-part plastic closure according to claim 4, characterised in that the guarantee strip (400) is integrally formed in the region of the shoulder (212) via a break-off seam (401).
10. A two-part plastic closure according to claim 9, characterised in that the guarantee strip (400) comprises a retaining lip (402) which in the assembled condition engages over a part of the lid (2) with a positive fit.
11. A two-part plastic closure according to patent claim 10, characterised in that the lid (2) comprises a push bead (205) on the lower edge of the outer wall (20) which is held by the retaining lip (402) with a positive fit.

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