Patent Publication Number: US-2011062106-A1

Title: Closure for a Bottle, and Assembly of Such a Closure and a Bottle

Description:
The invention relates to a closure for a bottle. The invention also relates to an assembly of such a closure and a bottle. The invention further relates to a method for assembling such an assembly. 
     Already known since 1891 are closures particularly for making possible medium-tight closure of a drink container for the purpose of enabling durable conservation of drink stored in the drink container, usually in bottles. The cap can be removed from the bottle by means of a bottle-opener or other suitable tool, after which the drink can be consumed. The drawback of the conventional closure is that removal of the closure is generally only possible by making use of a separate tool, such as a bottle-opener, suitable for the purpose. 
     The American U.S. Pat. No. 6,158,604 describes an improved closure for a bottle manufactured from plastic, comprising a closing element provided with a number of clamping elements adapted to engage on an outer side of the neck of the bottle. The closing element is here also provided with an external screw thread. The known closure also comprises a securing element arranged on the closing element to enable selective securing and release of the clamping elements. The securing element is provided for this purpose with an internal screw thread adapted for co-action with the external screw thread of the closing element. The orientation of the securing element relative to the closing element can be changed by rotating the securing element axially relative to the closing element, whereby the securing element can secure or release the clamping elements to enable respectively closing or opening of the bottle. Although the known closure can be removed from a bottle relatively easily by a consumer without making use of separate tools, the known closure also has a number of drawbacks. A significant drawback of the known closure is that the construction of the closure is relatively bulky, and therefore robust. Research has shown here that the relatively bulky closure arouses consumer aversion, and is therefore not accepted, or hardly so. 
     The invention has for its object to provide a relatively compact closure for a bottle. 
     The invention provides for this purpose a closure of the type stated in the preamble, comprising: a closing element provided with a number of clamping elements adapted to engage on a neck of a bottle, this closing element also being provided with coupling means, and a securing element connected to the closing element and provided with locking means for the clamping elements, this securing element also being provided with counter-coupling means adapted for co-action with the coupling means for the purpose of connecting the closing element to the securing element, wherein the coupling means and counter-coupling means are adapted to be substantially received in the neck of the bottle, and wherein the coupling means and counter-coupling means are adapted to limit the relative displacement of the securing element relative to the closing element, and wherein the orientation between the closing element and the securing element can be changed between a released position, in which the locking means leave the clamping means substantially unobstructed, and a secured position, in which the locking means substantially lock and thereby substantially fix the clamping means. When the closure according to the invention is arranged on a neck of a bottle, the coupling means will generally be located substantially in the neck of the bottle in both the secured and the released position, while the counter-coupling means are generally located substantially in the neck of the bottle in the secured position and at least partially outside the neck of the bottle in the released position. By in fact realizing the coupling between the closing element and the securing element substantially in the neck of the bottle instead of outside the neck of the bottle, the volume occupied by the closure according to the invention can be reduced substantially relative to the volume occupied by the known closure. A material-saving can also be realized due to the relatively efficient construction of the closure according to the invention, this being favourable from an economic viewpoint. The relatively compact, slender design of the closure according to the invention will moreover be more readily accepted by consumers. Another significant advantage of the closure according to the invention is that the closure can close a bottle in relatively reliable manner. The closure known from the prior art has the drawback that the coupling means and the counter-coupling means formed by the threaded connection are situated outside the bottle. If the temperature increases, the closure manufactured from plastic will expand relative to the bottle, whereby the bottle can no longer be closed in reliable manner. By positioning the coupling means and counter-coupling means of the closure according to the invention substantially in the neck of the bottle in at least the secured position, the coupling means and the counter-coupling means will expand less strongly in the case of fluctuations in the temperature in the atmosphere surrounding the bottle since the coupling means and the counter-coupling means are positioned within an environment which is insulated to some extent by the bottle. If the temperature in the bottle increases, the coupling means and the counter-coupling means will moreover be able to expand possibly as far as an inner side of the neck of the bottle and thereby possibly engage more closely on the inner side of the neck of the bottle, thereby guaranteeing a reliable closure of the bottle. Similarly to the known closure, the closure according to the invention can be operated in relatively simple manner by a consumer without a separate tool here being required. It is noted that bottle must be interpreted relatively broadly in the context of this patent, wherein any other container, in particular foodstuff container, more particularly drink container, provided with a neck of any form whatever is also deemed to be a bottle in the present situation. The bottle will however generally be formed by a conventional drink bottle made of glass and/or plastic, this drink bottle comprising a body and a narrower neck connected to the body. A further significant advantage of the closure according to the invention is that the coupling means and the counter-coupling means are adapted to limit the displacement of the securing element relative to the closing element (and vice versa), whereby unintentional release of the securing element relative to the closing element can be prevented. In this way the securing element will thus remain connected non-releasably to the closing element. The limiting of the relative displacement of the closing element and the securing element can relate to an axial displacement and/or to a rotating displacement of the securing element relative to the closing element. The limiting of the maximal displacement of the securing element relative to the closing element can be realized in diverse ways, wherein one or more stops are usually applied. Diverse preferred embodiments for limiting the securing element relative to the closing element will be described hereinbelow. 
     The closing element will generally function as inner cap and the securing element will function as an outer cap co-acting with the inner cap. By displacing and preferably (axially) rotating the outer cap relative to the inner cap the closure can be brought into the secured position or into the released position. The coupling means and the counter-coupling means are more preferably formed here by a threaded connection, wherein the coupling means comprise a screw thread and the counter-coupling means comprise a counter-screw thread. A threaded connection is relatively strong and durable, whereby the closure can be brought into and held in relatively reliable manner in the secured position or released position. It will be apparent that another type of connection, such as for instance a bayonet coupling (bayonet fitting) or a snap connection, can also be used in addition to a threaded connection. Both the threaded connection and the bayonet coupling, as well as the snap connection, are or at least can be adapted to limit the maximum displacement of the securing element relative to the closing element in order to prevent undesired removal of the closure according to the invention. In general the securing element will ultimately be displaceable with a substantially linear movement relative to the closing element in order to allow relatively efficient engagement of the locking means on the clamping elements in the secured position and to allow positioning of the locking means substantially at a distance from the clamping elements in the released position. 
     In a preferred embodiment the closing element comprises a tubular element provided with the coupling means, this tubular element being adapted to receive a part of the securing element provided with the counter-coupling means. When the closure is arranged on a bottle, the tubular element is positioned in the secured position at least partially, and preferably substantially in the neck of the bottle. The tubular element will generally be given a substantially cylindrical form and will generally be opened on one side (on a top side directed toward the securing element) in order to thus provide access to at least a part of the counter-coupling means. An inward directed side of the tubular element is preferably provided here with the coupling means. The counter-coupling means are preferably arranged on a protruding bush-like, more preferably cylindrical body forming part of the securing element, wherein the tubular element is more preferably adapted to receive at least a part of the bush-like body. An external side of the bush-like body is here preferably provided with the counter-coupling means. The bush-like body is more preferably adapted to receive at least one standing blocking element connected to the tubular element, which blocking element is provided with at least one first protrusion for limiting the relative movement of the securing element relative to the closing element. The securing element can be connected non-releasably to the closing element by limiting the relative displacement of the securing element relative to the closing element. The closure hereby remains permanently in the assembled position, whereby unintentional removal of the securing element from the closing element can be prevented. In order to limit the relative displacement of the securing element relative to the closing element in more reliable manner, it is advantageous that the bush-like body be provided with at least one second protrusion, wherein the first protrusion forms a stop for the second protrusion. When the closure is arranged on a bottle and the closure is situated in the released position, the closure as such can be removed from the bottle by pulling on the securing element in a direction away from the bottle, whereby both the securing element and the closing element connected (permanently) to the securing element can be removed from the bottle. The closing element and/or the securing element will generally be provided with at least one gripping member for a user. The gripping member can for instance be formed by a pull tab, but also by a profiling arranged on the closing element and/or on the securing element. 
     Since an (initial) underpressure or an overpressure may be present in the bottle, the closing element preferably comprises at least one ventilation opening. By means of applying one or more ventilation openings a pressure equalization can be realized by venting or bleeding between the pressure in the bottle and the pressure outside the bottle, after which the closure can be removed from the bottle with relatively little resistance. The securing element is more preferably adapted to close the ventilation opening in the secured position of the closure. The ventilation opening can be opened by displacing the securing element relative to the closing element in the direction of the released position, and venting or bleeding can take place. An alternative ventilation opening could be formed by a gap which is formed between the closing element and the neck of the bottle and which can be formed during displacement of the securing element relative to the closing element from the secured position (to the released position). The securing element can optionally close the ventilation opening in the secured position via a sealing element, whereby the ventilation opening can be closed in more reliable and durable manner. 
     In another preferred embodiment the closure comprises a breakable or otherwise removable seal connected to the closing element and/or the securing element, usually referred to as a tamper-evident provision, for the purpose of guaranteeing the content of the bottle for a consumer. During initial opening of the foodstuff container the seal will be discernibly, in particular visibly, and generally irreparably damaged by a consumer. The seal can be realized in different ways. It is for instance possible here to envisage the seal forming a breakable connection between the securing element and the closing element. It is however also possible for instance to envisage the seal forming a connection between the securing element and the bottle. 
     In order to be able to realize a substantially medium-tight closure of the bottle, it is advantageous that the closure comprises sealing means. The sealing means will here generally be manufactured from an elastic material, in particular an elastomer. The sealing means are generally adapted to allow the closing element to engage on the neck of a bottle via the sealing means, in particular a peripheral side of the neck of the bottle. In a particular preferred embodiment at least a part of the sealing means is adapted to engage on an inner side of the neck of the bottle in order to enable optimizing of the seal. 
     The clamping elements are preferably adapted for deformation during securing and/or release of the closure. The clamping elements are preferably manufactured for this purpose from an elastic material. It is also possible to envisage each clamping element being given a (to some extent) pivotable form, for instance by applying one or more weakening lines. Such a preferred embodiment makes use of the deforming capability of the clamping elements and provides for a rapid and efficient closing of the bottle. In a particular preferred embodiment the clamping elements comprise resilient clamping tongues arranged substantially in the peripheral direction of the closing element. A segmented (clamping) skirt is in fact created by positioning the clamping elements in the peripheral direction of the closing element. The clamping elements, and particularly the clamping tongues, can be adapted here to engage on a peripheral recess of the neck of the drink container. A durable and operationally reliable closure of the bottle can hereby be realized. 
     The closure according to the invention is preferably manufactured at least partially from at least one material chosen from the group of metals, metal alloys and plastics. Metal, in particular aluminium, and determined plastics are generally particularly suitable for use as closure to enable substantially medium tight closure of a bottle in relatively durable manner. A particularly suitable variant is obtained when the closing element is manufactured from an at least partially transparent plastic; and the securing element from a differently coloured plastic. The components from which the closure is constructed hereby become clearly apparent to a consumer. When the securing element is provided with a viewing opening, the content of the bottle moreover becomes visible via the applied transparent closing element. 
     The invention also relates to a closing element for use in the closure according to the invention. The invention further relates to a securing element for use in the closure according to the invention. It is possible to envisage both the closing element and the securing element being marketed separately. Advantages and preferred embodiments of the closing element and the securing element have already been described at length in the foregoing. 
     The invention also relates to an assembly of a bottle and a closure according to the invention connected to the bottle, wherein at least the coupling means are positioned substantially in a neck forming part of the bottle. The counter-coupling means are positioned substantially in the neck of the bottle in the secured position. The counter-coupling means will moreover be positioned at least partially outside the neck of the bottle in the released position in order to allow facilitated release of the clamping elements. The clamping elements here preferably engage on a peripheral side, and in particular outer side, of the neck of the bottle. 
     The invention furthermore relates to a method for assembling the assembly according to the invention, comprising the steps of: A) filling the bottle with a product, in particular a drink, B) arranging the closing element on a neck forming part of the bottle, and C) connecting the securing element to the closing element. In an alternative preferred embodiment step C) is performed before step B), whereby the closure according to the invention is first assembled before being arranged on the neck of the bottle. The method will usually also comprise step D), wherein step D) relates to cleaning of the assembly of the bottle and at least a part of the closure. The cleaning can take place here using a rinsing liquid, preferably water. The cleaning can take place after placing of only the closing element (step B) or after placing of the already assembled closure (step C). 
    
    
     
       The invention will be elucidated on the basis of non-limitative exemplary embodiments shown in the following figures. Herein: 
         FIGS. 1   a - 1   c  show side views of an assembly of a bottle and a closure according to the invention, 
         FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b  show different views of a securing element for use in the closure according to  FIGS. 1   a - 1   c,    
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a closing element for use in the closure according to  FIGS. 1   a - 1   c,    
         FIGS. 4   a - 4   c  show longitudinal sections of a part of the assembly according to  FIGS. 1   a - 1   c,    
         FIG. 5   a  is a side view of a part of the assembly according to  FIGS. 1   a - 1   c,    
         FIG. 5   b  shows a cross-section along line A-A of the assembly of the side view of  FIG. 5   a,    
         FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b  show different perspective views of an alternative securing element for use in a closure according to the invention, 
         FIG. 7   a  is a perspective view of another closure according to the invention, 
         FIG. 7   b  shows a cross-section of the closure of  FIG. 7   a,    
         FIG. 8  shows an assembly of a bottle and yet another closure according to the invention, 
         FIGS. 9   a  and  9   b  show different longitudinal sections of a closure according to the invention arranged on a neck of a bottle, 
         FIGS. 10   a  and  10   b  show different longitudinal sections of another closure according to the invention arranged on a neck of a bottle, 
         FIGS. 11   a  and  11   b  show different longitudinal sections of yet another closure according to the invention arranged on a neck of a bottle, 
         FIGS. 12   a  and  12   b  show different longitudinal sections of another closure according to the invention arranged on a neck of a bottle, 
         FIG. 13  shows a longitudinal section of an alternative closure according to the invention arranged on a neck of a bottle, 
         FIGS. 14   a - 14   c  show different side views of a closure according to the invention, 
         FIGS. 15   a  and  15   b  show different perspective views of another closure according to the invention, 
         FIGS. 16   a - 16   c  show different exploded views of yet another closure according to the invention, 
         FIG. 17   a  is a perspective longitudinal section of yet another closure according to the invention, 
         FIG. 17   b  is a top view of the closure of  FIG. 17   a,    
         FIG. 18   a  is an exploded view of an alternative closure according to the invention, 
         FIG. 18   b  is a perspective view of a securing element of the closure of  FIG. 18   a,    
         FIGS. 18   c  and  18   d  show different longitudinal sections of the closure of  FIG. 18   a , and 
         FIGS. 19   a  and  19   b  show different longitudinal sections of another closure according to the invention. 
     
    
    
       FIGS. 1   a - 1   c  show side views of an assembly  1  of a bottle  2  and a closure  3  according to the invention.  FIG. 1   a  in particular here shows assembly  1  in an assembled state, wherein closure  3  is arranged on a neck  4  of bottle  2 , whereby bottle  2  is closed substantially medium-tightly. Closure  3  comprises a closing element  5  and a securing element  6  connected rotatably to closing element  5 . In order to open bottle  2  the securing element  6  is rotated relative to closing element  5  ( FIG. 1   b ), wherein the orientation of closing element  5  relative to neck  4  remains unchanged. Securing element  6  will be displaced in upward direction by rotating securing element  6  relative to closing element  5 , whereby clamping elements  7  forming part of closing element  5  come to lie substantially unobstructed. Because clamping elements  7  are no longer locked by securing element  6 , closure  3  can be removed from bottle  2  as shown in  FIG. 1   c.    
       FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b  show different views of securing element  6  for use in closure  3  according to  FIGS. 1   a - 1   c .  FIG. 2   a  herein shows a perspective bottom view of securing element  6  and  FIG. 2   b  shows a side view of securing element  6 . Shown here is that securing element  6  is provided with a profiling  7  which provides a consumer with an improved grip during axial rotation of securing element  6  relative to closing element  5 . Also shown is that securing element  6  comprises a bush-like body  8  provided with an external screw thread  9 . An inner side of the bush-like body  8  is provided with two protrusions  10  for limiting the maximum rotation of securing element  6  relative to closing element  5 . 
       FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of closing element  5  for use in closure  1  according to  FIGS. 1   a - 1   c . This figure shows clearly that closing element  5  is provided with a plurality of clamping elements  7 , wherein each clamping element  7  is provided with an inward protruding clamping tongue  11 . The assembly of clamping elements  7  here in fact forms a clamping skirt for engaging round neck  4  of the bottle. The protruding clamping tongues  11  are adapted to engage on a narrowed portion  12  (see  FIGS. 4   a - 4   c ) arranged in neck  4  of the bottle. Closing element  5  is provided with a tubular element  13  adapted to receive the bush-like body  8  of securing element  6 , as shown clearly in  FIGS. 4   a - 4   c . Tubular element  13  is provided on an underside with strengthening ribs  14 . 
       FIGS. 4   a - 4   c  show different longitudinal sections of a part of assembly  1  according to the respective  FIGS. 1   a - 1   c .  FIG. 4   a  herein shows a longitudinal section of closure  3  in a secured position closing neck  4  of a bottle. It can be seen here that clamping tongues  11  of clamping elements  7  engage in narrowed portion  12  of neck  4 , whereby closure  3  clamps fixedly on neck  4  of the bottle. This fixed clamping is locked in that securing element  6  prevents clamping elements  7  deforming in the direction away from neck  4 , whereby closure  3  would be uncoupled from neck  4  of the bottle. Tubular element  13  is provided with an internal screw thread  15  which co-acts with external screw thread  9  of securing element  6  for the purpose of forming a threaded connection. In the shown secured position both the internal screw thread  15  of closing member  5  and external screw thread  9  of securing element  6  are positioned substantially in neck  4  of the bottle, whereby closure  3  according to the invention is relatively compact, and therefore easy to use and aesthetically attractive. An upper part of tubular element  13  connects via a sealing ring  16  to an inner side of neck  4 , whereby bottle  2  can be closed medium-tightly. Tubular element  13  is provided with a standing blocking element  17  which is adapted for co-action with protrusions  10  of securing element  6  for the purpose of bounding the maximum rotation of securing element  6  relative to closing element  5 .  FIG. 4   b  shows that securing element  6  is rotated relative to closing element  5 , whereby securing element  6  has in fact displaced in a linear upward movement relative to closing element  5 . In this shown released position clamping elements  7  are no longer locked by a peripheral part of securing element  6  which in fact functions as a locking skirt. By subsequently pulling securing element  6  in a direction away from neck  4  of the bottle, clamping elements  7  will deform in forced manner in outward direction and closure  3  can be uncoupled from neck  4  as shown in  FIG. 4   c . Reclosing takes place in reverse sequence, wherein first of all closure  3  is arranged on neck  4  of the bottle, after which closure  3  is fixed relative to neck  4  by rotating securing element  6  relative to closing element  5  until the secured position as shown in  FIG. 4   a  is once again reached. 
       FIG. 5   a  shows a side view of a part of assembly  1  of  FIGS. 1   a - 1   c  in the secured position.  FIG. 5   b  shows a cross-section along line A-A of the view of assembly  1  of  FIG. 5   a , wherein shown successively from the outside to the inside are securing element  6 , clamping elements  7 , neck  4 , tubular element  13  provided with internal screw thread  15 , the bush-like body  8  provided with external screw thread  9  and protrusions  10 , and blocking element  17 . Also shown is that blocking element  17  is provided with counter-protrusions  18  adapted for co-action with protrusions  10  of the bush-like body  8  to enable limiting of the maximum angle of rotation of securing element  6  relative to closing element  5 . 
       FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b  show different perspective views of an alternative securing element  19  for use in a closure according to the invention. Securing element  19  shown in  FIG. 6   a  is structurally identical to securing element  6  shown in  FIGS. 1   a - 5   b , with the difference that the securing element  19  shown here is provided with a sealing ring  20  which is initially connected in weakened manner to securing element  19 . Sealing ring  20  is provided with teeth  21  which are positioned in the same direction relative to each other, this direction being such that securing element  19  can only be displaced in a clockwise direction without sealing ring  20  breaking. At the first use of the closure the securing element  19  will be rotated in a counter-clockwise direction relative to a closing element (not shown) of the closure for the purpose of displacing the securing element from a secured position to a released position, whereby teeth  21  force sealing ring  20  to break and it will be visible to a consumer that closure  3  has been released at least once. 
       FIG. 7   a  shows a perspective view of another closure  22  according to the invention. Closure  22  comprises a closing element  23  (see  FIG. 7   b ) and a securing element  24  connected to closing element  23 . Securing element  24  is provided with a sealing pin  25  which is connected in weakened manner to securing element  24 .  FIG. 7   b  shows a cross-section of closure  22  of  FIG. 7   a  in which both securing element  24  and closing element  23  are shown. Closing element  23  is structurally similar to the closing element  5  shown in  FIGS. 1-5   a , wherein closing element  23  is provided with a plurality of clamping elements  25 . Closing element  23  moreover comprises a central tubular element  26  provided with an internal screw thread  27 . Tubular element  26  is adapted to receive a bush-like body  29  of securing element  24  provided with an external screw thread  28 . The bush-like body  29  is moreover provided with internal protrusions  30 . Tubular element  26  is provided with a standing blocking element  31  provided with external protrusions  32 , wherein the external protrusions  32  of blocking element  31  are adapted for co-action with internal protrusions  30  of bush-like body  29  for the purpose of limiting the maximum rotation of securing element  24  relative to closing element  23 . Blocking element  31  is furthermore adapted to fixedly hold sealing pin  25 . At a first rotation of securing element  24  relative to closing element  23  sealing pin  25  will break off from securing element  24 , whereby it is visible to a consumer that closure  23  has already been released at least once. 
       FIG. 8  shows an assembly  33  of a bottle  34  and yet another closure  35  according to the invention. Closure  35  is structurally identical to the closure  3  shown in  FIGS. 1   a - 5   b . In the present exemplary embodiment the orientation of closure  35  relative to bottle  34  is sealed by means of a strip  36  manufactured from paper, whereby it is immediately visible whether the content of bottle  34  can be guaranteed. 
       FIGS. 9   a  and  9   b  show different longitudinal sections of a closure  38  according to the invention arranged on a neck  37  of a bottle. Closure  38  comprises a closing element  39  and a securing element  40  connected to closing element  39  by means of a threaded connection. Closing element  39  comprises a tubular element  41  provided with a standing central part  42  on which a plurality of sealing biasing members  43  are arranged. In an initial secured position as shown in  FIG. 9   a  the biasing members  43  are partially received in a biased state in a recess  44  arranged in securing element  40 . At a first release of closure  38  the securing element  40  will be rotated relative to closing element  39 , whereby biasing members  43  will be released (see  FIG. 9   b ). However, when closure  38  is secured again biasing members  43  will no longer be received in recess  44  of securing element  40 , whereby a consumer will see relatively quickly and easily that closure  38  has already been released at least once. 
       FIGS. 10   a  and  10   b  show different longitudinal sections of another closure  46  according to the invention arranged on a neck  45  of a bottle. Closure  46  comprises a closing element  47  and a securing element  48  connected to closing element  47  by means of a threaded connection. Closing element  47  comprises a tubular element  49  provided with a standing central part  50 . Specific to this exemplary embodiment is that closing element  47  is provided with a ventilation opening  51 . Ventilation opening  51  is lined with a sealing ring  52 . In the secured position according to  FIG. 10   a  ventilation opening  51  is closed by a pin  53  forming part of securing element  48 . Pin  53  will be removed from ventilation opening  51  by rotating securing element  48  relative to closing element  47  from the secured position to the released position (see  FIG. 10   b ), whereby pressure equalization will take place between the pressure prevailing in the bottle and the pressure prevailing outside the bottle, which can considerably facilitate removal of closure  46  from neck  45  of the bottle. Pressure equalization is particularly advantageous when the bottle is filled with a carbonated drink, whereby an overpressure is created in the bottle. Pressure equalization can also be advantageous when an underpressure prevails in the bottle. 
       FIGS. 11   a  and  11   b  show different longitudinal sections of yet another closure  55  according to the invention arranged on a neck  54  of a bottle. Closure  55  is structurally similar to the closure  55  shown in  FIGS. 10   a  and  10   b  although a ventilation opening  56  is provided on a bottom part of a tubular element  57  of a closing element  58  of closure  55 . Ventilation opening  56  can be closed by positioning a bush-like body  59  of a securing element  60  of closure  55  in a secured position of closure  55  (see  FIG. 11   a ). In order to enable optimizing of the sealing of ventilation opening  56 , a sealing strip  61  is arranged in tubular element  57 . Ventilation opening  56  can be opened by rotating securing element  60  (slightly) relative to closing element  58 , whereby venting of the bottle is made possible (see  FIG. 11   b ).  FIG. 11   b  also shows that sealing strip  61  is received displaceably in tubular element  57  in order to enable venting. 
       FIGS. 12   a  and  12   h  show different longitudinal sections of another closure  63  according to the invention arranged on a neck  62  of a bottle. As shown in  FIGS. 12   a  and  12   b , closure  63  is also provided with a ventilation opening  64 , wherein ventilation opening  64  is formed by a gap between closure  63  and neck  62  of the bottle. The operation of closure  63  is identical to the operation of closure  3  shown in  FIGS. 1   a - 5   b . By rotating a securing element  65  of closure  63  from the secured position (see  FIG. 12   a ) relative to a closing element  66  of closure  63  the gap can be created by overpressure in the bottle, whereby pressure equalization can be realized. In order to allow substantially medium-tight connection of closure  63  onto neck  62  of the bottle in the secured position, a sealing ring  67  is positioned as shown in  FIG. 12   a  between closing element  66  and neck  62  of the bottle, which sealing ring  67  is adhered in this exemplary embodiment to closing element  66 . 
       FIG. 13  shows a longitudinal section of an alternative closure  69  according to the invention arranged on a neck  68  of a bottle. Closure  69  according to  FIG. 13  is also provided with a ventilation opening  70  which in this exemplary embodiment is initially closed by a breakable pin  71 . By rotating securing element  72  of closure  69  relative to a closing element  73  of closure  69  connected to securing element  72  the securing element will cause the pin  71  to break, after which ventilation is made possible between an atmosphere prevailing in the bottle and an atmosphere prevailing outside the bottle. After creation of ventilation opening  70  by breaking off pin  71 , ventilation opening  70  cannot be reclosed. In this exemplary embodiment the creation of ventilation opening  70  will therefore be permanent. 
       FIGS. 14   a - 14   c  show different side views of a closure  74  according to the invention.  FIG. 14   a  more particularly shows an exploded view of the closure, in which is shown that closure  74  comprises a closing element  75  and a securing element  76 . Securing element  76  is herein provided with an eye  77  and closing element  75  is provided with a bulge  78  which, prior to first use, can be snapped fixedly into eye  77  as shown in  FIG. 14   b . By then displacing securing element  76  relative to closing element  75  the eye  77  will break off from securing element  76  (see  FIG. 14   c ), whereby it will be visible to a consumer that closure  74  is no longer sealed. 
       FIGS. 15   a  and  15   b  show different perspective views of a similar closure  79  according to the invention. Closure  79  comprises a securing element  81  provided with a plurality of eyes  80  and a closing element  83  provided with a plurality of bulges  82 , which bulges can be snapped fixedly into eyes  80  of securing element  81  (see  FIG. 15   b ). By then displacing securing element  81  relative to closing element  83  the eyes  80  will break off from securing element  81 , whereby it is visible to the consumer that closure  79  is no longer sealed. The tamper-evident provision of closure  79  shown in  FIGS. 15   a  and  15   b  is deemed to be structurally somewhat stronger than the shown tamper-evident provision of closure  74  shown in  FIGS. 14   a  and  14   b.    
       FIGS. 16   a - 16   c  show different exploded views of yet another closure  84  according to the invention. Closure  84  comprises a closing element  85  and a securing element  86  co-acting with closing element  85 . An upper side of closing element  85  is provided with a plurality of protrusions  87 . An underside of securing element  86  is provided with a plurality of counter-protrusions  88  (see also  FIG. 16   b ) adapted for co-action with protrusions  87  of closing element  85 . Counter-protrusions  88  are visible to a consumer. At a first use the securing element will be rotated relative to closing element  85 , whereby protrusions  87  will visibly deform counter-protrusions  88 , whereby a consumer can see relatively quickly and easily that closure  84  is no longer sealed. 
       FIG. 17   a  shows a perspective longitudinal section of yet another closure  89  according to the invention, and  FIG. 17   b  shows a top view of closure  89 . Closure  89  comprises a closing element  90  and a securing element  91  connected to closing element  90  by means of a threaded connection. Securing element  91  is here provided with a pin  92  which is connected in weakened manner to securing element  91 . A free (lower) end of pin  92  is received in a receiving space  93  arranged in closing element  90 . By rotating securing element  91  and closing element  94  relative to each other the pin  92  will be broken off securing element  90 , this being both audible and visible to a consumer, whereby a consumer can determine relatively easily whether or not closure  89  is provided with a seal. 
       FIG. 18   a  shows an exploded view of an alternative closure  94  according to the invention. Closure  94  comprises a closing element  95  and a securing element  96 . Closing element  95  comprises a tubular element  98  provided with an internal screw thread  97 , this tubular element  98  also being provided with a plurality of standing fingers  99 . Securing element  96  is provided with a pin  100  protruding in the direction of closing element  95 , this pin  100  being welded or adhered to securing element  96 . As shown in  FIG. 18   b , an underside of pin  100  is provided with a plurality of protrusions  101 , these protrusions  101  being adapted for co-action with fingers  99  of closing element  95 . Protrusions  101  are oriented such that rotation of securing element  96  relative to closing element  95  in a clockwise direction is possible and ensures that protrusions  101  of securing element  96  will engage on fingers  99 , whereby pin  100  will break off. This breaking of the seal will be visible to a consumer. Fingers  99  are somewhat flexible and provided on a free (upper) end with an outward protruding edge  102 . Securing element  96  comprises a bush-like body  103  for receiving fingers  99 . The bush-like body  103  is herein provided with a flange-like edge  104  provided with three recesses  105  for passage of fingers  99 . During assembly of closure  94  (see  FIG. 18   c ) fingers  99  will, due to deformation of fingers  99 , be snapped into the bush-like body via recesses  105 , whereby closing element  95  and securing element  96  are connected non-releasably to each other (see also  FIG. 18   d ). 
       FIGS. 19   a  and  19   b  show different longitudinal sections of another closure  106  according to the invention.  FIG. 19   a  more particularly shows closure  106  in non-assembled situation and  FIG. 19   b  shows the same closure  106  in assembled, secured situation. Closure  106  comprises a closing element  107  and a securing element  108  permanently co-acting with the closing element. Closing element  107  comprises a tubular element  110  provided with an internal screw thread  109 , this tubular element  110  also being provided with a standing bush  111 . Securing element  108  is provided with a pin  112  protruding in the direction of closing element  107 , this pin  112  forming an integral part of securing element  108 . As shown, an underside of pin  112  is provided with an inward protruding flange  113  and a top side of bush  111  is provided with an outward protruding flange  114 . Because both flanges  113 ,  114  are adapted for mutual co-action, wherein both flanges  113 ,  114  in fact form a stop for each other, a snap connection is realized, using which the maximum axial displacement of securing element  108  relative to closing element  107  is bounded. The snap connection will be realized by pressing securing element  108  onto closing element  107 , whereby a permanent coupling will be realized between closing element  107  and securing element  108 . Unintentional uncoupling of securing element  108  relative to closing element  107  can in this way be prevented. During realizing of the snap connection at least one of the flanges  113 ,  114  will be at least partially deformed to enable the final permanent connection to be realized. For this purpose at least one flange  113 ,  114  can be manufactured from a (somewhat) flexible material. It is however also possible to envisage bush  111  for instance being formed by a plurality of pivotable bush segments and/or pin  112  being formed by a plurality of pivotable pin segments in order to allow the snap connections to be more readily realized (with reduced effort).  FIGS. 19   a  and  19   b  also show that closing element  107  comprises a skirt  116  formed by curved clamping fingers  115  for the purpose of enabling substantially form-fitting engagement round a neck of a bottle. The advantage of this form-fitting engagement round the neck of a bottle by the curved clamping fingers  115  is that a relatively strong, durable and therefore reliable sealing of the bottle can be realized, wherein the risk of (material) creep can be minimized.  FIG. 19   b  also shows that securing element  108  connects substantially form-fittingly onto skirt  116  of closing element  107  in order to enable optimizing of the securing of the closure of the neck of the bottle by closing element  107 . 
     It will be apparent that the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments shown and described here, but that within the scope of the appended claims numerous variants are possible which will be self-evident to the skilled person in this field.