Source: http://www.patentsencyclopedia.com/app/20080277371
Timestamp: 2017-08-17 23:41:51
Document Index: 282781692

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 4', 'art 4', 'art 3', 'art 4', 'art 4', 'art 2', 'art 4', 'art 4', 'art 4', 'art 4', 'art 4', 'art 4', 'art 4', 'art 4', 'art 4', 'arts 4', 'art 4', 'art 4', 'art 4', 'art 4', 'art 3']

Container Closure - Patent application
Patent application title: Container Closure
Inventors: Mario Weist (Thaya, AT)
USPC Class: 215277
Class name: Closures with separate applied fastener to hold closure in closed portion cap-type fastener
Patent application number: 20080277371
Container Closure - Patent application - The container closure includes a flange having an inlet opening and an outlet tube having a thread arranged after the inlet opening <?php require_once('/home/patents/php/mtc.config.php'); require_once('/home/patents/php/mtc.class.php'); $MTC = new MTC(); $MTC->init(); ?>
Inventors: Mario Weist
The container closure (1) includes a flange (2) having an inlet opening (2p) and an outlet tube (2a) having a thread (2b) arranged after the inlet opening (2p) in the outflow direction and includes a rotary closure (3) with an outlet opening (3p) and with a thread (3i), wherein the two threads (2b, 3i) engage into one another and are aligned such that the rotary closure (3) is rotatable with respect to the flange (2) about an axis of rotation (D) and is displaceably mounted in the direction of the rotary axis (D), wherein the flange (2) includes a sealing lip (2i) projecting towards the axis of rotation (D) which forms the inlet opening (2p) extending concentric to the axis of rotation (D), wherein the rotary closure (3) has a spigot (3a) arranged concentric to the axis of rotation (D) which is arranged in the outflow direction after the inlet opening (2p) and wherein the spigot (3a) and the sealing lip (2i) are designed mutually matched so that the spigot (3a) which can be displaced in the direction of the axis of rotation (D) can adopt at least two positions, a closed position (SS) in which the spigot (3a) contacts the sealing lip (2i) so that the inlet opening (2p) is closed and an open position (OS), in which the spigot (3a) is spaced from the sealing lip (2i) so that the inlet opening (2p) is opened.
1. Container closure (1) including a flange (2) having an inlet opening (2p) and an outlet tube (2a) having a thread (2b) arranged after the inlet opening (2p) in the outflow direction and also including a rotary closure (3) with an outlet opening (3p) and with a thread (3i), wherein the two threads (2b, 3i) engage into one another and are aligned such that the rotary closure (3) is rotatable with respect to the flange (2) about an axis of rotation (D) and is displaceably mounted in the direction of the rotary axis (D), wherein the flange (2) includes a sealing lip (2i) projecting towards the axis of rotation (D) which forms the inlet opening (2p) extending concentric to the axis of rotation (D), wherein the rotary closure (3) has a spigot (3a) arranged concentric to the axis of rotation (D) which is arranged in the outflow direction after the inlet opening (2p) and wherein the spigot (3a) and the sealing lip (2i) are designed mutually matched so that the spigot (3a) which can be displaced in the direction of the axis of rotation (D) can adopt at least two positions, a closed position (SS) in which the spigot (3a) contacts the sealing lip (2i) so that the inlet opening (2p) is closed and an open position (OS), in which the spigot (3a) is spaced from the sealing lip (2i) so that the inlet opening (2p) is opened.
2. Container closure in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the spigot (3a) has a sealing surface (3c) which is intended to contact the sealing lip (2i) and in that the sealing surface (3c) has an angle of inclination a with respect to the direction of extent of the axis of rotation (D) in the range between 1.degree. and 45.degree..
3. Container closure in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rotary closure (3) includes a tubular inner portion (3g) which is displaceably arranged within the outlet tube (2a) in the direction of the axis of rotation (D) and in that the tubular inner portion (3g) forms the outlet opening (3p).
4. Container closure in accordance with claim 4, characterized in that a seal (2c) extending in the peripheral direction is arranged between the outlet tube (2a) and the tubular inlet portion (3g).
5. Container closure in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rotary closure (3) has an elastic portion (3d) between the spigot (3a) and the thread (3a) so that the spigot (3a) is displaceably or resiliently mounted in the direction of the axis of rotation (D) relative to the thread (3i).
6. Container closure in accordance with claim 5, characterized in that the elastic portion (3d) consists of a plurality of webs (3d) arranged spaced apart in the peripheral direction relative to the axis of rotation (D), which connect the tubular inner portion (3g) to the spigot (3a), with a passage opening (3e) resulting between adjacent webs (3d).
7. Container closure in accordance with one of the claims 3 or 6, characterized in that the tubular inner portion (3g) has noses (3f) projecting in the direction towards the axis of rotation (D).
8. Container closure in accordance with claim 7, characterized in that the projecting noses (3f), the elastic portion (3d) and the spigot (3a) are dimensioned such that the said elements, viewed in the direction of the axis of rotation (D) from the outlet opening (3p), cover the entire surface of the outlet opening (3p), in particular substantially cover it.
9. Container closure in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rotary closure (3) has an at least anatomically shaped mouthpiece (3h) in the region of the outlet opening (3p).
10. Container closure in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the thread (2b, 3i) is formed as a multi-start thread, in particular as a two, four or six start thread.
11. Container closure in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flange (2) and also the rotary closure (3) have a stroke restriction means (2e, 3l; 2u, 3i) which restrict the maximum displacement of the rotary closure 3 with respect to the flange (2).
12. Container closure in accordance with one of the preceding claims, including a protective cover (4) which covers the rotary closure (3), in particular the mouthpiece (3h).
13. Container closure in accordance with claim 12, characterized in that the protective cover (4) is firmly and pivotally connected to the rotary closure (3) in particular via a hinge (4d).
14. Container closure in accordance with claim 12 or claim 13, characterized in that the protective cover (4) is designed in such a way that it covers the entire rotary closure (3).
15. Container closure in accordance with one of the claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the rotary closure (3) has projecting drive cams (3k) at its outer surface, in that the protective cover (4) has projecting drive cams (4a) and the inner surface in that these drive cams (3k, 4a) are mutually arranged such that they inter-engage when the protective cover (4) is closed in order to transmit a torque acting on the protective cover (4) to the closure (3).
16. Container closure in accordance with one of the claims 12 to 15, characterized in that the flange (2) includes a guarantee closure (2f) with a point of intended fracture (2h) which is designed such that the guarantee closure (2f) firmly holds the protective cover (4) in the closed position so long as the point of intended fracture (2h) has not been broken.
17. Container closure in accordance with one of the claims 12 to 16, characterized in that the protective cover (4) includes a latching device (4b) which can latch at the flange (2) and/or at the rotary closure (3) in order to hold the protective cover (4) in a closed position.
18. Container closure in accordance with claim 17, characterized in that the flange (2) has an abutment (2e) in which the latch device (4b) of the protective cover (4) can latch, with the abutment (2e) and the latch device (4b) being dimensioned in the direction of extent of the axis of rotation (D) such that the flange (2) and the protective cover (4) can only mutually latch in the closed position (GS).
19. Container closure in accordance with claim 9, characterized in that the mouthpiece (3h) has an oval extending shape with respect to the axis of the rotation (D).
20. Container closure in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outlet tube (2a) has an outer thread (2b); in that the mouthpiece (3h) has a U-shaped cross-section in the direction of the axis of rotation (D) having a tubular outer part (3n) with an inner thread (3i) and with the tubular inner portion (3g), so that the outlet tube (2a) is arranged between the tubular outer part (3n) and the tubular inner portion (3g).
21. Container closure in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing lip (2i) extends at an obtuse angle with respect to the axis of rotation (D) in the direction away from the outlet opening (3p).
22. Container closure in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spigot (3a) has an internal hollow space (3b).
23. Container closure in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing lip (2i) and/or the spigot (3a) is of elastic design in order, with a higher pressure applied in the inner space of the container, to bring about a higher mutual contact pressure force.
24. Container closure in accordance with claim 6, characterized in that the webs (3d) are of elastic design.
25. Container closure in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guarantee band (2f) is also connected to the protective cover (4) in the open state so that on opening the container closure no disposable part arises.
26. Container closure in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the vent hole (3q) opens towards the mouthpiece (3h) with the vent hole being fluid-conductingly connected to an outer space.
27. Use of a container closure in accordance with one of the preceding claims for containers with liquid containing carbon dioxide or for liquids tending to gassing.
[0001]The invention relates to a container closure in accordance with the preamble of claim 1.
[0002]Containers, such as for example bottles, are normally provided with a container closure so that the bottle can be opened in a simple manner and can be closed again. The container closure preferably has a cap which can be attached to the container opening. Container closures, such as these are as a rule used for drinking bottles in the sports field, can be actuated by hand and ensure, in the closed position, a liquid-tight closure of the container content. If required, the container closure can be brought into an open position, so that the liquid which is present in the container can be removed without having to remove the container closure.
[0003]The document WO 2005/035379 discloses a container closure for drinking bottles which is also suitable for drinks containing carbon dioxide. This container closure has the disadvantage that it is complicated to operate. The container closure has the further disadvantages that it is difficult to reduce excess pressure, that a liquid containing carbon dioxide under pressure can shoot upwardly through the container closure and that the container closure cannot be kept hygienically clean.
[0004]It is the object of the present invention to improve a container closure of this kind such that it enables simple and reliable opening and re-closure and is operator-friendly to use.
[0005]This object is satisfied by a container closure having the features of claim 1. The subordinate claims 2 to 25 relate to further advantageous container closures.
[0006]The object is in particular satisfied with a container closure including a flange having an inlet opening and an outlet tube having a thread arranged after the inlet opening in the outflow direction and also including a rotary closure with an outlet opening and with a thread, wherein the two threads engage into one another and are aligned such that the rotary closure is rotatable with respect to the flange about an axis of rotation and is displaceably mounted in the direction of the rotary axis, wherein the flange includes a sealing lip projecting towards the axis of rotation which forms the inlet opening extending concentric to the axis of rotation and wherein the rotary closure has a spigot arranged concentric to the axis of rotation which is arranged in the outflow direction after the inlet opening and wherein the spigot and the sealing lip are designed mutually matched so that the spigot which can be displaced in the direction of the axis of rotation can adopt at least two positions, a closed position in which the spigot contacts the sealing lip so that the inlet opening is closed and an open position, in which the spigot is spaced from the sealing lip so that the inlet opening is opened.
[0007]The container closure in accordance with the invention has the advantage that it enables a reliable liquid-tight closure of a container content, in particular when a liquid containing carbon dioxide under pressure or a liquid which tends to gassing is present in the container. The container closure in accordance with the invention includes a rotary closure which is turned with respect to the flange about an axis of rotation. Independently of the speed of rotation of the rotary closure a person can himself determine how quickly the spigot is to be lifted and thereby the container closure is to be advantageously opened. A rapid opening of the container closure can be achieved, in dependence on the filling medium, in that the thread is formed with a large pitch so that a small amount of turning already produces a large stroke movement. The spigot can in particular also be very carefully lifted by correspondingly slow turning of the rotary closure. Moreover, the turning can be interrupted at any time so that the container closure can remain in any desired position. A person can thus himself determine the preferred opening and thus also the outflow speed which he regards as very pleasant. The container closure in accordance with the invention can moreover be closed again with the expenditure of little force. In a pre-ferred embodiment, the container closure has an abutment so that the maximum stroke movement is restricted which for example ensures that the rotary closure is not separated from the flange.
[0008]In an advantageous embodiment the spigot is elastically mounted in the container closure so that the container closure opens automatically to dissipate pressure with a pressure which is too high in a container.
[0009]In a further advantageous embodiment the container closure has an outlet opening which has elements arranged distributed over its entire cross-sectional opening which cover the outlet opening so that a liquid which is emerging is deflected in the container closure and can thus not emerge as a direct jet.
[0010]In a preferred embodiment the container closure moreover has a protective cover which covers the rotary closure, at least at times, in order to keep the rotary closure and the outlet opening clean.
[0011]The container closure in accordance with the invention is suitable for a multitude of differently design containers or containers of different materials. The container can for example consist of glass, plastic, metal, card-board, of a cardboard composite or of a composite packing. The flange can be designed as a screwed cap which, for example, can be screwed onto the opening of a glass bottle. The flange can for example also be designed as a welded flange or as an adhesively bonded flange which can be secured to a packing material.
[0012]The invention will be described in more detail in the following with reference to embodiments. The Figures show:
[0013]FIG. 1 a perspective view of a not yet opened container closure;
[0014]FIG. 1a a detailed view C of the position of intended fracture;
[0015]FIG. 2 a perspective view of the opened container closure, partly in section and partly with an opened protective cover;
[0016]FIG. 3 a perspective view of the flange of the container closure which is designed as a screw cap;
[0017]FIG. 4 a longitudinal section through the screw cap in accordance with FIG. 3;
[0018]FIG. 5 a longitudinal section through the container closure in accordance with FIG. 1;
[0019]FIG. 6 a detailed view A of the longitudinal section in accordance with FIG. 5;
[0020]FIG. 7 a longitudinal section through an open container closure with the protective cover closed;
[0021]FIG. 8 a detailed view B of the longitudinal section in accordance with FIG. 7;
[0022]FIG. 9 a perspective view of the same opened container closure shown in FIG. 2 from a different viewing direction;
[0023]FIG. 10 a longitudinal section through the container closure in accordance with FIG. 9;
[0024]FIG. 11 a plan view on the container closure in accordance with FIG. 9;
[0025]FIG. 12 a perspective view of a further embodiment of an opened container closure in section;
[0026]FIG. 13 a perspective view of a further embodiment of an opened container closure in section;
[0027]FIG. 14 a perspective view of a further not yet opened container closure;
[0028]FIG. 15 a further embodiment of a screw cap;
[0029]FIG. 16 a further embodiment of a closure;
[0030]FIG. 17 the closure shown in FIG. 16 from a different viewing direction;
[0031]FIG. 18 a further embodiment of a closure having a protective cover seen from below;
[0032]FIG. 19 a further embodiment of a screw cap;
[0033]FIG. 20 a further embodiment of a flange.
[0034]FIG. 1 shows a container closure 1 in a perspective view. A protective cover 4 is pivotally connected to the rotary closure 3 via a hinge. The container closure 1 includes a flange 2 which is designed as a screw cap. Both the screw cap 2 and also the protective cover 4 have ribbing extending in the peripheral direction. The screw cap 2 includes a guarantee band 2f with hook 2g which is connected to the screw cap 2 via one or more positions of intended fracture 2h. The protective cover 4 includes an opening shield with a holding part 4c. The container closure 1 shown in FIG. 1 has never been opened so that the position of intended fracture 2h is still intact and the protective cover 4 is firmly held at least via the guarantee band. Further holding means can also be provided. On opening of the container closure 1 the holding part 4c can be used as a support for a finger in order to thereby exert a force on the protective cover 4 and to lift the latter.
[0035]FIG. 1a shows the section C of FIG. 1 in detail. The guarantee band 2f is connected via points of intended fracture 2h to the screw cap 2 lying beneath it. These points of intended fracture 2h are parted during opening of the protective cover 4. Moreover the guarantee band 2f has a plurality of supports 2r which are slightly spaced relative to the protective cap 2 and thus not connected to it. These supports 2r serve to relieve the points of intended fracture 2h from pressure. Without these supports 2r the points of intended fracture 2h could be damaged with a force acting downwardly via the hook 2g.
[0036]FIG. 2 shows the container closure 1 shown in FIG. 1 in the open state and in a perspective view, partly in section. The container closure 1 includes a screw cap 2 with quality ring 2o and inlet opening 2p and also an outlet tube 2a having an outer thread 2p arranged after the inlet opening 2p in the outflow direction. The outlet tube 2a and the thread 2b define an axis of rotation D. The screw cap 2 includes a sealing lip 2i projecting towards the axis of rotation D which forms the inlet opening 2p extending concentrically to the axis of rotation D. The container closure 1 further includes a rotary closure 3 having an outlet opening 3p and an inner thread 3i. The two threads 2b, 3i engage in one another and are aligned such that the rotary closure 3 is rotatable with respect to the screw cap 2 about the axis of rotation D and is displaceably mounted in the direction of the axis of rotation D. The shift in the direction of the rotary axis D brings about a lifting or lowering of the rotary closure 3 relative to the screw cap 2. The rotary closure 3 includes a spigot 3a arranged concentric to the axis of rotation D which is arranged after the inlet opening 2p in the outflow direction. Through the rotation of the rotary closure 3 the latter, and thus also spigot 3a connected to the rotary closure 3, moves in the direction of extent of the axis of rotation D. Through a corresponding turning of the rotary closure 3 the spigot 3a is displaceable into at least two different positions, a closing position SS in which the spigot contacts the sealing lip 2i so that the inlet opening 2p is closed and an open position OS in which the spigot 3a is spaced with respect to the sealing lip 2i so that the inlet opening 2p is opened. The spigot 3a has a sealing surface 3c which is intended for contact at the sealing lip 2i, with the sealing surface 3c having an angle of inclination a in the range between 1° and 45° with respect to the direction of extent of the axis of rotation D. The spigot 3a preferably has an internal hollow space 3b so that the outer walls of the spigot 3a extending in a direction of extent of the axis of rotation D are pressed in the radial direction outwardly against the sealing cover 2i by the pressure prevailing in the container. The sealing lip 2i extends at an obtuse angle to the axis of rotation D, so that a pressure increase in the liquid container results in the sealing lip 2i trying to move in the direction of the outflow direction, which additionally increases the sealing function between the spigot 3a and the sealing lip 2i. This arrangement of the sealing lip 2i and also the internal hollow space 3b of the spigot 3a have the result that the sealing lip 2i and the spigot 3a are pressed harder against one another with increasing pressure in the container so that the sealing function increases and a reliable sealing function is ensured even at high pressures. The entire rotary closure 3 can be made inelastic. In a preferred embodiment, however at least the portion connecting the spigot 3a to the thread 3i is made partly elastic in order to ensure a relative movement of the spigot 3a with respect to the thread 3i in the direction of the axis of rotation D.
[0037]The rotary closure 3 shown in FIG. 2 has a mouthpiece 3h with a drinking opening 3p, with the mouthpiece 3h having a U-shaped cross-section in the direction of the axis of rotation D, with a tubular outer part 3n having an internal thread 3i and with a tubular inner portion 3g. The rotary closure 3 is rotatable with respect to the screw cap 2 via the two threads 2b, 3i and displaceably mounted in the direction of the axis of rotation D. The spigot 3a is connected via an elastic portion 3d to the tubular inner portion 3g, with the elastic portion 3d in this embodiment being formed as a plurality of webs 3d arranged distributed in the peripheral direction. A passage opening 3e is respectively arranged between the webs 3d. The rotary closure 3 can now be displaced with respect to the screw cap 2 by a corresponding rotation about the axis of rotation D so that the spigot 3a can either be moved towards the inlet opening 2p in order to close the inlet opening 2p or can be moved in the opposite direction, away from the inlet opening 2p, in order to open the inlet opening 2p. The fluid flowing out of the container into the inlet opening 2p flows via the passage openings 3e to the outlet opening 3p. The rotary closure 3 has an actuating element 3k with drive cams arranged after the cylindrical outer portion 3n and/or a ribbing which is preferably held by the fingers so that a pleasant rotation of the rotary closure 3 is possible. The container closure 1 is however preferably actuated in such a way that the rotary closure 3 screw cap with closed protective cover 4 is turned.
[0038]In a preferred embodiment the flange 2 includes a cover wall 2d with abutment 2e and the rotary closure 3 likewise includes an abutment 3l, in order to restrict the maximum stroke of the rotary closure 3 in the direction of the axis of rotation D.
[0039]In a further advantageous embodiment the rotary closure 3 has a plurality of noses 3f projecting in the direction of the axis of rotation D. As is shown in FIG. 11 in a plan view of the rotary closure 3 the projecting noses 3f, the webs 3d and also the spigots 3a are arranged such that these cover the entire outlet opening area 3p. This design has the advantage that a liquid jet shooting into the inlet opening 2p cannot move in a straight line in the direction of the rotary axis D but is rather broken at the elements 3a, 3d, 3f which makes it impossible for a liquid jet to shoot directly out of the inlet opening 2p. A liquid jet is thus always broken before it emerges from the outlet opening 3p which enables a pleasant opening of the container closure 1.
[0040]In a preferred embodiment, a container closure 1 includes, as shown in FIG. 2, a protective cover 4 which is connected to the rotary closure 3 via a non-illustrated hinge. The protective cover 4 includes at the inner side drive cams 4a arranged spaced apart in the peripheral direction which, in the closed state of the container closure 1 shown in FIG. 1, engage into the drive cams 3k of the rotary closure 3 so that a torque exerted in FIG. 1 onto the protective cover 4 is transmitted to the rotary closure 3. This enables a force to act on the guarantee band 2f which is large enough to break the position of intended fracture 2h. The position of intended fracture 2h can, however, for example, also be broken in that a force acting upwardly in the direction of the rotary axis D is exerted onto the opening shield with the holding part 4c until the point of intended fracture 2h breaks and the protective cover 4 can thereby be pivoted.
[0041]The driving cams 3k, 4a moreover ensure that no excessive forces act at the hinge 4d. As shown in FIG. 2 the guarantee band 2f remains on the protective cover 4. As can be seen from FIG. 2 the protective cover moreover includes a hook part 4b.
[0042]In a preferred embodiment the rotary closure 3 has an elastic portion 3d between the spigot 3a and the thread 3i which can be compressed at least in the direction of the axis of rotation D so that the spigot 3a can be displaced in the direction of the axis of rotation D and relative to the thread 3i when a force directed in the direction of the axis of rotation D towards the outlet opening 3p acts at the spigot 3a. The webs 3d shown in FIG. 2 thus have elastic characteristics in an advantageous embodiment. The elastic characteristics can be matched to the forces which are to be expected which are caused by the pressure in the container and act on the spigot 3a. For example the webs 3d could have a low elastic property in the direction of the axis of rotation D with a drink containing a lot of carbon dioxide, in order to ensure that the spigot 3a is not unintentionally lifted so strongly that the inlet opening 2p is opened.
[0043]The guarantee band 2f is advantageously also connected in the open state to the protective cover 4 so that on opening the container closure 1 no disposable part arises.
[0044]FIG. 5 shows a longitudinal section of a closed container closure 1. If the pressure in the container exceeds a certain value then the spigot 3a is shifted upwardly as a result of the elastic characteristics of the webs 3d sufficiently far that the inlet opening 2p is opened and fluid can escape so that the pressure in the container is reduced. As a result of the elastic characteristics the inlet opening 2p is automatically closed again after the pressure dissipation by the spigot 3a. Thus it is ensured that a pressure dissipation takes place as soon as the pressure in the container exceeds a predetermined value. Through a corresponding choice of the elastic characteristics of the rotary closure 3, for example via the material or wall thickness, it can thus be previously determined at which pressure the inlet opening 2p is opened for the pressure dissipation.
[0045]FIG. 3 shows in a perspective view a flange 2 having a hollow cylindrical outlet tube 2a and an outer thread 2b as well as a seal 2c extending in the peripheral direction at the outlet. The flange 2 further includes a cover wall 2d having an abutment 2e. Moreover the flange 2 includes a guarantee band 2f with a hook 2g and a point of intended fracture 2h. In addition the flange designed as a screw cap 2 includes a quality ring 2o.
[0046]FIG. 4 shows a longitudinal section through the screw cap 2 shown in FIG. 3. In addition to the elements already described in FIG. 3 the base wall 2q of the screw cap 2 can be seen in FIG. 4. The screw cap 2 moreover includes a sealing ring 21 extending in the peripheral direction and also an end face sealing lip 2m extending in the peripheral direction and a sealing and/or breaking part 2n extending in the peripheral direction which is intended to avoid a relative movement between the bottle opening and the screw cap 2.
[0047]FIG. 5 shows a container closure 1 in a longitudinal section, with the rotary closure 3 being fully covered by the protective cover 4. The protective cover 4 is connected via the hinge 4d to the rotary closure 3. As can be seen from the section drawing the closure 3 is fully arranged within the protective cover 4 so that it is ensured that the rotary closure 3 and in particular the mouthpiece 3h is kept hygienically clean.
[0048]FIG. 6 shows the section designated with A in FIG. 5 in an enlarged representation. The container closure 1 shown in FIG. 6 has never been opened so that the protective cover 4 is firmly held via the hook 2g, the guarantee band 2f, the point of intended fraction 2h and the holding part 4c. In the illustrated embodiment the protective cover 4 is additionally held by the hook part 4b and the abutment 2e.
[0049]If the rotary closure 3 is now turned about the axis of rotation D then the rotary closure 3 moves, as shown in a longitudinal section in FIG. 7, upwardly in the direction of the axis of rotation D and the inlet opening 2p is freed by the spigot 3a so that the liquid can emerge.
[0050]FIG. 8 shows the section designated with B in FIG. 7 in an enlarged representation. It is evident from FIG. 8 that the point of intended fracture 2h has been parted and that the hook part 4b at the protective cover is no longer latched at the abutment 2e so that the protective cover 4 can be swung around the hinge 4d so that the rotary closure 3 and the mouthpiece 3h are freed. As soon as drinking has been completed the rotary closure 3 can be closed again, either in that a torque is directly exerted on the rotary closure 3 and this is thereby turned about the axis of rotation D and the spigot 3a is displaced in the direction of the axis of rotation D. The possibility also exists that the protective cover 4 is first closed and that thereafter a torque acts on the protective cover 4 which transmits torque to the rotary closure 3 so that this is rotated about the axis of rotation D and the spigot 3a is thereby moved again into the inlet opening 2p. The hook part 4b of the protective cover 4 thereby approaches the abutment 2e and engages, as soon as the rotary closure 3 has been moved downwardly sufficiently at the abutment 2e so that the protective cover 4 is held in its position by the hook part 4b in the abutment 2e. This signifies that after the opening and closing of the container closure 1 the protective cover 4 is held in a position shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 and the rotary closure 3 and the mouthpiece 3k are covered by the protective cover 4 and are thus protected. This arrangement moreover has the advantage that the protective cover 4 is only closed and engaged with the hook part 4b if the inlet opening 2p is fully closed by the spigot 3a. If the protective cover 4 were to be latched when the inlet opening 2p is not fully closed then the danger would exist that a pressure dissipation could take place in the space beneath the protective cover 4 and thereby allow the protective cover 4 to open suddenly and escape upwardly in uncontrolled manner. The hook part 4b and the abutment 2e are thus arranged such that a latching is only possible when the rotary closure 3 is fully closed. A user assumes when the protective cover 4 is closed that the container closure 1 is also closed. Through the previously described measure it is ensured that the protective cover 4 is only fixed or latched in position when the container closure 1 is located in the closed position SS in which the spigot 3a contacts the sealing lip 2i. It is up to a customer whether he opens or closes the container closure 1 by rotation at the rotary closure 3 of the screw cap 2 or at the protective cover 4. The protective cover 4 and the hook part 4b in any event first latches at the abutment 2e when the container closure 1 is located in its closed position SS.
[0051]The container closure 1 in accordance with the invention is extremely hygienic, because the mouthpiece 3h is always covered other than during drinking and is thus secured against contamination. The container closure 1 in accordance with the invention thus has excellent hygienic properties and is in particular also suitable for use in a mucky environment.
[0052]FIG. 9 shows the container closure 1 in accordance with the invention in the open position and in a perspective view. The rotary closure 3 is rotatably connected to the screw cap 2 and includes a mouthpiece 3h and also the drive cams 3k. The protective cover 4 is pivotally connected to the rotary closure 3 via the hinge 4d. The drive cams 4a of the protective cover 4 are arranged such that they can engage in the drive cams 3k. The drive cams 4a and also the drive cams 3k can be designed and mutually matched such that they form a latch device in order to hold the protective cover 4 in a closed position. The mouthpiece 3h is shown elliptically or ovally in the embodiment shown in FIG. 9 which enables very pleasant drinking.
[0053]FIG. 10 shows a longitudinal section of the container closure 1 shown in FIG. 9.
[0054]FIG. 11 shows a plan view of the container closure 1 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. The protective cover 4 includes a circular sealing lip 4e which can contact the mouthpiece 4h. Radially outwardly extending reverse flow grooves 3m are arranged in the surface of the spigot 3a which form a groove which becomes progressively deeper towards the outside in order to thereby bring about a gradient towards the outside when the closure 1 is standing upright. If the drinking is finished and the bottle is subsequently held approximately vertically then the liquid present in the rotary closure 3 flows via the inlet opening 2p back into the bottle arranged beneath it. The return flow grooves 3m ensure that the liquid which is present on the surface of the spigot 3a also flows back into the inlet opening 2p.
[0055]FIG. 12 shows in a longitudinal section a further embodiment of a container closure 1 with screw cap 3 and rotary closure 3. In distinction to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 the container closure 1 in accordance with FIG. 12 has no protective cover 4. The mouthpiece 3h could for example be covered with a foil which can be pulled off in order to protect the mouthpiece 3h from contamination. The embodiment shown in FIG. 12 also distinguished from the container closure 1 shown in FIG. 2 in that the outlet tube 2a has an internal thread 2b and the tubular inner portion 3g has an outer thread 3i, with these threads 2b, 3i defining the axis of rotation D and causing the stroke movement in the direction of extent of the axis of rotation D.
[0056]FIG. 13 shows a further embodiment of a container closure 1 with the rotary closure 3 not having any webs 3d in distinction to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 and with the spigot 3a being directly connected to the noses 3f and with openings 3q arranged distributed between the noses 3f and the peripheral direction resulting through which the liquid can emerge. Moreover an elastic portion 3t could be arranged between the spigot 3a and the noses 3f in order to enable a relative movement of the spigot 3a with respect to the noses 3f. The noses 3f could also be of elastic design in order to enable a relative movement of the spigot 3a with respect to the outlet opening 3p.
[0057]The pitch of the threads 2b, 3i determines the stroke per turn of the rotary closure 3 brought about in the direction of extent of the axis of rotation D. Depending on the requirement placed on the container closure 1, for example the maximum applied pressure, a thread 2b, 3i can b selected with a correspondingly matched pitch. If the pressure in the container is very high, then a thread 2b, 3i with a small pitch is advantageously selected so that the container closure 1 can for example first be opened after 3 to 5 turns. On the other hand, a thread 2b, 3i of this kind can for example be selected so that the container closure already opens fully with a rotation through of 180 degrees. The thread 2b, 3i can thus be designed as a multistart thread, for example as a four start thread.
[0058]In the embodiment of a container closure 1 shown in FIG. 14, in distinction to the embodiment of FIG. 1, the opening shield 4i intended for the opening is arranged separately from the holding part 4c which serves for the holding of the guarantee band 2f. A plurality of holding parts 4c each having a guarantee band 2f could also be provided in the peripheral direction of the protective cover 4.
[0059]FIG. 15 shows a screw cap 2 such as is used in the container closure 1 in accordance with FIG. 14. At the left the guarantee band 2f with the point of intended fraction 2h and the hook 2g can be seen. At the right of it the abutment 2e is provided which serves for the engagement of the hook part 4b.
[0060]FIG. 16 shows the container closure 1 shown in FIG. 14 in the open position, partly in section. The important differences relative to the container closure 1 described in FIG. 2 are that no cover wall 2d is present but only the relatively narrow part with the abutment 2e, which serves for the latching in place of the hook part 4b, as shown in FIG. 15. The further important distinction is that the guarantee band 2f is held at the side and in this way no guarantee band 2f is located at the hook part 4b. The hook part 4b is held by the abutment 2e when the protective cover 4 is closed. In distinction to the embodiment of FIG. 2 the webs 3d and the passage openings 3e are made broader in the peripheral direction in FIG. 16 and fewer webs 3d are used. Moreover, no seal 2c is used, instead the rotary closure 3 has a projecting seal 3r extending over the entire periphery which contacts the outlet tube 2a.
[0061]FIG. 17 shows the container closure 1 shown in FIG. 16 from a different viewing angle. Particular significance is attributed to the vent hole 3q which opens to the surface in the region of the mouthpiece 3h. The vent hole 3q represents a fluid conducting connection to the outer space, with the outer space meaning the space outside of the container and also the space outside of the outlet tube 2a. In FIG. 16 an embodiment of the vent hole 3q is shown. This vent hole 3q opens into the intermediate space between the hollow cylindrical outer portion 3n and the hollow cylindrical inner portion 3g. This intermediate space is fluid-conductingly connected to the outer space via the thread 2b, 3i. During the drinking the mouthpiece 3h is preferably fully surrounded by the mouth of the person drinking, i.e. by their lips, with the vent hole 3q being arranged such that this opens into the mouth. During drinking air from the outer space is thus supplied to the open mouth, with the air thereafter flowing via the container closure 1 that is to say the outlet opening 3p and subsequently the inlet opening 2p into the inner space of the container connected with the screw cap 2. In an advantageous embodiment it is ensured in this way that additional air is supplied to the container during drinking, so that for example a continuous drinking or a continuous removal of liquid from the container is possible.
[0062]FIG. 18 shows an embodiment of a rotary closure 3 the inner thread 3i of which is arranged as illustrated in grouped manner. In the illustrated embodiment the internal thread 3i is subdivided in the peripheral direction into separate groups. This results in a weight advantage. The inner thread 3i is interrupted or relieved in order to restrict the rotary movement and the stroke. This can be understood from the view of a screw cap 2 shown in FIG. 19. This screw cap 2 has an outlet tube 2a with an outer thread 2b with a projecting path limiting cam 2u being disposed at the outer thread 2b. The inner thread 3i abuts after a specific rotary movement about the axis D against this path restricting cam 2u so that this restricts the rotary movement of the rotary closure 3 and thus also the maximum possible stroke movement of the rotary closure, so that the inner thread 3i and the path restricting cam 2u cooperate in such a way that they form a stroke restricting means.
[0063]The mouthpiece 3h is preferably designed elliptically or ovally extending, whereas the outer part 3n is preferably of hollow cylindrical shape as shown in FIG. 18. Thus the rotary closure 3 has hollow spaces 3s which extend in the direction of extent of the axis of rotation D, so that the rotary closure 3 has an elliptically extending outer contour. The hollow spaces 3s could also be filled with material. The vent hole 3q could be fluid-conductingly connected to the hollow space 3s so that the air supply for the vent hole 3q takes place via the hollow space 3s.
[0064]The embodiments shown in the Figures are exemplary embodiments. The container closure 1 having the features in accordance with the invention can be designed in a plurality of further embodiments, for example in that the internal diameter of the outlet tube 2a is selected to be larger than the total height of the outlet tube 2a or in that the webs 3d can be made very short so that the container closure 1 has a small overall height. The embodiments shown in the Figures can also be interchanged among one another, for example in that the rotary closure 3 of the container closures 1 shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 can be swapped. For example the number of the webs 3d arranged in the peripheral direction could be varied so that the container closure 1 for example has two, three, four or six webs 3d. For example the stroke restriction in the embodiment in accordance with FIG. 15 could also take place by a peripherally extending abutment 2e.
[0065]With liquids tending towards foaming, such as for example Coca Cola, it is of advantage that the pressure can be rapidly dissipated during the opening of the rotary closure 1. This can for example be achieved in that the rotary closure 1 is designed such that the maximum stroke is already achieved with a small rotary movement of for example 90 degrees which enables a very rapid opening of the container closure.
[0066]FIG. 20 shows a perspective view of a further opened container closure 1 in which, in distinction to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the flange 2 includes a peripherally extending plate 2t with energy direction giver 2s which serves to weld the flange 2 from the inside to a packing material. A packing material can for example consist of card-board, card-board composite or plastic and form a container. The flange 2 could also have a peripherally extending plate 2t designed in such a way that it can be adhesively bonded from the outside onto a container. This plate 2t can for example be designed as a weld flange or as an adhesive bonding flange.
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