Container closure

Abstract

The invention relates to a container closure in which a closure spigot (3), which is inserted in the area of the continuous opening of the closure, is provided on the part (1) that is placed on or inserted in the container mouth. A closure cap (5), which can be slid onto the part that is placed on or inserted and which comprises an outlet opening (6) corresponding in shape and size to the cross-section of the closure spigot (3), can be tightly slid onto said closure spigot. In a closed position, the closure cap is held on the part that is placed on or inserted in the container mouth by means of a collar (8), which closely surrounds said part. In addition, a covering cap (14) is provided which accommodates the closure cap and which is joined to a ring (16) via desired rupture points (18). Said ring is held on an annular collar (15), which is provided on the part that is placed on or inserted in the container mouth, and which outwardly projects in an axial direction. The free edge of the covering cap (14) facing the part (1) that can be placed on or inserted in the container comprises a circumferential sealing surface (19, 19′) that is appointed for resting on the free, outwardly pointing edge of the annular collar (15).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a container closure in which a closure spigot, which is inserted in the region of the through opening of the closure, is provided on the part that is placed on or inserted in the container mouth. A closure cap, which can be slid onto the part that is placed on or inserted and which comprises an outlet opening corresponding in shape and size to the cross-section of the closure spigot, can be tightly slid onto the closure spigot. In a closed position, the closure cap is held on the part that is placed on or inserted in the container mouth by means of a collar, which closely surrounds the part. In addition, a covering cap is provided which accommodates the closure cap and which is joined to a ring via desired rupture points. The ring is held on an annular collar, which is provided on the part that is placed on or inserted in the container mouth, and which outwardly projects in an axial direction.

[0002] Such container closures are commonly used for beverage bottles, wherein the covering caps are connected to the holding ring by desired rupture points, thereby being held in place on the closure caps. A slot or the like is typically provided between the desired rupture points.

[0003] For hygienic reasons, the closure devices are typically treated with disinfectants before being placed on the filled beverage bottles. The disinfectants are sprayed on the closure devices which are placed on a screen. After a suitable drainage interval and an effective reaction time, the closure devices are washed with distilled water and dried in a strong air jet, so that no significant quantities of disinfectant residues remain in the closure caps. However, it may happen during this treatment that disinfectants enter the interior space between the inner wall of the covering cap and the outer wall of the closure cap between the desired rupture points, with the liquid not being removed during the subsequent cleaning step. As a result, when the covering cap is removed and a person drinks the liquid from the container, his/her lips come into contact with the disinfectant that was left behind on the outer wall of the closure cap, which can cause a burning sensation. In any event, a strong objectionable odor may be noticed when the covering cap is first removed and the disinfectant subsequently evaporates.

[0004] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a container closure of the aforedescribed type which prevents the disinfectant from entering the interior space of the covering cap.

[0005] The object is solved by the invention in that the free edge of the covering cap has a circumferential sealing surface on the part that can be placed on or inserted in the container, wherein the circumferential sealing surface is adapted to contact the free outwardly oriented edge of the annular collar. In this way, the interior region of the covering cap is sealed against the ambient atmosphere, so that the disinfectant is preventing from entering the interior space of the covering cap even when the disinfectant is sprayed at a higher pressure.

[0006] Advantageously, the sealing surface can be formed as a sealing lip adapted to contact an outer surface or marginal edge of the annular collar facing the ring, so that the dimensions of the covering cap can be kept very small. The sealing lip can engage behind the jacket surface of the annular collar in form of a snap connection, so that after the desired rupture points are first opened and severed, the covering cap can again be placed firmly on the container closure. In this way, when the container is only partially empty, the cap can be repositioned to prevent dirt from coming into contact with the closure cap. Finally, the annular collar and the ring can be provided with mutually engaging serrations disposed on opposing surfaces. This facilitates opening and breaking the desired rupture points.

[0007] Exemplified embodiments of the subject matter of the invention are depicted in the drawing.

[0008] FIG. 1 shows a central longitudinal section of a first embodiment in its closed position;

[0009] FIG. 2 is a top view of a container closure provided with the covering cap;

[0010] FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the container closure; and

[0011] FIG. 4 is a sectional view similar to that of FIG. 1 of a second embodiment.

[0012] Reference numeral 1 designates the part which can be inserted in or placed on the container opening. The element 1 includes a screw cap 1′, a snap section 1″ that can be placed on the bottle mouth, and designated rupture points 1′″ disposed therebetween. An exit opening 2 is provided in the part 1 that can be inserted in or placed on the container opening, wherein a closure spigot 3 held by supporting straps 4 is disposed in the exit opening 2. The closure spigot is held by supporting straps 4 in a spaced apart relationship from the wall 7 of the exit opening 2. A closure cap 5 can be pushed onto the part 1 that is placed on or inserted in the container opening. The closure cap 5 has an exit opening 6 which in the closed position can be pushed onto the central closure spigot 3. The exit opening has a size and shape which corresponds to the outside contour of the closure spigot, thereby achieving a tight contact between the closure cap and the edge of the exit opening on the outer surface of the closure spigot.

[0013] The part 1 that can be inserted in or placed on the container opening is formed primarily as a cylinder in the movement range of the closure cap 5, wherein the closure cap 5 has a cylindrical collar 8 which extends over the cylindrical region of the part 1 that can be inserted in or placed on the container opening. This collar has on its inside a sealing bead 8 which slides on the outer wall of the cylindrical portion of the part 1 that can be inserted in or placed on the container opening. In the region where the through opening 2 terminates, the cylindrical region of the element 1 has a circumferential bead 10 behind which the sealing bead 9 engages. This prevents the closure cap 5 from falling off the part 1. An additional sealing collar 12 contacts the outside of the closure cap 5 which is also formed as a cylindrical surface and seals the outside surface of the closure cap 5. This additional sealing collar 12 is secured on a plate 13 extending transversely to the exit opening. The inside of plate 13 contacts the top side of the container mouth.

[0014] Reference numeral 14 refers to a covering cap which completely extends over the closure cap 5. The covering cap 14 is connected via desired rupture points 18 with a ring 16 which snaps onto an annular collar 15. Reference numeral 17 refers to longitudinal ribs disposed on the outside of the covering cap 14.

[0015] In the embodiment according to FIGS. 1-3, a sealing lip 19 is provided on the inside of the covering cap 14. The sealing lip 19 contacts the inside of the annular collar 15 when the covering cap is secured on the annular collar 15 by the ring 16 via the desired rupture points. The sealing lip is in tight contact with the inner surface 20 of the annular collar, wherein optionally an additional circumferential sealing bead (not shown) can be provided. This sealing lip 19 seals a space between the inner wall of the covering cap 14 and the outer wall of the closure cap 5 towards the outside. A serration 21 (see FIG. 3) is provided between the annular collar 15 and the ring 16, for inhibiting a conjoint rotation of the ring on the annular collar 15 during the first removal of the covering cap 14 and severing of the desired rupture points 18.

[0016] In the embodiment according to FIG. 4, the same reference numerals are used for the same elements. The only difference between this embodiment and the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1-3 is that the sealing lip 19′ contacts the outside of the annular collar 15′, wherein the ring 16′ extends directly from the end of the sealing lips 19′ of the closure cap 14 and is connected by desired rupture points 18′ either with the longitudinal ribs 17 of the covering cap 14 or with the lower edge of the sealing lip 19′.

[0017] Retaining lugs (not shown) that engage with the outside of the closure cap 5 can be provided on the inside of the covering cap 14, to prevent the closure cap 14 from falling off the container closure, when the covering cap is removed for the first time and the desired rupture points 18′ are severed.

[0018] Such retaining lugs are not required in the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 1-3 because the closure cap can be held on the container closure through contact between the sealing lip 19 and the surface 20.

Claims

1. Container closure, wherein a closure spigot which is inserted in the area of the through opening of the closure device, is provided on the part that is placed on or inserted in the container mouth, wherein a closure cap which can be slid onto the part that is placed on or inserted in the container mouth and which has an exit opening corresponding in form and size to the cross-section of the closure spigot can be sealingly pushed on the closure spigot, wherein in a closed position the closure cap is held by a collar which tightly surrounds the part that is placed on or inserted in the container mouth, and wherein a covering cap is provided which accommodates the closure cap and is connected to a ring via desired rupture points, which ring is held on an annular collar projecting outwardly in an axial direction and provided on the part placed on or inserted in the container mouth, characterized in that the covering cap (14) has on its free edge that faces the part placed on or inserted in the container, a circumferential sealing surface (19, 19′) intended for contacting the free outwardly projecting edge of the annular collar (15).

2. Container closure according to claim 1, characterized in that the sealing surface (19) is formed as a sealing lip that can be bought in contact with the outer surface or marginal edge (20) of the annular collar (15) that faces the ring (16).

3. Container closure according to claim 2, characterized in that the sealing lip (19) engages behind the outer surface (20) of the annular collar (15) in the form of a snap connection.

4. Container closure according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the annular collar (15) and the ring (16) are provided with a serration (21) on the surfaces that face each other, wherein the serrations (21) engage with one another.