EP2230188B1 - Single-piece child-proof screw lock - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a one-piece, child-resistant screw cap made of resiliently elastic material, in particular of plastic, having an internal thread and below which is radially resiliently compressible to get out of the locking engagement with a matching container neck, which at its upper end to the internal thread matching external thread and including an upwardly tapered, continuous or interrupted collar, which tapers from the bottom up, and the other features of the preamble of claim 1.

On off EP 0 111 419 A1 known screw used the federal government, however, not to operate a child safety device, but a tamper evident ring, which is formed on the bottom of the screw, when closing the container (hereinafter referred to as "bottle") is pushed resiliently from above the collar and then this from below engages behind. This tamper-evident ring communicates with the closure above it via a ring of narrow webs which, upon opening the screw cap, are stretched until they tear.

The bottle and cap are described standing upright in the entire document, so that the cap is "on top of the bottle" and the tamper-evident ring "on the bottom of the cap".

In the known closure, the child safety device consists of two opposite, located between the thread and the collar, radially outwardly projecting ribs, each of which is engaged by an inwardly projecting formation of the closure so that the closure can not be unscrewed from the bottleneck. Only when the closure is compressed at the level of these ribs and approximately perpendicular to the connecting line of this and deformed away from the ribs outwards, with the wall of the closure and the training moves outward and release the ribs.

This type of locking is common in one-piece closures with child safety, as well as from the EP 0 443 868 A1 or the EP 0 787 660 B1 can be seen, but has the advantage that the closure has only a single wall, while the other two documents at least partially require a double wall. The disadvantage of all these closures, however, it is. that the formations in the ribs (or notches) of the bottle can also intervene when the closure is not yet fully screwed, so that the bottle then licks in the worst case, even if the closure is already locked and apparently closed.

The originality strip of the EP 0 111 419 A1 known closure (and the closure of the EP 0 443 868 A1 (Figure 10)) may adhere to the bottle, even if it has been torn off, so that the already opened but reclosed bottle is still kept closed for the original when viewed at a glance. In the case of inaccurate tolerances to the bottle, it is even possible that the tamper evident strips without tearing up over the covenant glides and then again intact on the bottle can be placed.

Moreover, from the published patent application DE 197 40 686 A1 a container with a container neck and a child-secured to the container neck cap known. The closure cap has an internal thread cooperating with an external thread of the container neck. At the container neck two safety cams are provided which can engage in corresponding openings of the closure cap, but are overflowable by elastic deformation of the cap. The disadvantage here is that the safety cams must be brought into exact coincidence with the openings, so that the proposed child safety lock can lock reliably.

In addition, in the international patent application WO 98/55373 A2 a safety closure cap for a container having a threaded portion for engagement with a thread of the container. The safety cap has an elliptically shaped locking part. Between the threaded part and the locking part, a slot is arranged in the region of the long side of the elliptically shaped locking part, so that the locking part can be easily deformed by manual pressure. However, since the safety cap in its upper part has a dispensing opening, which must be additionally closed so that the container can be tightly sealed, this safety cap is not suitable as a one-piece, child-resistant screw cap.

Furthermore, from the patent AU 462 459 B2 a child-resistant bottle closure according to the preamble of claim 1 is known, on the one hand comprises an inner screw cap, by means of which the bottle cap can be screwed onto a bottleneck thread of a bottle. On the other hand, the bottle closure also includes a radially outer cylindrical collar, which is arranged concentrically with respect to the inner screw cap and below the inner screw cap. The cylindrical collar is characterized by two opposing tabs which project perpendicularly from the cylindrical collar and which point inwardly towards each other. These two tabs can engage behind the bottleneck threaded projections, when the bottle cap is properly screwed onto the bottle. Only a radial compression of the bottle closure in the manner provided for this purpose, the tabs slide over these projections in the direction of rotation of the bottle closure when the bottle closure is simultaneously turned off the bottleneck. Thus, a backup can be independent of the original position of the Screw closure are ensured with regard to the neck of the bottle. However, this bottle closure appears to be unsafe to use, as a reliable closure control with respect to a child-safe on the bottle again patched and child-resistant locked bottle cap is only partially visible from the outside.

It is an object of the present invention to further develop such a childproof screw cap.

The object of the invention is achieved on the basis of a generic one-piece, child-resistant screw with the features of claim 1.

Further advantageous embodiments and further developments are the subject matter of the dependent claims 2 to 10.

In addition, with the present one-piece, childproof screw cap can be achieved that tamper evident strips tear off completely on first opening, so that in any case is perfectly recognizable when the shutter has been opened, even if it is closed again.

Thus, the projections only engage under the waistband when the closure is completely closed. Further, as a bottle any bottle with collar can be used, the thread fits, provided that the distance from the top of the bottle to the bottom of their covenant has a maximum, the distance between the top of the internal thread, so the bottom of the transverse wall of the closure, and the top of the projections corresponds. If this measure is greater for the closure, then only a corresponding sealing insert must be inserted into the closure, which compensates the distance between the transverse wall of the closure and the top of the bottle.

The underside of the collar extends substantially transverse to the central axis of the thread and the bottle so that the outwardly deformed protrusions may engage under the collar when the closure is fully threaded onto the bottle but while attempting to unscrew the closure without it deformed in the right way, not released to the outside. However, friction occurs between the projections and the collar, which compensates for a certain inclination of the underside of the federal government.

Although a single projection is possible, two diametrically opposed projections or groups of projections are provided according to the invention, which upon compression of the resilient closure are pushed apart across the middle connecting line and thereby release the federal government.

Since the closure is deformable, it can basically have any shape. But to be particularly easy to use, he is, at least on its bottom and inside, approximately elliptical in shape, with the shorter axis passes through the centers of the projections. It is then simply compressed along the longer axis if it is to be unscrewed.

If the closure is to be opened only by skilled personnel, it may have projections along both axes. With an undeformed closure, the protrusions on the longer axis release the collar, while the protrusions on the shorter axis engage under the collar. If the closure now compressed over a certain amount or up to the stop on the collar, then give the projections on the shorter axis of the collar free, but the projections on the longer axis engage under the collar, so that the closure is still locked , Only in a very specific, only partially deformed position of the closure all projections release the federal government.

However, it is preferable that the shutter has only two projections opposite to each other on the shorter axis. When the walls of the closure are compressed and deformed along the longer axis of its undeformed elliptical shape to the cuff, then the projections just release this covenant. So the closure simply has to be squeezed together along the longer axis as far as it will go in order to be able to unscrew it so that even unskilled persons can operate it.

In order to simplify the operation, gripping grooves are preferably introduced at the level of the collar in the outside of the closure in the region of the longer axis. Thus, even if its shorter axis is difficult to recognize, for example because it is almost round in an undeformed state, the closure can be operated simply and without interference.

Above each projection, a window is inserted in the wall of the closure. This window allows the covenant to be closed when the closure is closed, as it is undercut by the projections. So a simple, almost automatic control of the proper closing is possible. Moreover, the wall is more easily deformable at the location of the window, so that a secure deformation and thus opening of the closure is ensured even if it remains stiff in the region of its internal thread.

However, the area between the windows preferably extends down to above the collar so that it still forms a stop when the closure is deformed.

The wall of the closure below the window is preferably stiffened or thickened. Thus, the projections remain largely undeformed, even if they are moved by squeezing the closure radially outward. Thus, the projections in the undeformed state can engage under a wide range of federal, but release this reliably when compressed. Thus, each projection can span a range of slightly more than 90 °, so that it ensures a secure fit of the closure, even if it should be attempted to open this without properly compressing it. However, embodiments without said thickened edge would also be conceivable.

In this case, the two ends of each projection are chamfered inwards, so that the projection, when the closure is deformed or compressed, the outer edge of the collar safely releases.

Preferably, on both sides of each window between the projections a space is left out, which allows a better springing apart of the projections. In fact, as a result of this clearance, the projections spread slightly outwards as the closure is compressed. The ends of the closure are also bevelled according to the deformed closure wall. Thus, projections are created, taken together, in the idle state, the federal government engage over more than half, but release in the actuated, so deformed, state the federal government reliable.

It is now desired that the closure, when not in use, attaches more to the neck of the bottle than if it has been used before. This is to make the first opening more difficult, so that it is made clear to the user that he wants to open a previously unopened bottle. To achieve this, the invention further proposes that in each free space a tamper evident strip is inserted with predetermined breaking points, which stiffen the shutter in the original state. These predetermined breaking points are provided in the circumferential direction, possibly also upwards.

The tamper strips sit right where the clasp on both sides is grabbed to be squeezed together. They sit, more precisely, just below the covenant. According to the invention, it is now preferred that the gripping grooves also extend over the tamper-evident strips. Thus, when first grasping the still sealed cap, the tamper evident strips are pressed firmly under the collar, so that they must be demolished when screwed because they can avoid either upward or outward and also the federal government is pressed into the gap between the the originality strip and the overlying wall of the closure is present. The predetermined breaking point in between is already destroyed when pressing, so that the tamper evident strip gets under the covenant and from the closure, which inevitably moves upward when opening, is pulled down.

In this case, the tamper-evident strip is preferably thickened in order to stiffen the closure in its original state, which is still unopened.

The closure further preferably has the shape that the part of the closure having the internal thread is substantially cylindrical on the outside and becomes elliptical down towards the collar of the bottle. Stiffening ribs at the transition between cylindrical and conical part of the closure thereby stiff this shape and also complicate the deformation of the elliptical part, so that the wall thickness of the closure can be reduced and thus material and effort can be saved.

The non-round part is called elliptical here only for the sake of convenience, since an elliptical cross-section has two different, well-defined axes that the

Facilitate description. The closure or its non-circular part but can not be exactly elliptical, but in other ways oval shaped.

Thus, a simple, only with a wall provided closure was created, which sits on a bottle, which carries no further training except a continuous collar and the thread, in contrast to the EP 0 443 868 A1 or the EP 0 787 660 B1 that at least partially need a double wall and a radial design of the bottle, as well as, as far as a tamper evident is provided, also also a covenant.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the thread is designed such that it passes or snaps when opening the closure without unlocking the child safety device via the thread of the container. Therefore, in this case, the thread turns through, so that opening of the container is not possible.

Fig. 1a

eine teilweise geschnittene Seitenansicht des erfindungsgemäßen, teilweise elliptischen Verschlusses, in Richtung der längeren Achse gesehen,

Fig. 1b

eine Draufsicht auf den in Fig. 1a gezeigten Verschluss, längs Linie I-I in Fig. 1a geschnitten,

Fig. 1c

die Ansicht der Einzelheit X in Fig. 1a,

Fig. 1d

die Ansicht der Einzelheit Y in Fig. 1a,

Fig. 2a

eine teilweise geschnittene Seitenansicht des Verschlusses der Fig. 1a, in einer gegenüber dieser um 90° gedrehten Richtung betrachtet,

Fig. 2b

die Draufsicht auf den in Fig. 2a gezeigten Verschluss, längs Linie II-II in Fig. 2a geschnitten,

Fig. 2c

die Einzelheit Z in Fig. 2a, geschnitten,

Fig. 3a

den Verschluss genau wie in Fig. 1a, jedoch auf einer Flasche sitzend,

Fig. 3b

den Schnitt III-III in Fig. 3a,

Fig. 4a

den Verschluss und die Flasche um 90° verdreht, wie in Fig. 2a, und

Fig. 4b

den Schnitt IV-IV in Fig. 4a.

The object of the invention is explained in more detail with reference to a non-exclusive embodiment in the accompanying drawing. In this show:

Fig. 1a

a partially sectioned side view of the invention, partially elliptical closure, seen in the direction of the longer axis,

Fig. 1b

a top view of the in Fig. 1a shown closure, along line II in Fig. 1a cut,

Fig. 1c

the view of the detail X in Fig. 1a .

Fig. 1d

the view of detail Y in Fig. 1a .

Fig. 2a

a partially sectioned side view of the closure of Fig. 1a , viewed in a direction rotated by 90 °,

Fig. 2b

the top view of the in Fig. 2a shown closure, along line II-II in Fig. 2a cut,

Fig. 2c

the detail Z in Fig. 2a , cut,

Fig. 3a

the closure exactly as in Fig. 1a but sitting on a bottle,

Fig. 3b

the section III-III in Fig. 3a .

Fig. 4a

twisted the cap and bottle 90 ° as in Fig. 2a , and

Fig. 4b

the section IV-IV in Fig. 4a ,

All figures show the same embodiment: a closure 1, which in the Fig. 1 and 2 is shown separately, can be placed on a bottle 3, as in 3 and 4 shown.

The closure 1 has on the outside an upper, circular-cylindrical section 3, to which an elliptically widening section 4 adjoins at the bottom.

The cylindrical portion 3 is filled by an internal thread 6, which extends over the cylindrical portion 3 a small distance down into the elliptical section 4 inside. On the top of the cylindrical portion is closed by a transverse wall 6, the outside of which is smooth. On the inside of the transverse wall 9 concentric Huten 7 are recessed, which sit on the bottle 2. If there is still room for this, a sealing insert can also be provided.

At the bottom of the cylindrical portion 3 sit on the inside stiffening ribs 8, the connection to the elliptical portion 3 and the window 9 (described below) stiffen out.

As can be seen, the elliptical portion 4 at the bottom on a final, thickened edge 12 which extends over the entire circumference, but is divided by predetermined breaking points 13 and possibly inner flats in the vicinity. The edge 12 stiffens the closure 1 so that, at least when the edge 12 is undamaged, it is resistant to stresses.

The closure 1 consists of a limited spring plastic, so that the zones with stiffeners or thicker wall thickness are much harder than thinner, smooth zones. Thus, the cylindrical portion 3 is particularly stiff due to the ribs of the internal thread 5, while the wall of the elliptical portion 4 is relatively soft and yielding, especially when the edge 12 is interrupted. In the two zones of the shorter axis 10, a window 9 is formed above the lower edge 12, which extends approximately to half the height of the elliptical section. The width of the two windows 9 is, at both ends of the shorter axis 10, each about 90 ° about the circumference.

Said lower edge 12 consists of two projections 14 and two tamper-evident strips 15. These tamper-evident strips 15 are connected by predetermined breaking points 13 in the circumferential direction with the projections 14 and upwards with the wall of the elliptical section 4. This entire, lower edge 12 is, as already stated, thicker than the wall of the elliptical portion 4 in order to give it, when the tamper evident strips 15 are still present, a dimensional stability.

On the outside of the tamper-evident strips 15 and above this, a corrugation 16 of vertical grooves is arranged over almost the entire height of the outside of the elliptical section 4, on which the closure 1 is gripped and compressed between two fingers.

The bottle 2 is in 3 and 4 to see. At the neck, it has, seen from top to bottom, an external thread 17, a constriction 18 and a collar 19, below which again a second constriction 20 follows. The collar 19 tapers upwards and has an almost horizontal surface below.

The closure 1 is, as it can be seen in the drawing, screwed after filling the bottle 2 under pressure. In this case, the thick, lower edge 12 reaches the upwardly tapering surface of the collar 19, is pressed around and snaps with the projections 14 and the tamper evident strip 15 in the second constriction 20, wherein it again resiliently assumes its elliptical shape. The bottle 2 is sealed. In the windows 9, the collar 19 can be seen, with the window 9 just so high are that the covenant 19 enters the windows 9 and fills them. The insides of the two peripheral edges of the windows 9 are chamfered for this purpose. If the closure 1 incorrectly sit, then this is recognizable at a glance on the windows 9, if they are not filled by the collar 19.

In 3 and 4 it can be seen how the closure 1 sits on the bottle 2 when it is being bought, for example.

When opening the shutter 1 is taken at the corrugation 16 and compressed. In this case, the closure 1 is deformed so that the tamper evident strips 15 are pressed under the collar 19 in the second Einschürung 20 and the projections 14 protrude below the collar 19. Now, if the closure 1 is unscrewed without initially relieving the pressure on the corrugation 16, the closure 1 moves upward while the gap between the tamper-evident strip 15 and the overlying wall of the closure 1 is stretched over the collar 19, until the predetermined breaking points 13 break. The closure 1 can now be unscrewed with little effort.

If it is screwed on again, then the projections 14 move downwards, reach the tapered surface of the collar 19, are spread outwards and snap under the collar 19 into the second constriction 20. The collar 19 is then fully visible again in the window 9.

If the closure 1 is to be unscrewed again, it must first be compressed again at the corrugation 16, for which purpose, however, only little force is needed now.

Thus, the closure according to the invention, while structurally very simple, but childproof, in addition to the first opening an additional force is required.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

shutter

2

bottle

3

cylindrical section

4

elliptical section

5

inner thread

6

partition

7

concentric grooves

8th

stiffening ribs

9

window

10

shorter axis

11

longer axis

12

thick border

13

Predetermined breaking points

14

head Start

15

originality strips

16

knurl

17

external thread

18

constriction

19

Federation

20

second constriction

Claims (10)

1. A single-piece, child-proof screw lock (1) of springing resilient material, in particular of plastics material, which has an internal thread (5) and which is lockable of being compressed below the latter in a springing manner radially, in order to move out of a locking engagement with a neck of a container (2) which matches it and which has at its upper end an external thread (17) matching the internal thread (5) and under it a continuous or interrupted collar (19) which is tapered upwards and which is preferably tapered upwards from the underside, wherein two projections (14), which engage under the collar (19) when the screw lock (1) is completely closed, are formed on the inside on the underside of the screw lock (1), and approximately at the level of the projections (14), but at a peripheral distance from them, the screw lock (1) forms a vertical gap with respect to the collar (19), such that as a result of the screw lock (1) being deformed by means of pressing against the collar (19) at the position of the gap the projections (14) are released from the collar (19) and the screw lock (1) is lockable of being unscrewed, characterized in that the screw lock (1) is approximately elliptical (portion 4) in shape, at least on its underside and inside, wherein a shorter axis (10) extends through the middle of the projections (14), wherein a window (9) is formed in the wall of the screw lock (1) above each one of the two projections (14), and the collar (19) fills the windows (9) in a visible manner when the screw lock (1) is properly placed on the neck of the container (2).
2. A screw lock (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the walls of the screw lock (1) are deformed as far as the collar (19) along a longer axis (11) of its elliptical shape in the non-deformed state, if the projections (14) just release this collar (19).
3. A screw lock (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that gripping grooves (16) are formed in the outside of the screw lock (1) in the region of the longer axis (11) at the level of the collar (19).
4. A screw lock (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the wall of the screw lock (1) has a thickened edge (12) below each window (9).
5. A screw lock (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a free space, which allows an improved movement apart of the projections (14), is formed between the projections (14) on both sides of each window (9).
6. A screw lock (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that an authenticity strip (15) with predetermined breaking points (13), which reinforces the screw lock (1) in the original state, is inserted into each free space.
7. A screw lock (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the gripping grooves (16) extend over authenticity strips (15).
8. A screw lock (1) according to any one of claims 6 or [sic] 7, characterized in that the authenticity strip (15) is thickened.
9. A screw lock (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the part of the screw lock (1) comprising the internal thread (5) is substantially cylindrical (cylindrical portion) on the outside and becomes elliptical (elliptical portion) downwards towards the collar of the bottle (2).
10. A screw lock (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that

    - the thread (5) is formed in such a way that it reaches beyond the thread of the container (2) when the screw lock is opened without the child lock being unlocked.

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