Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
CA 02459100 2004-02-27
CLOSURE CAP
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to closure caps for containers having a container
opening, to
containers with a closure cap, as well as to a process for the manufacture of
closure caps.
BACKGROUND ART
Different constructions for closure caps for containers axe already known. For
example, closure caps are known which cover container openings for the closure
thereof
and are moved away from the region of the container opening for the opening
thereof. An
example for such prior art are conventional screw-on caps, which often have a
thread
which for closing is meshed with a thread at the container opening, often on a
container
neck. It is normally provided in those constructions that the closure caps in
the open
condition of the container opening are completely separate from the container.
Such
constructions are used, for example, for the packaging of hygiene articles,
for example
toothpaste, shower gels, shampoos or the like, or for the packaging of food,
for example,
ketchup or the like.
Closure caps are also known in which the closure cap itself has a further
opening
which can be opened or closed. Such closure caps are generally applied at the
container
opening, whereby the removal of stored medium from the container is most often
made
possible by the opening and closing of only the opening in the closure cap,
while the
closure cap remains on the container during the opening. This can be achieved,
for
example, with a hinged lid or a similar element. As mentioned, such closure
caps are often
removably mounted to the container so that, for example, a refilling of the
container is
easily achieved. Examples of this type of closure caps are also known in the
field of food
packaging or hygiene article packaging.
Sealing elements are also often used in known containers or combinations of a
container and a closure cap. For example, conical seal arrangements or
cylindrical seals
axe used. It is further known to insert a separate insert into the container
opening which
insert is provided with an opening through which medium can be removed from
the
container. Those inserts are constructed to produce an essentially sealed
connection
between the insert and the container so that the medium can exit the container
only
CA 02459100 2004-02-27
through the opening in the insert. A closure cap, for example, is then screwed
or pressed
onto this insert by which the opening in the insert or the container can be
opened and
closed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide a reliable closure cap which can
be easily
and economically manufactured, as well as an arrangement of a container and
closure cap,
and a process for the manufacture of a closure cap.
This object is achieved with a closure cap.
In accordance with the invention, the closure cap is constructed such that the
container opening of a container can be opened by way of the closure cap for
dispensing
stored medium from the container and closed for substantially preventing
dispensing of
stored medium from the container. The closure cap can be constructed, for
example, for
the opening and closing of an opening provided in the container neck. In this
context,
"closing" and "opening" do not necessarily mean that the cross-section of the
opening
itself or of the container opening is changed. The closing and opening is
rather to be
understood as conditions in which medium can be dispensed or not dispensed
from the
container or the combination of container and closure.
The closure cap in accordance with the invention includes at least one
circumferentially continuous wall portion. The latter extends especially about
a
longitudinal axis of the closure cap.
It is further provided in accordance with the invention that a strip seal
arrangement
with at least two lamellae is provided, which are spaced apart in axial
direction of the
closure cap and combined into one piece with the closure cap.
It can be further provided that the closure cap has a retaining portion for
holding it
on a container. Such a retaining portion can, for example, be part of a snap
closure, or a
thread. It can also be provided that the strip seal arrangement is a retaining
arrangement or
part of a retaining arrangement. The term "retaining arrangement" is to be
understood
especially to define a retaining arrangement - possibly in co-operation with a
counter
retaining arrangement - which provides that the closure cap - upon
corresponding
positioning - cannot be released from the container under the force of its own
weight. It
can also be provided that the retaining arrangement is constructed such that a
certain
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minimum force is required for detachment from the container. The retaining
arrangement
can also be in the form of a surface which can be frictionally connected with
a surface
region of the container or a container neck.
Preferably, the closure cap includes a cap body as well as a hinged lid
connected
thereto. The closure can also be constructed as a screw-on closure.
Especially, the closure cap can also be a screw-on closure which - when
screwed
onto a container or container neck - clears a corresponding container opening
when the
screw connection is released. However, it can also be provided that an
additional opening
is provided in the closure cap which can be closed, for example, by a hinged
lid, whereby
this closure cap can be screwed onto a container neck or a container.
In a preferred embodiment, the closure cap has a hinged lid which is connected
to
the cap body by way of a film hinge. Other hinges can also be used.
Several or all lamellae of the strip seal arrangement can be of annular shape
and
continuous. Especially, they can have a washer type shape. Several or all
lamellae of the
strip seal arrangement can be of essentially the same shape. However, they can
also have
different shapes.
In a preferred embodiment, several or all lamellae of the strip seal
arrangement are
essentially positioned parallel to one another. However, they can also be
arranged at an
angle to one another. The strip seal arrangement preferably includes two
lamellae.
However, the strip seal arrangement can also include three, four, five or more
than five
lamellae. The lamellae of the strip seal arrangement can be positioned on the
same wall or
the same wall portion. However, they can also be positioned on different wall
portions
which are positioned, for example, to be opposite one another. In a preferred
embodiment,
the lamellae of the strip seal arrangement extend essentially radially
relative to the
longitudinal axis of the closure cap.
It can also be provided that the closure cap has a cap body without an
additional
hinged lid. This is the case, for example, with a closure cap constructed as a
screw-on
closure which does not include a further dispensing opening separate from the
container
opening.
The cap body can be provided at its upper end with a cover plate. Such a cover
plate can have a planar or non-planar shape and can be of constant or variable
thickness.
Such a cover plate is especially an upper cover. However, it need not be,
although this can
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also be the case, the uppermost cover of such a cap. For example, in a closure
cap with
hinged cap lid, an upper cover plate can be provided which has a dispensing
opening and
can be closed - in the closed condition - by a lid position above the cover
plate.
The language "at its upper end" therefore does not necessarily mean that the
cover
plate must actually form the upper end, although this variant is also
preferred.
In a preferred embodiment, a first wall is provided which is circumferentially
continuous and extends about a longitudinal axis or central longitudinal axis
of the closure
cap, from which first wall several lamellae extend essentially radially. It
can be provided
that these lamellae extend radially inwardly from this wall, or radially
outwardly. The first
wall can be, for example, concentrical to the central axis. It can be provided
that this wall
extends up to an upper cover plate. In such a construction, it can be
especially provided
that the circumferentially closed first wall is completely circumferentially
closed between
these lamellae and the upper cover plate.
The first wall can have a cylindrical contour, for example. It can also have -
especially viewed in longitudinal direction of the closure cap - differently
oriented
portions. Especially the first wall can be constructed such that it has a
cylindrical contour
as well as an adjacent portion reoriented by 180 degrees, which is then again
followed by a
cylindrical portion. Lamellae can be provided, for example, at this further
cylindrical
portion. Other constructions are also preferred. In a preferred construction,
a first channel
is provided which extends radially inwardly of the first wall in longitudinal
direction of
the closure cap and which is open at its lower end. The lower end is thereby
especially that
end which when the closure cap is positioned or mounted on the container is
directed
towards the container.
In a preferred embodiment, an upper cover plate is provided in the closure cap
which has a dispensing opening that opens into the first channel.
It is further preferred that the closure cap has several radia,lly spaced
walls. Such
walls can be, for example, concentric to one another. Such walls can be
respectively
cylindrically shaped or have other shapes. It can also be provided that three
walls of the
closure cap are provided which extend essentially in longitudinal direction of
the closure
cap and are radially spaced from one another. Such walls can respectively
extend about a
central longitudinal axis of the closure cap. They can respectively enclose
the same or
different angles with such a central longitudinal axis. They can have a
straight or curved
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shape or other shape in longitudinal direction of the closure cap. Especially
preferred are
two radially spaced walls of which one has essentially radially extending
lamellae of the
strip seal arrangement and which walls are spaced such that a container neck
of a container
can be received between the walls in such a way that the lamellae respectively
engage the
container neck over the whole circumference thereof.
It is fuxther preferred that the closure cap is provided with a thread or a
thread
portion by which the closure cap can be connected with a container, especially
removably
connected. Other connecting mechanisms which allow a releasable connection
between
the closure cap and the container are also preferred. It can be provided
especially that the
closure cap is provided with a snap closure or part of a snap closure. A
"complementary
portion" of such a snap closure can be provided, for example, on the container
or the
container neck. In a preferred embodiment, two radially spaced walls of the
closure cap
are provided which extend essentially in longitudinal direction of the closure
cap and
define an intermediate space - as already described - in which the container
neck of a
container can be received. In such a construction, it is especially preferred
that lamellae of
the strip seal arrangement extend from one of these walls and in particular on
that side
which is facing the other one of these walls. According to an especially
preferred
embodiment, a thread or threaded portion is provided on the other of these
walls.
Especially preferably the other one of these walls is the one located radially
further
outwardly.
A thread or threaded portion can also be provided on a wall of the closure cap
extending in longitudinal direction of the closure cap, and lamellae of a
strip seal
arrangement can be provided on the same wall. This can be especially 'achieved
in that the
lamellae are positioned above the thread or threaded portion.
The thread can he an inner thread or an outer thread.
The closure cap as a whole is preferably formed in one piece.
The lamellae are preferably made of elastic material. Preferably, the lamellae
are
made of plastics material. Especially preferably, the whole closure cap
consists of plastics
material. It can be made of one plastics material or different plastics
materials. It is
preferably made ofplastics materials which are suitable for injection molding
processes.
Especially preferably the closure cap andlor the lamellae are made of a
thermoplastic
CA 02459100 2004-02-27
elastomer (TPE), or of polypropylene (PP), or polyethylene (PE), or
combinations of these
plastics materials.
Preferably, the lamellae are respectively made of solid material; however they
can
also be hollow.
The closure cap is preferably a hinged lid closure or a screw-on closure.
The object is further achieved in accordance with the invention, in a
container in
particular for the storage of a medium. Such a medium can be liquid, for
example. In an
especially preferred embodiment, such a medium is viscous or highly viscous.
However, it
can also be provided that such a medium is a pourable material.
Such a medium can be, in particular; a shower gel or a shampoo or ketchup or
the
like.
The container has a container opening which can be opened and closed by way of
the closure cap.
This can be achieved in that the closure cap is positioned on the container -
for
example, removably positioned - and includes a further opening with a closure
mechanism
for this opening. This can be achieved, for example, in that the opening can
be opened and
closed by a lid pivotally hinged to the closure cap.
The closure cap is especially constructed as described in this disclosure. It
can be
provided that the container and the closure respectively have one - equally or
differently
constructed - retaining mechanism or retaining region, whereby these retaining
regions or
retaining mechanisms co-operate or can co-operate for the holding of the
closure cap on
the container.
The container especially preferably has a container neck. The latter can be
constructed such that it projects from the container surface. A container neck
can,
however, also be constructed such that it extends from the outer surface of
the container to
the container interior.
The closure cap can be removably affixed to such a container neck or in the
region
of such a container neck.
In a preferred embodiment, it is provided that the lamellae of the strip seal
arrangement of the closure cap engage the outer surface and/or the inner
surface of the
container neck of the container and in particular circumferentially
continuously.
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The object is further achieved with a process in accordance with the
invention,
providing for the manufacture of a one-piece closure cap. This closure cap can
be, for
example, a closure cap as described in different constructions within this
disclosure.
According to the process of the invention, it is provided that the closure cap
is
manufactured in an injection molding process. It is thereby especially
provided that
initially a first portion of the closure cap is manufactured in a first step
by way of the
injection molding process and that a strip seal arrangement with at least two
lamellae is
subsequently overmolded onto this first portion. It can be provided that after
the
overmolding of the lamellae, further parts of the closure cap are overmolded
onto the cap.
It can also be provided that the overmolding of the lamellae is carried out
when all
remaining parts of the one-piece closure cap were also manufactured in the
injection
molding process. It can also be provided that a part of the closure cap is
manufactured in a
different process and that further parts of portions of the one-piece closure
cap created are
overmolded onto such a part. It is also provided in particular in this
construction that the
lamellae (strip seal arrangement) are overmolded.
It is pointed out that the invention is not intended to be limited by the
exemplary
and preferred embodiments as described.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will now be further described by way of several exemplary
aspects
of the invention, without limiting the scope of the invention, and with
reference to the
drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary closure cap in accordance
with
the invention;
Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary container in accordance
with
the invention with an exemplary closure cap in accordance with the invention;
Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary container in accordance
with
the invention with an exemplary closure cap in accordance with the invention;
Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary container in accordance
with
the invention with an exemplary closure cap in accordance with the invention;
Figure 5 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary container in accordance
with
the invention with an exemplary closure cap in accordance with the invention;
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Figure 6 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary container in accordance
with
the invention with an exemplary closure cap in accordance with the invention;
and
Figure 7 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary container in accordance
with
the invention with an exemplary closure cap in accordance with the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Figure 1 shows in schematic illustration an exemplary closure cap 1 in
accordance
with the invention.
The closure cap 1 shown in Figure 1 is entirely made as one piece and has a
closure cap body 10 to which a closure cap lid 12 is hinged by way of a hinge
constructed
here as a film hinge 14.
The closure cap body 10 is provided with an upper cover or upper cover plate
16.
A closure cap opening 18 is provided in this cover plate 16. The opening 18 is
circumferentially defined by a wall portion 20 which, when viewed in direction
of the
central longitudinal axis 22 of the closure cap l, protrudes upwardly and
downwardly
beyond the cover plate 16. It can also be provided that such a wall portion 20
extends only
either upwardly or downwardly, or not beyond the cover plate 16 at all.
It is pointed out that the term "lower" in relation to the closure cap refers
to that
direction which - when the closure cap is mounted on a container - is directed
towards the
container, while the term "upper" refers to the opposite direction - facing
away from the
container.
In the embodiment according to Figure 1, the wall portion 20 is downwardly
tapered, in particular comically tapered.
In the embodiment of Figure 1, an essentially annular projection 24 is
provided on
the inner side of the lid, which, when the lid is closed, especially sealingly
engages the
upper end of the wall portion 20. It can also be provided in this construction
that such a
projection 24 is shaped as a projecting plate or that no projection is
provided at all with the
inner surface of the lid - without a, projection being present - engaging the
upper end of the
wall portion 20.
It can further be provided that a retaining mechanism, schematically indicated
by
reference numeral 26, is provided which holds the cap lid 12 in its closed
position relative
to the closure cap body 10. In the embodiment according to Figure 1, a first
wall 28
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extends downwardly from the upper cover plate 16. This wall 28 is in the
construction
according to Figure 1 essentially cylindrically shaped and concentrical to the
longitudinal
axis 22. Lamellae 30, 32 are provided on the radially outwardly directed
surface of this
wall 28, which are circumferentially continuous and radially project from the
wall 28. In
the construction according to Figure l, two such lamellae are provided. The
lamellae 30,
32 are spaced apart in axial direction or in the direction defined by the
central longitudinal
axis 22. Between the lamellae 30, 32, or between the lower of these lamellae
30, 32 and
the cover plate 16, the wall 28 is completely circumferentially closed.
A second wall 30 is provided in the construction according to Figure 1 which
extends about the central longitudinal axis 22 and, in particular, radially
outwardly of the
first wall 28.
The second wall 34 in the construction according to Figure 1 is cylindrically
shaped and extends downwardly from the cover plate 16 and cylindrical to the
central axis
22. In the construction according to Figure 1, the first wall 28 extends
further down than
the second wall 34.
An intermediate spacing is formed radially between the first wall 28 and the
second wall 34 in which a container neck of a container can be received. The
lamellae 30,
32 engage such a container neck or an inner wall of the container neck or the
container -
upon corresponding installation.
Radially inwardly of the first wall 28, a second intermediate space is
provided or a
channel 38 is formed. The opening 18 opens into this channel 38. The wall 28
is
downwardly open so that when the closure 1 is mounted on a container, medium
from the
container can reach the opening 18 through the channel 38.
The opening 18 in the construction according to Figure 1 is concentrical to
the
central longitudinal axis 22, but can also be positioned non-concentrical.
A third wall portion 40 is further provided in the construction according to
Figure l, which extends essentially in the direction of the central
longitudinal axis 21 or
extends downwardly at an angle to this longitudinal axis. The wall portion 40
in its
construction according to Figure 1 is concentrical to the longitudinal axis 22
or to the first
wall 28 and/or to the second wall 34.
Figure 2 shows an exemplary construction of a container 15 in accordance with
the
invention with an exemplary closure cap 1 in accordance with the invention.
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The closure cap shown in Figure 2 is differentiated from the one shown in
Figure 1
essentially in that in the construction according to Figure 2 the retaining
mechanism 26 in
the region of the lid facing away from the hinge 14 is omitted; however, such
a retaining
mechanism can also be provided in the construction according to Figure 2. The
closure cap
1 shown in Figure 2 is further distinguished from the one shown in Figure 1 in
that in the
construction according to Figure 2 an annular projection which when the lid 12
is closed
engages the upper side of the upper cover plate 16 or the wall portion 20, is
omitted.
Instead, a plug 52 is provided in the construction illustrated in Figure 2
which
projects from the underside of the lid 12 and extends into the closure cap
opening 18 when
the lid is closed, especially sealingly. The plug 52 can have a conical shape,
for example.
The container shown in Figure 2 has exactly one container opening 54. However,
it
can principally also be provided that such a container 50 has several
container openings.
At the container opening 54, the container 50 further has a container neck 56.
This
container neck 56 has an essentially cylindrical shape and extends into the
radially
intermediate space 36 between the first wall 28 and the second wall 34. In the
construction
shown in Figure 2, the container neck 56 extends into the intermediate space
36 in such a
way that the lamellae 30, 32 engage the inner wall of the container neck 56.
Furthermore,
the inner surface of the second wall 34 engages in this construction the outer
surface of the
container neck 56. However, an intermediate space or clearance can also be
provided. The
lamellae 30, 32 engage the inner wall or inner surface of the container neck.
In the construction according to Figure 2, the inner surface of the second
wall 34 a,s
well as the outer surface of the container neck 56 are essentially unprofiled.
However, a
profiled construction, especially a thread, can also be respectfully provided.
Figure 3 shows in schematic illustration a further exemplary embodiment of a
container 50 in accordance with the invention with an exemplary closure cap in
accordance with the invention.
In the construction in accordance with Figure 3 an outer thread 60 provided on
the
outer surface of the container neck 56 meshes with an inner thread 62 provided
on the
inner surface of the second wall 34. A third wall 40 positioned radially
outwardly of this
second wall is omitted in this construction according to Figure 3, but can
also be provided.
Furthermore, three circumferential lamellae 30, 32, 64 are provided in the
construction according to Figure 3. This is also a purely exemplary
construction; only two
CA 02459100 2004-02-27
lamellae can also be provided, as well as four, five or more than five
lamellae. In the
construction according to Figure 3, these lamellae often engage the inner
surface of the
container neck 56.
In the structure according to Figure 3, the closure cap 1 includes a plug 52
positioned on the inner side of the lid 12. In this exemplary embodiment -
contrary to the
construction according to Figure 2 - no wall portion 20 is provided which
extends at the
closure cap opening upwardly and downwardly beyond the upper cover plate 16.
It can be
provided that the plug 52 - especially in co-operation with the opening 18 -
apart from a
sealing effect also provides a retaining effect. This can also be provided in
the construction
according to Figure 2.
Figure 4 shows a further exemplary construction of a container 50 in
accordance
with the invention with an exemplary closure cap 1 in accordance with the
invention.
The closure cap 1 in the construction according to Figure 4 is distinguished
from
the one shown in Figure 3 essentially in that it is not provided with a
closure cap opening
18, but that the upper cover plate - at least within the regions surrounded by
the first wall
28 - is free of a closure cap opening and also does not have a closure cap lid
12 hinged by
way of a hinge 14. Thus, the exemplary embodiment illustrated in Figure 4 of a
closure in
accordance with the invention, is a pure screw-on closure which is screwed
onto the
container by way of engaging a thread 62 on the cap with a thread 60 on the
container
neck.
A retaining mechanism can also be provided in place of such a thread. It can
also
be provided that the inner surface of the second wall 34 as well as the outer
surface of the
container neck 56 is constructed as shown in Figure 2.
Figure 5 shows a schematic illustration and exemplary container in accordance
with the invention with an exemplary closure cap 1 in accordance with the
invention.
The same as the container 50 illustrated in Figure 4, the container 50 of
Figure 5 is
provided on the outer surface of the container neck 56 with an outer thread 60
which is
constructed to mesh with an inner thread 62 of the closure cap 1. While in the
construction
shown in Figure 4 this outer thread extends essentially up to the upper end of
the container
neck 56, a thread free region is provided on the outer surface of the
container neck in the
construction shown in Figure 5 above the outer thread 60, which region is
engaged by the
(seal) lamellae 30, 32 on the closure cap 1. Such a region can also be
provided below the
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CA 02459100 2004-02-27
outer thread 60, and in particular on a radially outwardly projection, whereby
the lamellae
can be positioned in a radial backset of the wall 70.
These (seal) lamellae 30, 32 which in the construction according to Figure 4
are
provided on the outer surface of a wall 28 extending in longitudinal direction
of the
closure cap, are in the embodiment according to Figure 5 positioned on the
inner surface
of a wall 70 extending about the central longitudinal axis 22 and project
radially inwardly
therefrom.
The closure cap 1 in the embodiment according to Figure 5 has only one wall 70
extending essentially about the longitudinal axis 22.
The container 50 shown in Figure 6 corresponds essentially to the one shown in
Figure 5. The closure cap 1 shown in Figure 6 is distinguished from the one
shown in
Figure 5 essentially in that a dispensing opening 18 is provided in the one
shown in
Figure 6 in the upper cover plate and a hinged lid 12 for the opening and
closing of the
dispensing opening 18 is provided which is connected by way of a hinge,
especially a film
hinge 14.
Figure 7 shows a container 50 with a closure cap 1. The container 50 is
distinguished from the one shown in Figure 2 in that the container neck 56 has
a thread 60
on its outer surface which can be meshed with an inner thread 62 provided on
the lid 12.
The closure cap 1 shown in Figure 7 is distinguished from the closure cap 1
shown
in Figure 2 especially in that the second wall 34 is provided with an inner
thread 62, in that
no hinged lid 12 is present, and in that the upper cover plate 16 has no
through going
opening 18.
However, the embodiment shown in Figure 7 can be constructed without a thread
60, 62 as shown in Figure 2, or with a thread 60, 62.
12
