EP1545998B1 - Screw cap for pressurised containers - Google Patents
Screw cap for pressurised containers Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1545998B1 EP1545998B1 EP03770880A EP03770880A EP1545998B1 EP 1545998 B1 EP1545998 B1 EP 1545998B1 EP 03770880 A EP03770880 A EP 03770880A EP 03770880 A EP03770880 A EP 03770880A EP 1545998 B1 EP1545998 B1 EP 1545998B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- screw cap
- webs
- sealing
- sealing web
- intermediate space
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 96
- 239000011324 bead Substances 0.000 claims description 12
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000035515 penetration Effects 0.000 abstract description 5
- 235000013361 beverage Nutrition 0.000 abstract description 3
- 230000007613 environmental effect Effects 0.000 abstract 1
- 210000003739 neck Anatomy 0.000 description 25
- CURLTUGMZLYLDI-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon dioxide Chemical compound O=C=O CURLTUGMZLYLDI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 6
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 6
- 240000007817 Olea europaea Species 0.000 description 5
- 229910002092 carbon dioxide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 239000001569 carbon dioxide Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000006872 improvement Effects 0.000 description 3
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000013461 design Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000013459 approach Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000009286 beneficial effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 235000014171 carbonated beverage Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 230000001627 detrimental effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000011161 development Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000002349 favourable effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001771 impaired effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003993 interaction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010943 off-gassing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920000098 polyolefin Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000009467 reduction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002787 reinforcement Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003068 static effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012360 testing method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000009423 ventilation Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D41/00—Caps, e.g. crown caps or crown seals, i.e. members having parts arranged for engagement with the external periphery of a neck or wall defining a pouring opening or discharge aperture; Protective cap-like covers for closure members, e.g. decorative covers of metal foil or paper
- B65D41/02—Caps or cap-like covers without lines of weakness, tearing strips, tags, or like opening or removal devices
- B65D41/04—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers secured by rotation
- B65D41/0407—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers secured by rotation with integral sealing means
- B65D41/0414—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers secured by rotation with integral sealing means formed by a plug, collar, flange, rib or the like contacting the internal surface of a container neck
- B65D41/0421—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers secured by rotation with integral sealing means formed by a plug, collar, flange, rib or the like contacting the internal surface of a container neck and combined with integral sealing means contacting other surfaces of a container neck
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a screw cap for containers with threaded neck, in particular for PET bottles, which are designed to hold CO 2 -containing drinks, with a top plate, an approximately cylindrical cap coat with internal thread, an inner, emanating from the top plate and in approximately cylindrical sealing web having an annular circumferential, radially outwardly projecting portion, and having an outer, substantially cylindrical sealing web which concentrically surrounds the inner sealing web, wherein the maximum outer radius of the inner sealing web and the minimum inner radius of the outer sealing web only slightly and preferably differ by less than 2 mm, and in particular by less than 1 mm, and are designed to sealingly receive the upper area of a bottle neck in the space thus formed.
- the screw cap according to the present invention uses substantially the same sealing principle, which of the combination of an inner seal by a radially inner sealing ridge, whose cross section resembles an olive and which is therefore also referred to as "sealing olive", in combination with a cylindrical, outer Seal web is due, with the special geometry of the two sealing webs and also provided on the closure elements in combination with each other achieve the special sealing effect.
- the known screw cap is used for closing PET bottles containing carbonated drinks.
- These PET bottles and in particular their threaded necks are standardized and there are only a few standard types, which are relatively similar to each other overall, but the respective closures are adapted in their specific dimensions to each one of these standard types exactly.
- the wall thickness of the bottleneck edge of such PET bottles is usually less than 2 and often less than 1.5 mm, for example 1.2 mm.
- the maximum outer radius of the inner sealing web must be significantly, that is to say at least 0.3 to 0.5 mm, larger than the inner radius of the bottleneck edge against which the inner sealing web sealingly engages.
- the inner radius of the outer sealing bar must also be clear, that is usually by 0.5 mm or more, to be less than the outer radius of the bottle neck edge on which the outer sealing ridge seals. This means that the gap between the inner web and the outer web is relatively narrow and has typical radial dimensions of only 0.5 mm. Of course, depending on the wall thickness of the bottleneck, it can also be larger or smaller.
- a bead surrounding the outer sealing land is generally provided, the inner radius of which is greater than the outer diameter of the bottleneck edge by less than the thickness of the outer sealing land, which means that the outer sealing land, with the closure screwed between the bottleneck edge and the bead is compressed or pressed by the bead to the bottle neck and thereby contributes to the good seal.
- the inner sealing web simultaneously fulfills a centering effect, whereby only the interaction of all elements of the closure ensures a surprisingly drastic improvement of the sealing properties.
- the present invention seeks to provide a screw cap, which on the one hand maintains the excellent sealing properties of the known screw cap even under very harsh external conditions in general, but at the same time also in a position without loss the sealing function to limit the pressures occurring in a sealed container with the screw cap pressures.
- the devices according to the invention which act as an axial stop for a bottle neck to which the cap is screwed, also have, regardless of their influence on a reduction of the internal pressure in a bottle, a beneficial effect with regard to the mechanical attachment of the closures.
- a beneficial effect with regard to the mechanical attachment of the closures.
- the webs of the invention act as an axial stop, which immediately leads to a strong increase in torque when screwing the closure on a bottleneck when the end face of the bottle neck reaches the webs. It is understood that a possible cylindrical bead outside the outer sealing strip is designed so that it does not come into abutment with the thread before the end face of the bottle neck reaches said webs.
- a statically measured torque is set on capping machines for each capping head, which torque is determined in corresponding tests for the type of capping in question.
- the closing process arises due to the braked kinetic energy of the rapidly rotating capping an additional torque which can indeed be taken into account, but which varies with the usually inevitable fluctuations in line speed, so that to achieve a sufficiently high torque even with slow-running machines correspondingly high torque value is set, which in turn can easily lead to overwinding of the closure in high-speed machines.
- the torque that occurs when the lock is over-turned is also known in technical jargon as the English term "strip-torque".
- the webs according to the invention appreciably increase this torque, which is required for over-tightening the closure, which consequently contributes to preventing over-rotation even when setting comparatively high static torque values.
- the large increase in torque that occurs when the neck of the bottle abuts the webs of the present invention can be used to control the machine to complete the screwing operation upon commencement of such a ramp.
- the webs of the invention are under the face point of an improvement in the properties when mechanically screwing the closures nevertheless useful in view of the above-mentioned over torque.
- the means are designed so that between the plane defined by the inner surface of the top plate and the plane defined by the upper bottleneck, a distance of between 0.5 and 1.5 mm remains, assuming in this connection is that the reason of the gap between the sealing webs, which is the actual reference point for the axial position of the bottle neck edge, is located approximately in the inner plane of the top plate. If this is not the case, then the corresponding distance should be better determined relative to the plane defined by the reason of this gap.
- the means for limiting the entry of the bottleneck rim into the space between the seal lands are lands or protrusions extending from the bottom of the space into the space.
- these elevations or webs when screwing a cap on a bottleneck stops for the bottleneck, which prevent further penetration of the bottle neck edge in the space between the sealing webs. Due to the material and its dimensions, these attacks are not rigid but to a certain extent elastically yielding. It has proved to be expedient if the webs or elevations have an axial height (in each case measured from the bottom of the intermediate space) between 0.3 and 2.5 mm, preferably in the range of 0.5 to 1.8 mm.
- the width of the webs should be sufficient so that they can act as stops and not in turn excessively elastically deformed and can be pressed.
- a width of the webs of 0.3 to 2 mm has proven to be useful.
- a plurality of webs are arranged distributed at approximately equal angular intervals along the annular gap.
- six webs are each disposed at angular intervals of about 60 ° in the gap and extend into the gap by about 1.5 to 1.8 mm from the deepest bottom of the gap in the axial direction.
- the wall thickness of the top plate in the region of the gap is slightly less than the wall thickness of the top plate in the remaining area, that is, especially in the area immediately inside of the inner sealing bar.
- the top plate typically has a largely constant wall thickness in the order of 0.8 to 2.5 mm, usually between 1 and 1.5 mm and may, for example, in the center still have an additional reinforcement or bulge.
- the (minimum) wall thickness of the top plate in the space between the sealing webs by 10 to 50%, preferably by about 20 to 40% less than radially within the inner sealing web.
- the means for limiting the entry of the bottleneck edge into the space between the inner and outer sealing webs are not between these sealing webs, but e.g. provided radially outside the sealing webs.
- a radially outwardly of the outer sealing web lying bead can be provided and configured so that it is designed as a more or less elastic stop for the upper thread edge of a bottle neck thread, the stop surface of the bead, which runs in a plane perpendicular to the screw cap, from the bottom of the gap has an axial distance of 0.3 to 2 mm, preferably 0.5 to 1.5 mm, greater than the axial distance of the upper thread edge of the upper edge surface of the threaded neck of a bottle, for which the screw cap is provided.
- Such an embodiment is particularly suitable for bottle necks, the thread over a considerable peripheral portion terminates in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the bottle neck.
- the upper, flattened thread edge abuts a correspondingly large peripheral portion of the stop surface of the bead, so that hereby a clearly defined axial position of the bottle neck edge between the two sealing strips is ensured.
- the bottleneck edge penetrates less deeply between the two sealing webs than would be possible without appropriate stops, the elasticity of the stops still leaves a certain amount of room for maneuver, so that you can adjust the exact axial position of the bottle neck between the sealing webs in the closure even by a more or less strong tightening or by the rotational position of the cap thread relative to the bottleneck thread within certain small limits.
- the penetration of the bottleneck edge was substantially limited by the fact that the space between the two sealing webs increasingly tapered towards the top plate and thus effectively formed a resistance to the wide insertion of the bottleneck edge.
- the upper edge of the bottle neck could reach a position that was very close to the inner plane of the top plate or close to the bottom of the gap between the sealing strips.
- the bottleneck edge is held in the axial direction on the order of 1 mm away from the inner plane of the top plate, and a little further away from the bottom of the space between the two Sealing webs, provided that the top plate is formed somewhat thinner in the region of this reason than in the remaining region of the top plate, the reason of this gap so compared to the inner plane of the top plate is additionally set back slightly.
- the position with respect to the inner plane of the top plate may deviate more from the specified dimensions when the thickness of the top plate is changed. Reference point is ultimately the reason of the mentioned gap.
- the sealing engagement of the bottleneck edge with the two sealing webs remains qualitatively substantially the same as in the known closure, but the sealing webs are - spread slightly less, in particular in the vicinity of their approach to the top plate, as if the bottleneck deeper into the space can penetrate to where the gap already clearly tapers, so that in this area, in particular the outer sealing bar is placed even more under tension and thus even better seals.
- the inventive design results in that from a certain internal pressure in a container, which can reach a range well above 7 bar, for example, due to excessively high temperatures, some gas from the bottleneck and between the bottleneck and sealing webs can escape until the pressure is sufficient again (Specifically, for example, to a value just above 7 bar) is lowered.
- the closure according to the invention thus ensures that a sufficient and desired overpressure in the container is always maintained and only an excessively high overpressure is reduced. At best, this leads to a slight outgassing of excess carbon dioxide, in particular if excess carbon dioxide has been dissolved in the liquid. The fact that, however, always a sufficient overpressure is maintained, a complete or extensive CO 2 -emitting of the liquid is prevented.
- closure cap which consists essentially of a top plate 1 (also called cap bottom) and a cap casing 2.
- the cap skirt has an internal thread 3 and at its lower edge a tear strip, which serves as a guarantee element and the condition can be seen whether the closure has been opened once.
- This tear strip is known per se and for the present invention without meaning, so that it will not be described here.
- the radially inner sealing ridge is slightly more massive and axially longer than the radially outer sealing ridge 4.
- the maximum thickness of the inner sealing ridge is e.g. 1 to 1.5 mm and its minimum thickness is of the order of 0.8 mm, in particular the free lower edge is bevelled on its outer side, which should facilitate the sliding in of the inner sealing bar 4 in a bottleneck. Due to the approximately olive-shaped cross-section of the sealing web 4 at least on its outer side, this sealing web is referred to in the following as a "sealing olive" according to a now commonplace usage.
- annular sealing olive 4 Radially outside the annular sealing olive 4 can be seen an approximately cylindrical and slightly thinner sealing web 5, whose free end is slightly bevelled and rounded on the inside, which in turn should facilitate the easier sliding of the outer sealing web 5 on the edge of a bottle neck.
- the clear space between the inner and outer sealing web 4 and 5 is relatively narrow and is usually not significantly more than 1 mm or less. Even less, the maximum radius of the inner sealing ridge differs from the minimum radius of the outer sealing ridge, the difference of which is typically only on the order of 0.5 mm.
- the space between the inner sealing web 4 and the outer sealing web 5 is designated by the reference numeral 9.
- FIG. 3 the above-described, essential elements of the screw cap according to the invention can be seen again in an axial plan view of the interior of the screw cap 10. Radially from the inside to the outside can be seen the annular and somewhat thicker sealing web or the sealing olive 4, immediately radially outside the same the gap 9 and immediately radially outside of the gap 9 the sealing strip 5 is followed by the cap skirt 2 with the internal thread 3 or to the inner bead 7.
- the webs of the invention 6 In the gap 9 can be seen both in FIG. 1 as well as in FIG. 3 at angular intervals of about 60 °, the webs of the invention 6.
- the sectional plane according to FIG. 2 runs straight through two opposite webs 6, so that in FIG. 2 also the axial height of the webs 6 can be seen.
- FIG. 4 shows the cap 10 according to the invention and screwed onto a bottle neck up to the elastic stops FIG. 5 If you recognize a further enlarged section FIG. 4 , although it does not depend on compliance with certain dimensions in any case, it should be noted that the screw cap according to the invention is shown in the present figures substantially to scale, the FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 show the closure in scale 2: 1, FIG. 3 the closure in the scale 5: 1 shows and FIG. 5 the cutout FIG. 4 about the scale 10: 1 against the original closure weidercreate. It can be seen that the thickness D of the top plate is about 1.5 mm, while the thickness d of the top plate at the lowest point of the bottom of the gap 6 is slightly less, for example, 1.1 to 1.4 mm.
- the thread 3 of the screw cap 2 is screwed onto the thread of the bottle neck 11, to such an extent that the bottleneck edge between the two sealing webs 4, 5 has penetrated, up to the stop on a web 6, of which a total of six stops 6 on the circumference of the gap 9 are evenly distributed.
- an outer corrugation of the screw cap 10 is designated, which serves the firm and secure gripping the screw cap when unscrewing and screwing the screw cap.
- the slightly smaller wall thickness d of the top plate in the region of the intermediate space 9 also has the purpose of giving the top plate in this area an additional elasticity and extensibility, which also contributes to the firm and tight engagement of the two inner and outer sealing webs 4, 5 contributes to the bottleneck edge.
- the webs 6 ensure that this sealing engagement on the one hand still remains, but is not quite as strong as without the webs 6. This causes an excessive pressure in the bottle is reduced. Both the bottle itself and the closure are thereby less heavily loaded.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Closures For Containers (AREA)
- Pens And Brushes (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Die vorliegende Erfindung betrifft eine Schraubkappe für Behälter mit Gewindehals, insbesondere für PET-Flaschen, die für die Aufnahme CO2-haltiger Getränke ausgelegt sind, mit einer Kopfplatte, einem in etwa zylindrischen Kappenmantel mit Innengewinde, einem inneren, von der Kopfplatte ausgehenden und in etwa zylindrischen Dichtungssteg, der einen ringförmig umlaufenden, radial nach außen vorstehenden Bereich aufweist, und mit einem äußeren, im wesentlichen zylindrischen Dichtungssteg, der den inneren Dichtungssteg konzentrisch umgibt, wobei sich der maximale Außenradius des inneren Dichtungssteges und der minimale Innenradius des äußeren Dichtungssteges nur geringfügig und vorzugsweise um weniger als 2 mm und insbesondere um weniger als 1 mm unterscheiden und dafür ausgelegt sind, in dem so gebildeten Zwischenraum den oberen Bereich eines Flaschenhalses abdichtend aufzunehmen.The present invention relates to a screw cap for containers with threaded neck, in particular for PET bottles, which are designed to hold CO 2 -containing drinks, with a top plate, an approximately cylindrical cap coat with internal thread, an inner, emanating from the top plate and in approximately cylindrical sealing web having an annular circumferential, radially outwardly projecting portion, and having an outer, substantially cylindrical sealing web which concentrically surrounds the inner sealing web, wherein the maximum outer radius of the inner sealing web and the minimum inner radius of the outer sealing web only slightly and preferably differ by less than 2 mm, and in particular by less than 1 mm, and are designed to sealingly receive the upper area of a bottle neck in the space thus formed.
Eine solche Schraubkappe ist bereits aus der europäischen Patentanmeldung Nr.
Dieser bekannte Verschluß zeigt hervorragende Dichtungseigenschaften, die zu einem beachtlichen Markterfolg geführt haben. Eine weitere Verbesserung der Dichtungswirkung erscheint mit vertretbaren Mitteln kaum möglich und wird auch durch die vorliegende Erfindung nicht angestrebt. Vielmehr verwendet die Schraubkappe gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung im wesentlichen dasselbe Dichtungsprinzip, welches von der Kombination einer inneren Dichtung durch einen radial inneren Dichtungssteg, dessen Querschnitt an eine Olive erinnert und der deshalb auch als "Dichtolive" bezeichnet wird, in Kombination mit einem zylindrischen, äußeren Dichtungssteg herrührt, wobei die spezielle Geometrie der beiden Dichtungsstege und auch weitere an dem Verschluß vorgesehene Elemente in Kombination miteinander die besondere Dichtwirkung erzielen.This known closure shows excellent sealing properties, which have led to a considerable market success. A further improvement of the sealing effect appears barely possible with acceptable means and is not sought by the present invention. Rather, the screw cap according to the present invention uses substantially the same sealing principle, which of the combination of an inner seal by a radially inner sealing ridge, whose cross section resembles an olive and which is therefore also referred to as "sealing olive", in combination with a cylindrical, outer Seal web is due, with the special geometry of the two sealing webs and also provided on the closure elements in combination with each other achieve the special sealing effect.
Üblicherweise wird die bekannte Schraubkappe für das Verschließen von PET-Flaschen verwendet, die kohlensäurehaltige Getränke enthalten. Diese PET-Flaschen und insbesondere deren Gewindehälse sind standardisiert und es gibt nur einige wenige Standardtypen, die einander insgesamt relativ ähnlich sind, wobei allerdings die entsprechenden Verschlüsse in ihren konkreten Abmessungen an jeweils einen dieser Standardtypen genau angepaßt sind.Usually, the known screw cap is used for closing PET bottles containing carbonated drinks. These PET bottles and in particular their threaded necks are standardized and there are only a few standard types, which are relatively similar to each other overall, but the respective closures are adapted in their specific dimensions to each one of these standard types exactly.
Die Wandstärke des Flaschenhalsrandes derartiger PET-Flaschen beträgt zumeist weniger als 2 und oft auch weniger als 1,5 mm, z.B. 1,2 mm. Um eine ausreichende Dichtwirkung zu erzielen, muß der maximale Außenradius des inneren Dichtsteges deutlich, das heißt um mindestens 0,3 bis 0,5 mm, größer sein als der Innenradius des Flaschenhalsrandes, an welchem der innere Dichtungssteg dichtend anliegt. Gleichzeitig muß auch der Innenradius des äußeren Dichtsteges deutlich, das heißt zumeist um 0,5 mm oder mehr, geringer sein als der Außenradius des Flaschenhalsrandes, an welchem der äußere Dichtungssteg dichtend anliegt. Dies bedeutet, daß der Zwischenraum zwischen dem Innensteg und dem Außensteg relativ schmal ist und typische radiale Abmessungen von nur 0,5 mm hat. Er kann, je nach Wandstärke des Flaschenhalsrandes, selbstverständlich auch größer oder etwas kleiner sein.The wall thickness of the bottleneck edge of such PET bottles is usually less than 2 and often less than 1.5 mm, for example 1.2 mm. In order to achieve a sufficient sealing effect, the maximum outer radius of the inner sealing web must be significantly, that is to say at least 0.3 to 0.5 mm, larger than the inner radius of the bottleneck edge against which the inner sealing web sealingly engages. At the same time, the inner radius of the outer sealing bar must also be clear, that is usually by 0.5 mm or more, to be less than the outer radius of the bottle neck edge on which the outer sealing ridge seals. This means that the gap between the inner web and the outer web is relatively narrow and has typical radial dimensions of only 0.5 mm. Of course, depending on the wall thickness of the bottleneck, it can also be larger or smaller.
Gleichzeitig ist außerdem im allgemeinen noch ein den äußeren Dichtungssteg im Abstand umgebender Wulst vorgesehen, dessen Innenradius um weniger als die Dicke des äußeren Dichtungssteges größer ist als der Außendurchmesser des Flaschenhalsrandes, was bedeutet, daß der äußere Dichtungssteg bei aufgeschraubtem Verschluß zwischen dem Flaschenhalsrand und dem Wulst zusammengepreßt wird bzw. durch den Wulst an den Flaschenhals angepreßt wird und dadurch zu der guten Abdichtung beiträgt. Der innere Dichtungssteg erfüllt gleichzeitig eine Zentrierwirkung, wobei erst das Zusammenspiel aller Elemente des Verschlusses eine überraschend drastische Verbesserung der Dichtigkeitseigenschaften gewährleistet.At the same time, in addition, a bead surrounding the outer sealing land is generally provided, the inner radius of which is greater than the outer diameter of the bottleneck edge by less than the thickness of the outer sealing land, which means that the outer sealing land, with the closure screwed between the bottleneck edge and the bead is compressed or pressed by the bead to the bottle neck and thereby contributes to the good seal. The inner sealing web simultaneously fulfills a centering effect, whereby only the interaction of all elements of the closure ensures a surprisingly drastic improvement of the sealing properties.
Diese hervorragenden Dichtungseigenschaften des bekannten Verschlusses, von denen auch die vorliegende Erfindung Gebrauch macht, können sich jedoch unter extremen Bedingungen auch nachteilig auswirken. Beispielsweise kann es bei extrem hohen Außentemperaturen, insbesondere wenn entsprechende gefüllte Flaschen der direkten Sonnenbestrahlung ausgesetzt sind und in Verbindung mit einem besonders hohen, in der Flüssigkeit bzw. einem Getränk gelösten Kohlendioxidanteil, zur Entwicklung extrem hoher Drücke in einer solchen PET-Flasche kommen. Dies führt zu einer sehr starken Belastung sowohl der Flasche als auch des Verschlusses und auch zu einem deutlich sichtbaren Ausbeulen des Flaschenkorpus. Es erscheint daher wünschenswert, diese extrem hohen Drücke insbesondere in PET-Getränkeflaschen zu vermeiden.However, these excellent sealing properties of the known closure, of which the present invention makes use, may also be detrimental under extreme conditions. For example, at extremely high outside temperatures, especially when corresponding filled bottles are exposed to direct sunlight and, in conjunction with a particularly high level of carbon dioxide dissolved in the liquid or beverage, may result in the development of extremely high pressures in such a PET bottle. This leads to a very heavy load on both the bottle and the closure and also to a clearly visible bulging of the bottle body. It therefore seems desirable to avoid these extremely high pressures, especially in PET beverage bottles.
Angesichts des vorstehend geschilderten Standes der Technik liegt daher der vorliegenden Erfindung die Aufgabe zugrunde, eine Schraubkappe zu schaffen, welche einerseits die hervorragenden Dichtungseigenschaften der bekannten Schraubkappe auch unter sehr rauhen äußeren Bedingungen im allgemeinen beibehält, die aber gleichzeitig auch in der Lage ist, ohne Verlust der Dichtungsfunktion die in einem mit der Schraubkappe verschlossenen Behälter auftretenden Drücke zu begrenzen.In view of the above-described prior art, therefore, the present invention seeks to provide a screw cap, which on the one hand maintains the excellent sealing properties of the known screw cap even under very harsh external conditions in general, but at the same time also in a position without loss the sealing function to limit the pressures occurring in a sealed container with the screw cap pressures.
Diese Aufgabe wird dadurch gelöst, daß an der Schraubkappe Einrichtungen vorgesehen sind, die die axiale Tiefe des Eindringens eines Flaschenhalsrandes in den Zwischenraum zwischen dem inneren und dem äußeren Dichtungssteg begrenzen, und zwar unabhängig von der allein durch die Dichtungsstege bzw. den Grund des Zwischenraumes bewirkten Begrenzung dieses Eindringens des Flaschenhalsrandes in den Zwischenraum.This object is achieved in that means are provided on the screw cap, which limit the axial depth of penetration of a bottleneck edge in the space between the inner and the outer sealing web, regardless of caused solely by the sealing webs or the reason of the gap Limiting this penetration of the bottleneck edge into the gap.
Die erfindungsgemäßen Einrichtungen, welche als axialer Anschlag für einen Flaschenhals wirken, auf den die Kappe aufgeschraubt wird, haben außerdem, unabhängig von ihrem Einfluß auf eine Reduzierung des Innendruckes in einer Flasche eine vorteilhafte Wirkung im Hinblick auf die maschinelle Anbringung der Verschlüsse. Beim maschinellen Aufschrauben des Verschlusses, von welchem die vorliegende Erfindung ausgeht, kann es eventuell geschehen, daß der Verschluß sich beim Aufschrauben verwindet oder aber ein ringförmiger Wulst, der außerhalb des äußeren Dichtungssteges vorgesehen sein kann, auf dem oberen Gewindegang aufsitzt. Letzteres ist insbesondere dann unerwünscht, wenn der obere Gewindegang nicht für ein solches Aufsetzen ausgelegt ist, sondern mit seinem oberen Ende geneigt zur Verschlußachse verläuft. In diesem Fall kann der Verschluß verkippen. Da nunmehr zwischen dem inneren und dem äußeren Dichtstreifen die erfindungsgemäßen Stege vorgesehen sind, wirken diese als axialer Anschlag, der beim Aufschrauben des Verschlusses auf einen Flaschenhals sofort zu einem starken Anstieg des Drehmomentes führt, sobald die Stirnseite des Flaschenhalses die Stege erreicht. Es versteht sich, daß ein etwaiger zylindrischer Wulst außerhalb des äußeren Dichtstreifens so ausgestaltet ist, daß er nicht mit dem Gewinde in Anschlag kommt, bevor die Stirnseite des Flaschenhalses die genannten Stege erreicht.The devices according to the invention, which act as an axial stop for a bottle neck to which the cap is screwed, also have, regardless of their influence on a reduction of the internal pressure in a bottle, a beneficial effect with regard to the mechanical attachment of the closures. When mechanically screwing the closure, from which the present invention proceeds, it may happen that the closure is twisted when screwed or an annular bead, which may be provided outside the outer sealing web, seated on the upper thread. The latter is particularly undesirable if the upper thread is not designed for such placement, but extends inclined with its upper end to the closure axis. In this case, the shutter can tilt. Since now the webs of the invention are provided between the inner and outer sealing strips, they act as an axial stop, which immediately leads to a strong increase in torque when screwing the closure on a bottleneck when the end face of the bottle neck reaches the webs. It is understood that a possible cylindrical bead outside the outer sealing strip is designed so that it does not come into abutment with the thread before the end face of the bottle neck reaches said webs.
Grundsätzlich wird zwar an Verschließmaschinen für jeden Verschließkopf ein statisch gemessenes Drehmoment eingestellt, das in entsprechenden Versuchen für den betreffenden Verschlußtyp ermittelt wird. Beim Verschließvorgang entsteht jedoch aufgrund der abzubremsenden kinetischen Energie des sich schnell drehenden Verschließkopfes ein zusätzliches Drehmoment, welches zwar mit berücksichtigt werden kann, welches jedoch mit den zumeist unvermeidlichen Schwankungen der Liniengeschwindigkeit variiert, so daß zur Erzielung eines ausreichend hohen Drehmomentes auch bei langsam laufenden Maschinen ein entsprechend hoher Drehmomentwert eingestellt wird, der dann wiederum bei schnell laufenden Maschinen leicht zum Überdrehen des Verschlusses führen kann. Das beim Überdrehen des Verschlusses auftretende Drehmoment wird in der Fachsprache auch mit dem englischen Begriff "strip-torque" bezeichnet.In principle, a statically measured torque is set on capping machines for each capping head, which torque is determined in corresponding tests for the type of capping in question. During the closing process, however, arises due to the braked kinetic energy of the rapidly rotating capping an additional torque which can indeed be taken into account, but which varies with the usually inevitable fluctuations in line speed, so that to achieve a sufficiently high torque even with slow-running machines correspondingly high torque value is set, which in turn can easily lead to overwinding of the closure in high-speed machines. The torque that occurs when the lock is over-turned is also known in technical jargon as the English term "strip-torque".
Es hat sich herausgestellt, daß die erfindungsgemäßen Stege dieses Drehmoment, welches zum Überdrehen des Verschlusses benötigt wird, spürbar erhöhen, was demzufolge dazu beiträgt, daß das Überdrehen auch bei Einstellen vergleichsweise hoher statischer Drehmomentwerte vermieden werden kann. Außerdem kann der starke Anstieg des Drehmomentes, der auftritt, wenn die Flaschenhalsmündung an den erfindungsgemäßen Stegen anschlägt, zur Steuerung der Maschine verwendet werden, um mit Beginn eines solchen Anstieges den Aufschraubvorgang zu beenden.It has been found that the webs according to the invention appreciably increase this torque, which is required for over-tightening the closure, which consequently contributes to preventing over-rotation even when setting comparatively high static torque values. In addition, the large increase in torque that occurs when the neck of the bottle abuts the webs of the present invention can be used to control the machine to complete the screwing operation upon commencement of such a ramp.
Selbst wenn man also die Dichtigkeit bzw. Überdrucksicherheit des Verschlusses durch die erfindungsgemäßen Maßnahmen nicht einstellen will oder aufgrund der Ausgestaltung der Dichtungen der erwähnte Belüftungseffekt nicht eintritt, sind die erfindungsgemäßen Stege unter dem Gesichts punkt einer Verbesserung der Eigenschaften beim maschinellen Aufschrauben der Verschlüsse dennoch im Hinblick auf das erwähnte Überdrehmoment sinnvoll.Even if you do not want to adjust the tightness or overpressure safety of the closure by the measures according to the invention or due to the design of the seals of the mentioned ventilation effect does not occur, the webs of the invention are under the face point of an improvement in the properties when mechanically screwing the closures nevertheless useful in view of the above-mentioned over torque.
Zweckmäßigerweise sind die Einrichtungen so ausgestaltet, daß zwischen der Ebene, die durch die Innenfläche der Kopfplatte definiert wird und der Ebene, die durch den oberen Flaschenhalsrand definiert wird, ein Abstand zwischen 0,5 und 1,5 mm verbleibt, wobei in diesem Zusammenhang vorausgesetzt ist, dass der Grund des Zwischenraumes zwischen den Dichtungsstegen, der der eigentliche Bezugspunkt für die axiale Position des Flaschenhalsrandes ist, in etwa in der inneren Ebene der Kopfplatte liegt. Ist dies nicht der Fall, so sollte der entsprechende Abstand besser relativ zu der durch den Grund dieses Zwischenraumes definierten Ebene bestimmt werden.Conveniently, the means are designed so that between the plane defined by the inner surface of the top plate and the plane defined by the upper bottleneck, a distance of between 0.5 and 1.5 mm remains, assuming in this connection is that the reason of the gap between the sealing webs, which is the actual reference point for the axial position of the bottle neck edge, is located approximately in the inner plane of the top plate. If this is not the case, then the corresponding distance should be better determined relative to the plane defined by the reason of this gap.
In der bevorzugten Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Erfindung bestehen die Einrichtungen zur Begrenzung des Eindringens des Flaschenhalsrandes in den Zwischenraum zwischen den Dichtungsstegen aus Erhebungen bzw. Stegen, die sich vom Grund des Zwischenraumes in den Zwischenraum hinein erstrecken. Auf diese Weise bilden diese Erhebungen oder Stege beim Aufschrauben einer Verschlußkappe auf einen Flaschenhals Anschläge für den Flaschenhalsrand, die ein weiteres Eindringen des Flaschenhalsrandes in den Zwischenraum zwischen den Dichtungsstegen verhindern. Aufgrund des Materials und ihrer Abmessungen sind diese Anschläge nicht starr sondern in einem gewissen Umfang elastisch nachgiebig. Dabei hat es sich als zweckmäßig erwiesen, wenn die Stege bzw. Erhebungen eine axiale Höhe (jeweils gemessen vom Grund des Zwischenraumes aus) zwischen 0,3 und 2,5 mm, vorzugsweise im Bereich von 0,5 bis 1,8 mm haben.In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the means for limiting the entry of the bottleneck rim into the space between the seal lands are lands or protrusions extending from the bottom of the space into the space. In this way, these elevations or webs when screwing a cap on a bottleneck stops for the bottleneck, which prevent further penetration of the bottle neck edge in the space between the sealing webs. Due to the material and its dimensions, these attacks are not rigid but to a certain extent elastically yielding. It has proved to be expedient if the webs or elevations have an axial height (in each case measured from the bottom of the intermediate space) between 0.3 and 2.5 mm, preferably in the range of 0.5 to 1.8 mm.
Als Grund des Zwischenraums wird dabei der zwischen den Dichtungsstegen vorhandene Abschnitt der Kopfplatte an seiner tiefsten Stelle bezeichnet.As the reason of the gap while the present between the sealing webs section of the top plate is referred to at its lowest point.
In Umfangsrichtung sollte die Breite der Stege ausreichend sein, damit sie als Anschläge wirken können und nicht ihrerseits übermäßig stark elastisch verformt und eingedrückt werden können. Hierzu hat sich eine Breite der Stege von 0,3 bis 2 mm als sinnvoll erwiesen.In the circumferential direction, the width of the webs should be sufficient so that they can act as stops and not in turn excessively elastically deformed and can be pressed. For this purpose, a width of the webs of 0.3 to 2 mm has proven to be useful.
In der bevorzugten Ausführungsform sind mehrere Stege in etwa gleichen Winkelabständen entlang des ringförmigen Zwischenraumes verteilt angeordnet. Beispielsweise sind in der bevorzugten Ausführungsform der Erfindung sechs Stege jeweils in Winkelabständen von etwa 60° in dem Zwischenraum angeordnet und erstrecken sich um etwa 1,5 bis 1,8 mm vom tiefsten Grund des Zwischenraumes aus in axialer Richtung in den Zwischenraum hinein.In the preferred embodiment, a plurality of webs are arranged distributed at approximately equal angular intervals along the annular gap. For example, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, six webs are each disposed at angular intervals of about 60 ° in the gap and extend into the gap by about 1.5 to 1.8 mm from the deepest bottom of the gap in the axial direction.
Im übrigen hat es sich auch als zweckmäßig erwiesen, wenn die Wandstärke der Kopfplatte im Bereich des Zwischenraumes, genauer gesagt die minimale Wandstärke der Kopfplatte in diesem Bereich, etwas geringer ist als die Wandstärke der Kopfplatte im übrigen Bereich, das heißt insbesondere im Bereich unmittelbar innerhalb des inneren Dichtungssteges. Die Kopfplatte hat typischerweise eine weitgehend konstante Wandstärke in der Größenordnung von 0,8 bis 2,5 mm, zumeist zwischen 1 und 1,5 mm und kann zum Beispiel im Zentrum noch eine zusätzliche Verstärkung bzw. Aufwölbung aufweisen. Zweckmäßigerweise ist die (minimale) Wandstärke der Kopfplatte im Zwischenraum zwischen den Dichtungsstegen um 10 bis 50%, vorzugsweise um etwa 20 bis 40 % geringer als radial innerhalb des inneren Dichtungssteges.Moreover, it has also proven to be expedient if the wall thickness of the top plate in the region of the gap, more precisely, the minimum wall thickness of the top plate in this area, is slightly less than the wall thickness of the top plate in the remaining area, that is, especially in the area immediately inside of the inner sealing bar. The top plate typically has a largely constant wall thickness in the order of 0.8 to 2.5 mm, usually between 1 and 1.5 mm and may, for example, in the center still have an additional reinforcement or bulge. Conveniently, the (minimum) wall thickness of the top plate in the space between the sealing webs by 10 to 50%, preferably by about 20 to 40% less than radially within the inner sealing web.
Gemäß einer alternativen Ausführungsform der Erfindung sind die Einrichtungen zur Begrenzung des Eindringens des Flaschenhalsrandes in den Zwischenraum zwischen den inneren und äußeren Dichtungsstegen nicht zwischen diesen Dichtungsstegen, sondern z.B. radial außerhalb der Dichtungsstege vorgesehen. Hierzu kann ein radial außerhalb des äußeren Dichtungssteges liegender Wulst so vorgesehen und ausgestaltet werden, daß er als mehr oder weniger elastischer Anschlag für den oberen Gewinderand eines Flaschenhalsgewindes ausgebildet ist, wobei die Anschlagfläche des Wulstes, die im wesentlichen in einer Ebene senkrecht zur Schraubkappe verläuft, vom Grund des Zwischenraumes einen axialen Abstand hat, der um 0,3 bis 2 mm, vorzugsweise 0,5 bis 1,5 mm, größer ist als der axiale Abstand des oberen Gewinderandes von der oberen Randfläche des Gewindehalses einer Flasche, für welchen die Schraubkappe vorgesehen ist.According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the means for limiting the entry of the bottleneck edge into the space between the inner and outer sealing webs are not between these sealing webs, but e.g. provided radially outside the sealing webs. For this purpose, a radially outwardly of the outer sealing web lying bead can be provided and configured so that it is designed as a more or less elastic stop for the upper thread edge of a bottle neck thread, the stop surface of the bead, which runs in a plane perpendicular to the screw cap, from the bottom of the gap has an axial distance of 0.3 to 2 mm, preferably 0.5 to 1.5 mm, greater than the axial distance of the upper thread edge of the upper edge surface of the threaded neck of a bottle, for which the screw cap is provided.
Eine solche Ausführungsform ist insbesondere für Flaschenhälse geeignet, deren Gewinde über einen beträchtlichen Umfangsabschnitt in einer Ebene senkrecht zur Achse des Flaschenhalses ausläuft. Bei einem solchen Gewinde liegt der obere, abgeflachte Gewinderand über einen entsprechend großen Umfangsabschnitt an der Anschlagfläche des Wulstes an, so daß auch hierdurch eine eindeutig definierte axiale Position des Flaschenhalsrandes zwischen den beiden Dichtungsstreifen sichergestellt wird. Aufgrund der Anlage entweder des Gewinderandes an der Anschlagfläche eines Wulstes oder des Flaschenhalsrandes unmittelbar an den Stegoberflächen zwischen den Dichtungsstegen dringt der Flaschenhalsrand weniger tief zwischen die beiden Dichtungsstege ein als dies ohne entsprechende Anschläge möglich wäre, wobei die Elastizität der Anschläge noch einen gewissen Bewegungsspielraum lässt, so dass man die exakte axiale Position des Flaschenhalses zwischen den Dichtungsstegen im Verschluss noch durch ein mehr oder weniger starkes Festschrauben bzw. durch die Drehposition des Kappengewindes relativ zum Flaschenhalsgewinde innerhalb gewisser kleiner Grenzen einstellen kann.Such an embodiment is particularly suitable for bottle necks, the thread over a considerable peripheral portion terminates in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the bottle neck. In such a thread, the upper, flattened thread edge abuts a correspondingly large peripheral portion of the stop surface of the bead, so that hereby a clearly defined axial position of the bottle neck edge between the two sealing strips is ensured. Due to the abutment of either the threaded edge on the abutment surface of a bead or the bottleneck edge directly on the web surfaces between the sealing webs, the bottleneck edge penetrates less deeply between the two sealing webs than would be possible without appropriate stops, the elasticity of the stops still leaves a certain amount of room for maneuver, so that you can adjust the exact axial position of the bottle neck between the sealing webs in the closure even by a more or less strong tightening or by the rotational position of the cap thread relative to the bottleneck thread within certain small limits.
Bei dem herkömmlichen Verschluß war das Eindringen des Flaschenhalsrandes im wesentlichen dadurch begrenzt, daß sich der Zwischenraum zwischen den beiden Dichtungsstegen zur Kopfplatte hin zunehmend verjüngte und dadurch effektiv einen Widerstand für das weite Einschieben des Flaschenhalsrandes bildete. Dabei konnte der obere Rand des Flaschenhalses eine Position erreichen, die sehr nahe an der inneren Ebene der Kopfplatte bzw. nahe am Grund des Zwischenraumes zwischen den Dichtungsstegen lag. Durch die erfindungsgemäßen Maßen wird der Flaschenhalsrand in axialer Richtung größenordnungsmäßig um 1 mm von der inneren Ebene der Kopfplatte entfernt gehalten, und noch etwas weiter entfernt vom Grund des Zwischenraumes zwischen den beiden Dichtungsstegen, sofern die Kopfplatte im Bereich dieses Grundes etwas dünner ausgebildet ist als im übrigen Bereich der Kopfplatte, der Grund dieses Zwischenraumes also gegenüber der inneren Ebene der Kopfplatte noch zusätzlich etwas zurückversetzt ist. Selbstverständlich kann die Position bezüglich der inneren Ebene der Kopfplatte stärker von den angegebenen Maßen abweichen, wenn die Dicke der Kopfplatte verändert wird. Bezugspunkt ist letztlich der Grund des erwähnten Zwischenraumes.In the conventional closure, the penetration of the bottleneck edge was substantially limited by the fact that the space between the two sealing webs increasingly tapered towards the top plate and thus effectively formed a resistance to the wide insertion of the bottleneck edge. The upper edge of the bottle neck could reach a position that was very close to the inner plane of the top plate or close to the bottom of the gap between the sealing strips. By means of the dimensions according to the invention, the bottleneck edge is held in the axial direction on the order of 1 mm away from the inner plane of the top plate, and a little further away from the bottom of the space between the two Sealing webs, provided that the top plate is formed somewhat thinner in the region of this reason than in the remaining region of the top plate, the reason of this gap so compared to the inner plane of the top plate is additionally set back slightly. Of course, the position with respect to the inner plane of the top plate may deviate more from the specified dimensions when the thickness of the top plate is changed. Reference point is ultimately the reason of the mentioned gap.
Der Dichtungseingriff des Flaschenhalsrandes mit den beiden Dichtungsstegen bleibt qualitativ dabei im wesentlichen derselbe wie auch bei dem bekannten Verschluß, allerdings werden die Dichtungsstege dabei - insbesondere in der Nähe ihres Ansatzes an der Kopfplatte - etwas weniger aufgespreizt, als wenn man den Flaschenhalsrand tiefer in den Zwischenraum bis dorthin eindringen läßt, wo sich der Zwischenraum bereits deutlich verjüngt, so daß in diesem Bereich insbesondere der äußere Dichtsteg noch stärker unter Spannung gesetzt wird und damit noch besser abdichtet.The sealing engagement of the bottleneck edge with the two sealing webs remains qualitatively substantially the same as in the known closure, but the sealing webs are - spread slightly less, in particular in the vicinity of their approach to the top plate, as if the bottleneck deeper into the space can penetrate to where the gap already clearly tapers, so that in this area, in particular the outer sealing bar is placed even more under tension and thus even better seals.
Die erfindungsgemäße Ausgestaltung führt dazu, daß ab einem gewissen Innendruck in einem Behälter, der beispielsweise aufgrund übermäßig hoher Temperaturen einen Bereich deutlich oberhalb von 7 bar erreichen kann, etwas Gas aus dem Flaschenhals und zwischen Flaschenhalsrand und Dichtstegen hindurch entweichen kann, bis der Druck wieder hinreichend (konkret zum Beispiel auf eine Wert etwas oberhalb von 7 bar) abgesenkt ist. Durch den erfindungsgemäßen Verschluß wird also sichergestellt, daß immer ein hinreichender und erwünschter Überdruck in dem Behälter aufrechterhalten wird und nur ein übermäßig starker Überdruck abgebaut wird. Dies führt allenfalls zu einem leichten Entgasen überschüssiger Kohlensäure, insbesondere wenn in der Flüssigkeit übermäßig viel Kohlensäure gelöst war. Dadurch, daß jedoch immer ein hinreichender Überdruck erhalten bleibt, wird ein vollständiges oder auch weitgehendes CO2-Entgasen der Flüssigkeit verhindert.The inventive design results in that from a certain internal pressure in a container, which can reach a range well above 7 bar, for example, due to excessively high temperatures, some gas from the bottleneck and between the bottleneck and sealing webs can escape until the pressure is sufficient again (Specifically, for example, to a value just above 7 bar) is lowered. The closure according to the invention thus ensures that a sufficient and desired overpressure in the container is always maintained and only an excessively high overpressure is reduced. At best, this leads to a slight outgassing of excess carbon dioxide, in particular if excess carbon dioxide has been dissolved in the liquid. The fact that, however, always a sufficient overpressure is maintained, a complete or extensive CO 2 -emitting of the liquid is prevented.
Weitere Vorteile, Merkmale und Anwendungsmöglichkeiten der vorliegenden Erfindung ergeben sich aus der folgenden Beschreibung einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform und der dazugehörigen Figuren. Es zeigen:
- Figur 1
- eine Ansicht in axialer Richtung von innen auf eine erfindungsgemäße Verschlußkappe,
Figur 2- einen die Achse enthaltenden Schnitt durch die in
Figur 1 dargestellte Verschlußkappe, Figur 3- einen vergrößerten Ausschnitt der Verschlußkappe gemäß
Figur 1 , Figur 4- eine teilweise im Schnitt dargestellte und auf einen Flaschenhals aufgeschraubte Schraubkappe und
Figur 5- eine Ausschnittvergrößerung des eingekreisten Bereiches in
.Figur 4
- FIG. 1
- a view in the axial direction from the inside of a closure cap according to the invention,
- FIG. 2
- a section containing the axis through the in
FIG. 1 illustrated cap, - FIG. 3
- an enlarged section of the cap according to
FIG. 1 . - FIG. 4
- a partially shown in section and screwed onto a bottle neck screw cap and
- FIG. 5
- a section enlargement of the circled area in
FIG. 4 ,
Man erkennt in den
Von der Kopfplatte aus erstrecken sich in axialer Richtung nach innen zwei ringförmig umlaufende Dichtstege 4 und 5. Dabei ist der radial innere Dichtsteg etwas massiver und auch axial länger ausgebildet als der radial äußere Dichtsteg 4. Die maximale Dicke des inneren Dichtsteges beträgt z.B. 1 bis 1,5 mm und seine minimale Dicke liegt in der Größenordnung von 0,8 mm, wobei insbesondere die freie untere Kante auf ihrer Außenseite abgeschrägt ist, was das Hineingleiten des inneren Dichtsteges 4 in einen Flaschenhals erleichtern soll. Aufgrund des annähernd olivenförmigen Querschnittes des Dichtungssteges 4 zumindest auf seiner Außenseite, wird dieser Dichtungssteg entsprechend einem inzwischen üblich gewordenen Sprachgebrauch im folgenden auch als "Dichtolive" bezeichnet. Radial außerhalb der ringförmigen Dichtolive 4 erkennt man einen annähernd zylindrischen und etwas dünneren Dichtungssteg 5, dessen freies Ende auf der Innenseite etwas abgeschrägt und abgerundet ist, was wiederum das leichtere Aufgleiten des äußeren Dichtungssteges 5 auf den Rand eines Flaschenhalses erleichtern soll. Der lichte Zwischenraum zwischen dem inneren und äußeren Dichtungssteg 4 und 5 ist relativ schmal und beträgt zumeist nicht wesentlich mehr als 1 mm oder gar weniger. Noch weniger unterscheiden sich der maximale Radius des inneren Dichtsteges von dem minimalen Radius des äußeren Dichtsteges, deren Differenz typischerweise nur in der Größenordnung von 0,5 mm liegt.From the head plate extend in the axial direction inwardly two
Der Zwischenraum zwischen dem inneren Dichtsteg 4 und dem äußeren Dichtsteg 5 ist mit der Bezugszahl 9 bezeichnet.The space between the
In
In dem Zwischenraum 9 erkennt man sowohl in
Ohne die Stege bzw. Anschlagelemente 6 könnte der Flaschenhals 11 ohne weiteres noch um 0,5 bis 1 mm weiter in den Zwischenraum 9 eindringen, wobei insbesondere der äußere Dichtungssteg 5 noch stärker gedehnt und unter Spannung gesetzt wird und dadurch noch fester und dichter am Flaschenhalsrand anläge. Die etwas geringere Wandstärke d der Kopfplatte im Bereich des Zwischenraumes 9 hat im übrigen auch den Zweck, der Kopfplatte in diesem Bereich eine zusätzliche Elastizität und Dehnbarkeit zu verleihen, die ebenfalls zu dem festen und dichten Eingriff der beiden inneren und äußeren Dichtungsstege 4, 5 mit dem Flaschenhalsrand beiträgt.Without the webs or stop
Die Stege 6 sorgen dafür, daß dieser Dichtungseingriff zwar einerseits noch erhalten bleibt, aber nicht ganz so stark ist wie ohne die Stege 6. Dies führt dazu, daß ein übermäßiger Überdruck in der Flasche abgebaut wird. Sowohl die Flasche selbst als auch der Verschluß werden dadurch weniger stark belastet.The
Auch wenn, wie bereits erwähnt, die Einhaltung der exakten Maße, wie sie sich aus den Figuren ergeben, nicht erforderlich erscheint, ist dennoch zu vermuten, dass die vorteilhaften Wirkungen des erfindungsgemäßen Verschlusses darauf beruhen, dass er auf Toleranzabweichungen des Flaschenhalses und auch der Schraubkappe selbst relativ unempfindlich reagiert. Dies hängt vermutlich auch damit zusammen, dass dieser Verschluß neben den sonstigen geometrischen Besonderheiten, wie sie in den Ansprüchen definiert sind, aufgrund des verwendeten Materials (Polyolefin) und der Wandstärken der Dichtungsstege sowie der Kopfplatte im Bereich zwischen den Dichtungsstegen, und der Maße der Anschlagelemente bzw. Stege elastische Eigenschaften hat, die für das Auffangen von Toleranzabweichungen besonders günstig sind, ohne dass die Dichtungsfunktion des erfindungsgemäßen Verschlusses beeinträchtigt wird und dennoch ein Nachgeben der Dichtung bei Drücken deutlich oberhalb von 7 bar gewährleistet ist. Die relativen Maße der vorstehend aufgelisteten Elemente der Schraubkappe, wie sie sich aus den Figuren und den oben erwähnten Maßstäben ergeben, sollten daher möglichst innerhalb einer Schwankungsbreite von ± 20% eingehalten werden. Andere relative Maße können jedoch insbesondere dann sinnvoll und erforderlich sein, wenn die Prinzipien der vorliegenden Erfindung auf Behälterverschlüsse angewendet werden, bei welchen die Behälterhälse deutlich andere Maße (insbesondere andere Durchmesser und Wandstärken) haben als bei den hier dargestellten Ausführungsbeispielen.Even if, as already mentioned, the observance of the exact dimensions, as they emerge from the figures, does not seem necessary, it can still be assumed that the advantageous effects of the closure according to the invention are based on the tolerance deviations of the bottle neck and also of the screw cap itself reacts relatively insensitive. This is probably also related to the fact that this closure in addition to the other geometric features, as defined in the claims, due to the material used (polyolefin) and the wall thicknesses of the sealing webs and the top plate in the area between the sealing webs, and the dimensions of the stop elements or webs has elastic properties that are particularly favorable for the capture of tolerance deviations, without the sealing function of the closure according to the invention is impaired and yet yielding of the seal at Pressing is guaranteed well above 7 bar. The relative dimensions of the above-listed elements of the screw cap, as they result from the figures and the above-mentioned scales, should therefore be observed within a fluctuation range of ± 20%, if possible. However, other relative dimensions may be particularly useful and necessary if the principles of the present invention are applied to container closures in which the container necks have significantly different dimensions (especially other diameters and wall thicknesses) than in the embodiments illustrated herein.
Claims (9)
- Screw cap for containers with a threaded neck, in particular PET bottles, which are designed to hold drinks containing CO2, with a head plate (1), a roughly cylindrical cap shell (2) with internal thread (3), an essentially cylindrical inner sealing web (4) extending from the head plate (1) with a continuous annular region projecting radially outwards and an outer, essentially cylindrical sealing web (5) concentrically surrounding the inner sealing web (4), the maximum external radius of the inner sealing web and the minimum internal radius of the outer sealing web differing only slightly and preferably by less than 2 mm and in particular by less than 1 mm, the inner and outer sealing webs (4, 5) being specifically designed to accommodate the upper region of a bottle neck (11) in the annular intermediate space formed between them, characterized in that apparatuses (6, 7) are provided which limit the axial depth by which the bottle neck rim (11) penetrates the intermediate space between the inner (4) and outer sealing web (5).
- Screw cap according to claim 1, characterized in that the apparatuses are elevations or webs (6) extending axially into the intermediate space (9) from the base of the intermediate space (9).
- Screw cap according to claim 2, characterized in that the webs have an axial height of between 0.3 and 2 mm, preferably from 0.5 to 1.2 mm.
- Screw cap according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the webs have a width (measured in peripheral direction) of 0.5 to 3 mm.
- Screw cap according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the webs (6) are distributed at roughly equal angular distances along the annular intermediate space (9).
- Screw cap according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that six webs are provided at angular distances of approximately 60°.
- Screw cap according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a continuous annular bead (7) is provided radially outside the outer sealing web (5), which is developed as a stop for the upper thread edge of a bottle neck rim, the stop surface of the bead (7) having an axial distance from the base of the intermediate space (9) which is 0.3 to 2 mm, preferably 0.5 to 1.2 mm, bigger than the axial distance of the upper thread edge from the upper rim surface of the threaded neck of a bottle for which the screw cap is provided.
- Screw cap according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the wall thickness of the head plate is smaller in the region of the intermediate space (9) than in the region radially inside the inner sealing web (4).
- Screw cap according to claim 8, characterized in that the wall thickness of the cap base in the region of the intermediate space (9) is 5 to 15%, preferably approximately 10%, smaller than the wall thickness of the cap base in the region immediately radially inside the inner sealing web (4).
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
DE10245595 | 2002-09-30 | ||
DE10245595A DE10245595A1 (en) | 2002-09-30 | 2002-09-30 | Screw cap for pressurized containers |
PCT/DE2003/003169 WO2004031045A1 (en) | 2002-09-30 | 2003-09-24 | Screw cap for pressurised containers |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1545998A1 EP1545998A1 (en) | 2005-06-29 |
EP1545998B1 true EP1545998B1 (en) | 2008-06-18 |
Family
ID=31984285
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP03770880A Expired - Lifetime EP1545998B1 (en) | 2002-09-30 | 2003-09-24 | Screw cap for pressurised containers |
Country Status (11)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20050247663A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1545998B1 (en) |
AT (1) | ATE398583T1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2003280289A1 (en) |
BR (1) | BR0314806A (en) |
CA (1) | CA2496832A1 (en) |
DE (2) | DE10245595A1 (en) |
PL (1) | PL374268A1 (en) |
RU (1) | RU2005113687A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2004031045A1 (en) |
ZA (1) | ZA200501878B (en) |
Families Citing this family (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
ES2370825T3 (en) * | 2003-10-01 | 2011-12-23 | Obrist Closures Switzerland Gmbh | CLOSURE DEVICE |
US20080110851A1 (en) * | 2006-10-13 | 2008-05-15 | Owens-Illinois Closure Inc. | Dual seal closure and package |
US20120273452A1 (en) * | 2010-01-06 | 2012-11-01 | Soehnlen Daniel P | Combined lip and shoulder seal for threaded cap |
WO2013103946A1 (en) | 2012-01-06 | 2013-07-11 | Closure Systems International, Inc. | Linerless closure |
CN203780992U (en) * | 2013-10-28 | 2014-08-20 | 赫斯基注射器成型***有限公司 | Bottle cap for container |
DE102018116295A1 (en) * | 2018-07-05 | 2020-01-30 | Bericap Gmbh & Co. Kg | Screw cap with controlled seal |
Family Cites Families (16)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3255907A (en) * | 1964-01-13 | 1966-06-14 | Wheeling Stamping Co | Linerless screw closure for containers |
EP0076778A1 (en) * | 1981-10-05 | 1983-04-13 | Crown Obrist AG | Closure of plastics material |
EP0093690A1 (en) * | 1982-05-04 | 1983-11-09 | Crown Obrist AG | Closure for a container |
US4560077A (en) * | 1984-09-25 | 1985-12-24 | Sun Coast Plastics, Inc. | Plastic closure cap |
US4878589A (en) * | 1987-04-27 | 1989-11-07 | American National Can Company | Linerless cap closure |
US4936494A (en) * | 1988-07-26 | 1990-06-26 | Weatherchem Corporation | Two-flap container closure |
US5275287A (en) * | 1991-04-10 | 1994-01-04 | Mcg Closures Ltd. | Closures |
DE9117270U1 (en) * | 1991-08-09 | 1998-12-10 | Hertrampf, Michael, Dr., 30989 Gehrden | Screw cap for closing a bottle or the like. |
DE4203238A1 (en) * | 1992-02-05 | 1993-08-12 | Mouldtec Pvg Ag | Moulded screw cap for sealing PET bottle - has circular internal sealing lip on underside of top which has curved section and is pressed against inside of bottle neck when screwed on |
DE4221004A1 (en) * | 1992-06-26 | 1994-01-05 | Mouldtec Pvg Ag Meilen | Cap for beverage bottles |
JP3302178B2 (en) * | 1994-06-22 | 2002-07-15 | 日本クラウンコルク株式会社 | Synthetic resin container lid |
DE29623290U1 (en) * | 1995-10-31 | 1998-02-19 | Safety Cap System AG, Steinhausen | Closure for a bottle or the like. |
DE19705717A1 (en) * | 1997-02-14 | 1998-08-20 | Bericap Gmbh & Co Kg | Plastic screw cap |
EP0982234A1 (en) * | 1998-08-22 | 2000-03-01 | Crown Cork & Seal Technologies Corporation | Closure cap |
US6382445B1 (en) * | 2000-06-23 | 2002-05-07 | Alcoa Closure Systems International | Linerless closure with pressure seal holding feature |
US7308988B2 (en) * | 2002-12-02 | 2007-12-18 | Kao Corporation | Cap |
-
2002
- 2002-09-30 DE DE10245595A patent/DE10245595A1/en not_active Withdrawn
-
2003
- 2003-09-24 US US10/528,595 patent/US20050247663A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2003-09-24 AU AU2003280289A patent/AU2003280289A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2003-09-24 EP EP03770880A patent/EP1545998B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2003-09-24 RU RU2005113687/12A patent/RU2005113687A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2003-09-24 WO PCT/DE2003/003169 patent/WO2004031045A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 2003-09-24 PL PL03374268A patent/PL374268A1/en unknown
- 2003-09-24 CA CA002496832A patent/CA2496832A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2003-09-24 AT AT03770880T patent/ATE398583T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2003-09-24 DE DE50310013T patent/DE50310013D1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2003-09-24 BR BR0314806-8A patent/BR0314806A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
-
2005
- 2005-03-04 ZA ZA200501878A patent/ZA200501878B/en unknown
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US20050247663A1 (en) | 2005-11-10 |
DE10245595A1 (en) | 2004-04-08 |
ZA200501878B (en) | 2006-05-31 |
BR0314806A (en) | 2005-08-02 |
DE50310013D1 (en) | 2008-07-31 |
WO2004031045A1 (en) | 2004-04-15 |
CA2496832A1 (en) | 2004-04-15 |
AU2003280289A1 (en) | 2004-04-23 |
EP1545998A1 (en) | 2005-06-29 |
PL374268A1 (en) | 2005-10-03 |
RU2005113687A (en) | 2006-07-10 |
ATE398583T1 (en) | 2008-07-15 |
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