RESOURCE-SAVING CLOSURE DEVICE

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to German Patent Application No. 10 2024 115 698.8 filed Jun. 5, 2024, which is incorporated herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a closure unit for selectively closing or releasing a container opening of a container, wherein the closure unit comprises a closure cap, wherein the closure cap has a cap cover plate and a cap skirt adjoining the cap cover plate on the circumferential side, wherein the cap skirt extends at least in sections cylindrically and/or conically about a closure cap axis, wherein the cap skirt has an outer surface directed away from the closure cap axis and an inner surface directed towards the closure cap axis, wherein the closure cap has a first guiding means which is arranged on the inner surface of the cap skirt, wherein the first guiding means is configured and arranged in such a way that it can be brought into engagement with a second guiding means of a container in order to close the container opening of the container.

BACKGROUND

Closure units for containers are produced in large quantities. It is therefore desirable to minimize the resources required for the production of a closure unit. This not only reduces production costs, but also the ecological footprint of the closure unit. For example, the document DE 10 2025 111 245 A1 deals with an easy-to-produce closure cap made from a reduced amount of plastic, which ensures a good hold on a bottle neck even under increased internal pressure.

However, the reduction in the raw materials used should not lead to a reduction in the stability of the closure unit.

It is therefore a problem of the present invention to create a closure unit which, on the one hand, requires significantly less material and, on the other hand, has a constant stability and load-bearing capacity.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, the problem is solved by a closure unit for optionally closing or releasing a container opening of a container, wherein the closure unit comprises a closure cap, wherein the closure cap has a cap cover plate and a cap skirt adjoining the cap cover plate on the circumferential side, wherein the cap skirt extends at least in sections cylindrically and/or conically about a closure cap axis, wherein the closure cap has an outer surface directed away from the closure cap axis and an inner surface directed towards the closure cap axis, wherein the closure cap has a first guiding means which is arranged on the inner surface of the cap skirt, wherein the first guiding means is configured and arranged in such a way that it can be brought into engagement with a second guiding means of a container, in order to close the container opening of the container, wherein a lattice structure band composed of a plurality of first recesses and webs and optionally having a plurality of spaced-apart sections is provided in the inner surface of a cylindrical section of the cap skirt, wherein the lattice structure band extends in the circumferential direction and has a sequence of webs and first recesses, wherein a first recess is arranged in each case between two webs in the circumferential direction, wherein the lattice structure band or its section is arranged on a side of the first guiding means facing away from the cap cover plate and/or on a side of the first guiding means facing the cap cover plate and/or between two guiding means segments arranged one above the other in the direction of the closure cap axis (hereinafter also referred to as axial direction).

The provided lattice structure band extends in the circumferential direction only along the inner surface of a cylindrical section of the cap skirt. The shape and dimensions of the outer surface of the cap skirt are not influenced by the lattice structure band, so that the design of the outer surface of the cap skirt is independent of the lattice structure band. The lattice structure band is composed of a plurality of first recesses and webs, wherein a web alternates with a first recess, i.e. a first recess is arranged between two webs and vice versa. Here, the side walls of the first recesses, i.e. the walls of the first recesses running essentially parallel or at an acute angle (less than 45°) to the axial direction, can simultaneously constitute the side walls of the webs and vice versa, which simplifies the demolding of injection-molded closure units. The lattice structure band can have a single section or several sections spaced apart from one another, wherein the aforementioned sequence of webs and first recesses does not have to be observed in every case during the transition from one section to the next section. For example, a section can end with a web and the next (adjacent) section of the lattice structure band can begin with a web again. However, first recesses and webs alternate within a section. Sections of the lattice structure band can be spaced from one another both in the circumferential direction and in the axial direction. Each section of the lattice structure band can, for example, have one first recess, two first recesses, three first recesses, four first recesses, five first recesses or more than five first recesses, wherein a web is arranged between two first recesses in the circumferential direction in each case. A first recess is delimited by two webs in the circumferential direction.

Due to the large number of first recesses provided in the inner surface of the cap skirt, the lattice structure band saves a considerable amount of material required for the closure unit. This conservation of resources is achieved in particular because cap material can be reduced in the area of a large number of first recesses. On the other hand, the stability and load-bearing capacity remain at least unchanged due to the lattice structure. The lattice structure of alternating webs, i.e. elevations, and first recesses in the cap skirt also advantageously results in greater flexibility of the cap skirt, which enables it to withstand external loads without damage and allows external forces to be better distributed. According to one embodiment, the lattice structure band extends, if necessary in sections, over a circumferential angle of at least 180°, preferably over a circumferential angle of at least 270°. Here, areas of the cap wall between two sections are included, wherein according to one embodiment the areas between two sections do not exceed a proportion of the circumferential angle of 30%. In the case of several sections of the lattice structure band that lie one above the other in the axial direction, the respective circumferential angles are added together, so that the lattice structure band has a circumferential angle that is greater than 360° according to one embodiment, a circumferential angle that is greater than 540° according to another embodiment, and a circumferential angle that is greater than 720° according to a further embodiment. When sections of the lattice structure band are adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction, the respective circumferential angle taken is determined in such a way that a section is arranged at the beginning and at the end of the respective circumferential angle (and not an area between two sections).

For the purposes of the present invention, elevations and depressions in connection with first guide means such as internal threads or bayonet elements are not to be regarded as forming part of the lattice structure band. In particular, when considering the inner surface of the cap skirt and its distance from the cap axis, the first guiding means or any further guiding means arranged on the inner surface is excluded from consideration. Consequently, the first guiding means or any further guiding means itself with its or their profile thicknesses does not create a recess of the inner surface of the cap skirt or web in the sense of the present invention. For example, a first guiding means may be an internal thread. The first guiding means is characterized by its function in connection with the closure unit, namely that it engages with corresponding second guiding means of the container when the container opening of the container is closed or the closure unit is actuated to close the container opening.

The arrangement of the lattice structure band or its sections according to the invention on a side of the first guiding means facing away from the cap cover plate and/or on a side of the first guiding means facing the cap cover plate and/or in particular between two guiding means segments arranged one above the other in the direction of the closure cap axis makes optimum use of the surfaces available on the inside of the cap skirt to save material without impairing the functionality of the closure unit, for example the function of the guiding means and, as shown above, its strength.

According to one embodiment, the lattice structure band extends at least over a circumferential angle section over which the first guiding means (possibly a segment of the first guiding means) extends without interruption. This extension in the circumferential direction results in significant material savings. In combination with the first guiding means, good stability of the closure cap is also achieved.

According to one embodiment, the lattice structure has several first recesses, wherein each first recess extends flat over a respective circumferential angle section and a respective axial length (length in the direction of the closure cap axis), wherein the radial distance of the inner surface to the closure cap axis within a first recess, i.e. in the area of the recess base, is greater than in sections of the inner surface which directly adjoin the respective first recess on both sides in the circumferential direction, i.e. in the web areas including the web walls. The respective first recess in the inner surface is, for example, radially depressed (recessed) by 0.25 mm or 0.3 mm (in other embodiments, for example, by 0.2 mm to 1.5 mm) in relation to the adjacent web regions, which directly adjoin the respective first recess on both sides in the circumferential direction. According to one embodiment, at least one of the first recesses is configured as a recess whose recess base extends axially and parallel to the closure cap axis. According to a further embodiment, at least one side surface of the first recess or of the respective adjacent web can, for example, run parallel to the cap axis. In this case, the web areas can have the same or a smaller radial distance to the cap axis than these neighboring sections of the inner wall of the cap skirt, which have neither recesses nor guiding means.

According to one embodiment, the dimension of the lattice structure band or its section in the direction of the cap axis corresponds in each case to the length of the respective first recess including the side walls of the first recess adjoining in the direction of the cap axis (axial direction) in this direction (the dimension thus corresponds to the axial length of the respective recess base and the side walls adjoining in the axial direction) and is smaller than the extent of the first guiding means in the direction of the cap axis. According to a further embodiment, the webs each extend over the entire dimension of the respective lattice structure band in the direction of the closure cap axis. The lattice structure band can thus have a constant axial dimension or a varying axial dimension over the entire lattice structure band or a section in the axial direction. The axial dimension can vary periodically or non-periodically, e.g. increase and/or decrease.

According to one embodiment of the closure unit, the length in the direction of the closure cap axis of at least half of the first recesses of the lattice structure band in the axial direction is at least 1 mm in each case, for example at least 1.2 mm. According to one embodiment of the closure unit, the length of at least half of the first recesses of the lattice structure band in the axial direction is at least 3 mm in each case.

According to one embodiment of the closure unit, at least half of the webs of the lattice structure band each extend axially over at least 1 mm. According to one embodiment of the closure unit, at least half of the webs of the lattice structure band each extend axially over at least 3 mm. According to one embodiment of the closure unit, at least half of the webs of the lattice structure band each extend axially over a maximum of 15 mm.

According to one embodiment of the closure unit, the recess base of each first recess is flat and runs parallel or at an angle to the closure cap axis. Here, a course of the recess base parallel to the closure cap axis means that each longitudinal cut of the first recess (i.e. each cut in a plane that includes the closure cap axis) runs parallel to the closure cap axis. If the recess base is inclined, the section of the first recess runs along the plane indicated above at an angle to the cap axis, i.e. the upper section of the recess base is, for example, less recessed, i.e. away from the cap axis, than the lower section of the recess base or vice versa. The angle to the cap axis is small, i.e. it can be at most 30°, for example.

According to one embodiment of the closure unit, the first guiding means is an internal thread. An internal thread within the meaning of the present invention can have a continuous profile or can also consist of several segments spaced apart from one another. The internal thread or an internal thread segment has a profile depth greater than zero and a thread pitch greater than zero along its extension.

According to one embodiment of the closure unit, the first guiding means is a bayonet element. The bayonet element can be configured as a profile with a profile depth greater than zero, wherein the profile extends planar in sections in a plane perpendicular to the closure cap axis. In other words, the profile has a gradient equal to zero in such a section. In addition, the profile may have a ramp area in which the profile rises with a pitch angle greater than zero relative to the surface perpendicular to the cap axis.

According to one embodiment, the first guiding means has at least one second recess which extends in the direction of the cap axis and whose dimension in the direction of the cap axis (i.e. in the axial direction) is greater than or equal to the extent of the guiding means. The first guiding means can be interrupted by the at least one second recess in the circumferential direction in the region of at least one second recess of the inner surface, so that the at least one second recess separates two adjacent guiding means segments of the first guiding means from one another when viewed in the circumferential direction. According to one embodiment, the first guiding means is in each case interrupted in the circumferential direction in the regions of a plurality of such second recesses of the inner surface, so that the plurality of second recesses in each case separate two adjacent guiding means segments from one another when viewed in the circumferential direction. The at least one second recess, which for example has a dimension in the circumferential direction of at least 1 mm and a length in the axial direction of at least 5 mm, serves as a venting groove and is used in connection with containers which may be under pressure (e.g. containing carbonated beverages). Accordingly, according to one embodiment, the lattice structure band can be interrupted in the circumferential direction in the region of at least one second recess of the inner surface, so that the at least one second recess separates two sections of the lattice structure band that are adjacent when viewed in the circumferential direction. Accordingly, according to one embodiment, the plurality of first recesses, viewed in the circumferential direction, is arranged in sections that lie between two second recesses that are adjacent in the circumferential direction. In this case, the first recesses can be arranged directly between neighboring second recesses or are located in sections that are, so to speak, in an axial extension (beyond the respective axial end of the second recesses) of these areas formed directly between neighboring second recesses. According to a further embodiment, the lattice structure band is in each case interrupted in the circumferential direction in the regions of a plurality of such second recesses of the inner surface, so that the plurality of second recesses in each case separate two sections of the lattice structure band which are adjacent as viewed in the circumferential direction. According to one embodiment, elevations are configured on the outer surface of the cap skirt, wherein each elevation runs parallel with a second recess in such a way that the cap skirt has a U-shaped profile in the area of the second recess. This achieves a further improvement in stability. According to a further embodiment, the elevations on the outer surface of the cap skirt extend into an annular section of the cap skirt, which (viewed in the axial direction) extends below the end of the second recesses facing away from the cap cover plate. As a result, the cap skirt has a greater wall thickness in the area of the elevations in the annular section than in the areas between the elevations. According to one embodiment, first recesses of the lattice structure band can be arranged exclusively in these areas of the annular section lying between the elevations. Consequently, three different wall thicknesses are realized in the annular section, namely a first, large wall thickness in the region of the elevations on the outer surface, a third, small wall thickness in the region of the first recesses and a second wall thickness which is between the first and third wall thicknesses, wherein the second wall thickness is configured between the elevations on the outer surface, in the region of the webs of the lattice structure band.

According to one embodiment, the lattice structure band is arranged in a portion of the cap skirt which is arranged below the end of the second recess facing away from the cap cover plate, or starts in a portion of the cap skirt at this end of the second recess and extends in the axial direction away from the cap cover plate. In the side of the second recess facing away from the cap cover plate, which in many cases also lies on the side of the first guiding means facing away from the cap cover plate, there is a section of the closure cap in which the lattice structure band can be arranged in a particularly simple manner and in which the lattice structure band can extend over a large circumferential angle range, so that the resource-saving properties of the lattice structure band are particularly effective here. In addition, the lattice structure band gives this section good stability. According to one embodiment, a first recess and/or a web of the lattice structure band can be arranged directly below a second recess, wherein the first recess and/or the web has a predetermined distance in the axial direction from the underside of the second recess, so that the cap skirt has the required stability despite the reduced wall thickness. According to one embodiment, for example, the distance can be at least 0.2 mm, according to another embodiment, for example, at least 0.5 mm.

According to one embodiment, each first recess has a rectangular, triangular, circular, elliptical or polygonal shape or a shape composed of these shapes when viewed in the plane of an unrolled cap skirt. These shapes are particularly easy and inexpensive to produce by injection molding. For the same reason, it is also advantageous if the first recesses have similar shapes when viewed in the plane of the unrolled cap skirt. According to one embodiment, the dimension of a first recess of the plurality of first recesses in the axial direction can be between 0.3 mm and 5 mm, for example between 0.5 mm and 4 mm. According to one embodiment, the dimension of a first recess of the plurality of first recesses in the circumferential direction can be between 1 mm and 10 mm, for example between 1.3 mm and 7 mm.

According to one embodiment of the closure unit, the lattice structure band extends axially in the direction of the cap cover plate exclusively up to an upper axial limit and not beyond, wherein the upper axial limit is axially at most 5 mm away from the cap cover plate. According to an embodiment related thereto, the upper axial limit of the lattice structure band is at a maximum distance of 2 mm from the cap cover plate. In particular, the upper axial limit may be substantially identical to the axial position of the inner surface of the cap cover plate. Correspondingly configured first recesses consequently extend over a large axial area of the cap skirt and consequently enable particularly high savings in the resources used to manufacture the closure unit.

According to one embodiment, the first recesses in a section of the lattice structure band are arranged in groups of three first recesses arranged next to each other in the circumferential direction. This means that a group of three first recesses (as well as associated webs) form a section of the lattice structure band and the next, for example adjacent, section also has a group of three first recesses (and correspondingly 2, 3 or 4 webs). Such a distribution of first recesses in individual sections has proven to be particularly advantageous with regard to the stability of the cap skirt. Alternatively, sections of the lattice structure band can, for example, have groups of four or five first recesses arranged next to each other in the circumferential direction.

According to one embodiment of the closure unit, the cap skirt has at least a first cylinder section and a second cylinder section, wherein the second cylinder section is arranged on the side of the first cylinder section facing away from the cap cover plate, wherein the second cylinder section has no lattice structure band and an inner radius which is larger than the inner radius of the first cylinder section in a region without first or second recesses, wherein the first cylinder section has the lattice structure band, wherein the lattice structure band extends axially in a direction facing away from the cap cover plate exclusively up to a lower axial limit and not beyond, wherein according to a first alternative the lower axial limit of the second cylinder section has a predetermined distance in the axial direction and is thus arranged closer to the cap cover plate than the second cylinder section. This makes it possible, among other things, to attach a guarantee ring with flex band. The guarantee ring can, for example, be attached to the lower end of the closure cap as an imaginary axial continuation of the second cylinder section and be connected to the cap skirt via an easily breakable connection. Due to the larger inner radius of the second cylinder section compared to the first cylinder section, the guarantee ring can also have an inwardly foldable flex band with which the guarantee ring can be brought into engagement with a pilfer-proof ring of a container neck.

According to one embodiment of the closure unit, the cap skirt has a constant wall thickness in at least one sectional plane perpendicular to the closure cap axis, which does not intersect the lattice structure band of the inner surface. According to one embodiment, the closure unit has a substantially varying wall thickness in a sectional plane extending along the lattice structure band, wherein the wall thickness is reduced in the areas of the recesses, any guide center elements being disregarded when determining the wall thickness.

According to one embodiment of the closure unit, at least half of the first recesses of the lattice structure band each extend in the circumferential direction over a circumferential angle of at least 2 degrees. According to one embodiment, at least half of the first recesses of the lattice structure band each extend over a circumferential angle of at least 5 degrees in the circumferential direction. According to one embodiment, at least half of the first recesses of the lattice structure band each extend in the circumferential direction over a circumferential angle of at most 30 degrees.

According to one embodiment of the closure unit, at least half of the webs of the lattice structure band each extend in the circumferential direction over a circumferential angle of at least 1 degree. According to one embodiment, at least half of the webs of the lattice structure band each extend in the circumferential direction over a circumferential angle of at least 3 degrees.

According to one embodiment of the closure unit, at least half of the first recesses of the lattice structure band each extend in the circumferential direction over an arc length that is equal to or greater than the axial extent of the respective recess. According to one embodiment of the closure unit, at least half of the webs of the lattice structure band each extend in the circumferential direction over an arc length that is equal to or less than the axial extent of the respective web.

According to one embodiment of the closure unit, the lattice structure band extends in the circumferential direction as a complete ring over a circumferential angle of 360°, which is located on a side of the first guiding means that faces away from the cap cover plate. This enables high rigidity, flexibility and at the same time great material savings in an area of the closure unit that is particularly stressed in practice, so that the risk of deformation of the closure unit due to external forces is reduced.

According to one embodiment of the closure unit, the closure unit is made of a plastic material. In particular, the closure unit can consist of one or more plastic materials. In particular, the closure unit can be manufactured by injection molding.

According to one embodiment of the closure unit, the closure unit has a maximum inner diameter of 25 mm to 80 mm, preferably of 26 mm to 70 mm.

According to one embodiment of the closure unit, the closure unit has a total axial height of 14 mm to 50 mm, preferably of 15 mm to 40 mm.

According to one embodiment of the closure unit, the closure cap has at least one latching projection for receiving a sealing washer, wherein the at least one latching projection is arranged on the inside and between the cap cover plate and the first guiding means. In particular, such an embodiment can also have a guarantee ring that is either completely detachable or tethered to indicate initial opening of the closure unit. In combination with a sealing washer, a sufficient sealing and safety effect is then provided.

According to one embodiment of the closure unit, the closure cap has a support ring extending circumferentially around the closure cap axis and a cutting tooth, wherein both the support ring and the cutting tooth are arranged on the outer surface of the cap cover plate. In other words, the support ring and the cutting tooth are arranged above the cap cover plate. In particular, the support ring can be configured as an axial extension of the cap skirt, which extends axially beyond the cap cover plate. The cutting tooth can have an at least partially axially extending cutting edge. Such closure units are particularly advantageous if the container opening of a container, the pouring opening of which is closed by the closure unit, has an additional sealing film with which the pouring opening is closed before first use. In such a case, the closure cap can be unscrewed the first time it is opened, placed upside down on the container neck and fixed in place relative to the container neck by the support ring. If the closure cap is then rotated about the closure cap axis, the cutting tooth cuts the sealing film and thus enables the pouring opening of the container to be used.

According to one embodiment of the closure unit, the closure unit has a guarantee band, preferably a guarantee ring, wherein the guarantee band is connected to the cap skirt via at least one easily tearable connection, wherein the guarantee band can be completely detached from the cap skirt according to a first alternative. According to a second alternative, the guarantee band is tethered to the cap skirt via a connecting element. Preferably, the guarantee band is connected to the cap skirt via a connecting element in such a way that the connecting element can withstand a tensile force of at least 12.5 Newtons, preferably at least 25 Newtons, without causing the closure cap to detach from the guarantee band. The guarantee band can be configured as a complete guarantee ring. In particular, the guarantee band can be arranged on the side of the cap skirt facing away from the cap cover plate.

According to one embodiment of the closure unit, the closure unit has a guarantee ring, wherein the guarantee ring is connected to the cap skirt via an easily tearable connection. Such a guarantee ring can have a flex band, wherein the flex band can be configured as a ring or as a ring section and can be hingedly connected to an upper section of the guarantee ring, so that the flex band can be folded over towards the closure cap axis in order to be brought into engagement with a pilfer-proof ring of a container in this folded-over position. The flex band therefore enables the guarantee ring to be connected to the container. The easily tearable connection between the guarantee ring and the cap skirt can then tear due to axial forces acting when the closure cap is opened.

According to one embodiment of the closure unit, the closure unit has a guarantee ring, wherein the guarantee ring is connected to the cap skirt via an easily tearable connection, wherein the guarantee ring has internal blocking elements, wherein the blocking elements are configured such that they can be brought into engagement with projections of a container neck in order to prevent co-rotation of the guarantee ring and the closure cap. This can cause tearing of the easily tearable connection due to shear forces.

The embodiments of the closure unit according to the invention described above can be combined with each other, unless mutually exclusive alternatives are expressly mentioned.

The present invention also relates to a combination of a container with a closure unit according to one of the embodiments described above, wherein the combination also solves the above-mentioned problem.

According to one embodiment of the combination according to the invention, the container has a container opening, wherein the container has a second guiding means, wherein the first guiding means and the second guiding means can be brought into engagement with one another in order to close the pouring opening and thus bring it into a closed state, wherein the first guiding means and the second guiding means can be brought out of engagement in order to release the container opening and thus bring it into an open state.

In particular, the container opening can have a circular cross-sectional area. The combination can be configured in such a way that the circular cross-sectional area is completely released in the open state. For the purposes of the present invention, a circular cross-sectional area is to be understood as a complete circular area and not, for example, a merely annular area. According to one embodiment of the combination, the container has a sealing film or sealing plate, wherein the sealing film or sealing plate closes the pouring opening before the closure unit is opened for the first time.

According to one embodiment of the combination according to the invention, the container has only a single container opening.

Those features of the closure unit according to the invention which have been described above in connection with such a closure unit can also be features of a closure unit which is a component of a combination of a container with a closure unit according to the invention. Conversely, a closure unit according to the invention may also have features that are only described in connection with a combination according to the invention.

The terms “below” and “above” are to be understood in the context of the present invention in such a way that “below an element” refers to an arrangement on one side of the corresponding element, which is reached by following an axial direction pointing from the cap cover plate towards the cap skirt. Consequently, “above an element” refers to an arrangement on one side of the corresponding element which is reached by following an axial direction pointing from the cap skirt in the direction of the cap cover plate.

In the context of the present invention, “first recess” and “second recess” denote elements of the closure unit and “first wall thickness”, “second wall thickness” and “third wall thickness” denote different wall thicknesses, wherein the words ‘first’ and “second” are not to be understood as an enumeration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Further features, advantages and embodiments of the present invention can be found in the attached figures and the accompanying description. It shows schematically:

FIG. 1 a first embodiment of a closure unit according to the invention in a perspective view from the side,

FIG. 2 a cross-sectional view of the embodiment according to FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 a section of a further cross-section of the embodiment according to FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 an enlargement of section A of FIG. 3,

FIG. 5 a second embodiment of a closure unit according to the invention in a perspective view from the side,

FIG. 6 a cross-sectional view of the embodiment according to FIG. 5,

FIG. 7 a section of a further cross-section of the embodiment according to FIG. 5,

FIG. 8 an enlargement of the section B of FIG. 7,

FIG. 9 a third embodiment of a closure unit according to the invention in a perspective view from the side,

FIG. 10 a cross-sectional view of the embodiment according to FIG. 9,

FIG. 11 a section of a further cross-section of the embodiment according to FIG. 9,

FIG. 12 an enlargement of the section C of FIG. 11,

FIG. 13 a fourth embodiment of a closure unit according to the invention in a perspective view from the side,

FIG. 14 a cross-sectional view of the embodiment according to FIG. 13,

FIG. 15 a section of a further cross-section of the embodiment according to FIG. 13,

FIG. 16 an enlargement of the section D of FIG. 15,

FIG. 17 a fifth embodiment of a closure unit according to the invention in a perspective view from the side,

FIG. 18 a cross-sectional view of the embodiment according to FIG. 17,

FIG. 19 a section of a further cross-section of the embodiment according to FIG. 17,

FIG. 20 an enlargement of the section AA of FIG. 19,

FIG. 21 a sixth embodiment of a closure unit according to the invention in a perspective view from the side,

FIG. 22 a cross-sectional view of the embodiment according to FIG. 21,

FIG. 23 a section of a further cross-section of the embodiment according to FIG. 21,

FIG. 24 an enlargement of the section BB of FIG. 23,

FIG. 25 a seventh embodiment of a closure unit according to the invention in a perspective view from the side,

FIG. 26 a cross-sectional view of the embodiment according to FIG. 25,

FIG. 27 a section of a further cross-section of the embodiment according to FIG. 25,

FIG. 28 an enlargement of the section CC of FIG. 27.

FIG. 29 an eighth embodiment of a closure unit according to the invention in a perspective view from the side,

FIG. 30 a cross-sectional view of the embodiment according to FIG. 29,

FIG. 31 a section of a further cross-section of the embodiment according to FIG. 29 and

FIG. 32 an enlargement of the section DD of FIG. 31.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PARTICULAR EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1 to 4 show a first embodiment of a closure unit 1 according to the invention in the form of a closure cap 2, which has a substantially cylindrical cap skirt 3 and a cap cover plate 4. The cap skirt 3 adjoins the circumference of the cap cover plate 4. An outer surface 6 of the cap skirt has a circumferential grip fluting in the upper section 6a, which ensures a good grip of the closure cap 2 when it is rotated to release or close a container opening not shown. An inner surface 7 has a guiding means in the form of an internal thread 9, wherein the internal thread 9 is interrupted by second recesses 10 arranged equidistantly around the inner circumference of the cap skirt 3. Each of the second recesses 10 extends axially parallel to the cap axis 13 and over the entire axial extent of the internal thread 9 and constitutes a venting groove. Each second recess 10 separates two adjacent thread segments, which form an imaginary, continuous thread, from one another in the circumferential direction. As can be seen from FIG. 3, the imaginary thread of the internal thread 9 extends over a circumferential angle of more than 720° in total. In order to completely unscrew or screw on the closure unit 1 shown from a container neck with a corresponding external thread (not shown) surrounding the container opening, an angle of rotation of more than 720 degrees is therefore required, i.e. more than two full turns. Alternatively, internal threads with shorter imaginary threads can be used, in particular in the range from 360 degrees to 720 degrees or even below 360 degrees.

Below the upper section 6a of the cap skirt 3 with grip fluting on the outer surface 6 and internal thread 9 on the inner surface 7, there is a circumferential ring 6b which projects radially from the upper section 6a. A guarantee ring 14 is arranged at the lower end of the ring 6b, which is connected to the cap skirt 3 via a weakening line 15. The guarantee ring 14 has a flex band section 17, which is clearly recognizable in FIGS. 1 to 3, which is hingedly connected to an outer section of the guarantee ring 14 at its lower end and is bent inwards in the representation shown here. The flex band section 17 also has weakening recesses 18. These weakening recesses 18 make it easier to fold the flex strap section 17 inwards.

The closure unit 1 also has a lattice structure band in the inner surface, which has a plurality of sections 19a to 19e, each of which is separated from the other by the second recesses 10. Each section 19a to 19e of the lattice structure band has a first recess 20 and webs 21 arranged on both sides of the first recess 20 in the circumferential direction. Each first recess 20 has a substantially rectangular shape in the recess base (corresponds here and in the following embodiments to the shape when the cap skirt 3 is unrolled). In particular, the magnification of FIG. 4 shows that the wall thickness (material thickness in radial direction in relation to the cap skirt axis 13) of the cap skirt 3 is reduced in the area of the first recess 20. The first recesses 20 and the webs 21 are arranged in an area of the cap skirt 3 below the internal thread 9, i.e. on the side of the internal thread 9 facing away from the cap cover plate 9. A section of the portions 19a to 19e of the lattice structure band is provided in the circumferential direction in each case between two adjacent second recesses 10 serving for venting. The axial extent of each first recess 20 is, for example, 2.3 mm, wherein the first recesses 20 shown on the right-hand side in FIG. 2 and in FIG. 3 have a smaller axial extent (e.g. 1.7 mm) than the other first recesses 20 shown in FIG. 2. The webs 21 form the transition to the second recesses 10. The lattice structure band with the first recesses 20 and the webs 21 extends approximately over a circumferential angle of 210°, wherein each section 19a to 19e of the lattice structure band comprises a respective circumferential angle of 30°. In the circumferential direction, the first recesses 20 have a length of approximately 6 mm, for example. The recess base of the first recesses 20 runs parallel to the closure cap axis 13 (see FIG. 4). As can be seen in particular from FIG. 4, the wall thickness in the area of the first recesses 20 is reduced by the amount r of e.g. 0.25 mm compared to the wall thickness in the other areas of the internal wall 7 (see e.g. areas 7a and 7b above the internal thread 9 and below the internal thread 9). This results in considerable material savings, wherein the stability and load-bearing capacity of the closure unit is not impaired, since the lattice structure comprises first recesses 20 and webs 21. It should be pointed out here that the wall thickness of the cap skirt 3 to be measured radially is identical in all areas without second and first recesses 10, 20, since the cap skirt 3 is regarded in the sense of the present invention as an element separate from the internal thread 9 as guiding means. The one-piece configuration of cap skirt 3 and internal thread 9 shown here results in the variation of the material thickness in the sectional planes shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, since the first guiding means configured as an internal thread 9 with a thread pitch greater than zero naturally exhibits a variation of the radial material thickness in the axial direction in a sectional plane parallel to the closure cap axis 13.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 to 8 and all subsequent embodiments of the closure unit are configured identically to the first embodiment with regard to many features. Identical reference signs refer to identical elements, so that reference is made to the explanations above. In the following, only the differences between the embodiments shown are discussed.

In contrast to the first embodiment, the second embodiment (see FIGS. 5 to 8) of a closure unit 1 has first recesses 40 in sections 19a to 19e, the recess base of which extends at an angle to the closure cap axis 13. This can be seen in particular in FIG. 8. The reduction r of the wall thickness is greater in the lower region of the first recess 40 than in the upper region, wherein the reduction r at the lower end of the first recess 40 can be about 0.25 mm, for example. The material reduction by the lattice structure band with the webs 21 and first recesses 40 is thus somewhat less than in the first embodiment. However, the lattice structure band has slightly greater stability.

The third embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 to 12 has, in each section 19a to 19e, a group of three first recesses 60 and webs 61 located between them or delimiting the respective section 19a to 19e on the sides, which are arranged next to one another in the circumferential direction. The first recesses 60 each have a triangular shape on their recess base when the cap skirt 3 is unrolled. The webs 61 are correspondingly adapted to this shape. For reasons of clarity, the first recesses 60 and webs 61 are only partially labeled in FIGS. 10 and 11. The same applies analogously to the other embodiments described with reference to FIGS. 13 to 32. The first recesses 60 and the webs 61 are arranged in a region of the cap skirt 3 below the internal thread 9. The axial extent of each first recess 60 is, for example, 1.25 mm. The lattice structure band with the first recesses 60 and the webs 61 extends approximately over a circumferential angle of 210°, wherein each section 19a to 19e of the lattice structure band comprises a respective circumferential angle of 30°. Each first recess 60 is approximately 1.4 mm long at its lower end in the circumferential direction. As can be seen from FIG. 12, the recess base of the first recesses 60 runs parallel to the closure cap axis 13. As can be seen in particular from FIG. 12, the wall thickness in the region of the first recesses 60 is reduced by the amount r of, for example, 0.25 mm compared with the wall thickness in the other regions of the sections 19a to 19e, that is to say the webs 61. The shapes of the first recesses 60 and the webs 61 increase the stability of the region of the cap skirt 3 in the region immediately adjacent to the internal thread 9. It is understood that other shapes of the recess base (for example pentagons or circles) can also be provided. Furthermore, as shown, the first recesses 60 of a section 19a to 19e may be provided with the same orientation of the shape of the recess base (an upwardly pointing corner of the triangular shape) or with different orientations with respect to the circumferential direction or the cap axis (for example, the shape of the recess base of the center first recess 60 is a triangle with a downwardly pointing corner, and the two adjacent first recesses are triangles with an upwardly pointing corner) or with different shapes of the recess base.

The fourth embodiment, which is shown in FIGS. 13 to 16, has, instead of the triangular first recesses of the third embodiment, three first recesses 80 in the areas of the cap skirt 3 below the internal thread 9 in each section of the lattice structure band 19a to 19e and webs 81 arranged between them and laterally in the circumferential direction, which have a rectangular shape on the recess base. The centrally arranged first recess 80 is slightly longer in the circumferential direction than the two laterally arranged first recesses 80. For example, each first recess 80 is approximately 2.6 mm or 1.3 mm long in the circumferential direction. In addition, in an area between two thread segments arranged one above the other, the lattice structure band has further groups 19f to 19j each comprising three first recesses 82 and corresponding webs 83, wherein the first recesses 82 also have a rectangular shape at the recess base. Above the internal thread 9, i.e. on the side of the internal thread 9 facing the cap cover plate 4, further groups 19k to 19o are also arranged, as can be seen in particular from

FIG. 13, each comprising three first recesses 84 with corresponding webs 85, wherein the first recesses 84 also have a rectangular shape at the recess base. The first recesses 84 have, for example, an axial distance of approximately 1 mm from the cap cover plate 4. The lattice structure band with the first recesses 80, 82, 84 and the webs 81, 83, 85 thus extends overall over a circumferential angle of approximately 630°, wherein each section 19a to 19o of the lattice structure band comprises a respective circumferential angle of 30°. As can be seen from FIGS. 15 and 16, the recess base of the first recesses 80, 82, 84 runs parallel to the closure cap axis 13. The length of each first recess 82, 84 in the circumferential direction corresponds to the length of the first recess 80 of approximately 2.6 mm and 1.3 mm respectively. The axial extent of the first recesses 80, 82 and 84 is different. As can be seen in particular in FIG. 14, not all first recesses 80 have the same axial length. This is, for example, between 0.3 mm and 3 mm. The axial length of the first recesses 82 is, for example, approximately 0.3 mm and that of the first recesses 84 is, for example, between 3.2 mm and 1.5 mm. It is understood that in this embodiment, a particularly large saving in material is achieved without having to compromise on the stability of the cap skirt 3. As can be seen in particular in FIG. 16, the wall thickness in the area of the first recesses 80 is reduced by the amount r of e.g. 0.25 mm compared to the wall thickness in the other areas of the sections 19a to 19o, i.e. the webs 81, 83, 85.

The embodiments five to eight shown in FIGS. 17 to 32 differ from the first four embodiments in part in the design of the closure cap 2. The closure cap has elevations 11 on the outer surface 6 in the upper section 6a, which run parallel to the second recesses 10 serving for venting in such a way that the cap skirt 3 has a U-shaped profile in this area. In addition, the cap skirt 3 is conically shaped in an upper section of the elevations 11 before it changes into a cylindrical shape. The circumferential ring 6b of the outer surface 6 has a grip fluting in an upper section. The second recesses 10 extend over the entire axial height of the internal thread 9 in the respective section. The recesses 11 also extend into an annular section 3a of the cap skirt 3 (exemplarily designated in FIG. 22), which is located below the end of the second recesses 10 that faces away from the cap cover plate 4. A first wall thickness of the cap skirt is located there in the area of the elevations 11. In the embodiments of FIGS. 17 to 32 described in more detail below, at least some of the first recesses 100, 120, 140, 160 of the respective lattice structure band 19, 19a are arranged in this annular section 3a, but between the raised portions (or, in other words, in extension of the sections located between the second recesses 10). Therefore, in the region between the recesses 11 and where the webs 101, 121, 141, 161 are arranged, the annular section 3a has a second wall thickness which is smaller than the first wall thickness in the region of the recesses 11. Furthermore, in the region of the first recesses 100, 120, 140, 160, there is a third wall thickness which is smaller than the second wall thickness. This further improves the stability of the closure cap.

The lattice structure band 19 of the fifth embodiment has only a single section with a plurality of first recesses 100 and webs 101, which are arranged alternately next to one another in the circumferential direction. The lattice structure band 19 thus extends below the second recesses 10 and the internal thread 9. The dimensions of the first recesses 100 of the lattice structure band 19 are 2.9 mm in the axial direction and 7.3 mm in the circumferential direction. As can be seen in FIG. 20, for example, the wall thickness in the area of the first recesses 100 is reduced by the amount r of, for example, 0.3 mm compared to the wall thickness in the other areas of the lattice structure band 19 (i.e. in the area of the webs 101).

Analogous to the difference between the first and second embodiments, the recess base of the first recesses 120 of the lattice structure band 19 of the sixth embodiment extends with the first recesses 120 and webs 121 at an angle to the closure cap axis. The dimensions of the entire lattice structure band 19 and the first recesses 120 correspond to the dimensions of the fifth embodiment with the recesses 100 and the webs 101. The reduction of the wall thickness in the area of the first recesses 120 is approximately r=0.3 mm at the lower end of the first recesses 120 compared to the wall thickness in the other sections of the lattice structure band 19 (webs 121).

The seventh embodiment also differs from the first embodiment in analogy to the difference in the third embodiment. The lattice structure band 19 comprises groups of three first recesses 140 arranged next to each other and corresponding webs 141 in a lattice structure band 19 having a single section, wherein the webs 141 between groups of three adjacent in the circumferential direction have a greater length in the circumferential direction than the webs 141 arranged between two first recesses 140 of the same group. Each first recess 140 has a triangular shape on its recess base when the cap skirt 3 is unrolled. Each such recess 140 has, for example, a dimension in the axial direction of 1.9 mm, a dimension in the circumferential direction at the lower end of 2.2 mm and a reduction in the wall thickness in the area of the first recess 140 of r=0.3 mm (see FIG. 28) compared to the wall thickness in the other sections of the lattice structure band 19 (webs 141).

Finally, the eighth embodiment differs from the seventh embodiment analogously to the difference between the fourth embodiment and the third embodiment. A section 19a of the lattice structure band arranged below the internal thread 9 is formed, which comprises groups of three first recesses 160 and corresponding webs 161 arranged next to each other, wherein the webs 161 between groups of three adjacent in the circumferential direction have a greater length in the circumferential direction than the webs 161 arranged between two first recesses 160 of the same group. In this case, the webs 161 each have approximately the same length in the circumferential direction, for example of 2.2 mm. Sections 19b to 19l of the lattice structure band, each with 3 first recesses 162 and corresponding webs 163, are also provided between thread segments of the internal thread 9 lying one above the other in the axial direction, which are each arranged between two second recesses 10. Sections 19m to 19w with first recesses 164 and webs 165 are provided above the internal thread, also between adjacent second recesses 10, wherein the first recesses 164 have a distance of, for example, 3 mm to 4 mm from the cap cover plate 4. The lattice structure band with the first recesses 160, 162, 164 and the webs 161, 163, 165 thus extends overall over a circumferential angle of approximately 630°, wherein each section 19a to 19w of the lattice structure band comprises a respective circumferential angle of 30°. As can be seen from FIGS. 31 and 32, the recess base of the first recesses 160, 162, 164 extends parallel to the closure cap axis 13. The length of each first recess 162, 164 in the circumferential direction corresponds to the length of the first recess 160 of approximately 2.2 mm. The axial extent of the first recesses 160, 162 and 164 is different. As can be seen in particular from FIG. 30, not all first recesses 160, 164 have the same axial length. This is, for example, between 3.7 mm and 1.2 mm. The axial length of the first recesses 162 is 0.7 mm, for example. Analogous to the fourth embodiment, it is understood that a particularly large saving in material is also achieved in this embodiment without having to make compromises in the stability of the cap skirt 3. For example, each first recess 160, 162, 164 has a reduction in wall thickness in the area of the first recess 160, 162, 164 of r=0.3 mm (see FIG. 32) compared to the wall thickness in the other sections (e.g. webs 161).