Closure-sealing system for rotational opening

Abstract

The invention relates to a closure system for a container comprising a closure and container opening portion. The closure releasably seals the container opening and has a cylindrical collar comprising a plurality of elastically designed tabs. The free ends of the tabs deflect radially and comprise latching elements on at least one part At least one radially extending holding element is molded on the enveloping surface of the container and forms a snap-in connection with the latching elements. A plurality of guidance elements interact with the tabs and latching elements such that upon rotation of the closure in an opening direction, a spreading of the tabs radially releases the snap-in connection.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A closure system ( 1 ) for a container ( 2 ) comprising:
 a) a closure ( 3 ) comprising:
 i) a cup shaped body with an opening ( 20 ); 
 ii) a cylindrical peripheral collar ( 5 ); 
 iii) a plurality of elastically embodied tabs ( 6 ) extending peripherally from said collar, each of said tabs ending in a free end ( 7 ) deflectable in springing fashion in a radial direction; 
 iv) a latching element ( 8 ) configured on each free end ( 7 ) of each of said tabs ( 6 ); 
   b) a cylindrical container opening ( 4 ) comprising:
 i) at least one holding element ( 9 ) configured as a circumferential ring or segmented ring with interstices adjacent said opening ( 4 ), said element extending radially from and shaped onto an enveloping surface ( 10 ) of said container ( 2 ); 
 ii) an enveloping segment ( 11 ) defined as that portion of enveloping surface ( 10 ) of said container ( 2 ) residing between said opening ( 4 ) and said holding element ( 9 ); 
 iii) a plurality of teeth-shaped container-side guidance elements ( 12 ) positioned circumferentially around said container opening ( 4 ) and against said holding element ( 9 ), each of said guidance elements ( 12 ) further comprising an outwardly directed flank ( 13 ), a first flank end ( 14 ) on said enveloping segment ( 11 ), a second outwardly directed flank end ( 15 ), and a bevel ( 17 ); 
   wherein the closure ( 3 ) and the opening ( 4 ) are configured and dimensioned such that in the closed position, said closure ( 3 ) releasably closes off container opening ( 4 ); the at least one holding element ( 9 ) and said tabs ( 6 ) configured and dimensioned such that said latching elements ( 8 ) of said tabs ( 6 ) constitute with the at least one holding element ( 9 ) a snap-in connection by which said closure ( 3 ) is releasably secured on the container opening ( 4 ); and wherein said guidance elements ( 12 ) interact with said tabs ( 6 ) and latching elements ( 8 ) such that upon rotation of the closure ( 3 ) out of its closed position, tabs ( 6 ) deflect out in a radial direction such that the snap-in connection between the at least one holding element ( 9 ) and the latching elements ( 8 ) of the tabs ( 6 ) is released.   
     
     
         2 . The closure system of  claim 1 , wherein the radial slope angle α between the flank ( 13 ) and an axial axis of symmetry (S) across said opening ( 4 ) is equal to between 2° and 85°. 
     
     
         3 . The closure system of  claim 1 , wherein said closure ( 3 ) further comprises closure-side guidance elements ( 16 ), said elements ( 16 ) arranged on said tabs ( 6 ) and configured and dimensioned to interact with said container-side guidance elements ( 12 ) in such a way that when the closure ( 3 ) is snapped onto opening ( 4 ) placing said closure system into the closed position, tabs ( 6 ) are guided between two adjacent container-side guidance elements ( 12 ). 
     
     
         4 . The closure system of  claim 1 , wherein said bevel ( 17 ) slopes downward in an axial direction from the container opening ( 4 ) toward the holding element ( 9 ). 
     
     
         5 . The closure system of  claim 1 , wherein the axial slope angle β of the flank ( 13 ) of the container-side guidance element ( 12 ) is equal to between 2° and 85°, preferably between 4° and 70°, particularly preferably between 5° and 60°. 
     
     
         6 . The closure system of  claim 3 , wherein each of the said closure-side guidance elements ( 16 ) further comprise a bevel ( 18 ) sloping downward in an axial direction from the closure opening ( 20 ) toward the free end ( 7 ) of tab ( 6 ). 
     
     
         7 . The closure system of  claim 1 , wherein the holding element ( 9 ) is a circumferential ring. 
     
     
         8 . The closure system of  claim 1 , wherein the number of tabs ( 6 ) is greater than 3. 
     
     
         9 . The closure system of  claim 1 , wherein the number of tabs ( 6 ) is even. 
     
     
         10 . The closure system of  claim 1 , wherein a latching element ( 8 ) is arranged only on every second tab ( 6 ). 
     
     
         11 . The closure system of  claim 1 , wherein the number of container-side guidance elements ( 12 ) is equal to the number of tabs ( 6 ) having latching elements ( 8 ). 
     
     
         12 . A container ( 2 ) for use with the closure system of  claim 1 , wherein said container ( 2 ) is a preform. 
     
     
         13 . A container ( 2 ) for use with the closure system of  claim 1 , wherein the container ( 2 ) is a blow-molded bottle. 
     
     
         14 . A closure for use in the closure system of  claim 1 , wherein the closure ( 3 ) comprises a cylindrical collar ( 5 ) having a plurality of elastically embodied tabs ( 6 ), the free end ( 7 ) of the tabs being deflectable in spring fashion in a radial direction, and a latching element ( 8 ) being provided for a plurality of the tabs ( 6 ) at the free end ( 7 ). 
     
     
         15 . A method for closing and opening the closure system of  claim 1 , said method including the steps of snapping said closure ( 3 ) onto said container ( 2 ), and opening and releasing said closure ( 3 ) from said container ( 2 ) by rotating the closure ( 3 ) with respect to the container ( 2 ).