JP7252254B2 - Fixing device for screw protector - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a fixing device for placing a screw protector on a threaded neck integrally formed with the container wall of a plastic container, the screw protector being formed on the inlet neck concentrically with said inlet neck. A protector housing having a threaded flange that is a threaded extension of the threaded neck such that the threaded neck engages an annular neck-receiving space formed between the inlet neck and the threaded flange. A fixing ring is arranged between the container wall and the threaded flange, the fixing ring comprising fixing means for fixing to the threaded flange and for connection to the container. locking means, the fixing ring having locking projections disposed on its inner periphery and directed radially inwards to form locking means, the locking means being stopper means formed on the container; A lock end for locking is arranged on a lock circumference whose diameter is greater than or equal to the diameter of the external thread of the threaded neck.

Fixing devices for locating screw protectors are generally not suitable for operations after the container has been provided with the screw protector, e.g. It serves to ensure the original association of the screw protector for a container with that container to prevent manipulation such that it is replaced with a screw protector.

Typically, this type of locking device is designed as a locking ring that cannot prevent force removal of the screw protector from the container, but allows some undesired manipulation by at least partially breaking it.

To install a conventional thread protector that is formed independently of the protector housing and has a union nut that clamps the protector to a threaded neck formed on the container, during installation of the protector: A fixing ring must be placed between the union nut and the container wall of the container. This involves holding the protector housing of the screw protector in place and tightening the union nut onto the threaded threaded neck of the vessel, as well as locking projections that lock with stop means formed on the threaded neck. on the inner circumference of the threaded neck axially across the threads of the threaded neck with the locking projection in the form of a threaded neck, only after which the thread protector can be tightened with a corresponding complexity processing operations.

When the retaining ring is placed on the threaded neck, the diameter of the locking circumference defined by the locking projections is smaller than the outer diameter of the threaded neck, thereby causing the locking projections to engage the threads of the outer thread of the threaded neck. At least partially caught, the locking ring is jammed on the threaded neck as the locking ring moves axially on the threaded neck.

This overall complex mounting task is reduced to the automated mounting of threaded protectors provided with a retaining ring, where only the tightening action is performed after the mounting robot has positioned the protector housing coaxially with the threaded neck. is not suitable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to propose a fixing device for a screw protector which enables a screw protector with such a fixing device to be automatically attached to a container.

To achieve said object, the fixation device according to the invention has the features of claim 1 .

By combining a threaded flange integrally formed with the inlet neck, the threaded flange not being a separate component from the inlet neck in which the position of the fixing ring relative to the protector housing is determined via fixing means formed on the fixing ring. , and by virtue of the fact that the diameter of the locking circumference of the locking ring is equal to or greater than the outer diameter of the outer thread of the threaded neck, according to the fixing device according to the invention , in a manner that treats the protector housing of the screw protector only for screwing it onto the threaded neck of the vessel, without causing jamming of the retaining ring which could impair the required coaxial alignment of the protector housing with respect to the threaded neck. can be attached to the container.

The fixing device according to the invention thus allows automatic mounting of the screw protector.

An axial stop is preferably formed in the neck-receiving space configured to contact the front end of the threaded neck, whereby the threaded neck is aligned against an axial stop formed in the neck-receiving space of the protector housing. Axial impact of the front end of the can bring the installation torque to a set value during installation, independent of the sealing force acting on the radial seal space. Therefore, automatic mounting by a mounting robot is possible depending on the desired mounting torque.

According to another preferred embodiment, the stop means is formed at the neck base of the threaded neck, said neck base being formed adjacent the container wall, thereby permitting blow molding techniques commonly used in the manufacture of plastic containers. Preferably, the neck base is configured as a collar formed in the transition region from the container wall to the threaded extension of the threaded neck, said The collar is provided with locking projections having circumferentially distributed locking surfaces each extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the thread protector, such that the defined relative position of the locking ring to the threaded neck is defined by the locking It is defined by a latching projection that latches behind the projection.

If the locking projection is configured as a locking sloping portion that rises from the outer periphery of the neck base and has an inclined surface that forms a locking shoulder with the locking surface, the locking projection deforms in a continuously increasing state. so it is gentle on the material during hanging.

The length of the threaded neck, the structure of the external threads of the threaded neck, and the distribution of the locking projections on the circumference of the neck base are such that the axial stopper of the protector housing is held against the front end of the threaded neck at a given preload force. at least one locking projection of the locking ring resiliently latches behind the stop surface of the locking projection when contacted, the preload force being selected to relate to the locking position of the locking ring on the threaded neck; This allows the screw protector to be mounted in a precise position relative to the threaded neck, and the position of the screw protector on the threaded neck is simultaneously effectively fixed only by a mounting torque that produces a predetermined force. . In particular, it is possible to ensure the desired vertical orientation of the valve stem of the screw protector, which permits actuation of the screw protector.

To form a radially acting sealing means, a sealing space is provided with an inner sealing surface formed by the outer wall of the inlet neck and an outer sealing surface formed by the inner wall of the threaded neck; It is preferred to provide an O-ring seal which is received in the seal space in contact with the seal face and the outer seal face, so that the preload force between the thread protector and the threaded neck is a radially acting seal means. Therefore, the sealing means are not affected.

A circumferential recess is formed in the inner opening edge of the front end of the threaded neck to define a sealing space, axially defining a sealing surface and a stop surface that contacts the axial stop of the neck receiving space at the front end. Preferably, the recess forms a partition surface that is axially recessed with respect to the . Thus, if desired, an O-ring seal can be matingly inserted into the threaded neck to attach a thread protector.

It is particularly advantageous if the inner sealing surface and/or the outer sealing surface taper conically in the axial direction such that the height of the sealing space decreases in the direction of the threaded neck, whereby during the mounting process A sealing force is generated, but the preload force generated during the installation process is no longer transmitted through the sealing means.

The securing means includes a driver pocket formed in the front face of the securing ring facing the threaded flange, said driver pocket engaging the securing ring and the thread protector by mating engagement of the driver tabs within the driver pocket. preferably engage driver tabs formed on the threaded flanges so that they are particularly easy to coaxially align.

If the retaining ring has, in addition to the driver pocket, at least one further driver element that allows torque to be transmitted only in the direction of attachment from the threaded flange to the retaining ring, torque can be easily transferred to the retaining ring through a plurality of contact points. transmission is guaranteed, but no other driver element can support the threaded flange during rotation in the removal direction, and torque is transmitted only through the driver pocket when the threaded flange is being removed from the threaded neck. This allows the driver pocket to also be used as a tamper evident element.

In order to transmit torque, the driver element preferably has a radial stop surface formed on the threaded flange and in contact with the web flank of the axially extending driver web.

If the driver element has a matching locking element formed on the threaded flange and an axially locking locking projection, the fixing ring can be radially fixed against the threaded flange during the mounting process. direction can be fixed.

The driver of the threaded flange is configured as a tamper-resistant element such that a visible wall is provided which is connected via a predetermined breaking means to the base wall formed on the fixing ring, and constitutes the driver pocket. It is particularly advantageous if a receiving space for the tab is formed between the base wall and the visible wall.

Preferably, the visible wall has at least two visible wall portions connected to the base wall via predetermined breaking means, the front visible wall portion in the direction of removal of the screw flange forming a stop edge for the driver tab. and the rear visible wall in the direction of removal has a stop edge for the driver web trailing in the direction of removal of the threaded flange.

This two-part construction of the tamper-evident element, which allows complete destruction of the tamper-evident element in a two-step action of rotation of the threaded flange, eliminates visible walls with large overall dimensions, thus reducing the operation of the screw protector. Clearly visible from a distance.

1 is a perspective view of a thread protector attached to a threaded neck of a container; FIG. 2 is another view of the screw protector shown in FIG. 1; FIG. Figure 3 shows the thread protector shown in Figures 1 and 2 in an installed state with a locking ring placed on the threaded flange; 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the screw protector illustrated in FIG. 2, taken along line IV--IV of FIG. 2; 5 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 4. FIG. Figure 6 shows a locking ring located on the threaded neck of the container. 7 is a top view of the retaining ring shown in FIG. 6; FIG. FIG. 8 is a view showing the fixing ring shown in FIG. 6 in isolation. 9 is a perspective view of the retaining ring shown in FIG. 8; FIG.

Preferred embodiments of the fixing device are described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

1, 2 and 4 show the thread protector 10 attached to the threaded neck 11 of the plastic container 12. FIG. Plastic containers 12 of this kind are used in particular as inner containers of intermediate bulk containers (IBC), in which case the plastic containers 12 are secured to transport pallets and housed in protective shells, often constructed as cages.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the threaded neck 11 is positioned on the container wall 13 of the plastic container 12 and has a collar-shaped neck base 14 proximate the container wall 13 and a threaded extension 15 adjacent thereto. is formed and the threaded extension 15 has external threads 16 that clamp onto the internal threads 17 of a threaded flange 18 formed in the inlet neck 19 of the protector housing 20 of the screw protector 10 .

The protector housing 20 is provided with a valve, in this case realized as a flap valve 21 and having a valve flap 23 arranged on a valve stem 22, said valve flap 23 having a valve handle 24, said valve handle 24 having a The valve handle 24 pivots the valve shaft 22, thereby displacing the valve flap 23 from the closed position shown in FIG. 3 to an open position (not shown). protruding from The outlet neck 25 of the protector housing 20 is provided with a screw cap 26 to protect the screw protector 11 from contamination.

FIG. 3 shows a threaded flange 18, integral to the protector housing 20 and formed of the same material as the inlet neck 19, connected to a retaining ring 28 via driver tabs 27 projecting radially from the threaded flange 18. 1 shows screw protector 10 in a mounted configuration. In order to connect the securing ring 28 to the driver tabs 27 of the threaded flange 18, the securing ring 28 has driver pockets 29 in which the driver tabs 27 matingly engage so that the securing ring 28 is secured during installation. Together with the screw protector 10, the screw protector 10 is concentrically aligned with the threaded neck 11 and can be tightened onto the threaded neck 11 to form a mounting unit.

As further shown in FIG. 3, the protector housing 20 is provided with an O-ring seal 30 which is positioned against the outer wall 32 of the entry neck 19 when the thread protector 10 is in the mounted configuration thereon. said outer wall 32 conically tapers towards the neck end 31 and thus constitutes another element of the mounting unit.

FIG. 4 shows the thread protector 10 in a configuration of use connected to a plastic container 12 after being attached to the threaded neck 11, in which the threaded flange 18 is provided with the desired pre-installation load. It is sufficiently tightened against an axial stop 34 formed at the bottom of an annular neck-receiving space 33 formed between the inlet neck 19 and the threaded flange 18 so as to contact the forward end 35 of the threaded neck 11 up to.

As can be seen from FIGS. 8 and 9, the fixing ring 28 is provided with locking means 36 on its inner circumference, said locking means 36 having a plurality of locking projections 37 facing radially inward, and locking projections 37 is also oriented obliquely in the removal direction 38 with respect to the radius r at a hanging angle α in the illustrated embodiment. Also, on the front face 40 facing the threaded flange 18 in the mounting position shown in FIG. 2, it has a latching projection 43 which latches onto the web edge 44 of the threaded flange 18. As shown in FIG.

Furthermore, the driver element 41 has a radial stop surface 45 which contacts a web flank 46 of an axially extending driver web 47 formed on the threaded flange 18 .

In the mounting configuration of the screw protector 10 shown in FIG. 3, the retaining ring 28 is mounted in a driver position as also shown in FIG. By latching onto the element 41 it is positioned both radially and axially relative to the threaded flange 18 . This results in a corresponding coaxial arrangement of the retaining ring 28 and the thread protector 10 , allowing the thread protector 10 to be mounted together with the retaining ring 28 and the O-ring mounted on the inlet neck 19 of the protector housing 20 . Together with the seal 30 it can be clamped to the threaded neck 11 in the neck receiving space 33 as a mounting unit.

As shown in FIG. 3, the neck base 14 of the threaded neck 11 is provided with stop means 48, which in this case are distributed circumferentially on the neck base 14. , and four locking projections as the locking slopes 49 . The hooking sloping portion 49 has a sloped surface 50 rising from the outer periphery of the neck base 14 to form a hooking surface 51 and a hooking shoulder.

In order to illustrate the interaction between the locking means 36 of the fixing ring 29 and the stop means 48 formed on the threaded neck 11, the fixing ring 28 arranged on the threaded neck 11 is shown separately from the screw protector 11. 6 and 7, the locking ends 52 of the locking projections 37 of the locking ring 28 are arranged on a locking circumference 53 of diameter D which is greater than the diameter d of the external thread 16 formed on the threaded neck 11. It is This causes the locking projections 37 of the locking ring 28 to impinge on the threads 54 of the external thread 16 so that the locking projections 37 of the locking ring 28 mounted on the thread protector 10 do not need to tighten the thread protector 10 against the threaded neck 11 . It is possible to form a mounting unit that together with the screw protector 10 is clamped onto the threaded neck 11 without affecting the coaxial alignment.

As shown in FIG. 3, in the illustrated embodiment the stop means 48 are such that the distance between the stop means 48 and the forward end 35 of the threaded neck 11 is substantially equal to the length l of the threaded neck 11 . It has a latching ramp 49 arranged as follows. The length l of the threaded neck 11 and the structure of the external thread 16, i.e. in particular the radial position of the starting point of the thread 54 and the pitch of the thread 54, and the position of the locking end 52 on the locking circumference 53 of the fixing ring 28. The position of the latching surface 51 of the stop means 48 relative to the threaded neck 11 is such that, as shown in FIG. The locking end 52 of the locking means 36 of the securing ring 28 is selected to resiliently latch behind the latching surface 51 while contacting the neck 11 with a predetermined preload force.

Thus, transmission of the preload force from the protector housing 20 to the threaded neck 11 is guaranteed once the locking ring 28 has latched onto the stop means 48 .

4, 5 and 6, the inner sealing surface 56 formed by the outer wall 32 of the inlet neck 19 and the inner wall 57 of the threaded neck 11 form a radially acting sealing means 55. A shaped outer sealing surface 58 is provided to radially define a sealing space 59 . In order to axially define a seal space 59 for receiving the O-ring seal 30, a circumferential recess 60 is formed in the inner opening edge of the front end 35 to axially define the sealing surface 59 and a stopper surface formed on the front end 35. The recess 60 is adapted to form a demarcation surface 62 which is axially recessed with respect to 61 and contacts the axial stop 34 of the neck receiving space 33 .

In this case, to support the radial sealing effect, the outer sealing surface 58 formed by the inner wall 57 of the threaded neck 11 is arranged such that the height of the sealing space 59 decreases in the mounting direction 39 of the thread protector 10 . It tapers conically in the axial direction.

In order to configure the driver pocket 29 as a tamper-resistant element, as shown in particular in FIG. , is connected via a predetermined first breaking means 66 and a predetermined second breaking means 67 to form a receiving space 65 for the driver pocket 29 , and corresponding axial A distance a is provided.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 9, the visible wall 64 has two visible wall portions 69 and 70 which are connected to each other via another predetermined breaking means 68 . As can best be seen in FIG. 1, the driver tab 27 which provides the tamper-evident element is such that when the screw protector 10 is rotated in the removal direction 38, the stop edge 71 formed in the front visible wall portion 69 is first displaced. Broken to catch on the driver tab 27, the driver tab 27 penetrates the radial recess 72 of the driver pocket 29 when turned in the removal direction 38, connecting webs 73, 74 of the predetermined breaking means 66 and the predetermined The connecting webs 75 , 76 of the breaking means 68 are broken and the visible front wall 69 is released from the fixing ring 28 . When the screw protector 10 is further rotated in the removal direction 38, the stop edge 78 formed on the second visible wall portion 69 catches on the driver web 47 of the threaded flange 18 following the driver tab 27, resulting in a predetermined breaking. The connecting webs 79 , 80 , 81 , 82 of the means 66 are broken and the second visible wall 69 also comes off the fixing ring 28 .

Claims (13)

A fixing device for placing a screw protector (10) on a threaded neck (11) integrally formed in a container wall (13) of a plastic container (12), comprising:
A thread protector (10) has a protector housing (20) with a threaded flange (18) formed on an inlet neck (19) concentrically with said inlet neck (19) of plastic,
Threaded flange (18) is threaded neck (18) such that threaded neck (11) engages an annular neck receiving space (33) formed between inlet neck (19) and threaded flange (18). 11) having internal threads (17) for tightening to external threads (16) formed on the threaded extension (15) of 11);
A fixing ring (28) is arranged between the container wall (13) and the threaded flange (18), the fixing ring (28) being connected to the container (12) with fixing means for fixing to the threaded flange (18). said locking ring (28) has locking projections (37) arranged on its inner circumference and pointing radially inwards to form locking means (36). and the locking means (36) has a locking end (52) for locking with a stopper means (48) formed on the container (12), the diameter D of which is the external thread (16 of the threaded neck (11). ) at a lock circumference (53) greater than or equal to its diameter d,
an axial stop (34) is formed in the neck receiving space (33) for contacting the front end (35) of the threaded neck (11) to bring the mounting torque of the screw protector (10) to a set value ;
An inner sealing surface (56) formed by the outer wall (32) of the inlet neck (19) and an inner wall (57) of the threaded neck (11) to form a radially acting sealing means. A sealing space (59) is formed with an outer sealing surface (58), the sealing space (59) being received in the sealing space (59) in contact with the inner sealing surface (56) and the outer sealing surface (58). A fixation device, characterized in that it comprises an O-ring seal (30) which The fixation device of claim 1, wherein
Securing device, characterized in that the stop means (48) are formed in a neck base (14) of a threaded neck (11) formed adjacent to the container wall (13). The fixation device of claim 2, wherein
The neck base (14) is realized as a collar formed in the transition area from the container wall (13) to the threaded extension (15) of the threaded neck (11), said collar being distributed on its circumference. A locking device comprising locking projections, each locking projection having a locking surface (51) extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the screw protector (10). The fixation device of claim 3, wherein
The locking projection is formed as a locking ramp (49) having an inclined surface (50) rising from the circumference of the neck base (14) and forming a locking shoulder with the locking surface (51). A fixation device characterized by: In the fixation device of any one of claims 1 to 4,
The length of the threaded neck (11), the structure of the external thread (16) of the threaded neck (11), and the distribution of the locking projections (43) on the circumference of the neck base (14) are determined by the axial direction of the protector housing. At least one locking projection (37) of the locking means (36) of the locking ring (28) engages when the stop (34) contacts the front end (35) of the threaded neck (11) with a predetermined preload force. A locking device, characterized in that it is selected to be elastically locked behind the locking surface (51) of the locking projection (43). The fixation device of claim 5 , wherein
A circumferential recess (60) is formed in the inner opening edge of the front end (35) of the threaded neck (11) to define the sealing space (59), axially defining the sealing space (59) and Fixing characterized in that the recess (60) forms an axially recessed partition surface (62) with respect to the stop surface (61) in contact with the axial stop (34) of the neck receiving space (33). Device. The fixation device of claim 1 or 6 ,
The inner sealing surface (56) and/or the outer sealing surface (58) taper axially conically so that the height of the sealing space (59) decreases in the direction of the threaded neck (11). A fixing device characterized by: 8. The fixation device of any one of claims 1-7 ,
The securing means comprises a driver pocket (29) formed in the front surface (40) of the securing ring (28), said front surface (40) facing the threaded flange (28), said driver pocket (29) comprising: formed in the threaded flange (18) such that the thread protector (10) and the retaining ring (28) are coaxially arranged when the driver tab (27) matingly engages the driver pocket (29); locking device, characterized in that it engages a screw driver tab (27). The fixation device of claim 8 , wherein
The fixing ring (28), in addition to the driver pocket (29), has at least one more driver element (41) that allows the transmission of torque from the threaded flange (18) to the fixing ring (28) only in the mounting direction (39). A fixation device comprising: The fixation device of claim 9 , wherein
A fixation device characterized in that the driver element (41) has a radial stop surface (45) in contact with a web flank (46) of an axially extending driver web (47) formed on the threaded flange (18). . 11. The fixation device of claim 10 , wherein
The driver element (41) is coupled with a matching locking element (44) formed on the threaded flange (18) such that the locking ring (28) is secured in a coaxial mounting position to the threaded flange (18). A fixing device, characterized in that it has a locking projection (43) for locking in a direction. 12. The fixation device of any one of claims 1-11 ,
The driver pocket (29) is tamper-proof such that it is provided with a visible wall (64) connected via predetermined breaking means (66, 67) to a base wall (64) formed in the securing ring (28). A receiving space (65) for the driver tab (27) of the threaded flange (18) is between the base wall (63) and the visible wall (64) so as to be configured as a blocking element and to define a driver pocket (29). A fixation device, wherein: 13. The fixation device of claim 12 , wherein
The visible wall (64) has at least two visible wall portions (69,70) connected to the base wall (63) via predetermined breaking means (66,67) for removal of the threaded flange (18). The visible wall (69) forward in the direction (38) has a stop edge (71) for the driver tab (27) and the visible wall (70) rearward in the removal direction (38) is in the removal direction ( 38), characterized in that it has a stop edge (78) for the driver web (47) of the threaded flange (18) following the threaded flange (18).

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