CA2563685A1

CA2563685A1 - Tamper-proof sealing cap

Info

Publication number: CA2563685A1
Application number: CA002563685A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Carlo Vittorio Vallarino Gancia
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Famart Distribution Co NV
Priority date: 2004-04-08
Filing date: 2005-04-08
Publication date: 2005-10-20
Also published as: ECSP066974A; WO2005097614A2; EP1748935A2; JP2007532415A; US20070289934A1; EA200601834A1; EA009963B1; RS20060557A; CR8734A; AU2005231651A1; WO2005097614A3; MXPA06011643A; MA28569B1; BRPI0509726A; NO20065009L; IL178584A0; KR20070020031A

Abstract

A sealing cover particularly suitable for bottles for beverages comprises a sealing element (19) for sealing an outlet opening (60) of a container.
Further, the sealing cover comprises a safety element (18) which is cap-shaped, for example, and adapted to be displaced or twisted relative to the sealing element (10) from a closed position into an opening position..
Further, an indicating means (34) for indicating the opening position is provided. According to the invention, the indicating means (34) is arranged at an outside (74) of the sealing element (10) or the safety element (18) so that the indicating means (34) is tangible because of the change of position of the indicating means upon transferring it from the closed position into the opening position.

Description

Tamper-Proof Sealing Cap The invention relates to a seating cap far containers. The sealing cap is particularly suitable for seating battles for beverages, particularly plastic and glass bottles ~n a commonly used system far sealing bottles for beverages, it is known to provide at the lower periphery of a plastic or metal cover a ring ar several separate elements connected with the cover via cages {webs), at least a portion of the connecting cages (v~ebs) being broken/ruptured upon opening the bottle, The consumer can recognize there from that the bottle has already been opened. Such seating caps, however, have the disadvantage that the cap may already be slightly opened in a way that the connecting cages (webs) are at first elongated and then broken thus permitting gas and liquid to escape and foreign elements/liquids to be introdtaced into the cgntainer~ With carbonated pop-soda beverages ar water containing carbon dioxide, this results in that, for example, the carbon dioxide escapes at feast partially and the quality of the beverage suffers a deterioration there from. further, there is tl~te risk of a contamination of the contents of the container because of the possibility of the sealing cap being slightly opened therefore allowing the introduction of foreign contents into the container.
To avoid these drawbacks, it is known from V41~ 02/05711. to, provide a sealing closure with two sealing caps, an inner sealing cap being surrounded by an outer sealing cap. The inner sealing cap is provided with an internal thread and adapted to be screwed onto a bottleneck. The inner cap, serving as a sealing element for sealing an outlet opening of a container, such as a bottle for beverages, comprises a closing part at its upper surface which closes a pressure compensation opening in the inner cap. Further, this surface is provided with a pulling element as well as with a catch element. The outer cap surrounding the inner cap rotates relative to the inner cap by a given angular range. At the inner surface of the outer cap opposite to the upper surface of the inner cap, an arm comprising a cutting edge is provided. By rotating the outer cap, the cutting edge of the arm removes the closing part of the inner cap thus the pressure compensation opening. lAfhen the outer cap is rotated further, the arm of the outer cap abuts on the holding element of the inner cap so that the inner, cap is co-rotated. Thereby, the bottle can be opened then. Additionally, catch elements are provided at the above-described opposite surfaces of the two caps in order to avoid that the outer cap is rotated back with respect to tile inner cap. As soon as the sealing cover has been opened, the closing part of the inner cap is thus removed. Since the outer cap is transparent, this can be recognized by the consumer. To this end, however, it is absolutely necessary that the outer cap is tr-ar,sparent.
Further, the sealing cover has the disadvantage that the fact that the closing part has already been removed can be easily overlooked by the consumer.
It is the object of the invention to provide a temper-proof sealing cap whereby the certainty that the cap has not previously been opened by a third person is improved.
This object is solved, according to the invention, by the features of claim 1.
The seating cover according to the invention comprises a sealing element for sealing an outlet opening of a container, particularly a bottle and, in a particularly preferred case, a plastic or glass battle for beverages, carbonated and non. Preferably, the sealing element has a cap-shaped configuration.
Further, the sealing cover according to the invention comprises a safety element tailored to be displaced from a closed position into an opening position with respect to the sealing element. Before being opened first, the safety element is in the closed position and can be transferred into the opening position by being displaced, particularly twisted, once {and only once) with respect to the sealing element. According to the invention, once a safety element has been brought into the closed position, it cannot be displaced or twisted back into the opening position any more. The safety element rnay be an annular or cap-shaped element. Particularly, the safety (temper-evident element may be arranged within or also without tt-ie sealing element and surround the latter° particularly partially and, in the particularly preferred case, surround it completely. In order to prevent the safety element from being twisted or displaced back from the opening position into the closed position in a first embodiment, a release means is connected v~rith the sealing element and the safety clement or rather arranged between these two elements. The release means serves to permit ar release the twisting of the seating element for completely opening the element. Ta this end, for example, a latch engaging into a recess of the bottle may be pulled back by the release means.
Preferably, however, the release means comprises catch elements by which the safety element is connected with the sealing element so as to rotate with the latter. As described later, it is also possible to provide a holding mechanism between the sealing element or the safety element and the bottle neck or another opening wal! of a container.
To indicate to the consumer whether a bottle for beverages or another container has already been opened, an indicating means (temper-evident) is connected with the sealing element and/or the safety element. The indicating means indicates whether the sealing cover has ever previously been in the npened position. To this end, an actuating means is connected with the safety element and/or the sealing element, which serves to actuate the indicating element,. In doing so, the actuating means is displaced relative to the indicating means to actuate the indicating means. The actuating means may either be provided at the sealing element or at the safety element, the indicating means being prefe~°ably provided at the other element, The indicating means is provided at an outside of the sealing element or the safety element, i.e., at an outside of the sealing cover so that the consumer is able to recognize as easily as possible whether the sealing cover has ever been brought into the opening position. The indicating means may be provided at the sealing element or at the safety element, the indicating means being provided, according to the invention, at an outside, i.e., a~ that side of the two elements that is not covered by the respective other element. In doing so, it has to be considered that the elements do not have to cover each other completely since the safety element may also be configured as a ring, for example. According to the invention, the position of the indicating means is changed upon opening, i.e. upon transferring the safety element from the closed position into the opening position. This is efFected en that, for example, the indicating means is at least partially pressed out of the outside. Since this change of position occurs at an outside of the sealing element or the safety eiement, it is readily perceived by the consumer. Particularly, the change of position of the indicating means is also tangible so that it can be perceived by blind consumers as well. fn this case, it is particularly prefer~'ed to provide the indicating means at an upper surface and not at the outer jacket surface of the sealing cover so that the indicating means is adapted to be seen and felt well.
Further, the indicating means may be configured in a colour differing from that of the sealing cover, preferably in a signal colour.
The invention aims at preventing foreign bodies and/or liquids to be introduced into the container between the battling plant and the act~aaL
purchase paint, without the knowledge of the consumer, hence the temper evident mechanism..
The mechanism according to the invention works in a v~ray as to make the undercap (which is in contact with the liquids in the containers close - after briefly rupturing the pin - the container thus providing all the sealing properties as found in the cap prior to being opened.
In a particularly preferred embodiment, the actuating means is configured as a ramp. When displacing or twisting the safety element and the sealing element relative to each other, the indicating means is pressed outward according to the invention. This is effected by displacing the indicating eleme nt preferably vertical to the displacement direction along the ramp and thus pressing it outward when it is displaced ar twisted. The change of position of the indicating means provoked thereby is effected to the outside, i.e.F in a manner that the indicating means protrudes beyond an outside of the sealing cover.
Preferably, the indicating means is connected to the sealing -element or the safety element via a web. When the indicating means changes its position, a separation of the web shall be prefer°ably avoided. This can be guaranteed by preferably providing the web on the side pointing towards the ra rnp front end in the opening position.
The ramp as well as the indicating means can be arranged i n the jacket surfaces of the seating element and the safety element, respectively, so that the indicating means protrudes laterally outward in an upright container in the opening position . Preferably, however, the indicating means as well as the actuating means are provided at those surfaces of the two elements that are horizontal when the container is in its upright position. In this preferred embodiment, the sealing element as well as the safety element are configured as a cap, the safety element preferably surrounding the sealing, element.
Preferably, the sealing cap according to the invention additionally comprises a pressure compensation means serving to reduce the pressure in the container when it is opened. Preferably, the pressure compensation means is actuated before the safety element has reached the opening position" Preferably, the pressure compensation means comprises a cutting element. By d isplacing the safety element, the cutting element can remove a clasing pa rt closing a pressure compensation opening of the sealing element. Tn the case of non--carbonated beverages/fizzy liquids the rutting mechanism and its relating pin may be optional as the concept becomes redundant owing to the lack of gas.
Preferably, the pressure compensation means is arranged within a storage room to ensure that the separated closing part does not interfere or come between the sealing element and the safety element and impair the operation .
of the sealing cap.
Preferably, a sealing ring is arranged in a groove of the sealing element to prevent even small amounts of gas from escaping from the container To this end, with the sealing cover screwed on, the sealing ring is preferably arranged between an inside wall of the outlet opening of the container and a groove wall and contacts both surfaces. The groove wall is arranged within the outlet opening.
Optionally, upon cutting the pin to allow the exit of excess gas from the bottle, a mechanism is provided producing a certain noise, e. g. a. pop (like a champagne cork) or a whistle (for kids parties).
Additionally, an 12FD (radio frequency device) which is a dorms nt chip (transpoilder) which can be activated by an external radio source may be included within the cap. This technology may be used for several applications, such as: substitution of codebars, inventory management, prize-givings (raffles), research, etc.
According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the safety element and/or the sealing element of the sealing cap of the invention comprise at Fast one holding element. Preferably, a plurality of such holding elements, particularly three, are provided, arranged at positions distributed around the periphery., By the at least one holding element, it is guaranteed that the safety element will be displaced relative to the sealing element when the container or bottle is opened for the first time. Upon displacement of the safety element, which displacement is particularly a twisting movement of the two elements reiati~e to each other, the indicating means is actuated by the actuating means. Ln this regard, the at least one holding element is preferably configured to the effect that, e.g. when the sealing element is twisted for opening the container, the safety element will first be held in its position. This is perFormed e.g.
by a quarter turn or a half turn of the sealing element. In the process, the indicating means is actuatted via the actuating means. Thereafter, the safety element can be rotated along together with the sealing element., Preferably, the least one balding element is arranged to cooperate with at least one retaining element arranged on the container, i.e. particularly on the bottleneck. The at least one retaining element is preferably arranged on the otater side of the neck of the container or bottle. The number of the retaining elements preferably corresponds to the number of the holding elements.
According to a particularly preferred modification of this embodiment, the at least one holding element extends through an opening formed in the sealir->Ig element, in case that the holding element is provided on the safety element.
Tf the holding element is provided on the sealing element, the opening is arranged correspondingly on the safety element. The opening is preferably farmed as a segment of an annular ring. Preferably, a plurality of such openings are provided, v~ith preferably one respective opening provided for each holding element. According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the safety element, which is preferably disk-shaped, comprises projections serving as holding elements and extending through openings in the connecting element preferably towards the inside, i.e. in the direction of the container.
In the closed condition, the at least one holding element is arranged between a wall region of the container opening, such as a bottleneck, and the sealing element"

The safety element is preferably disk-shaped and arranged within a deepened portion of the sealing element_ Thus, in a cap-shaped sealing element, the ca p preferably has its top side formed with a circular deepened poEtic~n accommodating the disk-shaped safety element. Provided within th is deepened portion, particularly along the outer edge thereof, are the preferably plural openings which have the preferably plural holding elements extending therethrough.
To connect the safety element and the sealing element after a first rotatior~, connecting elements are con figured.. During this first rotation the sealin g element is rotated with respect to the safety element which is held in position by retaining elements. During this first rotation the position of the indicating means has changed to indicate that the bottle or container was partly opened..
By this first rotation the bottf~ or container is not yet completely opened.
To hold the safety element in place with respect to the sealing element so that the position of the indicating means cannot be changed anymore, connectin g elements are provided,. l~refera bly the connecting elements comprise a snap-i n locking or the like.
Hereinafter, the invention is explained in detail with respect to preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings.
In the Figures:
Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of the sealing element from below, Figure 2 is a schematic perspCactive view of the sealing element from above, Figure 3 is a schematic top view of the sealing element, Figure 4 is a sc>lematic sectional view of the sealing element along line IV-zV
in Figure 3, Figure 5 is a schematic sectional view of the sealing element along line V-V
in Figure 3, Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view of the safety element from below, Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view of the safety element from above, Figure 8 is a schematic internal view of the safety element, Figure 9 is a schematic sectional view along line TX--TX in Figure 8, Figure 10 is a schematic perspective view of a sealing ring, Figure lI. is a schematic top view of the sealing ring, Figure 12 is a schematic sectional view of the sealing ring along line XII-XII
in Figure 11, Figure 13 is a schematic perspective view of the assembled sealing cover, Figure ~4 is a schematic I r~ngitudinal sectional view of the seating cover screwed upon a bottle, Figure 1~ is a schematic enlargement of the portion XV in Figure 14, Figure i6 is a simplified schematic diagram of another embodiment of the sealing cover, Figure 17 is a simplified schemai:ic dia gram of a further embodiment of the sealing cover, Figure 18 is a schematic perspective view of a further preferred embodiment, Figure :t9 is a schematic sectional view of the sealing element according to the embodiment illustrated in Fig_ 18 provided on a bottleneck, Figure ,2a is a schematic sectional viov~r taken along the line XX, additionally showing the safety element, Figure 2l is a schematic sectional view taken along the line XX>: in Fig. 19, Figure 22 is a schematic side view t~f a bottle neck an which the sealing cover can be screwed, Figure 23 is a schematic perspective view of the safety element of a preferred embodiment shown in Fig. ~.8 - 24, and Figure Z4 is a schematic perspective vievu of the safety element, Tn the illustrated preferred embodiment (Figure 1 ~ 15), the seating element 1(3 {Figure 1 - 5) is configured as a cap with an internal thread ~.z, Thus, the sealing element 12 comprises a substantially cylindrical ,jacket surface ~.4 with several projections and shoulders. A circumferential retaining ring ~.G (Fig.
4) is provided at the outer jacket surfar,~ 14. The retaining ring ~6 serves to retain a safety element ~8 (Fig, 6 -- 9), the safety element 18, in the illustrated embodiment, being also configured as -a eap and completely surrounding the sealing element 10 when the sealing raven is assembled (Fig. 14-). Then, the retaining ring 1F engages into a circurnFerential groove 20 {Fig. 9) provided at the inner jacket surFace 22 of the safety element Z8 (Fig. i4).

Further, the outer jacket surface ~4 of the sealing element 10 is provided with a release means with two stops 24,6 an ~l a catch element ~8. The release element serves to firmly connect the sealing element 10 with the safety element 18 (see below). A further release means 24,~5,~8 is provided on the opposite side of the outer surface i4 of the sealing element :14 (Fig. 5).
At an° end face 30 of the sealing clement 10, an actuating means 3~ is provided which, in the illustrated embodiment, is configured as a double ramp.
The actuating means 32 serues to actuate an indicating means 34 provided in the safety clement 18 (Fig. 6-9). Addit-Tonally, there may be located a protuberance between the two caps, i. e. b etween the sealing element 10 and the safety element 18.
Furthermore, an annular prajectian 36 is provided at the end face 30 so that a storage room 38 is farmed within this annular projection 36. ltVithin the storage room 38 at the end face 30, a cylindrical closing part 40 of a pressure campensatian means is provided which furl her comprises a cutting element 44 (Fig. 8) provided at an inner surface 4~ (Fig. 9).
Furthermore, the sealing element 10 is pt~ovided with an annular groove 48 (Fig. 4) at a cover inside. Within the graov-~ 48, a sealing ring 50 is arranged (Fig. 1.4,I5). When the sealing cover is screwed on (Fig. ~.4), an ripper rim of a bottleneck 54- of a container is also arranged in the groove 48. Thereby, the sealing ring 50 is compressed and ha.s a substantially rectangular cross section so that a portion of the sealing ring is arranged between an inside wall S6 of the container neck 54~ and a groove wall S8. Thereby, a sealing of an cutlet opening 60 of a container by means of the seating cover according to the invention is guaranteed. The sealing rir~g 50 is shaven in bath Fig«res ~.0 and 11.
For maunting the sealing cover, for e~cample, the sealing element 10 canfigured as a cap is first screwed onto a bottlenecle 54 of a container, the thread 12 of the sealing element 10 engaging into a thread 62 provided at the bottleneck. In doing so, the upper end 5Z is introduced into the groove 48 of the inside of the sealing element. Thrus, the container is sealed tightly.
Additionally, a lower edge 64 of the sealing element contacts a circumferential carrying ring rj6 of the container whereby a further sealing is ensured.
In the next step, the~.safety element ~8 (Figure 6 - 9) also configured as a cap in the illustrated embodiment is pressed from above onto the sealing element in the correct position. The position is chosen such that a cutting edge 68 (Figure 8) of the cutting element 44 is arranged in front of the closing part in a counterclockwise rotational direction. Then, trr~ro opposite catch elements 70 provided at the inside wall Zz of the safety element (Fig. 8) are arranged in counterclockwise rotational direction in front of the ramp-shaped catch element ~8 which is also located opposite (Fig. ~,3) . Furthermore, the cylindrical indicating means 34 provided at the end face 7~ (Fig. 6J is also arranged, in counterclockwise rotational direction, ire front of the double ramp serving as an actuating means 32.
As long as the afore-mentioned elements are located in front of the correspon-ding elements in counterclockwise rotational directi can, the sealing cower is in the closed position in which the container has never laeen opened. In order to open the container for the first time, i.e., to transfer the sealing cover into the opening position, the safety element 18 is rotated in counterclockwise direction, Due to the friction between the seali ng element 10 and the bottleneck 54, the sealing element i0 will not be co-rotated from the start.
By the rotation, the indicating means 34 is moved towa rd the actuating means 3z configured as a double ramp and pressed outward by the ramp 3~ when it is rotated further in counterclockwise direction so that the indicating means 34 changes its position and is pressed out of an outside 74 (Fig. 7). Because of this change of position of the indicating means 34, i~ is clearly visible and also tangible that the receptacle has already been opened. To avoid a loss of the indicating means 34 which would malee the perception by touching harder, the indicating means 34 is connected to the safety element 18 by a web 88 (Fig.
6).
louring this rotation, the catch elements 70 (Fig. 6) sim ~ultaneously glide over the ramp-shaped catch elements 28 located opposite ea ch other and provided at the outside 14 of the sealing element i0, the safety element I8 being slightly deformed elastically in this area. After the catch elements 70 have overcome the ramp-shaped catch elements 28, they sna p into spaces 70 (Fig.
2,3) between the catch element ~8 and the stop 26. As soon as the catch element 70 has snapped into the gap 76, it is no longer possible to rotate back the safety element 18 in clockwise direction without simultaneously taking along the sealing element 10. It is no longer possible to continue to rotate the safety element 18 in counterclockwise direction without taking along the sealing element 10, either. Thus, the receptacle is completely opened by contin~~ing to rotate the safety element 18 in counterclo ckwise direction since the sealing element 10 is rotated therewith.
Simultaneous with the two steps described above, namely the actuation of the indicating means 34 by the actuating means 32 and the snapping of the catch elements 70 into the recess 76, the pressure compensation means 40,44 is actuated. To this end, a cylindrical projection 78 (Fig. 2~ is provided centrally in the storage room 38, which engages into a cylindrical recess 80 (Fig.. 6-g)"
Further, a nose 82 (Fig. 9) engaging into a guiding groove S4 (Fig. Z) is provided at the inside 72 of the safety clement 18. When the safety element 18 is rotated in counterclockwise direction for the first tii3-ne, the cutting edge G8 of the cutting element 44 removes the closing part 40 at the same time as the indicating means 34 is pressed outward and the catch elements 70 snap in. By removing the closing part 40, a pressure compensation opening 86 (Fig.
~.) provided under the cEosing part 40 is opened. This has the advantage that a small amount of gas may escape through the pressure compensation opening 86 and the first opening process is made easier they-eby. Because of the storage room 38 defined by a ring 36, the end face 30 an d the inside 7z of the safety element 18, it is ensured that the separated closing part 40 remains within the storage room 38.
Now, the sealing cover is in the opening position in which the safety element :L8 and the sealing element IO are connected for rotation. Now, the sealing cover can be repeatedly screwed onto the container- and off again.
In a further preferred embodiment (Fig. L6), an annular safety element 90 is arranged within a sealing element 92 configured as a cap. In this embodiment, the indicating means is provided at a jacket surface? of the sealing element and is actuated by an actuating means attached to the outer jacket surface of the annular safety element g0. The required release means typically comprising catch elements is also arranged between the two jacket surfaces of the seating element 92 and the annular safety element 18. If necessary, an appropriately designed pressure compensation mea ns may also be provided in this region.
In another embodiment (Fig. ~.7), a safety element 9~ is also configured as an annular ring, the safety element 94 surrounding a sealing element 98 configured as a cap along the outer jacket surface. In this ease, the indicating means is ar°ranged in the jacket surface of the safet 3r element 94, for example, and the associated actuating means is arranged at the jacket surface of the seating element 9G. In turn, the release means, which typically comprises catch elements, is arranged between the two jacket surfaces. In this region, a presstare compensation means may a~so be provided, if necessary.
In the further embodiments illustrated in the tv~ro schematic diagrams in Figures ~G and i7, the sealing element 9Z and the safety element 9~, respectively, are also turned for the first opening process, the respective other element not being co-rotated for the moment. Only after the indicating means has been triggered by the actuating means that can be configured in the above-described way and the two elements have been connected by the release means which also may comprise catch elements, as described above, the respective other element is co-rotated and the receptacle can be opened completely.
A further particularly preferred embodiment of the sealing cap will be described hereunder with reference to Figs. 18 - 24.
According to this embodiment, the sealing element 100 is formed as a cap and comprises, within a circular deepened portion l02 (Fig. 19), the disk-shaped safety element 104. An inner side region 106 of the cap--shaped sealing element 100, facing towards the neck 108 of a container or bottleF is formed with a thread :1.L0. The thread x.:10 is configured for engagement wit=h a thread 11i formed on the outer side of bottleneck 108.
The sealing element 100 comprises an annular member 112 fixedly connected to a disk-shaped member r14. and surrounding the L~ottleneck 105, with the disk-shaped member 114 closing or covering a bottle or container opening x.16. The disk-shaped member L14 is provided with a preferala fy circular projection :118 extending into the bottle opening X16. Projection 118 is provided to obtain a sealing effect towards an inner side i20 of bottleneck 108. Further, the bottom of disk--shaped member 114 is preferraL~ly formed with reinforcement ribs 122.
In a circular region x.24 arranged substantially between an outer side of the bottleneck 108 and the inner side 106 of the annular member 112 of sealing element 100, a plurality of openings 126 - three of them in the illustrated embodiment - are pro~rided which are formed as segments of a circular ring and distributed along the periphery of region 1Z4. Inserted into each of the openings X26 is a holding clement 128 (Fig. 21) so that the holdin ~ element L28 is arranged between bottleneck x.08 and annular member 112. The holding elements x.28 - in the illustrated embodiment, three - are tightly connected to the disk-shaped safety element :L04 (Fig. 2:L). For better cE
arity, the safety element 1.04 is not illustrated in interrupted lines in Fig. 2I.
an a top region 130 {Fig. r9) of disk-shaped member :L14 wherein the deepened portion 102 is formed, a ramp 132 is provided as an actuating means, having the same function as the ramp 32 described in connection with the previous embodiments. Accordingly, safety element 1.04 is provided with an indicating means 1.34 of a function similar to that of indicating means 34 above. Thus, indicating means :134 is likewise connected to safety element 104 via a web 136.
Before the sealing cap is opened for the first time, it is arranged in the po sition illustrated in Fig. 20. In this position, the holding elements 1.28 are arranged respectively in fr°ont of a retaining element 1.38 in counter°clockwise rotational direction. Each retaining element 138 comprises a holding flank 14O ~~ring towards the holding element 128. buying the first opening of the sealing cap, the sealing element 1C?0 will first be rotated counterclockwise, i.e. in the direction marked by arrow 142. At the beginning of this rotation, the safety element 104 is retained in the initial position because the holding elemen->t abuts the flanks 1.40 of the retaining elements 138. As a result, a relative movement between sealing element 100 and safety element 1.04 is effected.
Due to this relative movement, the r°amp 1.32 (Fig. 1.9) will lae rotated i nto a position under the indicating means 134. Since the indicating means 1. 34 is provided with a downward projection 135 or a counterpart ramp, the ramp i34 will be pressed upwards by the relative movement so that the ramp l34 in the reached opening position can lae seen and/ or perceived by touchin g.
Actuation of the indicating means 134- through the actuating means 132 is performed by rotating the sealing element 1.00 in the range from 90°-X80°.
Due to the thread pitch, seating element a00 together with safety elemeni~ 104 will be moved upwards, i.e. away from bottle opening i16 in the direction of arrow 14~4~ (Fig. 21),.

As a result, after the first rotation has been performed, the holding elements 1~8 are lifted and thus arranged above the retaining elements 138 and can be rotated past these. Now, the sealing element 1,00 and the safety element 104 will be rotated together. Thus, it is now possible to open the sealing cap completely.
To ensure that the sealing element 100 and the safety element 104 will be rotated together, connecting element 154, 15G are connected to or being part of the sealing element 100 and the safety element 104, respectively. Within the shown embodiment three ramp like elements 154 (Fig. 23) are connected to a inner surface 158 of the safety element 104 whereby the inner surface 1.58 is opposed to the top region 130 or outer surface 130 of the disc-shaped member 114 of Lhe sealing element 100. Preferably E;he ramp like elements 154 are connected to a circular ring 160 protruding in the direction of the sealing element ip0.. The corresponding part of the connecting elements, i,.
e. the openings 156 (Fig. 24), ai°e also arranged on a circular line on the upper surface 130 of the sealing element 100. The openings 156 are in contrary to the openings 12G preferably not formed as through-openings. Thus, as a result of the first rotation during which the safety element 104 is retained and the sealing element 100 is rotated, the ramp like elements 154 engage the openings 156 so that the safety element 104 is unrotatably connected to the sealing element 100. If the bottle or the container is opened and closed several times, the safety element 104 and the sealing element 100 will not be separated f~°om each other due to the connection of the connecting elements 154, 15G. After the connection of the connecting elements 154, 156 it is not possible to rotate the safety elements 104 with respect to the sealing element 100.
To make it possible, when the container shall be closed for the first time, to simply screw the sealing cap on again while safeguarding at the same time that the indicating means 134 will not be damaged and the holding elements 1,~8 will reach their corrert positions, the retaining elements x.38 are ramp-shaped and formed with a rising flank 1~.6 pointing in the clockwise direction.
Thus, during the first closure of the container, the holding element 1~8 can slide over the flank 146 and then, as illustrated in Fig.. Z0, assume a position in front of the retaining flanks l40 in the counterclockwise rotational direction.
Preferably, the safety element 104 is held for rotation in the deepened portion i0~ (Fig. 19) of sealing element 100 and is secured from falling out. For this purpose, a locking device is provided, wherein, in the illustrated embodiment, a circular edge 148 (Fig. lg} comprises a detent 150 projecting inwards into the deepened portion 102 and arranged for engagement behind a detent 152 provided on the safety element 104. Since both the sealing element 100 and the safety element 104 are preferably made from elastic material, particularly plastic, the safety element 104 in Fig. ~.~J can be pressed from above into the deepened portion 102 and will then be held for rotation in the deepened portion :10~ by means of the locking device.
Further, in the embodiment described with reference to Figs. 1E - z4, a pressure compensation means 40,44 can be provided in a similar manner- as in the embodiments according to Figs.. 1 - L7. Preferably, as already described, the pressure compensation means 40,44 comprises a cutting element 44 for removal of a closing member 40 arranged to close a pressure compensation opening 8G in sealing element 100, as can be seen e.g. in Figs. 2 and 8.
In all of the above embodir-nents, the pressure compensation can be obtainecJ
in that, in addition to or without the provision of the pressure compensation means, the threads are provided with slits extending transverse to the longitudinal direction of the threads and interrupting the threads. This allows for the escape of gas during opening.

Claims

1. A sealing cover, particularly for bottles for beverages, comprising a sealing element (10, 100) for sealing an outlet opening (60, 116) of a container, a safety element (18, 104) adapted to be displaced relative to the sealing element (10, 100) from a closed position into an opening position, an indicating means (34, 134) connected with the sealing element (10, 100) and/or the safety element (18), for indicating the opening position, an actuating means (32, 132) connected with the safety element (18, 104 and/or the sealing element (10, 100), for actuating the indicating means (34) upon displacing the safety element (18, 104), and the indicating means (34, 134) being arranged at an outside (74) of the sealing element (10, 100) or the safety element (18, 1040 and the position of the indicating means (34, 134) changing such in the opening position with respect to the closed position that it is tangible.

2. The sealing cover according to claim 1, characterised by a release means (24,26,28,70) connected with the sealing element (10) and the safety element (18), for permitting the rotation of the sealing element (10).

3. The sealing cover according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the actuating means (32, 132) has a ramp-shaped configuration so that the indicating means (34, 134) is pressed outward when the safety element (18, 104) and the sealing element (10, 100) are displaced relative to each other.

4. The scaling cover according to one of claims 1 - 3, characterized in that the indicating means (34, 134) is connected with the safety element (18, 104) or the sealing element (10, 100) via a web (88).

5. The sealing cover according to one of claims 1 - 4, characterized by a pressure compensation means (40,44) for reducing the pressure in the container upon opening.

6. The sealing cover according to claim 5, characterized in that the pressure compensation means (40,44) comprises a cutting element (44) for removing a closing part (40) closing a pressure compensation opening (86) in the sealing element (10).

7. The sealing cover according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the pressure compensation means (40,44) is arranged within a storage room (38) for storing the separated closing part (40).

8. The sealing cover according to one of claims 1 - 7, characterized by a sealing ring (50) arranged in a groove (48) of the sealing element (10).

9. The sealing cover according to claim 8, characterized in that the seating ring (50) is arranged between an inside wall (56) of the outlet opening (60) of the container and a groove wall (58) and contacts them when the sealing cover is screwed on.

10. The sealing cover according to one of claims 1 - 9, characterized in that the safety element (18, 104) surrounds the sealing element (10, 100) at least partially.

11. The sealing cover according to one of claims 1 - 10, characterized in that the safety element (18, 104) is annular or cap-shaped.

12. The sealing cover according to one of claims 1 - 11, characterized in that the release means comprises catch elements (72) to interconnect the safety element (18) and the sealing element (10) for co-rotation.

13. The sealing cover according to any one of claims 1 - 9, characterized in that the safety element (104) and/or the sealing element (100) comprise at least one holding element (128) to guarantee a displacement of the safety element (104) relative to the sealing element (100) when the container is opened.

14. The sealing cover according to claim 13, characterized in that the holding element (128) cooperates with at least one retaining element (138) provided on the container.

15. The sealing cover according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the holding element (128) extends through an opening (126) of the sealing element (100) and the safety element (104), respectively.

16. The sealing cover according to claim 15, characterized in that the opening (125) has a circular shape.

17. The sealing cover according to any one of claims 13 - 16, characterized in that the holding element (128) is arranged between a wall portion (108) of the container opening (116) and the sealing element (100).

18. The sealing cover according to any one of claims 14 - 17, characterized in that the retaining element (138) is ramp-shaped.

19. The sealing cover according to any one of claims 13 - 18, characterized in that the safety element (104) is disk-shaped and is arranged particularly in a circular deepened portion (102) of the sealing element (100).

20. The sealing cover according to any one of the claims 13 - 19, characterized in that the holding element (128) is lifted by rotation of the sealing element (100) so that the holding element (128) disengages with the retaining element (138) after the sealing cover is partly opened.

21. The seating cover according to claim 20, characterized by at least connecting element (154, 156) for connecting the safety element (104) and the sealing element (100) by rotating the sealing element (100) relative to the safety clement (104).

22. The sealing cover according to claim 20, characterized in that the connecting element (154, 156) comprises a snap-in locking.

23. The sealing cover according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that the connecting element (154, 156) comprises a ramp like element (154) engaging an opening (154) in a connected position.