This invention relates to a closure for a container, more particularly a closure comprising a closing cap which can be attached to the container by means of coupling means.

The invention can be applied on a variety of containers, however, in the first place it is intended to be applied with bottle-shaped plastic containers for liquid prod- ucts, for example, containers for cosmetic products, detergents, foodstuff, drinks, toxic products, and so on.

Hereby, the invention aims at providing a closure for a container whereby the closing cap can be kept in closed condition in an efficient manner, such that the contents of the container can not undesiredly come out of the container.

To this aim, the invention relates to a closure for a container comprising a closing cap which can be attached on the actual container by means of coupling means, with as a characteristic that the coupling means at least consist of, on one hand, a first connection between the closing cap and the container, and, on the other hand, a second connection comprising a tubular part which, in coupled position, by means of respective couplings, cooperates with the closing cap as well as with the container. As a result, it is obtained that the closing cap, in applied condition, is not only kept in its place by means of the classical first connection, but at the same time by a second connection which is realized by means of the tubular part.

Preferably, the first connection consists of a rotatable coupling, more particularly a coupling which allows for

that the closing cap can be attached to the container, removed therefrom, respectively, by means of a mutual rotation between this closing cap and the container.

Still more particularly, it is preferred that for this classical rotatable coupling, use is made of a classical screw thread connection between the closing cap and, for example, the neck of the container.

It is, however, clear that such rotatable coupling does not necessarily have to consist of classical screw thread and, for example, according to a variant also may consist of a bayonet locking, whereby a combined rotational and shifting movement is provided.

The tubular part preferably is provided over, on one hand, the closing cap and, on the other hand, a portion of the neck of the container and, in coupled condition, engages the closing cap as well as the exterior of the neck of the container.

Further, it is preferred that also the coupling between the tubular part and the closing cap consists of a screw thread coupling. The same is valid for the coupling between the tubular part and the container.

According to a variant, the coupling between the tubular part and the container shall consist of coupling parts engaging behind each other, or, alternatively, shall consist in the combination of a screw thread coupling and such coupling parts engaging behind each other.

In a particularly preferred form of embodiment, the first connection and the second connection are such that the first connection cannot be undone as long as the second connection is not completely uncoupled. As a result, the advantage is obtained that the closing cap can not be

loosened in any respect, also, not loosened partially, as long as the second connection is not completely uncoup- led, by which a coupling with a great safety is presented.

In an efficient form of embodiment, this is realized by making use of different screw thread for the first connection and the second connection, either screw thread directed in opposite sense, or screw thread with a different pitch.

According to still a particular variant, the whole is provided with portions which allow for controlling whether the container already had been opened beforehand and/or with a child-proof system.

Other characteristics will become clear from the descrip- tion following hereafter, as well as from the claims.

With the intention of better showing the characteristics of the invention, hereafter, as an example without any limitative character, several preferred forms of embodi- ment are described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: figure 1 represents the upper end of a bottle-shaped container which is provided with a closure according to the invention, whereby the left half is cut apart; figure 2 represents the closure of figure 1 in dismantled condition; figure 3 represents the closure of figure 1 in still another condition; figures 4 to 6 represent three variants of the invention; figure 7 represents the embodiment of figure 6 in a previous position;

figures 8 to 11 represent another variant, whereby figures 8 and 11 represent two different positions and figures 9 and 10 represent the composing parts separately; figures 12 and 13 represent two more variants; figures 14 and 15 represent a further variant; figures 16 and 17 represent two more particular forms of embodiment.

As represented in the figures, the invention relates to a closure for a container 1 which is provided with a closing cap 2. The particularity herein consists in that this closing cap 2, by means of coupling means 3, can be provided on the container 1, in the represented example on the neck 4 of this container 1, respectively, whereby these coupling means 3 according to the invention provide for a particular kind of connection which effects an additional locking for the closing cap 2.

As represented in the example of figures 1 to 3, the coupling means 3 at least consist of, on one hand, a first connection 5 between the closing cap 2 and the container 1 and, on the other hand, a second connection 6 which comprises a tubular part 7 which, in coupled condi- tion, by means of respective couplings 8-9, cooperates with the closing cap 2 as well as with the container 1.

The first connection 5 consists of a rotatable coupling and, in the represented example of figures 1 to 3, is formed at the inward-directed side 10 of the closing cap 2 and the outward-directed side 11 of a part, more particularly the aforementioned neck 4, of the container 1. To this aim, in this example use is made of a classical screw thread coupling formed by internal screw thread 12 and external screw thread 13.

According to figures 1 to 3, the coupling 8 between the tubular part 7 and the closing cap 2 is situated between the inward-directed side 14 of the tubular part 7 and an outward-directed side 15 of the closing cap 2. This coupling 8 furthermore also consists of a screw thread coupling, formed by, respectively, internal screw thread 16 at the side 14 and external screw thread 17 at the side 15.

The coupling 9 between the tubular part 7 and the neck 4 also consists of a screw thread coupling, formed by internal screw thread 18 at the interior side of the tubular part 7 and external screw thread 19 on the neck 4.

The two couplings 8 and 9 of the tubular part 7 are situated on substantially coaxial mantle surfaces, which, in the embodiment of figures 1 to 3, is obtained in that the closing cap 2 is provided on a narrowed extremity 20.

Further, the whole unit is made in such a manner that the tubular part 7 can be provided over the upper extremity 21 of the closing cap 2 on the container 1, more particularly over the closing cap 2 and the neck 4.

In the embodiment of figures 1 to 3, the second connection 6 comprises one or more, in this case, two, zones 22-23 which are free of coupling means, in such a manner that in the loosened condition of the tubular part 7, this latter drops freely downward, at least over a well-defined distance, as can be seen in figure 3.

Further, the represented connections 5 and 6 are of such a kind that the first connection 5 can not be undone as long as the second connection 6 is not completely uncoupled, which in this case is obtained in that for the

first connection 5 and the second connection 6, use is made of different screw threads, 12-13 on one hand and 16-17-18-19 on the other hand, with which it is intended that the screw threads at the first connection 5 either are directed in opposite sense in respect to those of the second connection 6, or are made with a different pitch, as a result of which, as will be explained in the following, a simultaneous screwing of the closing cap 2 and the tubular part 7 is excluded.

The functioning and the use of the container 1, more particularly, of the closing cap 2 and the coupling means 3 described heretofore, can simply be deduced from figures 1 to 3.

Figure 1 shows the closed and blocked condition, whereby all screw threads are engaged. The tubular part 7 hereby prevents a turning of the closing cap 2. Also, the simultaneous unscrewing of the tubular part 7 and the closing cap 2 are excluded as a result of the use of screw threads which differ in respect to each other and preferably are directed opposite in respect to each other. This latter becomes clear from the figures, whereby the screw threads 12-13 are made as right-handed screw thread, whereas the screw threads 16-17-18-19 are made as left-handed screw thread.

By rotating the tubular part 7 downward, as represented in figure 3, until at least the coupling 8 is undone, the closing cap 2 subsequently can be unscrewed in a classical manner. After it is closed again, the tubular part 7 can be drawn upward again and be screwed tight again in order to obtain the locked condition of figure 1 again.

When filling the container 1, one can start from a

position as represented in figure 2, whereby, after the contents are provided in the container 1, the closing cap 2 is screwed thereon and subsequently the tubular part 7 is screwed from the top over the whole, up to the position from figure 1.

It is noted that, although, as described heretofore, one preferably works with different screw threads, this is no strict necessity for realizing the invention.

In figure 4, a variant is represented whereby the closing cap 2 comprises a stop 24 for the upper extremity 25 of the tubular part 7. This stop 24 consists of a collar provided at the closing cap 2 which has the same or almost the same diameter as the exterior diameter of the tubular part 7. Hereby, amongst others, a hygienically closing whole is obtained whereby, at the upper side, no dirt or such can penetrate between the closing cap 2 and the tubular part 7. The fact that the tubular part 7 can not be unscrewed from the container 1 when the closing cap 2 is screwed tight, can be considered an additional safety.

Apart from a stop for the upper extremity 25 of the tubular part 7, there is also a stop for the lower extremity of the tubular part 7 in the form of the shoulder of the container 1 or of an enlargement of the neck 4.

Of course, hereby first the tubular part 7 has to be pro- vided over the neck 4 before the closing cap 2 is screwed on the neck 4.

In figure 5, a variant is represented whereby the coupling 9 between the tubular part 7 and the container 1 consists of coupling parts engaging behind each other

which are made as a barb structure 26, such that the tubular part 7 can easily be shifted over the container 1, more particularly the neck 4, until a locking at the barb structure 26 is created. In the represented example, the barb structure 26 consists of a collar 27 at the neck 4 and an inward-directed collar 28 at the tubular part 7, whereby on one of these collars, in this case the collar 27, an inclination 29 is provided which allows for that the tubular part can be pushed downward with the collar 28 over the collar 27, but can not be drawn back over the collar 28 with the normal manual force.

In relation to figures 4 and 5, it is noted that, as the tubular part 7 shall be able to make a connection with the closing cap 2 and with the neck 4 of the container 1 at the same time, this tubular part 7 has to be longer than the closing cap 2 (without the stop portion), when one wants to displace the tubular part 7 up to against the uppermost stop in order to make the second connection. Also, it must be possible to screw the tubular part 7 downward over a sufficient length along the neck 4 of the container 1 in order to undo the connection with the closing cap 2.

In the embodiments of figures 6 and 7, the coupling 9 consists in the combination of a screw thread coupling as well as the aforementioned barb structure 26.

Figures 6 and 7 also represent an example of an embodi- ment comprising a portion 30 which allows to control whether the container 1 has already been opened before- hand. The portion 30 consists of a part which can be broken off and which is fixed at the tubular part 7 and which breaks off as soon as the container 1 is opened for the first time.

This portion 30 which can be broken off consists in a part provided at the upper side of the tubular part 7 which extends over the upper side of the closing cap 2 and is connected to the tubular part 7 by means of a narrowed portion 31.

The functioning can simply be deduced from figures 6 and 7. When filling the container 1, first the closing cap 2 is provided and subsequently the tubular part 7 is provided thereover, either screwed thereupon, or pushed thereover by means of a machine. Hereby, first a position is obtained as represented in figure 7, and finally a condition as represented in figure 6. When the tubular part 7 from this condition is rotated further downward, the portion 30 will break off, after which a condition is obtained which can be compared to the one of figure 1.

In figures 8 to 11, another form of embodiment is represented whereby the coupling means 3 are provided with a child-proof system consisting in that the second connection 6 makes use of a rotatable and shifting coupling, whereby shifting exclusively is possible in one or more well-defined positions. To this aim, the aforementioned screw threads 16-17-18-19 are made in an interrupted manner, such that zones 32 free of screw thread are obtained which allow for that in the positions, whereby the thus remaining screw thread segments are displaced in respect to each other, a shifting V is possible. The screw thread 17, however, preferably has a continuous portion at the top.

Furthermore, there is a protrusion 33 provided on the neck 4 which forms a stop for the tubular part 7 when this latter is rotated downward and thereby comes into contact with a stop surface 34. Finally, also a groove 35 is provided in the tubular part 7, which groove allows

for that this part 7 can be completely shifted downward when the protrusion 33 is located precisely in front of the groove 35.

In order to switch from the coupled condition from figure 8 to the uncoupled condition from figure 11, one starts as follows. First, the tubular part 7 is unscrewed. After the continuous portion of the screw thread 17 is left, the part 7 then will be rotated with the stop surface 34 up to against the protrusion 33, after which, by rotating it back over a short distance, the part 7 can be pushed downward, in that this latter slides with the groove 35 alongside the protrusion 33, as indicated by arrow V in figure 11. Only then the part 7 is completely unscrewed from the closing cap 2 and can this latter be unscrewed. it is clear that, due to the number of steps which have to be performed, a child-proof system is obtained.

Figure 12 represents a variant whereby the coupling 8 is situated between the tubular part 7 and the closing cap 2, at the outward-directed side of the tubular part 7 and an inward-directed side of a wall part 36 pertaining to the closing cap 2.

Figure 13 finally represents an embodiment whereby not only the same is valid as described heretofore in respect to figure 12, but at the same time the screw thread coupling between the closing cap 2 and the container 1 is situated at the interior side of the neck 4.

The present invention is in no way limited to the forms of embodiment described as an example and represented in the figures, on the contrary may such container be realized in a variety of forms and dimensions without leaving the scope of the invention.

Hereby, it is important that each of the partial charac- teristics described in respect to the different forms of embodiment can be combined at random, without leaving the scope of the invention.

It is also clear that the tubular part does not have to extend continuously around the circumference and, for example, may show recesses and openings.

It is also possible to integrate other existing child- proof systems into the whole unit, for example, mecha- nisms which exclusively allow for a rotation or uncoup- ling after a well-defined axial pressure has been delivered, whereby the pressure which is necessary to this end, is chosen so high that it can not or only with difficulty be delivered by a child. An example thereof is represented in figures 14 and 15.

To a major extent, the embodiment of figures 14 and 15 can be compared to that of figures 4 and 5, with the difference that the screw thread on the closing cap 2 comprises two screw thread portions 17A and 17B, between which there is a zone 37 which is free of screw thread.

At the tubular part 7, corresponding screw thread portions 16A and 16B are provided. The zone 37 is made such that the part 7 during uncoupling, starting with the condition of figure 14, successively has to be unscrewed with the screw thread portions 16A-16B from the screw thread portions 17A-17B, subsequently, as represented in figure 15, has to be displaced against the force of a spring 38, as the screw thread portion 16A has to be engaged with screw thread portion 17B, and finally, with the screw thread portion 16A, can be screwed completely over the screw thread portion 17B, after which the closing cap 2 can be unscrewed.

In that a displacement against the force of the spring has to be performed, a child-proof system is created.

It is noted that in the embodiment of figures 14 and 15, the coupling 9 does not necessary have to consist of hook-shaped portions.

According to another possibility of a child-proof system, the tubular part 7 can consist of two concentric sleeves, whereby the entire tubular part can only be rotated by means of an axial pressure, followed by a rotation of the exterior sleeve.

Finally, in figures 16 and 17 two variants are represen- ted whereby the tubular part 7, in the uncoupled condi- tion of the closure, is situated on the closing cap 2 instead of around the neck 4. Hereby, the embodiment of figure 16 is a derivative from the embodiment of figure 4, whereas the embodiment of figure 17 is derived from the one of figure 5.

With figures 16 and 17, it is valid that, when one wants to displace the tubular part 7 up to against the lower stop for making the connection, this tubular part 7 has to be longer than the portion of the neck 4 beneath the wall of the closing cap. Then, the tubular part 7 has to be screwed upward over a sufficient length along the housing of the closing cap in order to undo the connection with the neck 4 of the container 1. In this latter case, the tubular part 7, together with the closing cap 2, is removed from the container 1 in order to open this latter.