EA007707B1 - Closure with an optical indicator for alcoholic beverage bottles - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a closure with an optical tamper indicator for containers for fluids. The closure comprises: a cap (10) having a top wall (11) and a tubular skirt (13) provided with an internal thread (14), a first collar (16, 24) provided on the top wall (11) of the cap, a second collar (17, 27) which extends towards the top wall (11) of the cap, the second collar (17, 27) being substantially parallel to the inner surface of the tubular skirt (13) and to the first collar (16, 24) but spaced radially from the skirt (13) by an annular space (20) and from the first collar (16, 24) by a radial space (18), at least one first element (21, 31) positioned in the annular space (20), at least one second element (22, 26) positioned in the radial space (18) provided with means (22c, 26a) for connection to the neck (1) of the container, preventing axial movements, means (19, 23, 17c) positioned between the first element (21, 31) and the second element (22, 26) in order to bring about the appearance of a visible sign meaning "open" on a portion of the tubular skirt (13) of the cap, indicating the first opening of the closure.

Description

The present invention relates to a closure with a visual opening indicator for containers with liquids, in particular for bottles with alcoholic beverages having an opening bounded by the free end of the neck, extending axially of the bottle body along the longitudinal axis and having an outer surface; moreover, the closure includes a cap having a top wall transverse to the longitudinal axis, a tubular skirt connected to the edge of the top wall and extending axially along the outer surface of the neck to the body of the bottle; however, the tubular skirt has an internal thread that engages an external thread on the outer surface of the neck, means for opening and closing the inner space of the bottle by screwing and unscrewing the cap, and this means is performed on the top wall of the cap.

The problem of providing a clear indication of the opening of the closures of the bottle, in particular in bottles with high-quality alcoholic beverages, is largely present in the large-scale trade sector, in which bottles are placed on the shelves in poorly guarded premises, where the possibility that a potential buyer opens the bottle cannot be ruled out. and then, instead of buying it, put it on the shelf and leave.

It is clear that the next, ignorant buyer risks taking a bottle from the shelf, the closure of which is already open and then closed again with a view to falsification.

To eliminate these risks and to ensure that buyers always buy intact products, developed and used different technical solutions; These decisions are mostly based on the use of seals on the closures or caps, which after the first opening (opening) of the closures of the bottle will be broken, showing the buyer that the closure has already been opened for the first time.

Technical solutions were also proposed, according to which the state of the previous opening is indicated by means that change their visual state at the first opening of the closure, if they are subjected to mechanical impact.

An example of this tool is given in AO 02/090204 A1.

According to the technical solution described in the aforementioned document, the closure has a body in which there are: a capsule with the first chemical reagent and a base containing the second reagent. The first reagent contained in the capsule has a first color and is visible through the top wall of the cap, which is made to the appropriate degree of transparency. When opening the closure for the first time, the axial movement of a part of the cap causes the movement of the construction element of the closure, creating compression and then breaking the capsule, followed by release of the first reagent. The first reagent reacts with the second reagent contained in the base, which causes an irreversible discoloration, which is considered to be an indicator of the fact of the first opening (opening) and visible from the outside of the closure to warn the buyer.

The technical solution according to the mentioned document has the disadvantage that it makes visible the previously open state of the closure through the top wall of the cap, but which is not easy for the customer to see, especially if the bottles are placed on high shelves exposing the product.

In addition, since the reagent from the capsule reaches the reagent base only due to gravity, any opening of the bottle in its inverted position can adversely affect the achievement of the desired effect.

Finally, the closures according to AO 01/090204, if the closure is removed axially from the neck of the bottle, do not necessarily break the capsule and release the first reagent, caused by relative movement between the elements, as a result of which the closure can be reused.

Other similar technical solutions are also set out in AO 99/24329, I8-A-5265744; I8-A4480760. In particular, the closure according to ϋδ-Α-5265744 is designed to provide visibility to the side of the state of the opening that has already occurred, but this technical solution involves placing many small holes in the side wall of the closure and using the light beam of the portable lamp to check - through the aforementioned openings - visual states of a fragile capsule inside the closure.

Although this type of solution can be used by sellers to detect opened bottles on the shelves, it still clearly does not meet the requirements for ordinary prospective buyers.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to create a closure with a visual indicator showing that an autopsy has already occurred, and in which the mark indicating the opening is visible from the side through the side wall of the cap, at one or several points of the cap, and becomes visible even if the closure is removed from the neck of the bottle axially or opened when the bottle was upside down.

The object of the present invention is solved by means of a closure, the type of which is set forth in the introductory part and is distinguished by the features set forth in the appended claims.

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The invention is further described in more detail with reference to its preferred embodiments, shown as a non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, in which FIG. 1 shows, in the initial state before the first opening, the first variant of the closure according to the invention in a partially longitudinal section; moreover, the closure is located on the neck of the bottle;

FIG. 2 is a section along ΙΙ-ΙΙ in FIG. one;

FIG. 3 shows the closure of FIG. 1 in the state after the first opening;

FIG. 4 shows a section along 1U-1U in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 shows the closure of FIG. 1: open and completely removed from the neck of the bottle;

FIG. 6 and 7 show the first method of indicating the stop and open states, with reference to the closure of FIG. one;

FIG. 8 and 9 show the second method of indicating the stop and open states, with reference to the closure of FIG. one;

FIG. 10 and 11 are the third method of indicating the stop and open states, with reference to the closure of FIG. one;

FIG. 12 and 13 is the fourth method of indicating the sealed and open states, with reference to the closure of FIG. one;

FIG. 14 shows a second embodiment of a closure according to the invention, shown partially in longitudinal section and located on the neck of the bottle; in the initial state before the first opening;

FIG. 15 is a cross section along XY-XU in FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 shows the closure of FIG. 14 in the state after the first opening;

FIG. 17 is a section along XU11-XU11 in FIG. sixteen;

FIG. 18 shows the closure of FIG. 14 - open and completely removed from the neck of the bottle.

Referring to the aforementioned drawings: the bottle neck has position 1, and the bottle body is position 2. Neck 1 extends longitudinally from body 2 along the longitudinal axis X-X and has an outer surface 3. The free end 4 of neck 1 limits opening 5 and has an annular ledge 6 on the outside.

The outer surface 3 of the neck 1 has a thread 7 in an intermediate position between the free end 4 and the housing 2. The thread 7 can be made directly on the surface itself, or, as in the embodiment depicted in the drawings, can be made on the tubular sleeve 8 located on the neck 1 and firmly attached to it by conventional means 9, which prevent axial and angular movement.

The closure comprises a cap 10 formed by an upper wall 11 having a peripheral edge 12 and located transversely to the longitudinal axis XX; and a tubular skirt 13. The skirt 13 extends axially along the outer surface 3 of the neck 1 from the peripheral edge 12 of the wall 11 substantially to the portion where the neck 1 extends from the body 2 of the bottle.

The tubular skirt 13 of the cap 10 has two parts 13a and 13b, the first of which is near the top wall 11 and the second 13b is near the case of 2 bottles.

The portions 13a and 13b can be two distinct portions of the tubular skirt 13 attached axially to each other, for example, using conventional chemical or ultrasonic welding on the connecting line 13c; or two sections of the tubular skirt, made in one piece.

Part 13a of the skirt 13 is usually made of plastic, which can make the wall completely or at least partially transparent, as described below.

Part 13b, on the other hand, is made of plastic, preferably opaque. This part 13b has on its inner surface facing the throat 1 a thread 14 which engages a thread 7 connected with the throat 1.

The top wall 11 of the cap 10 has a conventional stopper 15 facing the opening 5 of the neck for hermetic sealing of the opening 5 and, therefore, the bottle when the cap is in the sealing position - with part 13b of the skirt screwed on the neck 1. The closure may also contain an ordinary valve means allowing only the release, but not the inlet - not shown.

According to the invention, the closure comprises a first cuff 16 on the top wall 11 of the cap 10, which extends axially to the opening 5 of the neck 1, and a second cuff 16 attached radially to the inner surface of the tubular skirt 13 at an axial level, essentially facing the free end 4 of the neck 1 and continuing to the top wall 11 of the cap 10.

The second cuff 17 is substantially parallel to the inner surface of the tubular skirt 13 and the first cuff 16, and ends at the end 17a, opposite the end 16a of the first cuff. Both ends are located essentially at the same axial level along the axis X-X.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 1-13, the first cuff 16 is radially separated by a radial gap 18 from the second cuff 17, and the respective ends 16a and 17a are connected to each other radially, forming openings 19 that extend along the arcs of the circle and are distributed around the circumference of the closure. The second cuff 17 is spaced radially from the inner surface of the tubular skirt 13

- 2 007707 of the cap, forming the annular space 20. The first element 21, which in the illustrated embodiment has an annular shape, is in the annular space 20. The first element 21 may also have the form of a sector of a circle that partially occupies the annular space 20. The axial length of the element is less than the axial extension the annular space 20, which, as seen in the drawings, extends from the upper wall 11 of the cap 10 to the joint 17b, by means of which the cuff 17 is connected to the tubular skirt 13. The function of the annular space 20 its axial length relative to the axial length of the element 21 will be explained in the following description.

The second element 22 is located in a position concentric with the annular element 21 and, in the first embodiment of the invention, has the form of a plurality of sectors of a circle distributed around the circumference of the closure means and inserted into the corresponding holes 19 made between the cuffs 16 and 17. The elements 22 are respectively connected element 21 radial jumpers 23 located in the region of ends 22a and 21a facing the upper wall 11 of the cap 10, and each element is connected to the ledge 6 of the rim of the neck 1 by means of a protrusion 22c located opposite at the opposite end of 22b.

From the foregoing it follows that the axial movement of each element 22 to the upper wall 11 of the cap is prevented, in front of which radial connecting bridges 23 are also located, when the closure is not broken or opened. The portions 17c of the end 17a of the cuff 17 adjacent to the openings 19 are preferably pointed for the reasons given below. In addition, the second cuff 17 has an annular rim 176 for engagement with the opposite projection 21B of the annular element 21.

When opening the closure for the first time, which may be an attempt to unauthorized opening of the bottle, the angular movement of the cap 10 will cause the tubular skirt 13 to unscrew from the thread 7 below it, and the subsequent axial displacement of the skirt. The cuffs 16 and 17 also move axially, together with the skirt 13; while elements 21 and 22, connected to each other by radial ridges 23, are not disturbed by this axial movement. The element 21 is placed in the space 20, and the holes 19, alternating with the connecting jumpers 23, go to the elements 22 attached to the neck 1 of the bottle.

When sharpened, which is not necessary, the edges 17c come into contact with the radial ridges 23, the continuation of the axial movement of the tubular skirt 13 leads to the breakage of these bridges and to the resulting separation of elements 21 and 22. In particular, element 21 remains in the descending section 20a of space 20, from which it cannot come out due to the axial engagement that occurred between the protrusion 21b and the annular rim 176. As a result of this, if the cap 10 is then screwed on, the element 21 will still remain fixed in the position taken immediately after the first opening - engages on a rim 176 without returning to its original position near the upper wall 11.

If, for example, an “open” mark is applied on the cuff 16 on its wall facing radially to the outside of the closure — FIG. 6 and 7, this sign becomes visible immediately after opening, with element 21 remaining attached to section 20a. Of course, part 13a of the tubular skirt 13 must be made of transparent material, at least in areas that radially face the “OPEN” inscription.

According to FIG. 8 and 9, it is also possible to provide the “CLOSED” sign, or it can be used as an alternative to the previous solution on the radial outer wall of the cuff 17. This sign, visible when the closure is intact, is blocked by element 21, when the closure is open and element 21 remains attached to section 20a, thereby indicating that the closure has been opened.

As an alternative to, or with, inscriptions, you can use symbols or specific colors.

In addition, according to the schematic drawings in FIG. 10 and 11, the element 21 may have the symbol “OPEN” reproduced on its radially outwardly facing outward wall. The portion of the tubular skirt portion 13a facing the element 21 — when the closure is intact, is made of an opaque material or enclosed, and the lower part is made transparent.

After the first opening, as a result of the movement of the cap 10, the element 21 takes a position in front of the transparent portion of the skirt 13a, as a result of which the “OPEN” sign appears.

According to FIG. 12 and 13: “OPEN” can be made in the element 21 by perforation and can be visible due to the contrasting color on the bottom wall of the cuff 17 when the element 21 is in the space 20 - as a result of the first opening of the closure.

From the above description and illustrations, it follows that element 21 and 22 — together with holes 19 and radial jumpers 23 — are parts of the means that provide a visible “open” sign on at least part of the tubular skirt 13 of the cap according to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings FIG. 1, 2 and 3.

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In particular, it is obvious that even in the case of forced movement of the skirt 13 axially, the design of the closure according to the present invention will nevertheless cause breakage of the bridges 23 due to their engagement with the pointed edges 17c of the second cuff 17 and due to movement of the element 21 in section 20a, as a result, the sign of a previously open state of the closure becomes visible.

Referring to FIG. 14 to 18, it should be noted that the invention may also be carried out in another embodiment, in which the common structural components are indicated by the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment according to FIG. 1 - 13.

According to this second embodiment, the closure comprises a first cuff 24 protruding from the upper wall 11 of the cap 10 and facing the body of the bottle. This cuff has grooves 25, distributed around the circumference and continuing along the arcs of a circle.

The corresponding elements 26 in the form of an arc of a circle are placed in the recesses 25 and extend axially, ending in the corresponding curved protrusions 26a, which engage the annular step 6 of the neck 1 axially.

At the axial end remote from the end having a protrusion 26a, each element 26 has a curved surface 26b radially facing the outside of the cap.

The corresponding counter element 27, also in the form of an arc of a circle and having a curvilinear surface 27a, which complements the surface 26b, faces each arc-shaped element 26. Each arc-shaped element 27 — preferably, but not necessarily — has axial ribs 27b, made on the surface that is radially turned to the corresponding element 26. Each element 27 is also a conventional hinge means 28 flexibly connected at the end 27c with a bracket 29 projecting radially from the inner surface of the skirt 13.

Each arcuate element 27 also has — on the surface radially facing the part 13a of the skirt 13 — a step 276 preferably, but not necessarily, extending across the entire arc width of the element 27.

The tubular element 31, made, for example, of a material that changes its color when squeezed, is placed in an annular space 30 made between the portion 13a of the tubular skirt 13 and each of the arcuate elements 27.

Or, the tubular element 31 may also be formed simply by arcuate portions located radially in front of the elements 27.

According to the construction described above: when opening the cap 10 for the first time, the axial movement of the tubular skirt 13 also causes axial movement of the arcuate elements 27 and the tubular element 31, which is pushed by the ledge 276 until a radial engagement between the opposite curvilinear surfaces 26a and 27a is created. moving elements 27 to skirt part 13a 13.

This radial movement compresses the element 31 and consequently changes its original color.

If the portion 13a of the tubular skirt 13 is transparent, and the initial color of the element 31 indicates the initial unbrokenness of the closure, then the color obtained by changing represents the mark "OPEN".

Alternatively, the tubular member 31 can be designed in such a way that, as a result of the compression, a change in color occurs only in relation to the specified areas, so that the “OPEN” sign, or the equivalent letter symbol, appears in relation to these sections.

Also with reference to the second embodiment of the invention, it should be noted that any attempt to remove the tubular skirt 13 in the axial direction in any case will cause a radial crush of the elements 27 and 31, as a result of which the “OPEN” sign will appear.

Considering that any dimensions and materials suitable for achieving the objectives of the invention may be used, the invention described above has the scope defined in the appended claims.

Claims (10)

1. Capping device with a visual tamper indicator for containers for liquids, in particular for bottles with alcoholic beverages, having an opening (5) bounded by the free end of the neck (1) axially extending from the bottle body (2) along the longitudinal axis (XX) ) and having an external surface; moreover, the closure comprises a cap (10) having an upper wall (11) located transversely to the longitudinal axis (XX) and a tubular skirt (13) connected to the edge (12) of the upper wall (11) and extending axially along the outer surface mouths (1) to the bottle body; moreover, the tubular skirt (13) is provided with an internal thread (14), which engages the external thread (7) on the outer surface of the neck (1); moreover, the upper wall (11) of the cap is also provided with means (15) for opening and closing the inner space of the bottle by screwing and unscrewing the cap; - 4 007707 characterized in that the first cuff (16, 14) axially extending to the opening (5) of the neck (1) is provided on the top wall (11) of the cap, the second cuff (17, 27) is attached radially to the inner surface of the tubular skirt (13) at the axial level, essentially facing the free end of the neck (1) and continuing to the cap top wall (11); moreover, the second cuff (17, 27) is essentially parallel to the inner surface of the tubular skirt (13) and the first cuff (16, 24), but radially separated from the skirt (13) by an annular space (20), and from the first cuff (16, 24) - radial gap (18); moreover, the first cuff (16, 24) and the second cuff (17, 27) end at respective opposite ends located at essentially the same axial level, at least one first element (21, 31) is located in the annular space (20) between the second cuff (17, 27) and the inner surface of the tubular skirt (13) of the cap, at least one second element (22, 26) is located in the radial gap (18) between the first cuff (16, 24) and the second cuff (17, 27); the second element (22, 26) continues axially and has means (22c, 26a) for connecting to the neck (1), which prevent axial movements; moreover, at least one first element (21, 31) and at least one second element (22, 26) are radially aligned with each other, means (19, 23, 17c) are located between at least one first element (21, 31 ) and at least one second element (22, 26) to ensure that a visible sign “openly” appears on at least part of the tubular skirt (13) of the cap, indicating that the closure has first been opened (opened) by unscrewing the cap. 2. A closure according to claim 1, characterized in that the tubular skirt (13) of the cap (10) has a first part (13a) near the edge (12) of the upper wall (11) of the cap and a second part (13b) near the body (2) bottles; moreover, the first part (13a) and the second part (13b) are axially connected to each other so as to form a single component. 3. A closure according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least the first part (13a) of the tubular skirt of the cap (10) is made at least partially of a transparent material. 4. A closure according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the means for providing a visible “open” sign indicating that the first opening of the closure has already occurred contain at least one brittle jumper (23) connecting at least one first element (21) radially with at least one second element (22) and at least one corresponding sharpened edge (17c) made on a part of the free end of the second cuff (17); wherein the jumper (23) is cut with a pointed edge (17c) by unscrewing the cap (10) when the closure is first opened, which causes the axial movement of at least one second element (22) from the first position in which the “open” sign is not visible, to the position in which this sign becomes visible. 5. A closure according to claim 4, characterized in that it comprises means (21b, 176) for fixing at least one first element (21) in a position in which said sign becomes visible. 6. A closure according to claim 5, characterized in that the means for fixing at least one first element (21) in a position in which the sign becomes visible, comprise a tab (21b) protruding radially from the element (21) and facing towards the second cuff (17) and to the upper wall (11) of the cap; and also an annular rim (176), made on the second cuff (17) and facing the element (21); while the petal (21b) engages the rim (176) axially. 7. A closure according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the visible sign "openly" refers to the peripheral surface of at least the first cuff (16), visible radially outside the first part of the tubular skirt (13) of the cap (10) through corresponding radially and axially aligned area of transparent material. 8. A closure according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the visible sign "openly" refers to the peripheral surface of at least one first element (21) and is made visible when the element (21) is in its second position, through the corresponding transparent section of the tubular skirt (13) of the cap (10) radially and axially aligned with the said element. 9. A closure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the means for providing a visible “open” sign indicating that the closure has already been opened contains a substance that can change its visual properties and which is enclosed at least in at least one first element (31); a curved surface (26b) made on at least one second element (26); moreover, the curved surface (26b) faces the complementary curved surface (27a) made on the free end of the second cuff (27), made with the possibility of its flexibility radially and expanding radially to the inner surface of the tubular skirt (13) of the cap (10) as a result of the relative axial displacement of curved surfaces (26b, 27a) caused by unscrewing the cap (10) at the first opening - 5 007707 of a sharp means, as a result of which at least one first element (31) changes its optical characteristics, visible through the aligned transparent section of the tubular skirt (13) of the cap. 10. A closure according to claim 9, characterized in that at least one first element (31) contains a substance that changes color when subjected to compression; moreover, the resulting color represents the visible sign "open".