EP0110796B1 - Means for retaining a cap on a container neck - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an improved system for retaining a shutter relative to the neck of a container, and it relates more particularly to a system of the type in question in which the closing and opening are effected by a rotation d '' a quarter turn either on the left or on the right.

In known closure systems, it is possible to deal with a screwed plug whose grooved exterior is forcibly engaged in a hole of complementary shape formed in the shutter or cover. The latter may in other cases include a conical seal which engages in the lapped opening of the neck of the container. In the two cases above, it is understood that no means is provided for ensuring a determined angular position of the cover relative to the container.

US-A-3,927,783 relates to a system for retaining a cover relative to the neck of a container comprising two symmetrical diametrically opposite ramps each of which starts from a high point at which it is interrupted to result in a low point where a notched engagement is provided, while the cover is provided with two diametrically opposite lugs turned inwards which penetrate under the ramps, so that during its rotation the cover is applied against the neck and locked in a position desired angle determined by latching.

By patent FR-A-1 520 693 it is known to open or close a container in one or other of the directions of rotation by using two symmetrical, diametrically opposite ramps, each of which starts from two high points for lead to a low point.

According to US-A-3,927,783, the bottle cannot be opened or closed in any direction of rotation.

In patent FR-A-1,520,693, the opening and closing of the shutter can be carried out in both directions, but the locking is not effected by the ramps which are only guides for the rotation of the plug.

The improvements which are the subject of the present invention aim to remedy the drawbacks of known closings and to allow the production of a system for retaining a shutter relative to the neck of a container which allows stable and precise angular positioning. of the cap relative to the container, while ensuring a perfect seal.

To this end, the restraint system according to the invention of the kind comprising two diametrically opposite grooves hollowed out in the neck from its free end, the low point of each of said grooves being provided with a notched engagement, while the cover is provided with two diametrically opposite lugs turned inwards which penetrate under the upper faces or ramps of the grooves (see US-A-3927783) is characterized in that each of the two grooves has the shape of a symmetrical V and starts from two diametrically opposite high points to reach said low point and in that the upper faces or ramps are interrupted by an area of said grooves located above the high points and allowing the pins to penetrate under said upper faces or ramps, so that during its rotation the cover is applied against the neck and locked in a desired angular position determined by the latching engagement.

• Fig. 1 est une vue en perspective avec arrachement d'un récipient et de son obturateur muni d'un système de retenue établi conformément à l'invention.
• Fig. 2 illustre comment l'obturateur s'engage dans les saignées du goulot.
• Fig. 3 montre l'obturateur après son enclenchement par rapport au goulot.
• Fig. 4 est une vue semblable à celle de fig. 1 mais relative à une variante de réalisation.
• Fig. 5 et 6 illustrent la manière dont fonctionne le système de retenue de fig. 4.
• Fig. 7 montre en perspective une forme préférée de l'anneau porte-doigts.

The appended drawing, given by way of example, will allow a better understanding of the invention, the characteristics which it presents and the advantages which it is capable of providing:

• Fig. 1 is a perspective view with cutaway of a container and its shutter provided with a retaining system established in accordance with the invention.
• Fig. 2 illustrates how the shutter engages in the grooves in the neck.
• Fig. 3 shows the shutter after it engages with respect to the neck.
• Fig. 4 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1 but relating to an alternative embodiment.
• Fig. 5 and 6 illustrate the way in which the restraint system of FIG. 4.
• Fig. 7 shows in perspective a preferred form of the finger ring.

We have represented in perspective in fig. 1 the upper part of a container such as a bottle 1 provided with a neck 2 relative to which must be engaged a shutter or cover 3 so that it is automatically angularly oriented relative to the bottle. In the case shown, the bottle-1 and the cover 3 are of square cross section and it is desired that the faces of said shutter be exactly in line with those of the bottle 1 once the latter is closed.

The neck 2 is hollowed out by two identical grooves referenced 4 which are arranged diametrically opposite and which have two common high points 5 from which the two grooves descend to reach a low point 6. In other words, each groove has the shape of a V. It is observed that the upper face of each of the grooves constitutes a ramp 7 whose origin 7a is located in an area of the neck whose diameter is identical to that of the bottom of the grooves 4, said area being above the two high points 5. As illustrated in the drawing, each groove opens at its high points on the horizontal face 2a of the neck, which therefore has in profile two parts in an arc of a circle whose diameter is equal to that of the core corresponding to the bottom of the grooves 4. The bottom of each of the ramps 7 is provided with a notch 8 open towards the bottom, the two considered notches of the two ramps being of course diametrically opposite.

The cover 3 has a bore 3a from which two lugs 9 extend towards the center diametrically opposite and whose height is slightly less than the width of the grooves 4. The diameter of the bore 3a is slightly larger than that of the neck 2 so that if the cover comes to overlap the neck 2, the latter engages freely in the bore 3a until the lugs 9 come to bear against the underside of the grooves 4 at their high points 5. Of course, the passage of the lugs is possible thanks to the cutting of the neck above the high points 5 of the two grooves as explained above.

To close the container, simply rotate the cover clockwise or counterclockwise. Indeed, from the start of rotation, the pins 9 engage in the grooves 4 to cooperate with the ramps 7, which causes a downward movement of the cover. During this movement, a seal 10 placed at the bottom of the bore 3 we compresses as illustrated in FIG. 3, so that the closure of the container is sealed. The seal 10 could just as easily be mounted at the end of a spring. It could also be constituted by a male cone entering the opening of complementary shape of the neck, or by a conical annular chimney cooperating with the outlet of the opening of the neck.

At the end of the rotational movement, that is to say after a quarter of a turn, the lugs come to cooperate with the notches 8 in which they engage. This engagement naturally involves a slight upward movement of the cap 3 so that a clearance 11 (fig. 3) appears after closing between it and the face opposite the bottle. It is easily understood that if the notches 8 and the lugs 9 are suitably arranged, the corresponding lateral faces of the cap and of the bottle will be strictly matched.

According to a preferred embodiment, the notches 8 have a triangular shape and the pins 9 have in cross section a diamond profile so that their engagement in said notches is more pronounced.

In certain particular cases, the users do not admit the existence of the game 11. For this purpose, according to the invention, a variant illustrated in FIG. 4.

In this embodiment, there are housed in the bottom of each groove 4 at its low point 6 two rounded projections 4a, 4b which determine between them a depression 4c the bottom of which is on a circle corresponding to the bottom of the grooves 4 The projections 4a, 4b of the two grooves are of course diametrically opposite one with respect to the other as illustrated in FIG. 5.

The cover 3 for its part is provided with a recess 3b by which the bore 3a opens onto the underside of the cover, and the diameter of which is of course greater than that of this bore. The bottom of the latter is provided as in the first variant with an axially compressible elastic seal 10. Against the shoulder determined by the bore 3a and the recess 3b and which has been referenced 3c, we place a thick ring 12 made of a rigid elastic material such as polypropylene or an acetal resin. The ring 12 comprises external vertical cords 12a which penetrate by force into complementary grooves formed in the recess 3b so that said ring is immobilized angularly relative to the cover 3. The internal face of the ring 12 has two fingers diametrically opposite 12b whose profile in plan is complementary to that of the depressions 4c of the grooves 4 of the neck. Of course, their thickness is equal to the play close to the width of the grooves as is the case for the lugs 9.

The operation is as follows: When the cover is engaged around the neck, the recess 3b is relatively distant outside of the side wall of the latter while the ends of the two fingers 12b are distant by a value practically equal to the diameter of the circle passing through the bottom of the grooves 4. So the two fingers engage in the through part of the grooves 4 located above the high points 5 of the grooves. The internal diameter of the ring 12 is provided such that it can engage around the neck, that is to say particularly around the part of the latter in which the ramps are formed 7. The fingers 12b resting on the underside of the grooves 4 at their top point 5, the hood 3 is rotated 90 ° to bring the fingers in question to the bottom of the two grooves. If you turn the shutter clockwise in fig. 5, the rounded ends of the two fingers 12b cooperate with the projections 4a which push the fingers outwards thanks to the fact that the periphery of the ring has flats 12c at the rear of the fingers. Continuing the rotational movement, these fingers fall into the depressions 4c in which they engage elastically due to the nature of the material constituting the ring 12. At this time and as illustrated in FIG. 6, the angular orientation of the shutter 3 and that of the bottle 1 correspond very exactly. In addition, since there is no rise, however slight, in the hood at the time of engagement, it is practically possible to remove the clearance 11 or at least reduce it to a value such as the distance between the shutter and the bottle is not visible to the naked eye. It goes without saying that the ring 12 must be held firmly in the axial direction. One solution would be to stick it against the shoulder 3c. It could also be engaged in the manner of a circlip in a groove formed in the recess 3b at the shoulder 3c.

As in the case of the first variant, the seal 10 is compressed by the axial displacement of the cover, so that the seal is perfect at the end of the plugging.

A restraint system of a obturator with respect to the neck of a container which ensures a perfect seal, while providing the certainty of the desired angular orientation of the obturator with respect to the bottle. In addition, thanks to the system according to the invention, the closing and opening of the bottle is effected by imparting a rotational movement, a quarter turn in one direction or the other to the cover, either to close the bottle. , or to open it, so that even left-handed people can easily put the cover back in place in its desired angular orientation.

The quality of the plugging could be improved by providing that the ring 12 has two horizontal slots 12d located above and below each finger 12b so that it has elasticity in the vertical direction. Thanks to this arrangement, the clearances due to variations in the dimensions of the neck could be compensated automatically (fig. 7).

Claims (7)

1. System for securing a cover (3) with respect to the neck (2) of a container (1) of the type having two diametrically opposite grooves (4) hollowed into the neck from its free end, the botton point (6) of each of these grooves being provided with a catch locking means, whilst the cover (3) is provided with two diametrically opposite lugs (9) turned towards the inside and which penetrate beneath the upper faces or ramps (7) of the grooves (4), characterized in that each of the two grooves is shaped like a symmetrical V and starts from two diametrically opposite top points (4) and arrives at said bottom point (6) and in that the upper faces or ramps (7) are interrupted by an area of said grooves located above the top points (5) and enabling the lugs (9) to penetrate beneath said upper faces or ramps (7) so that during rotation thereof the cover is applied against neck (2) and locked in a given desired angular position by the catch locking means.

2. Securing system according to claim 1 characterized in that the catch locking means are constituted by two notches (8) formed in ramps (7) in the direction of the top, in order to be turned towards the bottom for receiving the two fixed lugs (9) of cover (3) and in that said cover comprises a gasket (10) having an axial elasticity to ensure a tight closure.

3. Securing system according to claim 1, characterized in that the area of each ramp located in the bottom part (6) thereof has two rounded projections (4a, 4b) defining between them a depression (4c), whilst the cover lugs are constituted by two fingers (12b) provided within an elastic ring (12) integral with a recess (3b) forned in the bore of cover (3).

4. Securing system according to claim 3, characterized in that the periphery of ring (12) has two flats (12c) located to the right of the fingers (12b) so that it can freely centrifugally deform in its recess when said fingers (12b) cooperate with the projections (4a, 4b) of the grooves (4) of neck (2).

5. Securing system according to claim 4, characterized in that the ring (12) is fixed anguarly and axially with respect to cover (3).

6. Securing system according to claim 3, characterized in that the bottom of the bore (3a) of the cover (3) has a gasket (10) which can be a male cone which enters the opening having a -complementary shape in the neck, a conical annular funnel cooperating with the outlet of the opening of the neck or a flat joint.

7. Securing system according to claim 3, characterized in that the ring (12) has horizontal slots (12d) located on either side of each finger (12b), so that it has a an elasticity in the vertical direction.

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