EP0404710A1

EP0404710A1 - Stopper

Info

Publication number: EP0404710A1
Application number: EP90500053A
Authority: EP
Inventors: César Mana Rey
Original assignee: PLASTICOS PLARI SA
Current assignee: PLASTICOS PLARI SA
Priority date: 1989-06-21
Filing date: 1990-06-15
Publication date: 1990-12-27
Also published as: ES1010622Y; ES1010622U; PT8172Y; PT8172U

Abstract

Stopper, of the type which comprise a stopper body or a stopper properly speaking (1), equipped with means for fitting hermetically in the mouth of the container (3) to be closed, characterized in that it comprises an exterior protuberance (7) which is attached to an opening (6) which keeps said protuberance closed, the latter in its turn being attached to the stopper body by a weakened and easily breakable line (8), so that detachment of the protuberance leaves the opening (6) of the stopper (1) clear.

The contents of the container (3) can be removed but with no possibility for the container (3) to be closed again.

Description

The present invention refers to a stopper fitted with means which prevent it being refitted into the container again once the latter has been opened.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There exist certain products consumption or use of which must take place once the container has been opened, and which cannot be consumed subsequently, even where there remains a quantity left behind in the sealed container. This is the case with certain pharmaceutical products which cannot be kept once the container they are in has been opened, because they deteriorate rapidly. It is for this reason that it is advisable to ensure that the user cannot close the bottle again with the stopper once it has been removed, thus obliging him/her to throw away the contents. Known forms of closure, which comprise a stopper body or a stopper properly speaking, equipped with means for fitting hermetically the mouth of the container to be closed, do not prevent reutilization of the product.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the needs described, the stopper object of this invention was designed, which, once opened, cannot be used again.
The stopper of the invention is characterized in that it comprises an exterior protuberance which is attached to an opening which keeps said protuberance in question closed, which in its turn is connected to the stopper body by a weakened and easily breakable line, so that detachment of the protuberance leaves the opening of the stopper body clear, thus allowing the contents of the container to be removed, but with no possibility of closing it again.
In a preferred embodiment, the protuberance is attached to an opening in the closed base of the stopper body, having the form of a handle to facilitate grasping and coming away thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of all that is described in the present specification, a drawing is attached which, solely by way of example, shows a practical embodiment of the stopper.
In the drawings,

figure 1 is a partially sectioned view of the stopper incorporated into a bottle, while
figure 2 is a view similar to the foregoing, but with the protuberance separated from the stopper body.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The stopper in the drawing consists of a stopper body 1, which can have the form of a hood, with means for fitting of same around the neck 2 of the bottle 3, also presenting an interior prolongation 4 which can be fitted inside the aforementioned neck. It could also have means for fitting solely inside the neck of the bottle and over the mouth of same. Similarly optional is the means of hermetic coupling fitted to the body 1, which may be fitted to the neck 2 by pressure, with screw thread, with or without incorporated seal, or by any other known means, even by welding.
The essential feature of the stopper lies in the fact that the bottom or closed base 5 presents an opening 6 to the edge of which is attached by a weakened line a protuberance 7 in the form of a handle.
As can be deduced from the description and from observation of the drawing, in order to open the bottle it is necessary to separate the protuberance 7 from the stopper body 1, which is easily achieved thanks to the weakened breakage line 8. Once the protuberance 7 has been detached, the opening 6 of the bottom 5 of the stopper 1 is left clear and makes possible the exit of the contents of the bottle.
Once the protuberance 7 has been detached (figure 2) it is no longer possible to refit it nor close the bottle. This ensures that the product contained in the bottle will not be kept, even if the product is not used or consumed in its entirety.

Claims

1. Stopper, of the type which comprises a stopper body or a stopper (1) properly speaking, equipped with means for fitting hermetically in the mouth of the container (3) to be closed, characterized in that it comprises an exterior protuberance (7) which is attached to an opening (6) which keeps said protuberance closed, the latter in its turn being attached to the stopper body by a weakened and easily breakable line, so that detachment of the protuberance leaves the opening (6) of the stopper body (1) clear, thus allowing the contents of the container (3) to be removed but with no possibility of closing it again.

2. Stopper, according to claim 1, characterized in that the protuberance (7) is attached to an opening (6) in the closed base (5) of the stopper body (1), having the form of a handle to facilitate grasping and coming away thereof.