EP0610127B1 - Irreversibly unscrewable sealing device - Google Patents

Irreversibly unscrewable sealing device Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0610127B1
EP0610127B1 EP94400206A EP94400206A EP0610127B1 EP 0610127 B1 EP0610127 B1 EP 0610127B1 EP 94400206 A EP94400206 A EP 94400206A EP 94400206 A EP94400206 A EP 94400206A EP 0610127 B1 EP0610127 B1 EP 0610127B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
neck
threads
stopper
opening
angle
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP94400206A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0610127A1 (en
Inventor
Olivier De Pous
Claude Jouillat
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Aptar France SAS
Original Assignee
Valois SAS
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Valois SAS filed Critical Valois SAS
Publication of EP0610127A1 publication Critical patent/EP0610127A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0610127B1 publication Critical patent/EP0610127B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D41/00—Caps, e.g. crown caps or crown seals, i.e. members having parts arranged for engagement with the external periphery of a neck or wall defining a pouring opening or discharge aperture; Protective cap-like covers for closure members, e.g. decorative covers of metal foil or paper
    • B65D41/02—Caps or cap-like covers without lines of weakness, tearing strips, tags, or like opening or removal devices
    • B65D41/04—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers secured by rotation
    • B65D41/0471—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers secured by rotation with means for positioning the cap on the container, or for limiting the movement of the cap, or for preventing accidental loosening of the cap
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D41/00—Caps, e.g. crown caps or crown seals, i.e. members having parts arranged for engagement with the external periphery of a neck or wall defining a pouring opening or discharge aperture; Protective cap-like covers for closure members, e.g. decorative covers of metal foil or paper
    • B65D41/02—Caps or cap-like covers without lines of weakness, tearing strips, tags, or like opening or removal devices
    • B65D41/04—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers secured by rotation
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2401/00—Tamper-indicating means

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a stopper device with irreversible unscrewing, that is to say a member fixed to the threaded neck of a container for closing it, and which may have the form of a capsule, of a ring capable of support for example a dispensing device for dispensing a fluid substance contained in the container (pump for example), or any other form.
  • the stopper and the ring are made of metal on glass bottles, and of polyethylene on PVC bottles.
  • these closure systems pose problems for the recycling of bottles. Indeed, the ring which is integral with the bottle is most commonly formed from a material different from that of the bottle and which cannot be recycled under the same conditions as the bottle. This ring must therefore be removed from the bottle before recycling, which increases the cost of recycling.
  • the object of the invention is to propose a container closure system which guarantees that the container has not been opened, which can be dismantled without tools to open the container, and which can be completely dismantled from the container during opening to facilitate subsequent recycling of the container.
  • the subject of the invention is therefore a device for closing a container having a neck in which a mouth is formed and which is provided with external relief threads which each extend between a first end more distant from the mouth and a second end closer, the device comprising a unscrewable plug having a side wall which surrounds the neck and which substantially matches the shape of the external threads of said neck, said plug being formed in an elastically deformable material, characterized in that at least some neck fillets are separated two by two by a circumferential distance around the neck, which gradually decreases between the first and second ends of the fillets.
  • the mounting method provided by the present invention is safer than conventional means, which can always give rise to involuntary unscrewing.
  • the external threads are wedge-shaped, with their second end wider than their first end.
  • the external threads are divided into two groups of threads comprising a first group of threads forming a first angle relative to a direction of an axis of revolution of the neck, and a second group of threads forming a second angle, with respect to said direction, said second angle being different from the first angle, and, the external threads of the two groups are distributed alternately around the neck.
  • the neck of the container is made of hard material
  • the stopper is metallic
  • the side wall of the stopper is crimped on the neck in a region which does not extend axially substantially beyond the first end of threads in s' away from the mouth of the neck.
  • the neck of the container is made of hard material
  • the stopper is made of flexible plastic material
  • the side wall of the stopper has internal reliefs which cover the external threads of the neck and which do not extend axially substantially beyond the first end of the threads away from the mouth of the neck, and the stopper is forcibly engaged on the neck by crushing the said internal reliefs of the stopper, said internal reliefs partially resuming their initial shape after tightening by force, by substantially matching the form nets.
  • Said interior reliefs can be axial ribs.
  • the force engagement can be an interlocking followed by a screwing, or a face alone.
  • the threads have a so-called “artillery” profile which limits the possibilities of tearing off the plug, and which facilitates the penetration of the threads into the internal reliefs of the plug if the plug is made of flexible plastic and screwed or forced in.
  • a container 1 which may for example be made of glass, has a neck 4 which has an axis of revolution 4a and which delimits a mouth 10 communicating with the interior of the container 1.
  • the neck 4 has external threads 5 in relief, which each extend between a narrow end 5a, axially further away from the mouth 10, and a wide end 5b, axially closer to the mouth 10.
  • the threads 5 are separated in pairs by a circumferential distance d which decreases between the narrow end 5a and the wide end 5b of the threads.
  • the threads 5 have in this example a profile called “artillery”, that is to say that they have an inclined face 5c in the direction of the mouth and a substantially radial face 5d which is directed opposite the mouth 10.
  • the neck of the container of FIG. 1 is closed by means of a plastic capsule 2 which is shown in FIG. 3.
  • the capsule 2 has a side wall 2a, cylindrical of revolution, which is intended to surround the neck 4 of the container, and which extends axially between a bottom 2b and a free end 2c.
  • the bottom 2b shown in Figure 3 is full but it notes that the bottom 2b could possibly include an opening in which would be mounted an apparatus for dispensing a substance contained in the reservoir, for example a pump.
  • the side wall 2a of the capsule also has internal ribs 11 which extend axially over a certain distance from the bottom 2b of the capsule.
  • a forced insertion is carried out then a forced screwing of the capsule 2 on the neck 4, by mechanical means (mounting machine).
  • the forced entry is facilitated by the artillery profile of the threads 5 of the neck.
  • the forced-in phase could be eliminated, the plug then being engaged on the neck 4 by a single force screwing movement.
  • the force-tightening produces a tapping of the ribs 11, due to the crushing of said ribs 11 by the threads 5, as shown in FIG. 4.
  • the wide ends 5b of the threads 5 first penetrate into the material forming the ribs 11, then the assembly of each thread 5b enters the ribs 11 following the trace formed by the wide end 5b.
  • the ribs 11 partially return to their initial shape after being crushed by the wide end 5b, so that after mounting said ribs 11 substantially match the thread 5 including at the narrower end 5a of said threads 5.
  • the ribs 11 extend axially from the bottom 2b to the narrow end 5a of the threads 5, without substantially exceeding this end 5a while moving away from the mouth 10.
  • the ribs 11 could even stop at an intermediate position on the height of the threads 5.
  • a flat seal 13 can be interposed between the neck 4 of the container and the bottom 2b of the capsule 2.
  • FIG. 5 represents a variant of the device of FIG. 4, in which the capsule 2 is replaced by a metallic capsule 3, which also has a side wall 3a extending axially between a bottom 3b and a free end 3c.
  • the neck 4 of the container can be identical to that of FIG. 1, and a seal 13 can be interposed between the neck 4 of the container and the bottom 3b of the capsule.
  • the side wall 3a of the metal capsule 3 is crimped onto the threads 5, in a region 12 which does not extend axially sensibly beyond the first end 5a of the threads in moving away from the mouth 10 of the neck 4. In the example shown, the region 12 extends only over the threads 5.
  • the region 12 could extend over only part of the threads 5, and it could also extend to the vicinity of the bottom 3b of the capsule 3.
  • the crimping of the capsule can be carried out by means of a known crimping pliers 14, shown in the rest position in FIG. 6.
  • the clamp 14 comprises two annular jaws 15, 16, arranged axially on each side of an annular elastomer part 17.
  • the two jaws 15, 16 and the annular elastomer part 17 have substantially the same internal diameter.
  • the two jaws 15, 16 pinch between them the annular elastomer part, as shown in FIG. 5, the part 17 is deformed radially inwards, so that it crimps the side wall 3a of the capsule on the neck 4 of the container, substantially matching the external shape of the side wall 3a of the capsule in the crimping zone 12.
  • FIG. 7 represents a variant of the shape of the threads of the neck 4 of the container, usable with the types of capsule described above.
  • the neck 4 of FIG. 7 comprises external raised threads 6, 7, which are divided into two groups.
  • a first group comprises threads 6 which form a first angle ⁇ 1 relative to the axis of revolution 4a of the neck 4
  • a second group comprises threads 7 which form a second angle ⁇ 2 slightly different from the first angle ⁇ 1 by relative to said direction of the axis of revolution of the neck.
  • the nets of the two groups are distributed alternately around the neck, so that the configuration of FIG. 7 is equivalent to the wedge-shaped nets 5 of FIG. 1.

Description

La présente invention concerne un dispositif de bouchage à dévissage irréversible, c'est-à-dire un organe fixé sur le col fileté d'un récipient pour le boucher, et qui peut avoir la forme d'une capsule, d'une bague pouvant supporter par exemple un appareil de distribution pour distribuer une substance fluide contenue dans le récipient (pompe par exemple), ou toute autre forme.The present invention relates to a stopper device with irreversible unscrewing, that is to say a member fixed to the threaded neck of a container for closing it, and which may have the form of a capsule, of a ring capable of support for example a dispensing device for dispensing a fluid substance contained in the container (pump for example), or any other form.

Il est connu de prévoir, sur les fermetures de récipients, des moyens qui indiquent que le récipient a été ouvert, notamment afin de garantir au consommateur que le contenu du récipient n'a pas été modifié ou partiellement vidé avant son achat.It is known to provide, on the closings of containers, means which indicate that the container has been opened, in particular in order to guarantee to the consumer that the content of the container has not been modified or partially emptied before its purchase.

Par exemple, il est courant de boucher des bouteilles de liquides au moyen d'un bouchon dévissable qui est relié, par des ponts frangibles de matière, à une bague solidaire du col de la bouteille. Couramment, le bouchon et la bague sont en métal sur les bouteilles en verre, et en polyéthylène sur les bouteilles en PVC. Toutefois, ces systèmes de bouchage posent des problèmes pour le recyclage des bouteilles. En effet, la bague qui est solidaire de la bouteille est le plus couramment formée dans un matériau différent de celui de la bouteille et qui ne peut pas être recyclé dans les mêmes conditions que la bouteille. Cette bague doit donc être démontée de la bouteille avant recyclage, ce qui renchérit le coût du recyclage.For example, it is common to cap bottles of liquids by means of a unscrewable cap which is connected, by frangible bridges of material, to a ring secured to the neck of the bottle. Commonly, the stopper and the ring are made of metal on glass bottles, and of polyethylene on PVC bottles. However, these closure systems pose problems for the recycling of bottles. Indeed, the ring which is integral with the bottle is most commonly formed from a material different from that of the bottle and which cannot be recycled under the same conditions as the bottle. This ring must therefore be removed from the bottle before recycling, which increases the cost of recycling.

Il est aussi bien connu de boucher des bouteilles en verre au moyen d'une capsule métallique sertie, qui garantit que la bouteille n'a pas été ouverte. Toutefois, l'ouverture de la bouteille nécessite l'emploi d'un ouvre-bouteille, ce qui est peu pratique.It is also well known to stop glass bottles by means of a crimped metal cap, which guarantees that the bottle has not been opened. However, opening the bottle requires the use of a bottle opener, which is impractical.

L'invention a pour but de proposer un système de bouchage d'un récipient qui garantisse que le récipient n'a pas été ouvert, qui soit démontable sans outil pour ouvrir le récipient, et qui se démonte en totalité du récipient lors de l'ouverture pour faciliter le recyclage ultérieur du récipient.The object of the invention is to propose a container closure system which guarantees that the container has not been opened, which can be dismantled without tools to open the container, and which can be completely dismantled from the container during opening to facilitate subsequent recycling of the container.

Le document US-A-4 717 034 décrit un dispositif de bouchage correspondant au préambule de la revendication 1.Document US-A-4 717 034 describes a closure device corresponding to the preamble of claim 1.

L'invention a donc pour objet un dispositif de bouchage d'un récipient ayant un col dans lequel est formée une embouchure et qui est dotée de filets externes en relief qui s'étendent chacun entre une première extrémité plus éloignée de l'embouchure et une deuxième extrémité plus proche, le dispositif comportant un bouchon dévissable ayant une paroi latérale qui entoure le col et qui épouse sensiblement la forme des filets externes dudit col, ledit bouchon étant formé dans un matériau déformable élastiquement, caractérisé en ce qu'au moins certains des filets du col sont séparés deux à deux par une distance circonférentielle autour du col, qui décroît progressivement entre la première et la deuxième extrémité des filets. Il est alors possible de dévisser le bouchon manuellement, le dégagement de la deuxième extrémité de filets étant permis par une déformation élastique de l'intérieur de la paroi latérale du bouchon, par effet de coin. Par contre, l'utilisateur ne peut plus revisser le bouchon après l'ouverture parce que le matériau du bouchon a repris sa forme d'avant dévissage, par élasticité. En outre, le mode de montage prévu par la présente invention est plus sûr qu'un moyen classique, qui peut toujours donner lieu à un dévissage involontaire.The subject of the invention is therefore a device for closing a container having a neck in which a mouth is formed and which is provided with external relief threads which each extend between a first end more distant from the mouth and a second end closer, the device comprising a unscrewable plug having a side wall which surrounds the neck and which substantially matches the shape of the external threads of said neck, said plug being formed in an elastically deformable material, characterized in that at least some neck fillets are separated two by two by a circumferential distance around the neck, which gradually decreases between the first and second ends of the fillets. It is then possible to unscrew the plug manually, the release of the second end of the threads being allowed by an elastic deformation of the inside of the side wall of the plug, by wedge effect. On the other hand, the user can no longer screw the cap back on after opening because the material of the plug resumed its shape before unscrewing, by elasticity. In addition, the mounting method provided by the present invention is safer than conventional means, which can always give rise to involuntary unscrewing.

Selon une forme de réalisation, les filets externes sont en forme de coin, avec leur deuxième extrémité plus large que leur première extrémité.According to one embodiment, the external threads are wedge-shaped, with their second end wider than their first end.

Selon une autre forme de réalisation, les filets externes sont répartis en deux groupes de filets comprenant un premier groupe de filets formant un premier angle par rapport à un direction d'un axe de révolution du col, et un deuxième groupe de filets formant un deuxième angle, par rapport à ladite direction, ledit deuxième angle étant différent du premier angle, et, les filets externes des deux groupes sont répartis en alternance autour du col.According to another embodiment, the external threads are divided into two groups of threads comprising a first group of threads forming a first angle relative to a direction of an axis of revolution of the neck, and a second group of threads forming a second angle, with respect to said direction, said second angle being different from the first angle, and, the external threads of the two groups are distributed alternately around the neck.

Avantageusement, le col du récipient est en matériau dur, le bouchon est métallique, et la paroi latérale du bouchon est sertie sur le col dans une région qui ne s'étend pas axialement sensiblement au-delà de la première extrémité de filets en s'éloignant de l'embouchure du col.Advantageously, the neck of the container is made of hard material, the stopper is metallic, and the side wall of the stopper is crimped on the neck in a region which does not extend axially substantially beyond the first end of threads in s' away from the mouth of the neck.

Avantageusement, le col du récipient est en matériau dur, le bouchon est en matériau plastique souple, et la paroi latérale du bouchon comporte des reliefs intérieurs qui recouvrent le filets externes du col et qui ne s'étendent pas axialement sensiblement au-delà de la première extrémité des filets en s'éloignant de l'embouchure du col, et le bouchon est engagé à force sur le col en écrasant ledits reliefs intérieurs du bouchon, lesdits reliefs intérieurs reprenant partiellement leur forme initiale après vissage à force, en épousant sensiblement la forme des filets. Lesdits reliefs intérieurs peuvent être des nervures axiales. L'engagement à force peut être un emboîtement suivi d'un vissage, ou un visage seul.Advantageously, the neck of the container is made of hard material, the stopper is made of flexible plastic material, and the side wall of the stopper has internal reliefs which cover the external threads of the neck and which do not extend axially substantially beyond the first end of the threads away from the mouth of the neck, and the stopper is forcibly engaged on the neck by crushing the said internal reliefs of the stopper, said internal reliefs partially resuming their initial shape after tightening by force, by substantially matching the form nets. Said interior reliefs can be axial ribs. The force engagement can be an interlocking followed by a screwing, or a face alone.

Avantageusement, les filets ont un profil dit "d'artillerie" qui limite les possibilités d'arrachement du bouchon, et qui facilite la pénétration des filets dans les reliefs intérieurs du bouchon si le bouchon est en plastique souple et vissé ou enfoncé à force.Advantageously, the threads have a so-called "artillery" profile which limits the possibilities of tearing off the plug, and which facilitates the penetration of the threads into the internal reliefs of the plug if the plug is made of flexible plastic and screwed or forced in.

D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de l'invention apparaîtront au cours de la description détaillée suivante de plusieurs formes de réalisation de l'invention, donnée à titre d'exemples non limitatifs en regard des dessins joints.Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear during the following detailed description of several embodiments of the invention, given by way of nonlimiting examples with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Sur les dessins:

  • la figure 1 est une vue en élevation du col d'un récipient appartenant au dispositif de bouchage selon une forme de réalisation de la présente invention,
  • la figure 2 est une vue de détail en coupe du col de la figure 1, prise selon la ligne II-II de la figure 1,
  • la figure 3 est une vue en coupe axiale d'une capsule en matière plastique destinée à être fixée sur le col de récipient de la figure 1,
  • la figure 4 est une vue en coupe axiale du dispositif de bouchage constitué par la capsule de la figure 3 fixée sur le col de la figure 1,
  • la figure 5 est une vue en coupe axiale d'une variante du dispositif de la figure 3, qui comporte une capsule métallique sertie, avec l'outil utilisé pour le sertissage,
  • la figure 6 est une vue en coupe axiale de l'outil de sertissage représenté sur la figure 5, en position de repos, et
  • la figure 7 est une vue en élévation d'un col de récipient utilisable dans une autre variante de l'invention.
In the drawings:
  • FIG. 1 is an elevation view of the neck of a container belonging to the closure device according to an embodiment of the present invention,
  • FIG. 2 is a detail view in section of the neck of FIG. 1, taken along line II-II of FIG. 1,
  • FIG. 3 is a view in axial section of a plastic capsule intended to be fixed to the container neck of FIG. 1,
  • FIG. 4 is a view in axial section of the closure device constituted by the capsule of FIG. 3 fixed on the neck of FIG. 1,
  • FIG. 5 is a view in axial section of a variant of the device of FIG. 3, which comprises a crimped metal capsule, with the tool used for crimping,
  • FIG. 6 is a view in axial section of the crimping tool shown in FIG. 5, in the rest position, and
  • Figure 7 is an elevational view of a container neck usable in another variant of the invention.

Sur la figure 1, un récipient 1, qui peut être par exemple en verre, comporte un col 4 qui présente un axe de révolution 4a et qui délimite une embouchure 10 communiquant avec l'intérieur du récipient 1. Le col 4 comporte des filets externes 5 en relief, qui s'étendent chacun entre une extrémité étroite 5a, axialement plus éloignée de l'embouchure 10, et une extrémité large 5b, axialement plus rapprochée de l'embouchure 10. Ainsi, les filets 5 sont séparés deux à deux par une distance circonférentielle d qui décroît entre l'extrémité étroite 5a et l'extrémité large 5b des filets.In FIG. 1, a container 1, which may for example be made of glass, has a neck 4 which has an axis of revolution 4a and which delimits a mouth 10 communicating with the interior of the container 1. The neck 4 has external threads 5 in relief, which each extend between a narrow end 5a, axially further away from the mouth 10, and a wide end 5b, axially closer to the mouth 10. Thus, the threads 5 are separated in pairs by a circumferential distance d which decreases between the narrow end 5a and the wide end 5b of the threads.

Comme représenté sur la figure 2, les filets 5 ont dans cet exemple un profil dit "d'artillerie", c'est-à-dire qu'ils présentent une face inclinée 5c en direction de l'embouchre la et une face sensiblement radiale 5d qui est dirigée à l'opposé de l'embouchure 10.As shown in Figure 2, the threads 5 have in this example a profile called "artillery", that is to say that they have an inclined face 5c in the direction of the mouth and a substantially radial face 5d which is directed opposite the mouth 10.

Le col du récipient de la figure 1 est bouché au moyen d'une capsule en matière plastique 2 qui est représentée sur la figure 3. La capsule 2 comporte une paroi latérale 2a, cylindrique de révolution, qui est destinée à entourer le col 4 du récipient, et qui s'étend axialement entre un fond 2b et une extrémité libre 2c. Le fond 2b représenté sur la figure 3 est plein mais il fait noter que le fond 2b pourrait éventuellement comporter une ouverture dans laquelle serait monté un appareil pour distribuer une substance contenue dans le réservoir, par exemple une pompe.The neck of the container of FIG. 1 is closed by means of a plastic capsule 2 which is shown in FIG. 3. The capsule 2 has a side wall 2a, cylindrical of revolution, which is intended to surround the neck 4 of the container, and which extends axially between a bottom 2b and a free end 2c. The bottom 2b shown in Figure 3 is full but it notes that the bottom 2b could possibly include an opening in which would be mounted an apparatus for dispensing a substance contained in the reservoir, for example a pump.

La paroi latérale 2a de la capsule comporte en outre des nervures intérieures 11, qui s'étendent axialement sur une certaine distance à partir du fond 2b de la capsule.The side wall 2a of the capsule also has internal ribs 11 which extend axially over a certain distance from the bottom 2b of the capsule.

Pour monter la capsule 2 sur le col 4 du récipient, on effectue un enfoncement à force puis un vissage à force de la capsule 2 sur le col 4, par des moyens mécaniques (machine de montage). L'enfoncement à force est facilité par le profil d'artillerie des filets 5 du col. La phase d'enfoncement à force pourrait être supprimée, le bouchon étant alors engagé sur le col 4 par un seul mouvement de vissage à force. Le vissage à force produit un taraudage des nervures 11, du fait de l'écrasement desdites nervures 11 par les filets 5, comme représenté sur la figure 4. Lors de ce vissage à force, les extrémités larges 5b des filets 5 pénètrent les premières dans la matière formant les nervures 11, puis l'ensemble de chaque filet 5b pénètre dans les nervures 11 en suivant la trace formée par l'extrémité large 5b. Toutefois, comme la capsule est formée dans une matière plastique souple, par exemple du polyéthylène basse densité, les nervures 11 reprennent partiellement leur forme initiale après leur écrasement par l'extrémité large 5b, de sorte qu'après montage lesdites nervures 11 épousent sensiblement le filet 5 y compris au niveau de l'extrémité plus étroite 5a desdits filets 5. Comme on peut le voir sur la figure 4, les nervures 11 s'étendent axialement depuis le fond 2b jusqu'à l'extrémité étroite 5a des filets 5, sans dépasser sensiblement cette extrémité 5a en s'en éloignant de l'embouchure 10. Eventuellement, les nervures 11 pourraient même s'arrêter à une position intermédiaire sur la hauteur des filets 5.To mount the capsule 2 on the neck 4 of the container, a forced insertion is carried out then a forced screwing of the capsule 2 on the neck 4, by mechanical means (mounting machine). The forced entry is facilitated by the artillery profile of the threads 5 of the neck. The forced-in phase could be eliminated, the plug then being engaged on the neck 4 by a single force screwing movement. The force-tightening produces a tapping of the ribs 11, due to the crushing of said ribs 11 by the threads 5, as shown in FIG. 4. During this force-tightening, the wide ends 5b of the threads 5 first penetrate into the material forming the ribs 11, then the assembly of each thread 5b enters the ribs 11 following the trace formed by the wide end 5b. However, as the capsule is formed in a flexible plastic material, for example low density polyethylene, the ribs 11 partially return to their initial shape after being crushed by the wide end 5b, so that after mounting said ribs 11 substantially match the thread 5 including at the narrower end 5a of said threads 5. As can be seen in FIG. 4, the ribs 11 extend axially from the bottom 2b to the narrow end 5a of the threads 5, without substantially exceeding this end 5a while moving away from the mouth 10. Optionally, the ribs 11 could even stop at an intermediate position on the height of the threads 5.

Eventuellement, comme représenté sur la figure 4, un joint plat d'étanchéité 13 peut être interposé entre le col 4 du récipient et le fond 2b de la capsule 2.Optionally, as shown in FIG. 4, a flat seal 13 can be interposed between the neck 4 of the container and the bottom 2b of the capsule 2.

Lorsqu'un utilisateur veut ouvrir le récipient 1, il doit dévisser la capsule 2. Ce dévissage produit à nouveau un écrasement d'une partie des nervures 11, du fait que les parties écrasées des nervures 11 qui épousaient sensiblement la forme de l'extrémité étroite 5a des filets doivent repasser sur l'extrémité large 5b des filets. Toutefois, cet écrasement se fait sans trop de diffilcuté du fait de la forme de coin des filets 5, et du fait que l'angle α formé par le coin est faible. Mais après dévissage complet de la capsule 2, les nervures 11 reprennent au moins partiellement leur forme par élasticité, au moins dans leurs parties qui n'ont pas subies de déformation permanente en épousant la forme des filets 5 pendant une longue durée. Ainsi, après dévissage, l'utilisateur n'est plus en mesure de révisser la capsule 2 en matière plastique, puisque ce révissage nécessiterait de faire passer les extrémités larges 5b des filets 5 dans des zones écrasées étroites qui correspondaient aux extrémités étroites 5a des filets lorsque la capsule était montée sur le col.When a user wants to open the container 1, he must unscrew the capsule 2. This unscrewing again produces a crushing of part of the ribs 11, because the crushed parts of the ribs 11 which substantially match the shape of the end narrow 5a of the threads must pass over the wide end 5b of the threads. However, this crushing is done without too much difficulty due to the wedge shape of the threads 5, and the fact that the angle α formed by the wedge is small. But after complete unscrewing of the capsule 2, the ribs 11 at least partially resume their shape by elasticity, at least in their parts which have not undergone permanent deformation by marrying the shape of the threads 5 for a long time. Thus, after unscrewing, the user is no longer able to re-screw the plastic cap 2, since this re-tightening would require passing the wide ends 5b of the threads 5 into narrow crushed zones which corresponded to the narrow ends 5a of the threads when the capsule was mounted on the cervix.

La figure 5 représente une variante du dispositif de la figure 4, dans laquelle la capsule 2 est remplacée par une capsule 3 métallique, qui comporte aussi une paroi latérale 3a s'étendant axialement entre un fond 3b et une extrémité libre 3c. Le col 4 du récipient peut être identique à celui de la figure 1, et un joint d'étanchéité 13 peut être interposé entre le col 4 du récipient et le fond 3b de la capsule. Dans cette variante, la paroi latérale 3a de la capsule métallique 3 est sertie sur les filets 5, dans une région 12 qui ne s'étend pas axialement seniblement au-delà de la première extrémité 5a des filets en s'éloignant de l'embouchure 10 du col 4. Dans l'exemple représenté, la région 12 s'étend uniquement sur les filets 5. Eventuellement, la région 12 pourrait s'étendre sur seulement une partie des filets 5, et elle pourrait aussi s'étendre jusqu'au voisinage du fond 3b de la capsule 3. Le sertissage de la capsule peut être mise en oeuvre au moyen d'une pince de sertissage 14 connue, représentée en position de repos sur la figure 6. Schématiquement, la pince 14 comporte deux machoires annulaires 15, 16, disposées axialement de chaque côté d'une pièce annulaire en élastomère 17. Au repos, comme représenté sur la figure 6, les deux machoires 15, 16 et la pièce annulaire 17 en élastomère ont sensiblement le même diamètre interne. Lorsque les deux machoires 15, 16 pincent entre elles la pièce annulaire en élastomère, comme représenté sur la figure 5, la pièce 17 est déformée radialement vers l'intérieur, de sorte qu'elle sertit la paroi latérale 3a de la capsule sur le col 4 du récipient, en épousant sensiblement la forme externe de la paroi latérale 3a de la capsule dans la zone de sertissage 12.FIG. 5 represents a variant of the device of FIG. 4, in which the capsule 2 is replaced by a metallic capsule 3, which also has a side wall 3a extending axially between a bottom 3b and a free end 3c. The neck 4 of the container can be identical to that of FIG. 1, and a seal 13 can be interposed between the neck 4 of the container and the bottom 3b of the capsule. In this variant, the side wall 3a of the metal capsule 3 is crimped onto the threads 5, in a region 12 which does not extend axially sensibly beyond the first end 5a of the threads in moving away from the mouth 10 of the neck 4. In the example shown, the region 12 extends only over the threads 5. Optionally, the region 12 could extend over only part of the threads 5, and it could also extend to the vicinity of the bottom 3b of the capsule 3. The crimping of the capsule can be carried out by means of a known crimping pliers 14, shown in the rest position in FIG. 6. Schematically, the clamp 14 comprises two annular jaws 15, 16, arranged axially on each side of an annular elastomer part 17. At rest, as shown in FIG. 6, the two jaws 15, 16 and the annular elastomer part 17 have substantially the same internal diameter. When the two jaws 15, 16 pinch between them the annular elastomer part, as shown in FIG. 5, the part 17 is deformed radially inwards, so that it crimps the side wall 3a of the capsule on the neck 4 of the container, substantially matching the external shape of the side wall 3a of the capsule in the crimping zone 12.

La figure 7 représente une variante de la forme des filets du col 4 du récipient, utilisable avec les types de capsule décrits ci-dessus. Le col 4 de la figure 7 comporte des filets externes en relief 6, 7, qui sont répartis en deux groupes. Un premier groupe comporte des filets 6 qui forment un premier angle α 1 par rapport à l'axe de révolution 4a du col 4, et un deuxième groupe comporte des filets 7 qui forment un deuxième angle α2 légèrement différent du premier angle α1 par rapport à ladite direction de l'axe de révolution du col. Les filets des deux groupes sont répartis en alternance autour du col, de sorte que la configuration de la figure 7 est équivalente aux filets 5 en forme de coin de la figure 1.FIG. 7 represents a variant of the shape of the threads of the neck 4 of the container, usable with the types of capsule described above. The neck 4 of FIG. 7 comprises external raised threads 6, 7, which are divided into two groups. A first group comprises threads 6 which form a first angle α 1 relative to the axis of revolution 4a of the neck 4, and a second group comprises threads 7 which form a second angle α 2 slightly different from the first angle α 1 by relative to said direction of the axis of revolution of the neck. The nets of the two groups are distributed alternately around the neck, so that the configuration of FIG. 7 is equivalent to the wedge-shaped nets 5 of FIG. 1.

Claims (9)

  1. A closure system for a receptacle (1) having a neck (4) in which an opening (10) is formed and provided with outwardly projecting external threads (5; 6, 7) each extending between a first end (5a; 6a, 7a) further from the opening (10) and a second end (5b; 6b, 7b) closer to the opening (10), the system comprising an unscrewable stopper (2; 3) having a side wall (2a; 3a) that surrounds the neck (4) and that fits substantially snugly over the shape of the external threads (5; 6, 7) of said neck, said stopper being made of a material that is elastically deformable, the system being characterized in that at least some of the threads (5; 6, 7) of the neck are spaced apart in pairs by a circumferential distance (d) around the neck that decreases progressively between the first and second ends of the threads.
  2. A system according to claim 1, in which the external threads (5) are wedge-shaped, their second ends (5b) being wider than their first ends.
  3. A system according to claim 1, in which the external threads (6, 7) are distributed in two groups of threads comprising a first group of threads (6) forming a first angle (α1) relative to a direction of an axis of revolution of the neck, and a second group of threads (7) forming a second angle (α2) relative to said direction, said second angle (α2) being different from the first angle (α1) and the external threads of the two groups being distributed in alternation around the neck.
  4. A system according to any preceding claim, in which the neck (4) of the receptacle is made of a hard material, the stopper (3) is made of metal, and the side wall (3a) of the stopper is crimped onto the neck (4) in a region (12) that does not extend axially substantially beyond the first ends (5a; 6a, 7a) of the threads going away from the opening (10) of the neck.
  5. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the neck (4) of the receptacle is made of a hard material, the stopper (2) is made of a flexible plastics material, and the side wall (2a) of the stopper includes inwardly directed projections (11) that overlie the external threads (5; 6, 7) of the neck and that do not extend axially substantially beyond the first ends (5a; 6a, 7a) of the threads going away from the opening (10) of the neck, and the stopper (2) is engaged by force onto the neck by crushing said internal projections (11) of the stopper, said internal projections partially returning to their initial shape after screwing by force, constituting a substantially snug fit around the shape of the threads.
  6. A system according to claim 5, in which the stopper (2) is forced onto the neck (4) by being engaged axially and then screwed.
  7. A system according to claim 5, in which the stopper (2) is forced onto the neck (4) by being screwed.
  8. A system according to any one of claims 5 to 7, in which said internal projections are axial ribs (11).
  9. A system according to any preceding claim, in which the threads (5; 6, 7) have a barbed or "artillery" profile.
EP94400206A 1993-02-04 1994-02-01 Irreversibly unscrewable sealing device Expired - Lifetime EP0610127B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR9301238 1993-02-04
FR9301238A FR2701010B1 (en) 1993-02-04 1993-02-04 Irreversible unscrewing closure device.

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0610127A1 EP0610127A1 (en) 1994-08-10
EP0610127B1 true EP0610127B1 (en) 1996-10-23

Family

ID=9443730

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP94400206A Expired - Lifetime EP0610127B1 (en) 1993-02-04 1994-02-01 Irreversibly unscrewable sealing device

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US5398830A (en)
EP (1) EP0610127B1 (en)
DE (1) DE69400760T2 (en)
FR (1) FR2701010B1 (en)

Families Citing this family (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP3790733B2 (en) * 2002-10-03 2006-06-28 等 前島 Fastening device between two components and fastening method thereof
FR2891529B1 (en) * 2005-10-04 2007-12-07 Valois Sas RECOVERY ORGAN, PROCESS FOR PRODUCING SUCH ORGAN AND DISPENSER COMPRISING SUCH AN ORGAN
FR2891530B1 (en) 2005-10-04 2007-12-07 Valois Sas RECOVERY BODY, METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING SAME, AND FLUID PRODUCT DISPENSER USING SAME
FR2891533B1 (en) * 2005-10-04 2007-12-07 Valois Sas RECOVERY BODY, METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING SAME, AND FLUID PRODUCT DISPENSER USING SAME
JP2009132411A (en) * 2007-11-30 2009-06-18 3R Produce:Kk Fastening structure
US20090272745A1 (en) * 2008-05-02 2009-11-05 Ryan Dohse Disposable Substance Dispensing Apparatus
WO2010125604A1 (en) * 2009-04-28 2010-11-04 株式会社３Ｒプロデュース Fastening structure
WO2021041123A1 (en) * 2019-08-27 2021-03-04 Runway Blue, Llc Anti-cross-threading thread configuration

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2193227A (en) * 1937-09-13 1940-03-12 Cherry Burrell Corp Closure for containers
US2304826A (en) * 1940-07-01 1942-12-15 Peters Bros Rubber Co Inc Replaceable crown closure
US4717034A (en) * 1982-07-06 1988-01-05 Owens-Illinois Closure Inc. One-piece thermoplastic closure having press-on screw off structure including spaced vertical ribs in the skirt of the closure

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0610127A1 (en) 1994-08-10
DE69400760T2 (en) 1997-05-22
DE69400760D1 (en) 1996-11-28
US5398830A (en) 1995-03-21
FR2701010A1 (en) 1994-08-05
FR2701010B1 (en) 1995-03-24

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP3741703B1 (en) Screw cap intended to remain attached to a container after opening of the container
FR2704527A1 (en) Combination of a battery of containers and a strip of caps, and the combination of a container and a cap.
FR2546853A1 (en) RELEASE RING CAP WITH SECURITY RING
EP0432059B1 (en) Threaded closure cap with temper-evident band
EP0610127B1 (en) Irreversibly unscrewable sealing device
EP3838790B1 (en) Screw cap device intended to remain attached to a container after opening of the container
EP2687198B1 (en) Device capable of securing the distribution of a liquid contained in a vial
FR2551731A1 (en) ASSEMBLY FOR PACKAGING AND APPLICATION OF A VARNISHED SUBSTANCE
LU88070A1 (en) SEAL FOR BOTTLE CAPS
FR3096361A1 (en) Screw cap intended to remain attached to a container after opening the container.
EP0794129A1 (en) Closure for a container, particularlyfor a medical vial
EP1103478B1 (en) Recyclable plastic packaging assembly
EP1705129B1 (en) Cap made of plastic
EP3984906B1 (en) Screw cap intended to remain attached to a container after opening and which can be held in an open position
FR2523551A1 (en) Bottle top and stopper with detachable seal - has double wall construction and seal takes form of locked on strip on bottom edge of outer wall
CA2981936C (en) Stopper for a container neck
EP3984905B1 (en) Screw cap intended to remain attached to a container after opening, containing in particular an effervescent liquid
WO2000046116A1 (en) Oriented closure device and container
EP2105386A1 (en) Tamper-proof device for screw cap
FR2813280A1 (en) Bottle neck has external thread on to which internally threaded stopper can be fitted, projections on thread braking stopper as it is screwed from intermediate position to fully screwed up position
EP0045708B1 (en) Security cap for the tamper-proof fastening of non refillable stoppers for bottles and other containers
EP1663802A1 (en) Fixing system for a socket mounted on a finally-shaped container
FR2539212A1 (en) Tamper-evident safety cap, particularly for sealing the valve nozzle of liquefied petroleum gas containers
EP1077885A1 (en) Tamperproof device for cap
WO2002016217A1 (en) Closure comprising means for locking radial deformation of the tamperproof band

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): DE FR GB IT

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19950130

GRAG Despatch of communication of intention to grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19960313

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): DE FR GB IT

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 69400760

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 19961128

ITF It: translation for a ep patent filed

Owner name: SOCIETA' ITALIANA BREVETTI S.P.A.

GBT Gb: translation of ep patent filed (gb section 77(6)(a)/1977)

Effective date: 19970124

RAP2 Party data changed (patent owner data changed or rights of a patent transferred)

Owner name: VALOIS S.A.

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: TP

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: CD

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: CA

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed
REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: IF02

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20060214

Year of fee payment: 13

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20070901

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Payment date: 20080219

Year of fee payment: 15

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20080206

Year of fee payment: 15

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20090201

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20090201

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20090201

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20110316

Year of fee payment: 18

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

Effective date: 20121031

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20120229