EP0749391B1 - Container with a neck provided with a dispensing closure having a partially unscrewable cap - Google Patents

Abstract

A receiver, i.e., a container, has a ring provided with a distribution capsule. The capsule includes a cap provided with at least one distribution orifice which is mounted to be screwed and unscrewed between at least two positions, by at least one thread provided on the ring. The capsule also includes a reducer which is integral or attached to the ring and provided with a blocking tip so as to block at will the orifice of the cap as a function of its position on the ring. The ring of the container includes two parallel screwing threads adapted to cooperate each with a spur provided in the cap. The ring also includes helical ramps for assembly of the cap on the ring. The winding direction of the helical ramps alternates every quarter turn such that the helical ramps form two points and two recesses. Each recess is extended by a longitudinal groove which extends at least toward one of the threads and which is capable of receiving one of the spurs of the cap during assembly of the cap on the ring.

Description

The invention relates to a ring container provided with a capsule. dispenser with partially unscrewable cap, container containing a product to distribute and more particularly a product liquid or pasty.

The dispensing capsules advantageously replace the simple plugs to unscrew, said capsules remaining adjacent to the container, while opening and closing takes place by a special operation of the capsule.

This is how one realizes, for example, a capsule comprising on the one hand, a cap provided with at least one dispensing orifice which is mounted screwable and unscrewable between at least two positions, by means of at least one thread provided on the ring, and other part, a reducer integral or attached to the ring and provided with a obturation shutter, so as to close at will the orifice of the cap according to its position on the ring.

Generally, the opening of the cap is central, as for example in the device described in document FR-A-1,545,591. also knows systems of this type with multiple bit rates or bit rates variable, the flow rate being determined by the position of the cap by compared to the ring and therefore to the shutter.

In all cases, the cap must be mounted on the ring so that it can then take at least two positions without separating from the container.

For this purpose, it is necessary to bring the pins or the like, with the cap, in all operating threads by then preventing said pins from being able to escape so untimely said threads.

For that, that it is a question of filling the container provided with its ring before placing the capsule on it, or filling the container with the bottom, the container being already equipped or not with its capsule, or weld a ring on a container, said ring being provided with its capsule, it will always be necessary to mount the capsule on the ring. This assembly operation may, as the case may be, be carried out by the manufacturer or conditioner.

So far, delicate systems for tracking and positioning were necessary for the cap to appear in good angular position relative to the ring.

This is why the inventor imagined a container of the type mentioned above, the design of which allows in particular an assembly simplified.

To this end, the container according to the invention is remarkable in that the container ring has two parallel threads of screwing, limited and intended to cooperate each with a lug provided in the cap and in that the ring also has ramps helical assembly of the cap whose winding directions are alternated every quarter of a turn so that said ramps form between them two points and respectively two diametrically hollow opposite, each hollow being extended by a longitudinal groove which extends to at least one of the threads and which is intended to receive one of the lugs on the cap during the assembly of this one on the ring.

Advantageously, each longitudinal groove opens into the corresponding thread through a rib which is forcibly passed through the corresponding lug on the cap during the assembly, said rib serving as a non-return stop and preferably, the longitudinal grooves open at least at the ends starting threads, so that at assembly, the cap takes a closed position.

According to an entirely interesting embodiment, the threads extend symmetrically each over a little more than half a turn so that each thread originates in a longitudinal groove and ends in the other longitudinal groove, the starting end of the thread being separated from the end end of the other thread by a rib serving as a non-return stop, which can be forced through the corresponding lug of the cap, at the time of assembly, but also if we want to obtain closing by applying pressure to the cap.

We then understand that the capsule can advantageously be closed as desired, by screwing or by simple pressure on the cap.

In addition, a rotation of half a turn allows to find a symmetrical position, which is advantageous for example for a cap and a container of non-circular section.

Preferably, the rib which separates the threads has increasing thickness towards the base of the ring so as to facilitate in this sense the passage in force and on the contrary improve the non-return retainer and the end end of each thread is closed relative to the corresponding longitudinal groove, by a rib which has been forced through the corresponding lug on the cap during assembly, said rib serving as a non-return stop.

According to one embodiment, each lug is presented under the shape of a small rib with a width at most equal to that of the longitudinal groove in which it engages in assembly and preferably, each rib forming a lug has a slope on the horizontal corresponding substantially to that of the threads.

We can also provide that the rib forming the lug has in its middle part, a notch intended to cooperate with a small projection in the corresponding thread opposite the longitudinal groove to ensure marking and / or locking of position.

A particular embodiment is remarkable in that the cap has at least one longitudinal rib on its wall internal, intended to cooperate with at least one projection provided on the helical assembly ramps to ensure locking and / or sound marking at closing and opening and advantageously, the cap has only one slightly slightly longitudinal rib offset towards one of the pins relative to a plane perpendicular to the plane passing through said pins, while the assembly ramps are provided with two projections arranged at the level of the points formed by said ramps.

According to embodiments, the cap has an element tubular coaxial with its orifice, intended to slide from tightly on or in a chimney provided on the reducer.

To provide protection even when the cap is in open position, the opening of the cap is fitted with a seal fitted a slot and a housing for the end cap so that the latter, in the closed position, seals the slot of said seal when coming to be disposed in its housing, while in the open position, the seal acts as a valve allowing the evacuation of the product through its slot, while preventing in reverse possible entry of impurities.

According to yet another embodiment, the container can be equipped with a tamper-evident system comprising a fixed band of detachable at the base of the cap and provided with means for blocking intended to cooperate with combined means arranged on the container ring as soon as the cap is assembled on said ring such that said cap cannot rotate relative to the ring until said strip is not removed. For example in this in this case, the means for locking the strip on the cap constitute also the means of fixing the strip on the cap and are presented in the form of at least two tabs connected to the cap detachable way, while the combined means of the ring are formed of at least two notches formed in a base of the ring, in the same angular position as the tabs in the closure, in order to receive these during the assembly of the cap on the ring and in particular, the tabs are arranged diametrically opposite, in the same axial plane as that of the pins, while the notches are also provided diametrically opposite, in the same axial plane as the longitudinal grooves.

One of the interests of the cap and ring structures specified above, consists of an ease of assembly.

This is why the invention of course relates assembling the cap on the ring of a container according to the invention, which is remarkable in what it consists, whatever the initial position of the cap relative to the ring, to be driven in rotation of said cap relative to the ring while exerting on this one axial pressure until the lugs of the cap reach the starting ends of the threads after having were guided on the helical ramps then in the longitudinal grooves.

• la figure 1 montre en élévation la bague d'un récipient selon l'invention,
• la figure 2 est une coupe partielle selon II-II de la figure 1,
• la figure 3 montre en demi-coupe et demi-élévation un réducteur pour récipient selon l'invention,
• la figure 4 est une vue partielle de dessus du réducteur de la figure 3,
• la figure 5 est une coupe axiale d'un capuchon selon l'invention,
• la figure 6 est une vue de dessus de la figure 5,
• la figure 7 montre deux demi-coupes axiales de la bague du récipient équipée de son réducteur et d'un capuchon, respectivement du côté gauche en position de fermeture et du côté droit en position d'ouverture.
• la figure 8 est une demi-coupe selon VIII-VIII de la figure 7,
• la figure 9 est une vue partielle en perspective d'une partie du capuchon et de la bague au niveau de son encoche,
• la figure 10 correspond à la figure 7 selon un autre mode de réalisation dont l'orifice du capuchon est pourvu d'un joint.
• les figures 11 et 12 montrent respectivement en demi-coupe et en vue de dessus, le joint du mode de réalisation de la figure 10.

The invention will be clearly understood and other particularities will appear on reading the description which follows and which refers to the appended drawings in which:

• FIG. 1 shows in elevation the ring of a container according to the invention,
• FIG. 2 is a partial section on II-II of FIG. 1,
• FIG. 3 shows in half-section and half-elevation a reduction gear for a container according to the invention,
• FIG. 4 is a partial top view of the reducer of FIG. 3,
• FIG. 5 is an axial section of a cap according to the invention,
• FIG. 6 is a top view of FIG. 5,
• FIG. 7 shows two axial half-sections of the ring of the container equipped with its reducer and a cap, respectively on the left side in the closed position and on the right side in the open position.
• FIG. 8 is a half-section along VIII-VIII of FIG. 7,
• FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view of part of the cap and of the ring at its notch,
• Figure 10 corresponds to Figure 7 according to another embodiment of which the orifice of the cap is provided with a seal.
• FIGS. 11 and 12 show respectively in half-section and in top view, the seal of the embodiment of FIG. 10.

The drawings represent a container 1 fitted with a ring 2 (Figures 1, 7, 8 and 10).

The embodiments of Figures 1 to 9 on the one hand, and 10 on the other hand, being very close, similar elements bear voluntarily the same references.

On the ring 2, is fixed a reducer 3 (Figures 3, 4 and 7) or 3 '(Figure 10).

The reducer 3 of Figures 3, 4 and 7 is fixed by clipping on ring 2, as will be explained below, while the reducer 3 ′ in FIG. 10 is in one piece with said ring 2.

The reducer 3, 3 'forms with a cap 4 (Figures 5, 6, 7, 8 and 10), a dispensing capsule.

The reduction gear 3, 3 ′ has passage openings such than 5 (Figures 3 and 4) for the product contained in container 1 and a shutter end 6.

The end cap 6 is provided to come close at will a central orifice 7 provided in the cap 4.

In the embodiment of Figures 1 to 9, including the container is, for example, in the form of a bottle, the reducer 3 is fixed on the ring 2 by means of a groove 8 (Figures 3 and 7) which covers the edge of the ring 2 to hang on by cooperation of an inner rib 9 with which the shutter is provided (Figures 3 and 7), with an outer rib 10 (Figures 1 and 7) fitted on the ring 2.

In this embodiment, one can for example fill said bottle and then only position the reducer, then the cap, as will be said below.

On the other hand, in the embodiment of FIGS. 10 to 12, the reducer 3 'is integral, or in one piece, with the ring 2. It can be, for example, to equip a tube whose filling is carried out from the bottom.

It is also clear that the ring 2, the reducer 3, 3 'and the cap 4 can be pre-assembled, the ring then being fixed on a container.

In order to ensure the obturation or the opening of the orifice 7 of the cap 4, this is mounted screwable and unscrewable on the ring 2 by cooperation of two threads 11a, 11b (Figures 1, 7, 8 and 10) formed in parallel on the ring 2 on about a little more than one U-turn each and two pins 12a, 12b provided diametrically opposite on the internal wall of the cap 4 (Figures 5 to 7 and 10).

In the embodiment shown, the threads 11a, 11b are arranged symmetrically so that the start of one of the threads is plumb with the end end of the other thread, as the drawings show.

The pins 12a, 12b are in the form of ribs obliques whose slope corresponds to that of the threads 11a, 11b with which they are intended to cooperate.

Thus, after mounting the cap 4 on the ring 2, said cap can take a closed position in which the mouthpiece 6 of the reducer 3, 3 'closes the orifice 7 of the cap, as shown on the left parts of FIGS. 7 and 10, and an open position as shown on the right parts of said figures, although the orifice 7 of the embodiment of FIG. 10 is provided, as it will be explained below, with a seal.

The shutter and opening positions correspond to the extreme positions of the pins 12a, 12b, which are then located respectively at the start and at the end of the corresponding threads 11a, 11b.

We understand that it is enough to unscrew or screw the cap to obtain an opening or a closing respectively. However, for said closure and in an entirely exceptional manner for a screw cap, you can also exercise a simple pressure on the cap, as will be explained later.

As the drawings show again, to ensure good sealing on closing, the central orifice 7 of the cap 4 comprises, in the embodiment of Figures 1 to 9, a small annular skirt 13 (Figures 5 to 7) which extends inwards and whose diameter inside corresponds to the outside diameter of the nozzle 6.

It is understood that the skirt 13 provides a seal upon closing. However, one may also wish to protect the device by open position, especially for a tube of cream (sunscreen for example). This is why the embodiment of FIGS. 10 to 12 comprises a seal 24 fixed in the orifice 7 of the cap 4 and provided with a 24 'housing (Figure 11) and a 24' 'central slot (Figure 12). In shutter position, the nozzle 6 is placed in the housing 24 'and seals the 24' 'slot.

The seal 24 can also serve as a valve or valve in position opening (right part of Figure 10) by allowing, by pressure, the product to pass through the slot 24 '' while said seal 24 prevents possible entry of impurities.

Similarly, a tubular element 14 extends coaxially to the orifice 7 and / or to the skirt 13 to slide in leaktight fashion on a chimney 15 (Figures 7 and 10) (or alternatively, in a chimney) provided on the reducer 3, 3 '.

For the assembly of the cap 4 on the ring 2, the invention provides entirely original means.

Indeed, as shown in Figures 1 and 10, the ring 2 of the container has helical access and mounting ramps such as 16a, 16b.

The helical ramps, only two of which, 16a, 16b, are only visible in the drawings, are in fact four in number, while their winding direction is alternated from one to the other every quarter of turn.

So there are finally two pairs of ramps, the ramps of each pair being similar to each other and diametrically opposite, while the two ramps of a pair have an opposite winding direction to that of the rails of the other pair.

In this way, said ramps form two points 17a, 17b (Figures 1 and 10) and two diametrically opposite troughs, only one of which is visible in said figures (the other being therefore diametrically opposite).

Each hollow is extended by a longitudinal groove such the groove 18 visible in the drawings. In each longitudinal groove 18, are plumb with each other, the final end of a thread (11a, 11b) and the starting end of the other thread (respectively 11b, 11a)

As the drawings further show, the final end of a thread (11a, 11b) and the starting end of the other thread (11b, 11a) are separated from each other in the longitudinal grooves 18 by a rib 19, while the final ends are separated from the longitudinal grooves by another rib 19 '(Figures 1, 2, 7, 10).

As shown in Figure 2, the rib 19 has at in addition to an increasing thickness as it approaches the base of the ring 2.

At the start of each thread, under the rib 19 is provided a small projection 20.

In addition, the pins 12a, 12b of the cap 4, which are as already said in the form of ribs, are each provided with a middle notch 21a, 21b intended to cooperate with the projections 20 mentioned above and as will be explained below. Also here, said lugs have a width similar to that of the longitudinal grooves 18.

As still shown in FIG. 1, the points 17a, 17b formed by the ramps 16a, 16b, are provided with two thin projections 22a, 22b (Figure 1), designed to cooperate with a longitudinal rib 23 arranged on the internal wall of the cap 4 (Figures 5, and 6) and which is provided a little closer to one of the pins (here lug 12a) than on the other, with respect to the plane P1 perpendicular to the P2 plane passing through said pins (Figure 6).

In order to ensure inviolability (and only if desired), that is to say a ban on use without this being visible, the cap 4 can be provided at its base with a band 25 detachable (Figures 5 to 9), making almost a full turn, like the shows figure 6.

This strip 25 projects downwards and is fixed here. to the cap 4 by two pairs of tabs 25'a, 25'b, forming U and subject to said cap 4, as shown in the drawings, by self-breaking legs.

The pairs of tabs 25'a and 25'b are diametrically opposite and arranged here in the same axial plane P2 (FIG. 6) as the pins 12a, 12b.

The ring 2 has in its base (Figures 1, 7 and 9), two notches 26a, 26b diametrically opposite and arranged in the same axial plane than the grooves 18.

Given the positioning of the tabs 25'a, 25'b and the notches 26a, 26b, said tabs can be accommodated in the notches during assembly of the cap, as will be explained below. The angular positioning of the tabs and the notches could also be other than that indicated above, at the provided that the tabs and the notches line up when the assembly, that is to say still in the angular closed position.

After this description of the embodiments shown, the process for assembling the cap 4 on the ring 2 is understood.

Indeed, it suffices, in an assembly line and / or conditioning, to drive the cap 4 in rotation in any which direction and whatever its initial angular position, while putting some pressure on him.

Ultimately, a simple press may possibly suffice, the shape of the ramps ensuring the rotation by itself.

Thus, the pins 12a, 12b of the cap slide on the helical ramps 16a, 16b to come to the end of travel in the longitudinal grooves 18.

The pins 12a, 12b then force their way through the ribs 19 'and 19 which will serve as a non-return stopper to finish start of threads 11a, 11b.

It is understood that the cap is positioned in the position of closing.

In addition, the notches 21a, 21b of the pins 12a, 12b come overlap the small projections 20, thereby ensuring a locking of closing position at the end of assembly.

Finally, we also understand that during this assembly, the pairs of tabs 25'a, 25'b of the cap come into the notches respective 26a, 26b of the ring (see in particular Figures 8 and 9) thus blocking the cap in the closed position, this inviolability being obtained by the very fact of the original design of means used and the particular assembly of the cap on the Ring.

The use is then simple. Indeed, after having torn off the strip 25 by grasping it by its open part, one can operate in rotation the cap 4 and it suffices to unscrew, or respectively screw said cap 4, to open or respectively close the capsule by moving the end cap 6 which departs from the skirt 13, or of the seal 24, and therefore of the orifice 7 of the cap, or respectively is introduced into said skirt or into the housing 24 'of said seal.

We also understand that when closing, the longitudinal rib 23 of the cap forcibly passes one of the projections 22a, 22b of the ring (depending on its initial position after mounting), which ensures locking and / or an audible marking on opening and closing.

If it is entirely possible to provide threads (11a, 11b) on a little less than half a turn, the ribs 19 and 19 ' being confused and the final and starting ends of each thread not being perpendicular to the ends respectively of start and end of the other thread, the embodiment shown whose screwing and unscrewing are carried out on a half-turn, has very important advantages.

Besides the fact of a diametrically opposite repositioning of the cap between open and closed positions, which can be interesting for non-circular external shapes, we understands that in the open position, a pressure on the cap ensures the passage in force of the ribs 19 and 19 'as for the assembly and thus a rapid closure of the capsule (same result as a screwing).

The shape of the ribs and in particular of the rib 19 (see Figure 2) being chosen to constitute a non-return stop while facilitating movement in the other direction.

It is clear, however, that the invention relates to other modes in which the orifice 7 of the cap may not be central and / or unique and it could even be a capsule multiple or variable rates.

Claims (17)

1. Container (1) with a collar (2) and a dispensing closure, said closure comprising firstly a cap (4) which is provided with at least one dispensing orifice (7) and is fitted screwable and unscrewable between at least two positions by means of at least one thread provided on the collar, and secondly a reducer integral with (3') or separate from (3) the collar and provided with a blanking end piece (6) so as to blank the orifice (7) of the cap (4) at will according to its position on the collar, characterised in that the collar (2) of the container comprises two limited parallel screwing threads (11a, 11b) each designed to co-operate with a lug (12a, 12b) provided in the cap and in that the collar also comprises helical ramps (16a, 16b) for assembly of the cap the winding directions of which alternate every quarter turn such that said ramps form between them two peaks (17a, 17b) and respectively two hollows which are diametrically opposed, each hollow being extended by a longitudinal slot (18) which runs torwards at least one of the threads (11a, 11b) and which is designed to receive one of the lugs (12a, 12b) of the cap in the course of assembly of the latter on the collar.
2. Container according to claim 1, characterised in that each longitudinal slot (18) debouches into the corresponding thread (11a, 11b) through the intermediary of a rib (19) past which the corresponding lug (12a, 12b) of the cap is forced in the course of assembly, said rib (19) serving as non-return stop.
3. Container according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterised in that the longitudinal slots (18) debouch at least at the starting ends of the threads (11a, 11b) such that on assembly, the cap (14) adopts a blanking position.
4. Container according to all of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the threads (11a, 11b) each run symmetrically over a little more than half a turn such that each thread (11a, 11b) starts in one longitudinal slot (18) and terminates in the other longitudinal slot (18), the starting end of the thread (11a, 11b) being separated from the final end of the other thread (11b, 11a) by a rib (19) serving as a non-return stop, past which the corresponding lug (12a, 12b) of the cap may be forced at the time of assembly, and also if closure is desired by applying pressure on the cap.
5. Container according to claim 4, characterised in that the rib (19) which separates the threads (11a, 11b) exhibits a thickness which increases towards the base of the collar (2) so as to facilitate forced passage in this direction and on the other hand improve non-return stoppage.
6. Container according to one of claims 4 and 5, characterised in that the final end of each thread (11a, 11b) is closed in relation to the corresponding longitudinal slot (18) by a rib (19') past which the corresponding lug (12a, 12b) of the cap is forced in the course of assembly, said rib (19') serving as a non-return stop.
7. Container according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that each lug (12a, 12b) takes the form of a small rib with a width at most equal to that of the longitudinal slot (18) in which it engages on assembly.
8. Container according to claim 7, characterised in that each rib forming a lug (12a, 12b) exhibits a slope in relation to the horizontal substantially corresponding to that of the threads.
9. Container according to one of claims 7 and 8, characterised in that each rib forming a lug (12a, 12b) exhibits in its median part a notch (21a, 21b) designed to co-operate with a small projection (20) formed in the corresponding thread (11a, 11b) opposite the longitudinal slot (18) in order to effect position marking and/or locking.
10. Container according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the cap (4) comprises at least one longitudinal rib (23) disposed on its internal wall and designed to co-operate with at least one projection (22a, 22b) provided on the helical assembly ramps in order to effect audible locking and/or marking on closing and opening.
11. Container according to claim 10, characterised in that the cap (4) only comprises a single longitudinal rib (23) slightly offset towards one of the lugs (12a, 12b) in relation to a plane (P1) perpendicular to the plane (P2) passing through said lugs, while the assembly ramps (11a, 11b) are provided with two projections (22a, 22b) disposed level with the peaks (17a, 17b) formed by said ramps.
12. Container according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the cap (4) exhibits a tubular element (14) coaxial with its orifice (7) and designed to slide sealingly on or in a sleeve (15) provided on the reducer (3, 3').
13. Container according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the orifice (7) of the cap (4) is equipped with a seal (24) provided with a slit (24') and a housing (24'') for the blanking end piece (6) such that the latter, in the blanking position, sealingly blanks the slit (24') of said seal by being disposed in its housing (25''), while in the opening position the seal (24) serves as a valve, allowing discharge of the product through its slit, while preventing ingress of any dirt in the opposite direction.
14. Container according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that it is equipped with a security system comprising a band (25) fixed detachably to the base of the cap and provided with locking means designed to co-operate with interacting means disposed on the collar (2) of the container as soon as the cap is assembled on said collar such that said cap cannot turn relative to the collar unless said band (25) is removed.
15. Container according to claim 14, characterized in that the means for locking the band (25) to the cap also constitute the means for fixing the band to the cap and take the form of at least two tongues (25'a, 25'b) connected detachably to the cap, while the interacting means of the collar are formed by at least two notches (26a, 26b) formed in a base of the collar, in the same angular position as the tongues in the closed position, in order to receive the latter in the course of assembly of the cap on the collar.
16. Container according to claim 15, characterized in that the tongues (25'a, 25'b) are disposed diametrically opposite in the same axial plane (P2) as that of the lugs (12a, 12b), while the notches are also formed diametrically opposite in the same axial plane as the longitudinal slots (18).
17. Use of the container according to one of claims 1 to 16 in a process for assembling the cap on the collar of a container, characterized in that, regardless of the initial position of the cap (4) in relation to the collar (2), the process consists in rotating said cap in relation to the collar while applying an axial pressure on said cap until the lugs (12a, 12b) of the cap (4) reach the starting ends of the threads (11a, 11b) after being guided on the helical ramps (16a, 16b) and then in the longitudinal slots (18).

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