EP0925230B1 - Container stopper with shut-off valve - Google Patents

Abstract

PCT No. PCT/FR97/01036 Sec. 371 Date Dec. 14, 1998 Sec. 102(e) Date Dec. 14, 1998 PCT Filed Jun. 11, 1997 PCT Pub. No. WO97/47531 PCT Pub. Date Dec. 18, 1997The container stopper comprises a cylindrical part to be engaged in the neck of a container and has a groove which extends peripherally on at least one part of the cylindrical part circumference. Two channels separated from each other, extend in the cylindrical part of the stopper and open into the groove through orifices respectively spaced from each other in the groove peripheral direction. A diaphragm of elastomeric material closely matches the shape of the cylindrical part and the groove surface covering the orifices of the two channels. The diaphragm forms a shut-off valve that by its elastic deformation, allows a fluid substance contained in the container to flow from inside the container outwards, as well as from outside into the said container.

Description

The present invention relates to a plug for container with neck, of the kind comprising a body which can be tightly attached to the container neck and in which is formed at least one conduit for the emptying of the container, and a valve closing said drove. The present invention also relates to a container fitted with such a stopper.

We already know plugs of the kind indicated above. A such a stopper is for example described in patent FR-2 687 130. This known stopper consists of at least four spare parts, namely a body, a cage, a ball and a coil spring, which must be assembled together to form the plug. As a result, the manufacturing the cap is relatively complicated.

The patent FR-2 616 756 further describes a closure device for vial, which consists only two elements, both shaped like cap. One of the two elements or inner cap, in service, caps the neck of the bottle and is tightly attached to it, while the other outer element or cap covers the cap inside and can rotate relative to it around an axis coincident with the axis of the neck of the bottle. A chamber is provided between the upper walls of the two caps. The top wall of the cap exterior is made in the form of a thin wall so as to form an elastic membrane, and it is curved towards the top wall of the cap interior. In its center the elastic membrane has an orifice into which a boss formed at center of the upper side of the inner cap, of so as to seal the central opening of the membrane elastic. On the other hand, the upper wall of the inner cap has two eccentric holes, which are formed on either side of the central boss and in which two bosses formed in corresponding position on the underside of the elastic membrane, so as to seal these two orifices. By rotating the outer cap by compared to the inner cap, there is a slight elastic deformation of the membrane and both bosses of the latter release the two orifices of the top wall of the inner cap, thus putting inside the bottle in communication with the chamber formed between the upper walls of the two caps. Then, if you increase the pressure inside the bottle, for example by manually exerting a pressure on the deformable walls of it, the deformation of the elastic membrane is increased and the central opening of the membrane moves away from the boss center of the inner cap, thus putting the chamber above in communication with the outside of vial, so that the fluid substance contained in it can flow out of the bottle. Well that the closure device of patent FR-2 616 756 has a smaller number of parts and that by later, its manufacture is simpler than that of plug of patent FR-2 687 130, it nevertheless presents some disadvantages. In particular, during the first use of the bottle, when the membrane elastic deforms under the effect of an increase in the pressure inside the vial, the substance that enters the chamber between the upper walls of two caps can flow not only to the exterior through the central opening of the membrane elastic, but also in the annular space between the cylinder skirts of the two caps. The substance that has entered this annular space is very difficult to extract from it, especially when it comes a sticky or pasty substance. It follows that this substance will stagnate between the skirts of the two caps for the duration of use of the bottle. Not only is this unhygienic, especially for food substances, but still the substance included between the skirts of the two caps can cause the two caps to stick together the other, thus making a later opening of the very difficult, if not impossible, closure device.

In addition, it may happen that, under the action of a strong pressure inside the bottle, the membrane elastic deforms to the point that its curvature is reversed, that is to say that from concave it becomes convex, and stays in the convex state when the pressure is released, so that the stopper remains open. he as a result, air can get inside the bottle. This may affect good storage or sterility of the substance in the bottle.

In the case considered above, the device for closure must be closed by exerting a pressure on the elastic membrane in order to put it back in its concave state. If this is done with a finger of the hand, this is unhygienic or may be dangerous if the bottle contains a substance, for example a toxic substance or corrosive, not to be touched with the fingers of the hand. Finally, with the patent closure device FR-2 616 756, as with the plug of patent FR-2 687 130, it is impossible to fill the bottle without having previously removed the plug or capping. Indeed, the valve incorporated in the cap of patent FR-2,687,130, like the elastic membrane of the sealing device of patent FR-2 616 756 authorize flow only from the inside to the outside from the bottle. Consequently, if precautions particular or binding measures are not adopted when filling the bottle, the substance of filling is in contact with the surrounding air during the entire filling period and until the plug or plugging device is in place on the neck of the bottle.

It is known from US Pat. No. 5,305,786 A (DEBUSH) a plug for container of the type of the preamble of claim 1. In the neck taught by this document, it is necessary to provide an annular element hollow (reference 22) to ensure a tight fit of a cylindrical part (reference 12) in the neck of the container and to create a space allowing the elastic deformation of the membrane (reference 18) under the effect of pressure inside the container.

The object of the present invention is therefore to remedy the aforementioned disadvantages of plugs or devices of known capping described above.

To this end, the plug according to the invention is characterized in that the cap body has a cylindrical part intended to be engaged in the neck of the container and having in its surface cylindrical a groove which extends circumferentially on at least part of the circumference of said cylindrical part, in that the conduit comprises a first and second channel which are separated one of the other extend into the cylindrical part of the body and emerge, & one of their ends, into said groove respectively by first and second orifices spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction of the throat, the first opening channel, to its other end, through a third orifice located in a first end surface of the body which, in use, is inside the container, the second channel emerging, at its other end, by a fourth orifice located in a second end surface of the body which, in service, is outside the container, and in that the valve is formed by a elastomeric membrane which tightly encloses the cylindrical part of the body and the surface of the throat by covering the first and second ports of the two channels and which, by its elastic deformation, allows a flow of a fluid substance contained in the container as well from the inside to the outside of the container, that from outside to inside of said container.

The plug according to the invention can be advantageously made in one piece by a known technique of bi-injection molding. Matter plastic intended to form the body of the cap and the elastomeric material intended to form the membrane can be injected into the mold successively or simultaneously depending on whether one or the other is used known techniques of bi-injection molding.

Although it’s not absolutely essential, a cap can be added to the cap according to the invention. Preferably, the cap has a nozzle and it is rotatably mounted on the cap body in such a way that in a first position of cap rotation, the internal channel of the nozzle is in accordance with the second channel of the plug body and that in a second position of rotation of the cap, the internal channel of the nozzle is not in concordance with the second channel of the body, so that this second channel is closed by the cap. We can dispense with such a cap when there is no pressure inside the container while it is unused. However, the above-mentioned cap will be preferably attached to the cap when it reigns in permanently some pressure inside the container, for example when it contains a soft drink or a fluid and a gas propellant.

The stopper according to the invention, possibly provided with its cap, can be used with containers with the most diverse structures and forms and containing the most diverse fluid substances, as long as the containers are fitted with a neck. With the plug according to the invention, it is possible to use by example, as a container, a bottle or bottle, of metal, glass or plastic rigid or semi-rigid, a pocket or a bladder in one flexible material, etc. However, in an application advantageous of the present invention, the cap and its cap can be mounted on a container whose interior volume may vary by a corresponding value at the nominal capacity of the container at a value almost zero. Such a variable volume container can be for example constituted by a pocket or a bladder in flexible plastic or in a bottle, the body is shaped like a bellows compressible and extendable in the longitudinal direction of the bottle, such as the bottle described in the patent application in France filed the same day that this patent application, in the name of the same Applicant, and entitled: "volume bottle plastic variable ". When the cap according to the invention is mounted on such a volume container variable, put beforehand in a state where its volume inside is nil, the container can then be filled to through the plug channels without the substance introduced into the container is in contact with air surrounding, and the container can then be emptied without air enters the container. this is particularly advantageous for good preservation of the substance in the container and / or when it must maintain a high degree of sterilization.

la figure 1 est une vue, en partie en élévation et en partie en coupe, montrant un bouchon selon une première forme de réalisation de l'invention, le bouchon étant représenté engagé dans le goulot d'un récipient qui n'est que partiellement montré;

la figure 2 est une vue d'un côté du bouchon suivant la flèche F de la figure 1;

la figure 3 est une vue de dessus du bouchon de la figure 1;

les figures 4, 5 et 6 sont des vues en coupe, respectivement suivant les lignes IV-IV, V-V et VI-VI de la figure 3;

les figures 7, 8 et 9 sont des vues respectivement en élévation latérale, de dessus et en élévation de face, montrant un capuchon pouvant être adapté sur la tête sphérique du bouchon des figures 1 à 6;

les figures 10 à 12 sont des vues en coupe du, capuchon, respectivement suivant les lignes X-X, XI-XI et XII-XII de la figure 8;

les figures 13 et 14 sont des vues en coupe montrant le bouchon des figures 1 à 6 et le capuchon des figures 7 à 12 assemblés l'un à l'autre, le capuchon étant représenté dans deux positions différentes et le bouchon étant représenté engagé dans le goulot d'un récipient qui n'est que partiellement montré;

les figures 15 et 16 sont des vues en coupe montrant le bouchon selon l'invention sur une bouteille à volume variable, la bouteille étant représentée dans deux états différents;

la figure 17 est une vue en coupe montrant un bouchon avec un capuchon, selon une deuxième forme de réalisation de l'invention, sur le goulot d'un récipient qui n'est que partiellement montré;

la figure 18 est une vue en élévation suivant la flèche H de la figure 17.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge more clearly during the following description of two embodiments of the invention given by way of example with reference to the appended drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a view, partly in elevation and partly in section, showing a plug according to a first embodiment of the invention, the plug being shown engaged in the neck of a container which is only partially shown ;

Figure 2 is a side view of the plug along arrow F of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a top view of the cap of Figure 1;

Figures 4, 5 and 6 are sectional views, respectively along the lines IV-IV, VV and VI-VI of Figure 3;

Figures 7, 8 and 9 are views respectively in side elevation, from above and in front elevation, showing a cap which can be adapted on the spherical head of the cap of Figures 1 to 6;

Figures 10 to 12 are sectional views of the cap, respectively along lines XX, XI-XI and XII-XII of Figure 8;

Figures 13 and 14 are sectional views showing the plug of Figures 1 to 6 and the cap of Figures 7 to 12 assembled together, the cap being shown in two different positions and the plug being shown engaged in the neck of a container which is only partially shown;

Figures 15 and 16 are sectional views showing the stopper according to the invention on a variable volume bottle, the bottle being shown in two different states;

Figure 17 is a sectional view showing a plug with a cap, according to a second embodiment of the invention, on the neck of a container which is only partially shown;

FIG. 18 is an elevation view along arrow H in FIG. 17.

The plug 1 shown in Figures 1 to 6 is consisting of a plastic body, for example a polyurethane having a Shore A hardness of between 80 and 120. In the embodiment shown here, the body of the plug 1 comprises a cylindrical part the and a spherical head 1b molded in one piece. The center of the spherical head 1b is located on the axis 10 of the cylindrical part 1a.

The cylindrical part 1a of the body is intended to be engaged in the neck 2a of a container 2 (FIG. 1) and its diameter is therefore dimensioned accordingly. A groove 3 is formed in the peripheral surface of the cylindrical part 1a. In the example of realization shown, the groove 3 extends all around the part cylindrical 1a, but it could only extend over part of the circumference of the part cylindrical 1a.

A first channel 4 is formed in the part cylindrical 1a and opens at one end into the groove 3 through an orifice 4a and, at its other end, in the lower end face 1c of the body of the plug by another orifice 4b. A second channel 5 is formed in the body of the plug 1. In the example of realization shown here, the second channel extends obliquely in the cylindrical part la and in the spherical head 1b and it opens, at one end, into the groove 3 through an orifice 5a and, at its other end, in the outer surface of the spherical head 1b by an orifice 5b. The holes 4a and 5a are spaced apart on the other in the circumferential direction of the groove 3, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. Instead of extend all around the cylindrical part la, la groove 3 could extend over an arc of a circle whose length corresponds to the angular distance between the two orifices 4a and 5a. Port 5b of channel 5 is preferably located in the upper half of the head spherical 1b and is not on axis 10 of the the cylindrical part of the cap body.

A membrane 6 made of elastomeric material, for example a polyurethane having a Shore A hardness of between 50 and 60, covers the peripheral surface of the part cylindrical 1a of the cap body and closely follows the profile of the groove 3 so as to seal the ports 4a and 5a of channels 4 and 5.

The cylindrical part 1a of the body of the plug, covered with the membrane 6, has an outside diameter very slightly larger than the inside diameter of the neck 2a of container 2 (Figure 1), so that the plug 1 can be fixed to the container 2 by jamming of its cylindrical part 1a in the neck 2a. However, other ways could be envisaged to fix the stopper to the neck of the container. For example, the cap could have a skirt cylindrical surrounding the neck 2a and fixed to it by clipping or by screwing, said cylindrical skirt is connecting in one piece to the body of the plug in the transition zone between the cylindrical part la and the ball head 1b.

In service, the diaphragm 6 acts as a valve which, at rest, closes the orifices 4a and 5a. The filling of container 2 with a fluid substance can be done by injecting under pressure said substance in channel 5 through port 5b. The pressurized substance repels the elastic membrane 6 in the region of port 5a, which has the effect to open this hole. Then the substance circulates in the groove 3 to the orifice 4a where it enters the channel 4, then flows into it to enter the container 2 through the orifice 4b. Conversely, under the effect of increased pressure inside of container 2, for example by pressing on a wall of it if it is of a material flexible, the substance can, by elastically deforming membrane 6, follow a reverse course of the course described above, to exit the plug through orifice 5b. As soon as the pressure inside the container 2 stops, membrane 6 resumes elastically its initial shape and again closes the orifices 4a and 5a. The valve formed by the membrane 6 therefore also allows filling and emptying the container 2.

However, note that to go from channel 5 to channel 4, or vice versa, the fluid should follow a relatively long journey and, moreover, it must overcome the resistance opposed by the membrane 6 which tends to resiliently return to its original shape. The flow of the substance through channels 4 and 5 is therefore curbed through the membrane 6. This is generally not a problem to empty the container because, most of the time, rather seek a controlled and relatively slow flow. By cons, it may be desired that the container 2 can be filled quickly, for example in a automatic filling chain, without being forced to increase the pressure of the substance which is injected into the container.

To this end, the plug 1 may include a third channel 7, which extends obliquely in the spherical head 1b and in the cylindrical part of the body of the plug. At one end, channel 7 opens into the face lower end 1c of the cylindrical part 1a by an orifice 7a and, at its other end, in the upper half of the outer surface of the head spherical 1b by an orifice 7b. The elastic membrane 6 partially covers the lower end face lc of the cylindrical part 1a by forming a tongue 6a (Figures 5 and 6) which closes the orifice 7a of the channel 7, but does not close the orifice 4b of the channel 4. Thus, the tongue 6a of the elastic membrane 6 forms a second valve which allows flow into channel 7 only from outside of plug 1 inwards from container 2.

When filling the container, the tab 6a opposes the flow of the fluid substance a less resistance than if the substance fluid is injected into channel 5. Indeed, the extent of the surface of the tongue 6a which must be deformed to let the fluid coming through the channel 7 is smaller than the extent of the area of the membrane 6 to be deformed between the orifices 4a and 5a to let the fluid substance pass through channel 5 to channel 4. In addition, the tongue 6a can be formed so as to have a smaller wall thickness than that of the membrane 6 in the region of the groove 3, Under these conditions, the container 2 can be filled faster through channel 7 than through channels 5 and 4.

With the plug 1 described above, it will be noted that if a depression is created inside the container 2, air can enter it through the channels 5 and 4 or through channel 7 if the latter is present. This can be annoying when the substance contained in container 2 should be stored at shelter from the air. On the other hand, if it exists in permanently in the container 2, a higher pressure at atmospheric pressure, for example if the container contains a soft drink or both a substance fluid and a propellant, or if the container has an elastically expandable body providing it, after its filling, a spring effect which tends to contract the body of the container and therefore drive its contents out of the container, the contents liquid and / or gas from the container can then grow back membrane 6 and escape through channels 4 and 5. When you want to avoid any penetration of air to inside the container 2 or when there is permanent pressure in the container, the cap 1 can be fitted with a movable cap which covers the head spherical lb of the cap and which hermetically seals port 5b of channel 5 as well as port 7b of channel 7 when the latter is present.

Such a cap will now be described by making reference to FIGS. 7 to 12. The cap 8, which is shown in these figures and which can be manufactured by plastic injection molding identical to that of the body of the plug 1, has a spherical cavity 9 (Figures 10 to 12), which is somewhat larger than a half-sphere and which has a radius corresponding to the radius of the spherical head 1b of the plug 1. Several slots 11 are formed in the edge of the cap 8. They form tabs between them 12 elastically deformable, so that the spherical head lb of plug 1 can be fitted, with snap elastic, in the spherical cavity 9 of the cap 8. After fitting the ball head 1b into the cavity 9 of the cap 8, a ball joint is formed between these elements. On one side, the cap 8 has a nozzle 13, the internal channel 14 of which opens into the cavity 9 through an orifice 14a. On the side opposite to nozzle 13, the cap 8 has an appendage 15 by means of which can rotate cap 8 relative to head spherical 1b of the plug 1.

In service, when the cap 8 is in place on the ball head 1b of plug 1 and occupies a first position shown in figure 13, the orifice 14a of channel 14 is not in agreement with the orifice 5b of the channel 5 and the cap 8 therefore closes the orifice 5b. In this position of the cap 8, the outside air does not cannot get inside container 2 and the contents of container 2 can not escape outside. By pressing on the top of appendix 15, for example by means of a finger of the hand, the cap 8 can be brought from the position shown in figure 13 at the position shown in FIG. 14, in which the orifice 14a of the channel 14 is in agreement with the orifice 5b of the channel 5, thus putting channels 5 and 14 in communication with one with the other. As can be seen especially in Figures 7 and 10 to 12, a cutout 16 is formed in the edge of the cap below appendix 15, so not to hinder the rotational movement of the cap 8 from the position of figure 13 to the position of the figure 14. As shown in figure 14, the bottom of the cutout 16 advantageously serves as a stop to define the limit position of rotation of the cap 8, in which the orifices 5b and 14a are entirely in agreement with each other. In this position, the content of the container 2 can be drained out of it through channels 4 and 5 of plug 1 and through channel 14 of the nozzle 13. In this position of the cap 8, it it is also possible to fill the bottle 2 to through channels 14, 5 and 4.

Preferably, a spring element is provided for resiliently and automatically recall the cap 8 in the position shown in figure 13 as soon as one ceases to exert pressure on appendix 15. As shown in Figures 1 to 6 and in Figures 13 and 14, the spring element may advantageously be constituted by a flexible rod 17, which is formed of a integral with plug body 1 and extending radially in a recess 18 formed in the part top of the spherical head 1b of the plug 1. The rod flexible 17 extends from the bottom of the recess 18 to a point near the outer surface of the ball head lb. The free end of the flexible rod 17 engages in a blind hole 19 formed in the bottom of the spherical cavity 9 of the cap 8, for example in a cylindrical boss 21 which projects radially, on a short distance, in cavity 9 and in the recess 18. Preferably, the flexible rod 17 and the hole 19 have a circular section. When the cap 8 is in the position shown in FIG. 13, the flexible rod 17 is not deformed and its axis longitudinal coincides with axis 10 of the part cylindrical 1a of plug 1. When pressure is exerted on appendix 15, the flexible rod 17 is elastically deformed as shown in Figure 14 and when appendix 15 is released, it brings back automatically the cap 11 in the position shown in figure 13.

When the cap 8 is in one or other of the positions shown in Figures 13 and 14, the nozzle 13 and appendix 15 are in the plane shown by the line V-V in figure 3. In case the channel 7 is provided, for filling the container the cap 8 must first be turned around the axis 10 of the cylindrical part la of the cap body, which is also the longitudinal axis of the flexible rod 17, from the position shown in figure 13 until in a position in which the nozzle 13 and the appendix 15 are in a plane corresponding to line VI-VI shown in Figure 3, a rotation about 106 ° in the example described here. Then, in pressing on appendix 15, the cap is brought by rotation on the spherical head 1b in a position similar to that shown in Figure 14, but in this case the orifice 14a of the channel 14 comes into agreement with the orifice 7b of the channel 7, thus allowing the filling the container through channel 7. The again, as soon as appendage 15 is released, the rod flexible 17 brings the cap 8 back into a position similar to that shown in Figure 13 so to close the orifice 7b of the channel 7.

The two angular positions of the cap 8, which correspond respectively to lines V-V and VI-VI of Figure 3 and in which the channel 14 of the nozzle 13 can be brought into line with either channel 5, either with channel 7 of plug 1, can be defined by stops (not shown) provided on the plug 1 and / or on the cap 8. For example, a protuberance can be provided on the plug 1 in a position as it comes snap elastically into one of the slots 11 of the cap 8 when the latter is found in the angular position corresponding to the line V-V of FIG. 3, and in another slot 11 of the cap 8 when it is in the position angular corresponding to line VI-VI of Figure 3. Similarly, another slot 11 can be provided in an angular position such as the cap 8 can be kept in an intermediate position between the two angular positions corresponding to lines V-V and VI-VI of figure 3, position intermediate in which the channel 14 of the nozzle 13 cannot be brought into line with either channel 5 or with channel 7.

So that the cap 8 can be brought into a position corresponding to that shown in figure 14 only when it is in one or other of the two angular positions corresponding respectively in lines V-V and VI-VI of Figure 3, the recess 18 formed in the upper part of the ball head lb does not have a regular shape, but has preferably, seen from above (figure 3), a part central, which is cylindrical and in which the rod flexible 17 extends axially when it is not deformed, and two notches 18a and 18b which open out radially in the cylindrical central part of the recess 18 in corresponding positions lines V-V and VI-VI in Figure 3, respectively. The notches 18a and 18b have a width which is just one little larger than the diameter of the cylindrical boss 21 of the cap 8, so that the boss 21 and the flexible rod 17 can engage in one or the other of the notches 18a and 18b only when the cap 8 is in a corresponding angular position either of these two notches.

In order to guarantee a perfectly watertight closure orifice 5b of channel 5 when the cap 8 is in the position shown in figure 13, and so to avoid leaks between the cap 8 and the head spherical 1b of the plug 1, a seal can be arranged around the opening 5b and, if the channel 7 is also present around the orifice 7b of this channel.

According to a particularly embodiment advantageous, the membrane 6 made of elastomer material can also cover selected regions of the head spherical 1b of the plug 1, in particular around the orifices 5b and, where appropriate, 7b, so as to form the above-mentioned seal (s). As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the membrane 6 covers, in 6b, a spherical zone of the spherical head 1b, with with the exception of orifices 5b and 7b located in this area spherical. Additionally, as shown in Figure 11, two circular beads 22 and 23 are formed in projection on the surface of the cavity 9 of the cap 8. The bead 22 surrounds the orifice 14a of the channel 14 and is based on the part 6b of the membrane in material elastomer, around the orifice 5b of the channel 5, when the cap 8 is in the position shown in the figure 14. The bead 23, located just above the bead 22, is arranged to rest on part 6b of the elastomeric membrane, around the orifice 5b, when the cap 8 is in the position shown in Figure 13.

If channel 7 is planned, two more pairs of beads (not shown) similar to beads 22 and 23 can be provided to cooperate with the part 6b of the membrane which surrounds the orifice 7b of channel 7 when the cap 8 is in one or the other of the positions shown in Figures 13 and 14 and corresponding to the angular position represented by the line V-V of FIG. 3, and to cooperate with the part 6b of the membrane surrounding the orifice 5b when the cap 8 is in the angular position shown by line VI-VI in figure 3.

Preferably, the area-shaped part 6b spherical membrane made of elastomeric material not cover the entire spherical head 1b of the plug 1, but parts 24, 25 and 26 of said head spherical remain exposed to ensure good guidance of the cap 8 in its rotational movements around the spherical head. Part 6b in the form of a zone spherical membrane is connected in one piece, by bridges of elastomeric material 27 and 28, at the part of the membrane 6 which surrounds the part cylindrical of plug 1. Thus, all parts of the membrane 6 can be formed in one piece by injecting the elastomeric material into the mold through a single injection port.

Although the cap described above may be used to cap all kinds of containers with a neck, it is particularly suitable for containers whose internal capacity or volume can vary between an almost zero value and a value nominal.

Figures 15 and 16 show an example of such container 2 with variable volume, closed by a plug 1, with the cap 8, in accordance with those which have been described above with reference to Figures 1 to 14. The container 2 shown in Figures 15 and 16, for example a bottle, includes, in addition to the neck 2a, a body 2b and a hollow bottom 2c.

The body 2b has a bellows-shaped wall compressible and extendable in the longitudinal direction of the bottle 2. In the case where the body 2b has a diameter larger than that of neck 2a, it is connected to this one by a 2d collar having for example a shape tapered. However, the body 2b could be connect directly to neck 2a in case the body diameter, at the inner folds of the bellows, is equal to that of neck 2a.

The bottom 2c, which is relatively rigid compared to bellows-shaped body 2b, has a part central 2v1, followed by a flared part 2v2, by example of frustoconical form, itself followed by a substantially cylindrical part 2c3 and a part 2c4 external ring which is connected by a line of folding at the bottom of the body 2b in the form of bellows. The part 2c2 of the bottom 2c has a shape and dimensions exactly matching those of the 2d neck of the bottle 2. In the case where the body 2b is connects directly to the neck 2a, the part 2c2 of the bottom 2c is absent and parts 2v1 and 2v3 of the background are connect directly to each other. Part 2v3 of bottom 2c has an axial length and a diameter which correspond respectively to the axial length and to the internal diameter of the bellows of the body 2b when this one is completely compressed, as is visible in figure 16.

Thus, when the body 2b of the bottle 2 is fully compressed, part 2c2 of bottom 2c hugs tightly and completely the inner surface of the cervix 2d of the bottle and the central part 2c1 of the bottom 2c is practically in contact with the end surface bottom of the plug 1. In this state, the volume inside of bottle 2 is almost nil (figure 16). Such a variable volume bottle is described in more detail in the patent application French filed on the same day as this application for patent, in the name of the same applicant, and having the title: "variable volume plastic bottle".

When the bottle 2 is in the state shown in figure 16, it can be filled with a fluid substance without it being in contact with the surrounding air. To do this, simply rotate the cap 8 so as to bring the channel 14 of its nozzle 13 in correspondence with the channel 5 of the plug 1 (or in correspondence with channel 7 if this is planned) and then inject the filling substance in channel 14 by means of an injector adapted to the nozzle 13. As soon as the filling of the bottle is finished, the cap 8 is returned to the position shown in figure 13 or 15 to keep the contents of bottle 2 protected from air. Every use of the bottle, cap 8 is put on momentarily in the position shown in figure 14 and the desired amount of the fluid contained in bottle 2 is evacuated from it to through the channels 4 and 5 of the plug 1 and through the channel 14 of nozzle 13 by pressing on the bottom 2c of bottle 2 and / or taking advantage of an effect of the plastic material constituting the body 2b in the form of a bellows. When the desired amount of fluid substance has been obtained, Appendix 15 of the cap 8 is released and the cap returns automatically in the position of figure 13 or 15 in order to hermetically seal channel 5 and maintain thus the contents of bottle 2 protected from air.

Figures 17 and 18 show another form of production of the plug according to the invention. In these figures, the elements which are identical or which play the same role as those of the embodiment described previously, are designated by the same numbers of reference and are not described again in detail. The plug body 1 shown in Figure 17 does not have no spherical head, but only part cylindrical 1a with a groove 3 in its surface peripheral. The membrane 6 made of elastomeric material completely covers the peripheral surface of the cylindrical part 1a and preferably also its two end faces 1c and 1d, with the exception of the orifices 4b and 5b of channels 4 and 5. Preferably, these channels 4 and 5 extend in the cylindrical part la of the body of the plug, from its end faces, parallel to its longitudinal axis 10. The orifice 5b of the channel 5 is offset from the axis 10. The cap 8 is rotatably mounted on the cap body around axis 10, without possibility of axial movement by relative to the body of the cap. For this purpose, the wall upper 8a of the cap 8 has, in its center, a cylindrical post 29, which projects axially in the cavity of the cap 8 and which is engaged in a hole blind cylindrical 31, with a diameter corresponding to that of the pin 29, formed in the body 1a of the plug 1 in the center of its upper end face 1d. The hole 31 is widened in the region of its bottom, so as to form an annular shoulder 31a. The free end of the tenon 29 is correspondingly widened and the tenon 29 is split longitudinally so as to form two branches which are spaced from each other and which can be elastically deformed to allow the engagement of the pin 29 in the hole 31. The lengths smaller diameter portions of the tenon 29 and the hole 31 are chosen so that after engagement of the pin 29 in the hole 31, the wall upper 8a of the cap 8 is in sliding contact with the upper end face 1d of the body la from cap and that the cap 8 can rotate around axis 10, without possibility of axial movement along the axis 10, because of the shoulder 31a.

As in the previous embodiment, the cap 8 has a nozzle 13 which here protrudes on the wall 8a of the cap 8. The channel 14 of the nozzle 13 extends parallel to the axis 10 and opens into the region of the upper end face 1d of the body la by an orifice 14a which is eccentric relative to the axis 10 with the same eccentricity as the orifice 5b of the channel 5. Thus, by rotation of the cap 8 around the axis 10, the orifice 14a of the channel 14 can be brought into concordance with port 5b of channel 5, in a single position of rotation of the cap 8, as shown in figure 17. In all other positions of rotation of the cap 8, the latter hermetically seals the orifice 5b.

Preferably, the cap 8 includes a skirt cylindrical 8b, which surrounds the neck 2a of the container 2 and which has, in its wall, at least two openings oblong 32. The two openings 32 extend in the circumferential direction of the skirt 8b and, in service, they cooperate with lugs 33 projecting from the surface outside of the neck 2a of the container 2. As shown in FIG. 17, the pins 33 have, seen in section longitudinal, a triangular profile defining a shoulder 33a which cooperates with the lower edge of the corresponding opening 32 of the skirt 8b to block axially the cap 8 after its skirt 8b has been engaged around the neck 2a of the container 2. The pins 33 also serve to limit the range of motion of rotation of the cap 8 around the axis 10. Although this could be obtained by the abutment of the lugs 33 against the ends of the openings 32, it is preferably provided in the upper edge of at least minus one of the two openings 32 two notches 32a and 32b as shown in Figure 18. In this case, at at least one of the two pins 33 may have seen in the direction of arrow H in Figure 17, also a triangular shape so that it can snap into place in one or the other of the two notches 32a and 32b and thus lock the cap 8 in the position corresponding angle. The notch 32a is formed in a position such that when the lug 33 is engaged in this notch, the channel 14 of the nozzle 13 is in concordance with the channel 5 of the body 1a of the plug, while the notch 32b is formed in a position such that, when the lug 33 is snapped into this notch, the cover 8 closes the channel 5.

As shown in Figures 17 and 18, the nozzle 13 may have an at least partly conical shape. So, when the container 2, the shape of which can be similar to that shown in Figures 15 and 16, constitutes the reservoir of a syringe, the nozzle 13 can also serve as a tip to receive a needle syringe.

It goes without saying that the embodiments of the invention which have been described above have been given as a purely indicative example and in no way limitative, and that numerous modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without as well go beyond the scope of the invention. This is how especially that the seal around orifice 5b of channel 5, as well as, where appropriate, that which is around the orifice 7b of the channel 7, instead of being formed by part of the membrane 6, can be constituted for example by an O-ring housed in a circular groove formed around the corresponding orifice of channel 5 or channel 7. In the embodiment of FIG. 17, a third channel having the same function as channel 7 of the realization of figures 1 to 6 can also be formed in the cylindrical part 1a of the body of the plug 1. In the embodiment of Figure 17, if the pressure inside container 2 always remains weak, it is possible to dispense with lugs 33 and the skirt 8b of the cap 8 could be removed or greatly shortened. In addition, in the event that the cap 1 is devoid of channel 7 and cap 8, orifice 5b of channel 5 could be at the top of the spherical head 1b or in the middle of the end face upper 1d of the body of the plug 1 and a nozzle similar to nozzle 13 could be formed from a single holding with the body of the cap, a small cap removable may be provided to close said nozzle.

Claims (18)

1. A stopper for a container with a neck, comprising a body (1) which may be fixed in sealing-tight manner to the neck (2a) of the container (2) and in which there is formed at least one duct for emptying the container and a shut-off valve for occluding the said duct, the body (1) of the stopper comprising a cylindrical part (1a) intended to engage into the neck (2a) of the container (2), the duct comprising a first channel (4) and a second channel (5) which are separated from each other, extend into the cylindrical part (1a) of the body and, at one of their ends, open out into the peripheral surface of the cylindrical part (1a) of the body (1) respectively via first and second orifices (4a and 5a) spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical part (1a) of the body (1), the first channel (4) opening, at its other end, via a third orifice (4b) situated in a first end surface (1c) of the body (1) which, in use, is situated inside the container (2), the second channel (5) opening at its other end through a fourth orifice (5b) situated in a second end surface of the body (1) which, in use, is outside the container (2), the shut-off valve being formed by a diaphragm (6) of elastomeric material which fits tightly around the cylindrical part (1a) of the body (1), covering the first and second orifices (4a and 5a) of the two channels (4 and 5) and which, through its elastic distortion, allows a fluid substance to flow both from the inside to the outside of the container and from the outside to the inside of the said container, characterised in that the cylindrical part (1a) of the body (1) of the stopper, covered by the diaphragm (6), has an outside diameter selected so that, in use, a close fitting of the body (1) into the neck (2a) of the container (2) is assured and in its cylindrical surface it has a groove (3) which extends circumferentially over at least a portion of the circumference of the said cylindrical part (1a), in that the diaphragm (6) closely matches the surface of the groove (3) and in that the first and second orifices (4a and 5a) of the two channels (4 and 5) are disposed in the groove (3).
2. A stopper according to claim 1, characterised in that the groove (3) extends all round the cylindrical part (1a) of the body (1).
3. A stopper according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the body of the stopper (1) further comprises a spherical head (1b) which is formed in one piece with the cylindrical part (1a) of the body and which, in use, is disposed outside the neck (2a) of the container (2), the spherical head (1b) having its centre on the axis (10) of the said cylindrical part (1a) and in that the second channel (5) extends obliquely likewise in the said head (1b), the outer surface of which forms the said second end surface of the body (1).
4. A stopper according to claim 3, characterised in that the fourth orifice (5b) is situated in the upper half of the spherical head (1b) and is not disposed on the axis (10) of the cylindrical part (1a).
5. A stopper according to claim 3 or 4, characterised in that the spherical head (1b) is covered by a cap (8) having a spherical cavity (9) the radius of which corresponds to the radius of the spherical head (1b), which can be fitted, with a resilient snap action, into the spherical cavity in the stopper in order to form between them a ball joint which allows the cap to turn in relation to the spherical head and in that the cap (8) comprises, on one side, a nozzle (13), the internal channel (14) of which discharges into the spherical cavity (9) of the cap through a fifth orifice (14a) which, in a first rotated position of the cap, coincides with the fourth orifice (5b) of the second channel (5) of the body (1) and, in a second rotated position of the cap, is not coincident with the said fourth orifice (5b) so that this latter is occluded by the cap (8).
6. A stopper according to claim 5, characterised in that it comprises a spring element (17) adapted to restore the cap (8) elastically to its second rotated position.
7. A stopper according to claim 9, characterised in that a recess (18) is formed in the upper part of the spherical head (1b) and in that the said spring element is constituted by a flexible rod (17) which is formed in one piece with the body of the stopper (1) and extends radially in the said recess (18) from the bottom of this latter to a point close to the outer surface of the spherical head (1b) and in that the stopper (8) comprises, in the bottom of its spherical cavity (9), a blind hole (19) in which the free end of the flexible rod (17) engages.
8. A stopper according to any one of claims 3 to 7, characterised in that a third channel (7) is formed in the body of the stopper (1) and discharges through a sixth orifice (7a) in the first end surface (1c) of the body of the stopper (1) and by a seventh orifice (7b) in the spherical surface of the spherical head (1b) and in that the diaphragm (6) of elastomeric material also partly covers (at 6a) the first end surface (1c) of the body, including the seventh orifice (7a) but to the exclusion of the first orifice (4a), so as to form another shut-off valve allowing a flow in the third channel (7) only from the outside towards the inside of the container (2).
9. A stopper according to claims 7 and 8, characterised in that the flexible rod (17) and the blind hole (19) have a circular cross-section and in that the cap (8) can be turned about the longitudinal axis of the flexible rod (17) from the second rotated position as far as a third rotated position and may be turned, with a flexing of the flexible rod (17), from the third rotated position as far as a fourth rotated position in which the fifth orifice (14a) of the nozzle (14) coincides with the seventh orifice (7b) of the third channel (7), the said seventh orifice being occluded by the cap (8) in all the other rotated positions of this latter and the cap being flexibly restored from its fourth position to its third position by the flexible rod (17).
10. A stopper according to claim 5 or 8, characterised in that a sealing gasket (6b) is disposed around the fourth orifice (5b) and, if required, around the seventh orifice (7b).
11. A stopper according to claim 10, characterised in that the diaphragm (6) of elastomeric material covers also at least selected areas of the spherical head (1b) around the fourth orifice (5b) and, if applicable, around the seventh orifice (7b) in such a way as to form the said sealing gasket or gaskets (6b).
12. A stopper according to any one of claims 5 to 11, characterised in that, on the side opposite the nozzle (13), the cap (8) has an appendage (15) by means of which it is possible to turn the cap (8).
13. A stopper according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the fourth orifice (5b) of the second channel (5) occupies a position which is eccentric in relation to the axis (10) of the cylindrical part (1a) of the body (1), in that the second end surface (1d) of the cylindrical part (1a) of the body (1) is covered by a cap (8) which is mounted on the body to rotate about the axis (10) of its cylindrical part (1a) with no possibility of axial movement in relation to the body, the said cap (8) being in sliding contact with the second end surface (1b) and comprising a nozzle (13) of which the internal channel (14) opens out into the area of the second end surface (1d) of the body via a fifth orifice (14a) which is off-centre in relation to the axis (10) of the cylindrical part (1a) in such a way as to be coincident with the fourth orifice (5b) of the second channel (5) for one single rotated position of the cap (8), this latter acting as an occluding device in all the other rotated positions.
14. A stopper according to claim 13, characterised in that a sealing gasket is disposed around the fourth orifice (5b).
15. A stopper according to claim 14, characterised in that the diaphragm (6) of elastomeric material also covers the second end surface (1d) of the body in such a way as to form the said sealing gasket.
16. A stopper according to any one of claims 13 to 15, characterised in that the cap (8) comprises a cylindrical skirt (8b) which surrounds the neck (2a) of the container (2) and which comprises in its wall at least two oblong apertures (32) which extend in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical skirt (8b) and which, in use, co-operates with lugs (33) projecting from the outer surface of the neck (2a) both to limit the angular displacement of the cap (8) in relation to the neck (2a) and to the stopper (1) and in order axially to secure the cap in relation to the neck.
17. A container fitted with a neck (2a) occluded by a stopper (1), characterised in that the stopper (1) is produced in accordance with any one of the preceding claims.
18. A container according to claim 17, characterised in that it comprises a body (2b) and a hollow bottom (2c), the body having a bellows-shaped wall which is compressible and extensible in the longitudinal direction of the container (2), the hollow bottom (2c) comprising a central part (2c1), a substantially cylindrical part (2c3) and an outer annular part (2c4) which is connected by a fold line to the bottom part of the bellows-shaped body (2b) of the container (2), the substantially cylindrical part (2c3) of the bottom (2c) having an axial length and a diameter which corresponds respectively to the axial length and inside diameter of the bellows when this latter is completely compressed and when the central part (2c1) of the bottom (2c) is in contact with the first outer surface (1c) of the body of the stopper (1) in the completely compressed state of the bellows forming the body (2b)of the container (2) which, in this state of the bellows, has an interior volume which is virtually nil.

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