EP0952950B1 - Tamper-proof container comprising a hollow body with its closing device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns a burglar-proof container comprising a hollow body with its closing device, said hollow body comprising a fragile line (4) located on its neck (1) at some distance from the top of its mouth, which will be broken and destroyed if the container is opened.

Description

The present invention relates to tamper-evident containers.

By container is meant any hollow body with its closure, such as between others: bottles, flasks, containers and / or other tanks. They are normally intended for the marketing of quality products, often under famous brands, such as alcohols and / or spirits, champagnes and / or fine wines, perfumes and / or cosmetics, chemicals, agrifood or pharmaceutical, sometimes of dangerous use.

It is known that such containers are sometimes unfortunately re-used by third parties, for the marketing of not only different products of those of origin, but still of often inferior quality, even dangerous for consumers victims of such embezzlement.

In this regard, various devices have been designed with the aim of being able to detect the opening of such containers and make them inviolable; seals are for example arranged between the neck of a bottle and its stopper, in such a way that the seal will be broken when it is opened.

In particular, document FR-A-477,799 describes a bottle tamper-evident, comprising a hollow body provided with a closure device, according to the preamble of claim 1, the bottle having a brittleness made on its neck and located so that, by fracture thereof, the upper part of the neck is separated from the body of the bottle. Fragility is obtained by a line of weakness markedly circular and undercut, at the top and outside of this neck.

Among others, the European Patent N ° 94.402 006.4, published on March 15 1995 under N ° 0 642 984 A1, presents, an "Opening indicator device for bottles closed by a stopper, comprising connected means by a frangible zone to a ring connected in an inviolable way to the neck, of so that said means rupture at the location of the frangible zone when brought from a protective position in which they oppose the removal of the plug, a position of release of the plug."

If this type of device can detect an opening, causing breaking such a seal, obviously it hardly makes it impossible reuse of said bottles, without detecting such a violation.

In addition, the French Patent N ° 89 17563, published on June 28, 1991 under the number 2 656 281, describes a "tamper-evident closure device for a container fragile, comprising a plugging or overcaping of ductile material, fixed on said container and comprising an opening means, for example a line of weakness or tearing overcoming a retention by crimping; this device also includes a plate, playing the role of an anti-fraud seal, fixed both on said closure or overcap and on the container. " This plate which has a low resilience, normally lower than that of container itself, breaks during any attempt to open, by breaking of the fixing of this sealing plate; otherwise, this attempt opening would cause the container itself to fracture, erratically, indefinite and uncontrolled, even dangerous.

On the other hand, the container, object of the present invention, is actually inviolable, by the very fact that its opening necessarily involves elimination of the upper part of the neck of said container, so predefined, controlled, safe and definitive, making it impossible to reuse of it, thanks to the obvious detection of this elimination.

The subject of the invention is defined in claim 1.

Other features of the invention are indicated in claims 2 to 11.

According to a preferred form, said draft is produced in the form of a recess, of a groove or a stripe, substantially circular, partially or totally.

If, according to a preferred form of the invention, this draft is carried out during the manufacture of this hollow body, said groove or scratch can also be carried out later, possibly even when the container, for example by means of a tool such as diamond.

The hollow body constituting said containers can be obtained from various materials (among others: glass, quartz, crystal, preferably; ceramics, porcelain, etc.) according to any technique known to those skilled in the art profession, depending on the material used and the application concerned, such as, for example: molding, rotational molding, forming, thermoforming, casting, centrifugal casting, spinning, extrusion, blowing, machining or others.

The closure of the container, object of the invention, which comprises a capsule, preferably inviolable, is characterized in that the resilience of this capsule, at its lowest point of possible fracture, is greater than that of the line of weakness, means destroyed during the opening of the container himself.

Said capsule, possibly known in itself, is made of a material with mechanical characteristics, essential to meet the resilience defined above, and allow its final shaping during its installation on the neck of the container, according to any technique known in itself of the skilled person.

When this capsule is placed on the container neck, the bottom of its skirt must be fixed sufficiently securely to this collar, or even sealed, in order to make inviolable, as defined above; this fixation will be carried out on the outer face of the container neck and preferably in the vicinity of said means of rupture of this neck, as illustrated for example in the figures and in the examples below, according to any technique known to those skilled in the art; Between others, by screwing, crimping and / or by means of high adhesives adhesive characteristics.

If necessary, the top of the container neck is coated, using any technique known in itself, of a so-called overcap capsule.

The material constituting said capsule and / or said capsule overcoating, is generally metallic, inter alia, light alloys, by example of aluminum, tinplate or even steel, can also be made of a material thermosetting synthetic, known per se, possibly transparent.

According to a particular form of the invention, a cover - inter alia a plastic capsule, as shown by way of illustrative example and nonlimiting, shown in Ref. 8 below - is arranged in the neck, below of said means, so that any possible chip from the upper part of it, which is eliminated when this medium breaks, would be found in this case prevented from entering the container and would be accordingly eliminated before any use of it.

Where appropriate, said closure also includes a plug. The skirt of a such a stopper which is generally made of cork or may also be made of material plastic, is frequently surmounted by a head of a relatively material hard, known, such as a thermosetting synthetic resin; this head is often decorated, especially for branded products deemed.

1 . Cette rupture peut aussi être obtenue par un effort de traction, de torsion et/ou de rotation, exercé de l'extérieur sur la partie supérieure du col ; cet effort étant réalisé directement manuellement ou, le cas échéant, au moyen d'un ouvre-bouteille adapté à cet effet, tel que décapsuleur, pince ou autre.

2 . Cette rupture dudit moyen peut être obtenue par pression exercée sur la face interne du col et vers l'extérieur, dans sa partie supérieure, plus particulièrement au voisinage de la ligne de faiblesse, ainsi qu'illustré aux FIG 1, 2 et/ou 3, en annexe. Cette pression interne peut être ainsi réalisée par l'intermédiaire d'un élément (cf : réf.5) tout particulièrement disposé entre la partie supérieure du col ( cf : réf.2) et le bouchon (cf : réf.3) ; ledit élément étant constitué, entre autres :

• soit d'une résine synthétique élastique, présentant une hystérésis pratiquement nulle, une silicone par exemple,
• soit un dispositif mécanique d'écartement,
  • de sorte que toute pression exercée sur un tel élément, un choc par exemple sur la partie supérieure de la capsule de surbouchage (cf : réf.6), se répercutera quasi intégralement sur la face interne de cette partie supérieure du col (cf : réf.2), produisant alors la rupture de ladite ligne de faiblesse (cf : réf.4) et la séparation de cette partie supérieure du col.

3 . Cette rupture peut également être obtenue par dégradation de la ligne de faiblesse, provoquée par exemple par un frottement destructurant de celle-ci, voire par abrasion, au cours d'un effort de rotation appliquée sur la capsule de surbouchage, entre autres.

4 . Cette rupture peut être encore obtenue par choc thermique, exercé au voisinage de la ligne de faiblesse, par un élément conducteur de la chaleur, de préférence métallique, tel qu'entre autres aluminium, cuivre, fer blanc ou acier, dont le coefficient de dilatation est suffisamment différent de celui du matériau constitutif du col, lui-même, de sorte qu'un échauffement rapide de cet élément produit la rupture de la ligne de faiblesse, cet échauffement pouvant être provoqué par tout moyen connu, dont induction par exemple, le cas échéant.

The rupture of the line of weakness, constituting the means of opening the container according to the invention, and the subsequent elimination of the upper part of its neck, is obtained according to various mechanical and / or physical processes, known in themselves ; inter alia, the processes explained below, by way of explanation and without limitation, which can be implemented separately or in combination, as the case may be, as well as by any other process, equivalent in practice.

1. This rupture can also be obtained by a traction, torsion and / or rotation force, exerted from the outside on the upper part of the neck; this effort being carried out directly manually or, where appropriate, by means of a bottle opener suitable for this purpose, such as bottle opener, pliers or the like.

2. This rupture of said means can be obtained by pressure exerted on the internal face of the neck and towards the outside, in its upper part, more particularly in the vicinity of the line of weakness, as illustrated in FIGs 1, 2 and / or 3 , attached. This internal pressure can thus be achieved by means of an element (see ref. 5) particularly arranged between the upper part of the neck (see ref. 2) and the stopper (see ref. 3); said element being constituted, inter alia:

• either of an elastic synthetic resin, having practically zero hysteresis, a silicone for example,
• either a mechanical spacer,
  • so that any pressure exerted on such an element, a shock for example on the upper part of the overcap capsule (cf: ref. 6), will be reflected almost entirely on the internal face of this upper part of the neck (cf: ref .2), thus producing the rupture of said line of weakness (see ref. 4) and the separation of this upper part of the neck.

3. This rupture can also be obtained by degradation of the line of weakness, caused for example by a destructive friction of the latter, or even by abrasion, during a rotational force applied to the overcap capsule, among others.

4. This rupture can also be obtained by thermal shock, exerted in the vicinity of the line of weakness, by a heat conducting element, preferably metallic, such as among other aluminum, copper, tinplate or steel, the coefficient of expansion of which is sufficiently different from that of the material constituting the neck, itself, so that a rapid heating of this element produces the rupture of the line of weakness, this heating can be caused by any known means, including induction for example optionally.

• Réf 1, col d'une bouteille en verre ( ou similaire) ;
• Réf 2, partie intégrante supérieure du col ou goulot, qui sera séparée et éliminée lors de l'ouverture de la bouteille par rupture d'une ligne de faiblesse (4) ;
• Réf 4, ligne de faiblesse, réalisée dans le col, de façon prédéterminée, soit lors de la fabrication même de la bouteille, soit ultérieurement par exemple lors de sa fermeture ;
• Réf 3, bouchon (tête et jupe) ;
• Réf 5, ( FIG. 1 et/ou 2 ) matière synthétique, élastique et ne présentant pratiquement pas d'hystérésis ;
• Réf 5 (Fig 3 ) dispositif mécanique d'écartement ;
• Réf 6, capsule de surbouchage ;
• Réf 7, ( FIG. 4 ) disque et ( FIG. 5 ) coupelle ;
• Réf 8, ( FIG. 4 et/ou 5 ) capsule en matière plastique ;
• Réf 9, ( Fig 4, 5 et/ou 6 ) anneau en relief, venant de fabrication de la bouteille, renforçant le haut de la partie inférieure de son col, susceptible d'éviter, le cas échéant, toute rupture incontrôlée de la ligne de faiblesse, lors de la fermeture de cette bouteille ;
• Réf 10, ( FIG. 6 ) élément conducteur de la chaleur ;
• Réf 11, ( FIG. 6 ) fil conducteur, reliant l'élément (Réf 10 ) à une plaquette (Réf. 12).

As can be seen first of all in the 6 figures (FIG. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and / or 6), in the appendices, which illustrate in a nonlimiting manner the examples below, and represents certain forms of implementation of the invention, the references given in these figures correspond to the following elements:

• Ref 1, neck of a glass bottle (or similar);
• Ref 2, upper integral part of the neck or neck, which will be separated and eliminated when the bottle is opened by breaking a line of weakness (4);
• Ref 4, line of weakness, made in the neck, in a predetermined manner, either during the actual manufacture of the bottle, or subsequently, for example when it is closed;
• Ref 3, cap (head and skirt);
• Ref 5, (FIG. 1 and / or 2) synthetic material, elastic and having practically no hysteresis;
• Ref 5 (Fig 3) mechanical spacer;
• Ref 6, overcap capsule;
• Ref 7, (FIG. 4) disc and (FIG. 5) cup;
• Ref 8, (FIG. 4 and / or 5) plastic capsule;
• Ref 9, (Fig 4, 5 and / or 6) raised ring, from the manufacture of the bottle, reinforcing the top of the lower part of its neck, likely to avoid, if necessary, any uncontrolled break in the line weakness, when closing this bottle;
• Ref 10, (FIG. 6) heat conducting element;
• Ref 11, (FIG. 6) conductive wire, connecting the element (Ref 10) to a plate (Ref. 12).

Thus, according to the example of FIG. 1, are arranged when the bottle, a cup, preferably prefab, based on resin silicone (5), covering the head of the plug (3) and extending between this head and all along the internal face of the upper part (2) of the neck of this bottle, substantially to the line of weakness (4), then a capsule of aluminum alloy overcap (6) with high characteristics mechanical, covering the entire upper part of this cup prefabricated, as well as the external face of the part (2) of the neck of the bottle and the base of the skirt of which is firmly fixed, for example by gluing, to the lower surface of this part (2), in the very vicinity of the line (4) the thus making it inviolable.

When printing rapid and sufficient pressure, for example a stroke dry worn on the top of the capsule head (6), this pressure, then practically reflecting entirely on the internal face of the neck (2), by through the silicone cup (5), causes a clear break in the line of weakness (4), - practically without a glass shard, taking into account the relative specifications thereof, thus allowing the opening of this bottle, by elimination of the upper part of its neck.

According to the example of FIG 2, all other things remaining equal to those of FIG. 1, the only differences concern, on the one hand, the disposition the line of weakness (4) at the base of the part (2) of the neck of the bottle, and on the other hand, the constituent material of the capsule (6), which is made of a resin thermosetting with high mechanical properties, transparent, to ensure that this part has not already been eliminated (2) after line break (4).

According to the example of FIG. 3, all things being equal, likewise and by elsewhere, to those of FIG 1. and / or 2, the only difference concerns the cup (5) which is not made of synthetic material, such as silicone resin, but by a mechanical spacing device, equivalent and leading to same result, when printing on the top of the capsule (6) a pressure sufficient, thus leading to the rupture of the line of weakness (4) and to elimination of the upper part of the cervix (2).

According to the example of FIG. 4, are arranged when the bottle, a disc of rigid material, preferably metallic - for example, tinplate, steel, aluminum, copper, etc. -, placed under the foot of the skirt of the cap (3), and under this disc, a plastic capsule, such that among other polyolefin, PVC, or others, of a thin thickness, of the order from a few millimeters to about one or two centimeters, presenting at its upper part a flange bearing, as well as said disc, on a slight flat, provided for this purpose at the top of the lower part of the neck of the bottle, so that the top of this disc is substantially in the plane of the line of weakness (4), then a capsule of overcoating (6) preferably metallic - for example, tinplate, steel, aluminum, copper, etc. -, descending along the head of the plug (3) and the external face of the neck portion (2), the base of the skirt of which is securely fixed, by gluing among other things, to the lower part of this part (2), almost in contact with the line of weakness (4).

The opening of this bottle can be carried out, either according to the process procedure described below in the example of FIG. 5, either by creating a thermal shock in the vicinity of the line of weakness (4), produced by rapid heating by any known means, of the metal constituting the disc (7) and / or the capsule (6), provided for this purpose, which causes a clear rupture of the line of weakness (4), - practically without a glass shard, taking into account the relative specifications thereof, thus allowing the opening of this bottle, by elimination of the upper part of its neck. So a induction heating, could be more particularly carried out in the quality bottles of alcohol intended for consumption in bars, discos or other.

According to the example of FIG. 5, all other things being equal to those of FIG. 4, the only difference concerns element (7) which is not constituted by a rigid disc, but by a rigid cup surrounding the entire cap skirt (3).

When printing from the outside, manually, on the top of the bottle - made up of all the elements, referenced in (2, 3, 6 and 7) - a tensile, torsional and / or rotational force, a clear break in the line of weakness (4) then occurs, - almost without a glass shard, account given the specific characteristics of it, leading to the opening of this bottle, with elimination of its upper part. If applicable, the presence of abrasive elements, at the end of the capsule skirt (6), at the contact of the rupture line (4), will further facilitate this opening by rotation, causing a destructive effect.

According to the example of FIG. 6, all other things being equal to those of FIG. 4, of which it represents a particular case of implementation, a element (10), heat conductor - among others, aluminum wire, copper, tin or steel, etc. - is either placed in close contact with the line of weakness (4), even directly introduced into the material constituting the neck of the bottle, at the place of this line of weakness, a end of this wire being connected to the outside, by means of a strand of said wire, up to a metal plate (12).

Rapid heating of the wire (10), which could be achieved by induction, depending on the metal constituting the element (10), as provided in the example of FIG. 4, as the case may be, in the present example, produced by direct heating at through the plate (12) and the strand (11), causing the opening of this bottle by creating a thermal shock in the vicinity of the line of weakness (4), which will be broken - almost without a glass shard, given specific characteristics of it -, leading to the opening of this bottle, with elimination of its upper part.

Claims (11)

1. Tamper proof bottle comprising a hollow body with a closing device, said latter having a stopper (3), said bottle having a line of fracture located on its neck (1, 2) and provided such that when broken, the upper section of the neck is divided from the body of the bottle in the vicinity of a substantially circular and tapered fracture line (4) at the upper section and outside the neck, characterized in that the bottom of a capsule skirt (6) constituting the closing device is during the closing of the bottle integral with the neck (1, 2) of the bottle without any other portions in the vicinity of the line of fracture (4), the resilience of the skirt of the capsule (6) being higher than that of the neck (1, 2) in the vicinity of said line of fracture (4).
2. Bottle according to claim 1, characterized in that the fracture line (4) is produced when manufacturing the hollow body by moulding.
3. Bottle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fracture line (4) is shaped as a groove or a slot.
4. Bottle according to claim 3, characterized in that the groove or slot is produced using a tool such as a diamond.
5. Bottle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a substantially embossed ring (9) is provided outside the neck (1, 2) in vicinity and below the line of fracture (4) when manufacturing the hollow body by moulding.
6. Bottle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a substantially embossed ring (9) is provided outside the neck (1, 2) in vicinity and above the line of fracture (4) when manufacturing the hollow body by moulding.
7. Bottle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a capsule (8) is provided inside the neck (1, 2) in vicinity and below the line of fracture (4).
8. Bottle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a disc (7) made of a rigid material is provided under the bottom of the skirt of the stopper (3) such that the upper portion of said disc is substantially in the same plane as the line of fracture (4).
9. Bottle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a heat conducting element (10) is either provided adjacent the line of fracture (4) nor provided directly in the neck material (1, 2) of the bottle where in said line of fracture (4) a end of said element (10) is connected to the outside until a metallic wafer (12).
10. Bottle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fracture of the line of fracture (4) is obtained by a thermal shock applied in the vicinity of said line of fracture (4).
11. Bottle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fracture of the line of fracture (4) is obtained by a thermal shock resulting from a rapid heating of the metal of the capsule skirt (6).

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