EP1237795A1

EP1237795A1 - Composite closure cap

Info

Publication number: EP1237795A1
Application number: EP00990054A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jean-Marie Bourreau; Jacques Granger
Original assignee: Pechiney Emballage Alimentaire
Current assignee: Amcor Flexibles Capsules France SAS
Priority date: 1999-12-14
Filing date: 2000-12-11
Publication date: 2002-09-11
Anticipated expiration: 2020-12-11
Also published as: BR0016359A; NO20022807L; DE60015794T2; WO2001044066A1; HUP0203522A3; PL355621A1; AU2686101A; AU774146B2; US6913160B2; NO20022807D0; PL201737B1; CA2393736A1; DE60015794D1; FR2802181A1; JP2003516912A; EP1237795B1; HUP0203522A2; SK9822002A3; US20030042220A1; CN1413159A

Abstract

The invention concerns a cap (1) comprising as assembly consisting of: a) a plastic insert (2) comprising a head (3) with closure means (31, 32) and a threaded skirt (4), and b) a metal wall. The invention is characterised in that: 1) said metal wall (5) covers all or part of the outer surface of said insert (2) and includes at least a metal skirt (51) for receiving said skirt (4) of said insert (2); said metal skirt (51) includes an edge (510) crimped to said insert (2) so as to assemble together said metal wall (5) and said insert (2); 3) said cap comprises means designed to provide weight and/or volume to the part of said cap located above said sealing closure means (31, 32).

Description

COMPOSITE CAPPING CAPSULE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the field of closure capsules, typically the closure of containers, bottles or flasks intended to receive alcohols, typically cognac, whiskey, bourbon, etc., and typically the closure of containers with ring glassware having a diameter greater than the standard diameter, typically 30.5 mm.

STATE OF THE ART

Composite closure capsules are already known. Thus French application n ° 9706009 in the name of the applicant describes a metal closure cap with threaded plastic insert, the insert adhering to the metal capsule thanks to a layer adhering to the metal capsule, layer comprising, in the state divided, of said plastic.

Furthermore, the closure capsules typically used in the specific field of the invention are typically threaded bakelite capsules obtained by molding.

US Pat. No. 3,215,297 also describes a closure cap comprising a threaded plastic insert inserted into a metal wall, the lower end of this wall being turned over to penetrate the plastic insert and thus be protected against corrosion.

In addition, there are known, in different fields of the present invention, the French patent FR 1 362 085 which describes a stopper for a perfume bottle. This stopper comprises a threaded plastic capsule serving as a support for a metal disc and a cabochon, the assembly being assembled by a crimped metal ring. In this same field of cosmetology, international application WO99 / 06294 is also known which describes a plug for cosmetic product, made of plastic material, the skirt of which is coated with a crimped metal sheath.

Finally, in the field of jar foods for infants, the international application WO98 / 52833 is known which describes PT (Press-on / Twist-ff) capsules comprising a pre-formed molded annular seal fixed to the metal capsule by rolling the lower edge of the metal capsule.

PROBLEMS POSED

The state-of-the-art bakelite capsules are known to adhere to the glass ring, which can make opening difficult.

Furthermore, these bakelite capsules convey a very traditional image, an image which can be cultivated in certain cases, but which, more often than not, is not sought after, given the need to adapt the products and the taste of the day. oldest brands, or of greatest notoriety.

It is therefore important to offer the manufacturer of alcohols and spirits the means to renew the packaging of conditioned alcohols, spirits and liquors, using in particular a new capsule fulfilling the technical functions of known capsules, but offering in in addition to the possibilities of renewing the product in its aspects other than technical, aspects which become preponderant to the extent that the differentiation of the products by their own technical functions fades.

Finally, it is important that these capsules remain economical by the limited number of separate parts constituting them and / or by the limited number of manufacturing steps.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The composite closure cap according to the invention comprises an assembly a) of a plastic insert comprising a head provided with a sealed closure means and a threaded skirt, and b) of a metal wall, in which:

1) said metal wall covers all or part of the external surface of the head of said insert and comprises at least one metal skirt for covering said skirt of said insert, 2) said metal skirt comprises an edge which is crimped to said insert, typically on the lower end of the skirt of said insert, so as to ensure said assembly of said metal wall and said insert, and is characterized in that said capsule comprises means intended to give weight and / or volume to the part of said capsule situated above said sealed closure means.

This capsule solves the problems posed. In particular, the means of the invention make it possible to transform the closure capsule into a high-end closure means, in particular by its appearance and its volume, and / or by the sensation when the capsule is gripped, typically linked to its weight, as will appear in particular with the figures of the invention which illustrate some methods of the invention, in particular of the means intended to give weight or volume above said sealing means. In addition, this capsule remains economical to manufacture.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

All the figures relate to the invention. Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5a, 6, 6a, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 are sections along the vertical axis (10) of the capsule (1).

In FIGS. 1, 2, 6, 7, 9 and 12, the sections relate to capsules screwed onto a threaded neck (7) of a bottle, the capsule (1) is shown in section, while the neck is shown in section on the right side of the figure and in side perspective on the left side of the figure. In FIG. 1, the means for cracking off the volume is a recess (30) forming a substantial excess thickness above the attached joint (31).

FIG. 2 is similar to FIG. 1, and further comprises an additional element (6) placed in the recess (30), typically as a means for weighing down said capsule.

Figures 3 to 3a relate to another form of plastic insert (2) in which said recess (30) is partitioned by radial walls (300), so as to maintain the attached seal (not shown) in a rigorously position fixed.

Figure 3a is a bottom view and Figure 3b is a perspective view from below and from the side.

In Figure 3a are shown 6 recesses (40) intended to secure in rotation the metal wall (5) and the insert (2), as illustrated in Figures 4 and 4 a.

Figures 4 and 5 show capsules similar to those of Figures 1 and 2 respectively, but they differ in that the sealing means is constituted by a circular sealing lip (32).

Figure 4a is an enlargement of the lower left end of the capsule shown in Figure 4 illustrating a recess (40) in the lower edge (41) of the insert (2) in which the end (5100) is crimped of the skirt (51) in order to make the metal wall (5) and the insert (2) integral in rotation.

FIG. 5a shows the metal wall (5) before assembly. There is shown, at the lower end of the skirt (51), the crimping edge (510), straight on the metal wall before assembly, and, in dotted lines, once crimped to the insert, and therefore folded towards the inside, the crimping edge (5100), also in dotted lines, designating the part of the edge crimped in a recess (40) of the insert.

FIGS. 6 to 7 represent the case where the head (50) of the metal wall (5) has an orifice (500), as illustrated in FIG. 6a, and a complementary element (6, 6 ') which passes through this orifice, so as to form a way to give volume to the part of the capsule located above the attached seal (31) constituting the sealing means.

In FIG. 6, the capsule comprises a complementary element (6) which passes through said orifice (500), and the circular base (60) of which is fixed between the edges of the insert and of the head (50) of the metal wall .

On the other hand, in FIG. 7, it is the plastic insert itself which crosses said orifice, and is extended to form a complementary element (6 ').

In Figure 8, similar to Figure 5, there is shown a capsule with holding lips (33) allowing the temporary attachment of the capsule (1) and a pourer (9) provided with circular fixing ribs (90 ) at the neck (7), which has been shown in dotted lines on the left side of the figure.

In Figure 9, similar to Figure 2, there is shown a closure cap (1) coated with an overcap capsule (8) crimped or heat shrunk under the counter-ring (71) of the neck (7), and comprising two weakening lines (80) which delimit a first opening tab (81).

In FIG. 10, similar to FIG. 5, the orifice (500) of the head (50) of the metal wall is closed by an element made of transparent material (62), an additional element (6) being contained in the recess (30).

In FIG. 11, similar to FIG. 5, the recess (30) extends over the entire section of the capsule, and is formed by the space between the head (3) of the insert and the head (50) of the metal wall.

In FIG. 12, similar to FIG. 7, the complementary element is an insert (6 ") which is clipped or snapped onto the head (3) of the insert (2), and therefore it may have a diameter much larger than that of the orifice (500) - this part (6 ") could also be fixed to the rest of the capsule by screwing or gluing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, said crimped edge (510) of said metal skirt (51) can cover all or part of the lower end (40) of the skirt (4) of said insert (2).

As illustrated in all the figures relating to the capsules (1), the crimped edge (510) in practice masks the insert (2) which is no longer visible to the eyes of the consumer who screws or unscrews the capsule (1). This optionally makes it possible to separate the "technical" functions from the "aesthetic" functions, the "technical" functions, such as those related to sealing, screwing, general mechanical characteristics, being the responsibility of the plastic insert, and the "aesthetic" functions relating to the visible part, in particular of said metal wall.

The capsule according to the invention may comprise a recess (30) formed in said insert (2) or delimited by said insert (2) with said metal wall (5) and / or said sealing means (31,32). This recess (30) is located above the sealing means

(31,32), the axis (10) of the neck being vertical and these sealing means being in a horizontal plane, as illustrated in the figures.

In all the figures, except for Figure 1 1, said recess (30) corresponds to a recess of the insert itself.

In all cases, said recess (30) is a space delimited by the head (3) of the insert and by the head (50) of the metal wall and / or the sealing means, typically the attached seal (31 ).

This recess makes it possible in particular to give the desired volume to the upper part of the capsule, without modifying the "technical" part of the capsule, in particular that relating to sealing and screwing.

Said means for giving weight or volume may comprise an additional element (6) secured to said capsule (1), typically by virtue of said assembly, and / or said recess (30), as illustrated in FIGS. 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 .. This complementary element (6) can be a ballast piece of density preferably greater than 4, typically made of iron, intended to increase the weight of the capsule, and trapped in said recess (30), as illustrated in the preceding figures, except Figure 6. But we could use all kinds of materials such as pieces of minerals or stone, or ceramics.

According to the invention, said complementary element (6) can comprise an identification and / or detection means, an information-carrying element or a miniaturized measuring instrument, trapped in said recess, possibly increasing the weight of the capsule.

By way of nonlimiting example, one can imprison a date, temperature, hygrometry indicator, and the corresponding sensor or measuring instrument miniaturized to be able to contain in the recess (30), and in this case, one can close this recess with a transparent material (62), as shown in FIG. 10.

According to one embodiment of the invention, said metal wall may comprise a head (50) having an upper orifice (500), so that said insert (2) or its head (3), and / or said complementary element ( 6) can (s) pass through said orifice (500), as illustrated in FIGS. 6a, 7, 8 and 10. As illustrated in FIG. 7, said insert (2) or its head (3) can have an extension passing through said orifice and constituting said complementary element (6 ').

As illustrated in FIG. 6, said complementary element (6) comprises a body (60) which passes through said orifice (500) and a foot (61) which is trapped in said recess (30) or between the head of the insert ( 3) and the head of the metal wall (50).

This possibility considerably multiplies the possibilities of personalizing the capsules according to the invention, insofar as it suffices to change additional element, whether by the shape, the nature of the material (metal, glass, steel, plastic, etc. ...), not counting the nature of the decorations or surface textures. According to a particular method illustrated in FIG. 10, said orifice (500) can be closed by a transparent element (62), so as to see the interior of said recess (30) or its content which can possibly include said complementary element (6 ).

According to the invention, said metal wall (5) can be made of aluminum or tinplate, steel, or tin, typically aluminum of 80 to 350 μm thickness. Said insert (2) may be a thermoplastic material capable of being molded, typically of polyolefin, polyester, polyamide. Preferably, the insert (2) is chosen from a polyolefin having a resistance to deflection under load at 90 ° C. sufficient so that the threads of the thread of said insert are not deformed when said insert is brought to a temperature as high as 60 ° C. Among the polyolefins, a polypropylene copolymer is preferably chosen. It may also be advantageous to use highly transparent plastics, such as LCP liquid crystal polymers, polycycloolefins COP, for example Zeonor 1600R (R).

In general, said metal wall (5) can be decorated externally, as can any element passing through the orifice (500) of the head (50) of the metal wall, and which, as a result, becomes an element visible participating in the decoration of the capsule and therefore in its image or general appearance, as in the case of FIGS. 6 and 7.

According to the invention, said sealed closure means can be constituted by an attached seal (31), as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 6, 7 and 9; it may include a sealing lip (32) carried on the interior surface of the head of said insert, as illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5, 8, 10 and 11.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, a pouring element (9), possibly irreplaceable, can be secured to said capsule (1), typically by snap-fastening, thanks to a removable fixing lip (33) formed on the inner surface of the head of said insert. According to a variant of the invention, illustrated in Figures 3 to 3b, said recess can be partitioned, typically by radial (300) or circular walls. This partitioning can be useful in particular to improve the mechanical strength of the attached seal (31) by ensuring a rigid support for the seal, and thus improve its sealing.

The capsule according to the invention may comprise an overcap element (8) guaranteeing the inviolability of said capsule (1) and having an easy opening means (80, 81), as illustrated in FIG. 9. This overcap element (8) can be an overcap capsule, typically heat-shrinkable, typically comprising a first opening strip (81) limited by two weakening lines (80).

It is of course also possible to apply to a closed bottle or flask with a capsule according to the invention any overcap element known per se, so as to give it the necessary inviolability.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 4a, the lower end (41) of the skirt (4) of said insert (2) advantageously comprises recesses (40), typically 6 recesses (40) at 60 ° one of the another, in which a part (5100) of the edge (510) of said metallic skirt (51) is crimped, so as to rotately secure said metallic skirt (51) to said skirt (4) of said insert (2). Thus, without having to use adhesive between the insert (2) and the metal skirt (5), these two elements are made integral in rotation.

Another object of the invention is a method of manufacturing a capsule (1) according to the invention in which: a) supplying said plastic insert (2) with threaded skirt (4), possibly comprising a recess, as well as said metal wall (5) of a shape adapted to said insert, and optionally the attached seal (31), b) optionally supplying said complementary element (6), or any other element intended to be assembled, c) assembling said plastic insert ( 2) and said metal wall (5), after having

"Imprisoned" said additional element (6) or any other element intended to be assembled, and the lower edge (510) of the skirt (51) of the metal wall (5) is crimped onto the lower end (41) of the skirt (4) of the plastic insert (2), and we insert possibly the attached seal (31),

Another object of the invention relates to the use of the capsules according to the invention as a means of play.

Indeed, on the one hand, the presence of a recess makes it possible to introduce into this recess a typically playful element, capable of emitting a sound or electromagnetic waves or comprising an activatable chip, and moreover being used for other purposes , identification, counterfeit detection, etc.

On the other hand, the capsules according to the invention can, at least in certain cases, be used, after their normal use as a means of closing a container, bottle or flask, as a play element, and typically as " culbuto ", when they are ballasted with a sufficient mass forming said complementary element.

EXAMPLES OF REALIZATION

Capsules were made according to the attached figures. For all these capsules, the same external dimensions have been kept for the metal wall (5). These dimensions are as follows (see Figures 1 & 6a):

- height A: 15.75 mm

- height B (above the joint): 6.8 mm

- diameter C: 35.3 mm - radius of curvature D: 50 mm

- radius of curvature E: 5 mm

- internal diameter F of the recess (or of the neck): 20 mm

- inner diameter at the top of the thread G: 30 mm

- inside diameter at the bottom of the thread H: 32.8 mm - hole diameter (500) 1: 12 mm

As materials, we took: - for the metal wall (5): strip aluminum 100 μm thick, alloy of the 3000 series according to the nomenclature of the Aluminum Association, either lacquered, printed, or brushed,

- for the plastic insert (2): a PP copolymer,

- as an additional element 6: we took a piece of iron of 5/10/15/20 g for Figures 1, 2 5, 8, 9, 10 and 11,

- in the case of FIGS. 6, an additional element (6) made of PE is taken,

- in the case of capsules with seal, we took a standard commercial seal cut into rings with a diameter substantially equal to H (32.8 mm),

Manufacture of capsules:

We first formed the three families of parts separately:

- the insert (2) was manufactured by injection molding,

- the metal wall (5) was manufactured by stamping - the complementary elements (6, 6 ') were supplied in the case of iron parts, or formed by molding in the case of Figures 6 and 7.

Then we assembled them. The manner of assembling the different parts can vary according to the exact configuration of each capsule, but it is obvious to those skilled in the art from the representation given in the attached figures. Generally, it is necessary to insert between the metal wall (5) and the insert (2) said complementary element (6), before crimping the edge (510) of the metal skirt on the lower end (41) of the insert. However, Figure 2 (or 9) illustrates a different case: the complementary element (6) can be inserted between the insert (2) and the attached seal (31), after the metal wall has been crimped ( 5) and the insert (2).

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

As illustrated by the exemplary embodiments and the figures, the invention opens up numerous possibilities for responding to the problems raised.

It discloses means for personalizing the capsules by making it possible to manufacture an infinity of different capsules without having to modify the technical elements of the capsule, namely all that relates to the threading of the insert and its adaptation to glass rings of bottles or flasks, and everything related to sealing.

Furthermore, this invention opens up prospects for providing traditional capsules with new functions, beyond the usual technical functions, in particular in the field of recreational activities or means of identification or detection of counterfeiting.

Finally, the capsule according to the invention is particularly economical, in particular insofar as a single crimping of the edge (510.5100) of the end of the metal wall (5) to the plastic insert (2) is sufficient to secure them , including in rotation, and to secure the complementary element (6) when the latter is present.

LIST OF REFERENCES CAPSULE 1

VERTICAL AXIS 10

PLASTIC INSERT 2

INSERT HEAD 3

OF course 30 RADIAL WALLS .. 300

REPORTED JOINT 31

SEALING LIPS 32

FIXING LIPS 33

INSERT 4 THREADED SKIRT 40

LOWER END 41

METALLIC WALL 5

WALL HEAD 50

ORIFICE 500 METAL SKIRT 51

CRIMP EDGE 510 EDGE TO CRIMP in recess 40 .. 5100

ADDITIONAL ELEMENT 6

INSERT & ELEMENT COMPLEM 6 '

6 "BODY CLIPSE PIECE

FOOT 61

TRANSPARENT ELEMENT 62

THREADED NUT 7

THREADING OF THE NUT 70 COUNTERRING 71

CAPPER CAP 8

WEAKENING LINES 80

OPENING TONGUE 81

POURER 9 FIXING RIBS 90

Claims

1. Composite closure capsule (1) comprising an assembly a) of a plastic insert (2) comprising a head (3) provided with a sealed closure means (31, 32) and a threaded skirt (4), and b) a metal wall (5), in which:

1) said metal wall (5) covers all or part of the external surface of the head of said insert (2) and comprises at least one metal skirt (51) for covering said skirt (4) of said insert (2),

2) said metal skirt (51) comprises an edge (510) which is crimped to said insert (2), typically at the lower end (41) of the skirt (4) of said insert (2), so as to ensure said assembly of said metal wall (5) and of said insert (2), and characterized in that said capsule (1) comprises means intended to give weight and / or volume to the part of said capsule situated above said means of watertight closure (31, 32).

2. Capsule according to claim 1 wherein said crimped edge (510) of said metal skirt (51) covers all or part of the lower end (40) of the skirt (4) of said insert (2).

3. Capsule according to any one of claims 1 to 2 comprising a recess (30) formed in said insert (2) or delimited by said insert (2) with said metal wall (5) and / or said plugging means (31,32 ).

4. Capsule according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said means for giving weight or volume comprises a complementary element (6) secured to said capsule (1), typically thanks to said assembly, and / or to said recess (30) .

5. Capsule according to claim 4 wherein said complementary element (6) is a ballast piece of density greater than 4, typically made of iron, intended to increase the weight of the capsule, and trapped in said recess (30).

6. Capsule according to claim 4 wherein said complementary element (6) comprises an identification and / or detection means, or an element carrying information or a measuring instrument, trapped in said recess, possibly increasing the weight of the capsule.

7. Capsule according to any one of claims 1 to 6 in said metal wall comprises a head (50) having an upper orifice (500), so that the head (3) of said insert (2), and / or said element complementary (6) can (s) pass through said orifice (500).

8. Capsule according to claim 7 wherein the head (3) of said insert (2) has an extension passing through said orifice and constituting said complementary element (6 ').

9. Capsule according to claim 7 wherein said complementary element (6) comprises a body (60) which passes through said orifice (500) and a foot (61) which is trapped in said recess (30) or between the head of the insert (3) and the head of the metal wall (50).

10. Capsule according to claim 7 wherein said orifice (500) is closed by a transparent element (62), so as to see the interior of said recess (30) or its content optionally comprising said complementary element (6).

11. Capsule according to any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein said metal wall (5) is made of aluminum or tinplate, steel, or tin, typically aluminum of 80 to 350 microns thick.

12. Capsule according to any one of claims 1 to 11 wherein said insert (2) is a thermoplastic material capable of being molded, typically of polyolefin, polyester, polyamide.

13. A capsule according to claim 12 in which the insert (2) is chosen from a polyolefin having a resistance to deflection under load at 90 ° C sufficient for the threads of the thread of said insert not to be deformed when said insert is brought to a temperature as high as 60 ° C.

14. Capsule according to claim 13 wherein said polyolefin is a polypropylene copolymer.

15. Capsule according to any one of claims 1 to 14 wherein said metal wall (5) is decorated externally.

16. Capsule according to any one of claims 1 to 15 wherein said sealed sealing means is constituted by an attached seal (31).

17. Capsule according to any one of claims 1 to 16 wherein said sealing means includes a sealing lip (32) carried on the inner surface of the head of said insert.

18. Capsule according to claim 17 in which a pouring element (9), possibly irreplaceable, is secured to said capsule (1), typically by snap-fastening, thanks to a removable fixing lip (33) formed on the inner surface of the head said insert.

19. Capsule according to any one of claims 3 to 18 wherein said recess is partitioned, typically by radial or circular walls.

20. Capsule according to any one of claims 1 to 19 comprising an overcap element (8) guaranteeing the inviolability of said capsule (1) and having an easy opening means (80, 81).

21. Capsule according to claim 20, in which said overcap element (8) is an overcap capsule, typically heat-shrinkable, typically comprising a first opening strip (81) bounded by two weakening lines (80).

22. Capsule according to any one of claims 1 to 21 in which the lower end (41) of the skirt (4) of said insert (2) comprises recesses (40), typically 6 recesses (40) at 60 ° one on the other, in which a part (5100) edge of the edge (510) of said metal skirt (51) is crimped, so as to rotationally secure said metal skirt (51) to said skirt (4) of said insert (2 ).

23. A method of manufacturing a capsule (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 22 wherein: a) it supplies said plastic insert (2) with threaded skirt (4), optionally comprising a recess, as well as said metal wall (5) of a shape adapted to said insert, and optionally the attached seal (31), b) optionally supplying said complementary element (6), or any other element intended to be assembled, c) assembling said plastic insert (2) and said metal wall (5), after having “trapped” said complementary element (6) or any other element intended to be assembled, and the lower edge (510) of the skirt (51) of the metal wall (5) is crimped onto the lower end (40) of the skirt (4) of the plastic insert (2), and the attached seal is optionally inserted (31),

24. Use of the capsules according to any one of claims 1 to 22 as a means of play.