EP1461263B1 - Closure device and container equipped therewith - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for closing a container and a container equipped with such a device, wherein the device includes: a first portion forming a closure element; a second annular portion positioned around a neck; a third portion forming a tamper-evident tab linking the first portion to the second portion, and which is connected to the first and second portions by frangible means so that the tamper-evident tab must be removed upon first use so as to release the closure element; and storage means for allowing the insertion of the tamper-evident tab therein once the tamper-evident tab has been separated from the first and second portions.

Description

• une première portion formant un obturateur,
• une deuxième portion, annulaire, destinée à être maintenue autour du col, et
• une troisième portion qui forme une languette d'inviolabilité associant la première à la deuxième portion, qui est reliée à ces première et deuxième portions par des moyens frangibles et qui est destinée à être retirée lors d'une première utilisation afin de libérer l'obturateur.

The present invention relates to a closure device for a container provided with a neck, this device being of the type comprising:

• a first portion forming a shutter,
• a second portion, annular, intended to be held around the neck, and
• a third portion which forms a tamper evident tongue associating the first to the second portion, which is connected to these first and second portions by frangible means and which is intended to be removed during a first use to release the shutter .

The invention also relates to a container provided with a neck on which is mounted a closure device of the aforementioned type.

During the first uncorking of such a container, the tamper-evident tab is removed by tearing the frangible means, so that the shutter can be moved away from the neck.

In many cases, the user does not know what to do with this inviolability tab that embarrasses him, which is a drawback.

In addition, it happens that the embarrassing inviolability tab is thrown anywhere, so that the disadvantage that has just been mentioned sometimes doubles as a pollution of the environment, even though the closure device is generally made of a recyclable material.

In US Pat. No. 3,994,409 there is disclosed a plug for a container. This cap includes a annular skirt divided by two lines of least resistance into a retaining ring, a shutter and a tamper-evident tab. One of the two lines of weakness is designed as a closed loop, while the other line of least resistance is interrupted. As a result, the tamper-evident tab can only be completely detached from the retaining ring by pulling on an ear provided at one end of this tamper-evident tab. As it remains united to the shutter, this tamper evident tab has the disadvantage of being unsightly and the disadvantage of risking to hurt the user and / or to hang objects that may be thereby unbalanced and to fall.

A completely separable tab closure device does not have such disadvantages, since its tamper evident tab is intended to be removed from the first and second portions of the device.

The invention aims at least to make more practical the closure devices of the aforementioned type.

For this purpose, it relates to a closure device of this type, which defines storage means of the tamper-evident tab, once this tamper-evident tab separated from the first and second portions, this device being characterized in that the second portion comprises a wall forming an annular skirt, the storage means comprising a passage formed through the wall of the skirt and adapted to allow the insertion of the tamper-evident tongue into an interior storage space that the skirt and the col are intended to delimit between them.

The invention also relates to a container provided with a neck, characterized in that it comprises a closure device as defined above, mounted on the neck, this collar and the skirt of the closure device delimiting between them an interior storage space to which gives access to the passage formed through the skirt and in which can be inserted the tamper-evident tab.

• La figure 1 est une première vue en perspective d'un dispositif de bouchage conforme à l'invention;
• la figure 2 est une seconde vue en perspective du dispositif de bouchage représenté sous un autre angle à la figure 1 ;
• la figure 3 est une vue en coupe axiale du col d'un récipient conforme à l'invention et obturé par le dispositif du bouchage des figures 1 et 2 ;
• les figures 4 et 5 sont deux vues semblables, en perspective, de l'ensemble de la figure 3, et illustrent respectivement une étape du rangement d'une languette d'inviolabilité retirée du dispositif de bouchage de cet ensemble, et la position finale de cette languette d'inviolabilité rangée ;
• la figure 6 est une vue analogue à la figure 3 et représente l'ensemble des figures 3 à 5, dont la languette d'inviolabilité est rangée après avoir été retirée ;
• la figure 7 est une vue analogue à la figure 2 et représente un dispositif de bouchage selon une première variante de réalisation de l'invention ;
• la figure 8, qui correspond à la figure 3, est une coupe axiale du col d'un récipient conforme à l'invention et obturé par le dispositif de bouchage représenté à la figure 7 ;
• la figure 9, qui correspond à la figure 6, est une coupe axiale de l'ensemble de la figure 8, dans lequel une languette d'inviolabilité a été rangée après avoir été retirée du dispositif de bouchage ; et
• la figure 10 est une vue partielle, en perspective, avec arrachement, d'un récipient selon une deuxième variante de réalisation de l'invention.

The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

• Figure 1 is a first perspective view of a closure device according to the invention;
• Figure 2 is a second perspective view of the closure device shown at another angle in Figure 1;
• Figure 3 is an axial sectional view of the neck of a container according to the invention and closed by the closure device of Figures 1 and 2;
• FIGS. 4 and 5 are two similar views, in perspective, of the assembly of FIG. 3, and respectively illustrate a step of storing a tamper-evident tab removed from the closure device of this assembly, and the final position of FIG. this tab of inviolability row;
• Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 3 and shows the assembly of Figures 3 to 5, the tamper evident tab is stored after being removed;
• Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 2 and shows a closure device according to a first embodiment of the invention;
• Figure 8, which corresponds to Figure 3, is an axial section of the neck of a container according to the invention and closed by the closure device shown in Figure 7;
• Figure 9, which corresponds to Figure 6, is an axial section of the assembly of Figure 8, wherein a tamper evident tab has been stored after being removed from the closure device; and
• Figure 10 is a partial view, in perspective, with tearing, of a container according to a second embodiment of the invention.

In Figures 1 to 6, a closure device 1 is shown either alone or mounted on the neck 2 of a container, which is a bottle 3 partially figured.

More specifically, in Figures 1 to 3, the closure device 1, made by plastic molding, is still intact or blank. It is then monobloc and, for the most part, symmetrical with respect to an axis X-X '. It comprises three portions, one of which forms a shutter 4, and another of which is an annular skirt 5 for mounting the device 1 on the neck 2. The last portion, which extends between the other two around the X axis -X ', is a tamper-evident tongue 6 which, until it is removed from the device 1, associates the shutter 4 with the skirt 5.

One of the two ends of the tamper-evident tongue 6 is provided with a gripping member 7.

Frangible means intended to be torn during removal of the tamper-evident tongue 6 comprise two continuous lines of least mechanical strength 8 and 9, each resulting from the presence of a groove on the outer face of the closure device 1. The line of least mechanical resistance 8 extends between the tamper-evident tab 6 and the shutter 4. The line of least mechanical resistance 9 extends between the tamper-evident tab 6 and the skirt 5.

A hinge joint 10 with a pivot axis A-A 'is provided between the two ends of the tamper-evident tongue 6 and comprises two elastic strips 11 which connect the shutter 4 to the skirt 5 and are angularly offset of the XX 'axis of each other.

At a certain distance from each of its two ends, the line of least mechanical resistance 9 inclines towards the free edge 12 of the skirt 5, then defines a hoop 13, whose concavity is turned towards the shutter 4 and which extends diametrically opposite the articulation 10.

A hole 14, elongate in a direction substantially parallel to the axis X-X ', passes right through the wall of the skirt 5. It has substantially the same angular position about the axis XX 'as the hinge 10. It forms storage means of the tamper-evident tongue 6 which can be passed in, once the lines of lesser resistance 8 and 9 torn.

In FIG. 3, the closure device 1 is mounted on the neck 2. The skirt 5 is then retained around this neck 2 by latching means consisting of two complementary annular beads, one of which is referenced 15 and provided inside the skirt 5, and the other of which is referenced 16 and provided outside the collar 2.

The collar 2 has a helicoidal and external thread 17, by means of which a not shown cap can be screwed onto this neck 2, in the absence of the closure device 1. This thread 17 is axially offset towards the free edge of this neck 2, relative to the bead 16. Between the bead 16 and the thread 17, the skirt 5 and the neck 2 delimit between them an annular storage space 18, to which access the hole 14.

As long as the lines of least resistance 8 and 9 are not torn, the tamper evident tab 6 opposes the removal of the shutter 4, which sealingly closes the passage defined by the collar 2.

During the first unclogging of the bottle 3, the tamper-evident tab 6, grasped by the gripping member 7, is completely removed by tearing the lines of least resistance 8 and 9, which releases the shutter 4, which can then be tilted about the axis AA 'of the hinge 10, away from the neck 2, in the position illustrated in Figure 6.

In accordance with the purpose of the invention, the user is not embarrassed by the tamper tab 6 removed, since it can slide in the storage space 18, through the hole 14. To do this, he first insert the end of the tamper-evident tab 6 opposite the gripping member 7 in the hole 14, then in the storage space 18. Then, it gradually penetrates the tamper-evident tab 6 in the storage space 18, exerting a thrust symbolized by the arrow F in Figure 4. As the frangible means are formed by two continuous lines of least mechanical strength, the side edges of the tamper-evident tongue 6 are substantially regular, so well that this tamper-evident tongue passes into the hole 14 without hanging.

The tamper-evident tongue 6 can be pushed in this way until the gripping member 7 abuts against the edge of the hole 14 and locks at the entrance to the storage space 18. The tamper-evident tab 6 is then in the position shown in Figures 5 and 6: it is mounted or, if preferred row, in the storage space 18 and only its gripping member 7 protrudes outside. However, since it is hidden by the shutter 4 open, as is apparent from Figure 6, this gripping member 7 does not cause any inconvenience when the contents of the bottle 3 is poured into another container or when a user drinks at the neck by placing his mouth opposite the hinge 10.

Furthermore, the hole 14 facilitates rapid drainage of a liquid that can be trapped between the neck 2 and the skirt 5 during assembly of the closure device 1, and / or it promotes and accelerates the evaporation of this liquid which can be a residue of a foodstuff poured into the bottle 3 or cleaning water.

As can be seen in FIG. 6, the removal of the tamper-evident tongue 6 gives way to a notch 19 in the skirt 5. At the level of the arch 13, the edge of this notch 19 delimits another notch 20, more small, deeper and located opposite the hinge 10. Also, this small notch 20 discovers the neck 2 over a greater length precisely where a possible user drinking from the neck is likely to apply his lower lip.

A closure device 101 according to a first embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 7 to 9. In Figures 8 and 9, it is mounted on the neck 102 of a bottle 103 according to this first embodiment of the invention. 'invention. In what follows, only what distinguishes the closure device 101 and the bottle 103 from the closure device 1 and the bottle 3 will be described. In addition, the references denoting parts of this closure device 101 or of this bottle 103 will be constructed by increasing by 100 the references designating the similar parts on the device 1 or the bottle 3.

The neck 102 and the skirt 105 are respectively longer than the neck 2 and the skirt 5.

With respect to the storage space 18, the storage space 118 is offset axially and extends between the inner bead 115 of the skirt 105 and the free edge 112 of this skirt 105, as can be seen in FIG. 8.

Unlike the plugging device 1, the passageway through the wall of the skirt 105, to give access to the storage space 118, is not formed by a hole, but by a notch 114, delimited from the free edge 112 and elongated towards the shutter 104.

In FIG. 9, the tamper-proof tongue 106 is stored inside the storage space 118. A radial crown 21, intended for handling the bottle 103 and equipping the neck 102, is then opposed to a possible axial displacement of the tamperproof tab 106 outside the housing 118.

A bottle 203 according to a second variant embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 10. In what follows, only what distinguishes this bottle 203 from the bottle 3 is described. In addition, certain references designating parts of this bottle 203 are built by increasing by 200 the referenced designating the similar parts on the bottle 3.

The neck 202 of the bottle 203 is devoid of the net 17 of the bottle 3. On the other hand, it defines an annular bead 222. The latter extends outside the neck 202, between the annular bead 216 and the free edge of the bottle. this collar 202.

A closure device 1 identical to that shown in Figures 1 to 6 is mounted on the neck 202, in the same way that the closure device 1 shown in Figures 1 to 6 is mounted on the neck 2 of the bottle 3, on the Figures 3 to 6. The skirt 5, inside which is the annular bead 222, is applied on the latter. In this way, the storage space 218 is jointly delimited by the skirt 5 and the neck 202, as well as, laterally, by the annular beads 222 and 216.

When storing the tamper-evident tab 6, these annular beads 222 and 216 guide and confine this tamper-evident tab 6 in the storage space 218.

Alternatively, the annular bead 222 may be defined not by the neck of the bottle, but the skirt 5 of the closure device 1.

Among the advantages of the invention, it will be noted that the presence of a passage through the wall of the skirt 5 or 105 results in a gain in material and therefore in an economy.

Claims (9)

1. Device for closing a container (3; 103; 203) provided with a neck (2, 102, 202), the said device comprising:

   - a first portion which is intended to form an obturator (4; 104);

   - a second, annular portion (5; 105) which is intended to be kept in position round the neck (2; 102); and

   - a third portion which forms a tamper-proof strip (6; 106) which joins the first portion (4; 104) to the second portion (5; 105) and is connected to the said first and second portions (4, 5; 104, 105) by breakable means (8, 9) and which is intended to be removed on first use in order to free the obturator (4; 104),

   the said device defining means (14; 114) for stowing (F) the tamper-proof strip (6; 106) once the said tamper-proof strip has been separated from the first and second portions (4, 5; 104, 105), characterised in that the second portion has a wall forming an annular skirt (5; 105), the stowing means comprising a passage (14; 114) which is provided through the wall of the said skirt (5; 105) and is capable of permitting the insertion of the tamper-proof strip (6; 106) in an inner stowage space (1.8; 118; 218) which the skirt (5; 105) and the neck (2; 102) are intended to delimit between them.
2. Device according to Claim 1, characterised in that the said passage is formed by a hole (14).
3. Device according to Claim 1, characterised in that, opposite the obturator (104), the skirt (105) terminates in a free edge (112) which delimits a notch (114) which forms the said passage.
4. Device according to any of Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that, on each side of the tamper-proof strip (6, 106), the said breakable means are in the form of a continuous line (8, 9) of lower mechanical strength.
5. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that a hinge (10) joins the obturator (4; 104) to the second portion (5; 105), the said breakable means comprising at least one line (9) of lower mechanical strength which extends between the tamper-proof strip (6; 106) and the second portion (5; 105) and, diametrically opposite the hinge (10), defines the edge (13) of a cut-out portion (20) which is intended to be delimited by the said second portion (5; 105) and to uncover part of the neck (2; 102; 202) after the removal of the tamper-proof strip (6; 106).
6. Container provided with a neck (2; 102; 202), characterised in that it has a closing device (1; 101) according to any of the preceding claims mounted on the neck (2; 102; 202), the said neck and the said skirt (5; 105) delimiting, between them, an inner stowage space (18; 118; 218) to which the said passage (14; 114) provides access and in which the tamper-proof strip (6; 106) can be inserted.
7. Container according to Claim 6, characterised in that at least one of the elements of the group comprising the neck (2; 102; 202) and the said skirt (5; 105) of the closing device (1; 101) defines at least one guide (16; 21, 115; 222) for confining the tamper-proof strip (6; 106) within the inner stowage space (18; 118; 218).
8. Container according to Claim 7, characterised in that the confining guide is an annular projection (16; 21, 115; 222) which laterally delimits the inner stowage space (18; 118; 218).
9. Container according to any of Claims 6 to 8, characterised in that the closing device (1; 101) is in accordance with Claim 6, and in that, at the level of the cut-out portion (20), the neck (2; 102; 202) juts out more than elsewhere above the said second portion (5; 105).

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