EP1619135B1

EP1619135B1 - Reclosable stopper for a container

Info

Publication number: EP1619135B1
Application number: EP05106684A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Guglielmo Ferrari; Silvia Ferrari
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-07-22
Filing date: 2005-07-21
Publication date: 2007-10-31
Anticipated expiration: 2025-07-21
Also published as: DE602005003067T2; ITMI20041483A1; ES2297622T3; ATE376964T1; EP1619135A1; DE602005003067D1

Abstract

A reclosable stopper for a container opening , the stopper comprising a reclosable protective cap (12) situated on a pouring element (13), both having a smaller diameter with respect to a stepped base collar (14) positioned on a screw neck of a container, the protective cap and pouring element being connected by a hinge element (15) and an element indicating a first opening (23, 50, 54), an open outer end (31) of the pouring element creating a seal connection with a cylindrical rim (32) which protrudes inwards from the protective cap (12) when the protective cap is in a closed position on the pouring element, wherein the protective cap (12) and the pouring element (13) are moulded in a single piece and, when the former is reclosed over the latter, they are positioned with a spring release on an upper cylindrical portion (14b) of the base collar (14), the cylindrical portion (14b) of the base collar and a lower cylindrical portion (29) of the pouring element (13) comprising cam elements (27, 28) engaged with each other to allow a limited translation run with the contemporaneous rotation of the pouring element with respect to the collar to move a cylindrical extension (30) inside the pouring element with respect to an annular opening (17) situated above the base collar positioned internally and concentrically with respect to the upper cylindrical portion (14b) of the base collar (14).

Description

The present invention relates to a reclosable stopper for a container.
Containers for drinks and other liquid products, such as drinks with vitamin integrators, water containing additives in general, juices, tea, envisage the positioning of stoppers on their openings which generally comprise a reclosable protective tap with respect to a base collar.
In particular, these stoppers must be produced so as to allow, when positioned on a container, both its opening and closing, at the same time ensuring that the internal product is that inserted by the original filling manufacturer. Furthermore the opening and closing must be effected for a certain number of times, without there being any handling difficulty, even with one hand only.
As already mentioned, it should be possible to rapidly and simply verify that the container is intact, i.e. that there has not already been a first opening.
These problems and demands first of all require the necessity of providing a protective cap of the open-close type with extreme facility and forming a secure seal when in a closed position.
Known examples of stoppers to be screwed onto a screw neck of a container having an openable and closable protective cap have already been produced but are extremely complex to manufacture and have a certain number of component parts. The presence of more than two parts creates consequent assembly costs and the necessity of availing of various moulds with a further increase in costs.
It should also be noted that at present stoppers exist that can be screwed onto a screw neck of a container of the type with an openable and closable protective cap, which simply and exclusively have the possibility of verifying that the whole stopper is positioned without tampering on the neck of the container. The necessity is felt, on the other hand, for a stopper equipped with a cap which envisages the possibility of verifying that there has been no tampering and also that there is no opening between the protective cap and the base collar to which the cap is fixed and connected.
Furthermore, in this type of tap, there should also be the possibility of a obtaining a differentiated supply in relation to the user's demands.
A tap providing for the possibility of obtaining differentiated dispensing operations is known from US Patent Application Publication No. 2001/0052531 . However, the tap disclosed in this document does not posses reliable means capable of revealing both types of tampering indicated above.
An objective of the present invention is therefore to identify an adequate and different solution to the technical problems specified above.
A further objective of the invention is to provide a stopper for a screw neck of a container of the type mentioned above which is capable of revealing both types of tampering indicated above.
Another objective of the invention is to provide a stopper which is simple and inexpensive to produce and which is also simple to use and operate.
Another objective of the invention is to produce a stopper which allows a dosed differentiated supply of the product present in the container.
These objectives according to the present invention are achieved by providing a reclosable stopper for a container as specified in claim 1 enclosed.
Further important and particular characteristics of the present invention are object of the dependent claims.
The characteristics and advantages of a reclosable stopper for a container according to the present invention will appear more evident from the following illustrative and non-limiting description of an embodiment with reference to the enclosed figures, in which:

figure 1 is a perspective view from above of the reclosable stopper for a container according to the present invention which can be applied to an externally threaded mouth of a container;
figure 2 is a section of the stopper shown on figure 1;
figure 3 is a perspective view from above of the base collar alone;
figure 4 is a perspective view from above of the protective cap and pouring element rotated with respect to each other and produced in a single piece separated by the base collar;
figures 5 and 6 are perspective sections which show a protective cap rotated and disengaged from the pouring element and the two elements respectively in the same reciprocal position, but rotated and translated with respect to the base collar of the stopper;
figure 7 is a perspective view from above of a reclosable stopper for a container according to a further embodiment of the present invention;
figure 8 is a section of the stopper shown in figure 7:
figure 9 is a perspective view from above of the base collar alone of figure 7;
figure 10 is a perspective view from above of the protective cap and pouring element, partially shown, rotated with respect to each other, produced in a single piece separated by the base collar;
figures 11 and 12 are raised side and perspective views from above, partially sectional, which show the protective cap rotated and disengaged from the pouring element, wherein both the protective cap and the pouring element are rotated and translated with respect to the base collar of the stopper in a first supply position;
figures 13 and 14 are raised side and perspective views from above, partially sectional, which show the protective cap rotated and disengaged from the pouring element, wherein both the protective cap and the pouring element are rotated and translated with respect to the base collar of the stopper in a second supply position.

With general reference to the various figures, these schematically illustrate a reclosable stopper for a container according to the present invention, of the type with an openable and closable protective cap, indicated as a whole with 11. In the figures, the same or corresponding elements are indicated with the same reference numbers.
The stopper 11, to be screwed onto a screw neck of an opening of a container (not shown), comprises a reclosable protective cap 12 on a pouring element 13, positioned with a spring release with respect to a base collar 14 which has a greater diameter with respect to both.
According to the invention, it can be noted that the protective cap 12 and the pouring element 13 are moulded in a single piece and are reclosable with respect to each other, whereas the base collar 14 is a separate piece.
The base collar 14 is produced with a stepped section and, in a first portion with a greater diameter 14a, it is positioned on a screw neck of a container. The protective cap 12 and the pouring element 13, moulded in a single piece, are firmly connected to each other by means of a hinge element consisting of a strip 15. As shown in the figures, said strip 15 also comprises a pair of yielding lines 16 which favour the bending in the opening phase of the protective cap 12 with respect to the pouring element 13. The presence of these yielding lines 16, in fact, allows the cap 12 to be kept open at 180° with respect to the pouring element 13, favouring the supply of the liquid towards the user's mouth.
The base collar 14 also has an upper cylindrical portion 14b, with a smaller diameter, which extends upwards and comprises an annular opening 17. This annular opening 17 is situated between an island 18 connected to an upper surface 19 of the base collar 14 by means of radial bridges 20. Furthermore, internally and above the island 18, there is a truncated-conical element 21 which can be freely inserted inside the pouring element 13.
As shown in figures 1-6, the base collar 14 comprises an element which reveals a first opening 23 which extends axially upwards.
This element which reveals the first opening 23 is a threadlike element moulded with the base collar 14, integral with the upper cylindrical portion 14b, with a small diameter. One of its enlarged ends 24 is inserted in an opening 25 of the pouring element 13 and in an opening 26 of the protective cap 12, when joined to each other and positioned with a spring release on the upper cylindrical portion 14b of the base collar 14. This enlarged end 24, in the form of an arrow, breaks into the first opening of the protective cap 12 with respect to the pouring element 13 firmly positioned with a spring release on the base collar.
It should also be noted that, for an easy assembly of the parts, in an opposite position to the element revealing the first opening 23, to the upper inner cylindrical portion 14b of the base collar 14, there is a radial ribbing 41. The presence of this ribbing 41, facilitates and ensures a secure assembly of the parts, allowing the phasing between the parts inside the assembly machine to be immediate.
As shown in the second example of figures 7-14, the presence of a double element revealing the first opening, can be observed. An element is in fact envisaged on the base collar 14, which reveals the first opening, in the form of a vane 50, which extends axially upwards and is constrained to the upper surface of the base collar 14 by means of frangible bridges 51.
This element which reveals the first opening, extends and is inserted in a cavity 52 situated at the base of the pouring element 13. This vane-shaped element 50 which reveals the first opening, becomes detached breaking the bridges 51 by rotating the protective cap 12-pouring element 13 unit with respect to the base collar 14.
As already specified, there is a second element 54 which reveals the first opening situated between the protective cap 12 and the pouring element 13. This second element 54 revealing the first opening detects whether the protective cap 12 has been rotated with respect to the pouring element 13 by breakage of the frangible bridges 55 which is caused by the engagement of flaps 56 in complementary flap elements 57 situated in an opening 58 on the lower cylindrical portion 29 of the pouring element 13. Said engagement is produced upon assembly, after the moulding in an open position of the protective cap 12 and pouring element 13. The flaps 56, in fact, slide and are wedged behind the flap elements 57 and, once they have been coupled, they become fixed below these, preventing disengagement without breakage of the bridges 55.
The outer surface of the upper cylindrical portion 14b of the base collar 14 envisages a series of hollow grooves 27 arranged in helical sections forming half of the cam elements. The other half is defined by cam-toothed protruding elements 28, complementary to the cam grooves 27, situated inside a lower cylindrical portion 29 of the pouring element 13.
When engaged with each other, these cam elements 27, 28, allow a limited translation run with the contemporaneous rotation of the pouring element with respect to the base collar. This roto-translation run allows an inner cylindrical extension 30 of the pouring element 13 to be moved with respect to the annular opening 17 situated above the base collar 14 by means of the island 18.
Figures 1-6 are exclusively dedicated to this arrangement, whereas figures 7-14 envisage further elements which allow a differentiated supply enabling the arrangement of the parts in at least two different positions.
In the cam grooves 27, there are, in fact, openings 60 in which a flexible tooth 61 is positioned, protruding outwards towards the cam-toothed protruding elements 28 of the pouring element 13. In particular, these cam-toothed protruding elements 28 have a cavity 62 for the partial engagement of the flexible tooth 61 defining a first partial supply position.
Furthermore, above the outer surface of the upper cylindrical portion 14b of the base collar 14 there is an annular relief 63 protruding outwardly which acts as a run-end against an annular relief 64 protruding inwardly on the lower cylindrical portion 29 of the pouring element 13. In this way the elements remain in a maximum supply position.
In both examples, the pouring element 13 comprises an open outer end 31 which forms a sealing engagement with a cylindrical rim 32 which protrudes inwardly from the protective cap 12: this occurs when the protective cap 12 is in a closed position on the pouring element 13. In order to guide this positioning, the protective cap 12 contains in its interior, at least four radial ribbings 40 which, by collaborating with the upper outer surface of the pouring element 13, cause the self-centering of the open outer end 31 with the cylindrical rim 32.
As far as the roto-translation is concerned, it should be noted that there are extensions 34, 35 below and outside the cylindrical extension 30 inside the pouring element 13 and inside and above a further cylindrical portion 33 positioned concentrically and outside the annular opening 17 situated above the base collar 14. These extensions 34 and 35 are reciprocally engaged, forming a seal between the parts and guide the translation run with the contemporaneous rotation mentioned above of the pouring element 13 with the protective cap 12 with respect to the base collar 14.
Furthermore, in one of its free ends below an internally threaded portion 36, the base collar 14 envisages a separable ring portion 37 as it is connected to a series of freely frangible elements, such as bridges 38.
The functioning of a stopper according to the invention is extremely simple and immediate.
When in a closed position, the stopper of the present invention, thanks to its characteristics, should form a perfectly sealed closing unit, ensuring the integrity of the products above all when the filling phase is effected under aseptic conditions in the specific plants. Its simple structure allows an easy control of the correct running of the moulding and assembly phases.
In the first example (figures 1-6), the removal of the protective cap 12 causes the breakage of the arrow 24 thus indicating the first opening of the stopper.
Once this has been effected, by rotating the protective cap 12 with respect to the remaining part of the stopper 11, i.e. the pouring element 13, the latter frees its open outer end 31. The supply of the liquid contained inside the container equipped with the stopper of the invention is made possible by means of a limited translation run with the contemporaneous rotation of the pouring element 13, together with the protective cap 12, with respect to the base collar 14. This roto-translation run, in fact, allows the internal cylindrical extension 30 of the pouring element 13 to be moved with respect to the annular opening 17 situated above the base collar 14, as shown in figures 5 and 6.
It is evident that if the bridges 38 are broken, it can be seen that the overall stopper 11 has been removed from the neck of the container indicating a possible tampering of the product contained therein.
The stopper can be reclosed with a perfect seal by means of a simple roto-translation in an inverse direction and a repositioning of the protective cap 12 on the pouring element 13.
In the second example (figures 7-14), the protective cap 12 - pouring element 13 group is rotated with respect to the base collar 14. In this way, the frangible bridges 51 are broken with the detachment of the element which reveals the opening 50, in the form of a vane, engaged in the cavity 52 situated at the base of the pouring element 13. This initiates the reciprocal sliding between the parts.
The presence of flexible teeth 61 in the cam groove 27 creates an engagement, after a brief rotation between the parts, with the grooves 62 situated on the cam-toothed protruding elements 28. This causes a first stoppage between the parts and a first supply position, i.e. a partial supply (figures 11 and 12). The internal cylindrical extension 30 of the pouring element 13 becomes disengaged from the annular opening 17 creating a passage having a first dimension.
By continuing a forced rotation between the pouring element 13 and the base collar 14, the flexible teeth 61 are forced to become disengaged from the grooves 62. The pouring element 13 can consequently be further raised, by rotation with respect to the base collar 14, creating a passage having a second dimension. This continues until the annular relief 64 stops on the annular relief 63 protruding from the base collar 14. The elements consequently remain in a maximum supply position.
This provides the possibility of having two different supply flows of the product according to the user's demands.
The presence of the pair of yielding lines 16 favours the bending in the opening phase of the protective cap 12 as also the closing, also allowing an open position to be maintained.
Once used, the protective cap 12 can be easily repositioned above the pouring element 13 closing the pouring opening 31. Furthermore, the cylindrical rim 32 which protrudes inwards from the protective cap 12 stops against and forms a seal connection with the outer open end 31 of the pouring element 13.
The roto-translation action had previously brought the internal cylindrical extension 30 of the pouring element 13 inside the annular opening 17 situated above the base collar 14, preventing any further supply.
It can thus be seen that a stopper according to the present invention achieves the purposes indicated above.
The stopper has a particular simple structure and does not require complicated part arrangements, as it is produced in only two parts, of which the upper part (the cap and pourer) are in a single piece, which can be easily positioned on the base collar.
It should also be noted that the base collar 14 and the other elements of the stopper form a completely flat inner surface 70 which separates the product contained from the elements forming the stopper, creating an optimum seal with respect to the internal pressure. The only opening present in the flat inner surface 70 of the base collar 14 is, in fact, the annular opening 17 which is seal-closed, also at high pressures from the internal cylindrical extension 30 of the pouring element 13 wedged therein. The stopper according to the invention is consequently suitable for closing containers of gaseous drinks, for example by means of CO₂ or nitrogen.
The stopper of the invention thus conceived can undergo numerous modifications and variants, all included in the same invention.
Furthermore, in practice, the materials used, as also the dimensions and components can vary according to technical demands.

Claims

A reclosable stopper (11) for a container opening, the stopper (11) comprising a reclosable protective cap (12) situated on a pouring element (13), both having a smaller diameter with respect to a stepped base collar (14), positioned on a screw neck of a container, said protective cap (12) and said pouring element (13) being connected by a hinge element (15) and an element indicating a first opening (23), an open outer end (31) of said pouring element (13) creating a seal connection with a cylindrical rim (32) which protrudes inwards from said protective cap (12) when the protective cap (12) is in a closed position on the pouring element (13), characterized in that said protective cap (12) and said pouring element (13) are moulded in a single piece and, when the former is reclosed over the latter, are positioned with a spring release on an upper cylindrical portion (14b) of said base collar (14), said cylindrical portion (14b) of said base collar (14), and a lower cylindrical portion (29) of said pouring element (13) comprising cam elements (27, 28) engaged with each other to allow a limited translation run with the contemporaneous rotation of said pouring element (13) with respect to said base collar (14) to move, while overcoming a spring force between said mutually engaged cam elements (27, 28), a cylindrical extension (30) inside said pouring element (13) with respect to an annular opening (17) situated above said base collar (14) positioned internally and concentrically with respect to said upper cylindrical portion (14b) of said base collar (14).
The stopper according to claim 1, characterized in that said element which indicates the first opening comprises a threadlike element (23) moulded with said base collar (14) of which an enlarged end (24) is inserted in an opening (25, 26) of said pouring element (13) and said protective cap (12), when, joined together, they are positioned with a spring release on said upper cylindrical portion (14b) of said base collar (14), said enlarged end (14) of said threadlike element breaking on the first opening of said protective cap (12) with respect to said pouring element (13).
The stopper according to claim 2, characterized in that said enlarged end (24) of said threadlike element (23) is in the form of an arrow point and said opening (25, 26) is a shaped hole situated both in said pouring element (13) and in said protective cap (12).
The stopper according to claim 1, characterized in that said upper cylindrical portion (14b) of said base collar (14) has outer cam grooves (27) and said lower cylindrical portion (29) of said pouring element (13) has inner cam-toothed protruding elements (28) complementary with said cam grooves (27).
The stopper according to claim 1, characterized in that extensions (34, 35) are situated below and outside said cylindrical extension (30) inside said pouring element (13) and inside and above a further cylindrical portion (33) positioned concentrically and outside said annular opening (17) situated above said base collar (14), said extensions (34, 35) being reciprocally engaged to limit said limited translation run with the contemporaneous rotation of said pouring element (13) with said protective cap (12) with respect to said base collar (14).
The stopper according to claim 1, characterized in that said annular opening (17) situated above said base collar (14) is positioned between an island (18) connected to an upper surface (19) of said base collar (14) by means of radial bridges (20).
The stopper according to claim 1, characterized in that inside and above said island (18) there is a truncated-conical element (21) which is freely inserted inside said cylindrical extension (30) inside said pouring element (13).
The stopper according to claim 1, characterized in that said base collar (14) in one of its lower free ends below an internally threaded portion (36) envisages a separable ring portion (37) as it is connected to a series of freely breakable elements (38).
The stopper according to claim 1, characterized in that said hinge element (15) which connects the protective cap (12) and the pouring element (13) comprises a strip equipped with yielding connecting elements (16).
The stopper according to claim 1, characterized in that said protective cap (12) comprises a protruding pushing area (39) in its side portion.
The stopper according to claim 1, characterized in that said protective cap (12) comprises in its interior, at least four radial ribbings (40) which collaborate with the upper outer surface of the pouring element (13) to cause the self-centering of an open outer end (31) of the pouring element (13) with a cylindrical rim (32) of the protective cap (12).
The stopper according to claim 1, characterized in that there is a radial centering ribbing (41) in an opposite position to the element indicating the first opening (23), inside an upper cylindrical portion (14b) of the base collar (14).
The stopper according to claim 1, characterized in that said element indicating the first opening comprises an element (50) which extends axially upwards from the base collar to which it is constrained by means of frangible bridges (51), said element (50) being inserted in a groove (52) situated in a base portion of the pouring element (13).
The stopper according to claim 1, characterized in that said element indicating the first opening comprises an element (54) situated between the protective cap (12) and the pouring element (13), said element (54) being connected to said protective cap (12) by means of frangible bridges (55) and being engaged with flap elements (57) situated in an opening (58) of a lower cylindrical portion (29) of the pouring element (13).
The stopper according to claim 4, characterized in that said cam grooves (27) each have at least one flexible tooth (61) protruding outwards towards said cam-toothed protruding elements (28) of the pouring element (13) which in turn have at least one groove (62).
The stopper according to claim 15, characterized in that said at least one flexible tooth (61) is positioned in an opening (60) of said cam grooves (27).
The stopper according to claim 1, characterized in that above an upper cylindrical portion (14b) of said base collar (14) there is an annular relief (63) protruding outwards which is engaged with an annular relief (64) which protrudes inwards on the lower cylindrical portion (29) of the pouring element (13).
The stopper according to claim 1, characterized in that said base collar (14) comprises a completely flat internal surface (70) in which there is exclusively said annular relief (17).