EP1644257B1 - Method for the production of stopper capsules - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to the field of screw closure caps which typically include an internal threaded plastic insert and a metal outer shell.
These capsules are typically intended for corking bottles containing alcoholic beverages, including wine.

STATE OF THE ART

Composite capsules comprising a threaded insert and a metal shell are already known, as can be seen in particular with the patents which follow in the name of the applicant.
Thus, the French patent No 2,763,046 describes a method of fixing an insert to a metal shell.
Similarly, French patents No 2,792,617 and No 2,793,216 describe a composite closure cap in which said insert provides the technical functions of the capsule.
French patent No 2,802,181 discloses a closure cap in which said shell is crimped to said insert, the capsule comprising means for imparting weight and / or volume to said capsule above its sealing means.
French patent No 2,803,827 discloses a capping capsule in which said insert is thin-walled.

Screw closure capsules are also known whose threading is constituted by a deformation of the metallic skirt of the capsule, as described for example in the French patent. 2,387,165 . Capsules are also known whose shell has a skirt which has, at a certain height, a radially expanded part, as illustrated in the international patent application. WO 94/20237 .

Finally, the patent US 1,969,777 discloses a method in which a rubber piece is placed inside a closed metal tube head and said rubber member is depressed to locally deform the wall of said tube head.

PROBLEMS POSED

On the one hand, screw cap capsules of the state of the art do not always have a satisfactory manual gripping level, insofar as the unscrewing of the capsule may require a torque, in particular a first opening torque, such that the fingers may tend to slide on the metal shell, which is generally cylindrical.
An object of the invention is constituted by a method making it possible to manufacture industrially at high speed capping caps of particular shape which are therefore more manageable, easier to screw / unscrew than those of the state of the art.

On the other hand, there is also an ever increasing demand for a diversification of capsule shapes, so that there is a need for non-cylindrical capsules in the strict sense.
Answering this need is another important purpose of the invention.
Another object of the invention is to obtain capsules whose shape of the shell allows an immediate differentiation compared to commercially available capsules which are typically cylindrical.
Moreover, these capsules must meet the requirements of mechanical strength, in particular impact strength.

Composite capsules are made by supplying the plastic insens, the metal shells and assembling them. The plastic insert is formed by molding thermoplastic material, typically by injection.
Metal shells are typically made by stamping tape or foil, usually aluminum or tin. Thus, in practice, it is known to produce industrially at high speed that cylindrical metal shells.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

1. 1) ladite jupe extérieure de ladite coque comprend au moins une partie typiquement cylindrique de hauteur H1, de diamètre D1 adapté audit goulot, et au moins une partie radialement expansée de hauteur H2, inscrite dans un cercle de diamètre D2>D1 et formant une cavité radiale annulaire, ladite partie typiquement cylindrique de ladite coque enserrant radialement ladite jupe intérieure dudit insert à la manière d'une frette au moins en regard dudit filetage intérieur, ladite partie expansée étant destinée à faciliter notamment la préhension manuelle de ladite capsule et sa rotation par rapport audit goulot pour ouvrir / fermer ledit récipient en dévissant / vissant ladite capsule sur ledit goulot,
2. 2) ladite partie radialement expansée (43) et ladite partie typiquement cylindrique (42) de ladite jupe extérieure (41) présentent typiquement une même épaisseur Ep.

According to the invention, the manufacturing method, the steps of which are described in claim 1, makes it possible to obtain a closure cap intended for screw-capping a container intended to contain alcoholic beverages, typically a bottle having a neck equipped with an external screw thread and a tamper-proof ring, comprises two parts made integral in rotation and axially by an assembly means, a) an inner part or insert of height h, made of plastic, comprising an inner said head and a so-called inner skirt, said inner skirt comprising an internal thread on its inner surface intended to cooperate with the threading of said neck so as to be able to screw said capsule to said neck according to an axis of rotation or an axial direction, and b ) an outer portion or shell of height H, typically metal or metal-based, comprising an outer head and an outer skirt masking all or part of said facing inner skirt, said capsule being typically provided with a sealing means, tamper means and first opening means, and wherein:

1. 1) said outer skirt of said shell comprises at least one typically cylindrical portion of height H1, of diameter D1 fitted to said neck, and at least one radially expanded part of height H2, inscribed in a circle of diameter D2> D1 and forming a cavity annular radial, said typically cylindrical portion of said shell radially enclosing said inner skirt of said insert in the manner of a hoop at least opposite said internal thread, said expanded portion being intended to facilitate in particular the manual gripping of said capsule and its rotation by report at said neck to open / close said container by unscrewing / screwing said capsule onto said neck,
2. 2) said radially expanded portion (43) and said typically cylindrical portion (42) of said outer skirt (41) typically have the same thickness Ep.

Following his work, the applicant has found that the means of the invention can effectively solve the problems with regard to the capsules themselves.
Indeed, the presence of an expanded radial portion on the skirt of said shell allows both to better manually grasp the capsule in particular for its unscrewing, and to differentiate from commercial capsules.
Moreover, the invention makes it possible to differentiate without increasing the height of the containers clogged with such capsules. Indeed, the total height of a bottle capsulated can in many cases be a standard or a requirement imposed by one of the many actors in the chain from the producer or conditioner to the consumer. Thus, for example, it is not conceivable that a beverage dispenser is led to change the spacing between its bottle storage shelves because the height of the bottles would be too large.

Furthermore, these capsules have a high impact resistance, in particular because the radially expanded portion of the outer skirt has a thickness Ep substantially the same as that of the remainder of the radially unexpanded outer skirt, whereas the expanded zones of the state of the art show thinning of the wall.
Indeed, it is advantageous that this be so insofar as this expanded part (43) is exposed to shocks and where it would therefore not be mechanically weaker than the rest of the metal shell (4) . This can be achieved in particular by the method according to the invention described next.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The figures 1a , 2a , 3a , 4a , 5 , 7a , 8a , 9a , 10a , 13a , 13b and 14a are axial sections of capsules (1) comprising a shell (4) manufactured according to the invention, said capsules being crimped onto a neck (2), whereas the figures 1b , 2b , 3b , 4b , 6b . 7b , 8b , 9b , 10b and 14b are side views of the corresponding capsules (1).

On the figures 1a , 3a , 4a , 5 , 9a , 10a , 13a and 13b , the left part of the figure represents the capsule (1) with an attached seal (50), while on the right side the insert (50) of the left part is replaced by a sealing insert (51) which ensures a temporary solidarity of an inexplicable device (8) on the figures 1a , 4a , 10a , 13a and 13b , and a pouring device (7) on the figures 3a , 5 and 9a .

On the Figures 2a , 7a , 8a and 14a the capsules (1) comprise an attached seal (50).

The Figures 1a to 5 , 13a and 13b are related to capsule methods (1) in which the insert (3) is an insert (3 ') with an inner skirt (31) called "short" of height h1 <20 mm, so as to be opposite the threading (20) of the neck (2).

The Figures 7a to 10b relate to capsules (1) in which the insert (3) - typically shown on the figure 6a - Is an insert (3 ") with inner skirt (31) called" long "height h1> 20 mm.

The Figures 14a and 14b are relative to capsules (1) in which the insert (3) is an insert (3 "') with so-called" very long "skirt of height h1> 50 mm.

• La figure 6c est une vue partielle agrandie du coin haut droit de la figure 6a.
• Les figures 11a à 12d sont des coupes axiales du dispositif (9) ou portion de dispositif (9) de fabrication des coques métalliques (4) à partir d'ébauches cylindriques (4').
• Les figures 11a et 11b correspondent à deux variantes du dispositif (9).
• Les figures 11c et 11d représentent respectivement les états initial (avant expansion radiale) et final (après expansion radiale).
• Les figures 12a à 12b sont analogues aux figures 11c et 11d, mais 1c poinçon en élastomère (95) présente un profil à paroi en pente (950).
• Les figures 12c et 12d schématisent une expansion radiale selon part antérieur, la figure 12c étant analogue à la figure 11c, et la figure 12d illustrant la rupture de la coque lorsque l'expansion radiale ne permet pas, comme selon l'invention, une déformation progressive de la coque (4') - de bas en haut comme illustré sur les figures 11c à 12b.
• La figure 13b est une vue partielle de la capsule selon la figure 13a.
• Les figures 14c et 14d sont des vues agrandies de ladite partie expansée (43) dans le cas où l'insert (3) comprend une languette annulaire flexible (302).
• Les figures 15a à 15f et 17a à 17b sont des vues de côté partielles de ladite coque (4) ci des moyens d'ornement ou de prise manuelle (430) de ladite partie expansée (43),
• Les figures 16a à 16f et 18d sont des vues de dessous de ladite coque (4) ou capsule (1, 1').
• Les figures 17c et 17d sont des demi-coupes axiales (côté gauche), d'une capsule (1') placée sur un goulot avant sertissage sur la figure 17c et après sertissage sur la figure 17d.
• Les figures 18a à 18c sont des vues d'une coque (4) dont ladite partie cylindrique (42) comprend une déformation d'amplitude a'/b' très inférieure à l'amplitude a/b de la déformation de ladite partie expansée (43).
• La figure 18a est une vue de la coque (4), alors que la figure 18b est une vue agrandie de la portion entourée d'un cercle en pointillés, en haut à gauche, sur la figure 18a.
• La figure 18c est une vue partielle en perspective de côté d'une portion de la partie cylindrique (42') de la jupe extérieure (41).

Other figures:

• The Figure 6c is an enlarged partial view of the top right corner of the figure 6a .
• The Figures 11a to 12d are axial sections of the device (9) or portion of device (9) for manufacturing metal shells (4) from cylindrical blanks (4 ').
• The Figures 11a and 11b correspond to two variants of the device (9).
• The Figures 11c and 11d represent respectively the initial (before radial expansion) and final (after radial expansion) states.
• The Figures 12a to 12b are similar to Figures 11c and 11d but the elastomeric punch (95) has a sloped wall profile (950).
• The Figures 12c and 12d schematise a radial expansion according to previous part, the figure 12c being analogous to the figure 11c , and the figure 12d illustrating the rupture of the hull when the radial expansion does not allow, as according to the invention, a progressive deformation of the shell (4 ') - from bottom to top as illustrated on the Figures 11c to 12b .
• The figure 13b is a partial view of the capsule according to the figure 13a .
• The Figures 14c and 14d are enlarged views of said expanded portion (43) in the case where the insert (3) comprises a flexible annular tongue (302).
• The Figures 15a to 15f and 17a to 17b are partial side views of said hull (4) ci means for ornamenting or manual gripping (430) of said expanded portion (43),
• The Figures 16a to 16f and 18d are views from below of said shell (4) or capsule (1, 1 ').
• The Figures 17c and 17d are half-axial cuts (left side), of a capsule (1 ') placed on a neck before crimping on the figure 17c and after crimping on the figure 17d .
• The Figures 18a to 18c are views of a shell (4) of which said cylindrical portion (42) comprises an amplitude deformation a '/ b' much smaller than the amplitude a / b of the deformation of said expanded portion (43).
• The figure 18a is a view of the hull (4), while the figure 18b is an enlarged view of the portion surrounded by a dashed circle, at the top left, on the figure 18a .
• The figure 18c is a partial perspective side view of a portion of the cylindrical portion (42 ') of the outer skirt (41).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With the method according to the invention, said expanded portion (43) can typically form an annular ring, continuous or discontinuous, connecting, at its upper part, typically to said outer head (40), or possibly to said cylindrical portion (42). ), and at its lower part, to said cylindrical portion (42).

In many figures relating to capsules, for example Figures 1a, 2a, said expanded portion (43) forms a continuous annular ring of cylindrical symmetry.

In this case, it is this radial extra thickness which, on the one hand ensures a more firm manual gripping of the capsule, and on the other hand forms a very distinctive exterior sign. Said expanded portion (43) delimits an annular radial cavity (48) between rolls of diameter D1 and diameter D2.

Typically, all or part of said inner skirt (31) of said insert (3) can cooperate with all or part of said typically cylindrical portion (42) of said outer skirt (41), so as to form in particular said connecting means.

Indeed, as appears in the figures relating to the capsules (1), the insert (3) and said typically cylindrical portion (42) of the shell are of substantially the same diameter D1, so that said insert (3) can be introduced into said shell (4) without excessive play.

As illustrated in the figures relating to the capsules (1), all or part of said inner head (30) of said insert (3) can be opposite said expanded portion (43) of said shell (4). However, as shown on the figure 8a the invention also comprises the manufacture of capsules (1) in which said expanded portion (43) could be moved away from the outer head (40) by 5 to 15 mm. For example, said expanded portion (43) may form a semi-circular ring that could be facing a portion of the thread (32) of the insert (3), so that this would be without disadvantage for the screwing itself. same - case that has not been illustrated on a figure.

According to the invention, said height H2 of said radially expanded portion (43) may be at least 2 mm and may typically range from 3 mm to 15 mm. In many examples illustrated by figures, this height is 4 mm, 4.5 mm, 6 mm.

Said diameter D1 of the cylindrical portion (42) can typically range from 15 mm to 60 mm.

According to the invention, the ratio D2 / D1 can range from 1.02 to 1.15 and can typically range from 1.05 to 1.10. This ratio is about 1.085 with respect to the hulls (4) of the examples and figures.

As illustrated in particular on the figure 7a said typically cylindrical portion (42) and said expanded portion (43) may be connected by at least one intermediate portion of average slope equal to AD / AH, with AD equal to D2-D and ΔH equal to the height of said shell (4) on which said diameter varies from D1 to D2, said slope typically ranging from 0.5 to 2 and preferably from 0.8 to 1.5. As also illustrated on the figure 7a said radially expanded portion (43) and said typically cylindrical portion (42) and said expanded portion (43) are connected by a radius of curvature R2 ranging from 1.5 mm to ΔD / 2.

According to one embodiment of the invention, said expanded part (43) can adjoin, at its upper part, said outer head (40), and at its lower part, said cylindrical portion (42) of said outer skirt (41), said outer head (40) and said expanded portion (43) being connected by a radius of curvature R1 ranging from 1.5 mm to 5 mm, as illustrated in FIG. figure 7a .

According to another embodiment of the invention shown on the figure 8a said expanded portion (43) can adjoin, at its top and bottom, said cylindrical portion (42) of said outer skirt (41), said expanded skirt (43) being a spaced apart expanded skirt (43 ') or offset from said outer head (40). As indicated above, said expanded portion may be more or less remote from said outer head (40) and therefore the top of the capsule (1).

Said outer skirt (41) may comprise several expanded parts (43, 43 ', 43 "), as illustrated by way of example on the figure 8a (right part of the figure 8a ).

It may be advantageous if said inner head (30) of said insert (3) is facing all or part of said expanded portion (43, 43 '), so that the internal thread (32) of said threaded inner skirt (31) of said insert (3) facing said cylindrical portion (42) of said outer skirt (41).

This may be advantageous in the case where the expanded part (43) is of great height H2. Indeed, insofar as the shell (4) serves as a hoop to the insert, it is preferable, particularly in the case where a thin-walled insert is used, that the part of the insert (3) bearing said thread (32) is in direct contact with said cylindrical portion (42) of substantially the same diameter and thus acting as a hoop to prevent any radial deformation of said thread (32) during screwing or unscrewing under stress.

As illustrated on Figures 2a , 3a and 4a said inner head (30) of said insert (3) may comprise a vault (33) in contact with said sealing means (5) and, above said vault, a recessed spacing means (34), formed typically spaced concentric rings (340) in contact with said outer head (40). Thus, if necessary, one can modify the height of said capsule (1), and possibly increase also the height H2 of said expanded portion (43).

Typically, when said capsule (1) closes said neck (2) by screwing, said expanded portion (43) can be positioned, in axial height, above said external thread (20) of said neck (2), and optionally at above said rim (22) of said neck (2).

According to the invention, said inner skirt (31) of said insert (3) may be thick with a groove bottom ranging from 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm.
In the case of a "short" skirt insert (3 '), this thickness can range from 0.1 to 0.3 mm. With inserts with longer skirt (3 ") and (3"'), the thickness of the insert can range from 0.25 to 3 mm.

Indeed, said insert (3) can be an insert (3 ') whose inner skirt (31) is called "short", said insert having a height h1 typically ranging from 6 mm to 20 mm, said height h1 corresponding typically to the height of said neck from said rim (22) to the bottom of said external thread (21). In this case, the H / h1 ratio can range from 1.1 to 4, and preferably from 2 to 3.
This type of insert has been shown on figures 1a , 2a , 3a , 4a , 5 , 13a and 13b .
In this case, said outer skirt (41) may comprise said tamper-proof means (6), said outer skirt (41) being able to form a crimped zone (60) under said tamper-evident ring (21), as well as said first opening means (7), said outer skirt (41) comprising a weakening line (70) solidarisant by bridges a guarantee strip (71) located above said weakening line and able to form said zone crimped (60).

Said insert (3) can also be an insert (3 ") whose inner skirt (31) is called" long ", said insert having a height h2 typically ranging from 20 mm to 50 mm, said height h2 typically corresponding to the height said neck from said rim (22) to the bottom of said tamper evident ring (21) of said neck (2), the H / h2 ratio typically ranging from 0.8 to 1.1.
This case has been illustrated on Figures 6a , 7a , 8a , 9a and 10a .

As illustrated on the figure 14a said insert (3) can also be an insert (3 "') whose inner skirt (31) is said to be" very long ", said neck comprising a low tamper ring (21'), said insert having a height h3 greater than 50 mm, said height h3 typically corresponding to the height of said neck from said rim (22) to the bottom of said low inviolability ring (21 '), the ratio H / h2 typically ranging from 0.8 to 1 1.

Whether said insert (3) is an insert (3 ") with a" long "skirt or an insert (3"') with a "very long" skirt, said inner skirt (31) may comprise said tamper-evident means (6) and said first opening means (7), said inner skirt (31) comprising at its lower part a guarantee strip (71) connected by a weakening line (70) comprising a plurality of bridges, said guarantee strip (71) cooperating with said tamper-evident ring (21) by means of catch tabs (61) so that said tamper-evident ring (21) axially locks said tabs (61) and said guarantee strip (71) , and thus a first opening of said capsule causes a visible rupture of said bridges of said line of weakness (70).
Said guarantee strip (71) may comprise an outer projection (62) forming a flange for said outer skirt, typically a stop edge of width ranging from 0.5 to 5 times the thickness Ep of said outer skirt (41) .
Said hooking tongues (61) can be connected to said guarantee strip (71) or possibly to said external projection (62).
Each of said hooking tongues (61) can be secured to said guarantee strip (71) or to said projection (62) by a thinned portion (610) of said tongue (61) ensuring its flexibility.

Thus, during the capping of said neck, it suffices to screw said capsule (1) to said neck so that, automatically, the plurality of flexible tongues (61) are locked under the tamper-evident ring (21), these tongues being oriented so as to block any axial displacement.
According to an insert mode (3) represented on the figure 6a said weakening line (70) may be a crenellated line (70 '), so as to avoid undesirable bridging of bridges, in particular during said plugging or capping of said container.

According to the invention, and as illustrated on the Figures 16a to 16c said expanded portion (43) may have on all or part of its height H2 a profile typically forming a circle or a regular polygon, typically N sides or sides, with N ranging from 5 to 18, and preferably from 6 to 12 sides.
However, said outer skirt (41), over all or part of its height H, may form a surface of revolution, of constant radius or not depending on the height considered or have a rotational symmetry of 360 ° / N angle, with N ranging from 4 to 80, said outer skirt (41) typically forming a plurality of N notches so as to facilitate manual gripping and rotation of said capsule.
Indeed, the unexpanded portion (42) of said outer skirt (41) may be non-cylindrical. In this case, the corresponding insert (3) must have the same profile.
It is thus possible to further accentuate the distinctive character of the capsule (1) and to facilitate its manual grip.

According to the invention, said assembly means solidarisant in rotation and axially said inner (3) and outer (4) parts may comprise any type of known means, and in particular an anchoring means, mechanical or chemical, typically by gluing said inner (3) and outer (4) parts.
Thus, said inner skirt (31) of the insert (3) can cooperate with said cylindrical portion (42) facing the shell (4), over all or part of said height h, thanks to a layer of adhesive solidarisant said inner skirt (31) and said cylindrical portion (42).

Typically, said outer portion or shell (4) may be aluminum, tin, or a multilayer metal-plastic material with stress strain similar to that of aluminum or tin.
Said outer portion (4) may be surface-treated aluminum, typically brushed or anodized, to create a "metallic" appearance or color.
Similarly, said inner portion (3) may be a molded insert of thermoplastic material, typically PE, PP, PET, SEBS or PS, optionally comprising one or more mineral fillers, typically talc.

Generally, said sealing means (5) of said capsule (1) may typically comprise an attached seal (50) or a sealing insert (51), or possibly a circular sealing lip.
Said sealing means (5) may comprise said insert (50) of sufficient diameter to cover at least the rim (22) of the neck (2) and a compression means, carried by the inner surface of said insert, to apply sealing said gasket (50) on said neck (2) during said plugging and typically on the rim (22) of said neck (2).

According to the invention, said compression means may be constituted by, or may comprise, axial compression means, said axial compression means typically comprising an annular rib or extra thickness (300) formed on the inner wall of said inner head (30). ) or said inner skirt (31), and intended to compress said attached seal (50) in said axial direction (10) on the upper part (220) of said rim (22), typically flat portion or inclined up to 45 ° .

According to the invention, and as illustrated on the figure 7a said compression means may comprise a radial compression means, the compression of the attached seal (50) against said neck being in a radial direction (11), by said annular tongue (311), said radial direction (11) making with said axial direction (10) an angle of at least 45 °.

As illustrated on the left side of FIG. 1a, said radial compression means may comprise an annular extra thickness (300) formed typically at the junction between said inner head (30) and said inner skirt (31), and intended to compress said seal (50) on all or part of the radiated part (220), and / or on the typically vertical part of the rim (22).
Said annular oversize (300) may have the shape of a stair step formed at the inner junction of the inner head (30) and the inner skirt (31), so as to compress said gasket (50) radially.
As illustrated on the figure 3a said radial compression means may comprise a chamfer (301) of said insert (3) at the inner junction of the inner head (30) and the inner skirt (31), said chamfer having an inclination or curvature typically close to that of the radiated part (220) of the said rim (22) facing each other.
As illustrated on the figure 7a the thickness Ej of the gasket, typically between 0.5 and 2.5 mm, may be chosen, depending in particular on the radial space Eo between said neck and said capsule, so that said container is sealed by said capsule, the thickness of the locally compressed seal or the distance E between the end of said compression means and said rim then typically being between 0.3.Ej and 0.7.Ej, with Ej.
As also illustrated on the figure 7a or on the Figure 6c said radial compression means may comprise an annular tongue (311) formed on the inner wall of said inner skirt (31) of the insert (3).
According to the invention, said compression means may comprise an axial compression means and a radial compression means, said axial and / or radial compression means being an integral part of said insert (3) or forming an insert.
As illustrated on the figure 6a said inner skirt (31) of the insert (3) may comprise a rib or a plurality of holding lugs (310) capable of securing said attached seal (50) to said insert (3).

In the capsule (1) produced by the method according to the invention, a pouring device (8) and / or a device said "non-refillable" (8 ') can be reversibly secured to said insert (3), or possibly to said sealing means (5, 50, 51), typically by virtue of an inner ring (35) of said insert (3) temporarily cooperating with a peripheral skirt of said pourer (8) and / or said non-refillable device (8 ').

The figures 3a , 5 and 9a illustrate the case where a pouring device (8) is secured to the capsule (1), via said sealing means (51), and in particular thanks to a connecting ring (510).
The figures 1a , 4a , 10 , 13a and 13b illustrate the case where a "non-refillable" device (8 ') is secured to the capsule (1), via said sealing means (51).
The connecting ring (510) makes it possible to secure the devices (8) and (8 ') to the capsule (1), so that when the capsule (1) is screwed to the neck, the devices (8) and (8) ') are forced into the neck and remain fixed to the neck through the fins (81) - these fins (81) have been shown in the figures in their original position, before introduction into the neck, these fins being bent towards the top against the inner wall of the neck when these devices (8) and (8 ') are introduced into the neck (2).

As illustrated on Figures 14c and 14d said insert (3) may comprise axial latching means, typically in the form of a plurality of flexible annular tongues (302), cooperating with said radially expanded portion (43), so as to fix said insert (3) in said shell (4) in the axial direction, and so as to further increase the impact strength of said expanded portion (43) of said shell (4).

• Alliage 8011 - 0,23 mm - sans languette (302) : 1
• Alliage 3105 - 0,21 mm - sans languette (302) : 2
• Alliage 3105 - 0,23 mm - sans languette (302) : 2,5
• Alliage 8011 - 0,23 - avec languette (302) : 5 = pas de trace de choc.

Il est à noter que seule la cotation 1 est rédhibitoire, le niveau 5 correspondant à une tenue exceptionnelle, les produits cotés 2 et plus étant aptes à être commercialisés car présentant une tenue aux chocs satisfaisante.The "Charpy Sheep Test" impact tests carried out with different aluminum alloys and thicknesses, with or without tabs (302), gave the following results, on an arbitrary scale ranging from 1 (poor performance) to 5 (excellent performance):

• Alloy 8011 - 0.23 mm - without tab (302): 1
• Alloy 3105 - 0.21 mm - without tab (302): 2
• Alloy 3105 - 0.23 mm - without tab (302): 2.5
• Alloy 8011 - 0,23 - with tongue (302): 5 = no shock trace.

It should be noted that only the rating 1 is unacceptable, the level 5 corresponding to exceptional strength, the products listed 2 and more being able to be marketed because having satisfactory shock resistance.

However, as shown on the figure 13b said annular radial cavity (48) may also be filled with a material (49), typically an adhesive material, so as to simultaneously secure the insert to said shell and obtain a very high impact strength. This adhesive may be constituted or may comprise a homogeneous glue or a two-component glue (polyurethane glue).
Whether with a tongue (302), or with an introduction of adhesive material, or with an insert with an outer edge as on the figure 13a in all cases, it is thus possible to obtain excellent shock resistance, with a rating of 5 on the "Charpy sheep test" scale, and to use an alloy of the 8000 series which is less expensive than an alloy of the 3000 series.

The manufacturing method according to the invention makes it possible to obtain, as illustrated on the Figures 15b to 16f , 17a, 17b and 18d a radially expanded portion (43) having a non-circular section in a plane perpendicular to said axial direction (10), to facilitate gripping and manual rotation of said capsule (1).
A circular section has been represented on the figures 15a and 16a . Said non-circular section can take several forms.
On the one hand, it is possible to have a plurality of reliefs or recesses formed on a circular section, as illustrated by way of example on the Figures 15b to 15f .
On the other hand, other possibilities of non-circular section are illustrated on the Figures 16b to 16f , with for example polygonal sections ( Figures 16b and 16e ), or with an oval section ( figure 18d ).

As illustrated on Figures 18a to 18c , the shell (4) may comprise a cylindrical portion (42 ') of the outer skirt (41) comprising a plurality of deformations (420) of small amplitude, which can form patterns which can also contribute to the manual gripping of the capsule.
The deformations (420) are said to be of low amplitude (a '/ b') as opposed to the high amplitude deformation (a / b) relative to said expanded part (43), with "a" and "b" respectively corresponding to ΔD (D2-D1), and H2 seen previously.

The deformations (420) of small amplitude are typically formed by an elastomer punch in the traditional manner, the amplitude (a '/ b') being small enough for there to be a slight local expansion of the metal without risk of thinning. notable wall and appearance of cracks (44). Typically, a '/ b' <0.2. a / b.

The method according to the invention makes it possible to obtain, as illustrated on the Figures 17c and 17d a closure cap (1 ') for screw-sealing a container for typically containing alcoholic beverages, typically a bottle having a neck (2) having an external thread (20) for screwing and a tamper evident ring (21), comprising an outer portion or shell (4) of height H, typically metal or metal-based, comprising an outer head (40) and an outer skirt (41) masking all or part of said inner skirt (31) opposite, said capsule being provided with a sealing means (5), a tamper-proof means (6) and a first-opening means (7), and characterized in that said outer skirt (41) of said shell (4) comprises at least one portion (42) typically cylindrical of height H1, of diameter D1 fitted to said neck (2), and at least one radially expanded portion (43) of height H2, inscribed in a circle of diameter D2> D1, and forming an annular radial cavity (48), said p expanded part (43) being intended to facilitate in particular the manual gripping of said capsule (1) and its rotation relative to said neck (2) to open / close said container by unscrewing / screwing said capsule (1) on said neck (2) .

1. a) on peut approvisionner éventuellement ladite partie intérieure ou insert (3), comprenant éventuellement ledit joint rapporté, ainsi qu'éventuellement lesdits dispositifs verseur ou "irremplissable" (8, 8'),
2. b) on forme une ébauche (4') de ladite partie extérieure (4), ladite ébauche (4') comprenant une jupe (41') de diamètre D1 et de hauteur H'>H, typiquement par emboutissage, filage ou repoussage, à partir d'un matériau en brande typiquement métallique,
3. c) on transforme ladite ébauche (4') en ladite partie extérieure (4) en réalisant une expansion radiale locale de ladite jupe extérieure (41') sur ladite hauteur H2,
4. d) on peut assembler éventuellement à ladite partie extérieure (4) ledit moyen d'étanchéité (50, 51) et/ou ledit insert (3), typiquement par dépôt d'un adhésif entre ladite jupe extérieure (41) ou sur ladite partie cylindrique (42) puis par emmanchement de ladite partie intérieure (31) dans ladite partie extérieure (41).

In the process according to the invention:

1. a) it is possible to supply optionally said inner part or insert (3), optionally comprising said attached gasket, as well as possibly said pouring or "non-refillable" devices (8, 8 '),
2. b) forming a blank (4 ') of said outer portion (4), said blank (4') comprising a skirt (41 ') of diameter D1 and height H'> H, typically by stamping, spinning or embossing, from a material in a typically metallic band,
3. c) transforming said blank (4 ') into said outer portion (4) by effecting local radial expansion of said outer skirt (41') on said height H2,
4. d) said sealing part (50, 51) and / or said insert (3) may optionally be connected to said outer part (4), typically by depositing an adhesive between said outer skirt (41) or on said part cylindrical (42) then by fitting of said inner portion (31) in said outer portion (41).

For the manufacture of capsules (1) according to figures 1a , 2a , 3a , 4a , 5 , 7a , 8a , 9a , 10a , 13a , 13b and 14a , supplying said insert (3) provided with either its seal (50), or the sealing insert (51) possibly integral and carrying a pouring device (8) or an "irreplaceable" device ( 8 '), said insert being typically obtained by injection molding of thermoplastic material.
The blank (4 ') is formed or supplied with, and then, by localized deformation according to the invention, forms said outer part or shell (4) comprising said expanded part (43).
Then, the insert (3) is assembled to the shell (4), typically by gluing.

On the other hand, for the manufacture of the capsules (1 ') according to the Figures 17c and 17d , supplying the seal (50) or the sealing insert (51) possibly integral and carrying a pouring device (8) or a "non-refillable" device (8 ').
As in the previous case, one forms or supplies said blank (4 '), then, by localized deformation according to the invention is formed said outer portion or shell (4) comprising said expanded portion (43).
Then, the seal (50) or the sealing insert (51) is assembled to the shell (4).

In step c) of this method, said local radial expansion is obtained by axial compression of an expandable punch (95) in said blank (4 ') placed in a shape matrix (91, 91') forming a radial cavity Profile (92) similar to that of said expanded portion (43), said expandable punch (95) plating a portion of said outer skirt (41 ') against said inner wall of said radial cavity (92), by said axial compression, typically obtained by axial displacement of a slider (96).
As illustrated on Figures 11a to 12b said local radial expansion is an expansion progressively extending axially, said expandable punch beginning to exert its action at the lower portion (45) of said blank (4 ') closest to said outer head (40) , then progressively continuing to exert its action by deviating from said outer head (40), so as to have a free flow of said skirt (41 ') in said cavity (92), said free flow being made possible by a blocking progressive of said skirt (41 ') from said outer head (40), the remainder of said skirt (41') not being blocked by said expandable punch (95) against said matrix, so as to progressively form in the axial direction said expanded portion (43) without risk of metal failure. This is the reason why, as can be seen from the Figures 11a and 11b this process converts a blank (4 ') of height H' into shell (4) of height H, with H '> H.
In the opposite case, that is to say when the metal skirt has no free flow on the opposite side to the head, as illustrated on the Figures 12c and 12d , the elastomeric punch creates an isotropic pressure (97) which blocks the skirt (41) against the wall of the die (91 '), so that the skirt portion facing said cavity (92) is subject to expansion hydraulic, which leads to a deformation with necessary thinning of the wall and finally to a rupture of said wall as soon as the deformation is significant.
It is important to note that said expanded portion (43) has substantially the same thickness as the so-called cylindrical portion (42) of the outer skirt (41), so that this expanded portion, relatively exposed to shocks, does not have any weakness mechanical.

As illustrated on Figures 12a and 12b said expandable punch (95) has an axial profile (950) adapted to achieve said progressive expansion by radial compression.
According to the invention, said expandable punch may be formed of an elastomeric material capable of deforming under said radial compression, said elastomeric material having a Shore hardness chosen according to the mechanical characteristics of said material, typically metallic, of said blank (4 ') said hardness to be greater than a given value depending on the mechanical characteristics and the thickness of said material forming said skirt (41 '), so that said axial compression develops a radial force of said elastomeric material greater than the local resistance deformation by radial expansion of said skirt (41 ').
Thus, for example, when said blank (4 ') is made of aluminum alloy 8011 according to the nomenclature of the Aluminum Association, of thickness equal to 0.23 mm, an elastomer having a Shore A hardness of 80 at 85 is suitable, whereas an elastomer of Shore A hardness ranging from 85 to 90 is necessary when the aluminum alloy is a 3105 alloy according to the same nomenclature of 0.23 mm thick, an alloy 3105 having characteristics mechanical superior to those of 8011 alloy.

As illustrated on Figures 11a to 12b the expandable punch (95) is axially compressed by a slider (96). This slider may be either metallic, or of elastomer of hardness greater than that of the expandable punch (95), or comprise a bottom portion (96 ') made of elastomer or rubber with a Shore A hardness greater than that of said expandable punch (95), such as illustrated on the figure 11d , which allows in particular to have an axial stroke of the slide of less precision.

As illustrated on the figure 11b said slider (96) may have a shoulder (960) of width at least equal to said thickness Ep, so that said shoulder may exert an axial compression on the end of said outer skirt (41) when said slider ( 96) is at its bottom dead point, and thus to promote the plating of said expanded portion (43) against the wall of said cavity (92) and thus obtain low radii of curvature R1 and R2.

The method according to the invention is not limited to the only capsules, in fact, it can be applied to the transformation of any cylindrical hollow body with a metal skirt, in particular in the sector of the packaging.

EXAMPLES OF REALIZATION

The process according to the invention was implemented on an industrial production line and was implemented at the usual production rates.

• alliage 8011 en bande d'épaisseur égale à 0,23 mm, qui conduit, pour l'ébauche (4') et la coque (4), à une épaisseur Ep de jupe (41) allant de 0,23 mm à sa partie supérieure jouxtant ladite tête (40) à 0,245 mm à sa partie inférieure, partie opposée à ladite tête (40) et correspondant à l'ouverture de la coque (4) ou de l'ébauche (4').

The shells (4) were made from aluminum blanks (4 ') - alloys of the 8000 and 3000 series:

• alloy 8011 in a strip of thickness equal to 0.23 mm, which leads, for the blank (4 ') and the shell (4), to a thickness Ep of skirt (41) ranging from 0.23 mm to its portion upper side adjoining said head (40) at 0.245 mm at its lower part, opposite to said head (40) and corresponding to the opening of the shell (4) or the blank (4 ').

• alliage 3105 en bande d'épaisseur égale à 0,21 mm, qui conduit, pour l'ébauche (4') et la coque (4), à une épaisseur Ep de jupe (41) allant de 0,21 mm à sa partie supérieure jouxtant ladite tête (40) à 0,220 mm à sa partie inférieure, partie opposée à ladite tête (40) et correspondant à l'ouverture de la coque (4) ou de l'ébauche (4').

The thickness Ep of the expanded portion (43) was found to be 0.23 mm, so that no thinning was observed.

• alloy 3105 in a strip of thickness equal to 0.21 mm, which leads, for the blank (4 ') and the shell (4), to a thickness Ep of skirt (41) ranging from 0.21 mm to its portion upper portion adjoining said head (40) at 0.220 mm at its lower part, opposite to said head (40) and corresponding to the opening of the shell (4) or the blank (4 ').

• alliage 3105 en bande d'épaisseur égale à 0,23 mm, qui conduit, pour l'ébauche (4') et la coque (4), à une épaisseur Ep de jupe (41) allant de 0,23 mm à sa partie supérieure jouxtant ladite tête (40) à 0,240 mm à sa partie inférieure, partie opposée à ladite tête (40) et correspondant à l'ouverture de la coque (4) ou de l'ébauche (4').

The thickness Ep of the expanded portion (43) was found to be 0.21 mm, so that no thinning was observed:

• alloy 3105 in a strip of thickness equal to 0.23 mm, which leads, for the blank (4 ') and the shell (4), to a thickness Ep of skirt (41) ranging from 0.23 mm to its portion upper adjacent said head (40) to 0.240 mm at its lower part opposite to said head (40) and corresponding to the opening of the shell (4) or the blank (4 ').

The thickness Ep of the expanded portion (43) was found to be 0.23 mm, so that no thinning was observed.

The inserts (3) were manufactured by injection molding PE or PP and the inserts (3) were assembled in the shells (4) generally using a commercial adhesive.

All figures - except the Figures 12c and 12d are illustrations or exemplary embodiments of the invention.
In the example of the figure 1a , The threaded insert (3) has an inner head (30) of small thickness in direct contact with said outer head (40) of the metal shell (4), the insert (3) compressing said seal means (5 , 50, 51) against the neck (2) and its rim (22), said sealing means (5) being an insert (50) on the left side of the figure, and a sealing insert (51) on the right side of the figure with a crown (510) able to temporarily secure an inexplicable device (8 ').
The figure 1b is a side view of the capsule (1) set with the figure 1a - the neck (2) has not been shown.

In the example of the figure 2a , The inner head (30) comprises an arch (33) whose lower face is in contact with said sealing means (5), namely a seal (50), the upper face of said inner head (30) carrying spacer means (34) forming a plurality of spaced concentric rings (340) forming a recess, the rings (340) serving as support for the outer head (40) of the metal shell (4). The figure 2b is a side view of the capsule (1) of the figure 2a , analogous to the figure 1a .

In the example of figure 3a , the height of the rings (340) is greater than that of the figure 2a . Note that in this figure, the entire expanded portion (43) is above the rim (22). Said sealing means (5) is an attached seal (50) on the left part of the figure, and a sealing insert (51) on the right side of the figure provided with a crown (510) adapted to join together temporarily a pouring device (8). The figure 3b is a side view of the capsule (1) not set with the figure 3a .

The example of Figures 4a and 4b is in part analogous to that of Figures 1a and 1b . They differ in that the insert (3) comprises, as on the figure 2a , a spacer means (34).

In the example of the figure 5 , Said outer head (40) and inner (30) are curved (concave). Said sealing means (5) is an attached seal (50) on the left part of the figure, and a sealing insert (51) on the right side of the figure provided with a crown (510) adapted to join together temporarily a pouring device (8).
Dotted is the case where the outer head (40) and the inner head (30) of the insert (3, 3 ') are convex instead of concave.

The example of figure 6a represents an insert (3) with an insert (50), comprising an inner skirt (31) called "long" comprising an upper portion (312) carrying said internal thread (32), and a lower portion (313) comprising a portion detachable member (314) carrying a tamper means (6) in the form of a plurality of tabs (61), and a first opening means (7) in the form of a crenellated weakening line (71 ').
The figure 6b is a side view of the insert (3) of the figure 6a .
The Figure 6c is an enlarged partial view of the top right corner of the figure 6a and represents the position of the seal (50) relative to the annular tongue (311), so as to have a radial compression of the seal.

Examples of Figures 7a to 10b relate to capsules (1) having an insert (3 ') with a long skirt as illustrated in the Figures 6a to 6d .

The example of figure 7a represents a capsule (1) screwed to a BVP 25H corded glass ring, provided with an attached seal (50), the outer skirt (41) of the shell (4) cooperating at its lower end with a bead ( 611) of the detachable portion (314) of the insert (3), the compression of the insert (50) against said neck being made by radial compression in a radial direction (11), with said annular tongue (311).

The figure 7b is a side view of the capsule (1) of the figure 7a .

The example of figure 8a is similar to that of the figure 7a , the glass ring being a BVP 28H ring with cord, and said expanded skirt (43) being an expanded skirt (43 ') spaced or offset from said outer head (40), in the case of the figure 8a .
Capsules which also have a second expanded portion (43 "), the part shown in dashed lines on the right side of the figure 8a .
The figure 8b is a side view of the capsule (1) of the figure 8a similar to figure 7b .

The example of Figures 9a and 9b is similar to that of Figures 7a and 7b .
On the figure 9a , the neck forms a glass ring BVP 36EH, and, as on the figure 3a , said sealing means (5) is an attached seal (50) on the left side of the figure, and a sealing insert (51) on the right side of the figure provided with a crown (510) adapted to temporarily secure a pouring device (8).

The example of Figures 10a and 10b is similar to that of Figures 7a and 7b .
On the figure 10a , the neck forms a ring of glassware BVP 30H with cord, and, as on the figure 1a , said sealing means (5) being a seal (50) on the left side of the figure, and a sealing insert (51) on the right side of the figure provided with a crown (510) suitable for temporarily secure a non-refillable device (8 ').

• une partie fixe (90) comprenant typiquement deux matrices, une matrice inférieure (91) et une matrice supérieure annulaire (91'), matrices qui coopèrent pour former notamment une cavité radiale (92).
• et une partie mobile (93) comprenant typiquement une partie centrale rigide (94) comprenant un pied (940), un coulisseau (96) mobile axialement par rapport à ladite partie centrale rigide (94), et un poinçon expansible en élastomère (95) apte à se déformer radialement par déplacement du coulisseau (96).

Sur la figure 11a , le pied (940) de la partie centrale rigide (94) solidarise ledit poinçon en élastomère (95) par le dessous. Sur la partie gauche de la figure 11a, la partie mobile (93) formant poinçon est relevée (point mort haut), alors qu'elle est rabaissée (point mort bas) sur la partie droite de la figure, le coulisseau (96) étant alors en position basse et comprimant ledit poinçon en élastomère (95).
Sur la figure 11b , analogue à la figure 11a, le pied (940) de la partie centrale rigide (94) solidarise ledit poinçon en élastomère (95) sensiblement à mi-hauteur du poinçon en élastomère (95).
On a représenté sur la partie droite de cette figure une variante dans laquelle le coulisseau (96) comprend une partie épaulée (960) venant, en fin de course, en appui sur l'extrémité de la jupe extérieure (41) de la coque (4), de manière à contribuer à "poussier" le métal pour le plaquer contre la paroi intérieure des matrices (91, 91'), notamment lorsque les rayons de courbure R1 et R2 sont petits (≤ 1,5 mm). The Figures 11a to 12b illustrate, in axial section in the axial direction (10), the method of forming said expanded portion (43) according to the invention with the aid of a deformation device (9). This device (9) comprises:

• a fixed part (90) typically comprising two matrices, a lower die (91) and an annular upper die (91 '), which co-operate to form, in particular, a radial cavity (92).
• and a movable portion (93) typically comprising a rigid central portion (94) comprising a foot (940), a slider (96) movable axially with respect to said rigid central portion (94), and an expandable elastomeric punch (95) adapted to deform radially by displacement of the slide (96).

On the figure 11a , the foot (940) of the rigid central portion (94) secures said elastomeric punch (95) from below. On the left side of the figure 11a , the movable portion (93) forming a punch is raised (top dead center), while it is lowered (bottom dead center) on the right part of the figure, the slide (96) then being in the lower position and compressing said punch elastomer (95).
On the figure 11b , analogous to the figure 11a , the foot (940) of the rigid central portion (94) secures said elastomeric punch (95) substantially halfway up the elastomeric punch (95).
In the right part of this figure a variant is shown in which the slider (96) comprises a shoulder portion (960) coming, at the end of the stroke, bearing on the end of the outer skirt (41) of the shell ( 4), so as to contribute to "dust" the metal to press against the inner wall of the dies (91, 91 '), especially when the radii of curvature R1 and R2 are small (≤ 1.5 mm).

• la figure 11c représente l'ébauche de coque (4') en position dans les matrices (91) et (91') avant toute déformation, la partie mobile (93) étant abaissée, le coulisseau (96) étant encore en position "haute" de manière à ne pas comprimer ledit poinçon en élastomère (95); à ce stade, le poinçon en elastomère (95), libre de contrainte, devrait présenter un profil avec une paroi extérieure en pente, conformément à ce qui est indiqué en revendication 1,
• la figure 11c représente par les lignes en pointillés l'ébauche de coque (4') déformée partiellement par compression partielle dudit poinçon en élastomère (95), le coulisseau (96) étant en position axiale intermédiaire,
• la figure 11d représente la coque (4) comprenant une partie expansée (43) formée par compression totale dudit poinçon en élastomère (95), le coulisseau (96) étant en position axiale basse.

The Figures 11c and 11d schematically illustrate the deformations of the elastomer punch (95):

• the figure 11c represents the shell blank (4 ') in position in the dies (91) and (91') before any deformation, the moving part (93) being lowered, the slider (96) still being in the "up" position so not compressing said elastomeric punch (95); at this stage, the stress-free elastomeric punch (95) should have a profile with a sloping outer wall, as indicated in claim 1,
• the figure 11c represented by the dotted lines the shell blank (4 ') partly deformed by partial compression of said elastomeric punch (95), the slide (96) being in the intermediate axial position,
• the figure 11d represents the shell (4) comprising an expanded portion (43) formed by total compression of said elastomeric punch (95), the slider (96) being in the low axial position.

We have shown on the figure 11d , a slider variant (96) which comprises a lower portion (96 ') - that in contact with the elastomeric punch (95) - formed of elastomer of Shore A hardness greater than the Shore A hardness of the elastomeric punch, so forming a "damper" between the typically metallic slider (96) and the elastomeric punch (95).

The Figures 12a and 12b are similar to Figures 11c and 11d , the elastomeric punch (95) having a profile with a sloping wall (950), so as to promote progressive radial compression of the outer skirt (41) from its lower end (45), which does not block a axial displacement or migration (46) of the metal from the wall of the shell blank (4 ') to the interior of the cavity (92). This displacement (46) of the skirt with respect to the upper die (91 ') has been represented by an arrow on the figure 12a .
The Figures 12c and 12d illustrate the situation of the prior art in which the compression of an elastomeric punch (95 ') leads to an isotropic compression (97) which blocks the metal of the shell blank on the periphery of said cavity (92), in the manner of a blank holder, so that the metal portion (47) facing the cavity (92) is expanded to thin the metal and cause it to break and form cracks (44) .

The example of figure 13a is analogous to that of the figure 4a however, on the figure 13a , the insert (3, 3 ') is an insert of great thickness, insert which, in addition, fills the cavity formed (48) by the expanded part (43), the insert (3) can be forced into the shell (4), or the shell (4) can be formed on said insert (3).
The example of figure 13b is analogous to that of the figure 1 , however, the insert of the figure 13b does not fill the cavity (48), this cavity being filled with a material (49) - typically an adhesive material which may be a hot melt, ensuring the bonding of the insert to the shell.

The example of figure 14a is analogous to the figure 7a but the neck (2) comprises a low inviolability ring (21 ') and, accordingly, said insert (3) is an insert (3 "') with a very long skirt 60 mm in height.
The figure 14b is a side view of the capsule (1) of the figure 14a .

Examples of Figures 14c and 14d (partial views of capsules) illustrate other types of insert (3, 3 ', 3 ", 3"') in which said inner head (30) comprises at its periphery a flexible annular tongue (302) adapted to cooperate with the expanded portion (43), so as to secure the insert (3) to the shell (4).
On the figure 14c , the tongue (302) is a simple tongue, while on the figure 14d , the tongue (302) has substantially the shape of a "Y" whose branches cooperate with the corners of said expanded portion (43).

• en forme d'une succession de bâtons verticaux sur la figure 15b,
• en forme d'une succession de cercles sur la figure 15c,
• en forme d'une succession de triangles, alternativement renversés, sur la figure 15d,
• en forme d'une succession d'ovales inclinés sur la figure 15c,
• en forme d'une succession d'ongles sur la figure 15f,
• en forme d'une succession de "feuilles de laurier" sur la figure 17a,
• en forme d'une succession de "feuilles de laurier décalées" sur la figure 17b.

Ces moyens d'ornements et/ou de prise manuelle (430) peuvent être soit en creux soit en relief, comme illustré dans le cas de la figure 15b - voir partie inférieure de la figure 15b qui est une vue partielle en coupe transversale de la partie expansée (43). Examples of Figures 15a to 16f , 17a, 17b and 18d illustrate variant shapes of said expanded part (43), the Figures 15a to 15f being side views, and the Figures 16a to 16f top views.
The figure 15a represents an expanded portion "smooth" devoid of ornaments or complementary means manual grip (430).
The Figures 15b to 15f and 17a to 17b illustrate examples of ornamentation or hand-setting means (430):

• shaped like a succession of vertical sticks on the figure 15b ,
• shaped like a succession of circles on the figure 15c ,
• in the form of a succession of triangles, alternately reversed, on the figure 15d ,
• in the form of a succession of ovals inclined on the figure 15c ,
• in the form of a succession of nails on the figure 15f ,
• shaped like a succession of "laurel leaves" on the figure 17a ,
• shaped like a succession of "offset laurel leaves" on the figure 17b .

These ornamental and / or manual gripping means (430) can be either recessed or in relief, as illustrated in the case of the figure 15b - see lower part of the figure 15b which is a partial cross-sectional view of the expanded portion (43).

• section circulaire sur la figure 16a,
• section polygonale à 6 côtés sur la figure 16b,
• section polygonale à 10 côtés sur la figure 16c,
• section circulaire découpée par une pluralité de gorges sur la figure 16,
• partie expansée formée par une pluralité de reliefs, sur la figure 16e,
• partie expansée comprenant une pluralité de reliefs, sur la figure 16f,
• partie expansée de section ovale sur la figure 18d.

The Figures 16a to 16f and 18d illustrate different sections of said expanded portion, the dotted central circle corresponding to the section of said unexpanded cylindrical portion (42):

• circular section on the figure 16a ,
• polygonal section with 6 sides on the figure 16b ,
• polygonal section with 10 sides on the figure 16c ,
• circular section cut by a plurality of grooves on the figure 16 ,
• expanded portion formed by a plurality of reliefs, on the figure 16e ,
• expanded part comprising a plurality of reliefs, on the figure 16f ,
• expanded part of oval section on the figure 18d .

The Figures 17c and 17d illustrate a capsule (1 ') without a threaded insert, but provided with an attached seal. This capsule (1 '), after being placed on a neck (see figure 17c ) is crimped at the neck, a wheel forming on the skirt of this capsule a thread cooperating with the thread (20) of the neck.

The Figures 18a to 18c illustrate the case of a shell (4) of capsule (1) of which said cylindrical portion (42) is a cylindrical portion (42 ') which has a deformation of small amplitude (a' / b '), deformation capable of both to facilitate manual gripping of the capsule and to form a decorative pattern.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

The invention has great advantages.
Indeed, on the one hand, it discloses a means for obtaining large amplitude deformations (a / b) on the skirt of the capsule (1) by localized radial expansion of the skirt, without these deformed parts being weakened. or have defects such as cracks.
This means is an economical process compatible with the rates of industrial production, and which can be easily integrated into a conventional production line, the localized radial expansion step being a complementary step which follows the conventional step of forming the shell blank (4 ').
It should be noted that this complementary step uses common means for the skilled person and does not require a significant investment.

On the other hand, this method is of very wide application, since it can be used not only to modify any type of closure cap with a metal skirt, but also any hollow body, typically cylindrical - but not necessarily cylindrical, including the skirt is metallic or able to behave like a metal.

• elles présentent une coque métallique (4) dont la jupe extérieure (41) présente une épaisseur Ep sensiblement constante en dépit des déformations radiales locales, ce qui permet d'avoir des capsules ayant une coque exempte de défauts et de bonne tenue mécanique aux chocs,
• ces déformations radiales facilitent la préhension manuelle et la rotation de la capsule (vissage et dévissage), en particulier lors de la première ouverture de la capsule, de sorte qu'il n'est pas nécessaire d'utiliser un outil lors de cette première ouverture qui nécessite une rupture des ponts de la bande de garantie,
• ces déformations radiales constituent des moyens de décoration, d'identification et de personnalisation des capsules, ce qui est du plus haut intérêt dans la pratique.

LISTE DES REPERES Capsule de bouchage 1 Axe de rotation - direction axiale 10 Direction radiale 11 Goulot d'un récipient 2 Filetage extérieur - coopère avec 32 20 Bague d'inviolabilité 21 Bague d'inviolabilité basse 21' Buvant 22 Partie rayonnée 220 Orifice, ouverture de 2 23 Insert de hauteur h 3 Insert à jupe "courte" 3' Insert à jupe "longue" 3" Insert à jupe "très longue" 3"' Tête intérieure 30 Nervure ou surépaisseur annulaire 300 Chanfrein 301 Languette annulaire flexible 302 Jupe intérieure 31 Nervure ou ergots de maintien de 50 310 Nervure ou ergots de maintien de 51 310' Languette annulaire 311 Partie haute avec filetage 312 Partie basse sous le filetage 313 Partie basse de 313 formant 71 314 Filetage intérieur - coopère avec 20 32 Voûte 33 Moyen d'écartement 34 Anneaux concentriques 340 Coque métallique de hauteur H 4 Ebauche de 4 4' Tête extérieure 40 Jupe extérieure 41 Ebauche de 41 41' Partie cylindrique de 41 de hauteur H1 42, 42' Déformations secondaires de 42 420 Partie expansée de 41 de hauteur H2 43, 43' Moyen d'ornement ou de prise manuelle 430 Fissures 44 Bas d'ébauche 4' 45 Déplacement axial, migration du métal de 4' 46 Partie de 4' en regard de la cavité 92 47 Cavité radiale formée par 43, 43' 48 Matière de remplissage de 48 (adhésif) 49 Moyen d'étanchéité 5 Joint rapporté de 1 50 Joint rapporté de l' 50' Insert d'étanchéité 51 Couronne de liaison de 51 avec 8, 8' 510 Lèvre annulaire d'étanchéité 511 Moyen d'inviolabilité 6 Zone sertie / à sertir 60 Languettes d'accrochage 61 Partie amincie 610 Talon - projection extérieure 62 Moyen de première ouverture 7 Ligne d'affaiblissement 70 Ligne d'affaiblissement crénelée 70' Bande de garantie 71 Dispositif verseur 8 Dispositif "irremplissable" 8' Bille 80 Ailettes de fixation étanche au goulot 81 Dispositif de déformation radiale de 4', 41' 9 Partie fixe formant matrice 90 Matrices 91, 91' Cavité radiale de 91, 91' 92 Partie mobile axialement formant poinçon 93 Partie centrale rigide du poinçon 94 Pied 940 Poinçon expansible en élastomère 95 Profil à paroi en pente 950 Poinçon en élastomère (art antérieur) 95' Coulisseau pour compression axiale de 95 96 Partie inférieure de 96 en élastomère "dur" 96' Epaulement 960 Pression isotrope 97 Finally, the capsules (1, 1 ') obtained according to the invention have great advantages, insofar as:

• they have a metal shell (4) whose outer skirt (41) has a substantially constant thickness Ep despite local radial deformations, which makes it possible to have capsules having a shell free of defects and good mechanical resistance to shocks,
• these radial deformations facilitate the manual gripping and the rotation of the capsule (screwing and unscrewing), in particular during the first opening of the capsule, so that it is not necessary to use a tool during this first opening which requires breaking of the bridges of the guarantee strip,
• these radial deformations constitute means of decoration, identification and personalization of the capsules, which is of the highest interest in practice.

LIST OF REFERENCES Capsule closure 1 Axis of rotation - axial direction 10 Radial direction 11 Neck of a container 2 Outer thread - cooperates with 32 20 Tamper evident ring 21 Low tamper ring 21 ' Drinking 22 Radiated part 220 Orifice opening 2 23 Height insert h 3 Insert with skirt "short" 3 ' Insert with skirt "long" 3 " Insert with skirt "very long" 3 '" Inner head 30 Rib or ring thickness 300 Chamfer 301 Flexible annular tongue 302 Inner skirt 31 Rib or holding pins 50 310 Rib or holding pins 51 310 ' Ring tongue 311 Upper part with thread 312 Bottom part under the thread 313 Low part of 313 forming 71 314 Internal thread - cooperates with 20 32 Vault 33 Means of spacing 34 Concentric rings 340 Metal hull height H 4 Draft of 4 4 ' Outer head 40 Outer skirt 41 Draft of 41 41 ' Cylindrical part 41 of height H1 42, 42 ' Secondary deformities of 42 420 Expanded part 41 of height H2 43, 43 ' Means of ornament or manual setting 430 cracks 44 Bottom of draft 4 ' 45 Axial displacement, 4 'metal migration 46 Part 4 'opposite cavity 92 47 Radial cavity formed by 43, 43 ' 48 48 filling material (adhesive) 49 Sealing means 5 Joint reported 1 50 Joint of the 50 ' Sealing insert 51 Crown binding 51 with 8, 8 ' 510 Annular sealing lip 511 Means of inviolability 6 Crimped / crimped area 60 Hanging tabs 61 Thinned part 610 Heel - outdoor projection 62 Way of first opening 7 Line of weakening 70 Crenellated weakening line 70 Guarantee band 71 Pouring device 8 "Non-refillable" device 8 ' Ball 80 Watertight fastening fins at the neck 81 Radial deformation device of 4 ', 41' 9 Fixed part forming a matrix 90 matrices 91, 91 ' Radial cavity of 91, 91 ' 92 Axially movable part forming a punch 93 Rigid central part of the punch 94 Foot 940 Expandable elastomer punch 95 Sloped wall profile 950 Elastomer punch (prior art) 95 ' Slide for axial compression of 95 96 Lower part of 96 made of "hard" elastomer 96 ' shoulder 960 Isotropic pressure 97

Claims (18)

1. Manufacturing method for a stopper cap (1), designed as a screw stopper for a container designed to contain typically alcoholic drinks including two parts made interdependent for rotation and axially by a means of assembly: an insert (3) made of plastic, and a shell (4) including an outer head (40) and an outer skirt (41) of height H, typically made of metal or containing metal, said outer skirt including at least one typically cylindrical part (42) of height H1 and diameter D1 adapted to the neck (2) of said container, and at least one radially expanded part (43) of height H2, inscribed in a circle of diameter D2>D 1, in which is formed, typically by stamping, extruding or spinning from a strip of material typically metallic, a blank (4') of said shell (4), said outline (4') comprising a skirt (41') of D1 diameter and height H>H and said blank (4') is transformed into said shell (4) so as to obtain said radially expanded part (43), characterized in that a radial local expansion of said outer skirt (41') is made over said height H2 by carrying out the following operations:

   a) said blank (4') is placed in a shaping die (91, 91') forming a radial cavity (92) of profile similar to that of said expanded part (43);

   b) an expandable punch is inserted (95) inside said blank (4) and by means of an axial movement of a slide (96), axial compression of said expandable punch (95) is obtained so that

   said expandable punch (95), as it deforms, radially presses part of said skirt (41') into contact with the wall of said radial cavity (92), by causing it to undergo said local radial expansion, said expandable punch (95) having a profile (950) with a sloping wall, so that said local radial expansion extends gradually in the axial direction, said expandable punch starting to apply its action at the bottom part (45) of said blank (4') nearest said outer head (40) then gradually continuing to exert its action while moving away from said outer head (40).
2. Manufacturing method according to claim 1, said expandable punch (95) and said shaping die (91, 91') being arranged so that, during the time taken for radial expansion, in which said skirt (41') allows free creep on the side opposite to said head (40), so that said radially expanded part (43) is gradually shaped in the axial direction without risk of breaking the metal.
3. Method according to claim 2 in which said flow is made possible by progressive blocking of said skirt (41') from said outer head (40), the remainder of said skirt (41') not being blocked by said expandable punch (95) against said die (91').
4. Method according to any of claims 1 to 3 in which said expandable punch is formed from an elastomer material capable of deforming under said radial compression, said elastomer material having a Shore hardness chosen according to the mechanical characteristics of said material, typically metal, of said blank (4'), said hardness needing to be higher than a given value depending on the mechanical characteristics and thickness of said material forming said skirt (41') so that said axial compression develops a radial force of said elastomer material higher than the local resistance of said skirt (41') to deformation by radial expansion.
5. Method according to any of claims 1 to 4 in which said slide (96) is either metal, or made from an elastomer of hardness higher than that of the expandable punch (95), or includes a lower part (96') made of elastomer or rubber, of Shore hardness higher than that of said expandable punch (95).
6. Method according to any of claims 1 to 5 in which said slide (96) has a shoulder (960) of width at least equal to said thickness Th, so that said shoulder can exert an axial compression on the end of said outer skirt (41) when said slide is at bottom dead center and therefore helping said expanded part (43) to flatten against the wall of said cavity (92).
7. Method according to any of claims 2 to 6 in which said local radial expansion of said outer skirt (41') is performed over said height H2 so that said radially expanded part (43) has substantially the same thickness as said typically cylindrical part (42) of said outer skirt (41).
8. Method according to any of claims 1 to 7 in which a die (91, 91') is used, with a radial cavity (92) such that said local radial expansion of said outer skirt (41 ') is performed over a height H2 of at least 2 mm, typically ranging from 3 mm to 15 mm, diameter D1L of the cylindrical part (42) of said skirt outer (41) typically ranging from 15 to 60mm.
9. Method according to any of claims 2 to 8 in which a die (91, 91') is used with a radial cavity (92) such that said local radial expansion of said outer skirt (41') is performed without bursting, so that the ratio D2/D1 lies between 1.02 and 1.15, and typically between 1.05 and 1.10.
10. Method according to any of claims 1 to 9 in which a die (91, 91') is used, with a radial cavity (92) such that said local radial expansion of said outer skirt (41') is performed in such a way that said typically cylindrical part (42) and said expanded part (43) are connected by at least one intermediate part of average slope equal to AD/AH, with AD equal to D2-D1 and AH equal to the height of said shell (4) on which said diameter varies from D1 to D2, said slope ranging from 0.5 to 2 and preferably from 0.8 to 1.5.
11. Method according to any of claims 1 to 10 in which said radial cavity (92) is such that said radially expanded part (43) and said typically cylindrical part (42) are connected by a radius of curvature ranging from 1.5mm to (D2-D1)/2.
12. Method according to any of claims 1 to 11 in which a die (91, 91') is used with a radial cavity (92) such that said local radial expansion of said outer skirt (41') is performed in such a way that the upper part of said expanded part (43) is adjacent to said outer head (40), and its lower part adjacent to said cylindrical part (42) of said outer skirt (41), said outer head (40) and said expanded part (43) being connected by a radius of curvature RI ranging from 1.5 mm to 5mm.
13. Method according to any of claims 1 to 12 in which a die (91, 91') is used, with a radial cavity (92) such that said local radial expansion of said outer skirt (41') is performed in such a way that said expanded part (43) typically has, over all or part of its height H2, a profile typically forming a circle or a regular polygon, typically with sides, with N ranging from 5 to 18, and preferably from 6 to 12 sides.
14. Method according to any of claims 1 to 12 in which a die (91, 91') is used, is used, with a radial cavity (92) such that said local radial expansion of said outer skirt (41') is performed in such a way that said outer skirt (41), over all or part its height H, forms a surface of rotation, of constant radius or not depending on the height considered or has a rotational symmetry of of angle 3607N, with N ranging from 4 to 80, the non-expanded part (42) of said skirt outer (41) being cylindrical (41) with a polygonal base.
15. Method according to any of claims 1 to 12 in which a die (91, 91') is used, with a radial cavity (92) such that said local radial expansion of said outer skirt (410 is performed in such a way that said radially expanded part (43) has a non-circular section in a plane perpendicular to said axial direction (10), in order to facilitate the gripping and the manual rotation of said capsule (1).
16. Method according to any of claims 1 to 12 in which a die (91, 91') is used, with a radial cavity (92) such that said local radial expansion of said outer skirt (41') is performed in such a way that said radially expanded part (43) has a circular section in a plane perpendicular to said axial direction (10) with a plurality of reliefs or hollows formed on said circular section.
17. Method according to any of claims 1 to 16 in which a die (91. 91') is used, with a radial cavity (92) such that said local radial expansion of said outer skirt (41') is performed in such a way that said shell (4) includes a cylindrical part (42') of the outer skirt (41) including a plurality of deformations (420) of low amplitude, able to form patterns which also may contribute to manual gripping of the cap.
18. Method according to any of claims 1 to 17 in which an insert is supplied (3), possibly including an add-on seal, possibly together with a pouring device or an "anti-refill" device (8, 8'), and to said shell (4) is assembled said insert (3), typically by depositing adhesive on said outer skirt (41) or on said cylindrical part (42) then by tight fitting of said inner part (3 1) into said outer part (41).

Images