EP1714899A1 - Snap-locking closure for a beer keg - Google Patents

Abstract

The cap is used especially for a container with an aperture surrounded by a filler neck (30) with a collar (31). It consists of a disc which covers the aperture and a surrounding skirt (2) which fits over the neck. The inside of the skirt has a series of spring-loaded lugs (5) which are inclined inwards at an angle from a point close to its lower edge. The lugs are pressed against the inside of the skirt when the cap is pushed over the neck of the container aperture and return to their initial positions once the cap is in place, pressing against a sloping under-surface of the collar (31) to lock the cap in place. The cap can be removed after detaching a tear-off strip which runs diametrically across its top disc.

Description

The present invention relates to a tamper-proof and self-sealing closure cap for container orifices, in particular for beer barrels, provided with a filling head carrying the aforementioned orifice on a flange, the comprising a cover disc and a skirt. - Adjacent, attached to its periphery and extending from the disk to a distance from it and the cap being arranged to be uniquely coupled to the flange.

To protect the drums against fraud, they are provided with a cap or a closing cap called invivlabie self-sealing acting as an overcap, the latter being fixed to the flange carrying the filling port of barrel and forming a barrel head. When such cover caps are placed on the barrel collar, they can be removed by breaking them which makes visible any fraud or attempted fraud. Barrels provided with such a protective cap are known.

However, a problem arises in the case of these known closure caps residing in the fact that when removing the closure cap placed on the barrel collar, debris is formed which are deposited on the closure seal itself of the In addition, some protective caps are insufficiently damaged after removal from the flange, so that they can easily be placed on the barrel head. Therefore, the anti-fraud protection thus obtained is not sufficiently reliable.

The document EP-A-652,160 discloses a cap of the aforementioned type, in which the inner wall of the skirt is provided with peripheral elements consisting of teeth to each of which is attached a tail intended to cooperate to engage against the aforementioned collar under the action of a articulation member attaching each tooth-tail combination to said skirt.

To remove the closure cap, a tear strip is provided in the disk. However, the skirt has axal grooves evenly distributed around the periphery thereof which extend over most of the height of the skirt constituting fieible portions which indicate an attempt to remove the cap.

The disclosed cap further has a pull strip, which is separated from the rest of the cap by a slot at its longitudinal edges and is connected by elements that can be broken. This band extends as well in the skirt as in the upper disc of the cap. In the portion of the strip extending in the skirt is attached a pull tab 34 remote from the upper disc of the cap.

The object of the present invention is to provide a protection of access to the contents of the barrel, in particular by the collar and the orffice of the barrel thereto, which provides a solution to the aforementioned problem while providing a satisfactory convenience to the user. opening, so that the drum is both ready for use, reliable and non-polluting,

For this purpose, it is proposed according to the invention a cap as defined in the main claim. Thus, thanks to the embodiment of the cap according to the invention wherein said tongue is arranged to protrude directly from the circular periphery of the cover disc itself, the tape can be entered more conveniently to tear it off by the tongue.

In addition, the tab being provided in the plane of the cover disc, the tear of the protective cap starts at its upper surface and the skirt can thus keep its wall thickness substantially intact. The cap can be made with a lesser amount of material due to the possibility of minlmallsation thus obtained from the thickness of the skirt.

The peripheral openings more particularly have a width greater than their height and their number. The unlimited number of window openings increases their width thus widening the field of view, making the control easier, faster and more reliable. In addition, the locking members have substantially the same width as the control openings, which makes them sufficiently wide so that the formation of remaining debris is thus avoided, so as to eliminate any form of pollution of the environment. In addition, the anchoring of the cap to the collar is made stronger.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, each locking notch has a straight cross section, one end of which is attached to the edge of the skirt and the other end is free and bears against the collar of the skirt. barrel, so as to ensure a good anchoring of the closure cap to the collar.

Preferably, the free end of each locking notch has a profile which is adapted to the flange geometry of the barrel. As a result, the clearance between each locking catch and the flange can be reduced to a minimum.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, said tear strip is provided with a pull tab, and more particularly said tab is provided protruding from the circular periphery of the cover disc. Thus, the tape can be grasped more conveniently for tearing off the tongue.

Preferably, the tongue is provided in the plane of the cover disc. With this measurement, the tear of the protective cap begins at its upper surface and the skirt keeps its wall thickness intact.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the skirt is slightly flared outwards, the end of the tongue being located inside the diameter of the outer periphery of the skirt. Thus the protective caps can be stored compactly.

Advantageously, said tear strip is limited by two breaking grooves which are provided in at least one of the faces of the cover disc as grooves, preferably on the side facing the barrel collar. Thus, removal of the tear strip is facilitated and, in addition, the formation of dirty dust in the grooves is avoided.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the two grooves depart divergently from the tongue to the opposite side of the periphery of the disc. Thus it provides both a regular rupture of the band relative to the rest of the cap while preventing the rupture of the band itself.

The average width of the tear tape measured perpendicularly to the direction in which it is drawn is such that after removal of the tear strip a drawing operation is possible only after complete removal of the tear tape. remaining part of the protective cap. This greatly enhances the reliability of the anti-fraud protection.

In addition, an unbroken cut can be provided at least on one side of the tongue. This greatly facilitates the detachment of the tongue and thus promotes a perfectly clean detachment of the entire band.

In the skirt is provided a slot at the level of the tongue to initiate the tearing and to further facilitate the grip of the tongue.

It is also possible to provide at least one additional notch in the cover disc on the opposite side of the periphery of the disc relative to the tongue so as to ensure a break which is clear to the end of the strip.

More particularly, said additional notch extends in the skirt to a predetermined distance from the edge or to the edge of the skirt substantially perpendicularly. Thus after the tearing of the band, the latter does not constitute an obstacle to the operations of withdrawal of the drum.

In addition, an oblong rib is provided substantially in the middle of the tear strip. Said rib prevents early tearing or rupture of the tear strip.

Preferably, said edge has a circumferentially bulge cross section preferably substantially constant, forming a peripheral bead at the leading end of the cap. Thus, the skirt is reinforced and its tear along the edge is avoided during an inadvertent installation of the protective cap on the collar of the barrel. This also allows a reliable use of thinner walls, saving material can be achieved.

Shoulders in the form of pads forming a stop are provided on the inner surface of the skirt to limit the clearance between the collar of the drum and the protective cap.

The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a protective cap, in which the protective cap is formed by injecting a plastic material into a matrix comprising matrix elements, the matrix elements being supplied to slide one in the other in a direction parallel to the axis, the matrix elements sliding one inside the other having recesses and stamps. This method is particularly suitable for a full realization of the skirt of the protective cap.

The protective cap can also be obtained by first making the skirt in the form of a solid and continuous surface. Then, the locking notches are obtained by folding the free edge towards the inside of the surface of the skirt along a fold line which is between 60% and 90%, preferably between 70% and 80% of the height of the skirt. the skirt, measured from the side of the surface of the skirt associated with the protective cap, the folding being carried out in such a way that at least one of said locking members forms the desired angle with said surface of the skirt.

Furthermore, said protective cap can be obtained by mounting two separately produced parts, including an outer protective cap without opening in the skirt and the upper face without openings, and an inner ring with locking members.

Other advantages and features of the protective cap according to the invention will emerge from the description of the exemplary embodiments below by means of the accompanying drawings.

Figures 1 to 3 show a view from above and respectively from below the closure cap according to the invention.

Figures 2 and 5 show perspective views of the closure cap according to Figures 1 and 3 respectively.

Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view along line 5v-5v of Figure 1 of the closure cap according to the invention.

Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view along the line VI - VI of Figure 1 of the closure cap according to the invention.

Figures 8 and 9 show further details of the closure cap illustrated in two operating positions.

In general, the beer barrels are provided at their bottom with a flanged faucet device which can be connected to a draw-off device. The aforementioned taps must be protected by a cap or overcap as well against dirt as damage that may occur during storage or transport.

FIG. 1 shows a self-sealing closure cap 11 mainly comprising a cover disc 1 and an adjacent skirt 2 which is provided on its inner wall with locking members 5, for example eight, each consisting of an upwardly inclined protrusion forming notch, connected at one end to the free edge 3 of the skirt 2 and whose end at the free edge 3 of the skirt 2 and whose opposite end is free. The free end of each locking notch 5 can be uniquely and irreversibly coupled by a form connection, preferably unidirectional, in particular by snapping to a drum head 30 provided with a flange 31 projecting. In the coupled position each locking notch 5 is resiliently hooked against the projecting flange 31 so that the closure cap is securely anchored to the flange 31.

A tear strip 6 is provided in the cover disc 1 to allow the withdrawal of the closure cap 11 of the flange 31 when the user wishes to have access to the contents of the filled drum still sealed. The barrel is therefore accessible only by tearing the closure cap 1, which in turn, thus effectively protects the barrel on the one hand against impurities, dust and so on. and on the other hand, against fraud.

In addition, the tear strip 16 is provided with a pull tab 7 which serves as a gripping member for tearing the strip 6. Thus, the tear strip serves as a guarantee band.

The tear strip 6 extends in the middle of the lap disk preferably over the entire diameter. Two grooves 5 are formed in the disk of covering 1, forming two breaking grooves, in which the tear strip 6 can be torn off. To avoid the formation of dust in the grooves 15, these are formed in the inner face of the cover disc 1, which is turned towards the collar of the drum. This considerably facilitates tearing of the tear strip 6 in the pulling direction, indicated by reference F in FIG. 2.

In addition, the protective cap 11 can be removed after tearing the strip 6 without the need to break the cap 11 at the level of the edge 3 or locking notches 5. This provides the important advantage that no debris comes to soil the closure 32 of the withdrawal head of the drum 30.

In addition, the extension of the tear strip 16 by the tongue 7 arranged projecting produces a leverage already at the beginning of the drawing operation according to the arrow F of the strip 6. Thus, the initial phase of the draw can take place unfold in the best conditions.

Advantageously, the tongue 7 does not extend beyond the outer diameter of the edge 3. Thus, the free edge of the tongue 7 is located in the annular zone between the periphery 13 of the cover disc 1 and the edge 3 of the skirt 2. This allows a stack with space saving while avoiding that the tongue 7 is damaged during the stacking of several caps 11 or during sudden manipulations. In addition, by providing the tongue 7 in the plane of the cover disc 1, an important space saving is achieved during the storage of the caps 11.

To facilitate the engagement of the tongue 7, an opening 9 is provided in the skirt 2 at the height of the tongue as clearly illustrated in FIG. 7. In order to allow a more flexible unfolding of the initial phase, respectively the final phase of the operation. tearing of the strip 6, notches 21 upstream and / or downstream 22, for example each V-shaped, are provided upstream respectively downstream of the direction of traction, each time up to the whole13 of the disk 1. The downstream notches 22 may even advantageously extend further into the skirt 2 to a predetermined distance from the edge 3 or even to the edge 3, transversely thereto.

The two grooves 15 are straight and possibly parallel, although preferably mutually divergent starting from the tongue 7. This results in a progressive and reliable tearing of the strip 6 and the tearing of the strip itself is furthermore avoided, because the leverage, which is superimposed on a constantly applied tensile force and which increases as the band is torn off, is compensated for by an ever increasing width of the tear strip 6.

It goes without saying that the grooves may have another shape, for example, a slightly curved shape, the curvature being directed towards the diameter, so that the aforementioned effect is further enhanced.

The ratio between the circle segment of the tear strip 6 on the pull side, that is to say at the height of the arrow F indicated in FIG. 2, and that on the opposite side is, for example, between 0.5 and 0.9, preferably between 0.6 and 0.8.

Preferably, the width of the tear strip 6 measured perpendicularly to the center line M, more particularly in the central zone of the cover disc 1, is such that after removal of the tear strip 6, effective withdrawal of the barrel will be possible only after the complete removal of the remaining part of the cap 11. In other words, said width is it that in order to be able to place the withdrawal device on the flange 31, the two remaining lateral parts 21 22 of the protective cap on either side of the strip 6 must also be removed, in addition to the withdrawal of the tear tape itself.

Advantageously, at least one oblong rib 16, 18 is provided parallel to the grooves 15, preferably on both sides thereof, they have a constant cross section and serve to reinforce the groove edges thus avoiding the lateral tear of both the band tearing 6 that side portions of the cover disc 1 itself, for example, when a tear too abrupt strip of 6. However, not to interfere too much irretiale phase of tearing of the strip 6, the ribs 16, 18 extend only from a certain distance from the periphery 13 of the disc, as can be seen in FIG. 3. Similarly, in order to facilitate the final phase of the tearing operation, the ribs 16, 18 does extend only to a certain distance from the side opposite to the tear strip.

Preferably, an additional analog rib 17 is further provided, preferably having a wider cross-section. This extends in the middle of the tear strip 6 as a reinforcing element and thus avoids premature tearing or even breaking of the strip.

The skirt 2 has for example a conical type of low slope, as shown in Figure 2. In this case a still less bulky stack can be obtained, for example by fitting the caps into each other. The height of the skirt 2 and / or the edge 3, measured along the longkudinal axis L of the cap 11, as well as their thickness are chosen according to the type of barrel collar 31 to which the cap is intended.

To minimize clearance between barrel cap 30 and guard cap 11, shoulders 28 are provided on the inner surface of the skirt, as shown in FIGS. 3-6.

As shown in FIG. 3, flanges 12 are still provided on the inner surface of the cover disc 1, so that they further limit the clearance between the fountain head 30 and the cap 11 to a bare minimum or even 'eliminate. The flanges 12 thus serving as circular holding elements are oblong and extend in segments with a substantially constant cross section, according to the circular periphery of the barrel head 30. Thus, the barrel head 30 and the flanges 12 are in contact with each other. mutually along the entire length of these so as to ensure good support. The constant cross-section is advantageously triangular, so as to avoid any "adhesion" of the cap 11 to the barrel head 30. For this purpose, other similar pointed shapes may also be chosen for the cross-sections of the flanges 12.

Furthermore, said locking members 5 are designed to function as spring clips on the barrel collar. The operation of the locking members 5 is represented in FIGS. 8 and 9, each in two positions, respectively A in phantom for the compressed situation of the elastic locking members 5 and B in continuous lines for the relaxed situation. First, Elastic locking members 5 are compressed towards the skirt 2 (position A) by placing the protective cap 11 against the barrel head 30. After the installation on the barrel collar (position B), the locking members return elastically. inwards and resume their initial position thus providing a unidirectional form connection including snap-fitting of the cap 11 to the flange 31. Thus, the cap. 11 can only be removed after the tearing of the strip 6. The locking members 5 rest against the barrel flange and remain under tension, and thus, after tearing the strip 6, the remaining parts 23, 24 of the cap are mutually spread to the side.

The locking members 5 may be made in several ways: by matrix elements provided with recesses and being slidable one inside the other parallel to the axis (L) of the cap without forming peripheral openings in the skirt 2 which thus extends continuously, but by heating and by folding inward of the clips made in the extension of the skirt or by the composition of the two parts made separately, that is to say a cylindrical skirt provided with an edge and a ring provided with locking members and, where appropriate, also with movable elements perpendicular to the axis L, by making peripheral openings in the surface of the skirt 2.

Another essential function of said locking members 5, however, is also to achieve the fixing of the protective cap 11 on the flange 31 of the barrel. To strengthen the locking members 5 in this function, these are provided with a reinforcement 27, including, for example, a rounded and padded connection area between the right cross section of the locking members and the inner surface of the skirt 2. Preferably, each locking notch 5 also has a continuous uninterrupted wall surface and in particular the base area of each locking notch 5 is also uninterrupted, as shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 6 and 8.

As shown in Figures 2 and 5, the skirt 2 is advantageously full, thus ensuring its rigidity, even for relatively thin walls. A skirt altemative interrupted by peripheral openings 4, each corresponding to the locking members 5 can however also be considered. The peripheral openings 4 constitute at the same time control windows, allowing verification as to the good connection between the locking members 5 and the withdrawal head 30.

In order to be able to control each of the two functions of the locking members 5 described above, it is thus possible advantageously to make use of peripheral openings 4. Thus, the appropriate position of the locking members 5 with respect to the flange 31 can be visualized and adapted if necessary.

Preferably, the number of locking members 5, respectively the number of peripheral openings 4 are at most eight and they extend over most of the edge 3. Thus vermulking bodies 5, respectively openings relatively wide peripherals 4 of which obtained, that is to say locking members and / or peripheral openings which extend more pronounced in the peripheral direction of the skirt 2, rather than in the radial direction of the latter leaving between them only relatively reduced material portions forming radial bridges 20.

For optimum operation, a material combining rigidity and elasticity with a low shear strength is chosen. Thus we obtain that the locking members do not break during installation A on the flange and immediately return to the position B indicated in solid lines in Figures 8 and 9. In order to also allow removal of the tear strip 6 without effort, it has been found that an optimal result is obtained by selecting impact-resistant polystyrene. It is understood that other materials combining the aforementioned qualities can also be taken into consideration.

Claims (26)

Tamper-evident and self-sealing closure cap (11) for container ports, in particular for beer casings, provided with a filling head (30) having a flange (31) carrying said orifice (32), the cap (11) ) comprising a cover disc (1) and an adjacent skirt (2), attached to its periphery and extending from the disc (1) to a distance therefrom and the cover (11) being arranged to be uniquely coupled to said flange (31), characterized in that the inner wall of the skirt (2) is provided with at least one oblique ramp elastic locking element (5), which in the closed position resiliently engages against the aforementioned flange (31) so that the cap (11) is firmly anchored to the flange (31), in that peripheral openings (4) are provided in the cover disc (1), the along its periphery (13), and in that a tear strip (6) is provided in the disk (1), which (6) is provided with a pull tab (7), said strip (6) serving to allow the removal of the cap (11). Cap according to claim 1, characterized in that the skirt (2) is substantially solid and in that each opening (4) corresponds to a locking element (5), with corresponding respective widths. Cap according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the width of the peripheral openings (4) measured along the periphery (13) of the disc is greater than the height thereof measured along the axis (L) of the cap (11). ). Cap according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each locking element forms a notch (5) having a substantially straight cross-section, one end of which is attached to the edge (3) of the skirt (2). and whose other end (26) is free to bear resiliently against the collar (31) above. Cap according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the free end (26) of each locking notch (5) has a profile adapted to the geometry of the barrel collar (31). Headgear according to one of Claims 4 or 5, characterized in that the zone of attachment of each notch (5) to the edge (3) is uninterrupted (25) and that , in addition, the zone (27) of the included angle (α) between the notch (5) and the skirt (2) is filled to the height of the top of the angle (α) above. Cap according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said tongue (7) is arranged projecting relative to the periphery (13) of the disk (1). Cap according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the tongue (7) is provided in the plane of the cover disc (1). Cap according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the skirt (2) is slightly flared by the free edge (3) thereof, the free end of the tongue (7) being located at the inner diameter of the free end periphery (3) of the skirt (2). Hat according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that in the skirt (2) is provided a slot (9) at the height of the tongue (7) extending along the latter (7). A cap according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said tear strip (6) extends over substantially all the diameter of the cover disc (1), substantially symmetrically along one of the center lines (M) thereof, so that the direction of traction of the tear strip (6) is oriented in the direction of the center line of the disc (1). Headgear according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said tear strip (6) is limited by two tear grooves which are provided as grooves (15) in at least one of the faces of the cover disc (1). ). Cap according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the two grooves (15) depart divergently from the tongue (7) to the opposite side of the periphery (13) of the disc. Cap according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the average width of the tear strip (6) is such that after the removal thereof (6) a withdrawal operation is possible only after complete removal of the remaining part (23, 24) of the closure cap (11). Cap according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that in the periphery (13) of the disk (1), a notch (21) is provided on at least one lateral side of the tongue (7). Headgear according to one of Claims 1 to 15, characterized in that at least one additional notch (22) is provided without the periphery (13) of the cover disc (1) opposite the tongue (7). . Cap according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said additional notch (22) is extended in the skirt (2), at least to a predetermined distance from the free edge (3). Cap according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a rib (16, 18; 17) oblong and flattened along at least one side of the tear strip is provided on the cover disc (1). (6) and / or in the band (6), preferably substantially in the middle thereof (6). Cap according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the edge (3) of the skirt (2) has a bulging cross section, preferably substantially constant, forming a peripheral bead at the leading end of the cap (11). Headgear according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that shoulders (28) are provided on the inner surface of the skirt (2). Cap according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one flange (12) is provided on the inner surface of the cover disc (1), which is arranged to extend along the free edge of the flange. (31). A barrel, in particular a beer barrel, comprising a filling head (30), having an outwardly projecting flange (31), and a closure seal (32) being provided for closing the barrel, the barrel comprising a cap tamper-evident and self-sealing overcap closure (11) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the latter (11) is disposable and is made of a recyclable synthetic material having properties of rigidity, elasticity and a suitable tearability and that it (11) is coupled to the flange (31) by a unidirectionally shaped connection of the locking notches (5) to the flange (31). A method of manufacturing a covering cap according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cap (11) is made by injecting a plastic material into a matrix comprising matrix elements, the elements of the matrix being slidable into one another in a direction parallel to the axis (L), the sliding matrix elements being provided with recesses. A method of manufacturing a cap according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the cap (11) is made by injecting plastic material into a matrix consisting of a plurality of matrix elements, the elements of matrix being slidable into each other in a direction perpendicular to the axis (L). Production method according to one of Claims 23 or 24, characterized in that the closing cap (11) is obtained by first producing the skirt (2) such that a solid and continuous surface, each locking member (5) ) being then made by folding the free edge towards the inside of the skirt (2) along a fold line which is between 60% and 90%, preferably between 70% and 80% of the height of the skirt (2 ), measured from the side of the skirt associated with the closure cap (11), the folding being performed in such a way that said locking members (5) form the desired angle (α) of the skirt. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said closure cap (11) is made by mounting two separately produced parts, in particular the outer closure cap (11) without opening in the skirt and the disc (1), and the peripheral bead (3) forming an inner ring with the locking members (5).

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