EP1973794A1

EP1973794A1 - Composite stopper cap

Info

Publication number: EP1973794A1
Application number: EP06831155A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jacques Granger; Jean-Marie Bourreau
Original assignee: Alcan Packaging Capsules SAS
Current assignee: Amcor Flexibles Capsules France SAS
Priority date: 2005-11-23
Filing date: 2006-11-22
Publication date: 2008-10-01
Anticipated expiration: 2026-11-22
Also published as: AU2006316388A1; RU2008125128A; CL2006003249A1; CA2627991A1; ES2328284T3; US20080272086A1; ATE435167T1; ZA200804721B; DE602006007622D1; WO2007060325A1; PL1973794T3; CN101312891A; EP1973794B1; RU2404096C2; JP2009516627A

Abstract

Composite stopper cap includes: a) a metal cap having a crimp region and a means of easy initial opening, b) a plastics insert joined to a top part of the metal cap, the insert having a sealing head and an internally threaded skirt, and c) at least one first outer component assembled to the metal cap, the first outer component having at least one peripheral hand grip part. The cap is also includes a second outer component assembled to a metal connecting skirt in such a way as to cover and conceal the lower part of the metal cap.

Description

COMPOSITE BOUCHAGE CAPSULE

The invention relates to the field of capping capsules intended to seal containers, typically bottles, intended to contain an alcoholic beverage, typically alcohols, aperitifs, digestive. The invention relates more particularly to the field of composite closure caps, so called because they are provided with means complementary to the basic means of a "standard" closure cap ", said base means including means for fastening to the neck and sealing means. The invention more specifically relates to the field of screw closure caps comprising a threaded insert or a threaded element cooperating with a threaded neck of a container.

15

French Patent FR 2,802,181 already discloses a composite closure cap in the name of Pechiney Emballage Alimentaire, former name of Applicant. This capsule, which comprises a plastic insert with a seal, a threaded skirt and a metal wall covering Pinsert also includes means for giving weight and / or volume to the portion of the capsule located above the seal forming its sealing means.

The present invention aims, as besides corking capsules according to the French patent FR 2 802 181, to offer the manufacturer of alcohol, spirits and other

Liqueurs, the means of renewing the packaging of these products, in particular by means of a new capsule fulfilling the basic technical functions of the known capsules, but also offering possibilities for the renewal of the product in other aspects, The present invention aims above all to bring to the problems

30 posed in French Patent FR 2 802 181 a solution other than that disclosed in this patent, in order to have a more extensive offer for sale. She is also intended to provide a plurality of variants capable of solving the problems posed. Indeed, given the capital importance of brands in the trading of alcohol, spirits and other liqueurs, each brand wishes to have a capsule specific to its brand, so as to further increase its distinctive character,

In addition, the present invention aims to give the capsules a particular visual appearance that differentiates them from traditional corking capsules.

According to the invention, the composite closure cap intended to close the neck of a bottle to contain a liquid, typically an alcoholic beverage, said neck comprising a counter-glass ring and an external thread, said composite closure cap having a height H in an axial direction and comprising: a) a metal capsule having a metal head and a metal skirt, of axial height Hc <H and of average diameter DM, comprising a crimping zone of said metal capsule typically around said neck of the bottle or around a part intended to be fixed on said neck, and a means of easy first opening of said composite closure cap, a lower part of said metal skirt remaining integral with said neck when said composite closure cap is unscrewed during a first opening of said neck, b) a plastic insert integral with an upper part said metal capsule, said insert comprising a head and an internally threaded skirt of axial height Hi <Hc. c) at least a first outer part assembled to said metal cap, said first outer part having at least one manual grip peripheral portion of average diameter Dp> DM, so that when said composite cap closure closes said neck, manual rotation of said outer part causes that of said metal capsule and that of said insert, thus allowing the devissαge of said composite closure cap and the opening of said neck, characterized in that it also comprises a second outer part assembled to said metal skirt so as to cover and to mask the lower part of said metal cap,

The capsules according to the invention completely renew the image of traditional corking capsules. They offer with said first and second outer parts, two complementary supports of any type of decoration, this m which offers immense possibilities to differentiate these capsules from traditional capsules, by incorporating presentation elements or decor generally reserved for the packaging of luxury.

Said composite closure cap comprises a metal cap, which piece is also called a "shell", composed of a head and a metal skirt. The metal skirt has a zone, typically annular, for crimping the shell around the shell. lower shoulder of the counter-ring of glassware or crimping around an intermediate piece which is fixed on the neck, as the lower part, referenced 81 and shown in 0 figure 7, a refill device,

According to the invention, said composite closure cap comprises a second outer piece joined to the metal skirt of the shell, so as to cover and mask the lower part of said metal skirt, said second piece typically having on its outer surface a decoration pattern. Said second outer piece may form a cylindrical tubular piece of diameter Ds between Dp and D _M , the inside diameter of said cylindrical tubular piece being typically close to DM.

Said second outer part can also cooperate with the lower part of the metal skirt of the shell, so that said - AT -

second outer piece remains αxiαlement integral with said lower portion during said first opening of said neck.

Said outer part may be a fixed part, secured axially to the

Metal skirt of the shell, for example at its lower part, typically thanks to a layer of adhesive, its axial height Hs being at least equal to 0.5 times the height HB of the lower part of the skirt of the shell, so as to cover most of said bottom portion while allowing the capping operation. This fixed piece is arranged such that it leaves a free access to a crimping zone, typically annular, of said metal skirt.

Said outer part may also be a moving part, which moves axially and which has, relative to said metal skirt, two positions

75 predetermined stable, thanks to a positioning means. These two positions are a low position, in which said movable part leaves free access a typically annular crimping zone of the metal skirt of the shell, and a high position, in which said movable part, raised axially in the direction of said first outer part after 0 crimping, mask at least the crimped area of said metal skirt. When in the up position, said movable part cooperates with the lower part of the metal skirt of the shell so as to remain attached to said neck after unscrewing the composite closure cap.

The positioning means used for the second movable outer part may comprise the axial cooperation of axial locking means carried by said moving part, and axial locking means carried by said metal skirt. This positioning means may comprise or form a reversible latching means so as to ensure a reversible passage

3o one position, high or low, to the other position, respectively low or high. This positioning means is designed in such a way that even when the second outer part is in the high position, unscrewing of said composite closure cap can be performed, said second outer part remaining integral with the neck, by means of the axial locking means for the high position. Furthermore, the axial locking means used for said lower position allows said second outer piece to remain attached to the metal skirt of the shell when the capsule is not yet crimped on the neck. Advantageously, said positioning means is designed such that said second outer part, after having been kept in a low position to facilitate access of the crimping tools to the crimping zone of the metal skirt of the shell, is placed in position. high and kept locked in this high position, so as to prevent access to the crimped area.

According to the invention, said second outer part may be made of a material chosen from plastics, metals and metallized plastics. Advantageously, it may comprise at least one transparent zone, typically a transparent upper part, so as to reveal the line of weakness or said line of bridges, and thus to make visible said first opening of said neck.

Advantageously, the capsule according to the invention comprises at least a first outer part assembled to said metal cap by a connecting means, said first outer part having at least one manual gripping peripheral portion of average diameter DP> DM, with a DP report / DM typically ranging from 1.1 to 1.5, said average diameter Dp being that of an axial surface, said envelope surface, surrounding said first outer part, so that when said composite closure cap closes said neck , a manual rotation of said outer part causes that of said metal capsule and that of said insert, thus allowing the unscrewing of said composite closure cap and the opening of said neck. Advantageously, said first outer part is made of a material chosen from: a metal, a plastic material, a glass, a ceramic, a refractory material, a composite material, a natural material, a material

When compressed or sintered, or a combination of one or more of these materials, it may be a solid piece formed by means of a shaping mold or by machining and / or removal of material, said solid piece comprising or forming a cavity adapted to accommodate said upper portion of said metal capsule. It can also be a non-massive piece formed from a starting material in strip or sheet, typically metal shaped by stamping or embossing. Advantageously, said first outer part forms or comprises means for weighing said composite closure cap,

The peripheral portion of said first outer part may have an envelope surface of revolution. But it can also, to facilitate manual gripping and rotation of the composite closure cap:

- lie in a main direction;

comprising a plurality of N axial recesses or axial grooves, with N 0 ranging from 3 to 18, typically angularly distant from 3607N;

comprising a plurality of N 'annular recesses or annular grooves, with N' typically ranging from 1 to 10, typically equidistant in said axial direction.

Typically, said insert is made integral with said metal cap using a layer of an adhesive material but it can also be made integral with said metal cap by heat-sealing the threaded skirt of said insert on the metal skirt of said metal cap. at least said metal skirt of said metal capsule being coated internally

30 of an inner layer of a varnish or a thermoplastic material selected according to said plastic material of said insert and adapted to be heat sealed to said insert. Advantageously, said inner layer of said metal cap comprises, in the divided state, said plastic material of said insert, so as to allow said heat-sealing of said insert in said metal cap.

5

Typically, said first outer part is secured to said metal cap with a layer of an adhesive material.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the upper part of said metal skirt comprises a plurality of radial orifices, so that said insert and said first outer part can be secured by heat-sealing through said plurality of radial orifices, all or part of said insert and said first outer part being of a chemical nature chosen to allow said heat sealing.

75

Said plastic insert advantageously comprises a seal forming an insert, secured to said insert and intended to seal said neck. When the neck of the bottle must be provided with a pouring device or an infill device, said insert 0 is advantageously secured to a shutter. The insert comprises for example a plastic head which comprises at least one annular lip which cooperates with said seal or said shutter, so as to seal said neck.

In another embodiment, the metal skirt of the shell comprises an axial abutment shoulder for said first outer piece, typically for a lower end of said first outer piece, said shoulder dividing said metal skirt into a smaller diameter top portion and in a lower part of larger diameter.

30 In a large number of variants of the invention, said first outer part has a lower end which is connected tangentially to the metal skirt of the shell, so that said lower end and said metal skirt are connected without discontinuity by presenting typically the same diameter.

The composite closure cap according to the invention may comprise a device, called "pouring device", intended to facilitate the flow of said liquid, said pouring device comprising a flexible annular lip, and being able to be removably secured to said composite closure cap, typically through a rubbing contact with an axial projection of said insert, and an inner skirt adapted to cooperate with the interior of said neck, typically with at least one circular fin, so as to be secured to said neck waterproof.

/ 5

The composite closure cap according to the invention may also comprise a device, called "non-refill device", intended to prevent any fraudulent filling of said bottle by said neck, said refilling device being provided with reversible securing means to said 0 composite closure cap, so that the refill device is attached to the neck during the capping operation and remains attached to said neck when the composite closure cap is unscrewed. In a particular mode, this device can be fixed directly irreversibly on the glass ring. In this case, the external thread of the neck is not on the glass ring but in the upper part of this filling device irreversibly fixed to the neck, the latter having a screw thread complementary to that of Pinsert threaded .

All the figures relate to the invention. Unless otherwise indicated, all the figures are axial sections in the axial direction (10) of the capsule composite (1). In these figures, some parts of the capsule (1) have not been hatched for reasons of clarity.

Figures la and Ib illustrate a first variant of the composite capsule

5 according to the invention, variant in which the tubular piece (6 ') is a fixed part

(60) secured, fixedly, to the lower portion (34) of the metallic skirt

(31) of the metal capsule (3), so as to leave free an annular zone

(36) crimping. FIG. 1a shows the capsule (1) placed on the neck (2) before crimping the capsule, FIG. 1b shows the capsule (1) after crimping, said skirt (31) then comprising a crimped annular zone (36 ' ) formed by a radial compression of a crimping wheel, said compression having been represented by a radial arrow in Figure 1b.

FIGS. 2a to 3d illustrate another variant, in which the tubular piece

/ 5 (6 ¹ ) is a movable piece (61) secured axially movably to the lower portion (34) of the metal skirt (31) of the metal cap (3). Figure 2a is a view of the capsule (1), the tubular member (6 ¹ ) being in the so-called "high" position. Figure 2b shows the capsule (1) of Figure 2a placed on the neck (2) to be crimped. FIG. 2c represents the capsule (1) of FIG. 2b after

Crimping the metallic skirt (31) and forming an annular zone (36 '), after having moved said tubular piece (ό ¹ ) downwards to the so-called "low" position, so as to reveal said annular zone crimping tool (36). FIG. 2d represents the capsule (1) of FIG. 2c after rising upwards in the so-called high position of said tubular piece (6 '), so that the

Upper part of the movable tubular part (6 ¹ , 61) masks the crimped annular zone (36 '). FIG. 3a shows the capsule (1) crimped at the neck (2) as in FIG. 2d, before a first opening by unscrewing the upper part (19) of the capsule (1), said unscrewing being represented by an arrow placed above the capsule (1). Figure 3b shows the part

3o upper (19) separated by unscrewing, while Figure 3c shows the lower portion (19 ') remaining integral with the neck (2). Figure 3d, similar to FIG. 3b shows another variant of capsule in which the line of weakness (330) is not masked by the lower end (55) of said first outer part (5) but by the upper end (62) of said second outer piece (6).

5

FIG. 4 is a side view of a neck (2) on which has been crimped a capsule (1) of the same type as that shown in FIGS. 2a to 3d, said second outer part (6), represented in the up position , comprising an upper part (03), typically transparent so as to make possible a visual inspection of said weakening line (330), said upper part comprising two ribs (630) facilitating a possible manual gripping of said second outer part ( 6).

FIG. 5 illustrates the case of a capsule of the same type as those represented w in FIGS. 2a to 3d and 4 including a pouring device (9), temporarily secured to said insert (4) by means of an axial projection (45) of hooking comprising a plurality of hooking lugs, said pouring device (9) comprising at its upper part a flexible annular lip (90) and an inner skirt (91) adapted to enter the neck (2) and to be assembled 0 force said neck (2), sealingly, through a plurality of fins (910), the radial height is such that the radial distance from their ends relative to the axis is greater than the internal diameter of the neck. These fins are here represented schematically, "entering" into the neck glass and not inclined upwards.

25

In FIGS. 6a to 6c, the pouring device (9) is a pouring device (9 ') comprising a non-refillable means comprising an inner cage (92) capable of housing a ball (94) intended to rest on a circular lip lower (93) when said capsule (1) is in a vertical position, so as to close the central orifice delimited by said circular lip (93), but to let the contents of the bottle when the latter is sufficiently inclined. As in the case of the pourer (9) of Figure 5, its skirt (91) comprises at its upper end an outer radial projection forming an axial stop (911) of said spout against the rim (22) of the neck (2 ). Figure όa is a half-axial left section of the capsule crimped on the neck (2). Figure όb is a sectional view of the pouring device (9 '). Figure όc is a side view of the pouring device (9 ').

FIGS. 7a and 7b illustrate the case of another capsule (1), still of the same type as those of FIGS. 2a to 3c, 4, 5 and 6a to 6c, comprising an infrabability device (8). FIG. 7a shows, on its left half-part, a side view similar to FIG. 4, and on its right half-section, an axial sectional view of said capsule (1) provided with said unconfillable device (8). Figure 7b shows the capsule snapped to the neck (2). FIG. 7c illustrates the sealing of the neck (2) by radial compression of the periphery (70) of the seal (7), thanks to a radial compression ring (46) formed inside the skirt (41, 41 '). ) of said insert (4).

8a and 8b illustrate other embodiments in which said outer part (5) is a non-solid part (5 "), that is to say an internally recessed part. lower part of smaller diameter, with a lower end (55) coming to connect tangentially to the metal skirt (31). In FIG. 8b, the metal cap (3) is a metal cap (3 ¹ ) whose metallic skirt (31) comprises a shoulder (310) forming an axial stop for said outer piece (5, 5 "), typically for a lower end (55) of said outer piece (5, 5 ").

Figures 9b to 9e are top views of various shape variants of said first outer member (5). Figure 9a shows in section, the upper part of the composite capsule. In Figure 9b, the first outer part

(5) is round and has a circular outer section. In Figure 9c, the the peripheral part of the first outer part has, in a transverse plane perpendicular to the axial direction, a section delimited by a closed curve C, the polar coordinate representation of which indicates that each point of said curve C is at a distance R = f ( θ) which varies with said angular direction θ so that said peripheral portion does not have an envelope surface of revolution with respect to said axial direction. In this case, the first outer part illustrated in FIG. 9c has a principal direction in a longitudinal plane comprising said axial direction. Its peripheral portion has, in a transverse plane perpendicular to the axial direction, a section delimited by an elliptical outline of which the major axis corresponds to said main direction. FIGS. 9d and 9e are variants of FIG. 9b according to which said first outer skirt (52) comprises a plurality of axial grooves (53), as illustrated in FIG. 9d, or axial ribs (53 ') as illustrated on FIG. figure 9e,

EXAMPLES OF REALIZATION

The examples can be summarized in the following table:

Plastic moldings were made of PP or PE. These same pieces of PA or PET have also been manufactured. We also used second outer piece (6) of metal tube portions with relief embossed surface,

According to the type of capsule (1), the various parts of said capsule (1) have been assembled, either as indicated in the description, or in a manner that is self-evident, namely:

- Or in a fixed way to make them integral, especially in rotation, for example when it comes to the metal cap (3), the insert (4) and said first outer part (5), which can be bonded in particular by adhesive layers.

- Or by fitting or axial snap parts, when it is particularly said second outer part (6).

According to the type of decoration, said first (5) and second (ό) outer parts have been decorated either before assembly or after assembly, once said capsule (1) formed.

Here we describe in more detail Example 3 illustrated in FIG. 5, knowing that this capsule comprises common features of the invention, which can be detailed and / or referenced in other figures.

The composite closure cap 1 of this example comprises a pouring device 9 comprising in its upper part a flexible annular lip 90 and an inner skirt 91 adapted to enter the neck 2 and be force-fitted to said neck, in a sealed manner, thanks to a plurality of fins 910.

The composite closure cap 1 comprises a metal cap (or

"shell") 3 with a metal skirt 31 including a crimping zone

(36) of said metal capsule around the neck, (Figure 5 illustrates the skirt 31 crimped at 36 'on the shoulder 210 of the counter ring 21) and a line αffαiblissement 330, used as a means of easy first opening of said composite closure cap.

The composite closure cap 1 comprises an insert 4 made of plastics material, integral with an upper part 32 of the shell 3, said insert comprising a sealing head 40 and an internally threaded skirt 4V, here particularly thin, of axial height Hi <Hc.

The composite closure cap 1 comprises a first outer part 5, assembled to the metal cap 3, having a manual gripping peripheral portion 50 of average diameter Dp> DM, so that when said composite closure cap closes said neck , a manual rotation of said outer part causes that of said metal capsule and that of said insert, thus allowing the unscrewing of said composite closure cap and the opening of said neck.

The composite closure cap 1 comprises a second outer piece 6 assembled to the metal skirt 31 so as to cover and mask the lower part 35 of said metal cap. This second outer part 6 is a movable part 61, which moves axially and which has, relative to the metal skirt 31, two predetermined stable positions: a low position in which the movable part 61 leaves free access to the crimping zone annular of the metal skirt of the shell, and a high position in which said movable part 61, raised axially in the direction of the first outer part 5 after crimping, masks at least the crimped area 36 "of said metal skirt. , in the high position, cooperates with the lower part 35 of the metal skirt 31 of the shell 3 so as to remain attached to the neck 2 after unscrewing of said composite closure cap 1, The positioning means 18 used for the second movable outer part 61 uses the axial cooperation of axial locking means 64 and 631 carried by said moving part, and axial locking means 311 and 312 carried by the metal skirt 31. This means of positioning could form a reversible latching means so as to ensure a reversible passage from one position, high or low, to the other position, respectively low or high, But here, the positioning means 18 is designed so that said second movable outer part 61, after having been kept in the low position to facilitate access of the crimping tools to the crimping zone of the metal skirt of the shell, is placed in the high position and kept locked in this upper position, to prevent access to the crimped area 36 '.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the second outer part 61 is held in the raised position by the cooperation of the axial locking means 64 and 311. It is kept in a low position thanks to the cooperation of the axial locking means 631 and 312. axial locking means used for the low position allows said second outer piece 61 to remain attached to the metal skirt 31 of the shell 3 when the capsule is not yet crimped on the neck. FIG. 5 shows that the metal skirt 31 carries, just below the crimping zone 36 or the crimped zone 36 ', a first annular ring 37 whose two slopes 311 and 312 serve as latching means, the first slope 311 serving in the high position, irreversible snap-on abutment to a lip 64 of the movable part 61 and the second 312 serving, in the lower position, a reversible snap-in abutment to the recessed oblique wall 631 of the upper end; of said movable part 61.

Unscrewing of the composite closure cap can be performed, the first outer part 5 remaining integral with the upper part 32 of the shell 3 and the second outer part 61 remaining integral with the lower part 35 of the metal skirt 31, itself secured to the counter-ring 21 on which it is set, The second outer part 61 is made of polyolefin, typically a polypropylene. It has not been opacified (metallization, lacquering, setting a decor, etc.) in its upper part 63, so that it is transparent and it is possible to see the line of weakness 330 when said second movable outer part 61 is in the up position. In a variant, to improve the transparency of the upper part 63, the second outer part 61 is crystal polystyrene. The upper part 63 is provided with annular ribs 630 which facilitate the manual gripping of the second outer part 61.

The second outer piece 61 must slide a distance large enough to reach its low position, so as to leave access to the crimping zone wide enough so that the knobs or other crimping tools can reach the shoulder 210 of the counter. ring 21 without disturbing the other parts of the capsule. This distance is typically between 5 and 15 mm. As can be seen in Figure 2c, the lower position may correspond to the abutment of the lower end 611 of the second outer part 61 on the neck 2 of the bottle, which is conical at this point. In this case, the second outer part 61, which has the shape of a cylindrical sleeve, must have an internal diameter typically greater than 1 mm with respect to the diameter of the lower part of the metal skirt 31. Advantageously, said metallic skirt 31 is provided with a second annular ring 38, of radial height typically equal to 0.5 mm, which allows the second outer part 61 to slide along the axis 10 while remaining centered.

The composite closure cap of this example 3 (FIG. 5) comprises a pouring device 9 intended to facilitate the flow of the liquid, which comprises a flexible annular lip 90, and which is able to be secured in a removable manner to the closure cap. composite 1, thanks to the insert 4, by rubbing contact on the axial projection 45 of the shutter 47 secured to the insert 4. This device pourer 9 also includes an inner skirt 91 adapted to cooperate with the interior of the neck 2, with at least one circular fin 910, so as to be secured to the neck 2 sealingly. The fins 910 are shown schematically here, "tucked" into the glass and not inclined upwards.

Also found on the capsule of Example 4 (Figures 6a to όc) a pouring device 9 ¹ also acting as a refill device. It is also provided with a flexible annular lip 90 and which can be secured with the insert 4. It also comprises an inner skirt 91 which cooperates with the inside of the neck 2 by means of several circular fins 910, deformed by the introduction of the device into the interior of the neck (FIG 6a).

The sealing is ensured by the action of the annular lip 470 of the shutter 47 which causes the plating of the flexible annular lip 90 on the rim 22 of the neck.

The composite closure capsules of Examples 4 and 5 (Figures 6 and 7) have fillers 8 and 9 '.

The non-refillable devices 8 and 9 'are intended to prevent any fraudulent filling of the bottle by the neck 2. They are secured to the composite closure cap 1:

the device 8 comprises a threaded part which makes it possible to screw it on the insert 4 (in this case, the screwing of the composite closure cap is no longer done on the glass ring: the external thread 20 'of the neck belongs to the device 8 irreversibly fixed to the neck),

- The device 9 "which also has a pouring device function as in Example 3 is connected to the insert 4 by means of a rubbing contact on an axial projection 45 of the shutter 47 secured Pinsert 4. These devices are attached to the neck 2 during the capping operation and remain attached to said neck when said composite closure cap 1 is unscrewed.

The non-refillable device 8 of Example 5 comprises: a) a so-called upper part 80 comprising a threaded ring 800 adapted to cooperate with the threaded skirt 41 of the insert 4; b) a so-called lower part 81 comprising a fastening skirt 810 able to cooperate with the glass counter-ring 21, and an inner wall forming a cage 811 comprising a lower orifice 812, c) a movable member 82, here a ball 820, able to move in said cage and to seal, by gravity, said lower orifice 812 when said composite closure cap 1 is in a vertical position, so as to form a non-return means.

In said non-refillable device 8: a) said upper part 80 comprises an upper grid 801, b) said lower part 81 comprises a vault 813 provided with lateral orifices allowing the passage of the liquid,

Said non-refill device 8 also comprises a protection piece 83, typically a metal plate portion 83 ', which is housed between the upper grid 801 and the vault 813, so as to form an obstacle to any attempt to reach and move said movable member 82 (the ball 820), while allowing a normal flow of liquid out of said bottle.

LIST OF REFERENCES

Composite capping capsule 1 Axial direction 10

Means of assembly of 1 and 2 11, 11 ' Easy way of first opening 12

Positioning means 61 18

Upper part of 1 separated by unscrewing ... 19

Bottom of 1 solidaire of 2, 19 'Neck of a bottle 2

Outer thread of 2 20, 20 '

Counter ring, 21

Lower shoulder. 210

Drinking 22 Metal Capsule or Shell, 3

Metal head 30

Metal skirt 31

Shoulder 310

Axial locking means of 6, 6 '(high position). 311 Axial locking means of 6, 6 '(low position). 312

Upper part of 3 or 31 32

Intermediate part of 3 or 31 33

Line of weakness 330

Lower part of 3 or 31 34 Lower part of 31, 31 'integral with 210 35

Crimping area of 31, 34 36

Area set with 31, 34 36 '

First ring ring 37

Second annular ring 38 Plastic insert 4

Head .... 40

Threaded skirt internally 41

Thin skirt threaded internally 4 T

Axial projection of attachment of 8 or 9 45 Radial compression ring 46

Shutter 47 Annular lip of 47,470

First external part 5

Massive piece 5 '

Non-massive part 5 "Peripheral part 50

Outside head 51

First outer skirt 52

Axial groove 53

Radial groove 53 'Main extension direction 50 54

Bottom end, 55

Second outer part ό

Cylindrical tubular piece 6 '

Fixed part 60 Mobile part 61 lower end of όl 611

Upper end of 6 62

Transparent upper part 63

Axial locking means (64) 64 Gasket 7

Outside edge 70

Non-refillable device ......, 8

So-called upper room 80

Threaded ring 800 Top grid 801

Lower part 81

Fastening medium - skirt 810

Cage 811

Bottom hole 812 813 vault 813

Side holes 814 Mobile element 82

Ball 820

Protection piece 83

Metal plate 83 'Pouring device 9

Pouring device and refillable 9 '

Flexible annular lip 90

Inner skirt 91

Airtight fixing flange 910 Axial stopper 91 1

Inner cage 92

Lower lip 93

Ball 94

Claims

1. composite closure cap (1) for closing the neck (2) of a bottle, said neck (2) comprising a glass counter-ring (21) and

An outer thread (20), said composite closure cap (1) having a height H in an axial direction (10) and comprising: a) a metal cap (3) having a metal head (30) and a metallic skirt (31), of axial height Hc <H and of mean diameter DM, comprising a crimping zone (36) of said metal cap and a means of easy first opening (12) of said composite closure cap (1 ), a lower part (35) of said metal skirt (31) remaining integral with said neck (2) when said composite closure cap (1) is unscrewed during a first opening of said neck (2), b) an insert ( 4) of plastic secured to an upper portion (32) of said metal cap (3), said insert (4) comprising a head (40) and an internally threaded skirt (41) of axial height Hi <Hc; c) at least one first outer part (5) joined to said metal cap (3), said first outer part (5) having at least one peripheral portion (50) of manual gripping of average diameter

Dp> DM, so that when said composite closure cap (1) closes said neck (2), a manual rotation of said outer piece (5) causes that of said metal cap (3) and that of said insert (4), thus allowing the unscrewing of said composite closure cap (1) and the opening of said neck (2),

Characterized in that it further comprises a second outer member (6) joined to said metal skirt (31) so as to cover and mask the lower portion (35) of said metal cap.

The composite closure cap (1) according to claim 1, wherein said second outer piece (6) forms a cylindrical tubular piece (6 ¹ ) outer diameter Ds between DP and DM, its inside diameter being typically close to DM.

3. Composite closure cap according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said second outer piece (ό) cooperates with said lower part (35) of said metal skirt (31), so that said second outer piece (ό) remains axially secured to said lower portion (35) during said first opening of said neck (2).

4. composite closure cap according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said second outer piece (ό, 6 ') is fixed to the lower part (34) of the metal cap (3), its axial height Hs being at least equal to 0.5 times the height HB of said lower part (35), so as to cover the major part of said lower part (35) while allowing the capping operation, said outer part being a fixed part (60) leaving free access to said crimping zone (36) of said metal skirt (31),

5. composite closure cap according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said outer part (ό, 6 ') is a movable part (61) which moves axially and which has, with respect to said metal skirt (31), two predetermined stable positions, by means of a positioning means (18), with a so-called low position in which said movable part leaves free access to said crimping zone (36) of said metal skirt (31), and with a said position high in which said movable part (61), raised axially in the direction of said first outer part (5) after crimping, masks at least the crimped area (36 ') of said metal skirt (31), said movable part (61), in the high position, cooperating with said lower part (35) so as to remain attached to said neck (2) after unscrewing said composite closure cap (1).

The composite closure cap according to claim 5 wherein said positioning means (18) comprises axial cooperation of axial locking means (64, 631) carried by said movable piece (61), and axial locking means (311). , 312) carried by said metal skirt (31).

5

7. A composite closure cap according to claim 5 or 6 wherein said positioning means (18) comprises or forms a reversible latching means so as to ensure a reversible passage from one position, high or low, to the other position, respectively low or high. m

8. A composite closure cap according to any one of claims 5 to 7 wherein said metal skirt (31) bears, just below the crimping zone (36) or the crimped zone (36 ') - a first annular ring (37) whose two slopes (31 1) and (312) act as means

With the first slope (311) serving, in the high position, a reversible snap-in stop at a bead (64) of said movable part (61) and the second slope (312) serving, in the low position, to reversible snap-on abutment to the reentrant oblique wall (631) of the upper end of said movable part (61). 0

9. composite closure cap according to any one of claims 5 to 8 wherein said metal skirt (31) is provided with a second annular ring (38), of radial height typically equal to 0.5 mm, which allows the second outer piece (61) to slide along

The axis (10) while remaining centered.

10. composite closure cap according to any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein said second outer part (6, 6 ') is a material selected from: plastics, metals, materials

30 metallized plastics.

11, composite closure cap according to any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein said second outer part (6, 6 ') comprises at least one transparent zone, typically a transparent upper portion (63), so as to reveal said line

5 or said line of bridges (330), and thus to make visible said first opening of said neck (2).

12, composite closure capsule according to any one of claims 1 to 11 wherein said metal skirt (31) comprises

70 a lower portion (34) to be crimped under a lower shoulder (210) of said counter-ring (21) during a so-called capping operation and an intermediate portion (33) comprising at least one line of weakness ( 330), so as to form said easy first opening means (12), breaking said weakening line (330)

/ 5 for detecting said first opening of said neck (2).

13. composite closure cap according to any one of claims 1 to 12 wherein said first outer part (5) comprises a first outer skirt (52) forming said peripheral portion 0 (50) of manual gripping and an outer head (51) arranged above said metal head (30) and of diameter at most equal to DM.

14. Composite closure cap according to any one of claims 1 to 13 wherein said first outer part (5) is made of material selected from: a metal, a plastic, a glass, a ceramic, a refractory material, a composite material , a natural material, a compressed or sintered material, or a combination of one or more of these materials.

30

The composite closure cap according to claim 14 wherein said first outer part (5) is a solid piece (5 ') formed by means of a shaping mold or by machining and / or removal of material, said solid piece (5 ¹ ) comprising or forming a cavity adapted to accommodate said upper portion (32) of said metal cap (3).

The composite closure cap according to claim 14 wherein said outer piece (5) is a non-massive piece (5 ") formed from a strip or sheet-like starting material, typically metallic shaped by stamping or spinning.

The composite closure cap according to any one of claims 1 to 16 wherein said first outer part (5) forms or comprises means for weighing said composite closure cap (1).

18. composite closure cap according to any one of claims 1 to 17 wherein said peripheral portion (50) of said first outer part (5) has an envelope surface of revolution.

The composite closure cap according to any one of claims 1 to 17 wherein said peripheral portion (50) has a principal direction (54) in a longitudinal plane comprising said axial direction (10), so as to facilitate manual grasping and rotation of said composite closure cap (1).

20. composite closure cap according to claim 19 wherein said peripheral portion (50) has, in a transverse plane perpendicular to the axial direction, a section delimited by an elliptical contour, whose major axis corresponds to said main direction.

21, composite closure capsule according to any one of claims 1 to 20 wherein said peripheral portion (50) comprises a plurality of N axial recesses or axial grooves (53), with N ranging from 3 to 18, typically angularly apart from 360 ° / N, so as to facilitate manual gripping and rotation of said composite closure cap (1).

22. composite closure cap according to any one of claims 1 to 21 wherein said peripheral portion (50) comprises a plurality of N 'recesses or annular grooves (53'), with N ¹ ranging from 1 to 10, typically equidistant according to said axial direction, so as to facilitate the manual gripping of said composite closure cap (1).

23. composite closure cap according to any one of claims 1 to 22 wherein said insert (4) is secured to said metal cap (3) using a layer of an adhesive material.

24. composite closure cap according to any one of claims 1 to 22 wherein said insert (4) made integral with said metal cap (3) by heat sealing the threaded skirt (41) of said insert (4) to the metal skirt ( 31) of said metal cap (3), at least said metal skirt (31) of said metal cap (3) being lined internally with an inner layer of a varnish or a thermoplastic material selected according to said plastics material said insert (4) and able to be heat sealed to said insert (4).

25. The composite closure cap according to claim 24, wherein said inner layer of said metal cap (3) comprises, in the divided state, said plastic material of said insert (4), so as to allow said heat sealing of said insert (4). in said metal capsule (3).

26. A composite closure capsule according to any one of claims 1 to 25 wherein said first outer piece (5, 5 ¹ , 5 ") is made integral with said metal cap (3) with a layer of a adhesive material.

27. The composite closure cap according to any one of claims 1 to 25 wherein said upper portion (32) of said metal skirt (31) comprises a plurality of radial orifices, and wherein said insert (4) and said first outer part. (5, 5 ', 5 ") are secured by heat-sealing through said plurality of radial orifices, all or part of said insert (4) and said first outer part (5, 5', 5") being of one chemical nature chosen to allow said heat sealing.

28. Composite closure cap according to any one of claims 1 to 27 wherein said insert (4) of plastic material comprises a head (40) provided with an annular lip (46, 470).

29, composite closure cap according to claim 28 wherein said head of said insert (4) of plastic material comprises a seal (7), said annular lip (46) serving as a ring of radial compression of the periphery of said seal so as to ensure said sealing of said neck.

The composite closure cap of claim 28 wherein said head of said plastic insert (4) comprises a shutter (47) provided with said annular lip (470).

31. Composite closure cap according to any one of claims 1 to 30 wherein said metal skirt (31) comprises a shoulder (310) forming an axial stop for said outer piece (5, 5 ', 5 "), typically for a lower end (55) of said first outer piece (5, 5', 5"), said shoulder (310) dividing said metal skirt (31) into an upper portion of smaller diameter and in a lower part of larger diameter.

32, composite closure cap according to any one of claims 1 to 31 wherein said first outer part (5) has a lower end (55) which is connected tangentially to said metal skirt (31), so that said lower end (55) and said metal skirt (31) are connected without discontinuity, typically having the same diameter.

33 composite closure cap according to any one of claims 1 to 32 comprising an infrefusibility device (8) for preventing fraudulent filling of said bottle by said neck (2), said device (8) being removably secured to said composite closure cap (1) so that said device (8) is attached to said neck (2) during the capping operation and remains attached to said neck when said composite closure cap (1) is unscrewed.

34. composite closure cap according to claim 33 wherein said non-refillable device (8) comprises: a) a so-called upper part (80) comprising a threaded ring (800) adapted to cooperate with said threaded skirt (41) of said insert (4), b) a so-called lower part (81) comprising a fastening skirt (810) adapted to cooperate with said counter-glass ring (21), and an inner wall forming a cage (811) comprising a lower orifice (812), c) a movable member (82), typically a ball (820), adapted to move in said cage and to seal, by gravity, said lower orifice (812) when said composite closure cap (1) is in vertical position, so as to form a non-return means.

The composite closure cap of claim 34 wherein: a) said upper piece (80) comprises an upper gate (801), b) said lower piece (81) comprises a vault (813) with lateral ports allowing the passage of said liquid,

36. A composite closure cap according to claim 35 wherein said non-refillable device (8) comprises a protection piece (83), typically a metal plate portion (83 ¹ ), housed between said upper grid (801) and said vault (813), so as to form an obstacle to any attempt to reach and move said movable member (82, 820), while allowing a normal flow of said liquid out of said bottle.

37. A composite closure capsule according to any one of claims 1 to 32 comprising a pouring device (9) for facilitating the flow of said liquid, said pouring device (9) comprising a flexible annular lip (90), and being adapted to to be detachably secured to said composite closure cap (1) and an inner skirt (91) adapted to cooperate with the interior of said neck (2), typically by means of at least one circular fin (910), so as to to be secured to said neck (2) sealingly.