EP1991473B1

EP1991473B1 - Cap means

Info

Publication number: EP1991473B1
Application number: EP07705567A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Fabrizio Pucci
Original assignee: Sacmi Imola SC
Current assignee: Sacmi Imola SC
Priority date: 2006-02-10
Filing date: 2007-02-08
Publication date: 2010-07-28
Anticipated expiration: 2027-02-08
Also published as: ES2349755T3; WO2007091167A2; ITMO20060043A1; CN101378974B; JP2009525928A; ATE475606T1; DE602007008071D1; RU2423304C2; ZA200806117B; EP1991473A2; RU2008136389A; WO2007091167A3; US20090152269A1; CN101378974A; BRPI0708046A2

Abstract

A cap comprises a body suitable for being associated with a container neck and provided with a dispensing arrangement, a lid arranged for closing said dispensing arrangement, an opening indicating device connected to the lid through a breakable arrangement and comprises a hooking arrangement arranged for engaging with a corresponding further hooking arrangement of the body, wherein with the further hooking arrangement there is associated a guide arrangement arranged for limiting deformations of the opening indicating device when the hooking arrangement interacts with the further hooking arrangement.

Description

The invention relates to cap means associable with a container, in particular cap means of the flip top type.
Flip top caps are known that are made of plastics and comprise a body arranged for being fixed to a container neck by means of a threaded coupling and provided with a dispensing hole through which a product contained inside the container can be dispensed. The aforesaid caps further comprise a closing part that is movable between a closed configuration, in which the closing part is adjacent to the body to close the dispensing hole, and an open configuration in which the closing part is distant from the body, to enable the product to be drawn through the dispensing hole.
The closing part is connected to the body through a hinge that may be very voluminous. The hinge is obtained in a peripheral end zone of the body and is positioned on a resting plane at which the body and the closing part are in mutual contact in the aforesaid closed configuration.
The body comprises a side surface and an end surface from which a projecting element leads away in which the dispensing hole is obtained. The projecting element is shaped in such a way as to receive the mouth of a user.
From the closing part a retaining member projects that is arranged for being received in the dispensing hole.
The caps disclosed above comprise a tamperproof band fixed to the closing part through breakable bridge elements.
The tamperproof band is provided with first locking elements that engage second locking elements obtained on the body.
When the closing part is rotated around the hinge, stress is generated that breaks the bridge elements so as to separate the tamperproof band from the closing part. A user checking whether the tamperproof band is separated from the closing part (and whether the breakable bridge elements have been broken), is informed of the pristine condition of or possible tampering with the product contained inside the container.
A drawback of known caps is that as the latter are associated with a container neck, it is necessary to exert considerable force to enable the first locking elements to engage the second locking elements. The bridge elements can therefore be stressed to such a point as to be damaged or even broken. In order to overcome this drawback, tougher bridge elements can be used, i.e. bridge elements having greater dimensions. These tougher bridge elements are nevertheless more difficult to break during a first opening of the cap, which is very unpleasant for a user.
When the caps disclosed above are formed, the closing part is in the open configuration.
Subsequently, before the caps are associated with the container necks, the closing part is rotated until it takes on the closed configuration.
Another drawback of known caps is that when the closing part is moved from the open configuration to the closed configuration, the retaining member may not be aligned with the dispensing hole and may interfere with the projecting element, making closure of the cap difficult.
In addition, the locking elements may not be aligned on the further locking elements, making closure of the cap still more difficult.
A further drawback of the known caps is that the locking elements and/or the further locking elements hide the breakable bridge elements, making it very difficult, or even impossible, for a user to check whether the breakable bridge elements have been broken.
A still further drawback of the known caps is that they can be applied to container necks only through dedicated capping apparatuses, as conventional capping apparatuses comprise tools that are not able to handle caps having hinges with very large overall dimensions.
EP 531887 discloses cap means according to the preamble of claim 1.
An object of the invention is to improve known caps. Another object of the invention is to obtain cap means that, when they are closed for the first time, do not require great force to induce locking elements associated with a tamperproof band and cooperating elements associated with a portion of the cap means to engage mutually.
A further object is to obtain cap means provided- with breakable bridge elements that are not broken when the cap means is closed for the first time, but which can easily be broken when the cap means is opened for the first time.
A still further object is to obtain cap means that enables a user to check easily and rapidly whether the breakable bridge elements are unbroken, or if they have been broken.
A still further object is to obtain cap means that can be applied to container necks through usual capping apparatuses.
A still further object of the invention is to obtain cap means in which the risks are limited that a retaining member obtained in a closing part of the cap means interferes with a projecting element projecting from a body of the cap means and provided with a dispensing hole, when the closing part is placed to rest on the body, i.e. when the cap means is closed for the first time.
According to the invention, cap means is provided as in claim 1.
The invention can be better understood and carried into effect with reference to the attached drawings that illustrate some embodiments thereof by way of non-limiting example, in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of cap means in a closed configuration;
Figure 2 is a side view of the cap means of Figure 1 in an open configuration;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the cap means in Figure 1 in the open configuration;
Figure 4 is an enlarged and fragmentary side view of a portion of the cap means in Figure 1 in the closed configuration;
Figure 5 is an enlarged and fragmentary side view that shows a portion of the cap means in Figure 1 in the closed configuration;
Figure 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of cap means in a closed configuration;
Figure 7 is a view like the one in Figure 6 that shows the cap means in an open configuration;
Figure 8 is a section taken along a longitudinal plane of a further embodiment of the cap means;
Figure 9 is a perspective view of a still further embodiment of the cap means.
Figures 1 to 5 show cap means 1 comprising a body 2, associable with a neck of a container, and a lid element 3, that may oscillate with respect to the body 2.

The cap means can be made, for example, through compression-forming of plastics, or through injection-moulding of plastics.
The body 2 is provided internally with a thread 5 (shown in Figure 5) owing to which the body 2 can be screwed to the neck.
The body 2 comprises a side wall 4 bounded above by an end wall 6, extending transversely with respect to the side wall 4, on which there is provided a dispensing portion 8 through which a product contained inside the container can be dispensed.
The end wall 6 defines a resting surface 9 on which the lid element 3 abuts to close the dispensing portion 8.
The lid element 3 comprises a further side wall 7 bounded above by a closing wall 11 arranged transversely with respect to the further side wall 7.
From the closing wall 11 a closing portion 10 projects transversely that, when the lid element 3 is brought nearer the resting surface 9, surrounds the dispensing portion 8. From the closing wall 11 a projecting element 41 further projects that, when the lid element 3 is brought near the resting surface 9, penetrates inside a hole 42 obtained in the dispensing portion 8.
The closing wall 11 is provided with a gripping element 12 that receives, during opening of the container, the thumb of a user.
The lid element 3 is connected to the body 2 by a hinge 13 that comprises two connecting elements 14 distanced from one another and an elastic connecting element 15 interposed between the connecting elements 14.
The hinge 13 enables the lid element 3 to be moved between a closed configuration A (shown in Figure 1), in which the closing portion 10 engages the dispensing portion 8, and an open configuration B (shown in Figure 2), in which the closing portion 10 is distanced from the dispensing portion 8.
The hinge 13 is obtained peripherally on the end wall 6 and is shaped in such a way as to be positioned, in the closed configuration A, inside a region bounded by a perimeter edge 32 of the side wall 4.
In other words, the hinge 13 is nearer the dispensing portion 8 than the side wall 4 and does not protrude beyond the side wall 4.
In this way, the cap means 1 can be applied to container necks through conventional capping heads.
The connecting elements 14 define a rotation axis X (shown in Figure 2) around which the lid element 3 rotates.
The rotation axis X is positioned at a distance D from the resting surface 9.
The position of the rotation axis X enables the closing portion 10, the projecting element 41 and the dispensing portion 8, at the moment of their first interaction with one another when the lid element 3 is rotated from the open configuration B to the closed configuration A, to be mutually tilted by an angle of limited width.
In particular, the aforesaid width is less than in cases in which the rotation axis X lies on the resting plane 9, as occurs in known caps.
In this way, the risks of interference between the closing wall 11 - and/or the projecting element 41 - and the dispensing portion 8, and mutual positioning drawbacks are limited that may prevent the lid element 3 from assuming the closed configuration A.
In particular, the projecting element 41 is guided towards the hole 42 and penetrates inside the latter without interfering with the walls that bound it.
The elastic connecting element 15 acts as a return spring that enables the lid element 3 to be maintained near the resting surface 9 in the closed configuration A, and enables the lid element 9 to be maintained distant from the resting surface 9 in the open configuration B.
The lid element 3 is provided with opening indicating means 16 that enables a user to check whether the cap means 1 has been tampered with.
The opening indicating means 16 comprises two tamperproof bands 17 which, before the cap means 1 is opened for the first time, is connected to the further side wall 7 through bridge elements 18.
The tamperproof bands 17 define portions of the further side wall 7.
The tamperproof bands 17 are positioned on opposite sides of the lid element 3 with respect to the gripping element 12 and are arranged in a zone comprised between the gripping element 12 and the hinge 13.
In an embodiment that is not shown, it is possible to provide only a tamperproof band 17 arranged between the gripping element 12 and the hinge 13.
Each tamperproof band 17 comprises a first surface 20, facing the outside of the lid element 3, and a second surface 21, facing the inside of the lid element 3. Between the first surface 20 and the second surface 21 there extends an edge surface 19 arranged for being received on the resting surface 9 when the lid element 3 is in the closed configuration A.
Each tamperproof band 17 is circumferally bounded by opening zones 22 that separate it laterally from the further side wall 7.
Each tamperproof band 17 is provided with two wedge-shaped hooking elements 23 that are distanced from one another that project transversely from the first surface 20.
The hooking elements 23 are shaped in such a way as to have, when the lid element is in the closed configuration B, cross sections increasing progressively moving away from the resting surface 9. Each hooking element 23 is provided with a third surface 24, tilted with respect to a first surface 20, and connected, at an end opposite the edge surface 19, to a locking surface 25 (shown better in Figure 5).
The opening indicating means 16 comprises two locking portions 26 associated with the body 2 and arranged on opposite sides with respect to the dispensing portion 8 in such a way as to receive, when the cap means 1 is closed for the first time, the tamperproof bands 17.
Each locking portion 26 comprises a first wall 27 that projects from a peripheral zone of the resting surface 9 substantially parallel to the side wall 4. On the first wall 27 there are obtained hooking holes 28, with a substantially rectangular shape, each of which is arranged for receiving a corresponding hooking element 23, when the cap means 1 is closed for the first time. Each hooking hole 28 is bounded by a further locking surface 29, arranged substantially parallel to the resting surface 9, that cooperates with the locking surface 25 to prevent the corresponding hooking element 23, and therefore the tamperproof band 17, from disengaging from the locking portion 26 when the cap means 1 is opened for the first time.
Each locking portion 26 is provided with an engagement promoting surface 30 obtained on the first wall 27 in such a way as to face the dispensing portion 5 and arranged for interacting with the hooking elements 23 when the cap means is closed for the first time. The engagement promoting surface 30 is tilted with respect to the resting surface 9 in such a way as to guide each hooking element 23 to the corresponding hooking hole 28.
The engagement promoting surface 30 is tilted with respect to an intended approach direction along which the lid element 3 is brought near the body 2.
At opposite ends of each first wall 27 there are provided second walls 31 that project from the wall 27 to a more internal zone of the resting surface 9 in such a way as to be arranged transversely to the perimeter edge 32. The second walls 31 make the opening indicating means 16 safer and more reliable inasmuch as the tamperproof bands 17 are surrounded on several sides and are therefore more protected so as to limit the risk of tampering.
The locking portions 26 comprise guide means 34 arranged for guiding the tamperproof bands 17 when the cap means 1 is closed for the first time. The guide means 34 projects from the resting surface 9, is more distant from the perimeter edge 32 than the first walls 27 and faces the latter. The guide means 34 comprises a pair of end guide elements 33 connected to the second walls 31 and an intermediate guide element 35 interposed between the two end guide elements 33. In an embodiment that is not shown, a plurality of intermediate guide elements can be provided.
In a further embodiment that is not shown, the end guide elements may not be connected to the second walls 31.
The end guide elements 33 and the intermediate guide element 35 are positioned in such a way as to interact with the second surface 21 of the tamperproof band 17.
Further, the end guide elements 33 and the intermediate guide element 35 are arranged at the bridge elements 18.
When the cap means 1 is closed for the first time, the tamperproof band 17 is pushed towards the resting surface 9 to engage the corresponding locking portion 26. The hooking element 23, owing to the engagement promoting surface 30, is induced to occupy the corresponding hooking hole 28.
When the third surface 24 interacts with the first wall 27, the bridge elements 18 are deformed. Excessive deformation could cause the bridge elements 18 to break and therefore make them ineffective as opening indicator devices.
In order to prevent the bridge elements 18 from getting excessively deformed the guide means 34 limits flexure of the tamperproof bands 17 at the bridge elements 18, preventing the latter from breaking prematurely.
Further, the guide means 34 reduces the risk of tampering. The guide means in facts prevents the hooking elements from being pushed towards the dispensing portion 8, i.e. to the inside of the cap means 1, to be disengaged from the respective hooking holes 28.
On each locking portion 26, in a zone that is more distant from the resting surface 9, inspection openings 36 are obtained that, when the lid element is in the closed configuration A, enable a user to inspect the bridge elements 18 to check the unbrokenness thereof.
When the cap means 1 is opened for the first time, a user acts on the gripping element 12 in such a way as to remove the lid element 3 from the resting surface 9. The locking portions 26 prevent the tamperproof bands 17 from moving together with the lid element 3. This generates stress that breaks the bridge elements 18.
The hooking elements interact with the hooking holes 28 so that the tamperproof bands 17 are retained on the body 2 and are not dispersed in the environment.
The tamperproof bands 17 are retained on the body 2 also owing to a labyrinth structure, or cage structure, defined by the first wall 27 (and by the hooking holes 28 with which the first wall 27 is provided), by the guide means 34 and possibly by the second walls 31.
The labyrinth structure, or cage structure, mentioned above enables cap means 1 with great inviolability to be obtained. The tamperproof bands 17 and the locking portions 26 are nearer to the rotation axis X than the gripping element 12.
As the distance of the gripping element 12 from the hinge 13 is greater than the distances of each of the bridge elements 18 from the hinge 13, an opening promoting force exerted on the gripping element 12 by a user thus has a greater arm than the arm of forces resisting to the opening and generated by the bridge elements 18.
As a result, the user can easily open the cap means 1, also exploiting the lever that is favourable to him that is defined by the particular arrangement of the bridge elements 18 and of the gripping element 12 on the lid element 3.
Further, as the bridge elements 18 of each tamperproof band 17 are arranged at different distances from the rotation axis X - and then, when the cap means is opened for the first time, are subject to deformation that is greater the greater their distance is from the rotation axis X - it is possible to break in sequence the bridge elements 18 in such a way that the cap means can be opened with greater facility.
In an embodiment that is not shown, the bridge elements 18 arranged near the gripping element 12 have cross sections that are less than the cross sections of the bridge elements 18 arranged near the hinge 3.
In particular, the cross sections of the bridge elements increase progressively the nearer they are to the hinge 3. As a result, during the first closure of the cap means 1, the first bridge elements 18 to be stressed are those nearest the hinge 13, i.e. the most resistant ones.
This means that the risks of damage, or breakage, of the bridge elements 18 during the first closure of the cap means 1 are reduced.
During the first opening of the cap means 1, the bridge elements 18 that are most stressed are those that are nearest the gripping element 12, i.e. the less resistant ones.
This enables the first opening of the cap means 1 to be facilitated.
In conclusion, as the cross sections of the bridge elements 18 increase proceeding from the gripping element 12 to the hinge 13, it is possible to limit the risks of breakage of the bridge elements during the first closure of the cap means 1 and to obtain an improved seal.
Figures 6 and 7 show another embodiment of the cap means 1 comprising a single tamperproof band (the further tamperproof band 37) cooperating with a corresponding sole locking portion (the further locking portion 38).
The further locking portion 38 is arranged on an opposite side of the hinge 13 with respect to the dispensing portion 8, whilst the further tamperproof band 37 is arranged near the gripping element 12. In this way, when the lid element 3 is in the closed configuration A (shown in Figure 7), the further tamperproof band 37 cooperates with the further locking portion 38 and is arranged between the gripping element 12 and the resting surface 9. The further tamperproof band 37 can have a greater extent than the tamperproof bands 17 and may comprise a greater number of hooking elements 23, for example three hooking elements 23. Correspondingly, the further locking portion 38 can be provided with three hooking holes 28.
The further tamperproof band 37 can be provided with a greater number of bridge elements 18 (for example four) with respect to the tamperproof bands 17.
Accordingly, the further locking portion 38 can comprise a corresponding number of control openings 36.
With reference to Figures 1 to 9, a tamperproof ring 39 can be connected to the body 2 through bridge portions 40 that are broken if the body 2 is loosened from the neck, thus indicating that the cap means has been opened or tampered with.
As shown in Figure 8, the dispensing portion 8 protrudes from wall means 43 arranged substantially parallel to the resting surface 9 and more distant from the tamperproof ring 39 than the resting surface 9.
In such a case, a user can rest his mouth on the wall means 43 rather than on the resting surface 9, preventing interaction, even accidentally, with the locking portions 26, or with the further locking portion 38.
With reference to Figure 9, there is shown cap means 1 comprising recess means 44 obtained in the body 2 and arranged for receiving the tamperproof bands 17 when the lid element 3 is in the closed configuration A.
The recess means 44 has an opening 45 at the resting surface 9 and is partially bounded by the locking portions 26 that are positioned in such a way as to define a prolongation of the side wall 4.
The locking portions 26 do not project from the recess means 44 through the opening 45.
In other words, the locking portions 26 are shaped in such a way as not to project from the body 2 beyond the resting surface 28.
In this way, the cap means 1 is more comfortable for a user, who does not risk interacting, even accidentally, with the locking portions 26.
Both in the embodiment shown in Figure 8 and in the embodiment shown in Figure 9, mouthpiece surface means can be identified - defined, respectively, by the wall means 43, or by the resting surface 9, - which is arranged for receiving the mouth of a user and is more distant from a zone of the body 2 opposite the dispensing portion than the locking portions 26.

Claims

Cap means, comprising:
- a body (2) suitable for being associated with a container neck and comprising a side wall (4) bounded above by an end wall (6), said end wall (6) extending transversely with respect to said side wall (4), said body (2) being provided on said end wall (6) with dispensing means (8);

- lid means (3) arranged for closing said dispensing means (8), said end wall (6) defining a resting surface (9) on which said lid means (3) abuts to close said dispensing means (8);

- opening indicating means (17; 37) connected to said lid means (3) through breakable means (18) and comprising hooking means (23) arranged for engaging corresponding further hooking means (26; 38) of said body (2), said further hooking means (26; 38) comprising wall means (27) associated with said body (2), said wall means (27) projecting from said resting surface (9);
characterised in that with said further hooking means (26; 38) there is associated guide means (34) arranged for limiting deformations of said opening indicating means (17; 37) when said hooking means (23) interacts with said further hooking means (26; 38), said guide means (34) projecting from said resting surface (9) and facing said wall means (27) .
Cap means according to claim 1, wherein said further hooking means (26; 38) comprises further wall means (31) associated with said body (2) and arranged transversely with respect to said wall means (27).
Cap means according to claim 2, wherein said further wall means comprises walls (31) leading away from opposite ends of said wall means (27).
Cap means according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said guide means comprises guide elements (33, 35) associated with said body (2).
Cap means according to claim 4, wherein said guide elements (33, 35) face said wall means (27).
Cap means according to claim 4, or 5, wherein said breakable means comprises a plurality of bridge elements (18), each guide element (33, 35) facing a respective bridge element (18) of said plurality of bridge elements (18) when said hooking means (23) interacts with said further hooking means(26, 28).
Cap means according to any preceding claim, wherein said further hooking means (26; 38) comprises engagement promoting means (30) arranged for inducing said hooking means (23) to interact with said further hooking means (26; 28).
Cap means according to claim 7, wherein said engagement promoting means comprises an engagement promoting surface (30) tilted with respect to an intended approach direction along which said hooking means (23) interacts with said further hooking means (26; 38).
Cap means according to claim 8, wherein said engagement promoting surface (30) converges on said dispensing means (8).
Cap means according to claim 8, or 9, wherein said engagement promoting surface (30) defines a bevelled portion of said wall means (27).
Cap means according to any preceding claim, wherein said further hooking means (26; 38) comprises opening means (36) arranged for enabling the status of said breakable means (18) to be checked when said cap means (1) is in a closed position (A) in which said lid means (3) engages said dispensing means (8).
Cap means according to claim 11, wherein said opening means (36) comprises a plurality of openings (36) obtained in said wall means (27).
Cap means according to claim 12, wherein, in said closed position (A), each opening (36) of said plurality of openings (36) is arranged at a breakable element (18) of a plurality of breakable elements with which said breakable means is provided.
Cap means according to any preceding claim, and further comprising hinge means (13) connecting said lid means (3) to said body (2) in such a way as to enable said cap means (1) to assume a closed configuration (A), in which said lid means (3) engages said dispensing means (8).
Cap means according to claim 14, wherein said hinge means does not protrude from said body (2) beyond said side wall (4) when said cap means (1) is in said closed configuration (A).
Cap means according to claim 15, wherein said hinge means (13) is provided in a zone arranged inside a perimeter edge (32) of said body (2).
Cap means according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein said hinge means defines rotation axis means (X) for mutual rotation of said lid means (3) and said body (2), said resting surface (9) being arranged for receiving an end (19) of said lid means (3) in said closed configuration (A) and said rotation axis means (X) being distant from said resting surface (9).
Cap means according to claim 17 as appended to claim 15, or 16, wherein said rotation axis means (X) is arranged on a side opposite said side wall (4) with respect to said resting surface (9).
Cap means according to claim 17, or 18, wherein said rotation axis means (X) is arranged substantially parallel to said resting surface (9).
Cap means according to any one of claims 17 to 19, wherein said hinge means (13) comprises a pair of connecting elements (14) defining said rotation axis means (X).
Cap means according to any one of claims 14 to 20, wherein said hinge means (13) comprises elastic connecting means (15) arranged for maintaining said cap means (1) in said closed configuration (A), or in an open configuration (B), in which said lid means (3) disengages from said dispensing means (8).
Cap means according to claim 21 as appended to claim 20, wherein said elastic connecting means comprises an elastic connecting element (15) interposed between said connecting elements (14).
Cap means according to any preceding claim, wherein said hooking means comprises hooking elements (23) projecting from said opening indicating means (17; 37).
Cap means according to claim 23, wherein said further hooking means (26; 38) comprises recess elements (28) arranged for cooperating with said hooking elements (23).
Cap means according to claim 24, wherein said recess elements (28) are obtained in said wall means (27).
Cap means according to claim 25, wherein said recess elements (28) comprise hooking holes (28).
Cap means according to any preceding claim, wherein said opening indicating means comprises a pair of tamperproof bands (17).
Cap means according to claim 27, wherein said tamperproof bands (17) are arranged on opposite sides with respect to a gripping zone (12) of said lid means (3).
Cap means according to any one of claims 1 to 26, wherein said opening indicating means comprises a tamperproof band (37).
Cap means according to claim 29, wherein said tamperproof band (37) is arranged at a gripping zone (12) of said lid means (3).
Cap means according to any preceding claim, and further comprising mouthpiece surface means (9; 43), said mouthpiece surface means (9; 43) being more distant than said further hooking means (26; 38) from a zone (39) of said body (2) opposite said dispensing means (8).
Cap means according to any preceding claim, wherein said further hooking means (26; 38) is received in cavity means (44) of said body (2).
Cap means according to claim 32 as appended to claim 31, wherein said further hooking means (26; 38) is so shaped as to extend from said body (2) towards said dispensing means (8) without protruding from said cavity means (44) beyond said mouthpiece surface means (43).