EP2007643A1

EP2007643A1 - Container comprising a neck equipped with a screwed closure

Info

Publication number: EP2007643A1
Application number: EP07731326A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Grégory ANTIER; Stéphane GRAUX; Michel Luzzato
Original assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings and Finance SA
Current assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings and Finance SA
Priority date: 2006-04-20
Filing date: 2007-04-19
Publication date: 2008-12-31
Also published as: CA2649573A1; MX2008013322A; WO2007122324A1

Abstract

The invention concerns a container (1) comprising a neck (2) equipped with a screwed closure (3). The closure (3) comprises a cap (31) connected to a pilferproof ring (37) via at least one cleavable part (38), while the neck (2) comprises, opposite the opening of the neck (2) relative to a thread (21) for screwing the cap (31), a first outer radial flange (23) for retaining the pilferproof ring (27) before the closure is opened and a region (25) designed to co-operate with a member (91, 92) for transporting the container. Between said flange (23) and said region (25), the neck is provided with a protrusion (26), projecting radially outwards, for retaining and centering the pilferproof ring (37) after the cleavable part (38) has been at least partly broken. The first flange (23), the retaining and centering protrusion (26) and the transporting region (25') are formed by three separate flanges. Additionally, the axial distance between the first flange and the second flange (26) forming the protrusion retaining and centering the pilferproof ring (37), is such that the distance between the first flange (23) and the ring (37) supported on the second flange (26) is greater than 0.5 mm.

Description

CONTAINER COMPRISING A COLLAR EQUIPPED WITH A DEVICE

Screw closure

The present invention relates to a container having a neck equipped with a screw closure device.

It is known, for example EP-AO 697 343, to equip the neck of a bottle or other container with a net on which can be screwed a closure device comprising a plug secured to a strip of inviolability provided to bear against a flange formed outside the neck. The plug and the strip are connected by a breakable part, formed by a thinned area or ruptible bridges, this part being torn during the first unscrewing of the plug, so that the tamper-evident band is separated from the plug, which is noted normally a user. Furthermore, it is known to provide on the outside of the neck of a container a hollow or protruding zone intended to cooperate with a container transport member, in particular on a bottling line.

With the known containers, it happens that, during the first unscrewing of the plug, the separation between the plug and the tamper-evident band is imperfect because the tamper-evident band partially separated from the plug tends to slide towards the zone intended to cooperate with a transport member, to the point that it is no longer centered radially with respect to the axis of the neck, which induces that the tearing force of the breakable part, which should normally lead to a complete separation of the plug and tamper band, does not occur properly. It thus happens that the cap can not be easily separated from the tamper-evident band, which imposes on the user painful manipulations. Indeed, in a device such as that of EP-A-

0 697 343, when the sealing strip is detached from the

^• Remainder of the cap, it can fall on the upper part of a ring which is positioned, with respect to the opening of the neck, at a distance fixed by its main function, namely to support the container during its transport. Thus, the distance between the flange normally receiving support the tamper-evident band and the transport ring is such that it can not be guaranteed that the tamper-evident ring will be properly positioned during and after its separation from the main part of the cap.

It is these drawbacks that the invention intends to remedy more particularly by proposing a new container with which the separation between a plug and the associated tamper band is facilitated and made reliable.

For this purpose, the invention relates to a container comprising a neck equipped with a screw closure device, the closure device comprising a cap connected to a tamper-evident band by at least one breakable part, while the collar comprises, at the opposite of the opening of the neck with respect to a screw thread of the cap, a radial outer collar retaining the tamper-evident band before opening the closure device, and a zone intended to cooperate with a transport member of the container, while between the collar and the aforementioned zone, the neck is provided with a relief, projecting radially outwards, retaining and centering the tamper-evident band after at least partial break of the breakable part .

According to a first aspect of the invention, the first outer radial flange, the center retaining relief of the tamper-evident band and the zone intended to cooperate with a transport member are formed by three separate flanges, which protrude radially outwardly relative to an outer surface of the neck and which extend respectively at different and increasing distances relative to the outlet of this neck.

According to another definition of the invention, the axial distance between the first flange and the retaining and centering relief of the tamper-evident band is such that, when the tamper-evident band bears against this relief, the axial distance between the tamper-evident band and the flange is greater than 0.5 mm, preferably 1 mm.

Both definitions of the invention given above belong to the same global inventive concept insofar as they stem from the same approach, namely the fact of optimally positioning a tamper band during and after its implementation. detachment of a plug, this thanks to specially adapted means, whether they are three in number or that are spaced from each other in a predetermined manner.

According to advantageous but non-obligatory aspects of the invention, such a container may incorporate one or more of the features of claims 2, 3 and 5 to 10.

The invention will be better understood and other advantages thereof will appear more clearly in the light of the following description of three embodiments of a container according to its principle, given solely as an example and made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a partial view in elevation and in half section of a container according to the invention before a first opening, FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 after a first opening of the container,

FIG. 3 is a view on a smaller scale of the neck of the container of FIGS. 1 and 2; FIG. 4 is a view on a larger scale of detail IV in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 for a container according to a second embodiment of the invention; FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 1 for a container according to a third embodiment of FIG. the invention, and

- Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 2 for the container of Figure 6. The bottle 1 partially shown in Figures 1 to 4 is equipped with a neck 2 centered on an axis X-X 'which is vertical in these figures. The neck 2 is provided with an external thread 21 for screwing a closure device 3 which comprises a cap 31 formed of a cap 32 and a ring 33 disposed inside the cap 32 and provided with an internal thread 34 intended to cooperate with the thread 21. The cap 32 and the ring 33 are integral in rotation with the relief means provided on their respective facing surfaces. The stopper 31 is equipped with a sealing disc 35 disposed near the bottom 36 of the cap 32 and intended to bear against an upper outer edge 22 of the neck 2, closing off the outlet D of the neck 2.

The ring 33 is integral with a band or sealing ring 37 disposed around the neck 2, opposite the thread 21 relative to a collar 23 which projects radially outwardly from the outer surface 24 of the neck 2. The band 37 is connected to the ring 33 by several breakable bridges 38. Alternatively, a continuous tear-off zone could be provided between the band 33 and the band 37. The band 37 is equipped with an internal tongue 39, which can be continuous or discontinuous around the X-X 'axis.

The neck 2 is provided with a constricted portion 25 which defines an annular volume ₂₅ surrounding the portion V

25 and in which can be engaged the arms of a handling fork of the bottle 1 on a bottling line. Such arms are shown in section, in Figure 1 only, with references 91 and 92.

Before the first opening of the bottle 1, the closure device is in the configuration of FIG. 1. In this configuration, if a pulling force is exerted on the cap 32 tending to move the disk 35 away from the edge 22 or unscrewing force of the plug 31, the tongue 39 comes to bear, by its free edge 39a, against an annular shoulder 23a formed by the flange 23 and turned towards the portion 25. If one wishes to effectively unscrew the plug 31, the unscrewing force induces rupture of the bridges 38.

This break is not simultaneous for all the bridges but occurs gradually. In order to ensure that, during the break or the successive tearing of the bridges 38, the band 37 remains generally centered around the axis X-X ', an annular ring

26 is formed around the neck 2, between the flange 23 and the portion 25. With this ring 26, the band 37 is not likely to tip, in the direction of the arrow Fi in Figure 1, until it comes s' partially engage in the zone 25, in which case it could be off-center with respect to the axis XX ', which could hinder the breaking of the bridges 38 located opposite the part of the band 37 already engaged in the volume V ₂₅ .

In other words, the ring 26 makes it possible to retain the tamper band 37 away from the volume V ₂₅ , so that this band 37 remains generally centered around the axis XX 'and perpendicular thereto , which ensures an easy break of the bridges 38 over the entire periphery of the plug 31.

As is more particularly apparent from FIG. 2, when all the bridges 38 have been broken, the band 37 comes to bear by its tongue 39 against a surface 26a of the ring 26 which delimits this ring on the side of the flange 23. The surface 26a is frustoconical and convergent towards the outlet D of the neck 2, with a half angle at the top α, measured with respect to a plane P perpendicular to the axis X-X ', which has a value of the order of 55 °. In practice, the angle α can have a value between 45 and 60 °.

We denote di the axial distance between the collar 23 and the rod 26, this distance being measured parallel to the axis X-X ', between the centers of the elements 23 and 26. The distance di is chosen so that when the strip 37 rests against the ring 26 after rupture of the bridges 38, as shown in Figure 2, the axial distance d ₂ between the edge 37a of the strip 37 facing the cap 31 and the shoulder 23a is sufficient for a user even uninformed, notice the separation between the strip 37 and the stopper 31. the distance d ₂ is greater selected or equal to 0.2 times the axial height h.3 ₇ of the strip 37, preferably greater than or equal to 0 , 33 times this axial height which is measured parallel to the axis X-X '. In practice, dΣ is greater than 0.5 mm, preferably greater than 1 mm. In addition, the geometry of the cap 31 and the distance di are chosen so that the axial distance d ₃ between the edge 37a and the edge 31a of the cap completely screwed on the neck 2 is sufficiently large for a user, even if not aware, the notice. The distance d ₃ is chosen equal to a fraction of the height h ₃₇ . It is chosen greater than or equal to 0.25 times this height, preferably greater than or equal to 0.4 times this height. In practice, dβ is greater than 0.5 mm, preferably greater than 1 mm. Thus, the geometry and the position of the ring 26 make it possible to ensure that the strip 37 reaches, at the end of its separation from the stopper 31, in a position where it remains centered with respect to the axis XX 'while being disposed at distances d ₂ and d ₃ of the flange 23 and 31 cap sufficient for a user to realize that the container has already been opened.

The external radial surface of the neck 2 located between the collar 23 and the collar 26 is noted 27. This surface 27 is frustoconical and divergent in the direction of the outlet D of the neck 2. It is noted that β is the half-angle at the apex of the surface 27. This angle β has a value between 5 and 30 °. Due to the frustoconical character of the surface 27, the strip 37 slides easily towards the ring 26, from the breaking of the first bridges 38 and this independently of the orientation of the axis X-X 'relative to the vertical.

The frustoconical character of the surface 27 furthermore prevents an unscrupulous user from attempting to push the strip 37 towards the stopper 1 to conceal the breakage of the bridges 38 after opening the bottle B. In fact, given the geometry of the surface 27, the tongue 39 slides along this surface towards the rod 26 as soon as the jumpers have been broken. The band 37 is thus removed by default from the elements 23 and 31. In the second embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 5, elements similar to those of the first ^• embodiment bear identical references. The neck 2 of this embodiment comprises a flange 23 which defines a shoulder 23a against which may abut a portion of a not shown sealing strip and the type of the strip 37. The neck 2 also carries a flange 25 under which may be engaged the arms of a handling fork, one of these arms 91 being shown in section in Figure 5. The flange 25 'therefore has a function similar to the portion 25 of the first embodiment.

Between the elements 23 and 25 ', a ring or flange 26 projects radially with respect to the external surface of the neck 2, which enables it to retain the tamper-evident band, against its movement directed towards the collar 25 after breaking bridges similar to the bridges 38 of the first embodiment. Apart from the presence of the flange 25 ', the geometry of the neck 2 of the embodiment of FIG. 5 is similar to that of the neck 2 of the first embodiment.

The distance between the outlet of the neck 2 and a median plane P23 of the flange 23 is noted d ₂₃ , this plane being perpendicular to the axis of symmetry of the neck. Note also ₂₆ the distance between the same outlet and a median plane P ₂₆ of the ring 26. Finally, note ₂₅ the distance between the outlet and a median plane P2 ₅ 'of the flange 25'.

The distance d ₂ 3 is strictly less than the distance d ₂ β _r itself strictly less than the distance d ₂₅ '. The difference between the distances d ₂₃ and d ₂ ε is equal to the distance di identified with reference to the first embodiment, it being understood that this distance di is such that, when the tamper-evident band bears on the ring or flange 26, the axial distance between this band and the flange 23 is greater than 0.5 mm, preferably 1 mm.

Further, the distance dx is determined so that, in the above-mentioned configuration, the distance between the tamper-evident band and the lower edge of the plug completely screwed onto the neck is greater than 0.5 mm, preferably at 1 mm.

In the third embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 6 and 7, the elements similar to those of the first embodiment bear identical references. In this embodiment, the neck 2 of a bottle 1 is provided with a thread 21 and three collars 23, 26 and 25 'having the same function as those bearing the same references in FIG. 5. The flange 25' allows to carry the neck 2 in support on two arms

91 and 92 of a transport fork, when necessary.

A closure device 3 comprises a plug 31 screwed onto the neck 2 and secured to a tamper-evident band 37 before the first opening of the device 3. A zone of structural weakness connects the plug 31 to the band 37; it is represented by the dotted line 38 in Figures 6 and 7. Alternatively, the elements 31 and 37 may be connected by breakable bridges. When the zone 38 is broken during the first opening of the device 3, the band 37 falls towards the flange 26 against which it bears by an internal peripheral bead 37b. The dimensions of the flange 26 and the ring 37 are chosen so that the flange 37 retains the ring 37 by its heel 37b and the center substantially on a central axis X-X 'of the neck 2.

We note, as previously, d ₂₃ , d ₂₆ and d ₂₅ 'the distance between the median planes P ₂ 3, P _{26 Λ} P ₂ 5' of the flanges 23, 26 and 25 'and the outlet D of the neck 2. These distances are different and increasing.

The difference di between the distances d2 ₃ and d26 is such that, after rupture of the zone of weakness 38 and as shown in FIG. 7, the distance d ₂ between the upper edge 37a of the tamper band 37 and the collar 23 is greater than 0.5 mm, preferably 1 mm, mistletoe facilitates good visualization of the fact that the tamper-evident tape 37 has been separated from the stopper 31. the distance d is also chosen so ^'that, in In the configuration of FIG. 7, the axial distance d ₃ between the upper edge 37a of the tamper-evident band 37 and the lower edge 31a of the plug is greater than 0.5 mm, preferably greater than 1 mm, as in the modes previous embodiments.

Note 1 ₂₃ the radial width of the flange 23, that is to say the distance on which this flange protrudes relative to the outer peripheral surface 24 of the neck 2. In the same way, we note IΣβ the radial width of the flange 26 and I ₂₅ 'the radial width of the flange 25'. The width I ₂₆ is smaller than the width I 2 ₃ which is itself smaller than the width I ₂₅ '. This is to be compared to the fact that the flange 25 'must be sufficiently wide to allow • effective support of the neck 2 on the transport arms 91 and 92, while the flanges 23 and 26 must be able to be contained in the internal cylindrical volume of the cap 31 before the tamper band 37 is separated therefrom. Moreover, the width 1 ₂₆ is smaller than the width 1 ₂₃ because the tamperproof band 37 must be able to rest against and around the collar 26, being centered thereon, after its separation from the stopper 31, while it must not be able to cross the flange 23 during a displacement towards the outlet D of the collar 2, whether during the first opening of the bottle 1 or when used later.

According to a variant not shown of the invention, the surface of the neck 2 located between the flanges 23 and 26 may be frustoconical and divergent towards the outlet D, as in the previous embodiments.

The invention has been shown, in the first embodiment, with a sealing strip 37 provided with an inner tongue 39 which can have a clearance with respect to the main part of the strip 37. In the second embodiment, the sealing strip comprises an internal bead 37b. The invention is applicable regardless of the exact type of sealing strip 37.

The invention has been shown, in the first embodiment, with a cap 31 formed of a cap 32 and an inner ring 33. It is however applicable with any type of screw cap, monobloc, as in the third mode implementation, or multipartite. Moreover, the presence of the sealing disc 35 is not mandatory, as is apparent from the third embodiment.

The technical features of the various embodiments can be combined with each other.

Claims

Container (1) comprising a neck (2) equipped with a screw closure device (3), the closure device comprising a plug (31) connected to a tamper-evident band (37) by at least one breakable part (38), whereas the neck comprises, opposite the outlet (D) of the neck with respect to a thread (21) for screwing the plug, a first outer radial flange (23) for retaining the tamper-evident band (37) before opening the closure device and a zone (25 ') intended to cooperate with a transport member (91, 92) of the container and while between the collar (23) and the zone (25; 25') aforementioned, the neck is provided with a relief (26) radially outwardly projecting, retaining and centering the tamper-evident band (37) after at least partial rupture of the breakable part (38), characterized in that the first outer radial flange (23), the retaining and centering relief (26) and the zone (25 ') intended to cooperate with a gold transport frame (91, 92) are formed by three distinct flanges, projecting radially outwardly with respect to an outer surface (24) of the neck

(2), these flanges extending respectively at distances (d ₂ 3, dz ^ _r d.2 $ ') different and increasing relative to the outlet (D) of the neck.

2. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the flange (26) for retaining and centering the tamper-evident strip projects, with respect to the external surface (24) of the neck (2), over a width ( I2 ₆ ) less than the width (I23, I25O on which the two other flanges (21, 25 ') project from this surface.

3. Container according to claim 2, characterized in that the flange (23) retaining the band before opening of the closure device (3) protrudes from the radial outer surface (24) of the neck (2) by a width (I2 ₃ ) smaller than the width (I ₂₅ O which flange (25 ') forming the zone intended to cooperate with a transport member

(91, 92) protrudes from this surface.

4. Container (1) having a neck (2) equipped with a screw closure device (3), the closure device comprising a plug (31) connected to a tamper-evident band (37) by at least one breakable part (38), whereas the neck comprises, opposite the outlet (D) of the neck with respect to a thread (21) for screwing the plug, a first outer radial flange (23) for retaining the tamper-evident band (37) before opening the closure device and a zone (25 ') intended to cooperate with a transport member (91, 92) of the container, and while between the collar (23) and the zone (25; 25') ), the neck is provided with a relief (26) radially outwardly projecting, retaining and centering the tamper-evident band (37) after at least partial breakage of the breakable part (38), characterized in that the axial distance (di) between the first flange (23) and the retaining and centering relief (26) is such that when the strip of i nviolabilité (37) bears against this relief, the axial distance (d ₂ ) between the tamper-evident band and the flange is greater than 0.5 mm, preferably greater than 1 mm.

5. Container according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the projecting relief is formed by an annular ring (26) surrounding the neck (2) and delimited, on the side of the flange (23), by a frustoconical surface (26a) converging toward the outlet (D) of the neck (2) and adapted to receive in bearing the tamper-evident band (37).

6. Container according to claim 5, characterized in that the tamper-evident band (37) is equipped with an inner tongue (39) adapted to abut by a free edge (39a) against the first flange (23) when the tamper evident band is integral with the plug (31), this tongue being able to bear against the frustoconical surface (26a) of the ring (26) when the tamper evident band is separated or being separated from the plug.

7. Container according to one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that the half-angle at the apex (α) of the frustoconical surface (26a) of the rod (26), measured with respect to a plane (P) perpendicular to a central axis (XX ') of the neck, is between 45 and 60 °.

8. Container according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the tamperproof band (37) is provided with an inner peripheral bead (37b) adapted to bear against the first flange (23) when the tamper band is integral with the plug (31) and against the relief (26) of retaining and centering when the tamper evident band is detached from the plug.

9. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the surface (27) of the neck (2) between the flange (23) and the retaining and centering relief (26) is frustoconical (β) and divergent towards the outlet (D) of the pass.

10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the axial distance ^* (di) between the first collar and the retaining and centering relief (26) is such that, when the tamper band (37) is in abutment against this relief, the axial distance (d ₃ ) between the tamper-evident band and the edge of the cap (31) completely screwed onto the neck (2) is greater than 0.5 mm, preferably greater than 1 mm .