EP2081850B1

EP2081850B1 - Anti-tampering closing device for bottles and in particular for bottles of alcoholic drinks or spirits

Info

Publication number: EP2081850B1
Application number: EP07825295A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Nicola Fabiano
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-10-06
Filing date: 2007-09-28
Publication date: 2011-03-02
Anticipated expiration: 2027-09-28
Also published as: DE602007012923D1; WO2008041119A3; ES2362146T3; EA016756B1; EP2081850A2; WO2008041119A2; PL2081850T3; ATE500160T1; EA200901071A1; ITMI20061920A1

Abstract

A closing device (100) for bottles, in particular for bottles of alcoholic drinks or spirits, comprising a cap (1), consisting of a top portion (7) and a side portion (8), a top diffuser (2), suitable for coupling with the cap (1), a bottom diffuser (12), suitable for coupling at the top with the top diffuser (2) and at the bottom suitable for being constrained to the neck of a bottle (5), and a covering lining (4), divided into a top portion (4') and a bottom portion (4") connected to one another along a predetermined breakage line (6), wherein the cap (1) comprises at least one closing tab (9) connected to said side portion (8) of the cap (1), which can take a first position of assembly of the closing device (100), wherein it does not interfere with the coupling between the cap (1) and the top diffuser (2), and a second safety position, subsequent to the first opening of the device (100), wherein the at least one closing tab (9) interferes with at least one abutment portion (15) of the top diffuser (2) preventing the complete reclosure of the device (100) on the bottle (5).

Description

The present invention relates to an anti-tampering closing device for bottles and in particular for bottles of alcoholic drinks or spirits.
Several closing devices for bottles of alcoholic drinks are currently known, generally consisting of a cap and a dispenser.
The cap exhibits an inner threading suitable for engaging with a corresponding threading provided on the outer surface of the dispenser for opening or closing the bottle.
The latter is fixed pressure-wise into the opening of the bottleneck or, through known means, to the bottleneck. Moreover, a further cap covering lining is generally provided, made of an aluminium film or plastic. Generally, the known closing devices further exhibit an annular band provided with a predetermined breakage line for connecting, before opening, the cap to the bottleneck.
The presence of this annular band serves for making it clear whether the bottle has already been opened. In fact, the bottle cannot be opened without causing the breakage of the above annular band, at the predetermined breakage line. As a consequence, the breakage of the annular band denotes a previous opening of the bottle. The signalling of a previous opening of a bottle is necessary because once the bottle has been opened, it would be very easy to remove the diffuser to alter the contents of the bottle itself. It therefore is a market requirement that the end purchaser may clearly recognise the condition of integrity of the bottle and consequently, of the contents thereof.
In view of the above, the need of having a closing device for bottles like that according to the present invention, which should allow eliminating or in any case reducing the possibility that a tampering of the bottle integrity or opening thereof and consequently a possible alteration or contamination of the contents thereof, is not immediately evident, is clear.
WO 2007/091173 discloses a closing device for bottles according to the preamble of claim 1.
WO 2004/011347 discloses a closing device for bottles provided with tamper-evidence means.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to solve the problems of the prior art providing a closing device for bottles which should clearly and openly show whether a bottle has been opened at least once after the original packaging thereof.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a closing device for bottles which should be simple and easy to use. Finally, another object of the present invention is to provide a closing device for bottles which should be simple and inexpensive to make.
These and other objects according to the present invention are achieved by providing a closing device for bottles and in particular for bottles of alcoholic drinks or spirits as described in claim 1.
Further features of the closing device are defined in the dependent claims.
The features and the advantages of a closing device for bottles and in particular, for bottles of alcoholic drinks or spirits according to the present invention will appear more clearly from the following description, made by way of an indicative non-limiting example with reference to the annexed schematic drawings, wherein:

figure 1 shows a perspective exploded view of a closing device according to the present invention;
figure 2 shows a partial section side elevation view of the closing device of figure 1, mounted on the neck of a bottle, in a closed configuration preceding the first opening;
figure 3 shows a partial section side elevation view of the closing device of figure 1, in a closed configuration subsequent to the first opening;
figure 4 shows a section view of the closing device of figure 3 along line C-C;
figure 5 shows a perspective view of the cap of the device of figure 1;
figure 6 shows a partial section side elevation view of the cap of figure 5;
figure 7 shows a section view of the cap of figure 6 along line B-B;
figure 8 shows a perspective view of the diffuser of the device of figure 1;
figure 9 shows a partial section side elevation view of the diffuser of the device of figure 8;
figure 10 shows a perspective view of the bottom diffuser of the device of figure 1;
figure 11 shows a partial section side elevation view of the device of figure 10.

With reference to the figures, there is shown a closing device for bottles and in particular for bottles of alcoholic drinks or spirits, according to the present invention, globally indicated with reference numeral 100. The closing device 100 comprises a cap 1, a top diffuser 2 provided with a splash guard 3 and a covering lining 4. In the figures shown, the closing device 100 further comprises, for constraining to the neck of a bottle 5, a bottom diffuser 12 that, as an alternative, may be integral with the above top diffuser 2.
In order to ensure good coupling between the two diffusers 12 and 2 above, a toothing 50 is provided, arranged in lower position in the top diffuser 2, and a counter toothing 60 in the top portion in the bottom diffuser 12.
Both if the bottom diffuser 12 is integral with the top diffuser 2, and when it is a distinct element, as in the embodiment shown in the figures, it is constrainable in a known manner to the neck of bottle 5.
Lining 4, in a known manner as well, consists of a top portion 4' and a bottom portion 4" connected along a predetermined breakage annular line 6 that is necessarily torn during the first opening of bottle 5. By doing so, lining 4 is divided into a top portion 4' and a bottom portion 4".
Cap 1 comprises a flat top portion 7 and an inner tubular side portion 8 provided with a threading 55 suitable for engaging with a corresponding threading 56 of the top diffuser 2. The engagement between the threading of the inner side portion 8 of cap 1 and the threading of the top del diffuser 2 causes the closing of cap 1 on the top diffuser 2 and consequently of the closing device 100 on the neck of bottle 5.
The side portion 8 of cap 1 extends from the top portion 7 up to reach, with the bottom end portion thereof, beyond the predetermined breakage line 6.
Cap 1 further comprises at least one safety tab 9, connected to the side portion 8 of cap 1.
Each closing tab 9 comprises a substantially flat flexible portion 11, provided with a free end 40, and a projection 30 which extends therefrom outwards going beyond the covering of the side portion 8 of cap 1.
During the assembly of the closing device 100, cap 1 is mounted along with the other components of the closing device so that the free end 40 of the flexible portion 11 of each safety tab 9 does not oppose laterally to the top diffuser 2.
For this to be possible, the flexible portions 11 are free to take their rest position, wherein the free ends 40 thereof do not protrude inside beyond the outline delimited by the side portion 8 of cap 1.
After screwing cap 1 on the top diffuser 2, also the covering lining 4 is assembled on device 100. This compresses projections 30 causing the contraction thereof and the inward bending of the flexible portions 11 on which they are arranged. Advantageously, projections 30 are at the free ends 40 of the flexible portions 11 of the closing tabs 9.
After the assembly of device 100, the latter is associated to a bottle 5.
As already mentioned above, it is possible to associate a bottom diffuser 12 and a valve 13' provided with a ball 13 to the top diffuser 2, and provide cap 1 with a central pin 14 for the interaction with said bottom diffuser 12. During the first opening of device 100, cap 1 and the top diffuser 2 separate, thus causing the breakage of the predetermined breakage line 6.
During the subsequent closing of device 100 on the neck of bottle 5, the free ends 40 of the flexible portions 11 of the safety tabs 9, which face inwards of cap 1 due to the compression of projections 15, laterally interfere with at least one abutment 15 obtained on the outer surface of the top diffuser 2.
In the embodiment shown in the figures, abutments 15 are vertical profile recesses.
Once such configuration has been reached, the top diffuser 2 is not allowed anymore to reach the travel end and as a consequence to complete the closure of the closing device 100.
Advantageously, on the top portion 4' of the covering lining 4, protuberances 70 generate if an excessive tightening strength is exerted on the device in order to return it to the starting condition after the first opening, that is, if such strength is exerted as to overcome the reaction generated by the contact with the closing tabs 9 and abutments 15 that inhibits the last portion of descent of cap 1.
Such protuberances 70 may generate subsequent to the first opening due to the contact between the ends of the flexible tabs 11 opposite to the free ends 40 and the lining 4. In fact, during the closures following the first one, the bending acting on the flexible tabs 11 tends to bend outwards the ends opposite to the free ends 40 so as to contact lining 4 and if an excessive tightening strength is exerted and if the lining is made of aluminium or other yielding material, it can locally deform it generating the above protuberances 70.
In other words, bending the safety tabs 9 inwards, while cap 1 is being closed again, prevents splash guard 3 from abutting on the top portion 7 of cap 1, as it happened before opening.
In this condition, the top portion 4' of lining 4 remains separate relative to the bottom portion A" exposing the bottom end portion 16 of the side portion 8 of cap 1 and consequently showing the first opening of bottle 5. According to an advantageous aspect of the present invention, the opening may be even clearer by providing the bottom end portion 16 of the side portion 8 of cap 1 with a contrast colour as compared to the colour of lining 4. It is understood that the fact that the top diffuser 2 does not reach the top travel end does not affect the closure of the closing device 100 as regards the seal thereof towards the contents of bottle 5. In fact, on the top portion 7 of cap 1 there is a cylindrical relief 17 externally in contact with the inner wall of the top diffuser 2, both in the closing configuration preceding the first opening of bottle 5, and, even if by a shorter length, in the closing configuration subsequent to the first opening of bottle 5.
The features of the system of the present invention as well as the related advantages are clear from the above description and among them we may note:

impossibility of opening the bottle without making the operation become evident;
operating intuitiveness;
construction simplicity;
relatively low manufacturing costs.

Claims

A closing device (100) for bottles, in particular for bottles of alcoholic drinks or spirits, comprising a cap (1) , consisting of a top portion (7) and a side portion (8), a top diffuser (2), suitable for coupling with said cap (1), a bottom diffuser (12), suitable for coupling at the top with said top diffuser (2) and at the bottom suitable for being constrained to the neck of a bottle (5), and a covering lining (4), divided into a top portion (4') and a bottom portion (4") connected to one another along a predetermined breakage line (6), wherein said cap (1) comprises at least one closing tab (9) connected to said side portion (8) of the cap (1), said at least one closing tab (9) being capable of taking a first position of assembly of said closing device (100), wherein said at least one closing tab (9) does not interfere with the coupling between said cap (1) and said top diffuser (2), and a second safety position, subsequent to the first opening of said device (100), wherein said at least one closing tab (9) interferes with at least one abutment portion (15) of said top diffuser (2) preventing the complete reclosure of said device (100) on the bottle (5), wherein in said second safety position subsequent to the first opening, said at least one closing tab (9) interferes with said top diffuser (2) preventing the complete covering of the side portion (8) of the cap (1) by the lining (4) leaving a bottom portion (16) thereof exposed, characterised by said at least one closing tab (9) comprising a substantially flat flexible portion (11), provided with a free end (40), and a projection (30) which extends outwards of said cap (1) going beyond the covering of said side portion (8).
A closing device (100) for bottles according to claim 1, characterised in that said bottom diffuser (12) exhibits coupling means (60) associable to coupling means (50) of said top diffuser (2) for a firm constraint of said bottom diffuser (12) with said top diffuser (2).
A closing device (100) for bottles according to claim 2, characterised in that said coupling means (50) of said top diffuser (2) and said coupling means (60) of said bottom diffuser (12) are two toothings.
A closing device (100) for bottles according to claim 1, characterised in that said bottom diffuser (12) is integral with said top diffuser (2).
A closing device (100) for bottles according to claim 1, characterised in that the side portion (8) of the cap (1) is made with a contrast colour as compared to the colour of the lining (4).
A closing device (100) for bottles according to claim 1, characterised in that said projection (30) of said at least one closing tab (9) before completing the assembly of the closing device (100) is in a rest position and after completing the assembly it is in a compression condition caused by the presence of the lining (4) and bends said free end (40) of said flexible portion (11) inwards of the side portion (8) of the cap (1).
A closing device (100) for bottles according to claim 6 characterised in that said free end (40), bent inwards of the covering of the side portion (8) of the cap (1) upon each closing, laterally interferes with said at least one vertical abutment portion (15) of said top diffuser (2).
A closing device (100) for bottles according to claim 7, characterised in that in said second closing position subsequent to the first opening, said bent flexible portion (11) exhibits an end opposite said free end (40) projecting outwards of said cap (1) in contact with said lining (4) that is locally deformed.
A closing device (100) for bottles according to claim 7, characterised in that said projection (30) is at said free end (40) of said at least one closing tab (9) .