EP2134639B1 - Cap lifter for plugging cap, plugging assembly including a cap and said cap lifter - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to the field of capping and uncorking bottles containing liquids to drink. More particularly, the present invention relates to a cap bottle opener for capping the neck or neck of a bottle and a capping assembly comprising a capping cap and said bottle opener.

To achieve the closure of a bottle, conventionally used a metal capsule provided with a seal barrier between the liquid packaged inside the bottle and the surrounding environment. To obtain the uncorking of a bottle provided with such a capsule, it is generally used a bottle opener which has a handle and a head provided with an opening so as to bear against a lower surface and an upper surface of the capsule.

In addition, the US patent US 2,548,697 describes a bottle opener according to the preamble of claim 1 and provided to allow to deform and remove a corking cap neck of a bottle for the reuse of said capsule. This bottle opener comprises a hood provided with a first hook comprising a contact surface with a bottom surface of the closure cap, and a transmission lever articulated on the hood and provided with a gripping portion and a working portion. adapted to bear against an upper surface of the closure cap.

That they have a handle and an open head or that they have a structure similar to that of US 2,548,697 these bottle openers are effective for unblocking operations but, in the case where it is desired to integrate a bottle unblocking system, they prove to be unsuitable.

The present invention therefore aims to remedy this drawback. The present invention also aims to provide a cap bottle opener for capping a bottle that is particularly practical, effective, simple and economical.

According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a bottle cap closure bottle opener, said capsule having an upper surface and a lower surface, said bottle opener comprising a cap provided with a first hook comprising a contact surface with said surface lower, and a transmission lever articulated on the hood and provided with a gripping portion and a working portion adapted to bear against said upper surface. Said bottle opener is also provided with two other hooks which comprise a contact surface with said lower surface and which are offset in the circumferential direction on either side of the position diametrically opposite the first hook, of an angle less than 90 °.

Said transmission lever is articulated on said cover so as to pivot about an axis or pivot integral with the cover so that, when said transmission lever is pivoted by means of said gripping portion, said portion of work abuts against said upper surface of said capsule and that, when said transmission lever is continued to pivot, the force transmitted at said pivot causes a slight rotation of said first hook.

With such a bottle opener, it becomes possible to obtain an uncorking of a capsule mounted on the neck of a bottle in a particularly simple and effective manner. Indeed, when the transmission lever linked to the hood is supported against the upper surface of the closure cap and the user continues to rotate the transmission lever, the hook tends to move upward, this which causes the bottle to be uncapped.

In addition, the provision of a hood comprising the first hook and the other two hooks can be used to mount the bottle opener on the bottle, after the introduction of the capsule and before the marketing of said bottle. The set of hooks is a means or rather a set of means of axial retention of the bottle opener on the capsule. Their arrangement is such that this maintenance can be ensured at least until the opening of the bottle. There is thus a bottle with an integrated decapping means.

Advantageously, the first hook is aligned with the transmission lever, with no offset with respect to the circumferential direction. In other words, it is aligned radially with said transmission lever.

In one embodiment, the offset angle between the first hook and the two other hooks is between 40 ° and 80 °, and preferably between 40 ° and 50 °.

In general, the capsule has an outer side wall between said upper surface and said lower surface, the latter being typically the end wall of said outer side wall. Advantageously, said hooks are arranged on said cover so that they can move radially outwardly to cross, during a first depression, the outer lateral wall of the capsule and, once said outer side wall is crossed, move radially inwardly into a position where they are in contact with said bottom surface.

Preferably, the cap comprises an axial portion in the form of an annular skirt and the hooks are formed at an axial end of the skirt. The skirt is flexible or provided with axial slots defining flexible axial portions and at the end of which are said hooks. In one embodiment, the slots are formed in the thickness of the skirt and define thereon a tongue having at its free end the first hook. The hooks extend radially inwards. Of course, said hood, which is the body of the bottle opener, may have a radial portion and an axial portion more openwork. It can for example be presented simply as a set of three integral arms, each of the arms being provided at its end with one of said hooks. Because of the particular role assigned to the first hook in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the arm associated with this first hook preferably has a stiffness greater than that of the other two arms, which, on the other hand, must have some flexibility to facilitate the installation of the bottle opener on the capsule.

In one embodiment, the cover comprises a transverse wall subsequently called "radial portion" provided with at least one elastic member provided on the radial portion and adapted to abut against the upper surface of the closure cap. The elastic member increases the stability of the bottle opener when mounted on the capsule substantially limiting the risk of deterioration thereof when it has a generally slightly convex shape.

Advantageously, the neck of the bottles being generally provided with a glass ring, the transmission lever comprises a recess whose profile is adapted to the shape of said glass ring.

In one embodiment, the bottle opener further comprises a cap for the dressing of the bottle.

In one embodiment, the bottle opener is made with at least one synthetic material, for example by molding. Of course, it is also possible to provide other materials, for example metal or wood.

Advantageously, the cover and the transmission lever are provided with means which prevent the transmission lever from returning, once the uncapping has been effected, to its initial position. With such means, the transmission lever, by the position it takes with respect to the bottle, indicates that the capsule has been at least depressed and deformed and that hermetic sealing is no longer ensured. In this way, the lever serves as a witness of first opening, whether it was voluntary or not. In particular, in case of involuntary opening during the handling of the bottles, it is an easy to distinguish witness in the mass of capsulated bottles offered for sale and which isolates the defective bottles.

Thus, according to a particular embodiment, the transmission lever has lugs on the working portion, called "first lugs", typically in the upper part of the end of one or more side walls of said working portion. The first lugs cooperate with lugs, called "second lugs", typically mounted on one or more axial flexible lugs connected to the radial portion - or transverse wall - of the hood, located in front of said sidewalls. In the examples presented below, the transverse wall is provided with two axial flexible tabs which surround said working portion and which are placed in front of two side walls of said working portion. Before uncapping, the transmission lever is placed substantially vertically, so that it closely matches the profile of the bottle. The first lugs, arranged on the working portion, are located above the second lugs, each having vis-à-vis an inclined surface (relative to the horizontal) serving as a ramp so that, when the lever is actuated to open the capsule, the ramps of the first ergors come into contact with the ramps of the second lugs then the first lugs continue their downward movement while the second lugs deviate to the outside under the effect of the passage of the first lugs, thanks to the flexibility of said flexible lugs. Before the working portion reaches the capsule, the first lugs reach a position low enough so that there is no contact with the second lugs, so that the flexible lugs return to their initial position by springback. The first lugs and the second lugs then have vis-à-vis typically horizontal surfaces acting as axial stops, preventing the first lugs from rising above the second lugs, and therefore the transmission lever back to its initial position .

Of course, it is possible to provide the one or more side walls of the working portion and the one or more axial flexible portions of a plurality of first lugs and second lugs, so as to achieve multiple non-return notches. Such a solution is preferred because forces acting for example on the end of the gripping arm, while cclui-ci is in a position different from its mounting position, can be greatly amplified, which can cause the rupture of said notches anti-return and thus remove the function "witness of first opening" which was devolute to them. On the other hand, the multiplicity of non-return notches makes it possible to obtain immobilization of the lever at a position close to the most extreme position imposed on it.

According to a second aspect, the invention also relates to a closure assembly according to claim 12.

1. a) on se munit d'une capsule de bouchage présentant une surface supérieure et une surface inférieure, par exemple une capsule couronne dont la paroi transversale constitue ladite surface supérieure et dont l'extrémité inférieure de la paroi latérale ou axiale constitue ladite surface inférieure ;
2. b) on fixe ladite capsule de bouchage sur le col de la bouteille selon des moyens conventionnels ; par exemple, on enfonce à force ladite capsule couronne sur le goulot de la bouteille ;
3. c) on se munit d'un capot ayant un axe et comprenant au moins un pivot orienté perpendiculairement audit axe ainsi qu'une portion latérale munie d'un ensemble de moyens de retenue axiale destinés à coopérer avec la surface inférieure de ladite capsule de bouchage ; par exemple, on se munit d'un capot présentant des bras flexibles ou une jupe latérale fendue de façon à être localement flexible, les portions de jupe ou les bras étant munis d'une pluralité de crochets comprenant une surface destinée à arriver en butée contre l'extrémité inférieure de la paroi latérale de la capsule couronne ;
4. d) on rapproche axialement ledit capot et ladite capsule jusqu'à ce que, une fois ledit capot arrivé en butée sur ladite capsule de bouchage, lesdits moyens de retenue axiale coopèrent avec la surface inférieure de ladite capsule de bouchage pour empêcher ledit capot de se désolidariser de ladite capsule de bouchage ;
5. e) on se munit d'un levier de transmission comprenant une portion de préhension et une portion de travail séparés par une zone comprenant un alésage, ladite portion de travail comprenant une paroi transversale inférieure apte à venir en appui contre la surface supérieure de ladite capsule de bouchage et une paroi d'extrémité, ladite portion de travail étant munie d'une fente débouchante reliant ledit alésage à ladite paroi d'extrémité, ledit alésage ayant un diamètre légèrement supérieur audit pivot, ladite fente ayant une largeur légèrement inférieure audit pivot;
6. f) on amène ledit levier de transmission devant la bouteille munie de ladite capsule de bouchage et dudit capot, de sorte que ladite fente débouchante arrive au droit dudit pivot et on enfonce latéralement ledit levier de transmission jusqu'à ce que ledit pivot soit piégé à l'intérieur dudit alésage.

In another aspect, there is described a method of manufacturing a closure assembly comprising a capsule and a bottle opener. The capsule is mounted on the neck of a bottle and the bottle opener is provided with a cap comprising a set of means for axially retaining said cap on the capsule and a transmission lever articulated on the cap and provided with a portion gripping and a working portion adapted to abut against an upper surface of the closure cap. This process is characterized by the following steps:

1. a) is provided with a closure cap having an upper surface and a lower surface, for example a crown cap whose transverse wall constitutes said upper surface and whose lower end of the lateral or axial wall constitutes said lower surface;
2. b) fixing said closure cap on the neck of the bottle by conventional means; for example, forcing said crown cap force on the neck of the bottle;
3. c) is provided with a cover having an axis and comprising at least one pivot oriented perpendicular to said axis and a lateral portion provided with a set of axial retention means for cooperating with the lower surface of said closure cap ; for example, it is provided with a hood having flexible arms or a side skirt slotted so as to be locally flexible, the skirt portions or the arms being provided with a plurality of hooks comprising a surface intended to abut against the lower end of the side wall of the crown cap;
4. d) axially bringing said hood and said capsule closer together until, once said hood has come into abutment on said closure cap, said axial retaining means cooperate with the bottom surface of said closure cap to prevent said hood from becoming detached from said closure cap;
5. e) a transmission lever is provided, comprising a gripping portion and a working portion separated by an area comprising a bore, said working portion comprising a bottom transverse wall adapted to bear against the upper surface of said capsule; capping and an end wall, said working portion being provided with a slot opening connecting said bore to said end wall, said bore having a diameter slightly greater than said pivot, said slot having a width slightly less than said pivot;
6. f) bringing said transmission lever in front of the bottle provided with said closure cap and said cover, so that said opening slot reaches the right of said pivot and is pushed laterally said transmission lever until said pivot is trapped at inside said bore.

The material of the transmission lever is, at least at the level of the working portion and more particularly that of said open slot, sufficiently flexible to allow the passage of the pivot in the slot and its snap-in trapping.

To avoid that said transmission lever can be easily removed once the pivot has been trapped in its bore, the shape of the edges of the open slot can be modified, for example by attaching a flexible tongue oriented obliquely to the slot , so that it bends to let the pivot freely pass in the direction of the bore but it opposes any displacement in the opposite direction of said pivot.

To facilitate the installation of the transmission lever on the bonnet in economically satisfactory production rates, the bonnet is advantageously provided with regularly distributed axial studs, typically at least three, whose lower end bears against the upper surface of the bonnet. said capsule and which facilitate a good positioning of the cap on the capsule mounted on the neck, in particular a good alignment of the axes of the neck and the closure cap with the axis of the cap and a precise axial position of the cap relative to to the capsule.

Advantageously, said set of axial retention means comprises a first hook and at least two other hooks offset in the circumferential direction on either side of the position diametrically opposed to the first hook, the offset angle being less than 90 °, typically between 40 ° and 80 °.

Advantageously, the gripping portion is substantially perpendicular to the working portion so that it is substantially vertically during the lateral depression of the transmission lever in the direction of the hood and that once the transmission lever solar of the hood she marries the profile of the bottle as close as possible.

Advantageously, the cover and the transmission lever are provided with means which prevent the transmission lever from returning, once the uncapping has been effected, to its initial position.

• d') on se munit d'une coiffe de surbouchage comprenant une tête et une jupe latérale présentant une encoche ou une fenêtre au droit dudit pivot lorsque ladite coiffe de surbouchage est montée sur ledit capot ; par exemple, ladite coiffe de surbouchage est obtenue par collage d'un flan dans lequel ladite fenêtre est découpée avant sa mise en forme de tronc de cône. Ce peut être également une coiffe, typiquement en alliage d'étain, qui a été emboutie et que l'on monte sur un mandrin pour effectuer la découpe de ladite fenêtre, par exemple par application extérieure sur la jupe cylindrique de la coiffe d'un outil rotatif dont le profil et le mouvement planétaire ont été adaptés à la forme de ladite découpe ;
• d") on emmanche ladite coiffe autour dudit capot de sorte que ladite fenêtre arrive au droit dudit pivot ;
• d"') on applique ladite coiffe sur ledit capot et on la sertit sur le goulot de la bouteille par formation d'un rétreint sur la contre-bague.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the capping assembly is covered with an overcap, typically a cap such as those covering the bottles for effervescent drinks. Thus, between steps d) and e), the following steps are introduced:

• d) it is provided with an overcap head comprising a head and a side skirt having a notch or a window in line with said pivot when said overcap is mounted on said cover; for example, said overcap is obtained by gluing a blank in which said window is cut before forming a truncated cone. It may also be a cap, typically tin alloy, which has been stamped and mounted on a mandrel for cutting said window, for example by external application on the cylindrical skirt of the cap of a rotary tool whose profile and planetary movement have been adapted to the shape of said cutout;
• d ") is wrapped said cap around said cover so that said window reaches the right of said pivot;
• d '') said cap is applied to said hood and crimped on the neck of the bottle by forming a necking on the counter-ring.

But the preceding method is advantageously replaced by a method allowing higher production rates, in which one uses composite overcaps where the connection between the overcap itself and said hood is made before mounting on the neck of the bottle . So, he is also discloses a composite overcap comprising an overcap provided with a head and a side skirt and a cap as described above, provided with a head and a lateral portion disposed coaxially inside of said cap so that the head of said cap is held fast, typically by gluing, of the head of said overcap, said cap comprising at least one pivot oriented perpendicular to the axis and said side skirt being provided with a window at the right of said pivot, said lateral portion being flexible and provided with a set of axial retaining means for cooperating with the bottom surface of a closure cap mounted on the neck of a bottle. As previously described, the flexible side portion may be in the form of flexible arms or a slit side skirt so as to be locally flexible, the skirt portions or the arms being provided with a plurality of hooks including a surface for to abut against the lower surface of the closure cap.

Advantageously, said set of axial retention means comprises a first hook and at least two other hooks offset in the circumferential direction on either side of the position diametrically opposed to the first hook, the offset angle being less than 90 °, typically between 40 ° and 80 °. Said hooks have a surface intended to come into contact with the lower surface of the capsule. Said hood is to be secured to a transmission lever via said pivot, about which said transmission lever can be pivoted by means of a gripping portion, a working portion of said transmission lever coming into support against the upper surface of the capsule. Advantageously, the first hook is disposed on the cover so that, when said transmission lever is continued to pivot, the force transmitted at said pivot causes a slight rotation of said first hook. This situation is favorably encountered when said first hook is aligned radially with the center of the pivot, whose mediating plane advantageously passes through the axis of the cover.

Once said composite overcap assembly mounted on the neck and secured to it through the cooperation between the axial retaining means of the cap and the bottom surface of the closure cap, is proceeded to the establishment of the lever of transmission by following steps e) and f) already described.

The invention also relates to a bottle containing a liquid to be drunk, especially an effervescent liquid, provided with a closure assembly as defined above.

• les figures 1 et 2 sont des vues en coupe, respectivement suivant I-I et suivant II-II, d'un décapsuleur selon un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention monté sur le col d'une bouteille ;
• les figures 3 et 4 sont des vues en perspective du décapsuleur des figures 1 et 2 ;
• la figure 5 est une vue en coupe d'un décapsuleur selon un second mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• la figure 6a est une vue en coupe diamétrale d'un ensemble de bouchage selon l'invention comprenant une capsule de bouchage, un décapsuleur et une coiffe de surbouchage ;
• la figure 6b présente, en vue de droite et en coupe suivant III-III, un détail de l'ensemble de bouchage de la figure 6a, au niveau de l'extrémité de la portion de travail ;
• les figures 7a et 7b illustrent des variantes de la portion de travail du levier de transmission de la figure 6a, au niveau de la fente débouchante.
• les figures 8a et 8b illustrent, en perspective, les deux moitiés d'un ensemble de bouchage selon l'invention, proche de celui illustré en figure 6a.

The present invention will be better understood from the study of embodiments taken as non-limiting examples and illustrated by the appended drawings, in which:

• the figures 1 and 2 are views in section, respectively along II and II-II, of a bottle opener according to a first embodiment of the invention mounted on the neck of a bottle;
• the Figures 3 and 4 are perspective views of the bottle opener figures 1 and 2 ;
• the figure 5 is a sectional view of a bottle opener according to a second embodiment of the invention;
• the figure 6a is a diametrical sectional view of a closure assembly according to the invention comprising a closure cap, a bottle opener and an overcap;
• the figure 6b present, in a right view and in section along III-III, a detail of the capping assembly of the figure 6a at the end of the working portion;
• the Figures 7a and 7b illustrate variants of the working portion of the transmission lever of the figure 6a , at the open slot.
• the Figures 8a and 8b illustrate, in perspective, the two halves of a closure assembly according to the invention, similar to that illustrated in FIG. figure 6a .

On the Figures 1 to 4 , there is shown a bottle opener 10 provided for unclogging a bottle 12 on which is mounted a capsule 14 capping. On the figures 1 and 2 , the bottle opener 10 is shown in a supposed vertical position.

The bottle 12, of axis 16, is shown here in part. It comprises a neck 18 whose upper end is covered by the capsule 14 capping.

The closure capsule 14 comprises a transverse wall or radial portion 20 closing off the upper end of the neck or neck 18, and an axial portion 22 intended to be compressed on the periphery of the neck. The axial portion 22 is generally made in the form of a plurality of teeth. The capsule 14 also comprises a seal 24 overmolded or attached to the radial portion 20 and the axial portion 22. The seal 24 bears against the upper end of the neck 18. It is for example made of polyethylene (PE). The seal 24 is here substantially flat. Alternatively, it may further comprise a short axial skirt projecting inside the neck 18 of the bottle 12.

The bottle opener 10, coaxial with the axis 16, essentially comprises a cap or cap 30 and a transmission lever 32 articulated on the cap 30 to allow the bottle to be uncapped or uncapped .

The cover 30 has a transverse wall or radial portion 34 centered on the axis 16 and an axial portion in the form of an annular skirt 36 extending axially downwards from a large-diameter edge of the radial portion. 34. The radial portion 34 is offset axially upwards relative to the capsule 14. It is thus provided an axial space between the portion 34 of the cover 30 and the radial portion 20 of the capsule 14.

The cover 30 also comprises hooks 38, 40 and 42 formed at the free lower end of the skirt 36 and extending radially inwards. The hooks 38, 40 and 42 are arranged in the same radial plane.

More specifically, the hooks 38, 40 and 42 each comprise a radial surface 38a, 40a, 42a extending radially inwardly an inner edge of the skirt 36, which is extended at a small diameter edge by a frustoconical surface. 38b, 40b, 42b flaring outwardly and connecting to an outer edge of the skirt 36 . radial surfaces 38a, 40a, 42a form contact surfaces with a lower surface of the axial portion 22 of the capsule 14. The radial dimension of the surfaces 38a, 40a, 42a is greater than that of the axial portion 22 of the capsule 14. The frustoconical surfaces 38b, 40b, 42b form, for their part, bearing surfaces on an annular top surface 44 of the glass ring 18a of the neck 18 of the bottle 12.

The hooks 38, 40 and 42 of the cover 30 are of smaller diameter than the axial portion 22 of the capsule 14, so that there is a diametrical or radial interference between these two parts. The hooks 38, 40 and 42 thus form axial retention means for the cap 30, and more generally for the bottle opener 10, on the capsule 14 and on the bottle 12.

As will be described in more detail later, when using the bottle opener 10, the hook 38 makes it possible to obtain the uncapping of the capsule 14.

The cover 30 also comprises slots 70, 72 and 74 formed in the thickness of the skirt 36. The slots 70, two in number, extend axially from the lower free end of the skirt 36 to almost the the whole height of it. Each slot 70 is located angularly in the immediate vicinity of one of the free circumferential ends of the hook 38. In other words, the slots 70 delimit on the skirt 36, a tongue which has at its free end the hook 38.

In a similar manner, slots 72 and 74 are associated with hooks 40 and 42, respectively. However, the slots 72 and 74 have a reduced axial dimension compared to that of the slots 70. The slots 72 and 74 here extend from the lower free end of the skirt 36 to half the height of the slot . this.

The cover 30 also comprises resilient slats or lugs 46, 48 which have a generally curved shape. The tabs 46, 48 extend from a lower surface of the radial portion 34 of the cover 30, to bear against the upper surface of the radial portion 20 of the capsule 14. The root of the legs 46 , 48 is located in the vicinity of the skirt 36. The tabs 46 and 48 are symmetrical with each other with respect to an axial center plane P containing the axis 16.

In order to obtain an articulation of the transmission lever 32 on the cover 30, the latter further comprises an axis or pivot 56 formed on the skirt 36, axially in the vicinity of the radial portion 34. The pivot 56 extends perpendicularly to the plane of the figure 1 . The skirt 36 is discontinuous at a point of its circumference and delimited in the circumferential direction by two axial surfaces (not referenced) extending over the entire height of said skirt. The pivot 56 extends transversely between these two axial surfaces.

The pivot 56 and the hook 38 are included in the median plane P containing the axis 16, as will be described in more detail below. The hook 38 and the transmission lever 32 are aligned radially, without circumferential offset. It should be noted that on the figure 1 , the isolated section of the hook 38 may appear astonishing: in fact, as can be seen in a similar configuration illustrated in FIG. figure 8b the hook 38, whose circumferential extent is substantially greater than the thickness of the lever, typically 2 to 5 times said thickness, forms a kind of "bridge" between two skirt portions 36 which extend from other of the transmission lever 32, one of them being hidden by it in the figure.

The transmission lever 32 comprises, meanwhile, an axial gripping portion 52 and a working portion 54 extending radially inwardly an upper end of the gripping portion. It has a general L shape.

The gripping portion 52 of the transmission lever 32 is in the form of a rod which extends axially downwards along the bottle 12. Here, the term "stem" refers to any element of generally elongated and thin shape, which regardless of the cross-sectional area that may be interchangeable rectangular, round, parallelepipedal, oval, etc.

The transmission lever 32 has a recess 60 in shape with the glass ring 18a of the neck 18 of the bottle. The recess 60 makes it possible to position the gripping portion 52 against the bottle 12.

The gripping portion 52 comprises, at its upper end, a recess (not referenced) C-shaped and adapted to the diameter of the pivot 56 for mounting the transmission lever 32 on said pivot 56 by snapping. Of course, it is possible to provide the mounting of the transmission lever 32 on the cover 30 by any other appropriate means.

The working portion 54 of the transmission lever 32 has a generally rectangular shape and extends radially inwardly of the skirt 36, through the space provided between the two axial surfaces circumferentially delimiting said skirt. The working portion 54 has a lower radial surface 62 whose free end or tip 63 is intended to bear against the upper surface of the radial portion 20 of the capsule 14. The working portion 54 is dimensioned so that the tip 63 is substantially located at the axis 16.

The transmission lever 32 can advantageously be made in one piece by molding a synthetic material, such as polyoxymethylene (POM) or polycarbonate (PC). In a similar way, the cover 30 is also obtained by molding a synthetic material, for example POM or PC, so as to obtain a single piece. The transmission lever 32 and the cap 30 may be made of the same material or in different materials, for example metal or plant materials.

To unclog the capsule 14, the procedure is as follows:

In a first step, the bottle opener 10 is mounted on the neck of the bottle 12 so as to snap the hooks 38, 40 and 42 under the cap 14, the radial contact surfaces 38a, 40a and 42a bearing against the lower surface of the axial portion 22 of the capsule 14. In this position, the frustoconical surfaces 38b, 40b and 42b bear against the upper surface 44 of the counter-ring 18a of the bottle 12. The mounting of the bottle opener 10 is facilitated by the presence of slots 70, 72 and 74.

Then, the transmission lever 32 is pivoted about the pivot 56 , via the gripping portion 52, so that the working portion 54 , and more precisely the tip 63 , comes to bear against the upper surface of the capsule 14. When the transmission lever 32 is further pivoted , the force exerted on the pivot 56 is transmitted to the hook 38 , which causes the hook to be slightly rotated outwards, and more precisely to the tongue of the skirt 36 defined by the slits 70 . At the same time, a radial outward movement and an axial upward displacement of the hook 38 are obtained simultaneously. During this rotation of the tongue of the skirt 36 comprising the hook 38 , a portion of the capsule 14 is slightly protruding radially from the remainder of the skirt 36.

When the transmission lever 32 is further rotated , the bottle 12 is uncapped. The bottle opener 10 is then withdrawn from the bottle 12, the capsule 14 remaining trapped therein, via the hooks 38. , 40 and 42.

Thus, when using the bottle opener 10, the transmission lever 32 moves between a rest position and a working position in which the tip 63 of the working portion 54 presses against the upper surface of the capsule 14, and in which the hook 38 exerts a force on the lower surface of the capsule 14. The hooks 40 and 42 allow them to maintain the position of the cap 30 on the bottle 12, thanks to the prediction of the surfaces 40b, 42b in shape with the upper surface 44 of the glass ring 18a of the bottle 12.

The arrangement of the hook 38 and the transmission lever 32 in the same axial plane P makes it possible to obtain a good unclogging of the capsule 14. Indeed, the force exerted by the user on the transmission lever 32 once the working portion 54 bears against the capsule 14, is transmitted directly to the hook 38.

In addition, the Applicant has determined that the absence of a hook disposed radially opposite the hook 38 makes it easier to uncap. The Applicant has also noticed that the arrangement of the hooks 40 and 42 makes it possible to obtain a good hold in position of the cover 30 on the capsule 14, when they are offset in the direction circumferential on either side of the position diametrically opposed to the first hook, an angle less than 90 °, typically between 40 ° and 80 °, preferably between 40 ° and 50 °, for example 45 °.

The Applicant has further noted that in order to obtain a good uncapping during the displacement of the hook 38 under the action of the transmission lever 32, the circumferential dimension of said hook 38 is advantageously between 10 and 15% of the circumferential dimension of the skirt 36. Advantageously, the circumferential dimension of the hooks 40, 42 is equal to half that of the hook 38. The angular dimension of the hook 38 may for example be of the order of 45 °.

In an alternative embodiment it is readily conceivable that it is however possible to provide a different number of hooks or a continuous radial bead or segmented. However, as mentioned above, the use of three hooks makes it possible to obtain particularly effective decapsulation and stable positioning of the bottle opener 10 on the bottle 12.

The embodiment illustrated in figure 5 on which identical elements bear the same references differs in that the bottle opener 10 further comprises a cap 66 of generally annular shape which extends axially downwardly a lower end of the skirt 36. The cap 66 bears on the ring of 18a and extends axially along the bottle 12 in the vicinity thereof. In order to facilitate its mounting around the bottle 12 , the cap 66 is advantageously split.

The cap 66 can be used to dress the bottle 12 , or to present information relating to the liquid contained in the bottle 12 and easily visible. For this purpose, the axial dimension of the cap 66 is advantageously between 50 and 300% of that of the cap 30. However, it is also possible to provide a cap covering the bottle to its base.

In this embodiment, the cap 66 is integral with the skirt 36 so as to obtain a one-piece cap 30 . It is easily understood that it is also possible to make two separate parts and to provide to bring the cap 66 on the cover 30.

Thanks to the invention, there is thus a bottle opener which is particularly simple to use and effective. Moreover, the existence of at least one hook forming axial retention means of the cap on the capsule makes it possible to mount the bottle opener on bottle before the marketing thereof. This produces a bottle provided with a closure assembly consisting of the capsule and the bottle opener which once purchased by the consumer can be opened without external accessory.

It is readily conceivable that it is possible to provide such a closure assembly on bottles intended to allow the packaging of different types of liquids, such as water, wine, fruit juice, alcoholic beverages, or effervescent drinks such as soda or Champagne. In addition, in the case of champagne-type effervescent drinks, a satisfactory opening safety is obtained when the bottle is uncorked, avoiding projection of the stopper.

The embodiment illustrated in figure 6a , on which the identical elements bear the same references as before, is particularly well suited to bottles for effervescent drinks such as champagnes or sparkling wines. The closure assembly comprises a capsule 14 mounted on the neck 18 of a bottle, a bottle opener 10 comprising a cap 30 and a transmission lever 32, is coated with a cap or overcap 90.

The cover 30 comprises a transverse wall or radial portion 34 in the form of a transverse top wall centered on the axis 16 and a pivot 56 oriented in a horizontal direction, that is to say perpendicular to the axis 16 of the neck. It also comprises an annular skirt 36 extending axially downwards from the periphery of the radial portion 34. This skirt 36 is slotted so that it reveals at least flexible axial portions provided at their ends with means axial restraint, such as the hooks 38, 40 and 42 described in the preceding examples, which are in abutment axial with the lower surface of the capsule 14. The radial portion 34 is axially offset upwards relative to the capsule 14 . Elastic strips, of generally curved shape, extend from a lower surface of the radial portion 34 , until they bear against the upper surface of the radial portion 20 of the capsule 14 . The hood is also provided with three regular axial studs 89 , which facilitate a good positioning of the cap on the capsule mounted on the neck. Also attached to the lower surface of the radial portion 34 , two flexible axial tabs 81 frame the working portion 54 of the transmission lever 32. The flexible axial tabs 81 are provided with lugs, called second lugs 85.

The set of axial retaining means comprises a first hook 38 and at least two other hooks offset in the circumferential direction on either side of the position diametrically opposed to the first hook, the offset angle being less than 90 °, typically between 40 ° and 80 °. The first hook 38 is arranged on the cover so that, when the transmission lever 32 is continued to pivot , the force transmitted at the pivot 56 causes a slight rotation of the said first hook, the latter being aligned radially. with the middle of the pivot 56, whose median plane passes through the axis 16.

The transmission lever 32 comprises a gripping portion 52 and a working portion 54 separated by an area comprising a bore 58. Said working portion comprises a transverse wall or lower radial surface 62, whose end 63 is adapted to come into operation. bearing against the upper surface of the capsule 14, an end wall 53 and two side walls. The working portion 54 is provided with a through slot 57 connecting the bore 58 to the end wall 53. The end wall 53 is that which is oriented towards the axis when the transmission lever 32 is mounted on the hood. The bore 58 has a diameter slightly greater than that of the pivot 56. The slot 57 has a width slightly smaller than the diameter of the pivot 56. The lever 32 is made of a sufficiently flexible plastic material so that, when the lever of transmission on the cover 30, the edges of the slot deviate to let the pivot 56 until it is trapped in the bore 58 . To prevent the transmission lever 32 from being easily removed once the pivot 56 has been trapped in its bore 58 , the shape of the edges of the bore can be modified. the open slot as illustrated in both variants of Figures 7a and 7b by attaching a flexible tongue 51 , 51 ' oriented obliquely to the slot 57' , 57 " , so that it bends to allow the pivot 56 to pass freely towards the bore 58 but that it opposed to any displacement in the opposite direction of the pivot 56. The trapping of the pivot 56 in the bore 58 is completed in these two variants by the presence of a radial bead 61 .

The closure assembly can be made just after bottling and can remain in the state during transport and storage of the bottle before opening with the hooks 38 , 40 and 42 which have upper surfaces 38a , 40a and 42a acting axial stop against the lower surface of the capsule. The upper surface 38a also has a function of driving up a portion of the capsule during decapping. Indeed, during the uncapping, the lifting of the gripping portion 52 results in the lowering of the working portion until it comes into contact with the capsule and then by the creation of an upward force which is transmitted by the hook pivot 38, which tends to lift a portion of the capsule, while the lower surfaces 40b and 42b of the two other hooks 40 and 42 engage the upper portion of the glass ring 18a . Thus, the stability of the cover is ensured, during the introduction of the transmission lever by the lower ends of the axial pads 89 and, during the uncapping, by the lower surfaces 40b and 42b of said hooks.

The end of the working portion 54 is also provided with lugs 55 on its side walls, called first lugs. The first lugs 55 cooperate with the second lugs 85. Before uncapping, the first lugs 55 are located above the second lugs 85 , each having, in facing relation, an inclined slope surface serving as a ramp so that, when the gripping portion 52 is raised to open the capsule, the first lugs 55 , coming into contact with the ramps of the second lugs 85 , continue their downward movement while the second lugs 85 move towards the outside under the effect of the passage of the first lugs 55, thanks to the flexibility of the flexible lugs 81. Before the working portion 54 reaches the capsule, the first lugs 55 reach a sufficiently low position so that there have more contact with the second lugs 85 , so that the flexible lugs 81 return to their initial position by return elastic. The first lugs 55 and the second lugs 85 then have vis-à-vis the typically horizontal surfaces serving as an axial stop, preventing the first lugs 55 from rising above the second lugs 85 , and consequently the transmission lever 32 of return to its original position.

The cap 90 is an overcap for bottle of champagne. It is formed of a head and a skirt, metal, plastic or metalloplastic, obtained from a film or sheet mono- or multi-layer. Prior to the truncation of the cone of the skirt, the film or sheet is cut, so as to obtain a window leaving free access to the working portion 54. This window has dimensions that typically correspond to those of the discontinuity of the skirt 36 of the cover 30, delimited by two axial surfaces which support the pivot 56. The cap 90 is crimped on the counter ring 19.

The embodiment corresponding to Figures 8a and 8b , on which elements identical to those already described above bear the same references, is close to the previous embodiment. In this embodiment, the hook 38 forms a circumferential bridge between two portions of the skirt 36, made flexible by the presence of slots 70.

Claims (13)

1. Bottle opener for a bottle closure cap, the said cap having an upper surface and a lower surface, the said bottle opener comprising a hood (30) provided with a first hook (38) comprising a contact surface with the said lower surface and with two other hooks (40, 42) which comprise a contact surface with the said lower surface and which are offset in the circumferential direction on either side of the position diametrically opposed to the first hook, by an angle of less than 90°, and a transmission lever (32) articulated on the said hood and provided with a gripping portion (52) and with a working portion (54) which is able to bear against the said upper surface, characterized in that the transmission lever (32) is articulated on the said hood (30) so as to pivot about an axis (56) such that, when the said transmission lever is pivoted via the said gripping portion (52), the said working portion (54) bears against the said upper surface of the said cap and such that, when continuing to pivot the said transmission lever, the force transmitted at the said axis (56) causes a slight rotation of the said first hook (38).
2. Bottle opener according to Claim 1, in which the first hook (38) is aligned radially with the transmission lever (32).
3. Bottle opener according to Claim 1 or 2, in which the angle of offset between the first hook and the other two hooks is between 40 and 80°, and preferably between 40 and 50°.
4. Bottle opener according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the hood (30) comprises an annular skirt (36), the hooks (38, 40, 42) being formed at an axial end of the skirt (36) and extending radially inwardly.
5. Bottle opener according to Claim 4, in which slots (70) are formed in the thickness of the skirt and delimit on the said skirt a tongue comprising the first hook at its free end.
6. Bottle opener according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the hood (30) comprises a radial portion (34) provided with at least one elastic member (46, 48) formed on the radial portion (34) and able to bear against the upper surface of the closure cap.
7. Bottle opener according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the transmission lever (32) comprises a recess (60) adapted to a beading of the bottle.
8. Bottle opener according to any one of the preceding claims, additionally comprising a cover (66) intended to dress the bottle.
9. Bottle opener according to any one of the preceding claims, produced with at least one synthetic material.
10. Bottle opener according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the said working portion (54) of the said transmission lever (32) and the said hood (30) are provided with the first opening indicators (55, 85), which prevent the said transmission lever (32) from returning to its initial position when uncapping has been carried out.
11. Bottle opener according to Claim 10, in which the said working portion (54) has at least one lateral wall, the said hood (30) is provided with at least one flexible axial tab (81) situated opposite the said lateral wall, and in which the said first opening means are at least a first lug (55) arranged on the said lateral wall, and at least a second lug (85) arranged on the said axial tab (81), the said first lug and second lug being arranged such that the said first lug is initially arranged above the said second lug and has, opposite, an inclined sloping surface which serves as a ramp, and then, when the transmission lever (32) is actuated for the purpose of opening the cap, the ramp of the said first lug comes into contact with the ramp of the said second lug, the said first lug continuing its movement downwardly while the second lug moves away outwardly under the effect of the passage of the said first lug, by virtue of the flexibility of the said flexible tab (81), and finally, when the working portion (54) has reached the cap (14) the said first lug has a sufficiently low position so that there is no longer any contact with the said second lug, with the result that the said flexible tab (81) returns to its initial position by elastic return, the said first lug and the said second lug then having, opposite one another, typically horizontal surfaces serving as an axial stop, preventing the said first lug from rising above the said second lug, and therefore preventing the said transmission lever (32) from returning to its initial position.
12. Closure assembly comprising a cap (14) and a bottle opener (10) according to any one of the preceding claims.
13. Bottle containing a liquid for drinking, in particular a sparkling liquid, provided with a closure assembly according to Claim 12.

Images