EP2464580B1 - Locking cover for a vessel having a neck, including a cap having attachment tabs - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a molded plastic locking cap for a neck container for locking a stopper in the neck of the container, comprising a wire cap with locking tongues or catches which is shaped to surround the cap and the neck and lock them. in position relative to each other in a certain axial direction, a ring which is fixed around the muzzle and which is shaped with a central orifice reserving access from the outside of the cap towards the inside of the container by via the plug, and a capsule shaped to close said orifice.

This capsule, lid or cap, is generally fixed to the ring so as to be detached from it but irreversibly without the possibility of being put back in its original state of closure of the orifice.

The invention applies more particularly to a locking cap for a neck container used in particular in the medical field.

Patent document is known FR-2893922 such a locking cap in which the capsule is welded to the ring. To access the contents of the container, the user breaks the connection between the capsule and the ring so that the capsule is irreversibly separated from the cap which secures the use of the container provided with this cap.

FR 2 912 384 discloses a locking cap according to the preamble of claim 1.

The object of the invention is to provide such a locking cap in which the capsule is mounted in another way on the cap also allowing irreversible separation of the capsule relative to the cap.

For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a locking cap according to claim 1.

The basic idea of the invention is therefore to fix the capsule to the cap by means of a jamming system of the fixing lugs of the capsule in the cap which exerts a clamping stress on both sides of the cap. each tab and / or a folding constraint on the tabs in an oblique direction (for example perpendicular) with respect to the axial direction, thus making the detachment of the capsule with respect to the cap non-reversible and also preventing any installation of a new capsule on the cap.

The invention extends to a method for fixing a capsule with fastening tabs on a locking cap as defined above, according to claim 4.

• La figure 1 représente schématiquement en coupe axiale une coiffe de verrouillage selon l'invention montée sur un bouchon inséré dans un récipient à col.
• La figure 2 est une vue schématique en perspective du muselet de la coiffe de verrouillage selon l'invention.
• La figure 3 est une vue schématique en perspective de la bague de la coiffe de verrouillage selon l'invention.
• La figure 4 une autre vue schématique en perspective de la bague de la figure 3.
• La figure 5 est une vue schématique en perspective de la capsule de la coiffe de verrouillage selon l'invention.
• La figure 6 est une autre vue schématique en perspective de la capsule de la figure 5.
• La figure 7 représente schématiquement en coupe axiale la coiffe de verrouillage selon l'invention fermée par une capsule et montée sur un bouchon.

The present invention will be better understood and other advantages will appear on reading the detailed description of an embodiment taken by way of non-limiting example and illustrated by the accompanying drawings.

• The figure 1 schematically represents in axial section a locking cap according to the invention mounted on a plug inserted in a neck container.
• The figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of the cap of the locking cap according to the invention.
• The figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of the ring of the locking cap according to the invention.
• The figure 4 another schematic perspective view of the ring of the figure 3 .
• The figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of the cap of the locking cap according to the invention.
• The figure 6 is another schematic perspective view of the capsule of the figure 5 .
• The figure 7 schematically represents in axial section the locking cap according to the invention closed by a capsule and mounted on a plug.

On the figure 1 , there is shown a locking cap 1 for container 2 neck 3 according to the invention for locking a plug 4 in the neck 3 of the container 2, the cap 1 being shown here simply placed on the neck 3 without being locked.

The collar 3, here of circular opening, has at its end an outer peripheral lip 5 on which the locking cap 1 is locked when the cap 1 is locked on the neck 3 of the container 2. The cap 4 here has a shape conventional, generally cylindrical, T with a head 4A and a foot 4B, the head being of diameter slightly greater than the foot 4B, so that when the foot 4B of the plug 4 is introduced into the neck 3, the head 4A is blocked against the lip 5 of the collar 3.

As can be seen on the figure 1 , the locking cap 1 comprises a wire cap 6 adapted to surround the cap 4 and the collar 3 in the locked configuration of the cap 1 on the container 2 and a ring 7 adapted to fit on the cap 6 surrounding it. The muselet 6 allows the blocking of the cap 4 in the neck 3 by means of flexible tongues 8, 9 disposed on the periphery of the cap 6. In the mounted configuration of the cap 1, the ring 7 completely laterally covers the cap 6 so to prevent any access to the wire 6 and tabs 8,9 from the outside of the ring 7.

In addition, according to the invention, the cap 1 is provided with a removable safety cap 23 which is wedged between the ring 7 and the cap 6.

As can be seen on the figure 2 , the muselet 6 comprises two rings 10, 11 interconnected by several branches 12 which are substantially identical extending in an axial direction A and forming between them first and second openings 13,14 corresponding to meshes of the wire 6.

There is shown a first lower ring 10 intended to be inserted first on the neck 3 of the container 2 and a second upper ring 11, preferably of smaller diameter than the first ring 10, intended to come to rest on an upper part 4C of the 4A head of the cap 4 when the cap 1 is mounted on the cap 4. The ring 11 defines an orifice 11A, here circular, in the center of the wire 6, coaxial with the neck 3 of the container 2 when the cap 1 is placed on the collar 3 to allow access to the cap 4 and the container 2.

It will be understood that the ring 11 and the branches 12 are rigid enough not to collapse when inserting the wire 6 into the ring 7.

Six branches 12 are shown here regularly distributed over the periphery of the rings 10, 11, but their number could vary without departing from the scope of the invention.

As visible on the figure 2 , first flexible tongues 8 adapted to lock on the neck 3 of the container 2 and second flexible tongues 9 adapted to lock on the plug 4, here three in number each, are arranged, preferably alternately, on the periphery of the ring 10 between two consecutive branches 12.

The first and second tongues 8, 9 are arranged inclined respectively in the first and second openings 13, 14 formed by the meshes of the wire cap 6, bearing on the ring 10 and extending towards the inside of the wire 6 and towards the second ring 11. From this way, when inserting the wire cap 6 on the neck 3 or the plug 4, the first and the second tongues 8, 9 can initially be elastically erased respectively in the first and second openings 13, 14 while being substantially parallel to the branches 12, then in a second time resume their inclined position to lock the wire cap 6 respectively on the neck 3 or on the plug 4.

As visible on the figure 2 , the first tongues 8 are offset in the axial direction A with respect to the second tongues 9. More specifically, the second tongues 9 are raised towards the second ring 11 so that the distance between the end of a second tongue 9 and the ring 11 substantially corresponds to the height of the head 4A of the plug 4, so as to lock the head 4A of the plug 4 between the second tongues 9 and the ring 11. Similarly, the distance between the end of a first tongue 8 and the ring 11 is adapted to lock the first tabs 8 against the lip 5 of the neck 3 of the container 2 when the cap 1 is locked on the neck 3.

On the figure 2 , on each side of each first tongue 8, zones 10A of the first ring 10 are shown relatively thin with respect to the thickness of the stitches so as to form indentations on each side of the tongue 8, which makes them rupture initiation zones caused to yield if one attempts to dismantle the wire 6 of the container 2. It will be understood that the zones 10A correspond to the smallest wall section of the wire 6. Thus, when the cap 1 is locked on the 3, by a force, axial or otherwise, on the wire 6, the first tongues 8 are retained by the lip 5, which creates a couple torsion on zones 10A. One or more of these areas 10A can then break under the effect of twisting and indicate that the container 2 has been opened. Note that the tabs 8 are here formed so that their height allows them to pass under the lip 5 of the neck 3 of the container 2 and are rotated under the lip 5 if one pulls on the wire cap 6, which increases still the torsion effect on the zones 10A.

It will be noted that the first tongues 8 and corresponding apertures 13 are here wider than the second tongues 9 and the corresponding apertures 14, which makes it possible to obtain a more secure locking of the muzzle 6 on the neck 3 than on the stopper 4.

As can be seen on the figure 2 each branch 12 of the wire cap 6 is further provided with a positive external notch 15 which is inclined outwards towards the first ring 10 and which is intended to fix the ring 7 on the wire cap 6, the inclination of the notch 15 to facilitate the insertion of the wire cap 6 in the ring 7.

We also see on the figure 2 each branch 12 of the wire cap 6 is reinforced at its upper part adjoining the second ring 11 by an internal bulge 12A which is intended to jam the plug 4 in the mounted position of the cap 1.

Moreover, on the ring 10 of the wire cap 6, facing each second tongue 9, are formed respective notches 16 (here three in number) intended to serve as an aid, during the assembly of the nosepiece 6 and the ring 7 to form the cap 1, the orientation of the cap 6 relative to an automatic assembly machine.

As can be seen again on the figure 2 , the upper edge of the opening 11A of the muelet forms an annular shoulder 30 chamfered (bevel). This chamfered shoulder may be bordered on the outside by an annular groove or groove (not shown) to improve the housing of the fastening tabs of the capsule 23. The shoulder 30 therefore has a frustoconical (or flared) outer surface forming a face of a vise in which will be taken the fastening lugs of the capsule 23 as will be described below with reference to figures 1 and 7 .

We have shown on the figure 3 , the ring 7 in the form of a sleeve with a substantially cylindrical solid surface which, in mounted configuration of the cap 1, surrounds the cap 6 so as to prevent access to the tabs 8, 9.

The ring 7 has an open bottom end 7A intended to be inserted first on the cap 6 and an upper end 7B partially closed so as to leave the center of the ring 7 an orifice 17. Thus, when the ring 7 is engaged on the 6, the upper end 7B of the ring 7 partially covers the cap 6, the respective holes 17,11A of the ring 7 and the cap 6 being coaxial. When the cap 1 is mounted on the neck 3, the orifices 17, 11A are also coaxial with the neck 3 to allow access to the cap 4 and the container 2.

The orifice 17 of the ring 7 has a lower edge which also forms an annular shoulder 18 which forms the second face of the vice in which are taken the fixing lugs of the capsule 23. In the example, the two annular shoulders 18 and 30 are here circular and coaxial with each other in the mounted position of the cap. It can be provided that the cap 6 and the ring 7 are adjusted relative to each other so that the fastening tabs 25 are clamped between the faces or jaws of the vise. It can also be provided, instead of or in addition to the clamping, that the vice is shaped to fold an end portion of the fastening tabs 25 in a direction oblique to the axial direction A (for example perpendicular, c '). that is to say forming an angle of 90 ° with the axial direction A).

In addition, the ring 7 is provided on its inner wall with notches 19 designed to cooperate with the notches 15 of the wire cap 6 so as to form a mutual locking member of the ring 7 and the wire cap 6. The notches 19 are preferably blind, that is to say does not open through the wall of the ring 7, to present a compact cap 1 and to prevent impurities from penetrating inside the cap 1.

The ring 7 is also provided on its inner wall with inner guides 20,21 intended to be interposed between the branches 12 of the cap 6 so as to guide the positioning of the cap 6 relative to the ring 7 when inserting the muselet 6 in the ring 7. It will be understood that the inner guides 20,21 preferably have dimensions respectively adapted to the openings 13,14 with a height in the axial direction A less than the height of the openings 13,14 so as to allow the tabs 8,9 to fade into the openings 13,14 when inserting the cap 1 on the neck 3. Here is shown for each guide 20,21 a pair of respective bosses being positioned laterally in a mesh of the wire cap 6 respectively against adjacent branches 12 of the wire 6 when the ring 7 and the wire 6 are nested one inside the other. These bosses here have a beveled shape on the side coming against a branch 12 so as to further facilitate the guiding of the cap 6 in the ring 7.

As shown on the figure 4 , the upper end 7B of the ring 7 is provided with a shoulder 22, here circular, bordering the orifice 17 and truncated so as to form two substantially parallel flanks 22A to allow the orientation of the ring 7 with respect to a automatic assembly machine. The shoulder 22 makes it possible to create a space between the capsule 23 and the ring 7 in the direction A, once the cap 1 has been assembled.

The figure 5 shows a capsule 23 or cover acting as a detachable cover to close the central orifice 17 of the ring. This capsule has tabs 25 projecting in the rest position perpendicularly to the flat head 23A of the capsule. The capsule 23 with the flat head 23A and the tabs 25 is here formed of a single molded part. The flat head 23A may have the shape of a disc or another more complex shape, for example with sectors 24. The tabs 25 are distributed circularly and, in the position mounted in the ring 7, they are distributed along the periphery of the orifice 17 of the ring 7. As visible on the figure 5 , the legs 25 are straight in the rest position and therefore present in a cylindrical configuration. On the figure 5 , there is shown a capsule 23 with eight tabs 25 which may have a free end 25B beveled and / or provided with a locking bead 25C. The locking bead 25C preferably has dimensions greater than the space between the annular shoulder 18 of the ring 7 and the chamfered annular shoulder 30 of the wire cap 6 to further improve the protection of the cap 1.

The figure 6 shows the upper face 23B of the capsule 23 which can be provided with gripping elements 26, here in the form of reinforcing points, to facilitate the gripping of the capsule 23 during its removal from the cap 1. It could also forming the gripping elements by beads for example in the form of a circular arc or any element in relief facilitating the gripping of the capsule 23.

It will be understood that the generally cylindrical shape of the cap 6 and the ring 7 allows the cap 1 to adapt to all types of containers 2 provided with a circular neck 3 lip and does not require orientation of the cap 1 , nor of the plug 4 on the neck 3. Likewise, thanks to the circular shape of the capsule 23, there is no preferred angular orientation of the capsule 23 on the ring 7.

Preferably, the wire 6, the ring 7 and the cap 23 of the cap 1 are made by molding a plastic material, able if necessary to resist a freeze-drying process. In particular, the plastic material of the wire cap 6 is hard so that the torsion described above causes rupture of the rupture zones 10A rather than a single elastic deformation.

The respective shapes of the cap 6, the ring 7 and the capsule 23 are relatively simple which allows the use of molds in two shells with a single core and axial release, and thus an easy and inexpensive manufacture. Moreover, because of their simplified shapes, it is advantageous to reduce the quantity of material necessary for the manufacture of the cap 1.

The assembly operations of the ring, the cap and the capsule of the cap 1 are now described with reference to the figures 1 , 5 and 7 more particularly.

Firstly, a capsule 23 is provided with straight attachment tabs 25 which extend axially with respect to the flat head 23A of the capsule as shown in FIG. figure 5 .

This capsule 23 is then placed on the ring 7, the head 23A of the sufficiently large capsule covering the orifice 17 of the ring 7 as shown in FIG. figure 7 and the tabs 25 of the capsule 23 passing through the orifice 17 of the ring 7 extending axially along the direction A.

Then, the cap 6 is inserted and pressed in the direction A in the ring 7 by aligning the openings 13,14 of the cap 6 with the respective bosses 20,21 of the ring 7, as shown in FIG. figure 7 .

During the insertion of the cap 6 into the ring 7, the annular shoulder 18 of the ring 7 and the chamfered annular shoulder 30 of the cap 6 are brought closer to one another, which has the effect that each tab 25 of the capsule 23 is clamped between the two opposite surfaces of the ring 7 and the cap 6 respectively, as visible on the figure 1 .

When the wire 6 comes into abutment in the bottom of the ring 7, the fastening tabs 25 of the capsule 23 are deformed by folding here at the middle of the tabs and are in a configuration according to which the tabs 25 flare out at 90 ° with respect to the axial direction A towards the outside of the cap 1, thus creating the wedging of the cap 23 between the ring 7 and the cap 6. Where appropriate, the bead of the free ends 25B of the fastening tabs 25 can be housed in the groove of the wire cap 6.

It must be considered that the grip of the fastening tabs 25 between the ring 7 and the wire cap 6 makes it possible to exceed the limit of elasticity of the fastening tabs 25 so that, if the capsule 23 is separated from the cap 1, the tabs 25 of the capsule 23 remain in a folded configuration. Thus, once the capsule 23 is separated from the cap 1, it is no longer possible to replace it between the ring 7 and the cap 6 of the cap 1. It will be understood that this effect can be accentuated by the presence of the beads at the free ends 25B of the fixing lugs 25.

When the wire 6 comes to a stop in the bottom of the ring 7, the notches 15 of the wire 6 are housed in the notches 19 of the ring 7 so that the wire 6 is locked in position in the ring 7 and the capsule 23 remains wedged between the muselet 6 and the ring 7.

Then, the head 4A of the plug 4 can be inserted into the wire 6 until the upper part 4C of the plug 4 comes into contact with the upper ring 11 of the wire cap 6. When the plug 4 is inserted, the second tongues 9 are elastically deformed to allow the cap to pass, then resume their initial shape when the cap 4 is in place by making a positive support behind the head 4A of the cap 4, so as to lock the cap 4 in the position indicated on the figure 4 . The plug 4 is then blocked on its periphery in the wire 6 by the bulges 12A in the position indicated on the figure 7 .

The assembly formed by the locking cap 1 and the cap 4 can then be mounted on a container 2 by introducing, by simple axial pressure in the direction A on the capsule 23, the foot 4B of the plug 4 in the neck 3 of the container 2, which forces the first tongues 8 to deform elastically to pass the lip 5 of the neck 3, then to resume their original shape so as to come to make a positive support behind the neck 3 and lock the cap 1 on the neck 3. At the same time, the second tabs 9 partially fade against the neck 3 of the container 2.

This produces a tight closure of the container 2 by the cap 4 and tamper-proof thanks to the locking cap 1, since the cap 6 ensures the locking of the cap 4 in the neck 3 and the ring 7 prevents access to the cap 6 and in particular with tabs 8,9. It is understood that the wire cap 6 thus serves as a link for fixing together the container 2, the plug 4 and the second ring 7 provided with the capsule 23 and the second ring 7 serves as protection.

For certain medical applications, it may be necessary to lyophilize the contents of the container 2. In this case, after having introduced into the sterile container 2 a content to be freeze-dried, the foot 4B of the cap 4 locked in the cap is placed in the neck 3. 1, without pushing it completely and without engaging the first tabs 8 on the neck 3, in the position shown on the figure 1 . An opening in the foot 4B of the plug 4 (not shown) then allows the desired freeze-drying. Once lyophilization has been carried out, it is possible to finish pressing the stopper 4 with the cap 1 into the neck 3 as indicated above to seal the receptacle 2.

When it is desired to access the contents of the container 2, the capsule 23 is separated from the cap, for example by exerting traction on a sector 24 of the capsule. Then it is sufficient to pierce the upper part 4C of the cap 4 with the aid of a needle to enter the container 2. The contents of the container 2 can then be used and, where appropriate, rehydrated.

If an attempt is made to remove the locking cap 1 from the container 2, the rupture zones 10A of the wire cap 6 are damaged so that the container 2 is thus provided with a single use.

It will also be noted that, since the plug 4 is inserted into the cap 1 after assembly of the cap 6, the ring 7 and the cap 23 forming the cap 1, it is advantageous to separately store the cap 1 and the cap 4 beforehand. use.

It goes without saying that the present invention can not be limited to the foregoing description of an embodiment that may undergo some modifications without departing from the scope of the invention as delimited by the claims.

Claims (4)

1. Locking cover (1) made of a molded plastic material for use in fixing a stopper (4) in a neck (3) of a vessel (2), comprising a cage (6) having locking tabs (8, 9), the cage is structured to surround the stopper (4) and the neck (3) and to lock the stopper and the neck in a fixed position relative to each other in an axial direction (A), a ring (7) fastened around the cage (6), the ring including a central aperture (17) reserving access from the outside of the cover (1) to the inside of the vessel (2) through the stopper (4), and a cap (23) confirmed to close said aperture (17), the cap (23) including a flat head (23A) dimensioned to cover said aperture (17) and attachment tabs (25) projecting substantially perpendicularly relative to the head (23A), the attachment tabs (25) being spaced from one another along an annular periphery of the aperture (17) of the ring (7), characterized in that the cage (6) defines at its upper part an annular shoulder (30) chamfered on the outside which is coaxial with the central aperture of the ring, in that the central aperture (17) of the ring has a lower edge which forms a shoulder (18) adjustable relative to the shoulder (30) of the cage (6) to form two faces of a vice between which are intended to engage the tabs (25) of the cap (23) when the cap (23) is mounted on the ring (7) and the cage (6) is inserted into the ring (7), and in that the ring (7) and the cage (6) are arranged such that by approching each other until an abutment position, the tabs (25) of the cap (23) are held in a vice and are deformed by bending, flaring outwardly of the cover (1) to exceed a limit of elasticity from which they remain in a bent configuration.
2. Locking cover (1) according to claim 1, wherein the attachment tabs (25) have a free ends (25B) provided with a bead (25C) and the shoulder (30) of the cage is bordered on the outside by an annular groove which accommodates the beads (25C) of the attachment tabs (25).
3. Locking cover (1) according to claim 1, wherein the attachment tabs (25) have beveled free ends (25B).
4. A method for fixing a cap (23) with attachment tabs (25) on a locking cover (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the method consisting in:

   - providing a cap (23) with attachment tabs (25) projecting perpendicularly relative to the flat head (23A) of the cap (23),

   - placing the cap (23) on the ring (7), the attachment tabs (25) of the cap (23) extending in an axial direction through the aperture (17) of the ring (7),

   - inserting the cage (6) into the ring (7) to held in a vice the tabs (25) of the cap (23) between the ring (7) and the cage (6) until an abutment position,

   - the tabs (25) of the cap (23) are held in a vice and are deformed by bending, flaring outwardly of the cover (1) to exceed a limit of elasticity from which they remain in a bent configuration.

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