EP2704961B3 - Cap for the neck of a container - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a cap for a container neck.

• une extrémité axiale, qui relie le reste de cette seconde partie de jupe à la première partie de jupe, et qui est intérieurement pourvue d'anneaux périphériques souples qui s'appuient contre la face extérieure de l'extrémité du col,
• une extrémité axiale opposée, qui est obturée transversalement par une paroi de fond du bouchon, et
• une courte partie intermédiaire qui s'étend axialement entre ces deux extrémités.

The invention is concerned with plastic plugs, which comprise a tubular skirt adapted to be removably attached around the free end ring of the neck of a container, typically by screwing-unscrewing. It is therefore, among others, screw caps that are very commonly used to seal bottles of mineral water or other food liquids. DE-A-14 82 569 , which can be considered as the state of the art closest to the invention, provides an example: this document thus discloses a plug including a tubular skirt includes, successively along the central axis of the latter, a first part skirt, internally provided with a removable screw thread on the outer surface of a container neck, and a second skirt portion comprising:

• an axial end, which connects the remainder of this second skirt portion to the first skirt portion, and which is internally provided with flexible peripheral rings which bear against the outer face of the end of the neck,
• an opposite axial end, which is closed transversely by a bottom wall of the plug, and
• a short intermediate portion extending axially between these two ends.

In recent years, for reasons both economic and ecological, the height of these plugs, that is to say the size of these plugs taken along the direction of the central axis of their skirt, has not the skirt is reduced, in a way, to a ring of very small height, the inner cylindrical surface of which is almost entirely occupied by a tapping allowing the cap to be screwed onto the end ring of the container neck; also dimensioned axially to the smallest. As a result, some users today have real difficulties opening these plugs, because the axial dimension of the outer cylindrical surface of their skirt is so small that their fingers have difficulty in effectively grasping these plugs to unscrew them, especially during the first opening, during which it is very often necessary to break first-opening indicators, for example by retaining a non-removable axial portion of the skirt around the container neck, while the rest can be unscrewed and disengaged, by breaking a weakening line separating the non-removable skirt portion and the removable skirt portion. Moreover, the arrangements of the container neck, related to the witnesses of the first opening of the cap, can accentuate the difficulties mentioned above: thus, the collar, generally present at the base of the ring to limit the fall of the party non-removable skirt, makes it even more difficult to enter the "small" part of the removable skirt.

Of course, to answer the problem described above, one solution would be to return to old dimensions for plugs and their associated rings. However, the object of the present invention is to provide an improved cap which, while being detachably attached to a current container neck, that is to say on a container neck whose ring has a small dimension axial, is easier to handle, especially to open, for users.

For this purpose, the invention relates to plugs for a container neck, as defined in claims 1 and 8.

One of the basic ideas of the invention is, in a way, to seek to add, axially between the bottom wall of the plug and the axial portion of the skirt, which is internally arranged to cooperate with the free end ring a container neck for removable attachment purposes, an axial skirt portion specific to the invention, in order to increase the overall outer surface of the skirt: thus, even in the presence of a neck collar; container having a small axial dimension, manipulations of the cap are facilitated because the fingers of the user have a large axial extent to the outer surface of the skirt for gripping and driving the cap. In addition, externally, the cap thus has a more attractive appearance, due to its increased overall volume in the opposite direction to the closed container neck. Internally, the portion of skirt "added" between the bottom wall and the neck fastening skirt portion, has arrangements to effectively block the axially in line with the neck of the container, in the form of one or several surfaces which abut axially against the free end of the neck, to prevent the skirt portion "added" can be axially driven radial view of the neck ring. Moreover, given the manufacturing constraints of the plug, in particular the molding constraints of a plastic material constituting it, the "added" skirt portion does not consist in a simple massive extension, which would pose, in particular, point problems. during molding, but according to the invention has radially protruding ribs: when these ribs are present on the outer cylindrical surface of the skirt portion specific to the invention, they are advantageously grasped by the fingers of the user to drive the plug, and when these ribs are present on the inner cylindrical surface of the specific skirt portion of the invention, they participate advantageously in the axial locking of this skirt portion. In all cases, these ribs make it possible to manufacture the specific skirt portion of the invention so that this skirt portion has, outside the ribs, a moderate radial thickness, for example having a value of the same order as the thickness. radial of the part of collar fixing skirt, regardless of the axial dimension of the specific skirt portion of the invention.

Additional advantageous features of the plug according to the invention, taken in isolation or in any technically possible combination, are specified in the dependent claims 2 to 7 and 9 to 14.

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'un premier mode de réalisation conforme à l'invention ;
• la figure 2 est une coupe axiale du bouchon de la figure 1, la moitié gauche de cette coupe montrant le bouchon seul, tandis que la moitié droite de cette coupe présente le bouchon obturant un col de récipient ;
• la figure 3 est une coupe partielle selon la ligne III-III de la figure 2 ;
• la figure 4 est une coupe selon la ligne IV-IV de la figure 3 ;
• la figure 5 est une section selon la ligne V-V de la figure 3 ;
• la figure 6 est une vue en perspective d'un second mode de réalisation d'un bouchon conforme à l'invention ;
• la figure 7 est une coupe axiale du bouchon de la figure 6, la moitié gauche de cette coupe montrant le bouchon seul, tandis que la moitié droite de cette coupe montre le bouchon obturant un col de récipient ;
• la figure 8 est une coupe partielle selon la ligne VIII-VIII de la figure 7 ;
• la figure 9 est une coupe selon la ligne IX-IX de la figure 8 ; et
• les figures 10, 11 et 12 sont des vues analogues à la figure 8, illustrant respectivement trois variantes du second mode de réalisation.

The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of example and with reference to the drawings in which:

• the figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment according to the invention;
• the figure 2 is an axial section of the cap of the figure 1 , the left half of this section showing the cap alone, while the right half of this cup has the cap closing a container neck;
• the figure 3 is a partial section along line III-III of the figure 2 ;
• the figure 4 is a section along line IV-IV of the figure 3 ;
• the figure 5 is a section along the line VV of the figure 3 ;
• the figure 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a plug according to the invention;
• the figure 7 is an axial section of the cap of the figure 6 , the left half of this section showing the cap alone, while the right half of this section shows the cap closing a container neck;
• the figure 8 is a partial section along the line VIII-VIII of the figure 7 ;
• the figure 9 is a section along line IX-IX of the figure 8 ; and
• the Figures 10, 11 and 12 are similar views to the figure 8 , respectively illustrating three variants of the second embodiment.

On the Figures 1 to 5 is shown a plug 1 adapted to be removably attached to a neck 2 of a container to plug the neck.

In practice, the neck 2 is integral with the rest of the container, especially when the latter is a glass or plastic bottle, or adapted to be secured permanently to a wall of the container, at an opening crossing this wall.

As described in detail below, the plug 1 has a generally tubular shape, the central longitudinal axis is referenced X-X. Similarly, the neck 2 has a generally tubular shape whose central longitudinal axis coincides with the axis X-X when the plug 1 closes the neck.

For convenience, the following description of the plug 1 is oriented relative to the axis XX, considering that the terms "lower" and "low" describe a portion of the plug which is directed axially towards the container when the plug closes the neck 2 of this container. Conversely, the terms "superior" and "high" correspond to an axial direction of opposite direction. Similarly, the term "interior" qualifies a portion of the cap 1 which is directed transversely to the X-X axis, while the term "outside" corresponds to a transverse direction in the opposite direction.

The neck 2 comprises a generally cylindrical body or ring 3 with a circular base, centered on an axis coinciding with the axis X-X when the plug 1 closes the neck. The upper axial end 4 of the ring 3 is free, being open on the outside, while at its opposite axial end, the ring 3 opens into the rest of the container. At its free end 4, the ring 3 delimits a rim 4A, at which the product contained in the container is intended to be poured and which is connected to the outer side face 3A of the ring 3 by an outer edge 4B. This outer face 3A of the ring 3 is provided, successively from top to bottom, with a helical thread 5; a heel 6 and a flange 7, all of which extend radially projecting outwards.

As mentioned above, the plug 1 has: a generally tubular shape, centered on the axis XX. As clearly visible in FIGS. 2, the plug 1 is open at its lower end and is closed at its upper end by a bottom wall 10 which, in the embodiment considered here, is generally flat, having a shape discoidal centered on the XX axis. From the outer peripheral portion of the bottom wall 10 extend downwardly both an outer tubular skirt 20, which will be described in detail hereinafter, and an inner annular lip 30, both centered on the outside. XX axis. The aforesaid lip 30 includes a free lower axial portion 31, which is connected to the bottom wall 10 by the remainder of the lip 30, forming an axial upper lip portion 32, and which is provided on its outer face with a radially protruding relief 33. This relief 33 extends continuously over the entire outer periphery of the lower lip portion 31, thus being adapted to bear tightly against the inner face 3B of the ring 3 of the container neck 2 when the cap 1 closes that neck, as on the figure 2 . Advantageously, as in the exemplary embodiment considered in the figures, this sealing relief 33 has an olive-shaped outline, which generally leads to the description of the lip 30 as "olive lip".

As clearly visible on the figure 2 , the skirt 20 includes two axial, tubular portions, centered on the axis XX and successive in the direction of this axis XX, namely a low skirt portion 40, which will be described in detail just after, and a skirt portion high 50. which will be detailed further and which connects the lower part 40 to the bottom wall 10.

As shown on the figure 2 , the inner cylindrical surface 40A of the low skirt portion 40 is provided with a thread 41 radially projecting inwardly and complementary to the outer thread 5 of the ring 3 of the container neck 2, thus allowing the cap 1 to be screwed and unscrewed on the neck. To facilitate the handling and the rotary drive of the lower skirt portion 40, the outer cylindrical surface 40B of this skirt portion 40 is provided with radially projecting ribs 42 which, as clearly visible on the figure 1 , each extending in length parallel to the axis XX and which are distributed substantially uniformly around the outer periphery of the skirt portion 40.

In addition, as an advantageous optional arrangement, the low skirt portion 40 is extended, downwards, by a tamper-evident band 60. In a manner known per se, this band 60 has an annular shape substantially centered on the axis XX, its upper axial end being connected to the lower axial end of the skirt portion 40 by a peripheral weakening line 61 designed to break upon the first opening of the plug 1. The line of weakness 61 is located at an axial level which is positioned at the same time, below the lower end of the net 41 and above an interior relief, not shown in the figures, of the inviolability band 60, a relief adapted for to abut axially upwards against the heel 6 when the plug 1 is open for the first time, in order to axially retain the band 60 around the ring 3, by breaking the weakening line 61. Once the band 60 is separated from the lower skirt portion 40, more generally separated from the remainder of the cap 1, it tends, under the effect of its own weight, to descend axially along the ring 3, until coming to rest in axial support against the flange 7. Insofar as the technical arrangements relating to the tamper-evident band 60 or, more generally, similar means forming first-opening controls are well known in the art, they will not be described here more before

As announced above, we will now describe in more detail the upper part 50 of the skirt 20, in particular with regard to Figures 2 to 5 . Thus, as indicated on figures 2 , 4 and 5 this high skirt part 50 consists, successively from bottom to top along the axis XX, of a low axial end 51, which connects the remainder of the skirt portion 50 to the low skirt portion 40, of a intermediate axial portion 52, which represents the largest axial portion of the skirt portion 50, and a high axial end 53 which connects the remainder of the skirt portion 50 to the bottom wall 10.

As clearly visible on the figure 5 the intermediate portion 52 of the skirt portion 50 does not extend in the axial extension of the low skirt portion 40, but, on the contrary, the respective diameters of its inner cylindrical 52A and outer 52B surfaces are, respectively, strictly smaller than the diameters of the inner cylindrical 40A and outer 40B surfaces of the skirt portion 40. As a result, the lower end 51 of the skirt portion 50 accommodates the diametrical dimensional change of the skirt 20, having a generally shouldered shape towards inside, as clearly visible on the figure 5 . In particular, as is apparent from the figure 5 , as well as the left half of the figure 2 , the lower end 51 of the skirt portion 50 includes an inner shoulder 54, which runs over the entire inner periphery of this end 51 and which delimits a lower surface 54A. In other words, this surface 54A, which is turned towards the low skirt part 40, shortens the inner periphery of the high skirt portion 50 and, in the embodiment considered in the figures, extends radially protruding towards the interior from the high axial end of the low skirt portion 40.

Advantageously, as in the exemplary embodiment considered in the figures, the aforementioned surface 54A is frustoconical, being centered on the X-X axis and converging towards the intermediate portion 52 of the high skirt portion 50.

As clearly visible on the right side of the figure 2 , as well as on Figures 4 and 5 , the above-mentioned surface 54A is dimensioned, in particular as regards its radial dimension, to come into axial abutment against the free end 4 of the ring 3 of the container neck 2 when this neck is closed off by the stopper 1, more precisely to bear against the edge 4B of this free end. In this way, by axial support downwards of the high skirt portion 50 against the free end 4 of the ring 3, the stopper 1 is prevented from being driven axially, with respect to the container neck 2, lower than it is on the figures 2 , 4 and 5 . Moreover, insofar as this surface 54A extends continuously over the entire inner periphery of the skirt 20, the axial support of the high skirt portion 50 against the free end 4 of the ring 3 is advantageously sealed, in the direction where the cooperation between the surface 54 A and the edge 4B of the free end 4 forms a peripheral sealing line.

Externally, the diametral dimensional reduction of the high skirt portion 50 with respect to the low skirt portion 40 implies that the outer cylindrical surface 528 of the intermediate portion 52 is located radially within the cylindrical envelope defined by the surface. 40B outer cylindrical portion of the low skirt portion 40, as clearly visible on the figure 5 . However, as clearly visible on the figure 1 , this radial inward withdrawal of most of the high skirt portion 50 is, as it were, compensated by the presence of ribs 55, which project radially from the outer cylindrical surface 52B of the intermediate portion 52 of the skirt portion 50 and which run on this outer cylindrical surface 52 parallel to the axis XX, being distributed, preferably substantially uniformly, along the outer periphery of the surface 52B. In practice, as clearly visible on the figure 3 for the above-mentioned compensation to be complete, the outer radial end 55A of each of these ribs 55 is located at a radial distance from the axis XX, which is equal to, or greater than, the radius of the outer cylindrical surface 40B of the skirt part low 40: in this way, when the user applies his fingers around the skirt 20, each of these fingers can easily take radially against, concomitantly, the lower skirt portion 40 and the ends 55B of the ribs 55 of the part of high skirt 50. This provides the user's fingers a large axial extent to manipulate the skirt 20, in particular to drive it in rotation on itself around the axis XX for screwing or unscrewing purposes vis-à-vis -vis the ring 3 of the container neck 2, in the sense that this axial extent is not limited to that of the lower skirt portion 40, but adds to it the axial extent of the essential, or even the almost all of the high skirt portion 50. Of course, this arrangement also allows a better centering of the plug 1 in the machines used to initially put it in place on the container neck 2; such as in a screw cone.

Advantageously, as in the embodiment considered in the figures, each of the ribs 42 provided on the outer surface 40B of the low skirt portion 40 extends, in the direction of the axis XX, in the extension of a ribs 55, as clearly visible on the figure 1 . By dimensioning the ribs 42 so that their outer radial end extends in the axial extension of the outer radial end 55A of the associated rib 55, most, if not all, of the outer face of the skirt 20 produces , to the attention of the user, a feeling of homogeneous ribbed relief in the direction of the axis XX. That is to say that the depth of the ribs 55, that is to say their radial dimension protruding vis-à-vis the outer cylindrical surface 52B of the intermediate portion 52 of the high skirt portion 50, is greater than that of the ribs 42 vis-à-vis the outer surface 40B of the skirt portion 40, as clearly visible on the figure 1 . This results in a singular aesthetic.

Moreover, because of the presence of the ribs 55, it will be noted that obtaining the large axial extent for the skirt 20, as explained above, does not imply a massive embodiment for the high skirt portion 50, in the sense where, in axial half-section of the skirt 20, as indicated on the figure 5 , the thickness 52 of the intermediate portion 52, in other words the radial dimension of the latter, outside the ribs 55, the dimension separating the inner cylindrical 52A and outer 52B surfaces from the intermediate portion 52 n ' is not equal, but strictly less than the radial distance d20 between the outer cylindrical surface 40B of the low skirt portion 40 and the inner radial end of the surface 54A. This reflects the fact that, although the high skirt portion 50 is directly used, through its shouldered surface 54A, to form an axial stop vis-à-vis the ring 3 of the container neck 2, the thickness of this portion of skirt 50 is not, to compensate, significantly increased outwardly along the entire outer periphery of this skirt portion 50. Indeed, such excess thickness continues over the entire outer periphery of the skirt portion 50 lead, during the manufacture of the plug 1, the appearance of hot spots in the heart of the mass of material constituting this portion of high skirt, especially within a plastic material when the plug 1 is manufactured by molding a such plastic material.

In practice, it is understood that the high skirt portion 50 can then be manufactured with a large axial dimension, thus making it possible to reinforce, as much as desired, obtaining a large overall axial extent for the skirt 20, with the advantages explained above, related to the manipulation of the plug 1. It will be noted that obtaining the large axial extent for the skirt 20 is achieved while the lower skirt portion 40 is axially dimensioned to the fairest, in the sense that the thread 41 of this skirt portion 40 is provided to cooperate with the thread 5 while the latter has a small axial dimension, which is to say that the ring 3 is a ring having an axial dimension voluntarily the smallest possible, echoing the considerations developed in the introductory part of this document. In other words, the plug 1 has the advantage of being able to be attached to the ring while the latter has a small axial dimension, while providing the user with a skirt 20 having a large axial extent for easy manipulation of the cap In practice, according to an advantageous design, the high skirt portion 50 has a total axial dimension of at least 50% or even 100% or more of the axial dimension of the thread 41 of the low skirt portion 40.

Furthermore, it will be noted that the upper end 53 of the high skirt portion 50 is not bonded directly to the upper portion 32 of the lip 30, which would lead to limiting the bending capacity of this lip 30 used to press sealingly the relief 33 against the inner face 3B of the ring 3 of the container neck 2 when the neck is closed by the stopper 1. On the contrary, as clearly visible on the figure 5 , the inner cylindrical surface of the skirt portion 50 is radially distant from the upper portion 32 of the lip 30 over its entire axial dimension.

The inner cylindrical surface 52A of the intermediate portion 52 of the high skirt portion 50 is provided with radially projecting ribs 57. The advantage of these ribs 57 is related to the fact that, in the direction of the axis XX, each of these ribs 57 extends to the axial level of the surface 54A, as clearly visible on the figures 2 and 4 , so that each of these ribs 57 defines, at its lower axial end, a surface 57A which, when the plug 1 closes the container neck 2 as on the figure 2 , axially downwards against the free end 4 of the ring 3 of the container neck 2, more precisely against the rim 4A of this free end 4. This amounts to saying that the surface 54A opens locally, at the radial level of each ribs 57, on the corresponding surface 57A, these surfaces 57A thus reinforcing the axial abutment of the high skirt portion 50 against the free end 4 of the ring 3 and thus making it possible to apply a greater tightening torque to the plug 1 in its screwing around the container neck 2. In practice, it will be noted that the surface 54A and the surfaces 57A are arranged so that, when the stopper 1 is screwed down tightly around the container neck 2, the surface 54A interferes with the outer edge 4B of the free end 4 of this neck before the surfaces 57A bear against the rim 4A: in this way, it promotes the sealing of the skirt portion 50 on the container neck 2 , through cooperation the shoulder surface 54A and the end edge 4B of this neck, while, thanks to the subsequent cooperation between the surfaces 47A and the end rim 4A of the container neck, significantly reduces the risks that the skirt portion 50 flares radially outwardly by sliding of the lower end 51 of the skirt portion 50 against the end edge 4B of the container neck 2, resulting in particular from the application to the cap of a -contraint clamping. To preserve the flexibility of the sealing lip 30, each of the ribs 57 is radially distant from the upper part 32 of this lip 30, as clearly visible on the figure 3 . Advantageously, this radial spacing, noted Δ57 on the figure 3 is greater than the radial dimension protruding relief 33 vis-à-vis the rest of the lip 30, so that, during the release of the cap 1, the relief 33 does not rub against the molding elements of the ribs 57, which would have the harmful consequence of striking out this relief 33 and thus compromise its sealing performance.

On the Figures 6 to 9 there is shown a cap 101 capable of being removably attached around the container neck 2 in order to close the latter in substantially the same way as the stopper 1. As is clearly visible by comparison between the Figures 1 to 5 and the Figures 6 to 9 the plug 101 is distinguished from the plug 1 only by the upper part 150 of its skirt 120, while its bottom wall 110, the lower part 140 of its skirt 120, its sealing lip 130 and its tamper-evident band 160 are respectively identical to the bottom wall 10, the lower skirt portion 40, the sealing lip 30 and the tamper-evident band 60 of the plug 1. These components which are in common between the plug 1 and the cap 101 will not be described further with regard to Figures 6 to 9 , it being understood that, in the aforementioned figures, the elements of the plug 101 found in the same way in the plug 1 have the same reference numerals as for the plug 1, increased by 100.

By focusing further on the upper portion 150 of the skirt 120, it can be seen that, unlike the skirt portion 50, the skirt portion 150 does not have a reduced diametral dimensioning with respect to the low skirt portion. 140, but, on the contrary, as clearly visible on the figures 7 and 9 the inner cylindrical surfaces 152A and outer 152B of the intermediate portion 152 of the skirt portion 150 respectively extend in the axial extension of the inner cylindrical 140A and outer 140B surfaces of the lower skirt portion 140. The lower end 151 of the skirt portion 150 merges, without radial discontinuity, into the axial alignment of the high 150 and low skirt portions 140. Thus, the high end 153 of the skirt portion 150 connects the remainder of this skirt portion 150 to the bottom wall 110 which, with regard to the diametral dimensioning larger for the skirt portion 150 than for the skirt portion 50, has an outside diameter greater than the outside diameter of the bottom wall 10 of the cap 1. This amounts to to say that, as clearly visible on the figure 6 , the skirt 120 has, over substantially its entire axial dimension, a constant diametral dimension, the outer face of this skirt 120 can thus be used over its entire axial dimension by the fingers of the user to manipulate the plug 101 , in particular to drive it in rotation about itself about the axis XX. Moreover, to facilitate this rotational drive, the outer face of the skirt 120 is advantageously ribbed: as clearly visible on the figure 6 , that is to say that the outer cylindrical surface 152B of the intermediate portion 152 of the high skirt portion 150 is provided with optional ribs 155 radially outwardly projecting, which, in the direction of the axis XX, extend in the rectilinear extension of a optional associated rib 142 which extends radially from the outer cylindrical surface 140B of the low skirt portion 140, these ribs 155 and 142 being regularly distributed, advantageously substantially uniformly, along the outer periphery of the skirt 120.

As clearly visible on Figures 7 to 9 the inner cylindrical surface 152A of the intermediate portion 152 of the high skirt portion 150 is provided with radially projecting ribs 157 which extend axially from the axial level of the upper end 153 to the axial level of the low end. 151. In other words, each of the ribs 157 has, opposite to each other in the direction of the axis XX, an upper axial edge 157A, which connects the remainder of the rib 157 to the bottom wall 110, being, in the embodiment shown in the figures, integral with this bottom wall, and a lower axial edge which, at least in its outer part, delimits a free surface 157B turned towards the skirt portion 140. In addition, in section in a plane perpendicular to the axis XX, as shown in FIG. figure 8 , each of the ribs 157 has a substantially rectangular contour in the direction of the length of which are opposed the radial edges of the rib, namely, on the one hand, an outer radial edge 157C which connects the rest of the rib 157 to the surface internal cylindrical 152A of the intermediate portion 152 of the high skirt portion 150, being, in the embodiment considered in the figures, integral with this inner cylindrical surface 152A, and, on the other hand, an inner radial edge 157D who is free.

Thus, the ribs 157 provide the axial downward stop of the high skirt portion 150, vis-à-vis the container neck 2, when the latter is closed by the cap 101, as on the figure 7 to do this, the lower surface 157B of each of the ribs 157 constitutes a downward axial abutment surface for the skirt portion 150 and hence for the entire plug 101. In particular, similarly to the ribs 57 of the 1, the surfaces 157B of the ribs 157 are provided to bear axially against the rim 4A of the free end 4 of the ring 3 of the container neck 2. Advantageously, as in the embodiment considered in the figures, each of these surfaces 157B, which are all inscribed in the same plane perpendicular to the axis XX, is extended outwards by an optional downwardly inclined surface 154, which is delimited by the inner part of the lower axial edge of the rib 157 and that takes bearing on a local portion of the edge 4B of the free end 4 of the ring 3 when the container neck 2 is closed by the cap 101.

Note that, since the ribs 157 are distributed along the inner periphery of the high skirt portion 150, being spaced apart from each other along this periphery, the axial abutment effect provided by these ribs does not imply a massive constitution for the high skirt portion 150: in other words, similarly to what has been described above for the skirt portion 50, in axial half-section of the skirt 120, the intermediate portion 152 of the portion of skirt 150 has, apart from the ribs 155 and 157, a thickness e152, that is to say a radial dimension, which is strictly smaller than the radial distance d120 between the outer cylindrical surface 140B of the low skirt portion 140 and the inner radial end of the abutment surfaces 157B, as indicated on the figure 9 .

Moreover, also as clearly visible on the figure 9 it will be noted that the upper edge 157A of each of the ribs 157 is not connected directly to the upper axial portion 132 of the sealing lip 130, but, on the contrary, is radially remote from this lip portion 132 over the entire axial dimension of this lip portion 132: similarly to what has been explained for the ribs 57 of the plug 1, this arrangement preserves the flexibility of the sealing lip 130. Moreover, advantageously, the radial spacing, noted Δ157 on the figure 8 , between the inner radial edge 157D of each rib 157 and the upper portion 132 of the sealing lip 130 is provided greater than the protruding radial dimension of the relief 133 provided on the outer surface of the lower portion 131 of the lip 130: the kind, as already mentioned for the ribs 57 of the cap 1, the lip 130 can be demolded without the risk that its sealing relief 133 comes to interfere with the arrangements necessary for molding the ribs 157, thus avoiding scratching the relief 133 .

In view of the foregoing explanations, it is understood that the cap 101 has substantially the same advantages as the cap 1, as regards its advantageous ability to provide a large axial extent for its skirt 120 while its lower skirt portion 140 is dimensioned axially to the fair, that is to say is provided to cooperate with the ring 3 while the latter has a particularly small axial dimensioning. In particular, the values proposed above for the axial dimensional ratio between the skirt portions 40 and 50 are also relevant for the skirt 120: in other words, advantageously, the skirt portion 150 has a total axial dimension equal to at least 50 %, or even 100% or more, of the axial dimension of the thread 141 of the low skirt portion 140.

As an advantageous optional arrangement, the inner radial edge 157D of each rib 157 does not have, in section in a plane perpendicular to the axis XX, an outline which fits exactly with the rest of the generally rectangular outline of the rib 157, but, as represented in figure 8 , has a swollen contour on both sides of the main faces of the rib 57, that is to say opposite faces in the direction of the width of the substantially rectangular contour of the rib. That is to say that, overall, in section in a plane perpendicular to the axis XX, each rib 57 generally has a T-shaped contour, with the transverse bar of this T corresponding to the inner radial edge 157D. In other words, the inner radial edge 157D includes two bulges 158 and 159, which extend respectively projecting from the two main faces of the rib 157. These bulges 158 and 159 extend axially over the entire axial dimension of the rib. rib 157, in particular to its lower axial edge, thereby extending the abutment surface 157B in a direction orthoradial to the axis XX. In addition to extending the abutment surface 157B, these bulges 158 and 159 have the advantage of stiffening each rib 157 at its inner radial edge 157D. In this way, when the cap 101 is screwed fully onto the container neck 2 and, as explained above, the surfaces 157B and 154 of the ribs 157 are supported axially against the free end 4 of the ring 3 of this container neck, the bulges 158 and 159 limit the bending deformation that the ribs 157 undergo, by rotating rubbing contact against the free end 4 of the ring 3. It is thus understood that the stiffening effect produced by the bulge 158 is particularly useful insofar as this bulge 158 is protruding from the face of the rib 157, which is turned away from the direction, indicated by the curved arrow S on the figure 8 screwing the cap 101 around the container neck 2. Of course, even if it is to a lesser extent, the opposing bulge 159 of each rib 157 also contributes to limiting the bending deformation of the rib.

On the basis of the just preceding considerations, we understand the interest of the two variants of Figures 10 and 11 . On these Figures 10 and 11 , the respective ribs 157 'and 157 ", which are functionally similar to the rib 157 described so far, do not have, in a plane perpendicular to the axis XX, a T-shaped contour, like the rib 157, but respectively L-shaped and J-shaped contours. In other words, each of these ribs 157 'and 157 "does not have, on its inner radial edge, two opposite bulges, such as the bulges 158 and 159, but a single bulge 158 ', 158 "which is advantageously protruding from the main face of the rib 157', 157" which is turned away from the screwing direction S.

On the figure 12 , a variant of the rib 157, which is referenced 157 "', consists in not providing any of the two bulges 158 and 159, but is distinguished from the rib 157 in that the direction of the length of its rectangular contour is not does not extend in a radial direction to the axis XX, but is inclined with respect to this radial direction Advantageously, to reinforce the effect of resistance to the deformation of the rib 157 "', the aforesaid inclination is provided on the side of the aforementioned radial direction, which is turned away from the direction of screwing S.

Of course, with regard to the variants described above with regard to Figures 10 to 12 , the components of the corresponding plugs, other than the ribs 157 ', 157 "and 157"', are identical to those of the plug 101 and therefore bear the same numerical references for those which are visible on these Figures 10, 11 and 12 .

• les aménagements relatifs aux nervures 157, 157', 157" et 157"' peuvent être combinés entre eux ; bien entendu, toute ou partie de ces aménagements peuvent être appliqués aux nervures 57 du bouchon 1 ;
• en ce qui concerne les nervures extérieures 42, 55, 142 et 155, on notera que leur profil n'est pas limitatif de la présente invention ; ainsi, comparativement à ce qui est visible sur les figures, l'extrémité libre de ces nervures peut être prévue plus anguleuse ou plus émoussée; et/ou
• d'autres formes de réalisation que les filets 41 et 141 peuvent être envisagées en ce qui concerne la fixation amovible de la partie basse 40, 140 de la jupe 20, 120 ; par exemple, cette partie de jupe basse peut être intérieurement munie d'un ou de plusieurs clips, prévus pour se coincer avec un relief extérieur saillant de l'extrémité libre de la bague du col de récipient.

Various arrangements and variants of plugs 1 and 101, and their variants, described so far are also possible. As examples:

• the arrangements relating to the ribs 157, 157 ', 157 "and 157"' can be combined with each other; of course, all or part of these arrangements can be applied to the ribs 57 of the plug 1;
• with regard to the external ribs 42, 55, 142 and 155, it should be noted that their profile is not limiting of the present invention; thus, compared to what is visible in the figures, the free end of these ribs can be provided more angular or more blunt; and or
• other embodiments than the threads 41 and 141 may be envisaged with regard to the removable attachment of the lower part 40, 140 of the skirt 20, 120; for example, this low skirt portion may be internally provided with one or more clips, provided to be wedged with an external relief projecting from the free end of the ring of the container neck.

Claims (14)

1. Cap (1) for a container neck, including a tubular skirt (20) which defines a central axis (X-X) and which includes, successively along this axis, a first skirt part (40), provided internally with means (41) for removably fixing it to the exterior surface (3A) of the container neck (2), and a second skirt part (50) including:

   - a first axial end (51) which connects the rest of the second skirt part (50) to the first skirt part (40) and which is provided internally with at least one surface (54A, 57A) adapted to abut axially against the free end (4) of the container neck (2),

   - a second axial end (53) which is axially opposite the first end (51) and which is blocked transversely by an end wall (10) of the cap (1), and

   - an intermediate part (52) which extends axially between the first and second ends, from which project radially ribs (55, 57) substantially parallel to the axis (X-X) and distributed in a direction peripheral to this axis and which, in an axial section half-plane of the skirt (20), have, outside said ribs, a radial dimension (e52) that is strictly less than the radial distance (d20) between the exterior cylindrical surface (40B) of the first skirt part (40) and the interior radial end of the abutment surface or surfaces (54A, 57A,

   wherein the intermediate part (52) of the second skirt part (50) has an interior cylindrical surface (52A) and an exterior cylindrical surface (52B) the diameters of which are strictly less than those of the interior cylindrical surface (40A) and exterior cylindrical surface (40B), respectively, of the first skirt part (40),
   wherein the or at least one of the abutment surfaces (54A) is delimited by an interior shoulder (54) of the first end (51) of the second skirt part (50),
   wherein some of the ribs (55) project from the exterior cylindrical surface (52B) of the intermediate part (52) of the second skirt part (50),
   and wherein some ribs (57) project from the interior cylindrical surface (52A) of the intermediate part (52) of the second skirt part (50) and extend axially as far as the axial level of the abutment surface (54A) delimited by the interior shoulder (54) of the first end (51) of the second skirt part (50) so that each of these ribs (57) delimits at its axial end facing toward the first skirt part (40) one of the abutment surfaces (57A) other than the abutment surface (54A) delimited by the interior shoulder (54).
2. Cap according to Claim 1, characterized in that the second skirt part (50) has a total axial dimension of at least 50% of the axial dimension of the first skirt part (40) occupied by the removable fixing means (41).
3. Cap according to either of Claims 1 or 2,characterized in that it further includes an annular sealing lip (30) which is arranged coaxially with and inside the skirt (20) and which projects axially from the end wall (10), being over the whole of its axial dimension at a radial distance from both the interior cylindrical surface of the first skirt part (40) and the second skirt part (50) and from the ribs (57) projecting from the interior cylindrical surface (52A) of the intermediate part (52) of the second skirt part (50).
4. Cap according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the exterior radial end (55A) of each of the ribs (55) projecting from the exterior cylindrical surface (523) of the intermediate part (52) of the second skirt part (50) is situated at a radial distance from the axis (X-X) that is equal to or greater than the radius of the exterior cylindrical surface (403) of the first skirt part (40).
5. Cap according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each of the ribs (55) projecting from the exterior cylindrical surface (523) of the intermediate part (52) of the second skirt part (50) extends in the direction of the axis (X-X) in light with an associated rib (42) that projects from the exterior cylindrical surface (40B) of the first skirt part (40).
6. Cap according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the abutment surface (54A) which is delimited by the interior shoulder (54) of the first end (51) of the second skirt part (50) extends continuously around the whole of the interior periphery of this first end so as to form a sealing line against the exterior edge (4B) of the free end (4) of the container neck (2).
7. Cap according to Claim 6, characterized in that the abutment surface (54A) which is delimited by the interior shoulder (54; 54') of the first end (51) of the second skirt part (50) is substantially frustoconical, being centered on the axis (X-X) and converging toward the rest of the second skirt part (50).
8. Cap (101) for a container neck, including a tubular skirt (120) which defines a central axis (X-X) and which includes, successively along this axis, a first skirt part (140), provided internally with means (141) for removably fixing it to the exterior surface (3A) of the container neck (2), and a second skirt part (150) including:

   - a first axial end (151) which connects the rest of the second skirt part (150) to the first skirt part (140) and which is provided internally with at least one surface (157B) adapted to abut axially against the free end (4) of the container neck (2),

   - a second axial end (153) which is axially opposite the first end (151) and which is blocked transversely by an end wall (110) of the cap (101), and

   - an intermediate part (152) which extends axially between the first and second ends, from which project radially ribs (155, 157; 155, 157'; 155, 157"; 155, 157"') substantially parallel to the axis (X-X) and distributed in a direction peripheral to this axis and which, in an axial section half-plane of the skirt (120), have, outside said ribs, a radial dimension (e152) that is strictly less than the radial distance (d120) between the exterior cylindrical surface (140B) of the first skirt part (140) and the interior radial end of the abutment surface or surfaces (54A'; 157B),

   wherein the intermediate part (152) of the second skirt part (150) has an interior cylindrical surface (152A) and an exterior cylindrical surface (152B) axially aligned with the interior cylindrical surface (140A) and the exterior cylindrical surface (140B), respectively, of the first skirt part (140),
   and wherein at least some or even all of the ribs(157; 157'; 157"; 157'") project from the interior cylindrical surface (152A) of the intermediate part (152) of the second skirt part (150) and extend axially as far as the axial level of the first end (151) of the second skirt part so that each of these ribs (157; 157', 157"; 157'") delimits at its axial end facing toward the first skirt part (140) one of the abutment surfaces (157B).
9. Cap according to Claim 8, characterized in that some ribs (155) project from the exterior cylindrical surface (152B) of the intermediate part (152) of the second skirt part (150) and extend in the direction of the axis (X-X) in line with an associated rib (142) that projects from the exterior cylindrical surface (140B) of the first skirt part (140).
10. Cap according to either of Claims 8 or 9, characterized in that each of the ribs (157; 157'; 157"; 157"') projecting from the interior cylindrical surface (152A) of the intermediate part (152) of the second skirt part (150) has:

    - in section in a plane perpendicular to the axis (X-X) a substantially rectangular contour in the lengthwise direction of which are opposed, on the one hand, an exterior radial edge (1570) of the rib (157; 157'; 157"; 157'") which connects the rest of the rib to the interior cylindrical surface (152A) of the intermediate part (152) of the second skirt part (150) and, on the other hand, an interior radial edge (157D) of the rib, which is free, and

    - opposite each other in the direction of the axis (X-X), an axial edge (157A) that connects the rest of the rib (157; 157'; 157"; 157'") to the end wall (110) of the cap (101) and an axial edge which delimits the abutment surface (157B) associated with the rib.
11. Cap according to Claim 10, characterized in that the interior radial edge (157D) of each of the ribs (157;157';157")projecting from the interior cylindrical surface (152A) of the intermediate part (152) of the second skirt part (150) is provided with a stiffening enlargement (158, 159; 158'; 158") which projects from one of the two faces of the rib, opposite in the widthwise direction of the substantially rectangular contour of this rib, in particular projecting from that of said two faces that faces away from the direction (S) of screwing the cap (101) around the container neck (2) when the removable fixing means (141) are screwing-unscrewing means.
12. Cap according to either of Claims 10 or 11, characterized in that the lengthwise direction of the substantially rectangular contour of each of the ribs (157"') projecting from the interior cylindrical surface (152A) of the intermediate part (152) of the second skirt part (150) is inclined relative to a direction radial to the axis (X-X), in particular inclined on the side of this radial direction that faces away from the direction (S) of screwing the cap (101) around the container neck (2) when the removable fixing means (141) are screwing-unscrewing means.
13. Cap according to any one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that the second skirt part (150) has a total axial dimension of at least 50% of the axial dimension of the first skirt part (140) occupied by the removable fixing means (141).
14. Cap according to any one of claims 8 to 13, characterized in that it further includes an annular sealing lip (130) which is arranged coaxially with and inside the skirt (120) and which projects axially from the end wall (110), being over the whole of its axial dimension at a radial distance from both the interior cylindrical surface of the first skirt part (40; 140) and the second skirt part (150) and from the ribs (157; 157'; 157"; 157"') projecting from the interior cylindrical surface (152A) of the intermediate part (152) of the second skirt part (150).

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