EP3162728A1

EP3162728A1 - Container, sealing system and stopper

Info

Publication number: EP3162728A1
Application number: EP16196479.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Gilberto Ceredi
Original assignee: F Ceredi SpA
Current assignee: F Ceredi SpA
Priority date: 2015-10-30
Filing date: 2016-10-28
Publication date: 2017-05-03
Anticipated expiration: 2036-10-28
Also published as: HUE045455T2; EP3162728B1; ITUB20155232A1; ES2732466T3

Abstract

A container, a sealing system and a stopper; wherein the sealing system seals a container and has a stopper, which has a longitudinal axis (A2) and comprises a tubular abutment (12) delimiting an inner passage area (13), which is configured to be inserted, in use, into an opening (6) of the container; the stopper (10) having one or more radial windows (16), each configured to connect said area (13) with a zone that is radially arranged on the outside of the tubular abutment (12) relative to said axis (A2).

Description

This patent application relates to a container, a sealing system and a stopper. In particular, this invention relates to a container, a sealing system and a stopper for liquids, for example paints.
As it is known, containers used for liquids, such as for example varnishes or paints, comprise a cup-shaped body having a longitudinal axis and an upper opening surrounded by a substantially tubular rim. Known containers comprise, furthermore, a sealing system, which is applied to the rim and is configured to seal the container.
Known sealing systems comprise a stopper, which is configured to be partially inserted into the container and to be applied, through pressure, on the rim of the container. In particular, the stopper comprises an annular edge, which is configured to engage, through pressure, the rim of the container, an outer collar, which longitudinally projects from the annular edge towards the outside of the container, and a tubular abutment, which is configured to longitudinally partially extend inside the container. The known sealing system further comprises a cap, which is configured to be applied on the outer collar, for example through screwing or by means of pressure.
The stopper knowingly has a removable membrane, which is configured to seal the container and is configured to be removed upon first use of the container.
Furthermore, it is known that the tubular abutment of the stopper comprises a plurality of teeth, which axially project from the tubular abutment (in other words, the inner free end of the tubular abutment is provided with teeth), so as to delimit, on the perimeter of the stopper, a plurality of radial openings, which are configured to allow the product contained in the container to completely flow out without forming stagnations between the tubular abutment and the walls of the container.
In this field, it is known to automatically apply the pre-assembled known sealing systems on the rim of a container. In particular, the sealing systems are pushed, through pressure, so as to close the openings of the containers, in order to hook the stopper to the rim. In particular, in this field, it is known to automatically feed the containers and the sealing systems to an application station, where each sealing system (in particular the stopper) is centred and inserted, through pressure, into the upper opening of the respective container.
Known sealing systems, in particular known stoppers, suffer from a drawback consisting in the fact that the teeth of the stoppers tend to get stuck during the feeding or get trapped in the rim of a respective container during the centring in the application station. Therefore, known sealing systems (in particular known stoppers) require maintenance operations to remove those known sealing systems (in particular those known stoppers) that remain trapped, thus increasing the number of rejects (sealing systems, in particular stoppers, that get trapped and are possibly damaged).
The object of the invention is to provide a stopper, a sealing system and a container, which overcome the drawbacks described above.
The object of the invention is to provide a stopper, a sealing system and a container, which make the assembly with the container easier, so as to reduce - maybe eliminate - maintenance operations caused by the presence of stuck sealing systems, in particular stoppers, and the number of rejects of sealing systems, in particular stoppers.
The object of the invention is to provide a stopper, a sealing system and a container according to the appended claims.
The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show a non-limiting embodiment thereof, wherein:

figure 1 is a schematic exploded view, with parts removed for greater clarity, of a container and a sealing system according to the invention;
figure 2 shows, in a schematic manner and in a cross-sectional view, a series of different variants of the profile of an outer rim of a container;
figure 3 is an exploded view of a sealing system according to the invention;
figure 4 shows the cross section of a sealing system of figure 3 applied to an upper opening of a container having an outer rim according to the variants shown in figure 2;
figure 5 is a side view of figure 4;
figure 6 shows, in a schematic manner and in a cross-sectional view, a series of different variants of the profile of a dual-interlocking outer rim of a container;
figure 7 shows, in a cross-sectional view, a detail of a first variant of the sealing system, which is configured to be applied to container having a dual-interlocking outer rim according to the variants shown in figure 6;
figure 8 shows, in a schematic manner and in a cross-sectional view, a series of different variants of the profile of an inner rim of a container;
figure 9 shows, in a cross-sectional view, a detail of a second variant of the sealing system, which is configured to be applied to container having an inner rim according to the variants shown in figure 8;
figure 10 shows, in a schematic manner and in a cross-sectional view, a series of different variants of the profile of an inner rim of a container; and
figure 11 shows, in a cross-sectional view, a detail of a third variant of the sealing system, which is configured to be applied to container having an inner rim according to the variants shown in figure 10.

In figure 1, number 1 indicates, as a whole, a container configured to be coupled to a sealing system 2 so as to be sealed, as described more in detail below.
As it is known, the container 1 comprises an axially symmetrical body, which is delimited by a side wall 3, a bottom wall (known and not shown), which is configured to rest on a support surface, and an upper wall 4. The side wall 3, the bottom wall and the upper wall 4 delimit an inner cavity 5 of the container 1. The cavity 5 is configured to house, in a known manner, a product, for example a fluid product, such as paint, or a powdery product.
The upper wall 4 has an opening 6, which is configured to establish a communication between the cavity 5 of the container 1 and the outside. Advantageously, the opening 6 has a circular perimeter and a symmetry axis A1. The container 1 comprises, in a known manner, an annular rim 7, which surrounds the opening 6 and axially projects from the upper wall 4 towards the outside of the container 1. The rim 7 is configured to be coupled in a known manner, in particular through pressure, to the sealing system 2.
Different types of rim 7 for the container 1 are known. In particular, there are outer rims, dual-interlocking outer rims and inner rims. Figures 2 shows, by way of example, some profiles of outer rims. Similarly, figures 6, 8 and 10 show examples of dual-interlocking outer rims and inner rims. For the sake of simplicity, the description below will explicitly refer to these examples of rims without for this reason losing generality.
Generally speaking, the rim 7 comprises a tubular portion 8, which, at one end, is connected to (in particular manufactured as one single piece together with) the upper wall 4 and, at the opposite end (hereinafter referred to as free end), comprises a projection 9.
According to figure 2, in case of an outer rim, the projection 9 radially projects towards the outside of the tubular portion 8.
In figures 4 and 5, the projection 9 is a margin of the rim 7, which is radially bent in a U-shape on the outside of the tubular portion 8 with the concavity facing the upper wall 4 of the container 1.
Advantageously, the container 1 is made of a metal material. In particular, the container 1 is at least partly made with tinplate. The fact of being made of metal, and in particular of tinplate, leads to numerous advantages in terms of lightness, ease of being processed and mechanical resistance.
Figures 3 to 5 show a sealing system 2, which is configured to be applied to a container 1 having an outer rim 7 chosen in the group of different outer rims shown in figure 2.
According to figures 3 to 5, the sealing system 2 comprises, in turn, a stopper 10 and a cap 11.
The stopper 10 is configured to be partially inserted into the container 1 and is inserted, through pressure, into the tubular portion 8. Furthermore, the stopper is configured to be pressure-fitted on the projection 9 of the rim 7. The stopper 10 is configured to seal the container 1, as described more in detail below. The stopper 10 is axially symmetrical, has a longitudinal axis A2 and is configured to be, in use, coaxial to the axis A1 of the opening 6, when it is applied on the rim 7.
The stopper 10 comprises, in turn, a tubular abutment 12. According to figures 3 to 5, the tubular abutment 12 delimits an inner passage area 13 and has an extension along the longitudinal axis A2 that is greater than the extension of the tubular portion 8 of the rim 7 along the axis A1, to which it is going to be coupled in use.
In particular, the tubular abutment 12 has an initial portion 14, which is configured to be arranged, in use, so as to strike against the tubular portion 8 of the respective rim 7, and an end portion 15, which is configured to axially project into the container 1 relative to the tubular portion 8 of the respective rim 7. In other words, the end portion 15 of the tubular abutment 12 freely projects into the cavity 15 of the container 1. Advantageously, the diameter of the initial portion 14 is such as to be coupled with interference into the tubular portion 8 of the respective rim 7.
Advantageously, the end portion 15 of the tubular abutment 12 has a plurality of radial through windows 16, each window 16 being configured to establish a communication between the passage area 13 of the stopper 10 and the zone of the cavity 5 of the container 1 that is radially arranged on the outside of the stopper 10. In this description, the term "window" indicates an opening going through a body and laterally delimited by a continuous perimeter; in other words, the projection of said perimeter on a plane that is perpendicular to the through direction of the window is a closed polygon.
Advantageously, the end portion 15 of the stopper 10 comprises an annular sealing edge 17, which projects from the free end of the end portion 15. In other words, the sealing edge 17 of the stopper 10 axially closes each window 16. In particular, the end of the end portion 15 is flat and continuous. In other words, the sealing edge 17 completely lies on one single plane. This means that the end portion 15 of the tubular abutment 12 does not have teeth or recesses that, in use, axially face the bottom wall of the container 1.
The stopper 10 comprises, furthermore, an inner membrane 18, which is configured to close the passage area 13 and to seal, in use, the container 1. In particular, the membrane 18 is configured to be at least partially removed when the container 1 is opened for the first time.
The stopper 10 comprises, furthermore, an interlocking element 19. The stopper 10 comprises, furthermore, a collar 20, which is configured to project, in use, outwards from the container 1 and on which a cap 11 can be applied.
According to figures 3 to 5, the interlocking element 19 radially projects outwards from the tubular abutment 12 and is configured to be, in use, fitted and locked on the projection 9 of the rim 7, in a know manner shown in a schematic fashion. In particular, the interlocking element 19 is interposed, along the longitudinal axis A2, between the tubular abutment 12 and the collar 20.
The collar 20 and the cap 11 advantageously comprise, in a known manner shown in a schematic fashion, mutual coupling elements 21, which are configured to interact with one another so as to close the container 1 in a releasable manner. For example, the coupling elements 21 are those of a screw system and both the collar 20 and the cap 11 have threads that are configured to cooperate. Advantageously, the collar 20 has a TWIST-OFF thread, which remarkably reduces frictions during the screwing between the cap 11 and the collar 20 and, therefore, reduces - maybe eliminates - the production of swarf/dust due to the relative sliding of the cap 11 on the collar 20. By so doing, the wear of the cap 11 and of the coupling system between the cap 11 and the collar 20 of the sealing system is significantly reduced.
The cap 11 can be made, for example, of a plastic material and/or metal.
In figure 7, number 2' indicates a variant of the sealing system 2 shown in figures 3 to 5. The sealing system 2' is configured to be applied, as described more in detail below, to a dual-interlocking outer rim 7' chosen in group of different dual-interlocking outer rims shown in figure 6. In particular, the tubular portion 8' of the rim 7' is bent so as to create an axial abutment wall S', which is interposed between the abutment 9' and the upper wall 4' of the container.
In figure 7, for the sealing system 2' and for the components that it shares with the sealing system 2 shown in figures 3 to 5, we used the same reference numbers, these common components being comprised in the sealing systems 2'.
In figure 7, the stopper 10' has a further interlocking element 22', which radially projects outwards from the tubular abutment 12. The interlocking element 22' is axially interposed between the initial portion 14 and the end portion 15. The further interlocking element 22' is configured to strike against the abutment wall S' of the rim 7'. The end portion 15 has an outer perimeter shaped like a truncated cone with a diameter that is smaller in the area of the free end of the tubular abutment, so as to create a recess for the hooking with the rim 7' of the container.
In figure 9, number 2" indicates a variant of the sealing system 2 shown in figures 3 to 5. The sealing system 2" is configured to be applied, as described more in detail below, to an inner rim 7" chosen in group of different inner rims shown in figure 8. In particular, the abutment 9" is radially bent inside the tubular portion 8".
In figure 9, the stopper 10" has an interlocking element 22", which radially projects outwards from the tubular abutment 12.
The interlocking element 22" is axially interposed between the initial portion 14 and the end portion 15. The further interlocking element 22" is configured to strike against the abutment 9" of the rim 7". The end portion 15 has an outer perimeter shaped like a truncated cone with a diameter that is smaller in the area of the free end of the tubular abutment, so as to create a recess for the hooking with the rim 7" of the container.
In figure 11, number 2"' indicates a variant of the sealing system 2 shown in figures 3 to 5. The sealing system 2"' is configured to be applied, as described more in detail below, to an inner rim 7"' chosen in group of different inner rims shown in figure 10. In particular, the rim 7"' does not comprise the tubular portion and the abutment 9"' is radially bent inside the upper wall 4"' of the container.
In figure 11, the stopper 10"' has an interlocking element 22"', which radially projects outwards from the tubular abutment 12. The interlocking element 22"' is axially interposed between the initial portion 14 and the end portion 15. The further interlocking element 22"' is configured to strike against the abutment 9"' of the rim 7"'. The end portion 15 has an outer perimeter shaped like a truncated cone with a diameter that is smaller in the area of the free end of the tubular abutment, so as to create a recess for the hooking with the rim 7"' of the container.
Advantageously, the stopper 10, 10', 10", 10"' is made of a plastic material. This allows the stopper 10, 10', 10", 10"' to be light, simple and cheap to be manufactured (even for mass productions), and to ensure the sealing of the container 1.
In use, during the assembly of a container 1, the sealing system 1 and the container 1 are led to a coupling station. In this coupling station, the opening 6 of the container 1 and the sealing system 2, in particular the stopper 10, are centred in such a way that the axis A1 and the longitudinal axis A2 are substantially coaxial to one another.
Then, the sealing system 2 is pressed so as to close the opening 6 in such a way that the tubular abutment 12 of the stopper 10 is coupled with interference into the tubular portion 8 of the rim 7 and, at the same time, the interlocking element 19 is fitted and locked on the abutment 9 of the rim 7.
The sealing system 2, in particular the stopper 10, described above has the advantage of being capable of being moved along the production line without jamming problems thanks to the presence of the sealing edge 17. In other words, the sealing system 2, in particular the stopper 19, can be easily fed - namely moved - along a production line, as it has no teeth or corners that might cause jamming.
Furthermore, the sealing edge 17 of the stopper 10 allows the sealing system 2, in particular the stopper 10, to be easily positioned and centred relative to the container 1. In particular, the sealing edge 17 allows the sealing system 2 (in particular the stopper 10) and the container 1 to be fed and coupled in a continuous manner thanks to the presence of the sealing edge 17, which permits the sliding of the sealing system 2 (in particular of the stopper 10) on the rim 7 of the container 1 until the correct centring of the sealing system 2 (in particular of the stopper 10) relative to the rim 7 of the opening 6.
Therefore, the stopper 10 described above, besides avoiding the generation of standstills of the machine due to jamming, allows the production to become faster, thus enabling a continuous process for the application and the tightening of the sealing system 2 on the rim 7 of the container 1.
In use, when it is used for the first time, the cap 11 is removed by unscrewing it or by uncoupling it in a known manner from the collar 20 of the stopper 10. Then, the membrane 18 is removed through tearing or it is ripped away in a known manner.
Subsequently, the container 1 is partially inclined downwards so as to allow the product contained on the inside to flow out through the passage area 13 of the stopper 10.
When the filling level of the container 1 has almost ended, the windows 16 made through the end portion 15 of the tubular abutment 12 permit a complete outflow of the product. In other words, the windows 16 permit the outflow of the product that, when the container 1 is inclined, collects in the zone radially arranged around the tubular abutment 12, in particular the radial zone comprised between the tubular abutment 12 and the side wall 3 of the container 1. Therefore, the windows 16 allow the container 1 to be completely emptied, thus avoiding remaining deposits of product on the inside.
Finally, a container 1 comprising a stopper 10 and a sealing system 2 of the type described above is easier and faster to be assembled. The description above also applies to the sealing systems 2', 2" and 2"' and to the respective stoppers 10',10" and 10"' shown in figures 7, 9 and 11.

Claims

A container having an opening (6) and comprising a sealing system (2; 2'; 2"; 2"') configured to close said opening (6); wherein the sealing system (2; 2'; 2"; 2"') comprises, in turn, a cap (11) and a stopper (10; 10'; 10"; 10"'); wherein the stopper (10; 10'; 10"; 10"') has a longitudinal axis (A2) and comprises a tubular abutment (12) delimiting an inner passage area (13) inserted into said opening (6); the container (1) being characterized in that the stopper (10; 10'; 10"; 10'") has one or more radial windows (16), each configured to connect said area (13) with a zone that is radially arranged on the outside of the tubular abutment (12) relative to said axis (A2).
A container according to claim 1, wherein each window (16) is a through window and is entirely made through the tubular abutment (12).
A container according to any of the previous claims, wherein the tubular abutment (12) of the stopper (10; 10'; 10"; 10'") has, along said axis (A2), an initial portion (14) and an end portion (15), which are coaxial to one another; wherein the initial portion (14) is a continuous body inserted with interference into a respective tubular portion (8) of a rim (7; 7'; 7"; 7"') of a container; wherein the end portion (15) axially projects from said initial portion (14) and projects into an inner cavity (5) of said container; wherein each window (16) is made through said end portion (15).
A container according to any of the previous claims, wherein the tubular abutment (12) of the stopper (10; 10'; 10"; 10"') comprises a continuous annular sealing edge (17), which is made in correspondence to the free end of said tubular abutment (12), which projects into a cavity (5) of said container.
A container according to any of the previous claims, wherein the tubular abutment (12) of the stopper (10; 10'; 10"; 10"') has an upper end connected to an interlocking element (19, 22', 22", 22"'), which is fitted and hooked on a rim (7; 7'; 7"; 7"') of a container, and a lower end (17), which projects into a cavity (5) of said container; wherein said lower end (17) is continuous and completely lies on one single plane; in particular, said lower end (17) has a tubular shape with a circular section and a flat base.
A container according to any of the previous claims, wherein the stopper (10; 10'; 10"; 10"') comprises an interlocking element (19, 22', 22", 22"'), which is hooked on a rim (7; 7'; 7"; 7"') of said container.
A container according to claim 6, wherein the stopper (10) comprises a collar (20), which projects outwards from the container; wherein said interlocking element (19) is interposed along said axis (A2) between the collar (20) and the tubular abutment (12); wherein the collar (20) has a coupling system, for example a thread (21), which is configured to be coupled, in use, to a removable cap (11).
A container according to any of the previous claims and characterized in that it is made of metal; in particular, the container is at least partly made with tinplate.
A sealing system (2; 2'; 2"; 2"') for a container comprising a cap (11) and a stopper (10; 10'; 10"; 10"') according to any of the previous claims.
A sealing system according to claim 9, wherein the cap (11) is made of metal or plastic; wherein the stopper (10; 10'; 10"; 10"') is made of plastic.
A stopper (10; 10'; 10"; 10"') for a container according to any of the claims from 1 to 10.