EP3889063B1 - Assembly comprising container with threaded neck and cap provided with axial positioning legs and centering legs - Google Patents

Description

Technical field of the invention

The present invention relates to an assembly comprising a container with a threaded neck and a cap intended to close this container.

Technical background

It is known that a container with a threaded neck such as a bottle can be provided with a neck to which a cap is fixed by screwing. The term container here designates any kind of container, without limitation of form or use. The cap comprises for example a cap body comprising a skirt of tubular shape and a plate connected at its periphery to the skirt and intended to cover the opening of the neck. The skirt includes a net disposed inside, intended to engage with a complementary shape of the neck of a container.

The skirt is frequently extended by a tamper-evident ring intended to engage with a collar collar. The tamper-evident ring is connected to the skirt by bridges between which through separations extend. When the cap is opened, the tamper-evident ring remains attached to the collar and is detached from the skirt by the breakage of the bridges. This shows that the bottle has already been opened.

Recently, new European directives have implemented a standard requiring that basic caps as described above must now be connected to the neck of the bottle, in order to limit the impact of pollution on the environment through the release of these caps.

Thus, the development of certain containers will only be possible to the extent that their cap is attached to the rest of the container so that they are no longer separated, lost in nature and then ingested by animals.

It is in this context that we have seen the development of caps which are inseparable from the container, regardless of their closed or opened state.

These new generation stoppers, called inseparable stoppers, include the same elements as conventional stoppers except that the stopper body is permanently linked to the tamper-evident ring by means of the connecting arms. These connecting arms are shaped by their length so as to allow the cap body to move axially away from the tamper-evident ring, to detach itself from the neck and to be able to swing to an open position in which access to the container is released.

The document US5215204 describes an example of production of this type of cap. The document US 2012/285921 A1 discloses an assembly comprising a single centering tab.

However, the inseparable stopper as described has the disadvantage that sometimes it is not practical to open the stopper, in particular, during the very first opening of the stopper. Indeed, when the cap body is unscrewed, the tamper-evident ring, being poorly attached to the neck of the container, follows the rotational movement of the cap body, because it is still connected to it by the frangible bridges. Therefore, the frangible bridges remain intact and still prevent the cap from opening.

To remedy this problem, the user must hold the tamper-evident ring and the container in one hand and the cap body in the other hand to exert a twist on these two elements in order to break the frangible bridges.

Thus, the invention aims to provide a cap which is simpler to open while guaranteeing tamper-evidence.

Summary of the invention

• une ouverture;
• au moins deux filets hélicoïdaux pratiqués sur une face externe du col ;
• une collerette; et
• une gorge annulaire disposée entre les filets hélicoïdaux et la collerette.

With these objectives in view, the invention provides an assembly comprising a container with a threaded neck and a cap mounted on the neck to close the container. The neck of the container has a longitudinal axis and comprises:

• an opening;
• at least two helical threads made on an external face of the neck;
• a collar; And
• an annular groove placed between the helical threads and the collar.

• un corps de bouchon cylindrique centré sur l'axe longitudinal et comprenant au moins deux nervures hélicoïdales destinées à venir en prise avec les filets hélicoïdaux du col, le corps de bouchon étant monté pivotant, autour d'un axe de pivotement transversal à l'axe longitudinal, entre une position de fermeture dans laquelle le corps de bouchon obture l'ouverture du col et une position d'ouverture dans laquelle l'ouverture du col est libérée pour permettre l'accès à l'intérieur du récipient ;
• une bague d'inviolabilité centrée sur l'axe longitudinal;
• des ponts frangibles reliant le corps de bouchon à la bague d'inviolabilité et destinés à se rompre définitivement lors de la première ouverture ; et
• deux bras de liaison reliés d'une part à la bague d'inviolabilité et d'autre part au corps de bouchon par l'intermédiaire d'une charnière.

The cap includes:

• a cylindrical plug body centered on the longitudinal axis and comprising at least two helical ribs intended to engage with the helical threads of the neck, the plug body being pivotally mounted around a pivot axis transverse to the axis longitudinal, between a closed position in which the cap body closes the opening of the neck and an open position in which the opening of the neck is released to allow access to the interior of the container;
• a tamper evident ring centered on the longitudinal axis;
• frangible bridges connecting the stopper body to the tamper-evident ring and intended to break definitively upon first opening; And
• two connecting arms connected on the one hand to the tamper-evident ring and on the other hand to the cap body via a hinge.

• un collier de fixation;
• des pattes de positionnement axial déformables élastiquement et présentant un effet ressort; et
• au moins deux pattes de centrage déformables élastiquement et présentant un effet ressort, chacune des pattes de centrage présentant une longueur supérieure à la longueur de chacune des pattes de positionnement axial.

According to the invention, the tamper-evident ring comprises:

• a fixing collar;
• axial positioning tabs that are elastically deformable and have a spring effect; And
• at least two centering tabs that are elastically deformable and have a spring effect, each of the centering tabs having a length greater than the length of each of the axial positioning tabs.

• les pattes de positionnement axial sont engagées dans la gorge annulaire du col ;
• les pattes de centrage sont en appui sur la face externe du col de manière à générer une force opposée à la rotation de la bague d'inviolabilité autour de l'axe longitudinal.

In addition, when the cap is mounted on the neck of the container:

• the axial positioning tabs are engaged in the annular groove of the neck;
• the centering tabs bear on the external face of the neck so as to generate a force opposite to the rotation of the tamper-evident ring around the longitudinal axis.

Here, the term tamper-evident ring means a fixing collar having the additional function of indicating whether the cap has already been opened. For this To do so, the tamper-evident ring may include breakable elements such as frangible bridges.

When the cap is mounted on the neck, the axial positioning tabs engage in the throat of the neck, which allows the tamper-evident ring to be properly positioned axially, here at the level of the throat of the neck. This makes the unscrewing operation easier.

At the same time, the centering tabs, which are longer than the axial positioning tabs, are supported on the neck to perform radial tightening. This tightening generates resistance to the rotation of the tamper-evident ring to slow down the rotational movement of the ring during unscrewing. In this way, during unscrewing, the body of the cap, being manipulated by the user, rotates faster than the tamper-evident ring, which causes breakage of the frangible bridges.

Note that supporting the centering lugs does not prevent the tamper-evident ring from rotating on itself. It generates a resistance to slow down the rotation of the ring in order to have two different rotation speeds for the cap body and for the ring. In addition, the centering lugs, resting on the neck, maintain the tamper-evident ring in a fixed radial position. In other words, the centering lugs also serve as means of radial positioning of the tamper-evident ring.

Furthermore, the radial tightening carried out by centering lugs also prevents the axial movement of the tamper-evident ring upwards. In this way, the retaining tabs do not risk unrolling, and thus coming out of the groove, following an inopportune rise of the tamper-evident ring during unscrewing.

Opening the cap of the proposed assembly is therefore simpler to carry out, which provides comfort in using the cap. Additionally, breakage of frangible bridges indicates that the container has already been opened. The tamper-proof function of the cap of the proposed assembly is effective.

• les pattes de centrage s'étendent à partir du bord inférieur du collier de fixation en direction de l'ouverture du col et sont orientées vers l'intérieur du bouchon; en outre, les pattes de centrage sont espacées d'un intervalle régulier ; et la longueur de chacune des pattes de centrage est supérieure à la hauteur du collier de fixation ;
• chaque patte de centrage comprend : une partie inférieure; une première jonction coudée déformable élastiquement qui relie la partie inférieure au bord inférieur du collier de fixation ; une partie supérieure se terminant par une portion terminale qui est en appui sur la face externe du col et qui est située au même niveau qu'une extrémité inférieure du filet hélicoïdal correspondant et en dessous d'un corps de filet hélicoïdal adjacent ;
• les pattes de centrage sont déformées entre une position libre dans laquelle les pattes de centrage sont inclinées par rapport à l'axe longitudinal et plusieurs positions sous contrainte dans lesquelles les pattes de centrage sont plus proches du collier de fixation que lorsqu'elles sont dans la position libre ;
• une parmi des pattes de centrage est disposée face à la charnière ;
• chacune des pattes de positionnement axial comprend une butée axiale supérieure faisant face à une tranche radiale supérieure de la gorge annulaire lorsque le bouchon est monté sur le col du récipient ;
• chacune des pattes de positionnement comprend une butée axiale inférieure faisant face à une tranche radiale inférieure de la gorge annulaire lorsque le bouchon est monté sur le col du récipient ;
• selon les deux alinéas précédents, chaque patte de positionnement s'étend à partir d'un bord inférieur du collier de fixation, en direction de l'ouverture du col et qui est orienté incliné par rapport à l'axe longitudinal et vers l'intérieur du bouchon; en outre, chaque patte de positionnement comprend : une portion proximale; une deuxième jonction coudée reliant la portion proximale au bord inférieur du collier de fixation et étant déformable élastiquement, la jonction coudée formant la butée axiale inférieure ; et une portion distale libre formant la butée axiale supérieure ;
• selon l'alinéa précédent, chaque patte de positionnement présente une épaisseur variable qui augmente de la portion proximale vers la portion distale ;
• les pattes de positionnement, les pattes de centrage et le collier de fixation d'une part et le corps de bouchon et les bras de liaison d'autre part sont réalisés d'un seul tenant par moulage.

According to other characteristics of the invention:

• the centering tabs extend from the lower edge of the fixing collar towards the opening of the collar and are oriented towards the inside of the cork; in addition, the centering lugs are spaced at a regular interval; and the length of each of the centering tabs is greater than the height of the fixing collar;
• each centering tab comprises: a lower part; a first elastically deformable elbow junction which connects the lower part to the lower edge of the fixing collar; an upper part ending in a terminal portion which rests on the external face of the neck and which is located at the same level as a lower end of the corresponding helical thread and below an adjacent helical thread body;
• the centering lugs are deformed between a free position in which the centering lugs are inclined relative to the longitudinal axis and several stressed positions in which the centering lugs are closer to the fixing collar than when they are in the free position;
• one of the centering lugs is placed facing the hinge;
• each of the axial positioning tabs comprises an upper axial stop facing an upper radial edge of the annular groove when the cap is mounted on the neck of the container;
• each of the positioning tabs comprises a lower axial stop facing a lower radial edge of the annular groove when the cap is mounted on the neck of the container;
• according to the two preceding paragraphs, each positioning tab extends from a lower edge of the fixing collar, towards the opening of the neck and which is oriented inclined relative to the longitudinal axis and towards the inside of the cork; furthermore, each positioning tab comprises: a proximal portion; a second bent junction connecting the proximal portion to the lower edge of the fixing collar and being elastically deformable, the bent junction forming the lower axial stop; and a free distal portion forming the upper axial stop;
• according to the previous paragraph, each positioning tab has a variable thickness which increases from the proximal portion to the distal portion;
• the positioning lugs, the centering lugs and the fixing collar on the one hand and the cap body and the connecting arms on the other hand are made in one piece by molding.

Brief description of the figures

• [Fig.1] - la figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'un exemple de réalisation d'un ensemble selon l'invention avec un corps de bouchon en position de fermeture ;
• [Fig.2] - la figure 2 est une vue en perspective d'un col de récipient faisant partie de l'ensemble de la figure 1 ;
• [Fig.3] - la figure 3 est une vue en perspective du bouchon faisant partie de l'ensemble de la figure 1, ledit bouchon étant posé à l'endroit et dans un état fermé dans lequel le corps de bouchon est dans une position de fermeture ;
• [Fig.4] - la figure 4 est une vue en perspective du bouchon de la figure 3 posé à l'envers;
• [Fig.5]- la figure 5 est une vue partielle et en coupe du bouchon de la figure 3 selon un plan vertical passant par la ligne V-V illustrée sur la figure 4 ;
• [Fig.6] - la figure 6 est une vue partielle et en coupe de l'ensemble illustré sur la figure 1 selon un plan vertical passant par la ligne VI-VI sur la figure 1 ;
• [Fig.7] - la figure 7 est une vue en perspective du bouchon de la figure 3 dans un état ouvert dans lequel le corps de bouchon est dans une position d'ouverture extrême ;
• [Fig.8] - la figure 8 est une vue partielle et en coupe du bouchon de la figure 3 selon un plan vertical passant par la ligne VIII-VIII illustrée sur la figure 3;
• [Fig.9]- la figure 9 est une vue en coupe de l'ensemble de la figure 1 avec le corps de bouchon en position d'ouverte extrême;
• [Fig.10]- la figure 10 est vue partielle et en coupe du bouchon de l'ensemble illustré sur la figure 9 selon un plan vertical passant par la ligne XI-XI sur la figure 9 ;
• [Fig.11] - la figure 11 est vue partielle et en coupe du bouchon de l'ensemble de la figure 9 lorsque la patte de centrage s'appuie sur le filet hélicoïdal, la coupé étant effectuée selon un plan vertical passant par la ligne B illustrée sur la figure 9 ;
• [Fig.12] - la figure 12 est une vue en perspective de l'ensemble de la figure 1 dans lequel le bouchon est en train de s'ouvrir ;
• [Fig.13] - la figure 13 est une vue en perspective de l'ensemble avec le bouchon dans un état ouvert dans lequel le corps du bouchon est dans une position d'ouverture complète ;

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent when reading the detailed description which follows, for an understanding of which reference will be made to the appended drawings in which:

• [ Fig.1 ] - there figure 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an assembly according to the invention with a cap body in the closed position;
• [ Fig.2 ] - there figure 2 is a perspective view of a container neck forming part of the entire figure 1 ;
• [ Fig.3 ] - there Figure 3 is a perspective view of the cap forming part of the entire figure 1 , said cap being placed in the location and in a closed state in which the cap body is in a closed position;
• [ Fig.4 ] - there Figure 4 is a perspective view of the cap of the Figure 3 placed upside down;
• [ Fig.5 ]- there Figure 5 is a partial and sectional view of the cap of the Figure 3 along a vertical plane passing through line VV illustrated on the Figure 4 ;
• [ Fig.6 ] - there Figure 6 is a partial and sectional view of the assembly illustrated on the figure 1 along a vertical plane passing through line VI-VI on the figure 1 ;
• [ Fig.7 ] - there Figure 7 is a perspective view of the cap of the Figure 3 in an open state in which the plug body is in an extreme open position;
• [ Fig.8 ] - there figure 8 is a partial and sectional view of the cap of the Figure 3 along a vertical plane passing through line VIII-VIII illustrated on the Figure 3 ;
• [ Fig.9 ]- there Figure 9 is a sectional view of the entire figure 1 with the cap body in the fully open position;
• [ Fig.10 ]- there Figure 10 is a partial view and in section of the cap of the assembly illustrated on the Figure 9 along a vertical plane passing through line XI-XI on the Figure 9 ;
• [ Fig.11 ] - there Figure 11 is a partial view and in section of the cap of the entire Figure 9 when the centering tab rests on the helical thread, the cut being carried out along a vertical plane passing through line B illustrated on the Figure 9 ;
• [ Fig.12 ] - there Figure 12 is a perspective view of the entire figure 1 in which the cork is opening;
• [ Fig.13 ] - there Figure 13 is a perspective view of the assembly with the cap in an open state in which the body of the cap is in a fully open position;

Detailed description of the invention

THE figures 1 to 12 represent an exemplary embodiment of assembly 1 of container and cap according to the invention. In this example, the cap is mounted on a neck 3 of the container. Col 3 is illustrated for example on the figure 2 and on the Figure 6 .

On the figure 1 , the container and cap assembly 1, hereinafter called the assembly 1, comprises a cap 2 mounted on the neck 3.

On the figure 2 , the neck 3 has a cylindrical shape with longitudinal axis X-X'. The neck 3 delimits an opening 30 through which the liquid flows out of the container during pouring. The neck 3 here comprises three helical threads 31 projecting from an external face 35 of the neck and extending angularly on this face. The helical threads 31 are distributed over a portion of the neck, called the intermediate portion 36. Below the intermediate portion 36 is arranged a radial groove 33, the bottom 330 of which is offset radially towards the inside relative to the external face 35. Finally, collar 3 ends with a collar 32.

Here, set 1 is described in a position where the axis X-X' is vertical. The terms "top", "bottom", "upper", "lower" refer to the axis XX'. A location near the axis X-X' is called "interior", as opposed to a location at a distance from the axis X-X', called "exterior".

In reference to the Figure 3 and to the figure 4 , the cap 2 comprises a cap body 21 and a tamper-evident ring 22.

The cap body 21 here comprises a side skirt 210 having the shape of a right cylinder with an axis of revolution coinciding with the longitudinal axis X-X'.

Several imprints 215 are made on an external face 213 of the side skirt 210 to allow better grip of the user's fingers on the cap body 21 when he grasps the cap body 21 to open or close the cap 2. Here, the imprints 215 extend along the longitudinal axis The side skirt 210 comprises helical ribs 211 extending angularly on an internal face 214 of the skirt. Here, the helical ribs 211 are three in number and arranged so as to be able to engage with the threads 31 of the neck when the plug 2 is mounted on the neck 3.

The cap body 21 further comprises a plate 212 oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X-X' and connected at its periphery to the side skirt 212.

The tamper-evident ring 22 is an extension of the side skirt 210 of the cap body 21. The tamper-evident ring 22 is connected to the cap body 21 via the connecting arms 23, here two in number. In the example illustrated, the connecting arms 23 are formed in the tamper-evident ring 22 and connected to the same hinge 24.

Here, the hinge 24 is formed by a connecting tab 240 made of solid material allowing the stopper body 21 to pivot relative to the tamper-evident ring 22 around two parallel pivot axes A1 and A2. In other words, the connecting tab 240 forms a hinge with two axes.

The first pivot axis A1 passes through junction points between the connecting tab 240 and the cap body 21. The second pivot axis A2 passes through junction points between the connecting tab 13 and the tamper-evident ring 22 . The two pivot axes are illustrated on the figure 1 .

The junction between the connecting tab 240 and the plug body 21 forms a first connection line. Likewise, the junction between the connecting tab 240 and the tamper-evident ring 22 forms a second connection line.

Here, the two connecting lines are two concave lines opposite each other. Thus, seen from the front, the connecting tab 240 forming the hinge 24 comprises a narrowed zone in the center and two flared zones arranged on either side of the narrowed zone.

The hinge 24 thus structured is also called a butterfly type hinge.

The particularity of such a hinge is that it allows blocking of the cap body in a completely open position in which the cap body completely releases the opening 30 of the neck 3. The cap body in the position of complete opening is illustrated for example on the Figure 12 .

Other types of hinges can be considered which ensure, alone or in combination with a locking member, the tilting of the cap body and the blocking of this body in the fully open position.

Note that the body of the plug 21 is pivotally mounted between several opening positions. Indeed, the body of the cap 21 can switch from the closed position to a barely open position in which only part of the opening of the neck is released, or to an extreme open position in which the inclination of the body of cap in relation to the tamper-evident ring is maximum. In this extreme position, the cap body is turned 180°, as illustrated for example on the figures 7 And 9 .

The fully open position may be an intermediate position between the barely open position and the extreme open position. Generally speaking, the cap body is in a fully open position when it forms an angle greater than 90° with the tamper-evident ring, as illustrated for example on the Figure 12 .

Furthermore, before the very first opening of the cap, the cap body 21 is connected to the tamper-evident ring 22 by frangible bridges 27 which are distributed over the circumference of the cap. The frangible bridges are shaped to break during the rotation of the plug body 21 relative to the tamper-evident ring 22.

According to the invention and as in this example, the tamper-evident ring 22 comprises a fixing collar 221 and axial positioning lugs 25. Here, the fixing collar 221 is a ring shaped to fit the neck 3 at the level of the annular groove 33.

As for the axial positioning lugs 25, these are arranged in the circumferential direction of the tamper-evident ring 22. Specifically, the axial positioning lugs 25 are here grouped in fours and these groups of four positioning lugs are spaced apart a regular space.

The axial positioning tabs 25 are arranged inside the plug 2 and articulate elastically relative to the fixing collar 221. Precisely, as illustrated in the Figure 5 , each axial positioning tab 25 comprises a proximal portion 251 located at the bottom and a distal portion 252 located at the top. The proximal portion 251 is connected to a lower edge 222 of the fixing collar 221 by means of an elbow junction 250 oriented upwards. The bent junction 250 thus presents in radial section the shape of a U right side up.

A particularity of the bent junction 250 is that its thickness e1 is small, notably weaker than the thickness e2 of the fixing collar 221. This small thickness e1 confers elasticity to the bent junction 250 allowing it to deform elastically by the same like a leaf spring.

The spring-effect elastic deformation of the elbow junction 250 allows the axial positioning tab 25 to articulate relative to the fixing collar 221 between a free state as illustrated in the figure 5 and a stressed state in which the axial positioning tab 25 is close to the fixing collar, as illustrated in the Figure 6 .

In the free state, the axial positioning tab 25 forms a first angle α with the fixing collar 221. In the stressed state, the axial positioning tab 25 forms with the fixing collar 221 a second angle β less than the first angle α.

This has the effect of facilitating the mounting of the plug 2 on the neck 3. Indeed, when the neck 3 is fitted into the plug 2, the axial positioning lugs 25 are in stressed state in contact with the helical threads 31 so that the ring of inviolability can exceed the intermediate portion 36 and arrive at the level of the annular groove. Once the tamper-evident ring 22 arrives at the height of the annular groove 33, thanks to the spring effect of the elbow junction, the axial positioning lugs 25 return to their free state and deploy in the annular groove 33 until 'to be in contact with the bottom 330 as illustrated on the Figure 6 .

In the example illustrated, the axial positioning tabs 25 are arranged so that the return to the free state of the tabs 25 is prevented by the contact between the tabs and the bottom 330. This means that the axial positioning tabs 25 are in the stressed state when they abut against the bottom 330.

In another example, the axial positioning tabs 25 are shaped so that when the axial positioning tabs 25 abut against the bottom 330 of the groove 33, they are in their free state. This means that the angle between the axial positioning lugs 25 and the fixing collar is equal to the value of the first angle α.

The engagement of the axial positioning lugs 25 makes it possible to place the tamper-evident ring at the correct height relative to the neck. Here, thanks to these tabs, the tamper-evident ring 22 is arranged at the same level as the annular groove 33 located just above the flange 32.

Furthermore, the thickness e3 of each axial positioning tab 25 varies progressively from the proximal portion 251 towards the distal portion 252. Here, the proximal portion 251 has a thickness substantially equivalent to that of the bent junction 250. Then, the thickness of the positioning tab increases as one approaches the distal portion 252. The variable thickness of each axial positioning tab 25 provides sufficient solidity to prevent it from turning over when handling the cap while guaranteeing the spring effect of the elbow junction 250. According to the invention and as in the example illustrated, when the positioning lugs 25 are engaged in the annular groove 33 , their distal portion 252 faces an upper axial edge 331 of the groove 33. In this way, in the case where the entire tamper-evident ring 22 moves axially upwards, the distal portion 252 abuts against the edge upper axial 331 to stop this rise. The distal portion 252 thus forms an upper axial stop.

Likewise, in the lower part of the positioning lugs 25, the bent junction faces a lower axial edge 332 of the annular groove 33. Thus, the support of the junction 250 against this lower edge 332 stops any axial movement of the lugs 25 down. The bent junction 250 therefore forms a lower axial stop.

According to the invention and as illustrated in the Figure 7 , the tamper-evident ring 22 further comprises three centering lugs 26 distributed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the ring. Here, the centering tabs 26 are positioned at 120° from each other. The two adjacent centering lugs 26 are spaced by four positioning lugs 25.

Among the three centering lugs 26, a centering lug 26 is placed opposite the hinge 24 to provide more solidity to the locking position of the hinge 24.

As illustrated on the figure 8 , the centering tabs 26 have a length h2 greater than the length h1 of the positioning tabs 25. In addition, the height h2 of the centering tabs 26 is dimensioned so that when the plug 2 is mounted on the neck 3, the tabs centering lugs 26 exceed the fixing collar 21. Here, the height h2 of the centering lugs 26 is greater than the height h3 of the fixing collar 221.

Each of the centering tabs 26 is composed of a lower part 261 and an upper part 262.

The lower part 261 has a shape identical to that of an axial positioning tab, namely with an elbow junction 260 connecting to a body 264 having a variable thickness. Likewise, the elbow junction 260 is elastically deformable with a spring effect. The thickness e4 of the elbow junction 260 is weaker than the thickness e2 of the fixing collar 221.

In order to distinguish the bent junctions, the bent junction 260 of the centering tab 26 is also called the first bent junction 260 while the bent junction 250 of the axial positioning tab 25 is also called the second bent junction 250.

The upper part 262 of the centering tab 26 has a constant thickness. This upper part 262 ends with a terminal portion 263 which is intended to rest on the external face 35 of the intermediate portion 36 of the neck.

In the same way as the axial positioning tabs 25, thanks to the first bent junction 260, each of the centering tabs 26 is articulated relative to the fixing collar 221 between a rest position as illustrated on the figure 8 and several positions under stress as illustrated on the Figure 10 and on the Figure 11 .

In the rest position, the centering tabs 26 have the same inclination as that of the positioning tabs 25, that is to say that each of the centering tabs forms with the fixing collar an angle equal to the first angle α. Passing from the rest position to the stressed position, the centering lugs 26 approach the fixing collar 221.

As illustrated on the Figure 10 , each of the centering tabs 26 is in a first position under stress and forms with the fixing collar 221 a third angle θ1 less than the first angle α.

Here, the number of centering lugs 26 corresponds to the number of helical threads 31. Each centering lug 26 is assigned to a corresponding helical thread 31. For each pair of centering lug 26 and helical thread 31, the centering lug 26 arrives at the same height of a lower terminal end 315 of the thread 31, but it remains angularly offset relative to this end 315.

For example, the centering tab 26 visible on the Figure 9 is associated with the helical thread 311 which is on the right, also called the first helical thread 311. It is angularly offset relative to the lower end 315 of the first helical thread 311. At the same time, the visible centering tab 26 is arranged below the body of the helical thread 312 adjacent to the first thread 311, this adjacent thread being also called second helical thread 312.

When the centering tabs 26 are placed in this manner, the centering tabs are in the first stressed position.

The centering tabs 26 have the same arrangement when the cap is mounted on the neck while being closed and in a state before the first opening.

The centering lugs 26 thus arranged allow radial tightening of the neck which opposes the rotation of the tamper-evident ring 22 around the longitudinal axis X-X'. The tamper-evident ring 22 can still be rotated, but with a force greater than the usual force applied to the ring in the absence of the centering lugs 26. In this way, when the user rotates the cap body 21 during the first opening of the cap 2, the rotation of the tamper-evident ring 22 is slowed down by the tightening of the centering lugs 26. Consequently, the rotation speed of the tamper-evident ring is lower than that of the cap body 21, which causes the breakage of the frangible bridges 27.

Once the frangible bridges 27 are broken, the tamper-proof ring 22 continues to rotate in the direction of the arrow R1 illustrated on the Figure 9 following the unscrewing of the plug body 21. The rotation of the ring is slowed down due to the centering lugs 26.

The following description concerns the centering tab 26 visible on the Figure 9 , but it applies in the same way to the two other centering lugs not visible on the Figure 9 .

Here, when the centering tab 26 comes into contact with the end 315 of the first helical thread 311, thanks to the elastic force of the first junction 260, the centering tab 26 is bent further and approaches even closer to the collar of fixing 221 to position itself on the first thread 311.

The centering tab 26 is thus found at the level of the vertical line B shown on the Figure 9 and in a second position under stress illustrated on the Figure 11 . In this position, the centering tab 26 forms with the fixing collar 221 a fourth angle θ2 less than the third angle θ1.

For example, the fourth angle θ2 can be close to the zero value. In this case, the centering tab 26 leans against the internal face of the fixing collar 221.

Furthermore, the support of the centering lugs 26 also gives rise to resistance to the axial movement of the ring 22 in the direction towards the opening 30 of the neck 3. This prevents the rising of the ring 22 which can occur at the moment when the plug body 21 is lifted to disengage the ribs 211 from the threads 31.

During this step, the connecting arms 23 bend and exert traction on the tamper-evident ring, which risks causing the ring to rise upwards.

This rise can cause the positioning lugs 25 to come out of the annular groove 33 and can cause them to unwind. Indeed, given that the flange 32 is offset radially outwards relative to the other parts of the neck and given that the second junction 250 is supported on this flange, the rise of the tamper-evident ring 22 caused by an effort applied to the upper axial edge 223 of the fixing collar 221 does not encounter any obstacle, which is particularly true when the plug body 21 is tilted outwards. The traction of the connecting arms 23 exerted on the tamper-evident ring 22 can be cited as a example of the force applied to the upper axial edge 223 of the fixing collar 221.

Without this space constraint, the fixing collar 221 is reassembled first as indicated by the arrow F illustrated on the Figure 6 . Consequently, the first junction 250 no longer rests on the lower axial edge 332 of the groove 33, the positioning tabs 25 return to their rest position, or even unfold. The tamper-evident ring 22 is therefore no longer positioned correctly relative to the neck 3 in the axial direction. To remedy this unfolding, the centering tabs 26 are shaped to rest on the neck so as to form radial tightening on the neck. They thus resist the traction of the connecting arms 23 which causes the tamper-evident ring 22 to rise. This resistance makes it possible to avoid the unwinding or unfolding of the axial positioning lugs 25.

In addition, the positioning of the centering lug 26 below the body of the second helical thread 312, whatever the constrained position of the centering lugs, adds to the tightening to avoid this unwinding phenomenon following the raising of the ring of inviolability.

According to the invention and as in the example illustrated, the tamper-evident ring 22 with the positioning lugs 25 and the centering lugs 26 are formed at the same time as the cap body 21, the connecting arms 23 and the hinge 24. The positioning tabs 25 and the centering tabs 26 are molded in their rest position in order to further reduce the risk of these tabs unrolling or unfolding.

THE figures 12 and 13 illustrate the different stages of opening the cap 2 in the assembly 1 described previously. Here, this is a very first opening of cap 1.

Before arriving at the steps illustrated on the figures 12 and 13 , we carry out a pre-step of breaking the frangible bridges on a completely closed plug as illustrated in the figure 1 . To open the cap, the user grasps the cap body 21 in one hand and the container in the other hand, and then the user rotates the cap body 21 clockwise or counterclockwise. Following this action and thanks to the attachment of the ring tamper evident 22 at the neck, the frangible bridges 27 break, which indicates that the cap or container has already been opened. The cap body 21 is now detached from the tamper-evident ring 22.

In the next step, the user lifts the cap body 21 to move it axially away from the tamper-evident ring 22 as illustrated in the Figure 12 . The connecting arms 23 bend progressively with the rise of the cap body 21. The elasticity of the connecting arms 23 allows this distance of the cap body 10 from the tamper-evident ring.

Then, the cap body 21 is tilted towards the outside of the container by pivoting it around the pivot axes A1 and A2. The cap body 21 thus reaches a completely open position as illustrated in the Figure 13 . Thanks to the butterfly-shaped hinge 23, the cap body 21 is held in this position for as long as the user wishes.

The assembly 1 described by way of illustration of the object of the invention has several advantages. Thanks to the positioning tabs 25 of the tamper-evident ring, the first opening of the cap is simplified, which makes the use of the cap more practical. Furthermore, the cap 2 ensures the proper sealing of the container while indicating the state of use of this container, whether it is already open or not. Finally, thanks to the hinge, the cap 2 is kept open and completely frees the opening of the neck so as not to hinder the flow of the liquid.

Claims (10)

1. Assembly (1) comprising a container with a threaded neck and a cap (2) mounted on the neck (3) to close the container,

   the neck (3) of the container having a longitudinal axis (X-X') and comprising : - an opening (30);

   - at least two helical threads (31) formed on an outer face (35) of the neck;

   - a collar (32); and

   - an annular groove (33) disposed between the helical threads and the collar;

   the cap (2) comprising :

   - a cylindrical cap body (21) centered on the longitudinal axis (X-X') and comprising at least two helical ribs (211) designed to engage with the helical threads of the collar, the cap body being pivotally mounted, about a pivot axis transverse to the longitudinal axis (X-X'), between a closed position in which the cap body closes the neck opening and an open position in which the neck opening is released to allow access to the interior of the container;

   - a tamper-evident ring (22) centered on the longitudinal axis (X-X');

   - frangible bridges (27) connecting the cap body to the tamper-evident ring and designed to break definitively on first opening; and

   - two connecting arms (23) connected on the one hand to the tamper-evident ring (21) and on the other hand to the cap body (21) via a hinge (24);

   wherein the tamper-evident ring (22) comprises :

   - a fastening collar (221) ;

   - elastically deformable spring-loaded axial positioning tabs (25); and

   - at least two resiliently deformable centering tabs (26), each of the centering tabs (26) having a length (h2) greater than the length (h1) of each of the axial positioning tabs (25);

   - when the cap is mounted on the container neck :

   - the axial positioning tabs are engaged in the annular groove of the neck ;

   - the centering tabs rest on the external face (35) of the neck so as to generate a force opposing the rotation of the tamper-evident ring about the longitudinal axis (X-X').
2. Assembly (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that:

   - the centering tabs (26) extend from the lower edge (222) of the fastening collar (221) towards the neck opening (30) and are directed towards the inside of the cap (2);

   - the centering tabs (26) are spaced apart at regular intervals; and

   - the length (h2) of each of the centering tabs is greater than the height (h3) of the fastening collar (221).
3. Assembly (1) according to claim 1 or according to claim 2, characterized in that each centering tab (21) comprises : -
   a lower part (261);

   - a first elastically deformable angled joint (260) which connects the lower part to the lower edge (222) of the fastening collar;

   - an upper part (262) terminating in a terminal portion (263) which rests on the outer face (35) of the collar and is located at the same level as a lower end (315) of the corresponding helical thread (31) and below an adjacent helical thread body.
4. Assembly (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the centering tabs (26) are deformed between a free position in which the centering tabs are inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis (X-X') and several stressed positions in which the centering tabs (26) are closer to the fastening collar (221) than when they are in the free position.
5. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one of the centering tabs is arranged opposite the hinge (24).
6. Assembly (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each of the axial positioning tabs (25) comprises an upper axial stop (252) facing an upper radial edge (331) of the annular groove (33) when the cap (2) is mounted on the neck (3) of the container.
7. Assembly (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each of the positioning tabs (25) comprises a lower axial stop (251) facing a lower radial edge (332) of the annular groove (33) when the cap (2) is mounted on the neck (3) of the container.
8. Assembly (1) according to claim 7 dependent on claim 6, characterized in that:

   - each positioning tab (25) extends from a lower edge (222) of the fastening collar (221), in the direction of the neck opening (30) and which is oriented inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis (X-X') and towards the inside of the cap (2);

   - each positioning tab (25) comprises :

   - a proximal portion (251);

   - a second bent junction (250) connecting the proximal portion to the lower edge of the fixing collar and being elastically deformable, the bent junction (250) forming the lower axial stop; and

   - a free distal portion (252) forming the upper axial stop.
9. Assembly (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each positioning tab (25) has a variable thickness (e3) which increases from the proximal portion (251) to the distal portion (252).
10. Assembly (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the positioning tabs (25), centering tabs (26) and fastening collar (221) on the one hand and the cap body (21) and connecting arms (23) on the other hand are produced in one piece by molding.

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