EP3994072A1

EP3994072A1 - Plastic bottle for beverages and operation method thereof

Info

Publication number: EP3994072A1
Application number: EP20740386.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Enrico Zoppas
Original assignee: Acqua Minerale San Benedetto SpA
Current assignee: Acqua Minerale San Benedetto SpA
Priority date: 2019-07-05
Filing date: 2020-06-15
Publication date: 2022-05-11
Anticipated expiration: 2040-06-15
Also published as: ES2965146T3; HUE064349T2; EP3994072B1; PL3994072T3; WO2021005428A1; IT201900011052A1

Abstract

A bottle comprising an annular element (5) arranged in an intermediate position of the neck (4), a cap (6) that is coupled to the neck (4) and comprises a tubular side wall (6a) and a transverse wall (6b). A separation line (7) is made on the tubular side wall (6a) that defines a cover (8), an annular retention seal (9), and a connection portion (11) that connects the annular retention seal (9) to the cover (8). The connection portion (11) is structured to arrange the annular retention seal (9) along the neck (4) on a plane (K1) tilted by a first angle in relation to the resting plane of the annular element (5) to indicate the non-sealed state of the cap (6).

Description

" PLASTIC BOTTLE FOR BEVERAGES AND OPERATION ME THOD THEREOF"

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims priority from Italian patent application no. 102019000011052 filed on July 5, 2019, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference .

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a plastic bottle for beverages and the operation method thereof. In particular, this invention relates to a plastic bottle for beverages, provided with a cap structured to operate so that it assumes, in use, a position such as to conveniently indicate the cap' s non- sealed state, which is indicative of the bottle having been opened, to an observer.

BACKGROUND ART

As is well known, beverage bottles, made of polymer material, hereinafter referred to by the common term: "plastic", are generally provided with a threaded neck to which an internally threaded cap is screwed.

The cap generally consists of a threaded cover and an annular warranty seal connected to the cover by a series of breakaway bridges. The annular seal remains permanently trapped on the neck between two annular elements.

The two annular elements are arranged on the neck, one above the other, at an axial distance that approximates the height of the seal. Generally, the upper annular element performs the tear-seal function, i.e. it counteracts the axial displacement of the ring seal on the neck upwards so as to cause the connecting bridges to break and to facilitate the complete detachment of the cover from the seal during the first opening of the cap.

The lower annular element corresponds instead to an annular flange generally used for the transport of the bottle in the sliding guides of production and bottling plants and is arranged below the annular seal so as to keep it trapped in a position orthogonal to the axis of the neck (horizontal when the bottle is vertical) against the upper annular element so as to prevent it from moving freely on the neck.

In particular, the cap is structured to pass from a sealed state, i.e. in which the cap is undamaged by any opening, wherein the bridges are undamaged and the cover is connected to the annular seal, to a non-sealed state, wherein during the first axial uncoupling of the cover from the neck, the bridges are broken and the annular seal is completely detached from the cover. In the non-sealed state, the annular seal therefore remains trapped between the two annular elements in the position orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the neck, while the cover is completely separated from the seal and can be freely screwed or unscrewed so as to be separated from the bottle.

In the field of beverage bottles, made of polymer material, the need has emerged to enable the user to easily and immediately detect the bottle cap's non-sealed state. This state occurs when the annular seal is completely separated from the cover after the bridges have been broken.

Currently, it is difficult for the bottle user to detect the non-sealed state simply by observing the bottle itself when the cover is closed on the neck, since the lower edge of the cover is close to the upper edge of the annular seal below, the position of which remains unchanged, i.e. horizontal. As a result, an observer can currently only recognise the non-sealed state, i.e. the cap's being damaged, when the observer is close to the bottle by observing whether the bridges are broken, but is unable to detect this information simply by observing the annular seal of the bottle at a certain distance.

A second need currently encountered is to reduce the environmental impact of plastic bottles. In particular, the separation of the cover from the bottle is undesirable since this favours the dispersion of the cover in the environment.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The purpose of this invention is, therefore, to provide a bottle that meets the needs described above.

According to this invention, a bottle is made, and an operation method for a bottle is provided, as indicated in the respective claims attached.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a non-limiting embodiment thereof, wherein:

- Figure 1 shows a side elevation view of a bottle made according to the precepts of this invention,

- Figure 2 shows an upper portion, on an enlarged scale for clarity, of the bottle shown in Figure 1, wherein the cap is in a sealed state,

- Figure 3 is a vertical I-I cross-section of the upper portion of the bottle shown in Figure 1,

- Figure 4 shows the upper portion of the bottle wherein the cap is in a non-sealed state,

- Figures 5-8 show the upper portion of the bottle wherein the cover is in an open condition, in as many operating positions, each one different from the other,

- Figures 9 and 10 show the upper portion of the bottle, wherein the cover is in an open condition in as many different intermediate operating positions when the cover is moved from an open position to a temporarily locked position,

- Figure 11 shows the upper portion of the bottle, wherein the cover is in an open condition in the temporarily locked position, - Figure 12 shows the upper portion of the bottle, wherein the cover is in a closed condition, and the annular retention seal has a tilted position indicative of the cap's non-sealed state,

- Figures 13 and 14 are two different enlarged scale perspective views of the cap in a sealed state.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

In Figure 1, the reference number 1 globally denotes a bottle. The bottle 1 comprises a lower base 2 resting on a plane P, a containment body 3 designed to contain a liquid, a neck 4 that is connected at the top of the containment body 3 and extends along an axis A.

It is understood that, from hereon in, "movement downwards" will be understood to mean a movement towards the base 2, while "movement upwards" will be understood to mean a movement in an axial direction opposite to the base 2.

The bottle 1 is preferably made from a plastic base, i.e. polymer material, such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate ) or any other similar plastic material (for food use) . It is understood that the bottle 1, the subject of this invention, is designed to contain a liquid corresponding to a beverage, such as, for example, water, orange juice, or any similar beverage.

With reference to Figures 3, 6-10, the bottle 1 comprises an annular element 5 arranged on (stiffly integrated into) the neck 4 in an intermediate axial position. The annular element 5 separates the external surface of the neck 4 into an upper portion 4a and a lower portion 4b. The annular element 5 comprises an annular flange that is approximately flat and that extends in a cantilever fashion from the external surface of the neck 4 and rests on a plane that is approximately orthogonal to the axis A, below the upper portion 4a and above the lower portion 4b.

It should be specified that on the neck 4 of the bottle 1, which is the subject of this invention, there is a single, or unique, annular element 5 that performs the so-called tear-seal function described in detail below. The annular element 5 of the bottle 1 that is the subject of this invention is, in addition, structured/sized to usefully perform, in addition to the tear-seal function, the function of transporting the bottle 1 too, in the corresponding industrial process for manufacturing the plastic bottle, and/or in the beverage bottling process.

In fact, the Applicant has found that the use of a single and unique annular element 5 on the neck 4 to perform both functions described above, instead of using two, distinct annular elements as in beverage bottles used in the state of the art, makes it possible to reduce the quantity of plastic/polymer material used to manufacture the bottle 1. Thus, the production process, especially those processes involving the production of a significant number of bottles (in the order of a million per day), is positively affected, both in financial and environmental terms.

With reference to Figures 1-14, the bottle 1 comprises, in addition, a cap 6 that is coupled to the neck 4. With reference to Figure 3, the cap 6 comprises a tubular side wall 6a, which extends about the axis A, and a transverse wall 6b arranged on the upper end of the side wall 6a so as to close it. The tubular wall 6a preferably has a basically cylindrical shape. The external surface of the tubular wall 6a can preferably be at least partially milled to facilitate the manual grip of the cap 6. The transverse wall 6b extends over a plane approximately orthogonal to the axis A. In the example illustrated in Figure 3, the transverse wall 6b is shaped like an approximately flat plate, preferably a smooth one .

With reference to Figures 2, 13, and 14, a separation line 7 is made on the tubular side wall 6a of the cap 6. The separation line 7 extends across a plane that is approximately orthogonal to the axis A, around the axis A. The separation line 7 defines/delimits a cover 8 and an annular retention seal 9, designed to retain the cover 8, on the cap 6, as described in detail below. The cover 8 and the annular retention seal 9 are arranged on opposite sides compared to the separation line 7. The cover 8 is structured so that it can be manually switched between a closed condition of the neck 4 of the bottle 1 (shown in Figures 1-4 and 12) and an open condition of the neck 4 of the bottle 1 (shown in Figures 5-11) .

In the closed condition, the cover 8 is coupled to the upper portion 4a of the neck 4 to close the upper opening 4d of the same (Figures 1-4 and 12) . In the open condition, the cover 8 is uncoupled from the upper portion 4a of the neck to free the upper opening 4d of the same (Figures 5-11) and to thus allow the user to drink or to pour the beverage contained in the bottle 1.

According to a preferred embodiment shown in Figures 3, 5-11, the external surface of the upper portion 4a is threaded, while the cover 8 comprises a cup-shaped body that is internally threaded to be screwed/unscrewed onto the upper portion 4a. The threaded coupling between the cover 8 and the upper portion 4a is such as to ensure that the cover 8, when manually activated, moves axially along the axis A between the closed condition (Figures 2-4 and 12) and the open condition (Figure 5) . With reference to the attached Figures, the cover 8 has a tubular side wall 8a corresponding to the portion of the side wall 6a separated from the separation line 7, and a transverse wall 8b that closes the end of the tubular side wall 8 that is opposite the annular retention seal 9. With reference to Figures 3, 13, and 14, the annular retention seal 9 extends between the separation line 7 and the lower free edge 6c of the cap 6. The annular retention seal 9 preferably has an external diameter about equal to the external diameter of the cover 8.

It is understood that the external diameter of the annular retention seal 9 can be greater than the external diameter of the cover 8. The external surface of the annular retention seal 9 is preferably smooth.

With reference to Figures 1-14, the separation line 7 extends over the cap 6 about the axis A and is interrupted for an angular segment, i.e. an arc of a circle, wherein a connection portion 11, which connects the annular retention seal 9 to the cover 8, is defined.

With reference to Figures 4, 12, and 13, the separation line 7 is also provided with connecting bridges or joints 12 that can be broken, i.e. breakaway (only some of which are shown in Figures 4, 13, and 14) .

The connecting bridges 12, in a sealed state of the cap 6, are undamaged (Figures 13 and 14) and connect the annular retention seal 9 to the cover 8, and in a non-sealed state of the cap 6 are interrupted so as to mechanically disconnect the annular retention seal 9 from the cover 8 along the separation line 7 (Figures 4-12) .

It is understood that the sealed state of the cap 6 is indicative of the integrity of the cap 6 itself.

Vice-versa, the non-sealed state of the cap 6 is indicative of the lack of integrity of the cap 6, i.e. of the cap's having been opened.

With reference to Figures 5-8, the connection portion 11 is structured so as to have an axis B about which the cover 8 and the annular retention seal 9 can mutually rotate with respect to one another. The rotation axis B approximately coincides with a line that is tangent to the connection portion 11, which rests on a plane transverse to the axis A.

In particular, as shown in the example in Figure 5, the rotation axis B may correspond to the intersection between a plane approximately transverse to the axis A (in going from the closed position to the open condition) and a plane approximately tangent to the connection portion 11.

The connection portion 11 defines a hinge band that enables the cover 8 to complete a partial rotation about the axis B in relation to the annular retention seal 9, when the cap 6 is in the non-sealed state and the cover 8 is in the open condition (Figures 5-8) . The Figures 5, 6, 7, and 8 show the cover 8 in the open condition during the rotation about the axis B, wherein it assumes, sequentially, a first, second, third, and fourth operating position.

According to a preferred embodiment shown in Figures 13 and 14, the separation line 7 has a first end 7a and a second end 7b that delimit the connection portion 11. The hinge band of the connection portion 11 is defined by an angular segment that extends across the annular retention seal 9 between the ends 7a and 7b. The connection portion 11 is preferably shaped by an approximately rectangular section and has an angular amplitude about the axis A.

With reference to Figure 12, the lower portion 4b of the neck 4 is structured so that it is free of annular elements below the annular retention seal 9 to enable the latter to complete a partial rotation movement about the axis B so as to run/slide over the lower portion 4b and be arranged on a plane K1 tilted by an angle b in relation to a plane orthogonal to the axis A when the cap 6 is in the non-sealed state and the cover 8 is in the closed condition.

In particular (Figure 12), the free portion of the annular retention seal 9 adjacent to the separation line 7 is completely disconnected from the cover 8 and, encountering no interference on the lower portion 4b of the neck 4, is free to slide due to gravity on the neck 4 itself. The free portion of the annular retention seal 9 descends, thus, towards the containment body 3 making the annular retention seal 9 complete a partial rotation movement downwards about the axis B in relation to the cover 8 given that the latter is attached to the neck 4 in the closed condition. This rotation ensures that the annular retention seal 9 is automatically arranged on the titled plane K1 when it is separated from the cover 8, i.e. when the cap 6 is in the non-sealed state, and the cover 8 is in the closed condition.

The tilting angle b of the resting plane K1 of the annular retention seal 9 in relation to the plane orthogonal to the axis A can, preferably, range from approximately 4° to approximately 10°, and preferably approximately 7°.

The technical effect obtained thanks to the positioning of the annular retention seal 9 on the titled plane K1 when the cover 8 is in the closed condition, is that of indicating to/informing the observer of the presence of a non-sealed state of the cap 6, i.e. of the cap's lack of integrity, even when the observer' s viewing point of the bottle 1 is at a relatively great distance from the same.

The maximum distance DM between the lowered portion of the annular retention seal 9, diametrically opposite the connection portion 11, and the annular element 5, when the cover 8 is in the closed condition and the cap 6 is in the non-sealed state (Fig. 12), can preferably range from between approximately 3 mm and approximately 6 mm, preferably approximately 4 mm.

According to a preferred embodiment shown in Figures 7 and 8, the lower portion 4b of the neck 4 is externally smooth and is sized so as to ensure that the annular retention seal 9 can freely, axially run along the external surface of the lower portion 4b itself.

In particular, when the cover 8 passes from the closed condition to the open condition and is then rotated in the third position (Figure 7), the cover 8 automatically moves downwards, distancing itself from the annular element 5 and dragging the connection portion 11 downwards. In this step, the annular retention seal 9, being free to axially run on the neck 4 without interference from below, is tilted in relation to a plane orthogonal to the axis A, being arranged with its free portion adjacent to the separation line 7, diametrically opposite the connection portion 11, abutting against the annular element 5.

The external diameter of the lower portion 4b of the neck 4 is preferably smaller than the internal diameter of the annular retention seal 9. The external diameter of the lower portion 4b of the neck 4 can preferably range from approximately 21 mm to approximately 23.5 mm, preferably approximately 22.2 mm.

The internal diameter of the annular retention seal 9 can vary depending on the external diameter of the lower portion 4b of the neck 4, between approximately 25 mm and approximately 25.5 mm when the external diameter of the lower portion 4b of the neck 4 varies between approximately 21 mm and approximately 23.5 mm.

The length L of the lower portion 4b of the neck 4 (Figure 3) is preferably greater than the height H of the annular retention seal 9 (Figure 4) .

The length L of the lower portion 4b of the neck 4 can preferably range from approximately 7 mm and approximately 9mm (Figure 3) . The height H of the annular retention seal 9 can preferably be varied, depending on the length L, between approximately 2.5 mm and approximately 4.5 mm, when the length L varies between approximately 7 mmm and approximately 9 mm (Figures 3 and 4) .

It is understood that this invention is not limited to the dimensions L and H indicated above.

The Applicant has found that the dimension ratios - between the annular retention seal 9 and the lower portion 4b - indicated above enable the annular retention seal 9, when the cover 8 is in the third position (open condition in Figure 7), to freely, axially slide along the lower portion 4b of the neck 4 so as to assume the tilted position described above (Figure 8) . In fact, during the movement, the annular retention seal 9 is dragged downwards by the weight of the cover 8 (Figure 8) . The technical effect obtained thanks to the tilting of the annular retention seal 9 on the neck 4 is that of moving the cover 8 away from the opening 4d above the neck 4. This improves the convenience of using the bottle 1. In fact, when the user drinks directly from the bottle, his/her mouth encounters no interference from the cover 8 since the latter is arranged in the lowered position, moving away from the opening 4d of the neck 4.

With reference to Figures 5-8, as described above, the connection portion 11 is structured to ensure that the cover 8 may complete a partial rotation about the axis B in relation to the annular retention seal 9, when the cover 8 itself is in the open condition.

The Figures 5-8 show an example wherein the cover 8, in the open condition and during the rotation about the axis B, assumes, sequentially, a first position (Figure 5) wherein the cover 8 is moved from the closed condition to the open condition wherein it is disengaged from the neck 4 but remains resting above the same, keeping the annular retention seal 9 suspended/hanging close, approximately, to the annular element 5. In the second position (Figure 6), the cover 8 is rotated on a plane that is approximately parallel to the axis A (approximately vertical) . In the third position (Figure 7), the cover 8 is overturned compared to the closed condition (approximately horizontal) so as to have the transverse wall 8b turned towards the containment body 3. In the third position, the cover 8 is arranged on a plane approximately transverse to the axis A, while, in the fourth position (Figure 8), the cover 8 is in the position in which it is moved away from the annular element 5 and in which the cover 8 itself is arranged with the transverse wall 8b at least partially resting (preferably with an edge) on the containment body 3 and keeps, through the connection portion 11, the annular retention seal 9 in the tilted position.

With reference to Figures 9-11, the connection portion 11 is also structured to ensure that the cover 8, in the open condition, can complete a partial rotation about an axis C approximately orthogonal to the axis B and to the axis A to reach a temporary locking position wherein the cover 8 is trapped at least partially below the annular element 5 (Figure 11) .

Figures 8-10 show an example wherein the cover 8, in the open condition, during the rotation about the axis C, assumes, sequentially beginning from the fourth position (shown in Figure 8) : a fifth position (Figure 9) wherein the cover 8 is arranged on a plane that is approximately parallel to the axis A and to the axis C (approximately vertical); a sixth position (Figure 10) wherein the cover 8 is arranged on a plane approximately tilted in relation to the axis A with its lower free edge 8c approximately turned towards the containment body 3.

With reference to Figures 10 and 11, the lower portion 4b, the annular element 5, and the cap 6 are structured and sized to ensure that the cover 8, when it assumes the sixth position in the open condition, in the final part of the rotation, forms a fulcrum with a portion of side wall 8a adjacent to the connection portion 11, on the lower face of the annular element 5 and, at the end of the completion of the rotation, it remains trapped approximately below the annular element 5 itself in the temporary locking position (Figure 11) . In particular, in the temporary locking position, the cover 8 is tilted and has its lower edge 8c partially resting on the lower portion 4b of the neck and the side wall 8a is arranged at least partially against the annular element 5 above. In the temporary locking position, the cover 8 also has the transverse wall 8b turned basically upwards, i.e. it is opposite to the containment body 3.

The cover 8 is preferably structured to complete a rotation of about 180°about the axis C when it passes from the fourth position (Figure 8) to the temporary locking position (Figure 11) .

It should be specified that in the temporary locking position, the cover 8 has the upper edge of the transverse wall 8b tilted (adjacent to the connection portion 11) that is arranged at a distance DC from the upper edge of the opening 4d of the neck 4 that can range from approximately 3 mm to approximately 6 mm, preferably approximately 4 mm.

It should be specified that, in the temporary locking position (Figure 11), the cover 8 is arranged on a plane K2 that is tilted by an angle d ranging between approximately 33° and approximately 53°, preferably approximately 43° in relation to a plane that is orthogonal to the axis A.

It should also be specified that in the temporary locking position of the cover 8 (Figure 11), the annular retention seal 9 is arranged on a plane K3 that is tilted by an angle Q ranging from approximately 5° to approximately 9° in relation to a plane orthogonal to the axis A.

The technical effect obtained, thanks to the rotation of the cover 8 about the axis C of approximately 180° and its positioning basically below the annular element 5, is that of keeping the cover 8 temporarily trapped in a position spaced apart and lowered from the upper opening 4d of the neck 4, so that using the bottle 1 is even more convenient (compared to the lowered position of the cover 8 in Figure 8) . The temporary locking of the cover 8 performed through the annular element 5, as well as being performed by means of a quick and simple manual rotation on the part of the user, facilitates the use of the bottle 1, since it conveniently keeps the cover 8 permanently distanced from the opening 4d of the neck 4 without requiring the user himself/herself to keep the cover 8 itself gripped when using the bottle 1.

According to a preferred embodiment shown in Figures 3 and 14, the annular retention seal 9 is also provided with a series of internal reliefs or ribs 14 that protrude in a cantilever fashion from the inner surface 9a of the annular retention seal 9 so that, in the sealed state of the cap 6 (Figures 1, 2, and 3), the ribs 14 extend below the annular element 5.

The internal ribs 14 preferably extend across the inner surface 9a of the annular retention seal 9 along a circumference that, in the sealed state of the cap 6, rests on a plane that is approximately orthogonal to the axis A.

According to a preferred embodiment shown in Figures 3 and 14, the internal ribs 14 can be discontinuous and comprise lengthened stretches of ribbing that extend along a circumference. The stretches can be angularly equidistant between them along the circular inner surface 9a of the annular retention seal 9.

The internal ribs 14 are preferably axially spaced apart from the separation line 7. The distance between the ribs 14 and the separation line 7 can preferably range from approximately 1 mm to approximately 2 mm, preferably approximately 1.65 mm. The thickness SP1 of the ribs 14 measured radially in relation to the axis A (Figure 3) can range from approximately 0.4 mm to approximately 0.8 mm, preferably approximately 0.6 mm. The thickness SP2 of the annular retention seal 9 measured radially in relation to the axis A (Figure 3) preferably ranges from approximately 0.6 mm to approximately 1.2 mm, preferably approximately 0.8 mm. The technical effect obtained thanks to the ribs 14 is to prevent the accidental uncoupling of the annular retention seal 9 from the neck 4, in particular, both when the cap 6 moves from the sealed state (Figures 2 and 3) to the non- sealed state (Figure 4), and when the cover 8 is unscrewed from the neck 4 to move from the closed to the open condition.

In this step, the ribs 14, during the axial movement of the cover 8, are simultaneously arranged to abut against the annular element 5 and force the annular retention seal 9 to be arranged in the approximately horizontal position below it. In this position, the annular retention seal 9 is in the condition of maximum interference with the annular element 5 that consequently prevents it from axially slipping out of the neck 4 and facilitates the breaking of the bridges 12 along the separation line 7, and the separation of the cover 8 along the separation line 7 itself.

It should also be specified that the thickness SP1 of the ribs 14 is designed to conveniently limit the movement of the annular retention seal 9 transverse to the axis A in relation to the neck 4, and thus additionally reduces the possibility of the annular retention seal 9 slipping out of the neck 4 in the case of movements other than axial movements, e.g. rotational movements.

According to a preferred embodiment shown in Figures 13 and 14, an incision line 15 is also made on the annular retention seal 9. The incision line 15 preferably extends across a plane approximately orthogonal to the axis A. The incision line 15 preferably extends over the annular retention seal 9 between the separation line 7 and the lower edge 9b of the annular retention seal 9, corresponding to the free lower edge 6c of the cap 6.

The incision line 15 preferably extends over the annular retention seal 9 for a segment shaped as an arc of a circle adjacent to the connection portion 11. The incision line 15 preferably defines two bands 10a and 10b on the annular retention seal 9 that connect the connection portion 11 to the annular retention seal 9.

The technical effect obtained thanks to the two bands 10a and 10b is to facilitate both the axial movement of the cover 8 in the neck 4, in relation to the annular retention seal 9 at the connection portion 11, and the rotation movement of the cover 8 about the axis C, without causing damage to the connection portion 11 itself.

In fact, the ends of the two bands 10a and 10b being free to move in relation to the remaining part of the annular retention seal 9 enable the connection portion 11 to move upwards during the axial unscrewing of the cover 8 from the neck 4, and to partially rotate about the axis C so as to enable the cover 8 to reach the temporary locking position. The bands 10a and 10b are also conveniently advantageous in that they help prevent the removal of the annular retention seal 9 from the neck 4 when the cover is lifted at the connection portion 11. In this case, the bands 10a and 10b, when in traction, conveniently tighten the annular retention seal 9 on the neck 4.

The incision line 15 preferably delimits the lower side of the connection portion 11 at the top. The incision line 15 preferably has an angular amplitude g about the axis A that is greater than the angular amplitude of the connection portion 11 (Figure 13) .

The angular amplitude g of the incision line 15 about the axis A can preferably range from approximately 60° to approximately 180°, preferably between approximately 100° and approximately 140°.

The angular amplitude of the connection portion 11 can preferably range from approximately 5° to approximately 40°, and preferably from 10° to 30°.

The separation line 7 preferably has an angular amplitude ranging from approximately 320° to 355°, and preferably from 330° to 350°.

With reference to Figures 13 and 14, on the incision line 15, there are breakaway bridges 16 that join the two upper and lower portions of the annular retention seal 9 together, separated by the incision line 15.

The breakable bridges 16 preferably connect the two bands 10a and 10b to the lower portion of the annular retention seal 9 separated by the incision line 15. There are, preferably, at least two breakable bridges 16 that are angularly spaced along the incision line 15. The thickness of the bridges 16 of the incision line 15 is preferably less than the thickness of the bridges 12 of the separation line

7.

According to one embodiment, the bridges 12 can have a thickness of approximately 0.6 mm. According to one embodiment, the bridges 16 can have a thickness of approximately 0.5 mm.

The Applicant found that, thanks to the bridges 16, a better anchorage of the annular retention seal 9 on the neck 4 is obtained, since the opening of the incision line 15 occurs earlier than the breaking of the bridges 12 of the separation line 7.

The operation method for the bottle 1 will be described below assuming that the bottle 1 in the initial step is in the sealed state of the cap 6 (Figures 1, 2, and 3) wherein the bridges 12 and 16 are undamaged. In this condition, the annular retention seal 9 is connected to the top of the cover

8 and, therefore, rests on the plane approximately orthogonal to the A axis. This positioning of the annular retention seal 9 is indicative of the sealed condition, i.e. the integrity of the cap 6. During the first operation carried out by the user to uncouple (unscrew) the cap 6 from the neck 4, the cap 8 rotates on the neck 4 and moves axially along the axis A progressively moving away from the annular retention seal 9 that is arranged with the ribs 14 abutting against the annular element 5 that axially locks the annular retention seal 9. In this step, the connecting bridges 16 in the incision line 15 break when the cover 8 reaches a first axial distance from the annular element 5. Subsequently, when the cover 8 reaches a second axial distance from the annular element 5 that is greater than the first distance, the bridges 12 in the separation line 7 also break.

Continuing with the unscrewing of the cover 8 from the neck 4, the axial distance of the cover 8 from the annular element 5 increases, the connection portion 11, being separated from the underlying portion of the annular retention seal 9, is free to move upwards so that the cover 8 can reach the open condition. In this step, the incision line 15 gradually curves to approximately form an arc, the maximum deformation of which is reached when the cover reaches the open condition in the first position (Figure 5) .

At this point, the cover 8 is manually rotated by the user about the axis B between the first position (Figure 5) and the fourth position (Figure 8) passing, obviously, during the rotation through the second and third position (Figures 6 and 7 ) .

In the fourth position, the cover 8 moves away from the opening of the neck 4 and drags the annular retention seal 9 towards the containment body 3, the seal being arranged in the tilted position when the cover 8 is arranged with the transverse wall 8b at least partially (with the edge) resting on the containment body 3 (Figure 8) .

From the fourth position (Figure 8), the cover 8 can also be manually rotated by the user about the axis C by approximately 180° (Figures 9, 10, and 11) and trapped at the end of the rotation approximately below the annular element 5 in the temporarily locked position shown in Figure 11. It is understood that the cover 8 can be released from the temporary locking position simply through a partial rotation about the C axis in the opposite direction to the previous rotation so that it can be removed from the annular element 5.

With reference to Figure 12, the cover 8, when in any of the opening conditions described above (Figures 5-11), can also be manually pushed back to rest on the opening 4d of the neck 4 (Figure 5) and then be screwed back on to reach the closed condition (Figure 12) . In this step, the annular retention seal 9 being free to oscillate/rotate about the axis B performs a partial rotation, through the hinge band of the connection portion 11, with its free portion diametrically opposite to the connection portion 11 and bends downwards, tilting at an angle b in relation to the plane orthogonal, to the axis A so as to reach the tilted position (K1 plane) indicating the non-integrity of the cap 6.

The bottle described above is advantageous because, thanks to the tilt assumed by the annular retention seal in the closed condition of the cover, immediately indicates to an observer the non-integrity of the cap. In addition, thanks to the connection portion that joins the annular retention seal to the cover, the latter remains permanently anchored to the bottle, so that it cannot be dispersed in the environment .

Lastly, it is clear that the bottle and bottle operation method described and illustrated herein can be subject to modifications and variations without however departing from the protective scope of this invention, as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A plastic bottle (1) for containing a beverage, comprising :

- a cylindrical tubular neck (4) that extends along a reference axis (A) and is connected at the top to a containment body (3) of the beverage,

- an annular element (5) that is arranged in an intermediate position of said neck (4) and rests on a plane orthogonal to said reference axis (A) ,

- a cap (6) that is coupled to said neck (4) and comprises a tubular side wall (6a) that extends around the reference axis (A), and a transverse wall (6b) arranged on the upper end of said tubular side wall (6a) and extends on a plane transverse to the reference axis (A) ,

- a separation line (7) is made on said tubular side wall (6a) of said cap (6), the line extending on a plane transverse to the reference axis (A) and defining on said cap (6) : a cover (8) , an annular retention seal (9) , and a connection portion (11) that connects said cover (8) to said annular retention seal (9),

- said connection portion (11) being structured to arrange said annular retention seal (9) along the neck (4) on a first plane (Kl) tilted at a first angle (b) with respect to the plane where the annular element (5) rests, to indicate a non-sealed state of said cap (6), said annular element (5) is arranged in an intermediate position of said neck (4) so as to separate an upper portion (4a) from a lower portion (4b) on the external surface of the neck ( 4 ) ,

said cover (8) can be switched between a closed condition of the bottle (1), wherein the cover (8) is coupled on said first portion (4a), and an open condition of the bottle (1), wherein the cover (8) is uncoupled from said first portion (4a) ,

said separation line (7) extends around said reference axis (A) such as to be interrupted by a segment shaped as an arc of a circle in which said connection portion (11) is defined between said annular retention seal (9) and said cover ( 8 ) ,

said separation line (7) is further provided with breakaway connecting bridges (12) that, in a sealed state of said cap (6), are undamaged and connect said annular retention seal (9) to said cover (8), and in a non-sealed condition of said cap (6) are interrupted so as to disconnect said annular retention seal (9) from said cover (8),

said connection portion (11) being structured so as to have a first rotation axis (B) around which said cover (8) and said annular retention seal (9) can mutually rotate with respect to one another,

in the non-sealed state of said cap (6), and in the closed position of the cover (8), said annular retention seal (9) carries out a partial rotation through said connection portion (11) around said first rotation axis (B) towards said containment body (3) along said second portion (4b) so as to be arranged on said first plane (Kl) tilted at said first angle (B) with respect to a plane orthogonal to said reference axis (A) to indicate said non-sealed condition of said cap ( 6 ) ,

said bottle being characterised in that:

said connection portion (11) is structured so that said cover (8), in the open condition, can be partially rotated around a second rotation axis (C) approximately orthogonal to said first rotation axis (B) so as to be arranged in a temporary locking position of said cover (8) at least partially below said annular element (5) , in which said cover (8) rests on a second plane (K2) tilted at a second angle (d) with respect to a plane orthogonal to said reference axis (A) and wherein the lower edge (8c) of said cover (8) is arranged resting, at least partially, on said lower portion (4b) and the side wall (8a) of said cover (8) is arranged at least partially against said annular element (5) .

2 . The bottle according to claim 1, wherein said second portion (4b) of said neck (4) is structured so as to have no annular elements below said annular retention seal (9) such as to allow the axial sliding of said annular retention seal (9) along the lower portion (4b) towards said containment body ( 3 ) .

3. The bottle according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said annular retention seal (9) is provided with internal ribs (14), which protrude in a cantilever fashion from the inner surface (9a) of said annular retention seal (9) so that in said sealed state of the cap (6), they extend below said annular element (5) .

4. The bottle according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein an incision line (15) is made on said annular retention seal (9), and the line extends on a plane transverse to said reference axis (A) between said separation line (7) and the lower edge (9b) of said annular retention seal (9) along a segment shaped as an arc of a circle adjacent to said connection portion (11), so as to define two connection bands (10a) (10b) that connect said connection portion (11) to said annular retention seal (9) .

5. The bottle according to claims 3 and 4, wherein said ribs (14) are axially spaced from said incision line (15) .

6. The bottle according to claim 3, wherein said incision line (15) comprises breakaway connecting bridges (16) .

7. The bottle according to claims 1 and 6, wherein the breakaway connecting bridges (16) have a thickness less than said breakaway bridges (12) of said separation line (7) .

8. The bottle according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the external diameter of said lower portion (4b) is less than the internal diameter of said annular retention seal (9) .

9. The bottle according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the length (L) of said second portion (4b) of the neck (4), measured along said reference axis, is greater than the height (H) of said annular retention seal (9) .

10. The bottle according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first angle (b) ranges between approximately 4° and approximately 10°, preferably 7°.

11. The bottle according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said second angle (d) ranges between approximately 33° and approximately 53°, preferably 43°.

12. An operation method of a plastic bottle (1) for containing a beverage, wherein

said bottle (1) comprises a cylindrical tubular neck (4) that extends along a reference axis (A) and is connected at the top to a containment body (3) of the beverage, an annular element (5) that is arranged in an intermediate position of said neck (4) and rests on a plane orthogonal to said reference axis (A), a cap (6) that is coupled to said neck (4) and comprises a tubular side wall (6a) that extends around the reference axis (A), and a transverse wall (6b) arranged on the upper end of said tubular side wall (6a) and extends on a plane transverse to the reference axis (A) , a separation line (7) is made on said tubular side wall (6a) of said cap (6), the line extending on a plane transverse to the axis (A) and defining, on said cap (6), a cover (8), an annular retention seal (9), and a connection portion (11), which connects said cover (8) to said annular retention seal (9) ,

said method comprises the step of arranging, through said connection portion (11), said annular retention seal (9) along the neck (4) on a plane (Kl) tilted at a first angle (b) with respect to the plane orthogonal to the reference axis (A) to indicate a non-sealed state of said cap ( 6) ,

said annular element (5) is arranged in an intermediate position of said neck (4) so as to separate an upper portion (4a) from a lower portion (4b) on the external surface of the neck ( 4 ) ,

said cover (8) can be switched between a closed condition of the bottle (1), wherein the cover (8) is coupled on said first portion (4a) of the neck (4), and an open condition of the bottle (1), wherein the cover (8) is uncoupled from said first portion (4a) ,

said separation line (7) extends around said reference axis (A) so as to be interrupted by a segment shaped as an arc of a circle in which said connection portion (11) is defined between said annular retention seal (9) and said cover ( 8 ) ,

said method comprising the steps of:

arranging said cover (8) in the closed position when said cap (6) is in the non-sealed state so that said annular retention seal (9) carries out, through said connection portion (11), a partial rotation around said first rotation axis (B) towards said containment body (3) along said second portion (4b) so as to be arranged on said first plane (Kl) tilted at a first angle (B) with respect to a plane orthogonal to said reference axis (A) to indicate said non- sealed state of said cap (6);

said method also comprising the step of: partially rotating said cover (8), when it is arranged in the open condition, around a second rotation axis (C) approximately orthogonal to said first rotation axis (B) so as to be arranged in a temporary locking position in which said cover (8) rests, substantially below said annular element (5), on a second plane (K2) tilted at a second angle (d) with respect to a plane orthogonal to said reference axis (A) and wherein the lower edge (8c) of said cover (8) is arranged at least partially resting on said lower portion (4b) and the side wall (8a) of said cover (8) is arranged at least partially against said annular element (5) .