EP4003866B1 - Safety cap - Google Patents

Description

Technical field

The invention relates to a secure opening cap for a container.

State of the art

For the safety of children, it is generally desirable that they cannot access the contents of a container, so as not to risk ingesting a potentially toxic product or choking on one or more objects contained in the container.

For this purpose, it is known to equip the caps of containers with a secure opening device.

The general principle of these stoppers is to require a combination of operations which is in principle beyond the reach of a young child.

For example, documents US 5,316,162 And US 5,520,305 describe secure-opening caps comprising a ring adapted to be secured to the neck of a container and a cap removable from the ring. The ring has a circumferential groove and the cap comprises a lug arranged in the groove of the ring. The groove of the ring opens into a groove extending axially towards the cap, the width of the groove being greater than or equal to that of the lug. The cap is pivotable about a longitudinal axis of the cap by sliding the lug in the ring. As long as the lug is not entirely opposite the groove, the cap is thus retained by the ring in the closed position. To open the cap, the cap should be pivoted relative to the ring so as to bring the lug opposite the groove, which allows the cap to be released by a simple pull in the axial direction. The appropriate position is indicated by an alignment of two arrows present respectively on the ring and the cap. Conversely, the cap can be closed by positioning the lug opposite the groove, pushing in the cap and then pivoting it so as to engage the lug in the circumferential groove and thus hold the cap on the ring.

A disadvantage of these caps is that in the open position the cap is detached from the container and is therefore liable to be lost or dropped, with the risk of soiling or damage.

To avoid this type of inconvenience, it is known to connect the cap to the container by a hinge, see in particular the secure opening cap of the document US 5,065,876 A .

However, if the cap described above is equipped with such a hinge, there is a significant risk that, when closing the cap, the lug will remain opposite the groove, the user forgetting to pivot the cap to engage the lug in the circumferential groove. In this case, the securing function is no longer fulfilled.

Brief description of the invention

An aim of the invention is therefore to design a secure opening cap which overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks. In particular, this cap must make it possible to avoid losing the cap after opening while ensuring that when closing the cap is again in a secure configuration.

• une première partie adaptée pour être solidaire dudit récipient, définissant un orifice de sortie du récipient,
• une deuxième partie montée en pivotement sur la première partie autour d'un axe longitudinal du bouchon, comprenant une bague de fixation et un capuchon solidaire de la bague de fixation par une charnière,

• la première partie comprenant une nervure définissant une gorge s'étendant sur une partie de la circonférence de la première partie et une rainure s'étendant à partir de la gorge vers l'orifice de sortie,
• le capuchon comprenant un ergot configuré pour coulisser dans la gorge et dans la rainure, la rainure étant configurée de telle sorte que la deuxième partie du bouchon soit manipulable par rapport à la première partie entre :
  • une position fermée dans laquelle l'ergot est retenu dans la gorge, le capuchon obturant l'orifice de sortie,
  • une position de début de déverrouillage dans laquelle l'ergot est positionné dans la gorge en regard de la rainure oblique,
  • une position de fin de déverrouillage dans laquelle l'ergot est positionné en regard de la rainure à l'opposé de la gorge, ladite position de fin d'ouverture étant angulairement décalée par rapport à la position de début de déverrouillage, et
  • une position ouverte dans laquelle le capuchon libère l'orifice de sortie, l'ergot et la nervure présentant des formes respectives adaptées pour permettre une fermeture du bouchon par encliquetage de l'ergot dans la gorge dans toute position autre que la position de début de déverrouillage et caractérisé en ce qu'ne partie de la nervure (100) agencée en regard de l'ergot (112) lorsque l'ergot (112) est dans la position de début de déverrouillage forme une marche suffisamment haute pour empêcher le passage de l'ergot (112) dans la gorge (101) et empêcher ainsi la fermeture du bouchon (1), et dans lequel lorsque l'ergot (112) est dans toute position autre que la position de début de déverrouillage, les faces de l'ergot (112) et de la nervure (100) qui se trouvent en vis-à-vis lorsque le bouchon (1) est dans la position ouverte présentent des pentes respectives propices au glissement desdites faces l'une sur l'autre, associé à une déformation élastique du capuchon (111), jusqu'à l'insertion de l'ergot (112) dans la gorge (101).

For this purpose, the invention provides a secure-opening cap for a container, comprising:

• a first part adapted to be secured to said container, defining an outlet orifice of the container,
• a second part pivotally mounted on the first part around a longitudinal axis of the cap, comprising a fixing ring and a cap secured to the fixing ring by a hinge,

• the first part comprising a rib defining a groove extending around a portion of the circumference of the first part and a groove extending from the groove towards the outlet port,
• the cap comprising a lug configured to slide in the groove and in the groove, the groove being configured such that the second part of the cap is manipulable relative to the first part between:
  • a closed position in which the lug is retained in the groove, the cap closing the outlet orifice,
  • an unlocking start position in which the lug is positioned in the groove opposite the oblique groove,
  • an end of unlocking position in which the lug is positioned opposite the groove opposite the throat, said end of opening position being angularly offset relative to the start of unlocking position, and
  • an open position in which the cap releases the outlet orifice, the lug and the rib having respective shapes adapted to allow closure of the cap by snapping the lug into the groove in any position other than the unlocking start position and characterized in that a part of the rib (100) arranged opposite the lug (112) when the lug (112) is in the unlocking start position forms a step high enough to prevent the lug (112) from passing into the groove (101) and thus prevent closure of the cap (1), and in which when the lug (112) is in any position other than the unlocking start position, the faces of the lug (112) and the rib (100) which are opposite each other when the cap (1) is in the open position have respective slopes conducive to sliding of said faces one on the other, associated with an elastic deformation of the cap (111), until the insertion of the lug (112) into the groove (101).

• la première partie fait partie intégrante du récipient ;
• la première partie est distincte du récipient et adaptée pour être rigidement fixée au récipient ;
• la charnière comprend un axe d'articulation reliant la bague de fixation et le capuchon ;
• la charnière fait partie intégrante de la bague de fixation et du capuchon ;
• la première partie et la seconde partie comprennent un premier et un second indicateur respectif agencé de telle sorte que lesdits indicateurs soient alignés lorsque la deuxième partie est dans la position de début de déverrouillage ;
• le bouchon comprend en outre un joint d'étanchéité agencé entre la première partie et la deuxième partie ;
• la première partie est obturée par un opercule ;
• la première partie est pourvue d'un réducteur de la section de l'orifice de sortie.

According to other advantageous characteristics of the invention, considered alone or in combination when technically possible:

• the first part is an integral part of the container;
• the first part is distinct from the container and adapted to be rigidly fixed to the container;
• the hinge comprises a hinge pin connecting the fixing ring and the cap;
• the hinge is an integral part of the fixing ring and the cap;
• the first part and the second part comprise a first and a second respective indicator arranged such that said indicators are aligned when the second part is in the unlocking start position;
• the cap further comprises a seal arranged between the first part and the second part;
• the first part is closed by a cover;
• the first part is provided with a reducer of the section of the outlet orifice.

Brief description of the drawings

• La figure 1 est une vue en perspective du bouchon dans une position ouverte ;
• La figure 2 est une vue écorchée du bouchon dans une position fermée ;
• La figure 3 est une vue écorchée du bouchon dans la position de début de déverrouillage ;
• La figure 4 est une vue écorchée du bouchon dans la position de fin de déverrouillage ;
• La figure 5 est une vue écorchée du bouchon lors d'une tentative de fermeture dans la position de début de déverrouillage ;
• La figure 6 est une vue écorchée du bouchon après fermeture ;
• La figure 7 est une vue éclatée d'un bouchon dans lequel la première partie fait partie intégrante du récipient ;
• La figure 8 est une vue éclatée d'un bouchon dans lequel la première partie est distincte du récipient ;
• La figure 9 est une vue en coupe du bouchon de la figure 7 ;
• La figure 10 est une vue en coupe du bouchon de la figure 8 ;
• La figure 11 est une vue en perspective d'un bouchon pourvu d'un joint ;
• La figure 12 est une vue en perspective d'un bouchon pourvu d'un opercule ;
• La figure 13 est une vue en perspective d'un bouchon pourvu d'un réducteur de section de passage.

Other features and advantages will emerge from the detailed description which follows, with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

• There figure 1 is a perspective view of the cap in an open position;
• There figure 2 is a cutaway view of the cap in a closed position;
• There figure 3 is a cutaway view of the cap in the initial unlocking position;
• There figure 4 is a cutaway view of the cap in the end-of-unlock position;
• There figure 5 is a cutaway view of the cap when attempting to close it in the start unlock position;
• There figure 6 is a cutaway view of the cap after closing;
• There figure 7 is an exploded view of a stopper in which the first part is an integral part of the container;
• There figure 8 is an exploded view of a stopper in which the first part is separate from the container;
• There figure 9 is a sectional view of the cap of the figure 7 ;
• There figure 10 is a sectional view of the cap of the figure 8 ;
• There figure 11 is a perspective view of a cap provided with a seal;
• There figure 12 is a perspective view of a stopper provided with a lid;
• There figure 13 is a perspective view of a plug provided with a passage section reducer.

Detailed description of embodiments

The secure opening cap comprises a cap secured to a fixing ring by a hinge. The assembly formed by the cap and the fixing ring is pivotally movable relative to a part secured to the container (which may possibly be an integral part of said container) around a longitudinal axis of the cap. Said part defines an outlet orifice of the container.

The cap is provided with a lug which, when the cap is in the closed position, is housed in a circumferential groove of the part integral with the container. The respective shapes and dimensions of the lug and the groove are chosen so that the lug can slide in the groove when a user pivots the assembly formed by the cap and the ring relative to the container.

The opening of the cap is made possible by the presence of a groove which extends from the groove, emerging from the latter, towards the outlet orifice. Advantageously, said groove is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the cap. By "inclined" is meant that the groove extends in a direction not parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cap. For example, the groove extends in a direction inclined by 30 to 60° relative to the longitudinal axis of the cap. Preferably, the groove extends in the opposite direction to that of unscrewing.

The dimensions of the lug and said groove are chosen so that the lug can slide in said groove when a user exerts a combined rotation and pulling movement on the cap.

Due to its inclination, the groove is configured so that the position of the lug at its entry into the groove, i.e. at the intersection between the circumferential groove and the groove, which defines a start position for unlocking the cap, is angularly offset from the position of the lug at its exit from the groove, i.e. at the end of the groove opposite the groove, which defines a stopper unlocking end position. From this stopper unlocking end position, a user can release the outlet orifice of the container by exerting a pivoting force on the cap about the axis of the hinge, thereby bringing the cap into its open position.

The groove and the groove are delimited, on the side of the orifice of the container, by a rib whose shape and dimensions are chosen in accordance with the shape and dimensions of the lug to ensure a particular mechanism for opening and closing the cap, as described below.

On the one hand, the rib and the lug are configured so that the lug cannot be extracted from the groove by a pulling movement exerted on the cap in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis. Such a function can be ensured, in particular, by the fact that the faces of the lug and the rib which are opposite each other when the cap is in the closed position, extend radially relative to the longitudinal axis of the cap, or in any direction ensuring retention of the lug in the groove.

Thus, the cap can only be opened by inserting the lug into the groove and applying a combined rotational and pulling movement to the cap to slide the lug in the groove in the direction of the outlet orifice of the container.

Furthermore, the rib and the lug are configured so that the lug can be snapped into the groove when the user folds the cap towards the fixing ring, in any position other than the unlocking start position. This function can be ensured, in particular, by the fact that the faces of the lug and the rib which are opposite each other when the cap is in the open position, have respective slopes conducive to the sliding of said faces on each other, associated with a slight elastic deformation of the cap, until the lug is inserted into the groove. However, this configuration only occurs, for the rib, in the positions distinct from the unlocking start position. On the contrary, opposite the unlocking position (in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cap), the face of the rib is shaped so as to prevent such sliding of the face of the lug; for example, in this area, the face of the rib forms a step high enough to prevent the lug from passing towards the groove.

Thus, the cap can be closed in any position other than the position at which unlocking begins. This ensures that, after closing, the lug is retained in the groove, at a distance from the intersection with the groove. Consequently, even if the user does not rotate the entire fixing ring and cap relative to the container after folding the cap onto the container, the cap is not in the unlocking position and the secure opening function remains fulfilled. In order to open the cap again, the user must rotate the entire fixing ring and cap to the unlocking start position.

If the user attempts to close the cap while the lug is facing the unlocking position, the rib forms an obstacle that prevents closing. To close the cap, the user must then pivot the assembly of the fixing ring and the cap relative to the container to present the lug facing a face of the rib allowing the lug to pass through the rib to the groove.

Therefore, this particular configuration of the cap allows the secure opening function to be maintained without the user having to take any particular action when closing.

Particularly advantageously, the unlocking start position is indicated, on the integral part of the container and on the fixing ring or the cap, by respective indicators which are aligned in said position.

The cap being advantageously produced by molding in plastic material(s), said indicators can simply be molded in hollow or in relief.

The hinge may be made by any suitable means. For example, the hinge may be in the form of a plastic film molded with the fixing ring and the cap. The hinge then forms an integral part of the fixing ring and the cap. In another embodiment, the hinge may comprise a male part forming an axis and a female part articulated on the male part, one of said parts belonging to the fixing ring and the other to the cap. Alternatively, a separate axis, made of metal or plastic, may provide a pivoting connection between the fixing ring and the cap.

There figure 1 is a perspective view of the cap according to one embodiment in an open position.

The stopper 1 comprises a first part 10 which is integral with the container 2. Said part 10 advantageously forms at least part of the neck of the container, and defines an outlet orifice 20 of the container. Said first part 10 may be an integral part of the container, as illustrated in the exploded view of the figure 7 , or be a separate part of the container 2, as illustrated in the exploded view of the figure 8 but fixed thereto in an irremovable manner. In the latter case, the part 10 is preferably rigidly connected to the container, i.e. fixed relative to the container. The fixing of the first part to the container may be carried out by any suitable technique, such as welding, gluing, snap-fastening, screwing, etc.

The cap further comprises a second part 11, which comprises a fixing ring 110 and a cap 111 secured to the fixing ring by a hinge 114.

The second part 11 is pivotally mounted on the first part 10, around a longitudinal axis X of the cap. For this purpose, the fixing ring has an internal diameter slightly greater than the external diameter of the region of the first part that it surrounds. As can be seen better in the figures 7 And 8 , the fixing ring and the first part respectively comprise at least one lug and a groove making it possible to hold the fixing ring on the first part while allowing it to pivot relative to the latter.

The first part 10 comprises a rib 100 extending in a radial direction. Said rib delimits a circumferential groove 101, as well as a groove 102 which communicates with the groove 101 and extends towards the outlet orifice.

As explained above, the groove 102 is not oriented parallel to the X axis, but is inclined relative to said axis. Thus, the end of the groove 102 located on the outlet orifice side is angularly offset relative to the opposite end, which forms the junction with the groove 101. Advantageously, the groove 102 is oriented in the opposite direction to a conventional screw pitch.

The cap 111 comprises a bottom adapted to close the outlet orifice and a side wall, of generally cylindrical shape, extending from the bottom.

A lug 112 extends radially inwardly of the cap from the side wall.

The lug has dimensions adapted to allow it to slide in the groove 101 and in the groove 102.

In the closed position of the cap, the lug 112 is positioned in the groove 101 and retained therein in the direction of the X axis.

To open the cap, the user must release the lug 112 from the groove 101 by sliding it into the groove 102, the groove 102 fulfilling the function of a means of unlocking the cap. The appropriate position of the second part relative to the first part to allow this unlocking is materialized by an alignment of two indicators 113, 103 arranged respectively on the second part and on the first part.

THE Figures 2 to 4 are cutaway views at different stages of cork opening.

On the figure 2 , the cap is in the closed position. The lug 112 is arranged in the groove 101. The indicators present respectively on the first part and the second part are angularly offset.

On the figure 3 , the cap is in the start unlocking position, in which the lug 112 is in the groove 101, opposite the groove 102. To reach this position, the user has turned the second part relative to the first part so as to align the indicators 103, 113.

On the figure 4 , the cap is in the end-of-unlocking position, in which the lug comes out of the groove 102, by the end opposite the groove 101. To reach this position, the user has turned the second part clockwise (which is the opposite direction to that of unscrewing) while exerting a slight pull in the X direction to engage the lug in the groove 102 and then slide it in said groove. This may involve a slight twisting of the second part, which is made possible by its plastic material construction.

To fully open the cap and release the outlet, the user rotates the cap around the hinge axis, thus reaching the position of the figure 1 .

There figure 5 illustrates the cap open during an attempt to close it from the unlocking start position (the indicators 103, 113 being aligned). The portion 1000 of the rib arranged opposite the lug 112 has a shape and thickness adapted to obstruct the passage of the lug, and thus prevents the cap from closing in this position. This position is in fact not desirable for closing because, with the lug opposite the groove, the cap would no longer be locked, allowing a child to open it easily.

This requires the user to pivot the second part relative to the first part so that the lug is opposite an area of the rib 100 allowing its passage towards the groove 101. In practice, any position other than the unlocking start position is suitable for allowing the lug to pass over the rib, which does not require any complex manipulation on the part of the user to close the cap. figure 6 illustrates the cap in the closed position.

THE figures 7 And 8 illustrate two embodiments of the stopper and the container.

In the embodiment of the figure 7 , the first part 10 is formed integrally with the container. For example, the first part, which is part of the neck of the container, may be formed by molding, and the remainder of the container by blowing.

In the embodiment of the figure 8 , the first part 10 is distinct from the container, but configured to be secured to it irreversibly, for example by welding or any other suitable means.

THE figures 9 And 10 are cross-sectional views of the cap of the figures 7 And 8 , respectively, in the closed position.

The lug 112 has a face 1120 located on the side of the outlet orifice, which extends in a radial direction, like the face of the rib 100 which faces it. This face 1120 therefore forms a step which prevents the passage of the lug above the rib 100 and consequently prevents the opening of the cap.

The lug 112 also has a face 1121 located on the side of the bottom of the container, which is inclined relative to the radial direction. This face 1121 therefore forms a slope suitable for sliding on the rib 100 when closing the cap.

In addition to the secure opening feature just described, the cap may include other features commonly sought after in caps.

Thus, the cap may include a seal. As illustrated in the figure 11 , the seal may be in the form of an elastomer disk 115 arranged in the bottom of the cap. When the cap is in the closed position, said seal 115 is interposed between the end of the first part 10 and the cap 111, thus ensuring a hermetic closure of the outlet orifice 20.

In addition, the cap may include a cover, removable when the cap is first opened. As illustrated in the figure 12 , the cover 104 is sealed on the end of the first part 10, thus closing the outlet orifice. The cover advantageously comprises a tab facilitating gripping by the user for the purpose of removing the cover.

Furthermore, the cap may include a reducer of the passage section, having a reduced section compared to that of the first part, in order to facilitate the dosing of the product contained in the container. As illustrated in the figure 13 , the reducer 105 may be an integral part of the first part 10 or be secured to it by any suitable means.

Claims (9)

1. A safety opening plug (1) for a container (2), comprising :

   - a first part (10) adapted to be integral with said container, defining a container outlet,

   - a second part (11) pivotally mounted on the first part (10) about a longitudinal axis (X) of the plug, comprising a fixing ring (110) and a cap (111) secured to the fixing ring by a hinge (114), the first part (10) comprising a rib (100) defining a recess (101) extending over part of the circumference of the first part and a groove (102) extending from the recess towards the outlet,

   the cap comprising a lug (112) configured to slide in the recess (101) and in the groove (102),

   the groove (102) being configured such that the second part (11) of the plug can be manipulated relative to the first part (10) between :

   - a closed position in which the lug (112) is retained in the recess (101), with the cap (111) closing the outlet orifice,

   - a release start position in which the lug (112) is positioned in the recess (101) facing the oblique groove (102),

   - an end-of-opening position in which the lug (112) is positioned opposite the groove (102) opposite the recess (101), said end-of-opening position being angularly offset from the beginning-of-opening position, and

   - an open position in which the cap (111) frees the outlet orifice, wherein the lug (112) and the rib (100) have respective shapes adapted to enable closure of the plug by latching of the lug (112) in the recess (101) in any position other than the initial unlocking position, the plug being characterized in that a part of the rib (100) arranged opposite the lug (112) when the lug (112) is in the unlocking start position forms a step sufficiently high to prevent the passage of the lug (112) into the recess (101) and thus prevents closure of the plug (1), and in which, when the lug (112) is in any position other than the unlocking start position, the faces of the lug (112) and of the rib (100) which are opposite each other when the plug (1) is in the open position have respective slopes conducive to sliding of said faces over each other, associated with elastic deformation of the cap (111), until insertion of the lug (112) into the recess (101).
2. A plug according to claim 1, in which the first part (10) is an integral part of the container (2).
3. A plug according to claim 1, in which the first part (10) is separate from the container and adapted to be rigidly attached to the container.
4. A plug according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the hinge comprises a hinge pin connecting the fixing ring and the cap.
5. A plug according to one of claims 1 to 3, in which the hinge is an integral part of the fixing ring (110) and the cap (111).
6. A plug according to one of claims 1 to 5, in which the first part and the second part comprise respective first and second indicators (103, 113) arranged so that said indicators are aligned when the second part (11) is in the start-of-release position.
7. Plug according to one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a seal (115) arranged between the first part and the second part.
8. A plug according to one of claims 1 to 7, in which the first part is sealed by a lid (104).
9. A plug according to one of claims 1 to 8, in which the first part is provided with a reducer (105) for the cross-section of the outlet orifice.

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