EP4219330A1

EP4219330A1 - Non-detachable cap

Info

Publication number: EP4219330A1
Application number: EP20800224.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Augusto Nicolas ROTELLA
Original assignee: Closure Systems International Espana SL
Current assignee: CAP SUSTAINBLE SOLUTIONS S.L.U.
Priority date: 2020-09-17
Filing date: 2020-09-17
Publication date: 2023-08-02
Also published as: WO2022058627A1

Abstract

Undetachable cap for a container with a threaded neck that is provided with a ring (2) retaining it on the container on the side of the open end thereof, a tippable section (1) on the side of the closed end thereof, comprising a base wall (11) and an annular wall (12), which is provided with one or more internal threads at the same angle "α" as those of said neck of the container, the distal end of said annular wall (12) comprising a first portion that is connected to the retaining ring (2) by a tamperproof frangible connection (21), the undetachable cap comprising two hinged arms (3) joined on one side to the annular wall (12) and on the other to the retaining ring (2), where the distal end of the annular wall (12) also comprises a second portion, placed between the two hinged arms (3), and where said second portion has at least one inclined segment (13, 13'), whose inclination with respect to the base wall (11) is in the opposite direction to the inclination of said angle "α".

Description

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to an undetachable cap for closing a container with a threaded neck. More specifically, the undetachable cap is of the type comprising a ring for retaining the cap on the container and hinged arms that allow tipping the cap and locking it while the liquid in the container is being poured.

Background of the invention

Although they are not widely available in the market, undetachable caps are already known in the prior art that comprise one or two arms connecting the cap to a retaining ring attached to the bottle, which in turn generally comprises a tamperproof frangible connection that allows knowing whether the cap has been opened. Said arms enable the caps to be recycled together with the plastic of the bottles instead of polluting the environment, such as by ending up in the oceans through the sewers.
Within this type of cap, some comprise a locking system when in the open position to prevent the cap from returning to the closed position, or to prevent the cap and the ring from rotating under gravity about the neck of the bottle when the latter is tilted, thereby preventing the cap from touching the user's face when drinking from the container and the liquid from splashing against the cap when pouring it into another container.
For example, document US2020115115A1 discloses a undetachable cap with a number of frangible connections which, when the cap is opened for the first time, define hinged arms and a tab. When the cap is tipped said arms, due to their appropriate size and the semi-elasticity of the synthetic material from which they are made, exert an attractive force that retains the tab against the thread of the bottle, thereby locking the cap in place, as shown in views A) and B) of figure 1 below. Caps with such arms and tab are also shown in documents EP1 124734A1 and WO2009002057A2 (see figure 12). The locking tab keeps the cap from returning to its position above the opening of the container, where it would considerably hinder the flow of liquid (which means that the user will be concerned with ensuring that the cap remains in the tipped position).
However, the structure of this type of caps can be improved by a stronger locking of the tab providing a more pleasant experience for the user.

Description of the invention

The present invention provides a undetachable cap for a container with a threaded neck, where the neck of the container is tubular and defined by an axial line. In turn, the neck of the container is of the type comprising an opening orthogonal to said axial line and one or more peripheral threads inclined at an angle "α" with respect to the opening.
The undetachable cap of the present invention comprises a retaining ring on the side with an open end, designed to be axially retained by at least one annular flange located on the neck of the container.
In addition, the undetachable cap has a tippable section that comprises:

A base wall designed to cover said opening of the container, and
An annular wall having one or more inner threads with the same angle "α" as the threads of the neck of the containers, said annular wall being hermetically attached at its proximal end to the base wall, and comprising at its distal end a first portion which, in the state when sold to the public, is connected to the retaining ring by a tamperproof frangible connection.

The undetachable cap in turn has two hinged arms firmly attached on one of their sides to the annular wall and by their other sides to the retaining ring. These arms are sized and designed to allow tipping the tippable section with respect to the retaining ring and, once tipped, exerting an attractive force on this ring against the neck of the container.
With regard to said annular wall of the tippable section, the distal end thereof also comprises a second portion located between said hinged arms and adjacent to the retaining ring, in the state when sold to the public. Therefore, said first and second portions will separate from the retaining ring when the cap is opened, the second portion being trapped in one of the peripheral threads of the neck of the container due to the attractive force of the hinged arms when the tippable section is tipped.
The undetachable cap is characterised in that, in the state when sold to the public, said second portion has at least one inclined segment defined therein whose inclination with respect to the base wall is in the opposite direction to the inclination of said angle "α".
Thanks to said at least one inclined segment with an inclination with respect to the base wall in the opposite direction to that of said angle "α", the seating on the peripheral threads of the neck of the container is more stable, as there is not only one point of contact, as in the tabs of the caps of the prior art, instead having more than one point of contact or a contact strip. This stability allows reducing the swivelling that the cap may experience in the plane of symmetry of the hinged arms in the tipped position, providing a more pleasant locking sensation for the user.
Preferably, both hinged arms comprise a lower edge adjacent to the retaining ring in the state when sold to the public, both lower levels being continuous with the at least one inclined segment. In this way it is possible to define in the same manufacturing stages both the lower edges and the inclined segments, thereby reducing the manufacturing costs for the undetachable cap. In one possible version of this embodiment, said at least one inclined segment comprises at least one fraction located at an equal or shorter distance from the base wall than a fraction of at least one of the lower edges. For example, the lower edges are horizontal and the upper edge of the inclined segment starts where one of the lower edges ends. When this latter feature is included in an embodiment of the undetachable cap, it allows the cap to be differentiated from the scope of protection of some prior patents.
Complementarily or not to the aforementioned embodiments, both hinged arms can comprise an upper edge adjacent to the annular wall in the state when sold to the public, each upper edge being continuous with the tamperproof frangible connection on one end and not having continuity on the other end. In this way, it is possible to define in the same manufacturing stages both the upper edges and the tamperproof frangible connection, thereby reducing the manufacturing costs for the undetachable cap. In one possible version of this embodiment the end without continuity of each upper edge is prolonged diagonally towards the base wall, such that the corresponding end of the hinged arms is wider and therefore stronger.
Preferably, the at least one inclined segment is arranged at the distal end of a tab, which extends away from the base wall. Optionally, the proximal end of the tab is at an equal or shorter distance to the base wall than the tamperproof frangible connection. In this way, the tab can have a length that is more suitable such that the inclined segment is more flexible and can be placed more easily in the corresponding peripheral thread of the container.
In one possible embodiment the undetachable cap comprises two inclined segments, each one having an inclination with respect to the base wall suitable for at least one peripheral thread to rest on same. Thus, the tipping section can engage the peripheral threads of the container in a more stable manner. One of the two inclined segments can be arranged at the distal end of a tab, and the tab can be sized so that the two inclined segments are seated well on the same peripheral thread or in two different ones. Preferably, in this embodiment with two inclined segment the undetachable cap comprises a cut, with or without a frangible connection, placed on the same horizontal plane as the ends without continuity of the upper edges, which in turn extends between the space defined by the two inclined segments. Due to this cut the user can tip the tippable section with less effort.
In a preferred embodiment, the inclination of the at least one inclined plane is defined so that, in the locked position of the tippable section, a median vertical plane of the annular wall and the axis of the container neck are coincident. In other words, the neck of the container and the annular wall share a plane of symmetry. In this way the tippable section will be seated in a manner that is more pleasing to the user.
In one possible embodiment, said at least one inclined segment in the direction opposite to the angle "α" can be defined by a straight line, with or without curved ends. The angle of inclination of the at least one inclined segment with respect to the base wall is preferably within a range defined by the absolute value of "α" ± 20 degrees. In another possible embodiment, the second portion of the distal end of the annular wall, where the inclined segment or segments are located, is defined by a convex curvature, where the at least one inclined segment is a fraction of this convex curvature (and therefore, the angle of the at least one inclined segment changes along said segment). Preferably, in this embodiment the at least one inclined segment is more than half of said second portion. The fact that the at least one inclined segment has a convex curvature means that it is resting on the thread of the container at a greater number of points, so that it is even more stable.
As an optional embodiment, the at least one inclined segment comprises, in the state when sold to the public, a frangible connection to the retaining ring, as well as the lower edge of the hinged arms, connecting them to the annular wall of the retaining ring respectively.

Brief description of the figures

For the better understanding of the description made herein, a set of drawings has been provided wherein, schematically and solely by way of a non-limiting example, a practical case of an embodiment is portrayed.

Figure 1A).- Perspective view of a state-of-the-art undetachable cap.
Figure 1B).- Side view of a state-of-the-art undetachable cap.
Figure 2.- Side view of a first embodiment of the present undetachable cap.
Figure 3.- Side view of a second embodiment of the present undetachable cap.
Figure 4.- Side view of a third embodiment of the present undetachable cap.
Figure 5.- Side view of a fourth embodiment of the present undetachable cap.

Description of preferred embodiments

Preferred embodiments of the undetachable cap are described below with reference to figures 2 to 5. Figure 1 shows a state-of-the-art undetachable cap for threaded neck containers (102) with several peripheral threads (104) inclined at an angle "α" to the opening. Said state-of-the-art undetachable comprises two hinged arms joined on one side to a retaining ring and on the other to a tipping section, which comprises a tab. Both the hinged arms and the tab are defined by a series of frangible connections that break when the cap is opened for the first time. As shown, when the tippable section of the cap is placed in its tipped position, the arms exert an attractive force that retains the distal end of the tab against the thread of the bottle, thereby locking the position of the cap. In the state-of-the-art caps, as can be seen in figure 1, said distal end of the tab has a single point of contact on the peripheral threads (104) of the container, as said threads (104) have an inclination to which the end of the tab does not conform.
As describe below, the design of the undetachable cap of the present invention is adapted to the inclination of the peripheral threads (104) of the container, providing more than one support point or strip.
Figures 2 to 5 show side views of different preferred embodiments of the present undetachable cap in the state when sold to the public. All of them show:

a retaining ring (2), at the side with the open end, designed to be axially retained by an annular flange (not shown in the figures) of said neck (102) of the container,
a tippable section (1) on the side of its closed end, comprising:
- a base wall (11) designed to cover said opening of the container, and
- an annular wall (12) provided with one or more internal threads (not shown in the figures) with the same angle "α" as those of said neck (102) of the container, said annular wall (12) being hermetically joined at its proximal end to the base wall (11), and its distal wall comprising a first portion which, in the state when sold to the public, is connected to the retaining ring (2) by a tamperproof frangible connection (21),
two hinged arms (3) firmly attach on one of their ends to the annular body (12) and by their other end to the retaining ring (2), sized and designed to allow tipping the tippable section (1) with respect to the retaining ring (2) while, when tipped, exerting an attractive force on the ring against the neck (102) of the container,
a second portion of the distal end of the annular wall (12) placed between the two hinged arms (3), adjacent to the retaining ring (2) in the state when sold to the public, meant to be locked in one of the peripheral threads (104) of the neck (102) of the container by the attractive force (1) of the hinged arms (3) when the tippable section (1) is tipped, wherein said second portion has at least one inclined segment (13, 13'), the inclination of which with respect to the base wall (11) is in the direction opposite to the inclination of said angle "α".

In the embodiments of the undetachable cap shown in figures 2 and 3, the second portion has a single inclined segment (13) defined by a straight line (the inclination of which is marked with the angle "β" in figure 2. In this embodiment the angle "β" to the base wall (11) has a value equal to the absolute value of "α".
In the embodiment of figure 4, said second portion is defined by a convex curvature, where the inclined segment (13') in the direction opposite to the inclination of the angle "α" is a fraction of the convex curvature. Therefore, in this case the angle of the inclined segment (13') will change along the convex curvature. However, in the embodiment of the undetachable cap shown in figure 5, the second portion has two inclined segments (13), collinear to each other.
In the embodiments of figures 3 and 4, said second portion, together with the inclined segment (13, 13'), is arranged at the distal end of a tab (14) which extends away from the base wall (11). In turn, the proximal end of the tab (14) of these two embodiments is at a shorter distance from the base wall (11) than the tamperproof frangible connection (21). In the embodiment of figure 5, only one of the two inclined segments (13) is arranged at the distal end of a tab (14).
In all the present embodiments both hinged arms (3) comprise a lower edge (23, 23') adjacent to the retaining ring (2), in the state when sold to the public, the two lower edges (23, 23') being continuous at one of their ends with the inclined segments (13, 13'), either in a curved manner as shown in figure 2 or at an angle as in the remaining embodiments. In the embodiments shown in figures 2 and 5, said lower edges (23) are parallel to the base wall (11), while in the embodiments shown in figures 3 and 4 a portion of the lower edges (23') is inclined. This enables the inclined segments (13, 13') of the corresponding embodiments to comprise a fraction that is at a smaller distance from the base wall (11) than a fraction of the lower edges (23'). Instead, in the embodiment of figure 2, one end of the inclined segment (13) is at the same distance from the base wall (11) as the lower edges (23), as is one of the inclined segments (13) of the embodiment of figure 5.
In turn, both hinged arms (3) of all the embodiments shown comprise an upper edge (22, 22'), adjacent to the annular wall (12) in the state when sold to the public, and each upper edge (22, 22') is continuous with the tamperproof frangible connection (21) on one end and lacks continuity on the other end. In the embodiments of figures 2, 4 and 5, the entirety of the upper edges (22) is parallel to the base wall (11). However, in the embodiment shown in figure 3, the end without continuity of each upper edge (22') runs diagonally toward the base wall (11).
In one possible embodiment where the undetachable cap comprises two inclined segments, it also comprises a cut (25) on the same horizontal plane as the ends without continuity of the upper edges (22), which occupies the space defined by the two inclined edges (13), as shown in figure 5.

Claims

Undetachable cap for a container with a threaded neck, wherein the neck (102) of the container is tubular and is defined by an axial line, while comprising an opening orthogonal to said axial line as well as one or more peripheral threads (104) inclined at an angle "α" to said opening, and wherein the undetachable cap comprises:
- a retaining ring (2), on the side of the open end, configured to be retained axially by at least one annular flange of said neck (102) of the container,

- a tippable section (1) on the side of its closed end, comprising:
- a base wall (11) designed to cover said opening of the container, and

- an annular wall (12), provided with one or more internal threads at the same angle "α" as those of said neck (102) of the container, said annular wall (12) being hermetically joined at its proximal end to the base wall (11), and the distal end thereof comprising a first portion which, in the state when sold to the public, is connected to the retaining ring (2) by a tamperproof frangible connection (21),

- two hinged arms (3) firmly attach on one of their ends to the annular body (12) and by their other end to the retaining ring (2), sized and designed to allow tipping the tippable section (1) with respect to the retaining ring (2) while, when tipped, exerting an attractive force on the ring against the neck (102) of the container,

where the distal end of the annular wall (12) also comprises a second portion, placed between the two hinged arms (3), adjacent to the retaining ring (2) in the state when sold to the public, meant to be locked in one of the peripheral threads (104) of the neck (102) of the container by the attractive force (1) of the hinged arms (3) when the tippable section (1) is tipped,

the undetachable cap being characterised in that, in the state when sold to the public, said second portion has at least one inclined segment (13, 13'), whose inclination with respect to the base wall (11) is in the opposite direction to that of the inclination of said angle "α".
Undetachable cap according to claim 1, where both hinged arms (3) comprise a lower edge (23, 23'), adjacent to the retaining ring (2) in the state when sold to the public, both lower edges (23, 23') having continuity with the at least one inclined segment (13, 13').
Undetachable cap according to claim 2, where said at least one inclined segment (13, 13') comprises at least one fraction that is at an equal or shorter distance from the base wall (11) than at least one fraction of at least one of the lower edges (23, 23').
Undetachable cap according to any one of claims 1 to 3, where both hinged arms (3) comprise an upper edge (22, 22'), adjacent to the annular wall (12) in the state when sold to the public, each upper edge (22, 22') having continuity with the tamperproof frangible connection (21) on one end and without continuity on the other end.
Undetachable cap according to claim 4, where the end without continuity of each upper edge (22') extends diagonally toward the base wall (11).
Undetachable cap according to any one of claims 1 to 5, where the at least one inclined segment (13, 13') is arranged at the distal end of a tab (14) that extends away from the base wall (11).
Undetachable cap according to claim 6, where the proximal end of the tab (14) is at an equal or shorter distance from the base wall (11) than the tamperproof frangible connection (21).
Undetachable cap according to any one of claims 1 to 7, which comprises two inclined segments (13, 13'), each inclined segment (13, 13') having an inclination with respect to the base wall (11) suitable for resting on at least one peripheral thread (104).
Undetachable cap according to claim 8 when it is dependent on claims 6 or 7, where at least one of the two inclined segments (13, 13') is arranged at the distal end of a tab (14).
Undetachable cap according to claims 8 or 9 when they are dependent on claim 4, which comprises a cut (25) placed at the same horizontal plane as the ends without continuity of the upper edges (22, 22') and which in turn extends between the space defined by the two inclined segments (13, 13').
Undetachable cap according to any one of claims 1 to 10, where the inclination of at least one inclined segment (13, 13') is such that in the locked situation of the tippable section (1), a median vertical plane of the annular wall (12) and the axis of the neck of the container coincide.
Undetachable cap according to any one of claims 1 to 11, where said at least one inclined segment (13) is defined by a straight line with an inclination angle (β) with respect to the base wall (11) is in a range defined by the absolute value of "α" ± 20 degrees.
Undetachable cap according to any one of claims 1 to 11, where said second portion is defined by a convex curvature, a fraction of which being the at least one segment (13') inclined in the direction opposite to the angle "α".
Undetachable cap according to claim 13, where said at least one segment (13') inclined in the direction opposite to the angle "α" represents more than half of said second portion.
Undetachable cap according to any one of claims 1 to 14, where said at least one inclined segment (13, 13') comprises, in the state when sold to the public, a frangible connection that connects same to the retaining ring (2).
Undetachable cap according to any one of claims 1 to 14, where the edge adjacent to the annular wall (12) of each hinged arm (3) comprises, in the state when sold to the public, an upper frangible connection that connects said cap to the annular wall (12).
Undetachable cap according to any one of claims 1 to 15, where the edge adjacent to the retaining ring (2) of each hinged arm (3) comprises, in the state when sold to the public, a lower frangible connection that connects said cap to the retaining ring (2).