EP4686669A1

EP4686669A1 - Closure cap for bottles

Info

Publication number: EP4686669A1
Application number: EP25189000.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Matteo ZACCARIA
Original assignee: PeDi Srl
Current assignee: PeDi Srl
Priority date: 2024-07-29
Filing date: 2025-07-11
Publication date: 2026-02-04

Abstract

A closure cap (10) consisting of a hollow cylindrical body is described, which comprises a capsule-shaped cap portion (12) and an open or C-shaped annular band (20), which is made integral in a breakable way with the cap portion (12) by means of a breakable circumferential edge (22) having a low thickness. At least one threaded portion (28), which is obtained during the process of applying the closure cap (10) to a threaded mouth of a bottle is provided on the side surface (14). At least one flexible tab (26) is attached to the annular band (20) in such a way that a user of the closure cap (10) can obtain, by pulling the tab (26), the removal of the annular band (20) by breaking the breakable circumferential edge (22). The irreversible separation of the cap portion (12) and the open or C-shaped annular band (20) is thereby obtained, making the closure cap (10) first opening visible.

Description

The present invention generally relates to a closure cap for bottles and, in particular, an aluminium closure cap also known as ROPP aluminium cap and provided with a tamper-proof seal.
The aluminium closure caps known as ROPP (acronym for "Roll-On Pilfer Proof") aluminium caps are commonly used in the food and beverage industry to seal containers and bottles made of glass or polymeric material (PET). These closure caps usually consist of an aluminium body and an internal gasket, which can be made of rubber or synthetic material. ROPP closure caps have the main technical characteristics listed below.

Air tightness: a ROPP closure cap ensures an airtight closure of the respective bottle, protecting the product contained therein from external contaminants such as air, light, dust and microorganisms. This characteristic helps preserving the freshness and quality of the product for a prolonged period of time.
Tamper-proof: a ROPP closure cap is equipped with a tamper-proof system which prevents unauthorized opening of the respective bottle. Once screwed on, the ROPP closure cap deforms and cannot be replaced correctly without being damaged. This characteristic helps preventing counterfeiting and adulteration of the product.
Easy to open: a ROPP closure cap is easy to open and close manually, without the need for additional tools. This characteristic makes the ROPP closure cap convenient for consumers and practical for manufacturers.
Versatility: a ROPP closure cap is normally available in different sizes and formats to fit a variety of bottles. It can be used to seal carbonated beverages, juices, water, beer, wine, spirits and pharmaceutical products.

The process of applying a ROPP closure cap to a respective bottle requires the use of a special ROPP machine. The ROPP machine screws the ROPP closure cap onto the respective bottle, pressing it with a certain axial load depending on the resistance of the bottle. Subsequently, a series of rollers close by rotating around the lateral surface of the ROPP closure cap, plastically deforming the aluminium body thereof and creating an air-tight seal around the threaded mouth of the bottle. The internal gasket of the ROPP closure cap ensures an airtight and tamper-proof closure.
ROPP closure caps, while offering several advantages, such as the convenient opening and the airtight closure, are not free from some drawbacks. A first drawback is the possibility of tampering with the cap. Despite the presence of the tamper-proof system, ROPP closure caps can be relatively easily tampered by expert people, using simple tools such as pliers or knives. The lack of a tamper-proof, clearly visible locking mechanism, therefore, makes it difficult to recognize whether a ROPP closure cap has been tampered with.
Another drawback is that the caps are vulnerable to counterfeiting. Since ROPP closure caps can be tampered with, they can also be easily copied or counterfeited, allowing malicious people to fill the respective bottles with unauthorized or contaminated products. The lack of unique safety features on the ROPP closure caps makes it difficult to distinguish the authentic closure caps from the caps that have been counterfeited.
Another drawback is their low resistance to burglary. ROPP locking caps are not designed to resist forced burglary attempts, such as the attempts performed with electric tools. Their relatively fragile construction makes them vulnerable to breakage or tampering with brute force.
A further drawback is the potential presence of entry points for contaminants. ROPP closure caps may have small cracks or imperfections which could allow air, microorganisms, or other contaminants to enter the bottle. This can lead to product deterioration, bacterial growth, or other food safety problems.
Yet another drawback is a false perception of safety. The presence of a ROPP closure cap on a given bottle may lead the consumers to believe that the product contained therein is safe and has not been tampered with. However, as mentioned above, ROPP closure caps are not foolproof and can be tampered with or counterfeited.
A final drawback is the presence of the tamper-proof annular band, which conventional ROPP closure caps are typically equipped with. After the bottle has been opened and the drink has been consumed, this tamper-proof annular band remains trapped in the seat below the finish of the mouth of the bottle, and therefore it remains integral with the bottle. Consequently, since this tamper-proof annular band remains integral with the bottle even after the latter has been used, it is not possible to return the empty bottle. Bottling companies are therefore forced to carry out a mechanical separation between the tamper-proof annular band and the bottle, this operation being expensive and complex to carry out.
Therefore, ROPP closure caps generally offer a good level of convenience and are practical, however they are not the ideal solution for applications requiring a high level of tamper-proof protection or for bottling companies intending to implement a returnable empty bottle effective policy.
The object of the present invention is, therefore, to provide a closure cap for bottles, in particular an aluminium closure cap also known as ROPP aluminium cap, which is capable of solving the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art in an extremely simple, economical and particularly functional way.
In detail, it is an object of the present invention to provide a closure cap for bottles which ensures a high level of tamper-proof protection.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a closure cap for bottles which makes it completely evident and unequivocal that the bottle or container on which the cap is applied has been opened for the first time (the so-called "tamper evident" function).
A further object of the present invention is to provide a closure cap for bottles which allows for an easy opening of the bottle or container on which the closure cap is applied, thus making this closure cap compatible with returnable empty bottle policies which result in improved product sustainability, reduction of disposable packaging and efficiency of the recycling system.
These and other objects according to the present invention will be achieved by providing a closure cap for bottles as set forth in claim 1.
Further features of the invention are highlighted by the dependent claims, which are an integral part of the present description.
The features and advantages of a closure cap for bottles according to the present invention will be clearer from the following exemplifying and hence nonlimiting description, referring to the attached schematic drawings in which:

Figure 1 is an axonometric view, from the top side, of a preferred embodiment of the closure cap for bottles according to the present invention;
Figure 2 is another axonometric view, from the bottom side, of the closure cap in Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a side elevation view of the closure cap in Figure 1;
Figure 4 is an enlarged view showing a detail of the closure cap in Figure 1;
Figure 5 is an axonometric view, from the top side, of the closure cap in Figure 1, shown in its final configuration of use on a generic bottle provided with a threaded mouth; and
Figure 6 is another axonometric view, from the bottom side, of the closure cap in Figure 5.

With reference to the figures, a preferred embodiment of a closure cap for bottles according to the present invention is shown. The closure cap is indicated as a whole with reference number 10 and is of the so-called ROPP type, as will be highlighted in more detail below with reference to the manufacturing phases of this closure cap 10.
One of the particular technical features of the ROPP type closure cap 10 is that this closure cap 10 is preferably made of aluminium and is not threaded at the beginning. A thread is in fact formed during the process of applying the closure cap 10 to a bottle or container by means of pressure rollers which apply a predefined mechanical force.
The closure cap 10 consists of a hollow cylindrical body which extends around a longitudinal axis A and has a circular cross-section having a predefined average external diameter D1. The cylindrical is manufactured starting from a sheet of metal material having a predefined average thickness and comprises first of all a capsule-shaped cap portion 12, which forms the real closing element of the closure cap 10. The cap portion 12 is provided with a cylindrical side surface 14 and a flat circular closing wall 16. The closing wall 16 of the cap portion 12 is obtained at a head end 18 of the cylindrical body. The side surface 14 of the cap portion 12 has an average external diameter which is substantially coincident with the predefined average external diameter D1 of the cylindrical body and has a predefined total height H1, measured along the longitudinal axis A.
At least one threaded portion 28 is provided on the side surface 14 of the cap portion 12. As mentioned above, this threaded portion 28 is obtained during the process of applying the closure cap 10 to a threaded mouth of a bottle. The cap portion 12 of the closure cap 10 can be thereby connected, by means of the respective threaded portion 28, to the threaded mouth of the bottle by a screw-nut coupling.
The cylindrical body further comprises an open or C-shaped annular band 20, which is manufactured with the same sheet of metal material having a predefined average thickness the cylindrical body is manufactured with. The open or C-shaped annular band 20 is made integral in a breakable way with the side surface 14 of the cap portion 12 by means of a breakable circumferential edge 22. This breakable circumferential edge 22 has a thickness which is less than the predefined average thickness the cylindrical body is manufactured with. The open or C-shaped annular band 20 has an average external diameter D2 which is greater than or equal to the predefined average external diameter D1 of the cylindrical body and has a total height H2 which is less than the total height H1 of the side surface 14 of the cap portion 12.
At least one flexible tab 26 is attached to a first open end 24 of the open or C-shaped annular band 20 in such a way that a user of the closure cap 10 can obtain, by pulling this tab 26, the removal of the open or C-shaped annular band 20 by breaking the breakable circumferential edge 22. The irreversible separation of the cap portion 12 and the open or C-shaped annular band 20 is thereby obtained, making the closure cap 10 first opening evident. The presence of the removable annular band 20 therefore gives the closure cap 10 the feature of being "tamper evident", that is to say it a protection against an evident tampering, hence also the feature of food safety for the products contained in the bottle.
Preferably, the cap portion 12 is internally provided with at least one sealing gasket 30, which is manufactured with a thermoplastic elastomer material (TPE) and is placed below the closing wall 16 of the cap portion 12. Again, preferably, this sealing gasket 30 is a disc-shaped seal. The gasket of the type thermoformed in a thermoplastic elastomer material guarantees the correct bottle sealing and the maintenance of any pressurized liquids contained inside the bottle.
Preferably, the predefined average thickness of the metal material the cylindrical body of the closure cap 10 is manufactured with is between about 180 microns and about 250 microns. Again, preferably, the metal material the cylindrical body of the closure cap 10 is manufactured with is an aluminium alloy, for example aluminium alloy 8011 or other alloys with a similar composition.
Conversely, the flexible tab 26 can be manufactured with a non-metallic material, such as a non-woven polyester fabric. At least one through hole 32 can then be obtained on the first open end 24 of the open or C-shaped annular band 20 for fastening the flexible tab 26, for example by ultrasonic welding or similar techniques.
At least one annular rib 34 can be suitably obtained on the side surface 14 of the cap portion 12, at the breakable circumferential edge 22. This annular rib 34 forms a protective barrier for the user of the closure cap 10, who will be able to repeatedly use the cap portion 12, without the risk of cutting himself or herself, even after removing the annular band 20 with the respective tab 26.
Furthermore, at least one upturned annular flange 36 is obtained on an end portion of the annular band 20. This end portion of the annular band is the one that is located on the opposite side with respect to the breakable circumferential edge 22, along the direction of the longitudinal axis A, and consequently it is the one that is located on the opposite side with respect to the closing wall 16 of the cap portion 12 (again along the direction of the longitudinal axis A). So, basically, the upturned annular flange 36 is obtained on the open lower portion of the closure cap 10 and its purpose is to provide the material necessary for anchoring the closure cap 10 below the finish of the bottle mouth.
To manufacture the closure cap 10 described so far, first of all a sheet of metal material having a predefined average thickness, for example between 180 microns and 250 microns, is prepared. As mentioned above, the metal material can be for example the aluminium alloy 8011, without, however, excluding other alloys having a similar composition.
The aluminium sheet then undergoes a drawing and shearing process, obtaining a cylindrical body having a closed base which is formed by the closing wall 16 of the cap portion 12, and with the annular flange 36 which is opposite to the closed base and not yet upturned. After being formed, the cylindrical body undergoes one or more machining phases, during which a non-through cut, which forms the breakable circumferential edge 22, and one or more annular ribs 34 are obtained.
Another optional machining phase on the cylindrical body can also comprise, in a per se known manner, making one or more knurls (not shown) on the cap portion 12, in particular on the side surface 14 thereof, at the closing wall 16. These knurls are used to make the cap portion 12 more ergonomic to the grip. Finally, the metal material is upturned at the open lower portion of the closure cap 10, so as to obtain the upturned annular flange 36 the purpose of which is to provide the material necessary for anchoring the closure cap 10 below the finish.
Once the basic machining operations on the cylindrical body have been completed, a further machining phase is carried out during which a suitable lateral shearing is carried out on the annular band 20, so as to obtain a special window delimited by the open end 24 of this annular band 20. The flexible tab 26 will be immediately after attached in this position by ultrasonic welding. This welding is carried out by applying a variable normal load to two pieces of fabric, which are appropriately pre-cut to the right size, and vibrating one part with respect to the other by means of a vibrating group formed by a piezoelectric transducer, by the booster at the end of which a sonotrode is screwed. The sonotrode generates friction between the parts by means of a vibration with ultrasonic frequency. This vibration generates heat and, consequently, the polyester materials melt, ensuring the welding and assembly of the flexible tab 26 through the shearing window. The ultrasonic generator supplies a sinusoidal electric wave, with a frequency which is between 20 kHz and 50 kHz, the transducer converts the electrical impulses into mechanical movements, the booster amplifies these movements and transfers them to the sonotrode, which is brought into contact with the surface of the two pieces to be welded. The appropriate shape of the sonotrode, which exactly traces the portions sheared on the metal surface of the annular band 20, allows the two pieces to be welded.
A final phase may also be envisaged for applying, by thermoforming, the sealing gasket 30 manufactured with a thermoplastic elastomer material (TPE), below the closing wall 16 of the cap portion 12. The closure cap 10 thus obtained can be directly placed on the market. Its functionalities are completed later, during the assembly phase on the bottle. In this phase, in fact, by using a special ROPP machine, the threaded portion 28 is obtained by compressing the side surface 14 of the cap portion 12 against the threaded mouth of the bottle.
It has thus been seen that the closure cap for bottles according to the present invention achieves the purposes previously highlighted, in particular obtaining the following advantages:

Tamper-proof protection: the presence of the breakable annular band with tear-off tab, as well as the special aluminium alloy the closure cap is made with, make the closure cap difficult to tamper with or counterfeit, guaranteeing the integrity of the bottled product and protecting it from contamination or tampering.
"Tamper evident" function: the closure cap breaks visibly and tangibly when opened, providing visible evidence of tampering and discouraging the consumption of unsafe products.
Easy to open: the breakable annular band with tear-off tab allows for simple and intuitive opening, without the need for tools, improving the consumer experience.
Resealability: the closure cap can be partially reclosed for later use, preserving the freshness of the product and reducing waste.
Versatility: the closure cap is suitable for a variety of glass, plastic and metal bottles and containers, offering a versatile solution for different applications.

The closure cap for bottles according to the present invention thus conceived is however susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which falling within the scope of protection of the attached claims; furthermore, all the details can be replaced by technically equivalent elements. In practice, the materials used, as well as the shapes and dimensions, may be any according to the technical requirements.
The scope of protection of the invention is therefore defined by the attached claims.

Claims

A closure cap (10) for bottles, the closure cap (10) consisting of a hollow cylindrical body which extends around a longitudinal axis (A) and has a circular cross-section having a predefined average external diameter (D1), the cylindrical body being manufactured starting from a sheet of metal material having a predefined average thickness, the cylindrical body comprising:
- a capsule-shaped cap portion (12), which is provided with a cylindrical side surface (14) and a flat circular closing wall (16), said closing wall (16) being obtained at a head end (18) of the cylindrical body, wherein said side surface (14) has an average external diameter which is substantially coincident with said predefined average external diameter (D1) and has a predefined total height (H1), which is measured along said longitudinal axis (A), and wherein at least one threaded portion (28) is provided on said side surface (14); and

- an open or C-shaped annular band (20), which is manufactured with the same sheet of metal material having a predefined average thickness the cylindrical body is manufactured with, wherein said open or C-shaped annular band (20) is made integral in a breakable way with said side surface (14) by means of a breakable circumferential edge (22) having a thickness which is less than the predefined average thickness the cylindrical body is manufactured with, and wherein said open or C-shaped annular band (20) has an average external diameter (D2) which is greater than or equal to said predefined average external diameter (D1) and has a total height (H2) which is less than the total height (H1) of said side surface (14) of the cap portion (12), at least one flexible tab (26) being attached to a first open end (24) of said open or C-shaped annular band (20) in such a way that a user of the closure cap (10) can obtain, by pulling said tab (26), the removal of said open or C-shaped annular band (20) by breaking said breakable circumferential edge (22), thereby obtaining the irreversible separation of said cap portion (12) and said open or C-shaped annular band (20) and making the closure cap (10) first opening visible.
The closure cap (10) according to claim 1, wherein said threaded portion (28) is obtained during the process of applying said closure cap (10) to a threaded mouth of a bottle.
The closure cap (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said cap portion (12) is internally provided with at least one sealing gasket (30), which is manufactured with a thermoplastic elastomer material, said sealing gasket (30) being placed below the closing wall (16) of said cap portion (12).
The closure cap (10) according to claim 3, wherein said sealing gasket (30) is a disc-shaped seal.
The closure cap (10) according to any claims 1 to 4, wherein the predefined average thickness of the metal material the cylindrical body is manufactured with is between about 180 microns and about 250 microns.
The closure cap (10) according to any claims 1 to 5, wherein said metal material is an aluminium alloy.
The closure cap (10) according to any claims 1 to 6, wherein said flexible tab (26) is manufactured with a non-woven polyester fabric.
The closure cap (10) according to any claims 1 to 7, wherein at least one through hole (32) for fastening said flexible tab (26) is obtained on the first open end (24) of said open or C-shaped annular band (20).
The closure cap (10) according to any claims 1 to 8, wherein at least one annular rib (34) is obtained on said side surface (14) of the cap portion (12), at said breakable circumferential edge (22).
The closure cap (10) according to any claims 1 to 9, wherein at least one upturned annular flange (36) is obtained on an end portion of said annular band (20), wherein said end portion of said annular band (20) is located on the opposite side with respect to said breakable circumferential edge (22), along the direction of the longitudinal axis (A), and on the opposite side with respect to the closing wall (16) so that said upturned annular flange (36) is obtained on the open lower portion of the closure cap (10).
A method for manufacturing a closure cap (10) for bottles according to any claims 1 to 10, the method comprising the following sequential steps:
- preparing a sheet of metal material having a predefined average thickness;

- subjecting the aluminium sheet to a drawing and shearing process, obtaining a cylindrical body having a closed base formed by the closing wall (16) of said capsule-shaped cap portion (12);

- subjecting the cylindrical body to a first mechanical processing step, during which a non-through cut is obtained which forms said breakable circumferential edge (22);

- subjecting the cylindrical body to a further mechanical processing step, during which a lateral shearing is carried out on said annular band (20), so as to obtain a window delimited by the first open end (24) of said annular band (20); and

- attaching said flexible tab (26), by ultrasonic welding, to said first open end (24).
The method according to claim 11, comprising a final step of applying, by thermoforming, at least one sealing gasket (30) manufactured with a thermoplastic elastomer material below the closing wall (16) of said capsule-shaped cap portion (12).