ES1279073U - Screw-on closure cap for containers and a container fitted with said cap (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Screw-on closure cap for containers, in particular intended for containers that have an opening in a neck provided with a threaded outer portion, comprising a lower ring configured to be coupled to the neck of the container and an upper cap (2) that presents in its inner face a threading configured to be coupled to the outer threaded portion of a container neck, the upper cap (2) and the lower ring (1) being joined together in such a way that they are capable of rotating integrally with each other, characterized by the fact that the union between the upper cap (2) and the lower ring (1) is carried out by means of two extensions (3) with a certain degree of flexibility that are diametrically opposed to each other, each of them shaped from a thickening present in the lower ring that includes a slotted portion (7) such that the extensions are shaped above the slotted portion, in such a way that the two extensions have the The same outside diameter as the outside diameter of the thickening, the lower rim of the body of the upper cap presenting a step that defines a recessed portion in which the extensions are located, such that in a closed condition the two extensions (3) are arranged by above and parallel to the body of the lower ring (1), while in an open position of the closure cap, the upper end of the extensions (3) acts as a hinge region in such a way that the upper cap (2) is susceptible to rotate, and in which there are provided linear openings present in the lower ring (1) that run parallel to the lower edge of said lower ring (1) and the linear openings being arranged radially and at least partially underlying with respect to the grooved portion (7) and distanced from each other. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

DESCRIPTION

Screw-on closure cap for containers and a container fitted with said cap

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present application is the registration of a screw-on closing cap for containers, as well as a container provided with said cap.

More specifically, the invention proposes the development of a cap provided with an upper cap and a lower ring fixed to each other, in such a way that they do not separate during the threading and / or unscrewing of the cap on a container neck intended for packaging carbonated beverages, not carbonated or mineralized water.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the sector of packaging food products (solid, liquid, viscous substances, etc.), closure caps made from plastic material have been used for many years, which are provided with an internal thread that can be threaded into a thread formed in the neck of the container itself, allowing the contents of the interior of the container to be kept airtight, for example, in the case of a bottle of the type used for bottling beverages, such as mineral water, soft drinks, or the like.

Closure caps for containers are known in the prior art, in particular designed for containers that have an opening in a neck provided with a threaded outer portion, comprising a lower ring configured to be coupled to the neck of the container and an upper cap that presents in its inner face a thread configured to be coupled to the outer threaded portion of a container neck. The upper cap and the lower ring are articulated to each other by means of a hinged portion, such that the upper cap can ascend through the threaded portion of the neck while the lower ring remains in its original position in order not to separate the system. closure of the container with respect to the container itself. An example of this type of plug is described in documents ES 1247151 and ES 1237189.

However, due to the design of concentric rings and the design of the hinged section, it requires relatively complex injection molds and injection cycles superior to those of other caps, since it is necessary to have multiple mobile and sliding mechanisms that act during the cycle. manufacturing, especially due to the complexity of the process of expulsion of the part from the mold once injected. Consequently, the manufacturing costs for this type of plugs are higher. Therefore, there is a need to develop a container cap that solves the problems raised.

Similar caps are also known where the lower ring is made up of two rings located one on top of the other, so that the incorporation of this type of caps in the containers does not allow to reduce the height of the neck, and therefore, to reduce the amount of material for the manufacture of packaging, an aspect that is currently desired in this sector, for environmental purposes. In addition, this height can also be adversely affected by the arrangement of the break points that act as a tamper-evident seal, which further favors a greater height of the lower ring.

Furthermore, the applicant is not currently aware of an invention that has all the features described in this specification.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been developed in order to provide a closure cap that is configured as a novelty within the field of application and solves the aforementioned drawbacks, also providing other additional advantages that will be evident from the description that follows. accompany below.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a closure cap for containers, in particular intended for containers that have an opening in a neck provided with a threaded outer portion, being of the type comprising a lower ring configured to be coupled to the neck of the container and an upper cap that has on its inner face a thread configured to be coupled to the outer threaded portion of a neck of container, the upper cap and the lower ring being joined together in such a way that they are capable of rotating solidarity with each other.

In particular, the invention is characterized by the fact that the union between the upper cap and the lower ring is carried out by means of two extensions with a certain degree of flexibility that are diametrically opposed to each other, each one of them formed from a Thickening present in the lower ring that includes a slotted portion such that the extensions are shaped above the slotted portion, such that the two extensions have the same outside diameter as the outside diameter of the thickening, presenting the lower rim of the body of the upper cap a step that defines a recessed portion in which the extensions are located, such that in a closed condition both extensions are arranged above and parallel to the body of the lower ring, while in an open position of the closure cap, the The upper end of the extensions acts as a hinge region such that the cap is capable of rotation.

Thanks to the previously defined arrangement, the cap can have great freedom of movement and can easily ascend the threaded portion of the neck during unscrewing, without suffering resistance in the opposite direction. In the same way, in an open position of the closing cap, the lateral extensions remain away from the external thread of the neck of the container, providing great freedom of movement to the cap, without any type of tension, facilitating the action by the user of the positioning. and centering of the cap on the mouth of the container, necessary for the adequate threading of the cap during the action of closing the container.

With this new configuration, it is also possible to reduce the amount of material necessary for the manufacture of the lower ring of the closure cap, allowing to have a lower height than the rings of the caps developed to remain attached to the container once unscrewed, which implies a reduction in manufacturing costs.

Furthermore, there are provided linear openings present in the lower ring which run parallel to the lower rim of said lower ring and the linear openings being arranged radially and at least partially underlying with respect to the slotted portion and spaced apart from each other. The presence of these linear openings provides an additional degree of flexibility during the phases of unscrewing and screwing of the closure cap, being especially suitable for necks or necks of containers (for example, bottles) with higher threading sections, in which The movement capacity of the slotted portions alone is not sufficient to achieve freedom of movement, so it is evident that the use of the closure cap is made easier for the user.

On the other hand, the manufacturing process is also facilitated by using injection molds where sliding and ejection systems of a certain complexity are not required since the hinge area that other caps of the prior art have is eliminated. Highlight that the fact of using simpler manufacturing means helps to reduce the injection cycle.

Also, another no less important aspect of the closure cap of the invention is the fact that it does not cause problems (such as friction with side walls of the channels through which the caps circulate) in the cap feeding lines during their automated placement on the neck of containers in bottling plants, since parts of the cap of the diameter defined by the upper cap and lower ring do not protrude excessively.

Furthermore, this design allows the flexion zone of the extensions to be at a higher height than the flexion zone that is created when a horizontal cut is made in the lower ring, so the unscrewing path that the cap must perform it is less and the user requires less manipulation time.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a stop means provided for fixedly holding the upper cap in an inverted position with respect to the arrangement adopted by the upper cap during the closed position.

Preferably, the stop means may comprise a projection projecting from the lower ring, which is aligned in height with a flange projecting laterally from the lower rim of the upper cap, such that, in an open condition, the flange abuts a upper surface of the shoulder, in which the flange has a curved path adaptable to the radius of curvature of the lower ring.

Additionally, the interior of the lower ring may include retention means provided to act on a perimeter shoulder present in a neck of a container, such retention means being present partially along the inside diameter of the body of the lower ring.

Preferably, the retention means comprise a plurality of protrusions aligned and equidistant from one another, which run parallel to the lower rim of the upper cap.

Furthermore, the closure cap of the invention may include a tamper evident seal between the upper cap and the lower ring.

Preferably, the tamper evident seal is made up of a plurality of break points distributed in a slot existing between the lower rim of the upper cap and the upper rim of the lower ring.

According to another advantageous aspect of the invention, the closure cap is made of a single piece of plastic material that is moldable by injection or compression molding. This plug can leave the molding zone completely finished, so that it does not require a subsequent process, which reduces manufacturing time and costs.

The closing cap described thus represents an innovative structure with structural and constitutive characteristics hitherto unknown for the purpose for which it is intended, reasons that, together with its practical utility, provide it with sufficient grounds to obtain the privilege of exclusivity that is requested. .

Other characteristics and advantages of the closing cap for containers object of the present invention will be evident from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment, which is illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, in which :

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1.- Is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the closure cap according to the present invention;

Figure 2.- Is a side elevation view of the closing cap represented in figure 1;

Figure 3.- Is another side elevation view of the closing cap represented in figure 1 ^;

Figure 4.- Is a perspective view from below of the screw-on closing cap represented in figure 1;

Figure 5.- Is a perspective view of the closure cap placed on the neck of a container in a closed condition;

Figure 6.- It is a sequential view showing different phases of the opening operation of the closure cap in a container;

Figure 7.- Is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the screw-on closure cap according to the present invention; and

Figure 8.- Is a perspective view of the closure cap represented in figure 7 placed on the neck of a container.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In view of the aforementioned figures and, in accordance with the numbering adopted, an example of a preferred embodiment of the invention can be seen in them, which comprises the parts and elements that are indicated and described in detail below.

Furthermore, the terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in the claims are used to distinguish between similar items and not necessarily to describe a sequential or chronological order. The terms may be interchanged in appropriate circumstances and embodiments of the invention may operate in other sequences than those described or illustrated herein.

Furthermore, the terms upper, lower, upper, lower, and the like in the description and claims are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily to describe relative positions.

As can be seen in the figures, the screw-on closure cap for containers is provided for containers that have an opening in a neck (100) provided with a threaded outer portion. Said cap is formed by a lower ring (1) configured to be coupled to the neck of the container and an upper cap (2) that has on its inner face a thread (21) configured to be coupled to the outer threaded portion with a neck of container (100), the upper cap (2) and the lower ring (1) being joined together in such a way that they are capable of being integrally rotated around the neck of the container. This closure cap is made from a single piece of moldable plastic material by injection or compression molding. Mention that the container neck can have a lower height by using the closing cap described below.

An outer surface of the lateral face defined by the body of the upper cap (2) has a non-smooth surface (22), in particular, a knurled surface formed by a plurality of ribs in a radial distribution extending from the upper part to the lower part of the body of the upper plug (2).

The union between the upper cap (2) and the lower ring (1) is carried out by means of two extensions (3) with a certain degree of flexibility and constant cross section, which are diametrically opposed to each other, each of them shaped from of a thickening (11) present in the lower ring that includes a slotted portion (7) such that the extensions are shaped above the slotted portion (7), such that the two extensions (3) have the same outer diameter than the outer diameter of the thickening, the lower rim of the body of the upper cap (2) presenting a step (20) that defines a recessed portion in which the extensions (3) are located, such that in an open position of the cap of closure, the upper end of the extensions (3) acts as a hinge region in such a way that the upper cap (2) is capable of turning.

Additionally, the cap includes a stop means provided to permanently maintain the upper cap (2) in an inverted position with respect to the arrangement adopted by the upper cap (2) during the closed position.

In particular, these stop means comprise a projection (4) that projects from the lower ring (1), which is aligned in height with a flange (5) that projects laterally from the lower rim of the upper cap (2), in such a way that In an open condition (Figure 8), the flange abuts a lower surface of the shoulder (4). Mention that the flange (5) has a surface with a curved path adaptable to the radius of curvature of the lower ring.

Furthermore, a pair of linear openings (9) present in the lower ring (1) are provided that run parallel to the lower edge of said lower ring (1) and the linear openings (9) being arranged radially and partially underlying with respect to the portion grooved (7) and spaced from each other. As can be seen, such linear openings (9) are located on each side of the shoulder (4).

The interior of the lower ring (1) includes retention means (described below) that are designed to act on a perimeter projection present in the neck of a container, such retention means being present along the inside diameter of the body of the container. lower ring (1).

With reference to the aforementioned retention means, they comprise a plurality of protrusions (8) aligned and equidistant from each other, which run parallel to the lower rim of the upper cap (2).

In order to guarantee the user that the container that includes the closing cap has not been tampered with, the closing cap includes a tamper evident seal located between the upper cap (2) and the lower ring (1). This seal is made up of a plurality of break points (6) spaced and equidistant from each other located between the lower part of the upper cap (2) and the upper edge of the lower ring (1).

Additionally, each of the linear openings includes second tamper evident seals consisting of break bridges (10) located between the upper and lower edges of such openings.

Mention that under the flange (5) and above the projection (4) there is a rib (12) that protrudes outside the lower ring (1), which acts as a means of stop to favor the retention of the flange (5) on the shoulder (4) when the top cover (2) is in a fully open condition.

In Figures 7 and 8, a second embodiment of the closure cap is shown, the common parts of which have the same numerical references, in which the linear openings (9 ') are located in the lower edge of the lower ring (1), of such that they are open at the bottom unlike the embodiment described above. In this case, the linear openings (9 ') are devoid of second tamper-evident seals as they are open at the bottom, that is, free of material from the lower ring.

The details, shapes, dimensions and other accessory elements used in the manufacture of the closing cap of the invention may be conveniently replaced by others that do not depart from the scope defined by the claims included below.

Claims (12)

1. Screw-on closure cap for containers, in particular designed for containers that have an opening in a neck provided with a threaded outer portion, comprising a lower ring configured to be coupled to the neck of the container and an upper cap (2) that presents in its inner face a threading configured to be coupled to the outer threaded portion of a container neck, the upper cap (2) and the lower ring (1) being joined together in such a way that they are capable of being integrally rotated with each other , characterized by the fact that the union between the upper cap (2) and the lower ring (1) is carried out by means of two extensions (3) with a certain degree of flexibility that are diametrically opposed to each other, each of them shaped from a thickening present in the lower ring that includes a slotted portion (7) such that the extensions are shaped above the slotted portion, in such a way that the two extensions have the same outside diameter as the outside diameter of the thickening, the lower rim of the body of the upper cap presenting a step that defines a recessed portion in which the extensions are located, such that in a closed condition the two extensions (3) are arranged by above and parallel to the body of the lower ring (1), while in an open position of the closure cap, the upper end of the extensions (3) acts as a hinge region in such a way that the upper cap (2) is capable of rotate, and in which there are provided linear openings present in the lower ring (1) that run parallel to the lower edge of said lower ring (1) and the linear openings being arranged radially and at least partially underlying with respect to the slotted portion (7) and distanced from each other. Screw-on closure cap according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes stop means provided to permanently maintain the upper cap (2) in an inverted position with respect to the arrangement adopted by the upper cap (2). ) during the closed position. Screw-on closure cap for containers according to claim 2, characterized in that the stop means comprise a projection (4) that projects from the lower ring (1), which is aligned in height with a flange (5) that protrudes laterally from the lower rim of the upper plug (2), in such a way that, in an open condition, the flange abuts an upper surface of the projection (4), in which the flange (5) has a curved path adaptable to the radius of curvature of the lower ring. 4. Screw-on closure cap for containers according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the interior of the lower ring (1) includes retention means provided to act on a perimeter projection present in a neck of a container, being such retention means present along the inside diameter of the lower ring body (1). 5. Screw-on closure cap for containers according to claim 4, characterized in that the retention means comprise a plurality of protrusions aligned and equidistant from each other, which run parallel to the lower edge of the upper cap. 6. Screw-on closure cap for containers according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes a tamper-evident seal between the upper cap (2) and the lower ring (1). 7. Screw-on closure cap for containers according to claim 6, characterized in that the tamper evident seal is made up of a plurality of break points (6) distributed in a gap between the lower edge of the upper cap (2) and the upper lip of the lower ring (1). 8. Screw-on closure cap for containers according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the linear openings include second tamper-evident seals. 9. Screw-on closure cap for containers according to claim 8, characterized in that the second tamper-evident seals consist of break bridges located between the upper and lower edges of said openings. 10. Screw-on closure cap for containers according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the linear openings (9 ') are located on a lower edge of the lower ring (1), such that they are open at the bottom. Screw-on closure cap according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is made from a single piece of injection-molded or compression-molded plastic material. 12. Container for beverages, comprising a bottle-shaped body that includes a threaded neck at the top, characterized in that it includes a screw-on closure cap according to any of claims 1 to 11 coupled to the threaded neck.