ES2297622T3 - RECHARGEABLE PLUG FOR A CONTAINER. - Google Patents

Abstract

A reclosable stopper for a container opening , the stopper comprising a reclosable protective cap (12) situated on a pouring element (13), both having a smaller diameter with respect to a stepped base collar (14) positioned on a screw neck of a container, the protective cap and pouring element being connected by a hinge element (15) and an element indicating a first opening (23, 50, 54), an open outer end (31) of the pouring element creating a seal connection with a cylindrical rim (32) which protrudes inwards from the protective cap (12) when the protective cap is in a closed position on the pouring element, wherein the protective cap (12) and the pouring element (13) are moulded in a single piece and, when the former is reclosed over the latter, they are positioned with a spring release on an upper cylindrical portion (14b) of the base collar (14), the cylindrical portion (14b) of the base collar and a lower cylindrical portion (29) of the pouring element (13) comprising cam elements (27, 28) engaged with each other to allow a limited translation run with the contemporaneous rotation of the pouring element with respect to the collar to move a cylindrical extension (30) inside the pouring element with respect to an annular opening (17) situated above the base collar positioned internally and concentrically with respect to the upper cylindrical portion (14b) of the base collar (14).

Description

Recerrable cap for a container.

The present invention relates to a plug Recerrable for a container.

Beverage containers and other products liquids, such as drinks with vitamins, water containing additives in general, juices, tea, they need the arrangement of caps in their openings, which generally comprise a protective cover Recerrable with respect to a base neck.

In particular, these plugs must be produced so that they allow, when in a container, both their opening as its closing, while ensuring that the Inner product is the one inserted by the filling manufacturer original. In addition, the opening and closing must be able to perform a a certain number of times, without any difficulty of handling, even with one hand.

As already mentioned, it should be possible to quickly and simply verify that the container is intact, that is, that there has not yet been a first opening.

These problems and demands require, first instead, the need to provide a protective cap of the type of opening-closing very easily and form a Secure sealing when in the closed position.

Known examples of plugs that are screwed into a threaded neck of a container provided with a protective lid that can be opened and closed, but They are extremely complex to manufacture and have a certain amount of component parts. The presence of more than two parts originates the consequent assembly costs, as well as the need to provide several molds with an increase in costs even higher.

It should also be noted that currently there are plugs that can be screwed into a threaded neck of a container of the type that has a protective opening lid and closure, which simply and exclusively offer the possibility of verify that the entire plug is arranged without manipulation in the neck of the container. On the other hand, there is a need to a cap equipped with a lid that provides for the possibility of verify that there has been no manipulation and also that there is no openings between the protective cap and the base neck to which it is fixed and connected said cover.

In addition, in this type of cover you should also there is the possibility of obtaining a differentiated supply with Regarding user demands.

As of the application publication of US Patent No. 2001/0052531 a cover is known which provides the possibility of obtaining differentiated dispensation operations. Without However, the cover disclosed in said document does not include reliable means to reveal both types of manipulation mentioned above.

Therefore, an objective of the present invention is to identify a suitable and different solution to those technical problems mentioned above.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cap for a threaded neck of a container of the type already mentioned, which can reveal both types of handling indicated above.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cap that is easy to manufacture and does not have a cost of high production, and also present a use and a simple operation.

Another object of the invention is to produce a cap that allows a differentiated dosed supply of the product  present inside the container.

These objectives according to the present invention are they get by providing a removable cap for a container, as specified in the attached claim 1.

Other important features specific to the present invention are subject to the claims Dependents

The characteristics and advantages of a plug Recerrable for a container according to the present invention will be placed  manifest from the illustrative description and not following limitation of one embodiment, making reference to the attached figures, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view from above the removable cap for a container according to the present invention, which can be applied to a threaded mouth on the outside of one container;

Figure 2 is a section of the cap that is shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a perspective view from only above the base neck;

Figure 4 is a perspective view from above the protective cap and the pouring element turned on one with respect to the other and manufactured in a single separate piece by the base neck;

Figures 5 and 6 are perspective sections showing a rotated and uncoupled protective cover of the element of pouring and both elements in the same reciprocal position respectively, but turned and displaced with respect to the neck cap base;

Figure 7 is a perspective view from above a removable cap for a container according to another form of embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 8 is a section of the cap that is shown in Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a perspective view from only above the base neck of Figure 7;

Figure 10 is a perspective view from above the protective cap and the pouring element, which partially show, rotated with respect to each other, manufactured in a single piece separated by the base neck;

Figures 11 and 12 are elevated side views and in perspective, partially sectioned, showing the lid protection rotated and decoupled from the pouring element, in which both said protective cap and said pouring element are turned and displaced with respect to the base neck of the plug in a first supply position;

Figures 13 and 14 are an elevation view and a perspective view from above, partially sectioned, showing the rotated and uncoupled protective cap of the element of poured, in which both said protective cap and said element of discharge are turned and displaced with respect to the neck of plug base in a second delivery position.

Referring in general to the different figures, these schematically illustrate a removable cap for a container according to the present invention, of the type presenting a protective lid that can be opened and closed, indicated in general with reference number 11. In the figures, the elements same or corresponding are indicated with the same numbers reference.

Cap 11, which is to be screwed into the neck threading of an opening of a container (not shown), it comprises a recerrable protective cap 12 in an element of discharge 13, arranged with a release spring with respect to a base neck 14 having a larger diameter with respect to both of them.

In accordance with the invention, it will be possible to observe that the protective cap 12 and the pouring element 13 are molded in one piece and can be closed with one with respect to the other, while the base neck 14 is a piece separated.

The base neck 14 is made of a stepped section and, in a first part with a larger diameter 14a, is arranged in a threaded neck of a container. Cover protective 12 and the pouring element 13, molded in one piece unique, they are strongly connected to each other by means of a articulation element consisting of a strip 15. As is shown in the figures, said strip 15 further comprises a pair of elastic straps 16 that favor bending in the opening phase of the protective cap 12 with respect to the pouring element 13. The presence of said elastic strips 16, allows the cover 12 to be keep open 180º with respect to the pouring element 13, favoring the supply of liquid to the mouth of the Username.

The base neck 14 also has a part upper cylindrical 14b, with a smaller diameter, which extends upwards and comprises an annular opening 17. Said opening annular 17 is located between an island 18 connected to a surface upper 19 of the base neck 14 by means of radial bridges 20. In addition, on the inside and on said island 18, it is planned a frustoconical element 21 that can be freely inserted into the inside the pouring element 13.

As shown in Figures 1 to 6, the base neck 14 comprises an element that highlights a first opening 23 extending axially upwards.

This element that highlights the first opening 23 is a slim molded element with the base collar 14, integrated with the upper cylindrical part 14b, which It has a small diameter. One of its elongated ends 24 is inserted into an opening 25 of the pouring element 13 and into a opening 26 of the protective cap 12, when joined together and placed with a release spring in the upper cylindrical part 14b of the base neck 14. This elongated end 24, in the form of arrow, breaks at the first opening of the protective cap 12 with respect to the pouring element 13 firmly arranged with a release spring in the base neck.

It should also be noted that, for a simple assembly of the parts, in a position opposite to the element showing the first opening 23, in the cylindrical part upper interior 14b of the base neck 14, a reinforcement is provided radial 41. The presence of said reinforcement 41 facilitates and ensures a safe assembly of the parts, allowing the phases to enter the parts of the interior of the assembly machine are immediate.

As shown in the second example of the Figures 7 to 14, you can see the presence of a double element which reveals the first opening. In fact, it is planned an element in the base neck 14, which highlights the first opening, in the form of a shovel 50, which extends axially up and forced towards the upper surface of the base neck 14 by means of breakable bridges 51.

This item that shows the first opening is extends and inserted into a cavity 52 arranged at the base of the pouring element 13. Said blade-shaped element 50 which shows the first opening is detached by breaking the bridges 51 rotating the protective cover unit 12-element poured 13 with respect to the base neck 14.

As already specified, there is a second element 54 that reveals the first opening disposed between the protective cover 12 and the pouring element 13. Said second element 54 which highlights the first opening detects whether the protective cover 12 has been rotated or not with with respect to the pouring element 13 by breaking the breakable bridges 55 which is caused by the coupling of flaps 56 in complementary flap elements 57 arranged in an opening 58 in the lower cylindrical part 29 of the element of discharge 13. Such coupling occurs after assembly, after molding of the protective cap 12 and the element of Poured 13 into an open opening. In fact, the flaps 56 are slide and engage behind the flap elements 57 and, a once they have been coupled, they are fixed under them, avoiding uncoupling without breaking the bridges 55.

The outer surface of the cylindrical part upper 14b of said base neck 14 provides a series of grooves hollows 27 arranged in helical sections that form half of the cam elements. The other half is defined by jagged cam elements in shoulder 28, complementary to the cam grooves 27, arranged inside a part lower cylindrical 29 of the pouring element 13.

When coupled to each other, said elements of cam 27, 28 allow a limited travel path with the simultaneous rotation of the pouring element with respect to the neck base. This rototranslation path allows an extension cylindrical interior 30 of the pouring element 13 move with with respect to the annular opening 17 arranged above the neck of base 14 through island 18.

Figures 1 to 6 are dedicated exclusively at this arrangement, while Figures 7 to 14 provide for others elements that allow a differentiated supply through arrangement of the parties in at least two positions different.

In fact, in cam grooves 27 are openings 60 provided in which a toothing is provided flexible 61, protruding outward in the direction of jagged cam elements on shoulder 28 of the pouring element 13. In particular, these jagged cam elements in projection 28 they have a cavity 62 for the partial coupling of the teeth flexible 61 defining a first supply position partial.

In addition, above the outer surface of the upper cylindrical part 14b of the base neck 14 is provided an annular relief 63 protruding outward, which acts like a stop in front of an annular relief 64 that protrudes towards inside in the lower cylindrical part 29 of the pouring element 13. In this way, the elements remain in a position of maximum supply

In both examples, the pouring element 13 comprises an open outer end 31 forming a coupling hermetic with a cylindrical edge 32 protruding inwards from the protective cover 12: this takes place when said cover protective 12 is in a closed position in the element of pouring 13. In order to guide this positioning, the lid protective 12 contains inside, at least four reinforcements  radials 40 which, collaborating with the upper outer surface of the pouring element 13, cause the self-centering of the end open exterior 31 with cylindrical edge 32.

As regards rototranslation, it you should note that extensions 34, 35 below and outside the cylindrical extension 30 inside the element of poured 13 and into and on top of an additional cylindrical part 33 arranged concentrically and outside the opening ring 17 located on the base neck 14. These extensions 34 and 35 are reciprocally coupled, forming a seal between the parts and guide the translation step with simultaneous rotation mentioned above of the pouring element 13 with the lid protective 12 with respect to the base neck 14.

In addition, at one of its free ends below an internally threaded part 36, the base neck 14 provides a separable annular part 37 when connected to a series of free breakable elements, such as bridges 38.

The operation of a cap according to the invention It is extremely simple and immediate.

When in a closed position, the stopper of the present invention, thanks to its characteristics, It should form a perfectly tight closing unit, ensuring the integrity of the products especially when performs the filling phase under aseptic conditions in the plants specific. Its simple structure allows easy control of Molding and assembly phases.

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In the first example (Figures 1 to 6) the removal of the protective cap 12 causes the arrow to break 24, thus indicating the first opening of the cap.

Once this has been done, turning the protective cap 12 with respect to the remaining part of the cap 11, that is, to the pouring element 13, the latter releases its end open outside 31. The liquid supply contained in the inside the container equipped with the cap according to the invention is performed by means of a limited translation step with rotation simultaneous with the pouring element 13, together with the protective cover 12, with respect to the base neck 14. In fact, this step of Rototranslation allows the inner cylindrical extension 30 of the pouring element 13 moves relative to the annular opening 17  located above the base neck 14, as shown in the Figures 5 and 6.

It is clear that if bridges 38 are broken, it can be seen that the cap 11 in general has been removed  of the neck of the container, indicating a possible manipulation of the product contained inside.

The cap can be closed again with a perfect tightness by means of a simple rototranslation in a reverse direction and repositioning of the protective cap 12 in the pouring element 13.

In the second example (Figures 7 to 14), the group protective cap -12 protection element 13 is rotated with respect to the base neck 14. Thus, the breakable bridges 51 are break with the separation of the element that highlights the opening 50, in the shape of a shovel, coupled in the cavity 52 located at the base of the pouring element 13. This starts the reciprocal sliding between the parts.

The presence of a flexible teeth 61 in the cam slot 27 creates a coupling, after a small rotation between the parts, with the grooves 62 arranged in the jagged cam elements in shoulder 28. This causes a first unemployment between the parties and a first supply position, is that is, a partial supply (Figures 11 and 12). The extension cylindrical interior 30 of the pouring element 13 is disengaged from the annular opening 17 creating a step with a first dimension.

Continuing a forced rotation between the pouring element 13 and the base neck 14, the flexible teeth 61 is forced to disengage the grooves 62. As consequently, the pouring element 13 can be raised further, by rotating with respect to the base neck 14, creating a step that presents a second dimension. This continues until the annular relief 64 stops at annular relief 63 protruding of the base neck 14. As a consequence, the elements remain in a position of maximum supply.

This provides the possibility of having Two different product supply flows, according to User demands.

The presence of the pair of elastic straps 16 favors bending both in the opening phase of the lid protective 12 as in the closure, also allowing it to remain An open position.

Once used, the protective cap 12 is can easily be repositioned over the pouring element 13 closing the pouring opening 31. In addition, the cylindrical edge 32 protruding inwards from the protective cover 12 stops and forms a tight connection with the open end outside 31 of the pouring element 13.

The rototranslation action had previously led the inner cylindrical extension 30 of the element of discharge 13 into the annular opening 17 located on the base neck 14, avoiding any other exit of supply.

In this way, it can be seen that a plug according to the present invention achieves the indicated objective previously.

The cap has a particular structure simple and does not require complicated parts provisions, since It is manufactured only in two parts, of which the upper part (the lid and spout) are a single piece, which can be arranged easily on the base neck.

It should also be noted that the neck of base 14 and the other elements of the plug form a surface completely flat interior 70 that separates the product contained in the elements that form the cap, creating an optimal tightness with respect to the internal pressure. The only opening present in the flat interior surface 70 of the base neck 14 is the opening annular 17, which is tightly closed, also at high pressures of the inner cylindrical extension 30 of the element of pour 13, coupled to it. Thus, the cap according to the invention It is suitable for closing containers of soft drinks, for example by CO2 or nitrogen.

The cap according to the invention conceived of this mode you can experience numerous modifications and variants, all they included in the same invention.

In addition, in practice, the materials used, as well as the dimensions and components, may vary from  According to the technical requirements.

Claims (18)

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1. Recerrable cap (11) for opening a container, said cap (11) comprising a recerrable protective cap (12) disposed on a pouring element (13), both having a smaller diameter with respect to a stepped base neck (14) disposed on a threaded neck of a container, said protective cap (12) and said pouring element (13) connected by an articulation element (15) and an element indicating a first opening (23), creating a open outer end (31) of said pouring element (13) a hermetic connection with a cylindrical edge (32) protruding inwardly from said protective cover (12) when the protective cover (12) is in a closed position on the pouring element (13), characterized in that said protective cap (12) and said pouring element (13) are molded in a single piece and, when the first one is closed again over the second, they are placed with a spring of release on an upper cylindrical part (14b) of said base neck (14), said cylindrical part (14b) of said base neck (14) and said lower cylindrical part (29) of said pouring element (13) elements of cam (27, 28) coupled to each other to allow limited translation travel with the simultaneous rotation of said pouring element (13) with respect to said base neck (14) to move, while exceeding a force spring between said mutually coupled cam elements (27, 28), a cylindrical extension (30) inside said pouring element (13) with respect to the annular opening (17) located on said base neck (14) arranged internally and concentrically with respect to said upper cylindrical part (14b) of said base neck (14). 2. Cap according to claim 1, characterized in that said element indicating the first opening comprises a thin element (23) molded with said base neck (14) from which an elongated end (24) is inserted into an opening (25, 26 ) of said pouring element (13) and said protective cover (12), when, joined together, they are placed with a release spring on said upper cylindrical part (14b) of said base neck (14), said end breaking elongate (14) of said thin element at the first opening of said protective cover (12) with respect to said pouring element (13). 3. Cap according to claim 2, characterized in that said elongated end (24) of said thin element (23) has the shape of an arrowhead and said opening (25, 26) is a shaped hole located both in said pouring element (13) as in said protective cap (12). 4. Cap according to claim 1, characterized in that said upper cylindrical part (14b) of said base neck (14) is provided with outer cam grooves (27) and said lower cylindrical part (29) of said pouring element (13 ) is provided with internal toothed cam elements in projection (28) complementary to said cam grooves (27). 5. Cap according to claim 1, characterized in that the extensions (34, 35) are located below and outside said cylindrical extension (30) inside said pouring element (13) and inside and above a cylindrical part additional (33) arranged concentrically and outside said annular opening (17) located on said base neck (14), said extensions (34, 35) being reciprocally coupled to limit said limited travel path with simultaneous rotation of said pouring element (13) with said protective cap (12) with respect to said base neck (14). 6. Cap according to claim 1, characterized in that said annular opening (17) disposed on said base neck (14) is located between an island (18) connected to an upper surface (19) of said base neck (14) by means of radial bridges (20). 7. Cap according to claim 1, characterized in that inside and on said island (18) there is provided a frustoconical element (21) that is freely inserted inside said cylindrical extension (30) into said pouring element (13 ). 8. Cap according to claim 1, characterized in that said base neck (14) at one of its lower free ends below an internally threaded part (36) provides a separable ring part (37) as it is connected to a series of free breakable elements (38). 9. Cap according to claim 1, characterized in that said articulated element (15) connecting the protective cover (12) and the pouring element (13) comprises a strip equipped with elastic connecting elements (16). 10. Cap according to claim 1, characterized in that said protective cap (12) comprises a projection thrust zone (39) in its lateral part. 11. Cap according to claim 1, characterized in that said protective cap (12) comprises in its interior at least four radial reinforcements (40) that collaborate with the upper outer surface of the pouring element (13) to cause self-centering of one end open exterior (31) of said pouring element (13) with a cylindrical edge (32) of the protective cover (12). 12. Cap according to claim 1, characterized in that a radial centering reinforcement (41) is provided in a position opposite to the element indicating the first opening (23), inside an upper cylindrical part (14b) of the base neck (14).

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13. Cap according to claim 1, characterized in that said element indicating the first opening comprises an element (50) extending axially upwards from the base neck to which it is forcedly engaged by means of breakable bridges (51), said element (50) being inserted in a groove (52) arranged in a base part of the pouring element (13). 14. Cap according to claim 1, characterized in that said element indicating the first opening comprises an element (54) disposed between the protective cover (12) and the pouring element (13), said element (54) being connected to said lid protective (12) by means of breakable bridges (55) and being coupled with flap elements (57) arranged in an opening (58) of a lower cylindrical part (29) of the pouring element (13). 15. A stopper according to claim 4, characterized in that each of said cam grooves (27) has at least one flexible toothing (61) protruding outwardly towards said raised cam members (28) of the pouring element (28). 13) which in turn is provided with at least one slot (62). 16. Cap according to claim 15, characterized in that said at least one flexible toothing (61) is arranged in an opening (60) of said cam grooves (27). 17. Cap according to claim 1, characterized in that on an upper cylindrical part (14b) of said base neck (14) there is provided an annular shoulder (63) projecting outwardly, which is coupled with an annular relief (64) which protrudes inward into the lower cylindrical part (29) of the pouring element (13). 18. Cap according to claim 1, characterized in that said base neck (14) comprises a completely flat inner surface (70) in which only said annular relief (17) is located.