ES2356028T3 - DISPENSING PLUG DEVICE FOR BOTTLES. - Google Patents

Abstract

A dispenser-cap device (1) for a bottle extends substantially along an axis(A) and is formed by: an essentially tubular base body (3), connectable in a fluid-tight manner to a neck (7) of the bottle(2) and having an inner chamber (20); a handle element(4), rotatably coupled to the base body and axially connected to the base body; and a spout element (5) having a channel (51 )communicating with the chamber; the spout element (5) is telescopically coupled to the handle element (4) by respective threaded portions (43, 44) and being slidable with respect to the base body (3) along the axis (A) due to rotation of the handle element (4) with respect to the base body (3) for selectively opening/closing a passage (63) between the channel (51) and the chamber (20).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

 The present invention relates to a dispensing cap device for bottles and, in particular, for liquor bottles, brandy or other valuable beverages.

  PREVIOUS TECHNIQUE 5

 It is known that a liquor bottle is generally provided with a screw cap, which allows the bottle to be opened / closed frequently and in most cases it is screwed directly onto an external thread formed in the neck of the bottle.

 In order to prevent the bottle from being filled with liquids other than the original (thus preventing a product of inferior quality from being sold illegally in the original bottle), it is known to use 10 spigot elements that are generally inserted into the neck of the bottle and that have the dual purpose of both adjusting the amount of liquid spilled and preventing, or at least hindering, a possible filling of the bottle.

 In known solutions, the spigot element is usually forced into the bottleneck and can be removed (and, in some cases, also restored in its original position) quite easily without damaging the closure of the bottle with the bottle cap. thread.

WO 2004/089776, WO 97/39961 and EP-A-0768246 describe dispensing stopper devices in which the spout elements have front front outlet openings. WO 97/39961 describes a device according to the preamble of claim 1.

 Therefore, such solutions are not entirely satisfactory. twenty

 DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

 It is an object of the present invention to provide a device that solves the aforementioned problems of the prior art; in particular, it is an object of the invention to provide a dispenser cap device, that is, a closure and dispensing device for a bottle, which is not only easy and reliable to use and relatively easy and cheap to manufacture, but also be fully effective in its closing function, as well as to prevent the bottle from being refilled.

 Accordingly, the invention relates to a dispensing cap device for a bottle as defined in claim 1 and, for preferred auxiliary features, in the dependent claims.

 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 30

 The invention is described in detail in the following non-limiting embodiment, with reference to the attached drawings, wherein:

 Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a dispensing cap device for a bottle according to the invention;

 Figures 2 and 3 are views in longitudinal section, according to respective planes orthogonal to each other, of the device of Figure 1 assembled;

 Figure 4 shows a detail of the device of Figure 2 in section according to the plane IV-IV of Figure 2 and with parts removed for reasons of clarity;

 Figure 5 is a view of an interior detail of a component of the device of Figure 1;

 Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the device of Figure 1 (specifically, in section according to plane VI-VI of Figure 3);

 Figures 7 and 8 are perspective and longitudinal section views of the device according to the invention, shown in respective operating positions; Y

 Figure 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of a possible variation of the device of Figure 2. 45

 BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

 In Figure 1, reference number 1 indicates in its entirety a plug device

dispenser for a bottle 2, for example, a bottle of liquor / brandy or other alcoholic beverage.

 The device 1 extends substantially along an axis A and comprises a base body 3, a handle element 4 and a spigot element 5, preferably consisting of monolithic bodies of plastic material.

 Likewise, with reference to Figures 2-4, the base body 3 comprises a portion of coupling 6 to be attached to a neck 7 of the bottle 2, and a guide portion 8, which protrudes axially from the portion 6 to cooperate with the spigot element 5; portions 6, 8 are provided with respective annular seats 10, 12 substantially opposite in axial direction, positioned around axis A; the seats 10, 12 are delimited by respective pairs of substantially cylindrical coaxial side walls joined together by an annular flange 13. 10

 The seat 10 is a coupling seat that houses an end flange 14 of the neck 7 and is provided with sealing members 15 for a fluid-tight connection between the bottle 2 and the base body 3; for example, the fluid tight connection is guaranteed by a forced insertion of radial interference from the flange 14 into the seat 10; therefore, the flange 14 is forced and inserted with radial interference into the seat 10 and the sealing members 15 are defined by annular surface portions 15 of a side wall of the seat 10 that cooperate radially with an inner lateral surface of the flange 14; optionally, the side wall of the seat 10 provided with sealing members 15 conically narrows increasing the radial interference with the flange 14.

 The portion 6 also includes axial clamping members 16A and angular clamping members 16B, respectively suitable for axially and angularly connecting the base body 3 to the bottle 2 in cooperation with respective elements 17A, 17B of the bottle 2.

 For example, axial clamping members 16A consist of radially inner projections housed in portion 6 in respective grooves formed in portion 6 and angularly spaced from each other; the projections 16A are irreversibly coupled with a lower portion 17A of the flange 14; the base body 3 is axially connected to the flange 14 by means of opposite axial projections 25 defined by the projections 16A and the flange 13, respectively.

 As shown in detail in Figure 4, the angular clamping members 16B are formed, for example, as longitudinal ribs projecting radially from the cylindrical inner wall of the connecting portion 6 of the base body 3; the members 16B are coupled with teeth 17B that project radially from the neck 7 of the bottle 2, thus creating a limitation to 30 the rotation around the axis A for the base body 3 and the neck 7.

 The base body 3 is essentially tubular and is provided with an inner chamber 20, which extends through the base body 3 along the axis A and is delimited by a side wall 21; the side wall 21 has a guide section 22, substantially cylindrical, and an enlarged upper end section 23, also substantially cylindrical and having an inner diameter larger than section 22; section 22 joins section 23 by an inclined surface 24 that diverges from section 22 towards section 23.

 The chamber 20 has an inlet opening 25, positioned within the portion 6 and provided with a gasket seat 26, and houses a mobile sealing member 27, which cooperates with the gasket seat 26 to close the inlet opening 25. In In particular, the inlet opening 25 is substantially circular and 40 the sealing member 27 is a sphere that is housed in the chamber 20 and is mobile substantially along the axis A, guided by axial ribs 28 formed internally on the wall 21.

 Referring also to Figure 5, the handle element 4 comprises a substantially cylindrical tubular body 30, optionally knurled on the outside, which is radially and externally equipped with a radial clearance in the portion 6 of the base body 3, and a cover 31 closing an upper end 45 of the tubular body 30; the handle element 4 is rotatably coupled with the base body 3 and is axially connected to the base body 3 by means of opposing axial projections 32, 33 projecting radially inwardly from an inner lateral surface of the tubular body 30 and which are defined respectively, for example, by circumferential engagement teeth that engage with a lower edge 34 of the base body 3, and by circumferential support sectors that engage 50 with an outer edge 35 radially superior to the flange 13 of the body 3 base.

 The lid 31 is a single piece formed integrally with the tubular body 30 and is connected to an upper peripheral flange 36 of the tubular body 30 by one or more connecting portions 37, defined for example by bridges, angularly spaced from each other and separated by through cuts 38. The cover 31 has a central collar 39 protruding inside the tubular body 30. 55

 The spigot element 5 comprises a hollow body 40 which extends along the axis A and is delimited by a substantially cylindrical side wall 41, which has an external lateral surface 42 provided with a threaded portion 43 that engages with a threaded portion 44 formed on the inner surface of the tubular body 30, and by an upper end wall 45 substantially orthogonal with respect to the axis A and provided with an annular groove 46 where the collar 39 of the cover 5 31 is fitted.

 As shown in detail in Figure 5, the threaded portion 44 advantageously presents a series of threaded sectors 47 (for example, three), angularly separated from each other and consisting of respective series of radially internal projections 48 which jointly define the thread of the threaded portion 44. Preferably, the support sectors defining the axial shoulder 33 are an integral and functional part 10 of the threaded portion 44 and specifically of the series of projections 48, being delimited in particular by respective lower end elements of the sectors 47 shaped to fulfill the function of axial connection between the handle element 4 and the base body 3.

 The hollow body 40 is provided inside with a lateral exit channel 51; channel 51 is a substantially annular channel that extends substantially parallel to the A axis and has a substantially radial outlet opening 15 52 with respect to the A axis; specifically, the channel 51 has an axial section 53 extending substantially parallel to the A axis and a radial section 54 bent in a substantially radial direction with respect to the axial section 53 and ending with the outlet opening 52, which is defined by an angular groove formed on the outer side surface 42 of the hollow body 40. 20

 The channel 51 is delimited by a radially inner wall 55 and a radially outer wall 56, substantially coaxial with respect to the A axis and facing each other and bending towards the outlet opening 52; the walls 55, 56 are connected to each other, at an extreme part of the channel 51 near the outlet opening 52, by ribs 57 arranged radially around the axis A. The walls 55, 56 are substantially coaxial and radially internal with respect to the side wall 41; 25 the side wall 41 is separated from the wall 56 by a substantially annular gap 58.

 As shown in detail in Figure 6, the wall 56 is housed within the seat 12 of the base body 3, whose seat 12 defines a sliding seat for the spigot element 5 and is provided therein longitudinal grooves 59 which cooperate with respective radially outer longitudinal projections 68 of the wall 56 to angularly connect the spigot element 5 with the base body 3; the wall 56 and the spiral element 5 slide axially, but are angularly locked, within the seat 12.

 Also, with reference to Figures 7-8, the wall 55 is inserted with radial interference into the guide section 22 of the chamber 20; the wall 56 is inserted into the seat 12 and fits radially on the outside around the section 23 with radial interference; the interference zones 35 between wall 55 and section 22, and between wall 56 and section 23 define respective radial sealing elements 61, 62 between the base body 3 and the spigot element 5.

 The side wall 21 of the chamber 20 is thus slidable along the axis A of the channel 51 and cooperates in a fluid tight manner with the walls 55, 56 of the channel 51 by means of the radial sealing elements 61, 62 positioned between the spout element 5 and the base body 3 and, for example, 40 defined by respective interference zones between the side wall 21 of the chamber 20 and the walls 55, 56 of the channel 51 and positioned specifically on opposite faces of the surface side 21 to cooperate with the respective facing walls 55, 56 of channel 51.

 In use, the base body 3 is firmly and immobilely attached to the bottle 2 and the handle element 4 is rotatably coupled, but axially locked, to the base body 3 and thus to the bottle 2 (Figure 5). The spigot element 5 is telescopically coupled to the handle element 4 by respective threaded portions 43, 44 and can slide with respect to the base body 3 along the axis A due to the rotation of the handle element 4 with respect to the body 3 base to selectively open / close a passage 63 between the channel 51 and the chamber 20. In fact, the spout element 5 being angularly locked with respect to the base body 3 and thus also with 50 with respect to the bottle 2 , the rotation of the handle element 4 causes the spigot element 5 to slide relative to the base body 3 along the axis A and selectively moves the spigot element 5 from a retracted closing position (figure 5), in that the spigot element 5 cooperates with the base body 3 and the passageway 63, between the chamber 20 and the channel 51, is closed by the side wall 21 inserted in the channel 51, to an open extracted position (figure 8) , in which element 5 The spigot is at a predetermined distance from the base body 3 and the passage 63 is open.

 When the bottle 2 provided with the device 1 is opened for the first time, the rotation of the handle element 4 with respect to the bottle 2 also causes the breakage of the connecting portions or bridges

37. The rupture of the bridges 37 causes separation of the cover 31 and the tubular body 30, but the collar 39, which is coupled by interference with the groove 46 of the spigot element 5, holds the cover 31 attached to the element 5 of spits, thus advantageously preventing it from being lost in the environment. In addition, the rupture of the bridges 37 due to the first opening of the device 1 is a physical signal indicating that the device 1 has been violated, thus effectively functioning as a guarantee seal that ensures the inviolability of the contents of the bottle 2.

 Once the spigot element 5 has been moved to the extracted position (figure 8), the contents of the bottle 2 can be poured outwards by tilting the bottle 2 as usual; in fact, the shutter member 27 slides, due to gravity, into the chamber 20 and releases the seal seat 26, allowing the liquid in the bottle 2 to flow into the chamber 20 and the channel 51 through 10 the outlet opening 52.

 The inclined surface 24 prevents the formation of liquid pockets when the bottle 2 rests again in an upright position.

 The sealing elements 61 between the base body 3 and the spigot element 5 operate in all conditions of use of the device 1, including the opening and closing positions and all 15 intermediate positions while the passage 63 changes from open to closed. , in order to avoid liquid leaks in other areas of the device 1 other than the area specifically designed for this purpose as described above.

 The advantages of the device according to the invention in comparison with prior art solutions are evident from what has been described. twenty

 First, the device of the invention is simple and reliable to use, also allowing a precise adjustment of the amount of liquid poured out; clearly, by changing the number and dimensions of the ribs 57, as well as the size of the channel 51 and, in particular, of the outlet opening 52, it is possible to obtain different modes of liquid spillage.

 The device of the invention is then totally effective in the function of closing, preventing the bottle from being contaminated by dust or other agents and thus preserving the specific characteristics of the content; The device is also fully effective in preventing the contents of the bottle from being altered, protecting the bottle from being fraudulently filled with a different content from the original. In particular, the outlet opening 52 of the spout element 5 forces the liquid to flow out of the bottle 2 in a radial direction; and a radial (lateral) outlet, in addition to making the liquid pouring action easier, is also an effective obstacle to fraudulent operations aimed at adulteration / alteration of the liquid in the bottle 2 and thus offers the option of presence of the sealing member 27 (whose main function is, in fact, to prevent fraudulent filling of the bottle 2). In summary, the device hits the target absolutely by preventing the alteration of the liquid in the bottle 2 thanks only to three components: the base body 3, the handle element 4 and the spigot element 5. However, even if the device has no need for a sealing member 27 in order to properly fulfill the function of preventing the adulteration of the liquid from the bottle 2, the device may, however, be provided with optional added elements with a redundant sealing function, such as sealing member 27, or even a pair of overlapping sealing members 27, as shown with dashed lines in Figures 7-8. 40

 In addition, the device of the invention is simple and quite cheap to manufacture.

 Clearly, the device as described and illustrated herein can be further modified without departing, however, from the scope of the appended claims.

 For example, in the variation of Figure 9, where details similar or identical to those already described are identified with the same numbers, the device 1, otherwise similar to that previously described, is also provided with a plug 70 fitted radially and externally around the handle element 4 and integrally connected with the handle element 4; The cover 70 is preferably made of a sheet of metallic material, in particular an aluminum sheet, or of suitable plastic materials.

 In particular, the plug 70 has a substantially cylindrical sleeve portion 71 disposed 50 around the tubular body 30 and substantially forcedly coupled with the tubular body 30, and an upper end cap 72 substantially orthogonal with respect to the sleeve portion 71 already cover 31.

 The sleeve portion 71 is integrally coupled and connected with the handle element 4, for example by means of an upper rolled section of the sleeve portion 71 which

cooperates with a knurled or grooved section of the tubular body 30, in order to rotate integrally with the handle element 4.

 Cap 72 has a radially outer peripheral portion 73, connected to sleeve portion 71, and a central portion 74, connected to peripheral portion 73 by weakened circumferential portions 75, angularly spaced apart from each other and defining fracture zones for separation (detachment) of the central portion 74 from the peripheral portion 73. Advantageously, the weakened portions 75 are radially staggered (and preferably are radially external) with respect to the cuts 38 that delimit the connecting portions or bridges 37 of the cover 31, in order to further prevent the entry of dust or other agents into the device 1. 10

 As already described, when the bottle 2 provided with the device 1 is opened for the first time, the rotation of the handle element 4, integral with the cap 70, causes the fracture of the connecting portions or bridges 37 as well as the weakened portions 75; while the cover 31 remains attached to the spigot element 5 (by means of the collar 39 that engages the groove 46 of the spigot element 5), the central portion 74 can be completely removed, if necessary, from the peripheral portion 73. 15

 Not only is the cap 70 an additional protection for the contents of the bottle 2 against dust and other contaminants, but it is also, together with the handle element 4, a double guarantee seal for the integrity of the device 1 and, in Consequently, the contents of the bottle 2.

Claims (15)

 1. A dispensing cap device (1) for a bottle, which extends substantially along an axis (A) and which comprises a substantially tubular base body (3), connectable in a fluid tight manner with a neck (7) of the bottle (2) and having an inner chamber (20); a handle element (4), rotatably coupled to the base body (3) and axially connected to the base body; and a spigot element (5) provided with a channel (51) that communicates with the chamber; the spigot element (5) being telescopically coupled with the handle element (4) by respective threaded portions (43, 44) and being slidable with respect to the base body (3) along the axis (A) due to rotation of the handle element (4) with respect to the base body (3) to selectively open / close a passageway (63) between the channel (51) and the chamber (20); characterized in that the spigot element (5) has a substantially annular lateral outlet channel (51) that extends substantially parallel to the axis (A) and has a substantially radial outlet opening (52) with respect to the axis (A) , and because the chamber (20) is delimited by a side wall (21) comprising a guide section (22)), wherein a radially inner wall (55) of the channel (51) is slidably inserted, and a widened section (23), oriented towards the exit opening (52) and connected to the guide section (22) by an inclined surface (24) that diverges towards the exit opening (52). fifteen  2. A device according to claim 1, wherein sealing means (61, 62) are positioned between the spigot element (5) and the base body (3).  3. A device according to claim 2, wherein the sealing means (61, 62) are radial sealing means positioned between a side wall (21) of the chamber (20) and at least one wall (55, 56 ) of the channel (51). twenty  4. A device according to claim 3, wherein the sealing means (61, 62) are defined by at least one interference zone between the side wall (21) of the chamber (20) and the wall (55, 56) of the channel (51).  5. A device according to one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the sealing means (61, 62) are positioned on opposite sides of the side wall (21) to cooperate with respective facing walls 25 (55, 56 ) of the channel (51).  6. A device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the chamber (20) is provided with an inlet opening (25) having a sealing gasket seat (26) and a movable sealing member (27) which cooperates with the sealing seat to close the inlet opening.  7. A device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the spigot element (5) is connected to the handle element (4) by at least one connecting portion (37), which integrally connects the spigot element with the handle element and it is broken when the handle element is rotated with respect to the base body (3).  A device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the base body (3) comprises a coupling seat (10), provided with sealing members (15) and in which an end flange is insertable. (14) of the bottle (2); and axial clamping members (16A) and angular clamping members (16B), respectively suitable for axially and angularly connecting the base body (3) with the bottle (2) for cooperation with respective elements (17A, 17B) of the bottle (2).  9. A device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the handle element (4) is axially connected to the base body (3) by opposite axial projections (32, 33) that project radially inward from a surface inner side of the tubular body (30) and that are coupled with respective edges (34, 35) of the base body (3).  10. A device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the spigot element (5) is axially slidable with respect to the base body (3) and is angularly locked against the base body (3).  11. A device according to the preceding claim, wherein the spigot element (5) is coupled with the base body (3) by means of a wall (56) of the spigot element (5) slidably inserted along the axis (A) in a sliding seat (12) of the base body (3), said sliding seat (12) being provided internally with longitudinal grooves (59) that cooperate with respective radially outer longitudinal projections (60) of the wall (56) to angularly block the spigot element (5) against the base body (3).  12. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the handle element (4) is coupled to a plug (70), preferably made of a sheet of metallic material, in particular aluminum, or of plastic material, fitted radially and externally around the handle element (4) and integrally supported in rotation by the handle element (4).  13. A device according to the preceding claim, wherein the cap (70) comprises an upper end cap (72) having weakened portions (75) that delimit a removable central portion (74). 5  14. A device according to the preceding claim, wherein the weakened portions (75) are arranged radially staggered and preferably radially outer with respect to the connecting portions (37) connecting the handle element (4) with a lid (31) and break when the handle element (4) is rotated with respect to the base body (3).