ES2699969T3 - Assembly comprising a container and a closure element - Google Patents

Abstract

Assembly comprising a container (50, 51) of the type having a tubular shape comprising a head surface (50a) at the upper end of the container (50, 51) from which a substantially cylindrical neck is projected, wherein said Tubular shape comprises a longitudinally extending surface that intersects said head surface (50a), delimiting the intersection of said longitudinally extending surface with said head surface (50a) said upper end of the container (50, 51), a device of closure (1, 71, 91, 101) associated with said container (50, 51), said closure device comprising: a main body (2, 72, 92) connected to said container (50, 51) and comprising a opening (4) for the passage of a product leaving said container (50, 51), a cover (12, 82) comprising means (23) for closing said opening (4) and suitable for being arranged in a closed position with with respect to said body p main (2, 72, 92), in which said closing means (23) intercept said opening (4), and suitable to be arranged in an open position, in which said closing means (23) do not intercept said opening ( 4), wherein said main body (2, 72, 92) and said cover (12, 82) are mutually complete, characterized in that in said closed position at least a part of said cover (12, 82) is not orients towards said main body (2, 72, 72), but is oriented directly towards the part of said head surface (50a) external to said substantially cylindrical neck when said closure device (1, 71, 91, 101) is connects to said container (50, 51), where a lower part (2a) of said main body (2, 72, 92), said lower part (2a) being oriented towards the container (50, 51), comprises two projecting cylindrical parts (7, 8) defining a substantially annular area suitable to accommodate said substantially cylindrical neck co of said container (50, 51) and at the level of one (7) of the external cylindrical parts (7, 8) there are two projecting edges (9a, 9b) suitable to fit in corresponding seats obtained in the substantially cylindrical neck of said container (50, 51) for making the connection between said main body (2, 72, 92) of said closing device (1, 71,91, 101) and said container (50, 51), and in which said cover ( 12, 82) has on its periphery a lateral surface (13) that rests, in said closed position, against said upper end of said container.

Description

DESCRIPTION

Assembly comprising a container and a closure element

The present invention relates to an assembly comprising a container and a closing device according to the preamble of claim 1.

Description of the state of the art

Various types of caps are known, which are applied to bottles or tubes such as shampoo containers, bath gels, toothpastes and similar products.

According to the known technique, the lids for said containers are made of plastic and consist of two pieces: a main body suitable for connecting to the container and a second mobile piece in the form of a cover. The two parts are advantageously connected by means of an articulated joint. Usually, the two pieces define a single body obtained by molding.

The main body of the lid is associated with the terminal part of the container and is provided with a dispensing orifice that is closed and / or opened by operating the cover.

The main body of the lid is normally applied under pressure or by screwing it onto an end part of the container, where the hole is for distributing the product.

According to the known technique, the peripheral surface of the main body of the lid advantageously has a shape that coincides with the shape of the terminal part of the container with which it is associated. In particular, the main body is usually provided with a ring that adheres to the periphery of the terminal part of the container, substantially defining an extension of the usually tubular shape of the container.

The peripheral surface of the cover has, in turn, a shape that coincides with the shape of the peripheral surface of the main body and, therefore, the shape of the terminal part of the container. Accordingly, in the closed position of the cover on the main body, the cover defines an additional extension of the shape of the container.

In said closed position, therefore, the cover is completely oriented towards the surface defined by the main body.

However, the solution provided according to the state of the art poses some drawbacks. A disadvantage of the known technique is represented by the amount of material used to manufacture the two parts that constitute the lid.

This negatively affects the cost of the raw material used to manufacture the lid.

Another drawback of the known technique is that, for containers having different shapes, it is necessary to manufacture specific covers in which the two pieces have a shape that matches the shape of the terminal part of the container with which they are associated.

Examples of closure devices according to the prior art are known from documents FR 2809 379, US 2004/079766, US 6095374, WO 2012/004668 and FR 2512421.

Document FR2809379A1 discloses an assembly according to the preamble of claim 1.

WO2012004668, cited in accordance with Article 54 (3) of the CPE, discloses an assembly comprising a container and a closing device. In this way, the main object of the present invention is to solve or at least partially overcome the aforementioned problems that characterize the solutions known in the state of the art.

In particular, an object of the present invention is to propose an assembly that makes it possible to reduce the amount of raw material used and, consequently, its production costs.

Another object of the present invention is to reduce the design and manufacturing costs of the lids compared to the known art.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an assembly comprising a container and a closure device as defined in claim 1.

A closure device for an exemplary container comprises:

- a main body suitable for connecting to said container and comprising an opening for the passage of a product leaving said container;

- a cover comprising means for closing said opening and suitable for being arranged in a closed position with respect to said main body, wherein said closing means intercepts said opening, and suitable to be arranged in an open position, wherein said means closing do not intercept said opening,

wherein in said closed position at least a part of said cover does not face said main body. The opening is correctly located on at least one surface of the main body suitable for facing the cover when the latter is in the closed position.

The main body comprises suitable connecting means to allow the device to engage with the container.

The closing device comprises hinge means between the main body and the cover.

Advantageously, the closing device is obtained by molding a plastic material. According to a preferred embodiment, the main body comprises a ring suitable for leaning against the upper surface of the container.

The cover is provided on its periphery with a side surface which rests, in the closed position, against the upper end of the container. In the closed position at least a part of the cover is directly oriented towards a head surface of the container when the device is connected to the container.

The cover properly comprises suitable fastening means to make it easier to move the cover with respect to the main body.

According to an exemplary embodiment, a closure device for a container comprises:

- a main body suitable for connecting to a head surface of said container and comprising an opening for the passage of a product exiting said container;

- a cover comprising means for closing said opening and suitable for being arranged in a closed position with respect to said main body, wherein said closing means intercepts said opening, and suitable to be arranged in an open position, wherein said means closing do not intercept said opening,

wherein in said closed position at least a portion of said cover is directly oriented towards said head surface of said container when said device is connected to said container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other advantages, objects and features, as well as other embodiments of the present invention are defined in the claims and will be illustrated in the following description, with reference to the accompanying drawings; in the corresponding or equivalent drawings, features and / or components of the present invention are identified by the same reference numerals. In particular:

- Figure 1 shows an axonometric view of a container provided with a lid according to a first embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 2 shows the container shown in Figure 1 with the lid in open configuration;

- Figure 3 shows an axonometric view of the lid shown in Figure 1;

- Figure 4 shows a bottom view of the lid shown in Figure 3;

- Figure 5 shows the lid shown in Figure 3 in open configuration;

- Figure 6 shows a bottom view of the lid shown in Figure 5;

- Figure 7 shows an axonometric view of a container provided with a lid according to a different embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 8 shows a bottom view of the lid shown in Figure 7;

- Figure 9 shows an axonometric view of a further different embodiment of the lid of the invention;

- Figure 10 shows an axonometric view of another embodiment different from the lid of the invention.

Detailed description of the present invention

Although the present invention is described below with reference to its embodiments illustrated in the drawings, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below and illustrated in the drawings.

On the contrary, the embodiments described and illustrated in the drawings clarify some aspects of the present invention, the scope of which is defined in the claims.

The present invention has turned out to be particularly advantageous when applied to closure devices for containers suitable for containing fluid products, for example, bath products such as shampoos, bath gels, toothpastes or cosmetic products such as cosmetic creams and the like. More preferably, the present invention has turned out to be particularly advantageous when applied to closure devices made of plastic and obtained using molding techniques. However, it should be noted that the present invention is not limited to said use. On the contrary, the present invention can be usefully applied in all cases that require the use of closure devices for containers suitable for containing a fluid product that is easy to distribute, for example deodorants, depilatory creams, or containers for pharmaceutical or veterinary products. , or containers for cooking ingredients such as mayonnaise, sauces or, even, containers to collect substances and the like.

With reference to Figures 1 to 6, the following is a description of a first embodiment of a closure device 1, referred to simply as "lid" onwards, manufactured in accordance with the present invention; in the characteristic figures and / or similar or equivalent components are identified by the same reference numbers.

In Figure 1 the closure device 1 according to the embodiment proposed by the present invention is shown when applied to a container 50 and in its closed configuration.

In Figure 2 the same closure device 1 is shown in its open configuration.

The container 50 shown in the figures is a container of the tube-like type suitable for containing consistent fluids, for example, toothpaste, bath gel, a cosmetic cream, etc.

The container 50 is preferably made of a plastic material and its cross section has a substantially elliptical shape.

Suitable plastic materials to be used for this purpose are polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PELLD, PELD, PEMD, PEHD) and other materials known as ABL, PBL, PCR, soft-touch resin.

At the upper end of the container 50 there is a head surface 50a which is provided with an opening, not visible in the figures, whose object is to distribute the product. The size and shape of the dispensing opening can be different each time, according to the size of the container and / or the type of product to be distributed.

The closure device 1 is advantageously applied to the container 50 by a snap connection, as will be described in more detail below.

In accordance with exemplary embodiments, the lid may be associated with the container in a different manner, for example, by a screwing operation or by equivalent connection means.

To this end, the upper end of the container 50 is provided with corresponding connecting means suitable for allowing the coupling of the lid 1 and not shown in the figures. Usually, the upper end of the container is provided with a neck part projecting from the head surface 50a to allow the lid to be coupled.

The lid 1, which can best be seen in Figure 5, comprises a main body 2, or base part, suitable for connecting to the container 50.

The main body 2 comprises in the upper part a main surface 3 provided with a distributor orifice 4 suitable to be in communication with the corresponding dispensing opening of the container 50.

More particularly, the distributor orifice 4 is on an annular part 3a of the surface, which belongs to a plane that is slightly inclined and raised with respect to the plane defined by the main surface 3. Said annular part 3a of the surface further has a different form that is not coaxial with the main surface 3. In different embodiments of the invention, however, the main body may comprise in its upper part different surfaces arranged on two or more inclined planes. In addition, these surfaces can come in any type of shape, coaxial or not. Again, and even more simply, according to the invention there may be a single top surface provided with said distributor aperture.

A ring 14, suitable for leaning against the head surface 50a of the container 50, advantageously develops on the periphery of the main surface 3.

In its lower part 2a facing the container 50, the main body 2 comprises means 6 for connecting to the container 50, as shown in Figure 6. The connection means 6 comprise two projecting cylindrical parts 7, 8, suitable for defining an annular area housing a cylindrical neck projecting from the container 50. At the level of the outer cylindrical portion 7 there are two projecting edges 9a, 9b suitable for fitting into corresponding seats obtained in the neck of the container 50.

In exemplary embodiments the connecting means may be of a different type, for example, one or more protruding edges may be provided on the neck of the lid and corresponding seats may be created on the lid. Again, it is possible to provide a nut part on the lower part of the main body of the lid, said nut part being suitable for engaging in a threaded part provided on the cylindrical neck of the container.

The cover 1 further comprises a movable element 12, or cover, suitable for intercepting the distributor orifice 4 of the main body 2.

To this end, the cover 12 is provided with a reference element 23 suitable for accommodating in the distributor orifice 4 of the main body 2.

The cover 12 can be moved, in the case in question, to be rotated, so that it is placed in a configuration in which the distributor orifice 4 is closed, that is, the lid 1 is closed, as shown for example in Figure 1 , or in a configuration in which the distributor orifice 4 is open, that is, the lid 1 is open, as shown for example in Figure 2. For this purpose, the main body 2 and the cover 12 are joined in a hinge area 17. Cover 12 has a shape that substantially coincides with the shape of container 50, in the case at hand, an elliptical shape.

The cover 12 is provided on its periphery with a side surface 13 comprising an edge 13a that abuts against the upper end of the container 50 to cover its head surface 50a. A slightly recessed area 13b is defined on the side surface 13 is suitable to favor the gear for the rotation of the cover 12.

In the first embodiment of the invention illustrated herein, the side surface 13 and the corresponding edge 13a have a substantially elliptical shape.

The lateral surface 13 of the cover 12 adheres substantially to the upper end of the container 50, definitively and advantageously creating an extension of the container 50.

Thanks to the above, the composite unit of the container 50 and the cover 1 has a compact structure.

The parts that make up the lid 1, that is to say, the main body 2, the cover 12 and the hinge area 17, are advantageously manufactured in a single body, by means of a plastic molding operation.

Suitable plastic materials to be used for this purpose are preferably polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PELLD, PELD, PEMD, PEHD).

In exemplary embodiments, the main body and cover can be manufactured separately and subsequently mounted to be movable relative to each other by hinge connecting means that allow the cover to move with a rotary movement, as described herein.

According to the present invention, the surface 3 of the main body 2 has a reduced extension with respect to the cover 12.

In other words, considering the lid 1 in the closed position as shown for example in Figure 4, a part of the cover 12 does not face towards the main body 2. This part is better identified by means of the shaded area indicated with Z in Figure 5.

Furthermore, always in said closed position according to the present invention, a part of the cover 12, corresponding to said shaded area Z, is oriented directly towards the head surface 50a of the container 50.

The presence of said main body 2 with reduced extension compared to the cover 12 makes it possible to manufacture a lid 1 using a limited amount of material. The production costs are reduced accordingly.

The reduced extension of the main body 2, furthermore, does not affect the compactness of the composite set of the container 50 and the lid 1, said compactness being guaranteed by the matching shape of the cover 12 and the container fifty.

Another different embodiment of the invention is described with reference to Figures 7 and 8.

According to said different embodiment, as shown in Figure 7, the lid 71 is applied to a tubular container 51 whose upper part has a substantially circular cross-section.

Said variant differs from the embodiment previously described with reference to Figures 1 to 6 due to the different shape of the cover 82 having a substantially circular shape instead of elliptical, so that it can be adapted to the corresponding circular shape of the upper part of the container 51 to which it adheres in the closed position.

In addition, the shape of the main body 72 is somewhat different from that previously described.

Advantageously, the surface 73 of the main body 72 also in this case has a reduced extension compared to the cover 82, as shown in Figure 8.

Figure 9 shows another different embodiment of the lid 91 of the invention.

Said variant differs from the embodiment described above with reference to Figures 7 and 8 due to the different shape of the main body 92 which is substantially square.

Figure 10 shows a further different embodiment of the lid 101 of the invention.

In said variant the main body 2 is the same as that described with reference to the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 6, while the cover 82 has a substantially circular shape, as illustrated with reference to the second embodiment of the Figures 7 and 8

The lid 101 of Figure 10, therefore, can be advantageously applied to a container 51 of the type shown in Figure 7.

The comparison between the lid 1 of the first embodiment and the lid 101 of the present embodiment shows that they can be made using a main body 2 having the same shape.

This makes it possible to further reduce production costs in cases where caps are to be made for containers having different shapes.

In fact, it will only be sufficient to modify the construction of the roof, while the main body can be the same for all types of roof.

Thus, the foregoing shows that the closure device which is the object of the invention makes it possible to achieve the established objects and, in particular, makes it possible to reduce the material and the production costs in comparison with the devices of the invention. the known technique. Although the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments shown in the figures, it should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments illustrated and described herein; on the contrary, other variants of the embodiments described herein fall within the scope of the present invention, which is defined in the claims.

Claims (6)

1. Set comprising a container (50, 51) of the type having a tubular shape comprising a head surface (50a) at the upper end of the container (50, 51) from which a substantially cylindrical neck projects, wherein said tubular shape comprises a longitudinally extending surface that intersects said head surface (50a), delimiting the intersection of said longitudinally extending surface with said head surface (50a) said upper end of the container (50, 51), a closing device (1, 71, 91, 101) associated with said container (50, 51), said closing device comprising: a main body (2, 72, 92) connected to said container (50, 51) and comprising an opening (4) for the passage of a product leaving said container (50, 51), a cover (12, 82). ) comprising means (23) for closing said opening (4) and suitable for being arranged in a closed position with respect to said main body (2, 72, 92), wherein said closing means (23) intercepts said opening ( 4), and suitable for being arranged in an open position, wherein said closing means (23) does not intercept said opening (4), wherein said main body (2, 72, 92) and said cover (12, 82) they complement each other, characterized by the fact that in said closed position at least a part of said cover (12, 82) is not oriented towards said main body (2, 72, 72), but is oriented directly towards the part of said head surface (50a) external to said neck substantially cylindrical when said closing device (1, 71, 91, 101) is connected to said container (50, 51), where a lower part (2a) of said main body (2, 72, 92), said part being oriented lower (2a) towards the container (50, 51), comprises two projecting cylindrical portions (7, 8) defining a substantially annular area suitable for housing said substantially cylindrical neck of said container (50, 51) and at the level of one ( 7) of the outer cylindrical parts (7, 8) there are two projecting edges (9a, 9b) suitable for fitting into corresponding seats obtained in the substantially cylindrical neck of said container (50, 51) to make the connection between said main body ( 2, 72, 92) of said device closing (1, 71, 91, 101) and said container (50, 51), and in which said cover (12, 82) has on its periphery a lateral surface (13) that rests, in said closed position, against said upper end of said container. 2. Assembly (1, 71, 91, 101) according to claim 1, characterized in that said opening (4) is on at least one surface (3, 73) of said main body (2, 72, 92) suitable for orienting to said cover (12, 82) when said cover (12, 82) is in said closed position. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises hinge means (17) between said main body (2, 72, 92) and said cover (12, 82). 4. Assembly (1, 71, 91, 101) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plastic material is obtained by molding. Assembly (1, 71, 91, 101) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said main body (2, 72, 92) comprises a ring (14) that rests against said head surface (50a ). Assembly (1, 71, 91, 101) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said cover (12, 82) comprises suitable fastening means (13a) to make it easier to move said cover (12). , 82) with respect to said main body (2, 72, 92).