FR2747371A1 - CONTAINER WITH WATERPROOF CAP BEFORE OPENING, SUCH A CONTAINER CONTAINING A CONTENT AND PROCESS FOR PACKAGING SUCH CONTENT - Google Patents

Abstract

Container with leaktight closure before opening of the type comprising a closure system (4) comprising a base (8) and a cap (9); the base (8) comprising, by manufacture, a tear-off cover (13), the cap (9) being associated with the base (8) while protecting the cover (13) or the opening which it forms after tearing, the cap (9) being movable or removable relative to the base (8) so that the seal before the first opening is ensured by the sealed welding (17) and the cap (13) before tearing.

Description

1 2747371

  The invention relates to a container with a tight stopper before opening, such a container containing a content, and, finally, a method of packaging such content. A container with a tight closure before opening is already known, comprising a container such as a plastic bottle having a neck defining an opening and a closure system associated with the neck of the container and ensuring its tight closure before the

first opening.

  There are also known plugs of the type comprising a base and a movable or removable cap, the base being provided with a tearable lid associated with a ring. We can refer for example to documents

  following: FR-2 711 359, EP-A-0 340 554.

  The caps of this type are fixed essentially by clipping on the neck of the container or the edge of

the opening they delimit.

  In many cases, the container is metallic while the cap is made of plastic which

  causes real discomfort for recycling.

  According to a known embodiment, the closure system comprises a seal in heat-sealed aluminum on the neck of the container and a plastic capsule allowing the closure of the container after the first opening.

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  Such an embodiment has a number of drawbacks. Since the bottle can be filled immediately or several days after its manufacture, this results in dimensional constraints for obtaining a satisfactory seal between the bottle and the cap.

to the filling.

  Opening the container is difficult and requires the use of a sharp tool to pierce the aluminum seal. Sealing after the first opening cannot be guaranteed. It depends on the quality of the heat sealing and the tearing of the aluminum seal

during the first opening.

  Similarly, the payment of the contents of the container

  depends on the quality of tearing of the seal.

  Recycling such a container is complicated because

  pieces of aluminum remain on the bottle.

  Finally, in the case of passage through a sterilization oven, there are dimensional problems for the bottles, which prevents the fitting of the plastic cap before the sterilization of the contents and therefore requires the addition of a station. of laying said

  capsules on the packaging line.

  The invention aims to remedy these drawbacks by proposing a container of the type previously mentioned in

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  which the closure system is single-material and captive. The contents of the container are poured regularly. The opening and the filling of the container are easy and seal even after the first opening. The material of the stopper is identical or compatible with that of the bottle, which facilitates recycling. Closing the container on the chain

  packaging can be carried out in a single operation.

  It is no longer necessary to take into account the deformations of the bottle after passage through the sterilization ovens and the differences in ribs linked to the

  blowing and storage of bottles.

  To this end and according to a first aspect, the invention relates to a container with sealed closure before opening of the type comprising a container such as a bottle having a neck delimiting an opening, a closure system associated with the neck of the container and ensuring its closure. sealed before the first opening, characterized in that the closure system is a plastic stopper comprising a base and a cap, the base being rigidly fixed to the neck of the container by sealed welding at the place o two walls respectively of the neck and base are applied against each other; the base comprising, during manufacture, a tear-off cover which, before tearing, ensures a tight closure and, after tearing, forms an opening allowing the contents of the container to be poured; the cap being associated with the base while protecting the cover or the opening which it forms after tearing, the cap being mobile or removable relative to the base, so that the seal before opening is

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  provided by sealed welding and the seal before tearing. According to other characteristics, the stopper also comprises means for inviolability of the cap; the welding extends along one or more peripherally continuous lines so as to provide one or more sealing barriers. Welding extends along one or more lines located on one or more

  different walls of the neck and the cap.

  Generally, the neck is delimited by an external side wall and a transverse end wall in the general shape of a ring directed, with respect to the external side wall, inwards or outwards; while the base of the plug comprises at least one external and / or internal lateral wall and a transverse end wall in the general form of a ring; a side wall of the base being applied against the external side wall of the neck, towards the outside or towards the inside, the transverse end wall of the base being applied against the transverse end wall of the neck. The cover may include a flexible tear-off ring, which may delimit an opening forming a pouring spout. It is preferably located on a transverse wall of the base situated in the neck of the container, bordered by an external or internal lateral wall of

  the base, directed axially towards the neck opening.

  The cap is permanently associated with the base by means of a hinge or detachably by snap-fastening.

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  When closed, the cap ensures

sealing with the base.

  The cap is single-material. The material of the stopper is compatible with that of the container, having regard to

waste recycling.

  Such a container can be the subject of several

variant embodiments.

  According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a

container containing content.

  This content is a liquid or pasty product in front

  undergo heat treatment such as sterilization.

  The contents are, for example milk, a milk product, a fruit juice or a fruit-based drink

and / or milk.

  According to a third aspect, the invention relates to a method of packaging such content in such a container. According to this process, successively: - the container is filled with the content to be packaged; - the cap is placed and welded on the neck of the container, the cover not being torn; - possibly heat treatment

content.

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  Finally, according to a last aspect, the invention relates to an installation for implementing the above process, comprising: - means for supplying empty containers; - Means for supplying stoppers whose cover is not torn; - filling and dosing means; content drive means; - a station for installing and welding the cap on the container;

  - a heat treatment station for the content.

  Other features and benefits and

  inventions will emerge from the description which follows in

  reference to the accompanying drawings in which: - Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 are four schematic sectional views through an axial plane illustrating a container with a tight stopper before opening, the container of which is only partially shown at the neck , corresponding to four variant embodiments; - Figure 5 is a schematic view illustrating the

  method and installation according to the invention.

  The invention relates to a container with closure.

waterproof before opening.

  This container comprises a container 1 such as a bottle having, at one end, a neck 2 defining a

opening 3.

  The container also comprises a closure system 4 associated with a container 1, rigidly, so as to ensure that it is sealed before the first opening of use.

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  The container is intended to contain content.

  The latter is more especially a liquid or pasty product which must undergo a heat treatment such as sterilization. Such a product is for example milk, a milk product, a fruit juice or a fruit-based drink

and / or milk.

  The container 1 is made, in the embodiment considered, of plastic by blowing. The plastic material used is for example polyethylene or

polypropylene.

  The neck 2 of the container 1 can be the subject of

  several variant embodiments.

  The neck 2 is generally delimited by an external side wall 5 and a transverse end wall

6 in the general shape of a ring.

  In the case of Figures 1 and 2, the wall 6 is directed towards the inside of the neck 2, that is to say towards its

  axis 7 and this with respect to the wall 5.

  In the case of FIGS. 3 and 4, the wall 6 is

directed outwards.

  The closure system 4 is a material stopper

  plastic, comprising a base 8 and a cap 9.

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  The plug 4 is single-material and its constituent material is compatible with that of the container 1 eu

with regard to waste recycling.

  For example, the plug 4 is made of polyethylene or polypropylene and in particular in the same

material as the container 1.

  The base 8 of the plug comprises one or two side walls 10 and a transverse end wall 11 in

general shape of ring.

  In the case of Figures 1 and 2, the base 8 comprises an outer side wall loa and an inner side wall 0lob. To designate the side walls of the base 8, the interior and exterior terms are used with reference to the position of these side walls relative to the side wall 5 of the neck 2, when the cap 4 is mounted in place on the container 1 These two walls O10a, lO0b are spaced radially from each other. They are joined to each other by the transverse wall

end 11.

  In the case of FIGS. 3 and 4, the plug has only one inner side wall 0lob. The transverse end wall 11 in the form of a ring is then projecting and directed towards the outside, that is to say at

the opposite of axis 7.

  The base 8 also comprises a median transverse wall 12 which, when the cap 4 is mounted on the neck 2 of the container, is located in the neck 2. The median transverse wall 12 is bordered by the side wall

interior o10b.

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  In the situation where the stopper 4 is mounted in place on the neck 2 of the container and the container being placed with its neck facing upwards, the opening 3 being upper, the side wall 5 is arranged substantially vertically or slightly inclined relative to to the

vertical defined by axis 7.

  This wall 5 is of cylindrical shape or

  prismatic or in the shape of a pyramid trunk.

  The transverse end wall 6 is then placed horizontally or substantially horizontally with

  same as the transverse end wall 11.

  The wall 10 comes to marry the side wall 5.

  It therefore has a general shape similar to it. The median transverse wall 12 is also

  placed horizontally. It is located slightly in-

  below the level of the transverse end walls 6

and 11.

  In the case of FIGS. 1 and 2, the opening 3 is delimited by the free internal edge of the transverse end wall 6 opposite the side wall

end 5.

  The middle transverse wall 12 is bordered by the inner side wall 10b directed axially towards

opening 3 of neck 2.

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  The median transverse wall 12 has a cover 13 limited by a weakest tear line

  resistance 14. This line 14 -and therefore the cover 13-

  delimits an opening forming a pouring spout for the contents of the container. Preferably, it is associated with the cover 13 a flexible tear-off ring 15. This is housed in the space delimited by the median transverse wall 12 and the adjoining side wall while being located below

cap 9.

  The base 8 is rigidly fixed to the neck 2 by sealed welding at the place where two walls respectively of the neck 2

  and base 8 are applied against each other.

  The lid 13, tearable along the tear line 14, ensures a tight closure before tearing. After tearing, it forms an opening

  allowing the contents of the container to be paid.

  The cap 9 is associated with the base 8 by protecting the cover 13 or the opening that forms the cover 13 after tearing. The cap 9 is mounted movable relative to the

base 8 or removable.

  In the case of the variant embodiments shown in the figures, the cap 9 is permanently associated with the base 8 by means of a hinge 16 whose axis is orthogonal to the axis 7 and is close to the edge

  outside of the transverse end wall 11.

  il 2747371 In another embodiment, not shown, the cap 9 is removably associated with

base 8 by simple snap-fastening.

  In all cases, the cap, when it is in the closed position as shown in the

  Figures 1 to 4, seals with base 8.

  This means that the content in the container 1 cannot escape unexpectedly from the latter through the opening formed by the cover 13 a

once torn off.

  With a container as just described, the seal before the first opening is ensured by the

  sealed welding 17 and the cover 13 before tearing.

  Where appropriate, the plug 4 also includes

  tamper evident means of the cap 9.

  These means are for example a tear strip or frangible connecting bridges between the cap 9 and the base 8 or a plastic sleeve applied to both the cap 9 and the base 8 which extends it towards

the bottom.

  The weld 17 extends along a peripherally continuous line around the axis 7 so as to

  provide a sealing barrier.

  A single line is provided as illustrated in the drawings or several lines forming several sealing barriers.

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  Welding 17 can be carried out in a slender fashion or extend in surface fashion, transversely by

  compared to line 18 considered.

  In the case where several lines 18 are provided, these are located on the same wall of the container, respectively of the container 1 and of the plug 4 or on

different walls.

  Where the lines 18 are located in a transverse plane relative to the axis 7 or form undulations. We now refer more specifically to the

  variant of the object shown in FIG. 1.

  In this case, the neck 2 is delimited by an outer side wall 5 and a transverse wall 6 directed

towards the inside.

  The base 8 comprises an outer side wall a, an inner side wall 10b and a wall

transverse 11.

  The outer side wall 10a of the base 8 is applied against the outer side wall 5 of the neck 2, towards the inside of the neck 2. A weld 17 is provided along a line 18 ensuring the rigid and sealed association between the outer side wall 5 of the neck 2 and the

  outer side wall 10a of the base 8.

  In the case of Figure 2, the general structure

  is substantially the same as that of FIG. 1.

  However, here is the transverse wall 11 of the base 8

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  which is applied against the corresponding transverse wall 6 of the neck, the line 18 of the weld 17 is

  found at the location of these walls 6, 11.

  In the case of FIG. 3, the neck 2 is delimited by an external transverse wall 5 and a wall

  transverse end 6 directed outwards.

  Base 8 includes an interior side wall

  10b and a transverse wall 11 directed outwards.

  The inner side wall 10b of the base 8 is applied against the outer side wall 5 of the neck 2

towards the inside.

  A welding line 18 17 is provided for rigidly and sealingly associating the external lateral wall of the neck 2 and the internal lateral wall o10b of the base 8. FIG. 4 is generally similar to FIG. 3 with the difference that the line 18 of welding 17 is located between the transverse wall 11 of the base 8 which is applied against the corresponding transverse wall 6

from collar 2, outwards.

  Reference is now made more particularly to FIG. 5 which schematically illustrates a method and an installation for packaging content such as that previously mentioned in a container such as that which

has just been described.

  In this process, successively we fill the

container 1 with contents.

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  Then, we put the cap 4 on the neck 2 of the

  container 1 and welding 17 is carried out.

  In this situation, the cover 13 is not torn. Finally, the content is heat treated. An installation for implementing the process which has just been described consequently comprises means 19 for supplying the empty container, means 20 for supplying a stopper 4, the cover 13 of which is not torn; means 21 for filling and dosing the containers 1 with the content; means 22 for driving the containers; a station 23 for installing and welding the plug 4 on the container 1 once the latter has been filled with the content and, finally, downstream, a station 24 for heat treatment of the

  content in the closed container.

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Claims (25)

  1.Container with tight closure before opening of the type comprising: - a container (1) such as a bottle, having a neck (2) delimiting an opening (3); - a closure system (4) associated with the neck (2) and ensuring its tight closure before the first opening of use, characterized in that the closure system (4) is a plastic stopper comprising a base (8 ) and a cap (9); the base (8) being rigidly fixed to the neck (2) by sealed welding at the place where two walls respectively of the neck (2) and the base (8) are applied one against the other; the base (8) comprising, during manufacture, a tear-off lid (13) which, before tearing, ensures a tight closure and, after tearing, forms an opening allowing the contents of the container to be poured; the cap (9) being associated with the base (8) while protecting the cover (13) or the opening which it forms after tearing, the cap (9) being movable or removable relative to the base (8) of so that the seal before the first opening is ensured by the sealed weld (17) and the cover (13) before tearing.   2. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the plug (4) also includes   tamper evident means of the cap (9).   3.Container according to any one of   Claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the neck   (2) is delimited by an external side wall (5) and a transverse end wall (6) in the general shape of a ring, directed relative to the side wall 16 2747371   exterior (5), inward or outward; the base (8) of the plug (4) comprises at least one external and / or internal lateral wall (10) and a transverse end wall (11) in the general form of a ring, a lateral wall of the base (8) being applied against the external side wall (5) of the neck (2) towards the outside or inside, the end transverse wall (11) of the base (8) being applied against the transverse wall end (6) of the neck (2).   4. Container according to claim 3, characterized in that the welding (17) extends along a peripherally continuous line (18) so as to ensure a sealing barrier.   5. Container according to claim 4, characterized in that the welding (17) extends along a single line. 6. Container according to claim 4, characterized in that the welding (17) extends along several lines (18) forming several sealing barriers. 7. Container according to claim 6, characterized in that the welding (17) extends along several lines (18) located on the same wall of the container. 8. Container according to claim 6, characterized in that the welding (17) extends along several lines (18) located on different walls of the container. 17 2747371   9.Container according to any one of   Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that   the cover (13) comprises a flexible tear-off ring (15).   10. Container according to any one of   Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that   the cover (13) defines an opening forming a spout.   11. Container according to any one of   Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that   the cover (13) is located on a median transverse wall (12) of the base (8), located in the neck (2) of the container (1), bordered by an external or internal lateral wall of the base (8) directed axially towards the opening (3) of the neck (2).   12. Container according to any one of   Claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the   cap (9) is permanently associated with the base (8) at the by means of a hinge (16).   13. Container according to any one of   Claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the   cap (9) is removably associated with the base (8) by snap-fastening.   14. Container according to any one of   Claims 1 to 13, characterized in that   closed situation, the cap (9) seals with the base (8).   15. Container according to any one of   Claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the plug (4) is single-material. 18 2747371   16. Container according to any one of   Claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the   constituent material of the stopper (4) is compatible with that of the container (1) with regard to the recycling of waste. 17. Container according to any one of   Claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the neck   (2) is delimited by an external side wall (5) and a transverse end wall (6) directed inwards; the base (8) comprises an outer side wall (10a), an inner side wall (10b) and a transverse wall (11); the external side wall (10a) of the base being applied against the external side wall (5) of the neck (2) towards the outside, a weld (17) along at least one line (18) ensuring the association rigid and sealed between the outer side wall (5) of the neck (2) and the outer side wall (10a) of the base (8). 18. Container according to any one of   Claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the neck   (2) is delimited by an exterior side wall (5) and a transverse wall directed towards a transverse wall (6) directed towards the interior; the base (8) comprises an outer side wall (10a), an inner side wall (lob), a transverse wall (11); the transverse wall (11) of the base (8) being applied against the transverse wall (6) of the neck (2), towards the outside; a weld (17) along at least one peripherally continuous line (18) ensuring the rigid and sealed association between the transverse wall (6) of the neck (2) and the   transverse wall (11) of the base (8). 19 2747371   19. Container according to any one of   Claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the neck   (2) is delimited by an external side wall (5) and a transverse wall (6) directed towards the outside; the base (8) comprises an inner side wall (10b) and a transverse wall (11); the inner side wall (10b) of the base (8) being pressed against the outer side wall (6) of the neck (2), inward; a weld (17) along at least one peripherally continuous line (18) ensuring the rigid and sealed association between the external lateral wall (5) of the neck (2)   and the inner side wall (10b) of the base (8).   20. Container according to any one of   Claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the neck   (2) is delimited by an external side wall (5) and a transverse wall (6) directed towards the outside; the base (8) comprises an inner side wall (10b) and a transverse wall (11); the transverse wall (11) of the base (8) being applied against the transverse wall (6) of the neck (2), towards the outside; a weld (17) along at least one peripherally continuous line (18) ensuring the rigid and sealed association between the transverse wall (6) of the neck (2) and the transverse wall (11) of the base (8).   21. Container according to any one of   Claims 1 to 20, characterized in that it contains a   content. 22. Container according to claim 21, characterized in that the content is a liquid or pasty product in particular which must undergo a treatment   thermal such as sterilization. 2747371   23. Container according to claim 22, characterized in that the content is milk, a milk product, a fruit juice or a drink based on fruits and / or milk. 24. A method of packaging a content, more especially a liquid or pasty product which must optionally undergo a heat treatment such as sterilization, in a container according to any one of   Claims 1 to 20, characterized in that,   successively: - the container (1) is filled with the content; - the plug (4) is placed and welded on the neck (2) of the container, the cover (13) not being torn; we   provides heat treatment of the contents.   25. Installation for implementing the method according to claim 24, characterized in that it comprises: -means (19) for supplying empty containers; means (20) for supplying stoppers in which the cover (13) is not torn; means (21) for filling and dosing the containers (1) with the content; means (22) for driving the containers; a station (23) for laying and welding a plug (4) on a container (1); -and possibly a heat treatment station (24) content.