FR2862290A1 - Container e.g. bottle, neck corking device, has peelable lid with jag integrating lid with neck opening and covering only inner zone of opening, and stopper with inner apron sealed on outer zone of opening during recorking - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a removable cork (20) for closing a tubular neck (3) of a container (2) e.g. bottle, and a peelable lid (10) for covering an opening (6) of the neck in an airtight manner. A jag (12) of the lid integrates the lid with the opening. The jag covers only an inner zone (61) of the opening of the neck. The stopper has an inner apron (24) sealed on an outer zone (62) of the opening during the recorking of the neck. An independent claim is also included for a tight container having a neck for pouring out the content of the container and a corking device of the neck.

Description

The present invention relates to a closure device of a collar

  tubular container, and a sealed container provided with such a device.

  The invention relates more particularly to closure devices comprising both a closure cap of the neck and a peelable seal for hermetically covering the rim of the neck to ensure that no venting of the container has occurred between the closing of the container, for example at the end of the bottling line, and its first opening by the consumer of the product, particularly food, contained in this container.

  For this purpose, the lid generally comprises an aluminum layer covered, on the side of the neck to cover, with a peelable synthetic coating to be welded to the neck of the neck. To set up such a cap, the cap is currently used by covering its bottom wall internally by the cap to be secured, this cap is then attached to the neck of a container that has just been filled. In order to prevent the lid from escaping, in particular from the stopper before the latter is placed facing the container neck, the lid is dimensioned so that its diameter is slightly greater than the inside diameter of the stopper. which amounts to the fact that its diameter is equal to, or even slightly greater than, the outside diameter of the mouth of the neck. Once the cap is attached, for example screwed on the neck of the container, the lid is interposed between the bottom wall of the cap and the neck of the neck. The container is then placed near an induction plate which causes the appearance of currents induced in the aluminum layer of the lid and, thereby, its heating. The synthetic coating melts and is thus welded to the rim of the neck. During the first use of the container, the consumer unscrews the stopper and releases the lid by peeling it.

  Although such a device ensures the tightness of the container at the outlet of its bottling line, it has a number of disadvantages. First, when the user peels the seal, residues of peelable synthetic material, or even aluminum remain on the neck of the neck, which the consumer often perceives as lack of cleanliness, or even as a health risk. In addition, the sealing of the device during its filling is generally poor because of the presence of peelable synthetic residues on the neck of the neck. Indeed, when the cap is screwed on the neck, these residues leave gaps between the cap and the neck, games that damage the good preservation of the contents of the container.

  To circumvent this disadvantage, the user of the device is tempted to apply a strong tightening torque on the cap when the container is rebound. However, such manipulation is restrictive for the user, even impossible for some users such as children or the elderly, and in the long run becomes ineffective due to the deformations imposed on the stopper and / or the collar.

  The object of the present invention is to provide a cap and seal device of the type described above, which guarantees a reliable seal of the container in particular when it is refilled, while remaining easy both to assemble on the container during its packaging and for use by any consumer.

  For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a device for plugging a tubular container neck, in particular a substantially cylindrical neck of a bottle, comprising a tubular closure cap of the neck, provided with means of removable connection with the neck and a cap for hermetically covering the rim of the neck and provided with peelable means for securing to the neck of the neck, characterized in that the peelable securing means of the lid are adapted to cover only an inner area the neck of the neck and in that the cap is further provided internally with a sealing skirt on an outer zone of the rim, distinct from said inner zone.

  According to the invention, one distinguishes on the one hand the inner zone of the rim intended to allow the peelable lid to be secured and, on the other hand, the external zone of this rim on which the skirt of the stopper bears in particular during the refilling the container. As no residue of peelable material is present on this outer zone, the support of this skirt can be perfectly sealed.

  The initial closure of the container, for example at the end of the bottling line, is carried out in a similar manner to that of the prior art, that is to say by bringing back on the neck of the container the stopper provided internally with the to prevent this cap from falling before the cap is placed on the neck, the cap of the device according to the invention is advantageously internally provided with retaining means of the cap inside the cap before the lid is secured to the drinking collar.

  According to an advantageous characteristic, these retaining means are carried by the inner face of the support skirt on the outer zone of the rim. In particular, these retaining means may comprise a plurality of projections distributed along the periphery of the support skirt on the outer zone of the rim and extending radially from the inner face of this skirt.

  According to another preferred feature of the device, the maximum radial dimension of the cap is adapted to be strictly less than the outside diameter of the neck of the neck.

  In this way, during the initial closure of the container by the device according to the invention, for example at the end of the bottling line, the support skirt on the outer zone of the rim constitutes a sealing barrier additional to that achieved. by the hermetic operculum.

  According to other advantageous features of the device according to the invention, taken separately or in any technically possible combination: a part of the bottom wall of the plug is covered with an adhesive substance adapted to hold the lid at the bottom of the cap before the operculum is secured to the neck; the inner face of the bearing skirt on the outer zone of the rim has a first transmission surface of a bearing force essentially linked to the cooperation of the removable connecting means of the stopper with corresponding means of the neck; - The first transmission surface is carried by a deformable annular ring and radially projecting from the inner face of the bearing skirt on the outer zone of the rim; the support skirt on the outer zone of the rim is plastically deformable between a first configuration, in which it has a generally cylindrical shape and coaxial with the plug, and a second configuration flared towards the open side of the plug and the inner face of this plug; skirt has a second transmission surface of a bearing force essentially related to the cooperation of this skirt in its second configuration with the neck rim; the first and the second transmission surfaces are distinct from each other and preferably separated by a concave surface; the cap is further provided internally with a support skirt on the lid during the joining process; from the lid to the inner zone of the rim, arranged radially inside the support skirt on the outer zone of the rim and located, when the stopper is connected to the neck, substantially in line with the inner zone of the rim; drinking; - The support skirt on the lid is flexible so that, once the cap is disconnected, it is based on the inner region of the neck of the neck when the cap is connected to the neck.

  The subject of the invention is also a sealed container, comprising a neck for pouring the contents of the container and a closure device for this neck, which conforms to

  in any one of the preceding claims.

  The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of example and with reference to the drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is an exploded longitudinal section of a closure device according to the invention, before its assembly on a neck of a bottle; FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C are views on a larger scale of the circled detail II in FIG. 1, respectively illustrating three successive assembly steps of the device on the neck of the bottle - FIGS. 3A and 3B are analogous views. in Figures 2A and 2B, relating to a first embodiment of the device according to the invention; and FIG. 4 is a partial longitudinal section of a second variant of the device according to the invention.

  In Figure 1 is shown a device 1 for sealing a sealed container 2 for containing for example a liquid food. In FIG. 1, only the neck 3 of this container 2 is visible, the container being for example a plastic bottle such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate), glass or any other material compatible with the storage of the liquid in question, or more generally of a foodstuff. The neck 3 is substantially cylindrical in shape of axis XX and is provided on its outer face 4 with a helical thread 5. The free end of the neck 3 forms a rim or cup 6, of rounded shape or at least blunt.

  The device 1 essentially comprises a cap 10 and a cap 20.

  For convenience, the following description will be oriented by considering that the elements of the device 1 facing the container 2 are directed downwards, that is to say directed towards the lower part of Figures 1 and 2A to 2C, while that the elements turned in opposite directions are considered as directed upwards, that is to say toward the upper part of the same figures.

  The cover 10 comprises an aluminum disk 11, shown co-axial with the neck 3 in FIG. 1. The lower face of this disc 11 is entirely covered with a layer 12 made of a synthetic material, for example polyethylene, adapted to hermetically secure the lid 10 to the rim 6 of the neck 3, More precisely, the layer 12 is able to be welded to the rim 6 when the lid 10 is subjected to a rise in temperature, in particular due to the generation of induced currents in the aluminum disc, while subsequently being peelable by manual biasing. For this purpose, the lid 10 is advantageously provided on its upper face with a layer 13 of plastic material intended to prevent tearing of the aluminum disk during peeling of the lid and a peel strip 14 intended for be grasped by the fingers of the user to release the lid 10.

  In a variant not shown, only the periphery of the underside of the aluminum disk 11 is covered with the peelable material 12.

  In any case, the diameter d12 of the peelable coating 12 is strictly less than the outside diameter D6 of the rim 6 of the neck 3, while of course being strictly greater than the inside diameter d6 of the rim. In other words, only an inner peripheral zone 61 of the rim 6 is intended to be covered by the welded material 12 of the cover 10, as will be explained in more detail below. The remainder of the rim, that is to say the outer peripheral zone distinct from the zone 61, is referenced 62.

  The plug 20 has a generally cylindrical shape shown coaxial with the neck 3 in FIG. 1. It is adapted to close the neck in a sealed manner and comprises for this purpose a bottom wall 21 in the form of a solid disk on the periphery of which extends downwards a cylindrical main skirt 22 whose inner diameter is substantially equal to the outside diameter of the thread 5 of the neck 3.

  The inner face of the main skirt 22 is provided with a projecting thread 23 complementary to the external thread 5 of the neck 3, the stopper 20 thus being able to be screwed onto the neck 3 and unscrewed by applying to it a corresponding torque of rotation around its longitudinal axis XX.

  Inside the plug 20 are provided, projecting down from the bottom wall 21, two inner skirts 24 and 25 coaxial and centered on the axis X-X. When the cap 20 is not attached to the neck 3 as in FIG. 1, these internal skirts 24 and 25 extend generally parallel to the main skirt 22.

  As shown in more detail in FIG. 2A, the first inner skirt 24, radially further from the axis XX than the second inner skirt 25, consists of a tubular body 241 connected to the bottom wall 21 of the plug 20 by a foot 242 a little thicker than the rest of the body 241. This foot 242 has a substantially cylindrical inner face whose diameter, noted d242 in Figure 1, is slightly smaller than the diameter of the aluminum disc 11 of the cover 10 , that is to say, for the lid shown, the diameter d12. The inner face of the foot 242 thus forms a wedging surface for the cap 10 during its assembly in the cap, as will be explained further below. A difference in diameters of the order of one tenth of a millimeter allows, in practice, such jamming.

  The inner skirt 25 also consists of a tubular body 251 whose axial dimension is significantly smaller than that of the body 241 of the skirt 24 and corresponds for example to approximately the axial height of the foot 242 less the thickness of the body. operculum. Its outer face 252, in particular in its lower part, is flared upwards, in the direction of the bottom wall 21.

  The inner face of the body 241 of the skirt 24 has, at the transition zone between the foot 242 and the remainder of the body 241, two surfaces 243 and 244 curved inwardly, that is to say convex, arranged one behind the other along the axis XX. These curved surfaces 243 and 244 are separated from each other, along the axis X-X, by a concave surface 245.

  The lower end portion of the first inner skirt 24 is further provided with a series of projections 246 distributed along the periphery of this skirt and extending radially inwardly from the inner face of the skirt. This series comprises for example six projections 246, two to two diametrically opposed. The radial distance, denoted 4246 in FIG. 1, separating two diametrically opposite projections is smaller than the diameter of the aluminum disc 11 of the cover 10, that is to say, for the cover shown, with the diameter d12. In this way, the upper faces 247 of the projections 246 constitute downward retention surfaces for the lid 10, as security, before this lid is secured to the rim 6 of the neck 3.

  Advantageously, the lower faces 248 of the projections 246 are flared down for reasons explained below.

  The assembly of the closure device 1 on the neck 3 of the container 2 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 2A to 2C.

  Initially, the neck 3, the cap 10 and the stopper 20 are manufactured independently of each other and are obtained for example in their state of FIG.

  In a first step, the cap 10 and the cap 20 are assembled by introducing the lid into the interior of the latter. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2A, the cap 10 is brought inside the first inner skirt 24, for example by elastically deforming the lid, so that its wafer is jammed or embedded. in this configuration, the cap can be handled in all directions without the risk that the cap 10 will escape from the inside of the cap since, even if it emerges from the 242 foot, it is securely retained by the projections 246 downwards, by the bottom wall 21 upwards and by the body 241 of the skirt 24 on the sides.

  In a variant that is not shown, the cover 10 is placed inside the skirt 24 without being brought into contact with the foot 242. The cover then rests directly on the projections 246, its peelable layer 12 bearing against upper faces 247 of these projections.

  To hermetically seal the neck 3 of the container 2, which has for example been filled with a liquid or more generally with a perishable commodity, is brought the cap 20 provided with the cap 10 just above the neck 3 and coaxially to the latter. This operation takes place for example at the end of a bottling line.

  The stopper 20 and the neck 3 are then brought together so as to engage the threads 5 and 23, the stopper being either set in force on the neck 3 or screwed around this neck.

  When the bottom wall 21 of the stopper 20 approaches the rim 6 of the neck 3, the collar moves the skirt 24 radially outwardly, the flared lower surfaces 248 of the projections 246 then forming ramp surfaces for the rim 6. The body 241 of the skirt 24 then passes from a generally cylindrical configuration, shown in FIG. 2A, to a generally frustoconical and downwardly divergent configuration, represented in FIG. 2B, by deforming the foot 242, preferably essentially plastically.

  Still continuing the movement of bringing the plug 20 closer to the neck 3, the seal 10 is found axially wedged between the inner zone 61 of the rim 6 and the outer face 252 of the skirt 25, as shown in Fig 2B. If the cover initially rested on the upper faces 247 of the projections 246, the cover is brought into contact with the inner skirt 25 by being lifted upwards by the rim 6.

  Advantageously, the body 251 of the skirt 25 is provided sufficiently flexible to be deformed inwardly, the flared outer face 252 forming a corresponding ramp surface.

  At the same time, the inner face of the skirt 24 comes into contact with the outer zone 62 of the rim 6 which, more precisely, rests against the curved surfaces 243 and 244.

  The container 2 provided with the cap 20 and the cap 10 is then subjected to an electromagnetic field which causes induced currents in the aluminum disc 11 and thus the at least partial melting of the layer 12. In cooling, the layer 12 welds the remainder of the cover 10 to the inner area 61 of the rim 6.

  The container is thus sealed and can be transported to its place of sale or, more generally, to its final place of use. Compared to the devices of the prior art in which the lid is oversized in diameter to allow it to jam at the bottom of the cap, the cap 10 of the device 1 is of reduced diameter and therefore of a lower cost.

  When the user of the container 2 wishes to open the container for the first time, he unscrews the cap 20 to have access to the lid 10 secured to the neck 3. By means of the tongue 14, it releases this lid by peeling the layer 12 This peeling operation may leave residues of peelable material on the inner area 61 of the rim 6.

  No residue remains on the outer zone 62.

  2862290 12 After dumping a portion of the contents of the container 2, the user rebases this container by screwing the cap 20 on the neck 3 as shown in Figure 2C. By applying a standard rotation torque on the plug 20, it easily brings the upper curved surface 243 of the skirt 24 bearing against the outer zone 62 of the rim 6, as indicated by the arrow F1, thereby forming a first sealing line between the neck 3 and the plug 20. In addition, generally independent of the torque value applied by the user, the lower curved surface 244 is pressed against the outer zone 62 of the rim 6, as indicated by the arrow F2, thus forming a second sealing line.

  It will be noted that the support force F2 of this second sealing line is essentially related to the cooperation of the skirt 24 in its flared configuration with the rim 6 of the neck 3. Indeed, insofar as this skirt 24 has plastically deformed during the assembly described above of the cap 20 on the neck 3 and subsequent storage in the closed configuration of the bottle, the user does not need to develop a real torque for the effort of support F2 transmitted by the skirt 24 on the outer zone 62 of the rim, through the surface 243, is not negligible. On the contrary, it is understood that the greater the tightening torque of the plug, the greater the support force F1 is large.

  In addition, the skirt 24 plastically deformed flared configuration is not likely to form a stop for the neck 3 and does not interfere with the user when screwing the cap 20.

  As. shown in FIG. 2C, the flexibility of the inner skirt 25 is advantageously provided so that, during the refilling, the outer face 252 of this skirt bears against the inner zone 61 of the rim 6, when for example a strong torque The third sealing line is thus formed, the quality of which remains however limited because of the possible presence of residues of peelable material 12 on this area of the rim 6.

  Two variants of the device 1 are shown respectively in Figures 3A and 3B and in Figure 4. In these variants, the elements common with the device of Figures 1 and 2A to 2C bear the same references.

  In the variant of Figures 3A and 3B, the inner skirt 24 is provided instead of the upper curved surface 243, an annular ring 249 extending radially projecting from the inner face of this skirt. The lower face of this rod 249 has a surface 243 'which functions similarly to the surface 243. More specifically, the surface 243' is adapted to transmit the bearing force F1 related to the tightening torque applied to the plug 20 when the user rebases the container 2.

  This variant of FIGS. 3A and 3B is also different from the device of the preceding figures by the profile of the outer face 252 of the second inner skirt 25. The lower part 253 of this face is in fact shaped substantially complementary to the inner zone 61 6, so that, on the one hand, when the stopper 20 is initially assembled on the neck 3, evenly press the cover 10 against the zone 61 and, on the other hand, when the cover is peeled and that the cap is screwed, forming a large bearing surface between the skirt 25 and the zone 61.

  In the variant of Figure 4, the bottom face of the bottom wall 21 of the cap 20 is provided at its center with a projecting disk 26 X-X axis and integral with this wall. The axial dimension x 26 of this disc with respect to the underside of the bottom wall is substantially equal to that of the skirt 25 in the undeformed state. The underside of the disc is covered with a weakly adhesive substance 261 intended to facilitate the assembly of the cap 10 in the cap 20. When the cap is introduced into the skirt 24, it is in fact brought upwards. until its upper surface comes into contact with the adhesive substance 261 which thus holds it at the bottom of the cap until the latter is assembled at the neck 3. Once the cap 10 is welded, the durability of the adhesive bond between the lid and the central disc 26 of the cap is unimportant. In addition, when the cap 20 is unscrewed for the first time, this adhesive bond is very easily broken, the resistance of the weldable bondable bond between the cap and the rudder being significantly larger.

  This variant makes it possible to dispense with precise control of the relative dimensions of the diameter of the cover and of the inside diameter d242 of the foot 242 of the skirt 24, since this foot then no longer ensures the maintenance of the cap on its own. 10 at the bottom of the cap. In addition, the adhesive layer 261 ensures that the lid is more stable than the jamming by the foot 242, in particular a less sensitive hold against vibrations and compressed air jets which can be used to drive the plugs on. along the bottling line.

  Various arrangements and variants to the devices described above are furthermore possible. By way of example, the projections 246 may be replaced by a flexible lip extending continuously over the entire periphery of the inner face of the skirt 24, in particular in the form of an olive-type lip. Similarly, the peel tab 14 of the cap 10 is replaced by a traction band, integral with the top layer 13 on a section of its periphery and able to be folded on the upper face of this layer when the cap is assembled in the cap.

Claims (12)

  1. Device for capping a tubular neck (3) of a container (2), in particular a substantially cylindrical neck of a bottle, comprising a tubular closure cap (20) for the neck, provided with means (23) for detachable connection with the neck and a cover (10) for hermetically covering the rim (6) of the neck and provided with peelable means (12) for securing to the neck of the neck, characterized in that the peelable securing means (12). ) of the cover (10) are adapted to cover only an inner zone (61) of the rim (6) of the neck (3) and in that the stopper (20) is further provided internally with a skirt ( 24) sealingly on an outer zone (62) of the rim (6), distinct from said inner zone (61).   2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the plug is internally provided with means (246) for retaining the cap (10) inside the cap (20) before the lid is secured to the drinking ( 6) of the neck (3).   3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the means (246) for retaining the lid (10) are carried by the inner face of the skirt (24) support on the outer zone (62) of the drinking (6).   4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the maximum radial dimension of the cap (10) is adapted to be strictly smaller than the outer diameter (D6) of the rim (6) of the neck (3).   5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a portion (26) of the bottom wall (21) of the plug (20) is covered with an adhesive substance (261) adapted to maintain the lid (10) at the bottom of the cap before the lid is secured to the rim (6) of the neck (3).   6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner face of the skirt (24) bearing on the outer zone (62) of the rim (6) has a first surface (243; 243 ') transmission of a bearing force (F1) essentially related to the cooperation of the removable connection means (23) of the plug (20) with corresponding means (5) of the neck (3).   7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the first transmission surface (243 ') is carried by an annular ring (249) deformable and radially projecting from the inner face of the skirt (24) bearing on the zone outside (62) of the rim (6).   8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the skirt (24) bearing on the outer zone (62) of the rim (6) is plastically deformable between a first configuration, in which it has a shape generally cylindrical and coaxial with the plug (20), and a second configuration flared towards the open side of the plug (20) and in that the inner face of this skirt (24) has a second surface (244) for transmitting a force support (F2) essentially related to the cooperation of this skirt in its second configuration with the rim (6) of the neck (3).   9. Device according to one of claims 6 or 7 taken in combination with claim 8, characterized in that the first (243; 243 ') and the second (244) transmission surfaces are distinct from each other and preferably separated by a concave surface (245).   10. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plug (20) is further provided internally with a skirt (25) bearing on the lid (10) during the joining of the sealing to the inner zone (61) of the rim (6) disposed radially inside the support skirt (24) on the outer zone (62) of the rim and located when the cork is connected to the neck (3). ), substantially in line with the inner zone of the rim.   11. Apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that the skirt (25) bearing on the lid (10) is flexible so that, once the cap (10) disengaged, it is based on the inner zone (61) of the rim (6) of the neck (3) when the plug (20) is connected to the neck.   12. Watertight container (2), having a neck (3) to discharge the contents of the container and a device (1) for capping this neck, in accordance with any one of preceding claims.