GB2182648A

GB2182648A - Childproof bottle top with a tamper-indicating seal

Info

Publication number: GB2182648A
Application number: GB08609813A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Emilio Morini; Geiovanni Celaschi
Original assignee: Bormioli Metalplast SpA
Current assignee: Bormioli Metalplast SpA
Priority date: 1985-11-07
Filing date: 1986-04-22
Publication date: 1987-05-20
Also published as: FR2589828A1; IT1187212B; GB8609813D0; FR2589828B3; ES293899Y; DE3613174A1; ES293899U; IT8540119A0

Abstract

A childproof bottle top comprises an inner cap (4), removably associated with the neck of a container(1), and an outer cap (5) fitted over the inner cap. A tamper-indicating seal (12) is integral with the bottom end (11) of the outer cap, and acts as a stop when brought into contact with the shoulder of the container, inhibiting axial movement of the outer cap in relation to the inner cap such as would take it from the childproof position in which the caps are free to rotate relative to one another, to the position in which the caps are united by virtue of teeth (9, 10) and rotate as one. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A childproof bottle top with a break-open seal The invention relates to a bottle top of the 'child proof' type, provided with a break-open seal. Such tops are utilized for packaging products not intended to be opened, or unsuitableforopening, by small children.

Thepriorartembraceschildproofbottletopswhich can be opened only by carrying through a succession of coordinated movements, relatively impossible for children below a certain age to accomplish. Embodiments ofthetype in question comprise an innercap provided with fastening means, usually screw threaded, that permit of its being removably associ atedwiththe neck ofthe bottleorcontainer, and an outer cap which fits over and thus encases the inner cap. The inner and outer caps are associated in such a way as to remain free to rotate one relative to the other when in the childproof position, and to rotate together as one when made to assume distinct axial positions one relative to the other.Such prior art embodiments are beset by a practical difficulty, namely, the successful incorporation of a break-open seal into a childprooftop, in similarfashion to the commonplace types of break-open top fitted to bottlesorcontainersthatarenotchildproof.

Conventionally, the break-open seal for an ordinary bottle top - i.e. not childproof, will be positioned and embodied such that a break is inevitable when first opening the top.

Accordingly, the object of the invention described herein is to overcome the aforesaid problem, providing a childprooftop into which a break-open seal can be incorporated simply and economically.

An advantage offered by the invention is that it can be applied to any childproof bottle top of a general type comprising two caps: an inner cap removably associated with the neck of the bottle or container, and an outer cap the manipulation of which opens and closesthe bottle or container.

The stated object and advantage, and others besides, can be realized with a childproof bottle top according to the invention, which has a break-open seal and comprises an innercap provided with fasten- ing means that permit of its being removably associated with the neck of a bottle or container, and an outercapfitted overthe inner cap and associated therewith in such a way that the two caps remain free to rotate one relative to the otherwhen in the childproof position, and rotate together as one when made to assume distinct relative axial positions, and is characterized in that it comprises a break-open seal integral with the periphery of the open bottom end ofthe outer cap offered to a bottle or container, and disposed coaxial with the outer cap in order to create an extension of the open end that will locate againstthe shoulderofthe bottleorcontainerand,whilestill intact, prevent axial movement of the outer cap, relative to the inner cap, from the safe childproof position toward a position in which the caps are united and rotation ofthe inner cap is made possible by manipulation ofthe outer cap. A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described in detail, by way of example, with the aid of the accompanying sheet of drawings, in which: Figure lisa schematic representation of the bottle top in longitudinal section; Figure2 is the same section as in Figure 1, illustrat ingthebottletopin afurtherconfiguration.

With reference to the drawings, 1 denotes a bottle or containerthe neck 2 of which is inserted into a childprooftop 3 sealing offthe mouth. The top 3 comprises an inner cap 4, provided with an internal thread 6 by means ofwhich it may be screwed onto a matching external thread 7 offered by the neck 2.5 denotes an outer cap fitted overthe inner cap 4.In the position as illustrated in Figure 1,which isthesafe, 'childproof' position, the outer cap 5 is free to rotate about the inner cap 4, a facility dependent upon the axial position of the outer cap Sin relation to the inner cap 4; such a position is maintained by flexible means 8, the bias ofwhich tends to urge the caps aparts axially, keeping the outer cap 5 raised in relation to the innercap 4.Presure exerted on the outer cap 5 in the direction denoted 13 (arrowed in Figure 2) will overcomethe bias oftheflexible means 8, urging the cap downward and causing internal teeth 9, located at the top end ofthe internal cylindrical surface ofthe outer cap 5, to engage matching external teeth 10 located on the external cylindrical surface ofthe inner cap 4, so that relative rotation of the two caps 5 and 4 is rendered impossible; the configuration produced is that illustrated in Figure 2. With the teeth engaged, it becomes possible to unscrew and screw the inner cap 4 from and onto the neck 2 ofthe bottle or container1 by rotating the outercap S.

11 denotes the periphery of the open bottom end of the outer cap 5,which is offered to the bottle or container 1, and with which a break-open seal 12 is integrally associated in such a way asto create a coaxial extension of the outer cap 5. Extending thus from the cap 5, the seal 12 acts as a stop by locating againstthebottleorcontainerl and inhibiting axial movement of the outer cap 5 relative to the inner cap 4, away from the childproof position in which the two caps are rotatable one in relationtotheother,toward the position in which the same two caps are made one by engagement of their respective sets ofteeth 9 and 10.In effect, the break-open seal 12 remains integral with the bottom end 11 of the outer cap 5 until the bottleorcontainerl isfirstopened,whereuponthe seal 12 must necessarily be broken; this is accomplished simply by exerting strong pressure on the outer cap in the direction 13 arrowed, or by removing the seal in some otherway. Breakage oftheseal 12 is facilitated by an embodimentfeaturing a number of distinct sections united one with the next, and with the bottom end 11 ofthe cap 5, by joints that can be broken with a minimal amount of effort.

Needless to say, breakage ofthe seal 12 by means of pressure exerted in the direction of the arrow 13 will only be possible where a bottle or container 1 is of appropriate shape, offering a shoulderto the bottom edge of the seal such as will actasa wedge,forcing the seal to spread and break open.

Claims

1. A childproof bottle top, incorporating a breakopen seal and comprising an innercap (4) provided with fastening means that permit of its being removably associated with the neck of a bottle or container (1), and an outer cap (5) fitted over the inner cap and associated therewith in such a waythat the two caps remain free to rotate one relative to the other when in the childproof position, and rotate together as one when made to assume distinct relative axial positions, characterized in that it comprises a break-open seal (12) integral with the periphery ofthe open bottom end (11) ofthe outer cap (5) offered to a bottle or container, and disposed coaxial with the outer cap in order to create an extension of the open end that will locate against the shoulder ofthe bottle orcontainer and, while still intact, prevent axial movement of the outer cap rela tiveto the ihner cap from the safe childproof position toward a position in which the caps (4, 5) are united and rotation ofthe inner cap is made possible by manipulation of the outer cap.

2. Bottletop as in claim 1,comprisingflexible means (8) that maintain the innercap (4) andtheouter cap (5) in relative axial positions whereby the two caps are free to rotate one relative to the other, wherein such means (8) bias the outer cap (5) in an axial direction away from the inner cap (4), hence away from the body of the bottle or container (1 ) to which the inner cap is fitted.

3. Bottle top as in claim 1, wherein the outer cap (5) and the inner cap (4) are made to rotate as one by way of a coupling arrangementwhich comprises ex ternal teeth (10) offered by the outer cylindrical surface ofthe inner cap and internal teeth (9) offered by a part ofthe inner cylindrical surface ofthe outer cap, and is embodied such that with the outer cap (5) occupying the relative axial position that permits its rotating freely in relation to the inner cap (4),the internal teeth (9) are separated axially from the external teeth (10) so that no coupling action is produced, the external teeth being freely accommodated by a stretch of the cylindrical body of the outer cap lying between the internal teeth and the bottom open end (11) with which the break-open seal (12) is made integral.

4. Bottle top as in claim 1, wherein fastening means that permit of associating the inner cap (4) with the neck of a bottle or container (1 ) are screw threaded, and comprise an internal thread (6) offered by the inside of the inner cap which pairs with a matching external thread (7) offered by the neck of the bottle or container.

5. A childproof bottle top, incorporating a breakopen seal and substantially as hereinbefore de scribe with reference to the accompanying draw- ings.