IT202000024046A1 - CLOSURE FOR A CONTAINER AND CONTAINER INCLUDING SUCH CLOSURE - Google Patents

Description

CLOSURE FOR A CONTAINER AND CONTAINER INCLUDING SUCH CLOSURE.

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a closure for a container. Pi? precisely, the invention relates to a closure for a container configured to contain a liquid, preferably a carbonated liquid, even more preferably a carbonated drink.

In the present context, with the expression ?carbonated liquids? must be understood as gaseous or sparkling liquids. The aforesaid carbonated liquids are preferably but not necessarily intended for human consumption and can be alcoholic, such as for example wine or beer, or non-alcoholic.

AND? It is known that carbonated beverages or liquids are generally supplied inside non-reusable containers, such as bottles having an opening, closed by means of screw closure means or caps, or containers such as cans, equipped with a tie rod. However, all these closing systems, disadvantageously, suffer, sometimes violently, from the emission of liquids when the container is opened for the first time and the pressurized gas inside it is expelled.

Very often, the user who intends to open the container, for example of a carbonated soft drink, knows this eventuality and, in the case of a screw cap for example, tries to mitigate the quantity? of pressurized gas to be released during opening, it performs very small incremental turns of the screw closure so as to slowly release the aforementioned pressurized gas outwards. However, these techniques are not always effective.

Furthermore, in the case of carbonated alcoholic beverages, such as for example sparkling wines, it is preferable to use stoppers made of cork or synthetic materials. In this case, the quantity of gas expelled at the time of?opening not ? easily controllable, and in the event of a sudden release of pressurized gas, disadvantageously, the liquid contained in the container often loses its fizz, or, even more? disadvantageously, this sudden release of the gas under pressure causes an equally sudden and copious release of the same liquid.

The present invention intends to overcome the mentioned drawbacks of the prior art.

Particularly, ? object of the invention is to create a closure for containers capable of allowing the escape of a pressurized gas inside the same container in a controlled way, before the closure itself is removed.

A further purpose of the invention ? the creation of an easily reusable closure for containers.

Yet, ? object of the invention is to create a closure for containers that is easy to use.

Further, ? object of the invention, to create a closure for containers that is robust and not prone to accidental breakage and damage.

The said purposes are achieved with the production of a closure for containers, in accordance with claim 1.

Further characteristics of the closure for containers of the invention are described in the dependent claims.

Also part of the invention is the container, preferably for carbonated liquids, in accordance with claim 12, comprising a closure of the invention.

The aforementioned purposes, together with the advantages that will be mentioned below, will be better highlighted during the description of a preferred embodiment of the invention which is given, by way of example but not in limitation, with reference to the attached drawings, where:

- Figure 1 ? an exploded top isometric view of a first embodiment of the closure of the invention;

- Figure 2 ? an exploded bottom isometric view of the closure of fig. 1;

- Figure 3 ? a plan view of the closure of FIG. 1 with the protective cover arranged in a first position;

- Figure 4 ? an isometric view of the closure of fig. 1 with the protective cover arranged in the first position of fig. 3;

- Figure 5 ? a plan view of the closure of FIG. 1 with the protective cover arranged in a second position;

- Figure 6 ? an isometric view of the closure of fig. 1 with the protective cover arranged in the second position of fig. 5; - Figure 7 ? a lateral section, according to a vertical section plane, of the closure of the invention of fig. 1 in rest position; - The figure 8 ? a lateral section according to a vertical section plane, of the closure of the invention of fig. 1, when? exerted pressure on the activation means;

- Figure 9 ? an isometric view of the closure of fig. 1 applied to a container;

- Figure 10 ? a sectioned side view, according to a vertical sectional plane, of the closure of fig. 1 applied to a container of fig. 9.

- Figure 11 ? an exploded top isometric view of a second embodiment of the closure of the invention;

- Figure 12 ? an exploded bottom isometric view of the closure of fig. 11;

- Figure 13 ? a lateral section, according to a vertical section plane, of the closure of the invention of fig. 11 in rest position;

- Figure 14 ? a lateral section according to a vertical section plane, of the closure of the invention of fig. 11, when? exerted pressure on the activation means.

The closure of the invention for containers suitable for containing a liquid, preferably a carbonated liquid, is represented in a first preferred embodiment in figs. 1 and 2, where ? indicated as a whole with 1 and according to a second preferred embodiment in figs. 11 and 14, where ? indicated as a whole with 51. In particular, the closure 1 and the closure 51 of the invention are of the removable type with respect to the container 100, as will be seen detailed below.

As regards the closure 1 according to the first embodiment, it comprises a main body 2 in which ? defined a housing 3 delimited by a base 4 and side walls 5 and in which ? defined a through hole 6.

Preferably, the side walls 5 of the main body 2, at their outer surface, have a concave shape so as to make it more the grip by a user of the closure 1 is secure, when the latter grips these side walls 5 with his own fingers in order to carry out the removal of the same closure 1 from the container 100. Isn't it? excluding, however, that this outer surface of the side walls 5, according to different embodiments of the invention, can be smooth or have a convex shape.

Furthermore, always according to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the side walls 5 are defined with a non-slip surface, in particular, with a saw-tooth shaped surface, with the various teeth oriented in the opening direction of the closure 1 with respect to the container 100.

As far as this housing 3 is concerned, as can be seen in fig. 1, it ? configured to be placed facing outwards, when closure 1 ? applied to a container, the latter indicated with 100.

According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the housing 3 has a circular shape.

Furthermore, according to the preferred embodiment of the invention, inside the housing 3, in correspondence with the aforementioned through hole 6? a tubular body 7 is defined, having a height h1 starting from the base 4, as indicated in fig. 7.

Furthermore, still according to the preferred embodiment of the invention, in the housing 3 of the main body 2 is defined a plurality? of radial ribs 8 which extend between the side walls 5 and the central point of the same housing 3. The function of these radial ribs 8 ? that of reinforcing the structure of the main body 2. Furthermore, the presence of these radial ribs 8 in the housing 3 determines the subdivision of the internal volume defined by the housing 3 itself and consequently allows to slow down, if not even prevent, the leakage of the liquid presents inside the container 100 once the closure 1 has been activated to perform the opening.

The closure 1 of the invention also comprises a secondary element 9, movable with respect to the main body 2 at the wall 4a of the base 4 of the latter, opposite the housing 3, as shown in the sections of figs. 7 and 8.

The secondary element 9, in particular, can? assume a rest position with respect to the aforementioned base 4, as can be seen in fig. 7, according to which it is substantially in contact with the aforementioned wall 4a, closing the through hole 6.

Preferably but not necessarily, this secondary element 9 has a generally cylindrical shape.

Still according to the preferred embodiment of the invention, this secondary element 9 comprises a sealing ring 10, in particular an O-ring, configured to implement a sealing type coupling with this relative 4a, in correspondence with the aforementioned rest position.

Not ? excluding that, according to alternative embodiments of the invention, said sealing ring 10 can have an ?L? so as to allow a hermetic coupling both with the wall 4a and with the internal walls of the through hole 6.

For the reasons which will be clarified below, according to the preferred embodiment, preferably but not necessarily, the wall 4a, at least in correspondence with the section able to come into contact with the secondary element 9, is defined as lying on an inclined plane with respect to the plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the main body 2. In particular, this plane on which the wall 4a lies, defines an angle greater than 90° with the longitudinal axis of the main body 2.

Furthermore, preferably but not necessarily, the wall 4a itself has a concave shape.

This feature, advantageously, allows the gas present inside the container 100 to flow towards the center of the same wall 4a when the closure 1 is activated for opening. Again, preferably but not necessarily, this wall 4a has a lattice structure in relief, not shown in the figures, so as to define a plurality of of areas, substantially separated from each other, in order to channel and divide the gas present inside the container 100 and distribute the most? the pressure exerted by the same gas on the wall 4a is homogeneously possible.

Furthermore, this raised reticular structure also allows to reduce the surface movement of the liquid present inside the same container 100.

As regards the closure 1 of the invention according to the first preferred embodiment, it comprises activation means 11 which in turn comprise a depressible section 12.

According to the aforementioned first preferred embodiment, as visible in figs. 7 and 8, these activation means 11 comprise a rigid body 26 with a discoidal shape coupled, to the main body 2, in correspondence with the housing 3, and the depressible section 12 ? integrally defined in the aforementioned rigid body 26.

In other words, the activation means 11 are made as a single body.

Preferably, this depressible section 12 ? made of flexible material.

In particular, these activation means 11 are coupled, in correspondence with the housing 3, to the main body 2, in such a way that the same depressible section 12 is able to be depressed manually in order to allow the removal of the secondary element 9 with respect to the wall 4a, as shown in fig. 8, in turn defining a space capable of allowing communication of the inside of the container 100 with the external environment, through the aforementioned through hole 6.

Consequently, this communication allows the expulsion of a pressurized gas present inside the same container 100.

The preferred embodiment of the invention provides that between the base 4 of the main body 2 and the inner wall of the activation means 11, in correspondence with the depressible section 12, elastic compression means are interposed, not shown in the figures, able to exert opposing thrusts on the base 4 and on the inner wall of the activation means 11 in order to keep the secondary element 9 in the aforementioned rest position with respect to the same base 4.

Preferably, these compression elastic means are made by molding together with the activation means 11.

Alternatively, these elastic compression means can comprise a helical compression spring or two or more springs. cup springs arranged in series and capable of exerting these opposing thrusts.

According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the depressible section 12 comprises a compression disk 13 and a stem 14, projecting downwards from this compression disk 13.

As can be seen in Figs. 7 and 8, this rod 14, when the activation means 11 are coupled to the main body 2, is slidably inserted in the through hole 6 and, moreover, is fixedly coupled with its end? free 14a to secondary element 9.

According to the preferred embodiment, this coupling between the stem 14 and the secondary element 9 is obtained by making a thread and a counter-thread respectively on? free 14a and on the same secondary element 9.

Not ? excluding, however, that according to other alternative embodiments of the invention, this coupling can be obtained by realizing a quick coupling system between the aforementioned end? release 14a and the secondary element 9, such as for example a bayonet or other type of coupling system.

In this way, advantageously, the lowering of the stem 14 of the activation means 11 inside the through hole 6, caused by the depression of the compression disk 13, causes the lowering of the secondary element 9, as visible in fig. 8. The distance traveled by this secondary element 9 ? very contained, but sufficient to define the aforementioned space and allow the expulsion of a small quantity? of gas from the container 100 to relieve the pressure inside the container 100 itself. The secondary element 9 does not move sufficiently downwards to influence the liquid level which would otherwise cause an upward force on the liquid itself and an outflow of the latter from the container 100. After this operation of removing the pressure inside the container 100, it will be? it is easy to remove the closure 1 from the container itself, preferably by unscrewing the latter, while avoiding the leakage of the liquid contained in the container 100 itself.

Also, the initial gas ejection ? controlled so that the liquid remains carbonated and does not flatten.

The closure 1 of the invention also comprises a protective cover 15 removably applied above the depressible section 12, as visible in figs. from 3 to 6.

This protective cover 15, advantageously, when applied above the depressible section 12, as shown in figs. 3 and 4 and in the section of fig. 7, allows to avoid the accidental activation of the pressure leakage from the container 100.

According to the invention, as can be seen in the exploded views of figs. 1 and 2 and in the details of figs. 3 to 6 and in the sections of figs. 7 and 8, the through hole 6 and the depressible section 12 are defined, respectively on the housing 3 of the main body 2 and on the activation means 11, in a decentralized position.

even more preferably, because according to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the activation means 11 have a discoidal shape and the housing 3 has a circular shape, the depressible section 12 and the through hole 6 are defined within one of the two semicircles identifiable on the circular surfaces of these elements.

Clearly, the through hole 6 and the depressible section 12 are defined on these surfaces so as to be mutually concentric when the activation means 11 are coupled to the main body 2, in correspondence with the housing 3.

Always according to the invention, ? provided that the protective cover 15 is hinged on the activation means 11 so as to pass from a first position, according to which the same protective cover 15 is applied above the depressible section 12, within the perimeter defined by the activation means 11, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, to a second position, according to which this protective cover 15 allows access to the depressible section 12, but in any case, also in this case, it is positioned within the perimeter defined by the activation means 11, as represented in figs. 5 and 6.

Clearly this protective cover 15 ? also configured to switch from the aforementioned second position to the first position.

Advantageously, the fact that for both positions, i.e. both in correspondence with the first position, to protect the depressible section 12, and in correspondence with the second position, which allows a user to intervene on this depressible section 12, the protective cover 15 is arranged close to the same activation means 11, within the perimeter of the latter, it decreases, if not eliminates, the possibility of possible damages of the same protective cover 15, and therefore makes it more? the closure 1 of the invention is robust, for its possible reuse.

Furthermore, this configuration minimizes the encumbrance of the closure of the invention.

According to the preferred embodiment, for which the activation means 11 have a discoidal shape, the protective cover 15 is hinged along a diametrical direction of the same activation means 11.

Again, preferably but not necessarily, the protective cover 15 is equipped with first quick coupling and release means 16 and the activation means 11 are equipped with second quick coupling and release means 17, complementary to the aforementioned first quick coupling and release means 16. These first and second quick coupling and release means 16 and 17, allow the protective cover 15, when arranged in correspondence with the first position or the second position, to remain in these positions, avoiding its accidental movement.

Clearly, when the user presses a sufficient traction force on this protective cover 15, the user himself? able to decouple the first quick coupling and release means 16 from the second quick coupling and release means 17, thus succeeding? to vary the position of the aforementioned protective cover 15.

Furthermore, according to the aforementioned first preferred embodiment of the invention, this protective cover 15 has at the end opposite to? extremity? hinged to the activation means 11, a slot 22 defined in a direction substantially parallel to the hinge direction, so as to facilitate gripping of this protective cover 15 by means of a user's finger nail. This advantageously makes it easier to move the aforementioned protective cover 15.

Furthermore, the protective cover 15, in correspondence with its surface suitable for facing the depressible section 12 in correspondence with the aforementioned first position, has a concave shape 23, so as to avoid accidental contact of the aforementioned surface with the same depressible section 12 and therefore in order to avoid an involuntary escape of the gas present inside the container 100.

The first preferred embodiment of the invention, as can be seen in fig. 1 and in the sections of figs. 7 and 8, provides that the main body 2 comprises a rigid element 18 projecting from the base 4 inside the housing 3 for a height h2.

In particular, this rigid element 18 ? defined in the housing 3 in a symmetrical position with respect to the through hole 6 according to an axis of symmetry of the same housing 3, so that, when the activation means 11 are applied to the main body 2, the latter are in contact with this rigid element 18, at a section 19 different from the aforementioned depressible section 12. In particular, the extension height h2 of this rigid element 18 is greater than the height h1 of the tubular body 7 defined around the through hole 6. This? it means that when the activation means 11 are applied to the main body 2 they are not in contact with the tubular body 7, while they are in contact, as previously mentioned, with the rigid element 18.

even more especially, since the preferred embodiment of the closure 1 of the invention provides that the housing 3 has a circular shape and the activation means 11 have a discoidal shape, the rigid element 18? defined in a symmetrically opposite position with respect to the through hole 6 according to an axis of symmetry corresponding to a diameter of the same housing 3 and in the same way this section 19 ? identifiable on the surface of the activation means 11 in a symmetrically opposite position with respect to the depressible section 12, according to an axis of symmetry corresponding to a diameter of the same activation means 11. In particular, this last axis of diametrical symmetry corresponds to the diametrical direction along which the protective cover 15 ? hinged to the activation means 11. The presence of the aforementioned rigid element 18, when the protective cover 15 is arranged in the aforementioned first position, or when ? arranged above the depressible section 12, it advantageously prevents accidental contact with this section 19 from moving the secondary element 9 downwards, allowing the involuntary escape of the gas inside the container 100. In other words, the presence of the rigid 18 avoids any bending of the activation means, if not exclusively in the depressible section 12.

A further aspect of the closure 1 of the invention, according to the first preferred embodiment, is relating to the fact that the side walls 5 of the main body 2 comprise first coupling means 20, which can be reversibly coupled to corresponding second coupling means 101 defined on the container 100, as visible in figs. 1, 7, 8, 9 and 10.

even more in particular, said first coupling means 20 comprise a thread 21, preferably a thread facing outwards, and said second coupling means 101 comprise a counter-threading 102, preferably an internal counter-threading.

The fact that the counter-threading 102 on the container 100 is made inwards, allows, once the closure 1 has been unscrewed and removed, to avoid contact of the user's mouth with this counter-threading 102, which could otherwise cause skin irritation or damage. The external surface of the container 100 can then be totally smooth.

As can always be observed in the aforementioned figures, according to the preferred embodiment of the invention, in correspondence with the side walls 5? an annular housing 24 is defined inside which the first coupling means 20 are defined, in particular the thread 21 facing outwards, so that this thread 21 can be coupled to the internal counter-threading 102 of the container 100 and to the the side walls 5 in the same way, when the cap ? applied to the container, allow the upper edge of the container 100 to be protected from direct contact with the external environment.

There? allows, advantageously, to keep the pi? can the edge of the container 100 on which the user rests be sanitized? the mouth once the closure has been removed 1.

Furthermore, according to the preferred embodiment of the invention described up to now, on this housing defined in the side walls 5? a sealing ring 25 has been inserted, in particular an O-Ring, to allow a hermetic closure between the container 100 and the closure 1. As regards the material used to make the aforementioned elements constituting the closure 1 of the invention, it? preferably PETG.

However, not ? except that according to different embodiments of the invention, these elements can be made with any material suitable for use as a closure for a container. They could, for example, be made from a silicone, plastic or biodegradable material. Also, isn't it? excluding that the various elements which make up the closure 1 of the invention can be made of different materials.

As indicated above, will we proceed? now to describe a second preferred embodiment of the closure of the invention, represented in figs. from 11 to 14, where ? indicated overall with the number 51.

This second embodiment of the invention, unless otherwise specified, has the same characteristics as the first embodiment previously described. In this regard, all the characteristics of the first embodiment of the invention which are believed to be found also in the second embodiment of the invention, briefly described, will be indicated in Figs. from 11 to 14 and in the following description with the same numerical reference used for this first embodiment of the invention.

In detail, this second preferred embodiment differs substantially from the first embodiment described above in the construction of the activation means 11.

even more particularly, as can be seen in Figs. 11 and 12, the activation means 11, according to this second preferred embodiment, comprise a rigid body 56 with a discoidal shape and provided with a through hole 57. The rigid body 56? coupled at the housing 3 so that the through hole 57 of the rigid body 56 is arranged in a coaxial position with respect to the through hole 6 of the main body 2.

Furthermore, again as shown in Figs. 11 and 12, the activation means 11 also comprise a pressure element 58 separate from the rigid body 56 and defining the depressible section 12. The pressure element 58 is associated with the rigid body 56 on the opposite side of the housing 3.

The aforementioned second preferred embodiment of the closure 51 of the invention provides that elastic compression means 59 are interposed between the base 4 of the main body 2 and the pressure element 58, capable of exerting opposite thrusts on the base 4 and on the wall internal part of the pressure element 58, in order to keep the secondary element 9 in the aforementioned rest position with respect to the same base 4.

Preferably, these compression elastic means are made by molding together with the pressure element 58.

Alternatively, these elastic compression means 59 can comprise a helical compression spring or two or more? cup springs arranged in series and capable of exerting these opposing thrusts.

As previously mentioned, a container 100 suitable for containing a liquid, preferably a carbonated liquid, is also part of the invention.

In particular, this container 100 can be a wine or beer glass, although it may take any other shape and may be made of any material.

According to the invention, this container 100 comprises the closure 1 of the invention applied to the top in a removable manner, having the characteristics described above.

On the basis of what has been said, the closure for containers of the invention and the container comprising this closure of the invention achieve all the purposes indicated above.

Particularly, ? achieved the aim of realizing a closure for containers capable of allowing the escape of a pressurized gas inside the same container in a controlled manner before the closure is removed.

Another aim achieved by the invention ? the creation of an easily reusable closure for containers.

Again, the aim achieved by the invention? the creation of an easy-to-use closure for containers.

Not the last goal achieved? the creation of a closure for containers that is robust and not prone to accidental breakage and damage.

Claims (12)

1) Closure (1) for containers suitable for containing a liquid, preferably a carbonated liquid, said closure (1) comprising: - a main body (2) in which ? defined as a housing (3) delimited by a base (4) and side walls (5) and in which ? a through hole (6) is defined, said housing (3) being capable of facing outwards when said closure (1) is? applied to a container (100); - a secondary element (9), movable with respect to said main body (2) at the wall (4a) of said base (4), opposite to said housing (3), said secondary element (9) having a rest position according to which it is substantially in contact with said wall (4a) closing said through hole (6); - activation means (11) comprising a depressible section (12), said activation means (11) being coupled in correspondence with said housing (3), said depressible section (12) being capable of being manually depressed so as to allow ?removal of said secondary element (9) with respect to said wall (4a), defining a space capable of placing the inside of said container (100) in communication with the external environment through said through hole (6) and allowing the? expulsion of a pressurized gas present inside said container (100); - a protective cover (15) removably applied above said depressible section (12); characterized by the fact that: - said through hole (6) and said depressible section (12) are defined respectively on said main body (2) and on said activation means (11) in a decentralized position; - said protective cover (15) being hinged on said activation means (11) so as to pass from a first position, according to which said protective cover (15) ? applied above said depressible section (12), within the perimeter defined by said activation means (11), to a second position, according to which said protective cover (15) allows access to said depressible section (12) and in any case it is positioned within said perimeter defined by said activation means (11), and vice versa. 2) Closure (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said depressible section (12) comprises a compression disk (13) and a stem (14) projecting downwards from said compression disk (13), said stem (14) being slidably inserted in said through hole (6) of said main body (2) and being fixedly coupled with its end? free (14a) to said secondary element (9). 3) Closure (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the side walls (5) of said main body (2) comprise first coupling means (20), which can be reversibly coupled to corresponding second coupling means ( 101) defined on said container (100). 4) Closure (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that said first coupling means (20) comprise a thread (21) and said second coupling means (101) comprise a counter-thread (102). 5) Closure (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that said thread (21) ? an outward-facing thread and said counter-thread (102) ? an internal counter thread. 6) Closure (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said main body (2) comprises a plurality of of radial ribs (8) which extend between said side walls (5) and the central point of said housing (3). 7) Closure (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said main body (2) comprises a rigid element (18) projecting from said base (4) inside said housing (3) in a symmetrical position with respect to to said through hole (6) so that, when said activation means (11) are applied to said main body (2), said activation means (11) are in contact with said rigid element (18) at a section (19) different from said depressible section (12). 8) Closure (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: - said activation means (11) have a discoidal shape, wherein said protective cover (15) ? hinged along a diametral direction of said activation means (11); - said housing (3) has a circular shape, wherein said through hole (6) and said rigid element (18) are defined in mutually symmetrically opposite positions according to an axis of symmetry corresponding to a diameter of said housing (3). 9) Closure (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said secondary element (9) comprises a sealing ring (10) able to be placed in support on said wall (4a) of said base (4) of said main body (2), in correspondence with said rest position. 10) Closure (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said activation means (11) comprise: - a rigid body (56) with a discoidal shape and provided with a through hole (57), said rigid body (56) being coupled in correspondence with said housing (3) so that said through hole (57) of said rigid body ( 56) is arranged in a coaxial position with respect to said through hole (6) of said main body (2); - a pressure element (58) distinct from said rigid body and defining said depressible section (12), said pressure element (58) being associated with said rigid body (56) on the opposite side of said housing (3). 11) Closure (1) according to any one of claims from 1 to 9, characterized in that said activation means (11) comprise: - a disk-shaped rigid body (26) coupled in correspondence with said housing (3); - said depressible section (12) being integrally defined in said rigid body (26). 12) Container adapted to contain a liquid, preferably a carbonated liquid, characterized in that it comprises a closure according to any one of the preceding claims.