IT202100013646A1 - CLOSING CAP FOR BOTTLES - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

Attached to patent application for INDUSTRIAL INVENTION entitled:

?CLOSURE CAP FOR BOTTLES?

The present invention relates to a cap for bottles. In particular, the invention refers to a cap of the ?flip-top? type? equipped with a lid hinged to the body of the cap and configured to define a snap-close position by means of mechanical interference.

even more in particular, the present invention relates to a stopper for small bottles, generally used for example in the cosmetic or pharmaceutical fields.

As is known, flip-top caps for bottles consist of a body configured to be engaged with the neck of the bottle, for example by means of an internal threaded portion or by suitable undercuts for mechanical coupling to the neck.

On the top surface? of the body of the cap, an opening of reduced dimensions is provided for the passage of the product, typically in liquid or semi-liquid form, housed inside the bottle. The width of the opening? sized to determine a predefined flow rate of the product leaving the bottle.

The body of the cap also has a lid associated with the body itself by means of a hinge. In this way, thanks to the hinge, the lid always remains anchored to the body of the cap even during the opening phase. Generally, the body, the lid and the hinge are made in one piece, in a single plastic material in order to simplify the manufacturing operations by molding the entire cap.

In this situation, the hinge? consisting of a flap protruding from the body of the cap and configured to be plastically deformable and allow the lid to be positioned in both open and closed conditions. However, the flip-top caps described above have some application limitations linked to the fluid sealing action of the cap.

In fact, it should be noted that the flip-top caps, in the respective condition of closure of the lid, must guarantee the seal of the fluid to avoid the involuntary leakage of the product.

Therefore, the fluid seal does not allow passages towards the outside of both the product in liquid form and the gases/vapours generated by the product itself and contained in the bottle.

In this context, the presence inside the bottle of gaseous products active against oxygen can cause a variation in internal pressure with the consequent deformation of the bottle.

In other words, the action of these active products can lower the pressure inside the bottle making it collapse on itself? itself and therefore damaging the entire ornamental aspect of the bottle.

In this context, the sealing action of the flip-top cap therefore does not allow for an action to regulate the pressure inside the bottle. To solve this drawback, seals are also provided which are made of transpiring material and can be fastened directly onto the neck of the bottle. The seal, in the form of a membrane, holds the liquid or semi-liquid product inside the bottle while allowing the gaseous passage.

In this case, the flop-top cap is then placed over the neck already. equipped with the transpiring seal, always guaranteeing a gaseous exchange with the outside of the bottle. In other words, suitable openings are provided between the neck and the cap in order to define a passage of gaseous fluid through the cap.

Even this solution, however, not ? free from drawbacks.

In fact, in this case an additional operation is foreseen on the filling line suitable for applying the seal with the consequent increase in production costs.

In addition, to dispense the product, the end user must temporarily remove the cap to detach the seal from the neck of the bottle. Also in this case, therefore, there is an additional manual action with the consequent drawbacks in terms of practicality. of use.

Finally, it should be noted that to allow gaseous exchange towards the outside, the cap positioned above the neck (and above the seal) in the closed condition must in any case guarantee the passage of fluid.

Consequently, during use of the product by the end user, once the seal has been removed from the neck of the bottle, the cap does not come off. more able to avoid the possible leakage of the liquid product.

In this context, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a closure cap for vials capable of solving the above mentioned drawbacks of the prior art.

In particular, the purpose of the present invention ? prepare a closure cap for bottles that is able to maintain the seal of the liquid or solid product and at the same time guarantee the exchange of gases from inside the bottle to the external environment and vice versa.

In this context, the purpose of the invention? that of regulating the pressure inside the bottle in order to avoid any collapse and deformation of the bottle itself.

The technical task specified and the aims specified are substantially achieved by a closure cap for bottles in accordance with the appended claims.

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly from the indicative and therefore non-limiting description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of a closure cap for vials.

This description will set forth below with reference to the attached drawings, provided for indicative and, therefore, non-limiting purposes only, in which: - figure 1 shows a perspective view of a closure cap in accordance with the present invention and in a respective position of lid opening;

figure 2 shows a perspective view of the cap of figure 1 in a closed condition of the lid and applied to a respective bottle; - figures 3 and 4 show lateral elevation and sectional views of the cap according to the present invention and respectively in the closed and open condition of the lid.

With reference to the accompanying figures, the reference number 1 globally indicates a closure cap for bottles 100, preferably of small dimensions and typically used in the cosmetic or pharmaceutical field for containing liquid and semi-liquid products.

However, it should be specified that cap 1 can? be used for any type of bottle, suitable for containing any product in solid or liquid form.

With particular reference to figures 1 and 2, the closure cap 1 according to the present invention ? of the type called ?flip-top?.

In particular, the cap 1 comprises a body 2 having an internally hollow shape to allow coupling to the neck (not described and illustrated in detail) of the respective bottle 100.

In greater detail, the body 2 has a substantially cylindrical shape with a circular section and defines a cylindrical side wall 3 internally equipped with a respective system for coupling to the neck of the bottle 100. For example, the internal surface of the side wall 3 can? be equipped with a thread (shown in figures 3 and 4) to make the cap 1 screwable to the neck of the bottle 100. Alternatively, the internal surface of the side wall 3 can? be provided with undercuts for a fit by mechanical interference with the neck of the bottle 100.

The body 2 also has a top wall? 4 which has a substantially circular peripheral development and lies on a plane perpendicular to the development of the cylindrical side wall 3.

The top wall? 4 defines an internal surface 4a facing the bottle 100 and an external surface 4b opposite the internal surface 4a and facing outwards.

On the top wall? 4 ? a through opening 5 for dispensing the product contained in the bottle 100 is obtained. The opening 5 develops as illustrated in the sectional views of figures 3 and 4 between the internal surface 4a and external 4b of the wall 4.

Preferably, the through opening 5 ? placed in an area close to the side edge of the wall 4 in order to facilitate the spillage of the product contained in the bottle 100.

The cap 1 further comprises a cover 6 which is movable between a closed condition (figures 2 and 3) in which ? removably constrained to the outer surface 4b of the top wall? 4 to occlude the opening 5, and an open condition (figures 1 and 4) in which ? removed from the top wall? 4 to free the aforementioned opening 5.

In greater detail, the lid 6 has a substantially circular shape with a respective peripheral edge 6a which can be connected to the edge of the top wall by mechanical interference. 4.

The lid 6 has an internal surface 6b which in the closed condition? facing the external surface 4b of the wall 4. Again, the lid 6 comprises a pin 7 extending from the internal surface 6b and configured to be inserted, in the respective closed condition, inside the through opening 5. In this way, in the closed condition of the lid 6, the pin 7 defines a seal to prevent the passage of any fluid through the opening 5.

To switch the lid 6 between the respective open and closed conditions, a hinge 8 is preferably provided engaged between the lid 6 and the body 2 of the cap 1. In this situation, the lid 6, the hinge 8 and the body 2 are made in a single body, preferably made of plastic material obtainable by known molding techniques.

The hinge 8 develops in the form of a union flap between the body 2 and the lid 6 and ? advantageously deformable to define the open and closed conditions in which the lid 6 is overturned around an axis defined by the hinge 8 itself.

It should be noted that in the open condition the lid 6 remains constrained to the body 2 by means of the hinge 8.

Advantageously, the lid 6 in the closed condition defines in collaboration with the peripheral edge of the top wall? 4 a gaseous exchange passage 9 with the outside of the cap.

In other words, on the opposite side of the hinge 8 there is a section in which the lid 6 in the closed condition is not? sealing abutment on the wall 4. Advantageously, the edge 6a of the lid 6 is for a short distance separated from the wall 4 in order to define the cited passage 9 which allows, even in the closed condition, to put the internal fluid into communication of cap 1 with the external environment.

The cap 1 further comprises a gaseous exchange valve 10 engaged in the top wall of the cap. 4 and spaced from the through opening 5.

In particular, the gaseous exchange valve 10 comprises at least one membrane 11 made of transpiring and water-repellent material. This membrane 11 ? configured to allow the passage of gas from inside the bottle 100 to the external environment and vice versa and, at the same time, avoid the passage of the product in liquid or solid form contained in the bottle 100.

The membrane 11 made in the form of a disk ? housed permanently inside a cavity? loop 12 obtained in the top wall? 4 and extending between the internal surface 4a and external 4b of the wall 4 itself.

The cavity? 12 ? preferably spaced from the opening 5 and in an area substantially opposite to the area of the opening 5 for dispensing the product contained in the bottle 100.

In any case, it should be specified that the area and size of the cavity? 12 and of the respective valve 10 pu? be any according to specific needs? operational.

Is the membrane 11 retained inside the cavity? 12 by means of a pair of sealing rings 13 constrained to each other and housed inside the cavity? 12.

In more detail, a first ring 13 ? bound inside the cavity? 12 and a second ring 13 ? superimposed on the first ring in such a way as to emerge above the external surface 4b of the wall 4. In this situation, the membrane 11 is interposed and held between the two rings 13.

Advantageously, in accordance with a first manufacturing technique, are the rings 13 overmolded in the top wall? 4 and inside the cavity? 12.

Alternatively, the rings 13 can be constrained by mechanical interference inside the cavity 12.

Finally, it should be noted that the lid 6 in the respective closed condition has the internal surface 6b spaced from the valve 10 in order to always allow gaseous exchange.

In fact, even in the closed condition of the lid 6, the passage 9 ensures the gaseous exchange. Therefore, regardless of the position of the lid 6, the cap 1 allows a continuous passage and exchange of gaseous fluids from the inside of the bottle 100 to the outside and vice versa.

In this way, the pressure value inside the bottle 100 always remains constant and regulated on the pressure value of the external environment, preserving the bottle from any deformation due to pressure variations.

The plug 1 is also constructively simple and of low cost, as well as simple in the manufacturing phases as it does not imply an additional action on the bottle.

Finally, the water-repellent and transpiring membrane 11 holds the product inside the bottle 100, avoiding the accidental spillage of the product itself both in the open and closed condition of the lid 6.

Claims (10)

1. Closing cap for vials, comprising: - a body (2) having an internally hollow shape defined by a side wall (3) configured to be engageable to the neck of a respective bottle (100) and by a top wall? (4), called the top wall? (4) presenting an internal surface (4a) facing the bottle (100) and an external surface (4b) opposite the internal surface (4a), called the top wall? (4) also having a through opening (5) for dispensing a product contained in the bottle (100) extending between the inner (4a) and outer (4b) surfaces of the wall (4) itself; - a lid (6) movable between a closed condition in which ? removably constrained to the outer surface (4b) of the top wall? (4) to occlude the opening (5) and an open condition in which ? removed from the top wall? (4) to clear said opening (5); and - a hinge (8) engaged between the lid (6) and the body (2) and configured to define said open and closed conditions of the lid (6); characterized in that it also comprises a gas exchange valve (10) engaged in said top wall? (4) and spaced from the through opening (5). 2. Cap according to the preceding claim, wherein said gas exchange valve (10) comprises at least one transpiring and water-repellent membrane (11) to allow the passage of gas from inside the bottle (100) to the external environment and vice versa and to avoid the passage of the product in liquid or solid form contained in the bottle (100). 3. A cap according to the preceding claim, wherein the membrane (11) is housed inside a cavity? loop (12) obtained in the top wall? (4) and extending between the internal (4a) and external (4b) surfaces of the wall (4) itself. 4. Cap according to the preceding claim, wherein said gaseous exchange valve (10) comprises a pair of sealing rings (13) connected to each other and housed inside the cavity. through (12); said membrane (11) being interposed and held between the two rings (13). 5. A cap according to the preceding claim, wherein said rings (13) are overmolded in said top wall? (4) and inside the cavity? (12). 6. Cap according to claim 4, wherein said rings (13) are constrained by mechanical interference inside the cavity (12). 7. A cap according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said lid (6) in the closed condition? spaced from said valve (10) to allow gaseous exchange. 8. Cap according to the preceding claim, wherein said lid (6) in the closed condition defines in collaboration with the peripheral edge of the top wall? (4) a gaseous exchange passage (9) with the outside of the cap (1). 9. Cap according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said lid (6) comprises a pin (7) extending from an internal surface (6b) facing, in the respective closed condition, the external surface (4b) of the top wall. (4); said pin (7) being insertable, in the respective closed condition, inside the opening (5) to define a fluid seal in the opening (5) itself. 10. Cap according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said lid (6), hinge (8) and body (2) are made in a single body; said hinge (8) being elastically deformable to define said open and closed condition of the lid (6).