JP2018538209A - Container closure system - Google Patents

Abstract

The closure system (2) comprises a neck element (3) fixed to the container and a neck (4) with a retaining collar (7). The closure cap (14) secured to the neck (4) includes a closure wall (15) and a fixed skirt (16), and the tamper-evident ring (19) is fixed by a plurality of fragile elements (22). Connected to (16). The tamper-evident ring (19) has at least one flexible retaining element (23) that is hooked onto the retaining collar (7). When the closure cap is screwed in, the retaining collar (7) delimits an annular hook housing (11) suitable for at least partially supporting at least one flexible retaining element (23). The retaining collar (7) extends at least between the fixed skirt (16) and the tamper-evident ring (19) when the closure cap (14) is first loosened after opening.

Description

  The present invention relates to a container closure system.

This type of closure system is known,
A neck element having a neck including a retaining collar provided on the stop surface and secured to the container;
A closure cap including a closure wall and a fixed skirt, screwed onto the neck and fixed;
Including a plurality of fragile elements having a plurality of flexible retaining elements configured to abut against a stop surface of the retaining collar during the closure cap loosening operation and secured by the plurality of fragile elements And a tamper-evident ring that is connected to the hem.

  This kind of configuration of the retaining collar and retaining element makes the tamper-evident ring stationary during the closure cap loosening operation, thereby connecting the fixed hem and the tamper-evident ring. Allow to cause damage. This type of breakage of the fragile element ensures a simple check of any tampering of the container provided with the closure system described above.

  However, in rare cases, in view of the flexibility of the retaining elements, they can be elastically deformed, and the retaining collar can be avoided during the closure cap loosening operation. In such a case, the tamper-evident ring may fall due to gravity in a container that is provided with a closure system and into which the contents ingested by the consumer are injected.

  The aim of the present invention is to overcome this drawback.

  Therefore, the technical problem underlying the present invention is to provide a container having a closure system with a simple and economical structure, and to ensure retention on the neck by a reliable tamper-evident ring. is there.

For this purpose, the present invention relates to a container closure system,
This closure system
A neck element having a neck fixed to the container and including a flexible retaining collar;
A closure cap including a closure wall and a fixed hem and screwed onto the neck;
A tamper-evident ring having at least one flexible retaining element, for example configured to cooperate with a retaining collar and connected to a fixed hem by a plurality of brittle elements;
The neck and tamper-evident ring are configured such that when the closure cap is secured on the neck, the retaining collar delimits the annular hook housing, at least until prior to failure of the fragile element, and at least one flexible The sex retaining element is at least partially supported and configured to be hooked to an annular hook housing;
The retaining collar is configured to extend at least partially between the fixed hem and the tamper-evident ring during the initial loosening action of the closure cap on the neck after failure of the fragile element And

  This kind of configuration of the retaining collar is achieved by inserting at least one flexible retaining element into the hook housing and between the retaining collar and at least one retaining element while the container with the closure system according to the invention is first opened. It is possible to ensure the catching of. This kind of catch avoids any risk of accidental separation of the tamper-proof ring, thereby ensuring a reliable retention of the tamper-proof ring on the neck.

  Furthermore, this kind of extension of the retaining collar between the fixed hem and the tamper-evident ring is a closure according to the invention during the initial loosening action of the closure cap on the neck after failure of the fragile element. Ensure a simple check for tampering of containers equipped with the system.

  The closure system may further have one or more of the following features, alone or in combination.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, the tamper-evident ring is placed on the neck.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, the neck and tamper-opening so that the retaining collar delimits at least the annular hook housing after the failure of the fragile element until the first loosening action of the closure cap on the neck. A prevention ring is configured.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, the retaining collar has an initial position where the retaining collar extends substantially radially with respect to the neck extension axis, and a retaining position where the retaining collar bends to define the annular hook housing. Between, for example, elastically or plastically deformable.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, the tamper-evident ring is retained at least until the fragile element breaks and, for example, at least after the fragile element breaks until the first loosening action of the closure cap on the neck. The position holding collar is configured to be deformed and held.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, the tamper-evident ring is at least before the breakage of the fragile element and at least after the breakage of the fragile element and at least until the first loosening action of the closure cap on the neck. It is configured to extend around the retaining collar.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, the retaining collar has a hooking surface configured to delimit the hooking housing. Preferably, the hooking surface is bent at least before the breakage of the fragile element.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, the at least one flexible retaining element cooperates with a first surface configured to cooperate with the outer surface of the neck and with a hooking surface of the retaining collar opposite the first surface. And a second surface configured to:

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, the peripheral edge of the retaining collar defines an insertion opening that leads to an annular hook housing when the closure cap is secured on the neck, at least before the failure of the frangible element. And at least one flexible retaining element is configured to extend through the insertion opening.

  According to one embodiment of the invention, the insertion opening faces away from the closure cap.

  According to one embodiment of the invention, the tamper-evident ring has an annular portion that is connected to the fixed skirt by a fragile element, and the retaining collar has an outer diameter that is larger than the inner diameter of the annular portion.

  The annular portion is preferably configured to extend around the retaining collar when the closure cap is secured to the neck, at least until prior to failure of the fragile element.

  According to one embodiment of the invention, the outer edge of the retaining collar faces at least the inner surface of the annular part until before the fragile element breaks.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, when the closure cap is secured to the neck, the retaining collar is configured to exert a radial force on the tamper-evident ring, at least before the breakage of the fragile element. Yes.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, the neck has a stop surface that can support the tamper-evident ring after failure of the fragile element, and the distance between the retaining collar in the initial position and the stop surface is tamper-evident. It is larger than the width of the prevention ring.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, the at least one flexible retaining element has a terminal end that can be supported within an annular hook housing.

  According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one flexible retaining element extends from the annular portion of the tamper-evident ring.

  According to one embodiment of the invention, the radial dimension of the retaining collar is larger than the axial dimension of the retaining collar. In other words, the width of the holding collar is larger than the thickness of the holding collar.

  According to one embodiment of the invention, when the closure cap is secured to the neck, the outer edge of the retaining collar is against the junction area between the retaining collar and the outer surface of the neck, at least before the breakage of the brittle element. The holding collar is configured to move in the axial direction.

  According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one flexible holding element is a flexible holding flap.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, the tamper-evident ring has a plurality of flexible retaining elements distributed around its inner periphery. Preferably, the holding elements are evenly distributed on the inner periphery of the tamper-evident ring.

  According to one embodiment of the invention, the tamper-evident ring has at least one first drive element extending towards the fixed skirt and the closure cap has at least one second tread extending towards the tamper-proof ring. Drive elements. At least one second drive element moves a tamper-evident ring spaced from the fixed hem during the initial loosening action of the closure cap on the neck after failure of the fragile element; It is configured to cooperate with at least one first drive element so as to form at least one opening inspection space between the fixed skirt and the tamper-evident ring.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, at least one first drive element extends from the upper edge of the annular portion of the tamper-evident ring and at least one second drive element is the lower edge of the fixed skirt. Extending from.

  According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one first drive element has a first cam surface and the at least one second drive element is closed on the neck after the failure of the weakening element. A second cam surface configured to cooperate with the first cam surface to bias a tamper-proof ring spaced from the fixed skirt during an initial loosening operation of the cap; Have.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, the second cam surface has an annular portion of the tamper-evident ring from the fixed skirt during the initial loosening action of the closure cap on the neck after failure of the fragile element. It is configured to cooperate with the first cam surface for biasing it to be spaced apart.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, the second cam surface is substantially complementary to the first cam surface.

  According to one embodiment of the invention, each of the at least one first drive element and the at least one second drive element has a generally wave-like or wave-like shape.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, the tamper-evident ring has a plurality of first drive elements distributed along the upper edge of the annular portion and the closure cap is along the lower edge of the fixed skirt. It has a plurality of second drive elements distributed.

  According to one embodiment of the invention, the retaining collar is configured to extend at least partially in at least one open check space.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, the closure cap has an annular sealing lip for cooperating with the inner surface of the neck.

  According to an embodiment of the present invention, the neck portion comprises at least one outer fixing element and the fixing skirt is configured to cooperate with at least one outer fixing element provided on the neck. It has an inner fixing element.

  According to an embodiment of the invention, the at least one outer fixing element is an outer thread.

  According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one inner fastening element is an inner thread.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, the tamper-evident ring and, more specifically, the annular portion is located in the extension of the fixed skirt.

  According to an embodiment of the invention, the at least one retaining element is, for example, elastically or plastically, at least in an initial position in which the at least one retaining element faces the opposite side of the closure cap, and at least one retaining element is closed. It can be deformed between the hook position facing the cap.

  According to one embodiment of the invention, the neck element is fixed to the neck and has a fixing part for fixing to the container.

  According to an embodiment of the invention, the retaining collar is arranged between at least one outer fixing element and the fixing part.

  According to one embodiment of the invention, the insertion opening faces the fixed part.

  According to one embodiment of the invention, the retaining collar has a substantially umbrella-like shape, at least until the breakage of the fragile element, when the closure cap is secured on the neck.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, the closure cap and the tamper-evident ring are manufactured by injection molding.

  According to one embodiment of the invention, the neck includes an annular stop element, for example an annular stop rib, whereas at least one flexible retaining element is used during the initial closure cap loosening operation. It is comprised so that it may contact | abut. These arrangements limit movement in the direction in which the tamper-evident ring disengages during the initial closure cap loosening operation (which is greater in the absence of this type of stop element due to the flexibility of the retaining collar) Thus ensuring at least the sealing of the closure system before the failure of the fragile element.

  According to one embodiment of the invention, the annular stop element is configured to reach an annular hook housing.

  According to one embodiment of the invention, the annular stop element is arranged in the vicinity of the joining area between the retaining collar and the outer surface of the neck.

  According to one embodiment of the invention, the annular stop element is formed on the outer surface of the neck.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a closure system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the closed system of FIG. 1 in an assembled state. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the tamper-evident ring and the closure cap of the closure system of FIG. 1 as viewed from below. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the assembled closed system of FIG. 1 in an assembled state. FIG. 5 is a detailed enlarged view of FIG. FIG. 6 is a partially cutaway perspective view of the closure system of FIG. 1 showing the closure cap loosened before the brittle element connecting the closure cap and the tamper-evident ring is broken. FIG. 7 is a perspective view, partially cut away, showing the closure system of FIG. 1 during the loosening operation and showing the closure cap after failure of the fragile element. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the closure system of FIG. 1 showing the closure cap unscrewed at the neck of the closure system. 9 is a perspective view, partially cut away, of the closure system of FIG. 1, showing the tamper-proof ring in the same position as shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a closure system according to a second embodiment of the present invention showing the closure cap screw loosened against the neck of the closure system.

  The invention will be better understood by the following description with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings showing two embodiments of a closure system as non-limiting embodiments.

  1 to 9 show a container closure system 2 according to a first embodiment of the invention, for example a packaging brick or a packaging carton.

  The closure system 2 is provided with a neck element 3 which is fixed to the container. The neck element 3 is preferably injection-molded integrally with a resin material.

  As shown particularly in FIGS. 1 and 4, for example, the neck element 3 includes a tubular neck 4 extending along the expansion axis A, and a fixing portion 5 fixed to the neck 4 and fixed to the container by ultrasonic welding. And have. According to the illustrated embodiment, the fixing part 5 is annular and extends substantially radially with respect to the expansion axis A of the neck 4.

  The neck 4 comprises an outer thread 6 and a retaining collar 7 on its outer surface. The retaining collar 7 is preferably annular and flexible and is arranged between the outer thread 6 and the fixing part 5. The holding collar 7 includes a first annular surface 8 that faces the outer thread 6, and a second annular surface 9 that is opposite the first annular surface 8 and faces the fixed portion 5.

  More specifically, the holding collar 7 is elastically or plastically held in an initial position (shown in FIG. 1) called a resting position in which the holding collar 7 extends radially with respect to the expansion axis A of the neck 4, and 7 is bent and the second annular surface 9 is deformable between a holding position (shown in FIG. 4) that delimits the annular hook housing 11.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when the holding collar 7 is in its holding position, the outer edge 12 of the holding collar 7 extends axially (fixed portion 5) from the joint area between the holding collar 7 and the outer surface of the neck 4. Towards). Furthermore, when the holding collar 7 is in its holding position, the outer edge 12 extends in the hook housing 11 and delimits the insertion opening 13 towards the fixing part 5.

  The closure system 2 is provided with a closure cap 14 that is detachably fixed to the neck 4. The closure cap 14 includes a closure wall 15 and a fixed skirt 16 extending from the closure wall 15. The fixed skirt 16 includes an inner thread 17 on its inner surface configured to cooperate with the outer thread 6 of the neck 4.

  The closure cap 14 also includes an annular sealing lip 18 that cooperates with the inner surface of the neck 4.

  Furthermore, the closure system 2 is provided with a tamper-evident ring 19 that includes an annular portion 21 located in the extension of the fixed skirt 16. The annular portion 21 is connected to the fixed skirt 16 by a plurality of fragile bridges (fragile elements 22) distributed along the upper edge of the annular portion 21. The closure cap 14, the tamper-evident ring 19 and the fragile bridge (fragile element 22) are preferably molded simultaneously (integrally) by injection molding.

  According to the illustrated embodiment, the annular portion 21 has an inner diameter that is smaller than the outer diameter of the retaining collar 7.

  The tamper-evident preventive ring 19 also has a plurality of flexible retaining flap portions distributed circumferentially on the inner surface of the annular portion 21 and configured to cooperate with the second annular surface 9 of the retaining collar 7. A (flexible holding element) 23 is provided. Each flexible retaining flap 23 has an initial position called a rest position (shown in FIG. 3) in which each flexible retaining flap 23 faces away from the closure cap 14, and each flexible retaining flap 23 is closed. It can be elastically or plastically deformable between the hooking positions towards the cap 14 (see FIG. 4) and can extend through the insertion opening 13 and be at least partially supported in the hook housing 11. More specifically, each flexible holding flap portion 23 can hook the holding collar 7 in the use position.

  When the tamper-evident prevention ring 19 is placed on the neck 4, the tamper-resistant ring 19 and the holding collar 7 are formed so that the annular portion 21 extends to the periphery of the holding collar 7 and deforms the holding collar 7 to the holding position. On the other hand, the flexible holding flap portion 23 is configured to be deformed to the hooked position so as to keep. In this way, the holding collar 7 applies a force in the radial direction to the tamper-evident ring 19, particularly to the inner surface of the annular portion 21, under use conditions.

  According to the illustrated embodiment, the tamper-evident ring 19 further comprises at least one drive element 24 that extends from the upper edge of the annular portion 21 and towards the fixed skirt 16, and the closure cap 14 It further comprises at least one drive element 25 extending from the lower edge and towards the tamper-proof ring 19.

  According to the illustrated embodiment, the tamper-proof ring during the first loosening action of the closure cap 14 on the neck 4 after the breakage of the fragile element 22 and the first opening action of the container with the closure system 2 In order to move the nineteen annular portions 21 away from the fixed skirt 16 and the retaining collar 7 (see FIG. 8), the drive element 24 has a cam surface 26, A cam surface 27 is configured to be substantially complementary to and cooperate with the cam surface 26.

  According to the illustrated embodiment, each drive element 24, 25 has a wave shape or a wave-like shape as a whole.

  The tamper proof ring 19 may include a plurality of drive elements 24 distributed along the upper edge of the annular portion 21, and the closure cap 14 has a plurality of distributions distributed along the lower edge of the fixed skirt 16. A drive element 25 may be included.

  Here, the operation of the closure system 2 according to the invention is described in particular in FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when the closure cap 14 is fixed to the neck 4 and the tamper-evident ring 19 is connected to the fixed skirt 16 by a fragile bridge (fragile element 22), the flexible retaining flap 23 Is far from the hook housing 11.

  When the user rotates the closing cap 14 in the direction of loosening, the tamper-proof ring 19 connected to the closing cap 14 enters the hook housing 11 and is called a second hooking surface shown in FIG. It is driven by the closure cap 14 according to a helical movement up to the flexible retaining flap 23 towards the retaining collar 7.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 7, when the closing cap 14 is further rotated in the direction in which the screw is loosened, the fragile bridge (fragile element 22) is broken, that is, the unauthorized opening prevention ring 19 and the fixing skirt 16 are separated. Arise. It should be noted that the tamper-proof ring 19 is held in its position as shown in FIG. 7 due to the radial force applied by the holding collar 7 on the inner surface of the annular portion 21.

  When the closure cap 14 is reinserted into the neck 4 and rotated in the torsional direction, the cam surface 27 of the drive element 25 cooperates with the cam surface 26 of the drive element 24 and the tamper-evident ring 19 is moved toward the fixed part 5. The fixed skirt 16 gradually approaches the tamper-evident ring 19 until it is moved to a position away from the fixed skirt 16. After the screwing of the closing cap 14 is completed, the tamper-evident ring 19 reaches the position shown in FIG. 8, and at least one opening check space 28 is formed between the fixed skirt 16 and the tamper-evident ring 19. The arrangement of the drive elements 24, 25 thus makes it possible to easily check for any tampering of the container with the closure system 2 according to the invention.

  It should be noted that the tamper-proof ring 19 is held in its position shown in FIG. 8 due to the radial force applied by the holding collar 7 on the inner surface of the annular portion 21.

  Preferably, the neck 4 is formed on the outer surface of the neck 4 and near the joining area between the retaining collar 7 and the outer surface of the neck 4 and is configured to reach the hook housing 11. (For example, an annular stop rib) may further be included. According to this type of embodiment of the present invention, the flexible retaining flap 23, and in particular the free end of the flexible retaining flap 23, is provided with an annular stop element 29 during the initial loosening operation of the closure cap 14. It is comprised so that it may contact | abut. These arrangements are larger in the absence of this type of stop element, due to the flexibility of the retaining collar 7 during the initial loosening operation of the closure cap 14, in the direction of disengagement of the tamper-proof ring 19. The amount is limited and thus makes it possible to ensure the sealing of the closure system at least before the failure of the fragile element 22, in particular at the level of the sealing lip 18.

  FIG. 10 shows a closure system 2 according to a second embodiment of the invention, which is fundamentally different from the first embodiment shown in FIGS. A tamper-proof ring that is spaced apart from the fixed skirt 16 that is guided by the cooperation of the cam surfaces 26, 27 during the initial loosening action of the closure cap 14 on the neck 4 after the failure of the fragile element 22 After the 19 is removed, the holding collar 7 is elastically deformed, and is configured to extend at least partially between the fixed skirt 16 and the tamper-evident ring 19. More particularly, the retaining collar 7 is configured to reach at least one open check space 28 during the initial loosening action of the closure cap 14 on the neck 4. These arrangements make it possible to ensure a simple check for tampering of the container comprising the closure system 2 according to the second embodiment of the invention.

  According to the second embodiment of the invention, the retaining collar 7 is at least before the breakage of the fragile element 22 and in particular the first loosening action of the closure cap 14 on the neck 4 after the breakage of the fragile element 22. Up to at least the annular hook housing 11 and the tamper-proof ring 19 is closed at least before the breakage of the fragile element 22 and in particular on the neck 4 after the breakage of the fragile element 22 Until the first loosening operation of the cap 14, the holding collar 7 at the holding position is deformed and held.

  After the initial loosening action of the closure cap 14 on the neck 4, a part of the retaining collar 7 may still be surrounded by the tamper-proof ring 19, so that the tamper-proof ring 19 is in place. A load can be applied on the tamper-evident ring 19 in order to keep the state in place.

  Of course, the invention is not limited to the only embodiment of this closure system described above by way of example, but includes all variants thereof.

Claims (11)

In the container closure system,
A neck element (3) comprising a neck (4) having a flexible retaining collar (7) and secured to the container;
A closure cap (14) comprising a closure wall (15) and a fixed skirt (16) and screwed into the neck (4);
A tamper-evident ring (19) connected to the fixed skirt (16) by a plurality of weakening elements (22) and having at least one flexible retaining element (23);
The neck (4) and the tamper-evident ring (19) are held at least until the fragile element (22) is damaged when the closure cap (14) is fixed on the neck (4). The collar (7) is configured to delimit the annular hook housing (11);
The at least one flexible retaining element (23) is configured to be at least partially supported and hooked onto the annular hook housing (11);
The retaining collar (7) is disposed between the securing skirt (16) and the retaining skirt (16) during the initial loosening action of the closure cap (14) on the neck (4) after the fragile element (22) is damaged. A container closure system configured to extend at least partially between the tamper-evident ring (19). The container closure system according to claim 1.
The holding collar (7)
An initial position in which the retaining collar (7) extends substantially radially with respect to the expansion axis (A) of the neck (4);
Container closure system, characterized in that the retaining collar (7) can be bent and deformed between holding positions delimiting the annular hook housing (11). The container closure system according to claim 2,
The tamper-evident ring (19) is configured to deform and hold the holding collar (7) at the holding position at least before the fragile element (22) is damaged. Container closure system. The container closure system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A container closure system, wherein the tamper-evident ring (19) is configured to extend to the periphery of the retaining collar (7). The container closure system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The outer edge (12) of the retaining collar (7) is arranged so that when the closure cap (14) is fixed on the neck (4), at least before the breakage of the fragile element (22) Demarcating the insertion opening (13) appearing in the housing (11);
A container closure system, wherein the at least one flexible retaining element (23) is configured to extend through the insertion opening (13). The container closure system according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The tamper-evident ring (19) has an annular portion (21) connected to the fixed skirt (16) by the fragile element (22),
Container closure system, characterized in that the retaining collar (7) has an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the annular part (21). The container closure system according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
When the closure cap (14) is fixed on the neck (4), the retaining collar (7) is against the tamper-evident ring (19) at least until the fragile element (22) is damaged. A container closure system configured to apply a radial force. A container closure system according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The tamper-evident ring (19) comprises at least one first drive element (24) extending towards the fixed skirt (16),
The closure cap (14) comprises at least one second drive element (25) extending towards the tamper-evident ring (19);
The at least one second drive element (25) is configured to remove the tamper-evident ring (19) disposed at a distance from the fixed skirt (16), and the weak element (22) During the initial loosening action of the closure cap (14) on the neck (4) after breakage, at least one opening between the fixed skirt (16) and the tamper-evident ring (19) A container closure system configured to cooperate with the at least one first drive element (24) to form a check space (28). The container closure system according to claim 8.
The at least one first drive element (24) has a first cam surface (26);
The at least one second drive element (25) is fixed hem during the initial loosening action of the closure cap (14) on the neck (4) after failure of the weakening element (22). A second cam surface (27) configured to cooperate with the first cam surface (26) to bias the tamper-evident ring (19) disposed at a distance from the portion (16). A container closure system. 10. The container closure system according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
The neck (4) includes an annular stop element (29) configured so that the at least one flexible retaining element (23) abuts during the initial loosening action of the closure cap (14). A container closure system characterized by that. The container closure system according to claim 10.
Container closure system, characterized in that the annular stop element (29) is configured to reach the annular hook housing (11).