MX2012001777A

MX2012001777A - Dispenser-cap device for a beverage bottle, in particular an alcoholic beverage bottle.

Info

Publication number: MX2012001777A
Application number: MX2012001777A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Maurizio Sorze
Original assignee: Gefit Spa
Priority date: 2009-08-11
Filing date: 2010-08-10
Publication date: 2012-06-19
Also published as: CN101993025B; RU2470845C2; ES2441846T3; WO2011018694A1; CN101993025A; IN2012DN02100A; CO6511216A2; CN102596743B; EP2464578B1; CN102596743A; PL2464578T3; EA020854B1; UA101248C2; BR112012003043A2; ITMI20091462A1; IT1395158B1; EA201101196A1; EP2464578A1; RU2010133251A

Abstract

A dispenser-cap device (1) for a beverage bottle, in particular an alcoholic beverage bottle, extending substantially along an axis (A) and comprising a base body (3), connectable to a neck (7) of a bottle (2); an actuator element (4), rotatably coupled to the base body (3) and axially fixed to the base body; and a spout element (5), provided with a pour channel (51) and angularly connected to the base body (3) and axially slidable on a guide portion (8) of the base body (3) for selectively opening/closing a passage (63) communicating with the channel (51); the device being characterized by comprising a disengagement device (65) that releases angularly the spout element (5) from the base body (3) when the spout element (5) reaches a predetermined position, and allows rotation of the spout element (5) with respect to the base body ( 3 ).

Description

DISPENSING CAP DEVICE FOR A DRINK BOTTLE, IN PARTICULAR A BOTTLE OF ALCOHOL DRINK FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a dispensing lid device, that is, a closure and supply device for a beverage bottle, in particular a bottle of alcoholic beverage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The closing and supply devices for beverage bottles are known, they are adapted to adjust the amount of liquid poured and to avoid or at least make difficult a possible fraudulent re-filling of the bottle.

An example of said device is shown in the application for the International patent WO2008 / 104507; and essentially it is made of a base body fastened to the bottle neck, of an actuator element rotatably coupled to the base body and axially connected to the base body, and of a gutter element which is foldably coupled to the actuator and which is it can slide axially with respect to the base body due to the rotation of the actuator element; the gutter element angularly locked to the base body and, therefore, to the bottle, the rotation of the actuator element causes the gutter element to slide relative to the base body and moves the gutter element selectively from a closed position retracted to an open position extracted.

This device, although effective, seems that it can be further improved; in particular, a disadvantage of the described device, as well as other known devices, is that if the user insists on rotating the actuator elemer even after the gutter element is completely removed, this may cause the device to break.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a device that solves the aforementioned problems of the prior art; in particular, an object of the invention is to provide a dispensing cap device, ie, that is not only easy and reliable to use and relatively easy and inexpensive to manufacture, fully effective in its closure function as well as in preventing the bottle from is filled in fraudulently, but also avoids or at least reduces the risk of accidental breaking of the device itself.

Accordingly, the invention relates to a dispensing cap device for a bottle as defined in essential terms in appended claim 1, for preferred auxiliary features, in the dependent claims.

The dispensing lid device, according to the invention, is easy and reliable to use and relatively easy and cheap to make, completely effective in its closing function as well as to prevent the bottle from being refilled in a fraudulent manner, and at the same time it avoids or at least reduces the risk of accidental breaking of the device itself. In fact, if the user insists on rotating the actuator element even after the gutter element is completely removed, the gutter element will rotate freely, without already engaging the base body; by inverting the direction of rotation then the gutter element will return to the base body. : BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES The invention is described in detail in the following non-limiting mode, with reference to the appended figures, wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective part view of a dispensing cap device for a bottle according to the invention; Figures 2 and 3 are longitudinal sectional views of the device of Figure 1, assembled and shown in the respective operating positions; Figures 4 and 5 are respectively a perspective view and a cross-sectional view with parts removed for clarity, of the assembled device of Figure 1; Figures 6-7 and 8-9 are two partially sectioned perspective views with parts removed and two perspective cross-sectional views of the device of Figure 1, assembled and shown in respective operating positions, illustrating a further feature of the invention; Figures 10-11 are longitudinal sectional views of respective variants of the device of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In Figures 1-3, the reference number 1 indicates as a whole a dispensing lid device for a bottle 2, for example, a liquor / spirit bottle or other alcoholic beverage.

Preferably, but not necessarily, the device 1 is the same type as described in the international application for patent WO2008 / 104507, the content of which is incorporated herein as a reference, as long as it is needed to understand the present invention . In any case it is understood that the invention can also be carried out with different dispensing lid devices.

The device 1 extends substantially along the axis A and comprises a base body 3, an actuating element 4, and a gutter element 5, preferably consisting of monolithic bodies of respective plastic material.

The base body 3 comprises a coupling portion 1 for attaching to a neck 7 of the bottle 2, and a guide portion 8, which projects axially from the portion 6 to cooperate with the gutter member 5; sections 6, 8 are provided with respective axially opposed substantially substantial seats 10, 12 positioned around axis A; seats 10, 12 are delimited by respective pairs of substantially cylindrical cylindrical side walls joined together by an annular flange 13.

The base body 3 is essentially tubular and is provided with an inner chamber 20, extending through the base body 3 along the axis A and delimited by a side wall 21.

The chamber 20 has an inlet opening 25, for example essentially circular and positioned within the portion 6, and houses a movable sealing element 27, for example, a sphere cooperating with an edge of the inlet opening 25 for closing / opening selectively the inlet opening 25.

Referring also to Figures 4-5, the seat 12 is delimited by a radially inner side wall 101 and a radially outer side wall 102 which are substantially coaxial about the axis A and protrude vertically from the upper surface 103 of the flange 13 .

The inner side wall 101 is preferably an annular and continuous wall closure, and has a substantially smooth outer surface. 1 The outer side wall 102 forms a guide wall 104 which cooperates with the gutter member 5 and is formed by a plurality of wall sections 105 circumferentially arranged side by side and spaced one from the other by longitudinal grooves 106, substantially parallel to the axis A. Each wall portion 105 has a sheet plate 107 projecting from the flange 13 and in particular (but not necessarily) from a collar 108 supported by the flange 13.

Each leaf plate 107 has a root end connected to the flange 13 and a free end, opposite the root end, ending with a flange 109.

The sheet plates 107 and the wall sections 105, mainly thanks to their shape and, secondly, to the material from which they are made (plastics), are flexible and specifically deformable elastically in a substantially radial direction with respect to the axis A. Leaf plates 107 and wall sectors 105 are therefore radially flexible with respect to axis A and with respect to one another.

Each wall sector 105 or sheet plate 107 is delimited by a radially inner face 111, projected towards the axis A,. or by a radially outer face 112, substantially parallel and / or coaxial with each other.

The faces 112 are substantially smooth; the inner faces 111 have respective longitudinal notches 113 projecting radially inwardly towards the axis A and delimiting a plurality of longitudinal notches 114 angularly spaced apart and spaced from one another by the ribs.

Each rib (113) is delimited by a pair of opposite sides (115, 116): a first side (115) that is dimensioned to define a bevel or chamfer towards the adjacent groove 114 and groove 106 (i.e., facing side 115 ); a second side 116, opposite the first side 115, which is dimensioned to define a circumferential support towards the groove 114, facing the side 116.

For example, the first side 115 is curved, and specifically convex and / or chamfered or inclined towards the notch 114 which faces towards it; and the second side 116 is substantially orthogonal to the sheet plate 107.

Referring also to Figures 1-3, the actuator member 4 comprises an externally, and optionally knurled, substantially cylindrical tubular body 30, which is radially and externally adjusted with the radial clearance in the portion 6 of the base body 3, and a cover 31 that closes an upper end of the tubular body 30; the actuating element 4 is rotatably coupled with the base body 3 and is axially connected to the base body 3 by means of opposed axial supports 32, 33 projecting radially inward from an inner side surface of the tubular body 30.

The gutter element 5 comprises a hollow body 40 extending along the axis A and delimited by a substantially cylindrical side wall 41, provided with an external threaded portion 43 which engages a threaded portion 44 formed on the inner surface of the tubular body 30, and by an upper end wall 45 substantially orthogonal to the axis A. The threaded portions 43, 44 provide a threaded coupling 46 between the gutter member 5 and the actuator element 4.

The hollow body 40 is provided inside with a side exit channel 51; channel 51 is a substantially annular channel extending substantially parallel to axis A and having an exit opening 52 substantially radial with respect to axis A.

The channel 51 is delimited by a radially inner wall 55 and by a radially outer wall 56, substantially coaxial to the axis A and facing each other and bending towards the outlet opening 52.

The seat 12 defines a sliding seat for the gutter element 5: the wall 56 is axially accommodated by sliding towards the seat 12 and is provided with longitudinal radially outer edges 60 (FIG. 5) engaging the respective notches 114 of the base body 3 to form an angular connection 64, angularly blocking the gutter member 5 to the base body 3.

According to the invention, the dispensing lid device 1 comprises a decoupling device 65, essentially made of wall sections 105 or flexible sheet plates 107 which, as explained in detail below, angularly release the gutter element. 5 of the base body 3 when the gutter element 5 reaches a predetermined position and allows, by disabling the angular connection 64, the rotation of the gutter element 5 together with the actuator element 4 with respect to the base body 3.

In use, the base body 3 is firmly and immovably attached to the bottle 2 and the actuator member 4 is rotatably coupled but axially connected to the base body 3 and, therefore, to the bottle 2 (figure 5). The gutter element 5 is foldably coupled to the actuating element 4 through the threaded connection 46, formed by respective threaded portions 43, 44 and can be slid with respect to the base body 3 along the axis A due to the rotation of the actuating element 4 with respect to the base body 3 for selectively opening / closing a passageway 63 between the channel 51 and the chamber 20. In fact, because the gutter element 5 is angularly locked to the base body 3 (by angular connection 64 defined by edges 60 which engage the respective notches 114) and therefore to the bottle 2, the rotation of the actuator element; 4 causes the gutter member 5 to slide with respect to the base body 3 along the axis A, and selectively moves the gutter member 5 from a retracted closed position (FIG. 2), in which the gutter member 5 cooperates with the base body 3 and the passage 63 between the chamber 20 and the channel 51 is closed by the wall 56 inserted in the channel 51, to the maximum extracted open position (figure 3), in which the gutter element 5 is a a predetermined distance away from the base body 3 and the step 63 is open.

During the opening, by means of the threaded connection 46 between the actuator element 4 and the gutter element 5, a force is applied to the gutter element. 5 having an axial component causing the gutter element 5 to come out, and a circumferential component or torque that is discharged onto the angular connection 64 between the base body 3 and the gutter element 5. The reaction to the aforementioned pair arises from the coupling between the edges 60 of the gutter element 5 and the notches 114, and decreases progressively during the exit movement of the gutter member 5, because the torque transferred from the edges 60 to the ribs, when contacting the sides 115, rotates towards a circumferential component and within a radial component; When the resistance to bending of the sectors 105a becomes smaller than the applied radial component, the sectors 105 and the edges 60 are momentarily decoupled, this decoupling is also possible due to the radial clearance between the wall 41 of the gutter element 5 and the side wall 102 of the base body 3. The flexure of the sectors 105 determines the rotating decoupling between the gutter element 5 and the base body 3 and a consequent "click" effect.

When the gutter member 5 is in the maximum open position removed, if the user insists on rotating the actuator member 4 (e.g., counterclockwise as shown in Fig. 5) in order to extract additionally the gutter element 5 (thus continuing to loosen the gutter member 5 of the actuator member 4), the decoupling device 65 angularly releases the gutter member 5 from the base body 3: the edges 60 are pulled towards the sides of the plates with leaf 107 and, also thanks to the chamfered or inclined shape of the sides 115, the outer leaf plates 107 radially bent (ie the sectors of the wall 105); finally, the leaf plates 107 are bent radially thus allowing the gutter member 5 to rotate together with the actuator member 4.

In addition, the user is advised that he has reached the maximum open position extracted (or hit end position) upon hearing a sound (a "snap" type) due to the elastic deformation of the sheet plates 107 under the action of the edges 60 that pull them; each sheet plate 107 is bent by an edge 60 which cooperates with the rib 113 or sheet plate 107, and therefore, once the edge 60 has gone beyond the rib 113 and has entered the next notch 114 , it returns to the non-deformed position, producing a click or "click".

With reference to Figures 6-9, the device 1 also comprises, conveniently but not necessarily, a blow limitation device 120 for the return of the gutter element 5 in the seat 12: the device 120 is dimensioned in such a way that when the user rotates the actuating element 4 to close the device 1 and specifically a passage 63, this limits the return of the gutter member 5 from the maximum open position extracted to a second closing position, where the step 63 is hindered by the wall 56 but the gutter element 5 is not completely retracted, as in the initial retracted closing position, and remains elevated by a predefined measurement with respect to the base body 3 and preferably projecting axially beyond the actuating element 4 .

In particular, the device 120 comprises stop elements 121 carried by the base body 3 and selectively cooperating with respective abutment portions 122 of the gutter element 5 and acting only after a first opening of the device 1, ie after the element The gutter 5 has been brought for the first time from an initial closed position retracted to a maximum open position extracted or in any way to an intermediate open position.

In this way, the device 120 provides an immediate visual indication that the device 1 and, therefore, the bottle 2 have been opened at least for the first time.

According to the example shown in the figures, the stop elements 121 comprise a plurality of steps 123 placed in the sliding seat 12 and specifically within the respective notches 114 and circumferentially adjacent the respective ribs 113; in particular, each step 123 projects laterally from a side 116 of a rib 113 and vertically from an annular end surface 124 of the seat 12.

When the device 1 is assembled, the gutter element 5 is in the initial open retracted position (figures 6 and 8) and the edges 60 are accommodated in the respective notches 114 to define the angular connection 64; each edge 60 is accommodated in a notch 114 between two ribs 113 and positioned laterally with respect to the step 123 housed in the same groove 114; the edge 60 has a lower edge defining a stop portion 122 that slopes over the end surface 124 or is in any way in a lower position of an upper edge of the step 123 and is slightly spaced from the side 116 of the rib 113 having the step 123, while tilting or being very close to the side 115 of the adjacent rib 113; each edge 60 then has a certain angular (circumferential) space with respect to the ribs 113 between which it is inserted.

After the first opening of the device 1 (and therefore of the bottle 2 in which it is applied), the ridges 60 slide upwards in the respective notches 114 and rise on the steps 123, while the gutter element 5 is taken to the maximum open position extracted or in any way to a generic intermediate open position. During the opening movement, the edges 60 are inclined angularly against the respective sides 115 and the gutter element 5 slides axially (while the actuator element 3 continues to rotate) under the effect of the angular connection 64.

During the closing of the device 1, the rotation of the actuating element 4 initially pulls the gutter element 5 towards rotation, due to the angular free space of the edges 60 towards the notches 114; this free space is sufficient to move the edge 60 towards the notch 114 on the respective step 123. The edges 60 move angularly towards the respective notches 114 until they are inclined against the sides 116, then the gutter element 5 it slides axially (while the actuator element 4 continues to rotate) under the effect of the angular connection 64. The edges 60 slide downward until it is inclined, through the respective lower edges, defining the stop portions 122, on the steps 123 (figures 7, 9); the steps 123 prevent the additional axial impact of the edges 60 in the notches 114 thus stopping the gutter element 5 from being reinserted in the seat 12; the gutter element 5 remains raised in a visible manner with respect to the initial closing position, when retracted.

According to variants shown in Figures 10 and 11, the stop elements 121 comprise flexible elements 125 carried by the base body 3 and selectively cooperating with the respective stop portions 122 of the gutter element 5. In particular, the flexible element 125 it adjusts to selectively assume: - a rest position (left side of figures 10, 11) when the gutter element 5 is in the retracted initial closing position in which the flexible element 125 is housed in the respective channels or in a common channel 126 of the gutter element 5 and do not limit: the axial movement of the gutter element 5; Y - a blocking position (right side of figures 10, 11) when the gutter element 5 is carried to the maximum open position removed or to a generic intermediate open position, in which the flexible element 125 cooperates with the respective stop portions 122 of the gutter element 5 and limits its axial movement to the second closing position.

In particular, with reference to Figure 10, the flexible elements 125 are formed by leaf plates 107, or by respective portions 127 of the upper edge or at least some of the leaf plates 107; the flexible elements 125 are housed, in resting position, in a common channel 126 formed by an annular space obtained between the walls 41, 56 and closed from the upper side by a bent portion of the wall 56.

With reference to figure 11, the flexible elements 125 comprise flaps 128 projecting vertically or obliquely upwards from the face 103 of the flange 13 and are housed, in rest position, in a common channel 126 formed, as well as by the annular space delimited by the walls 41, 56.

In both cases, the flexible elements 125 are housed in the channel 126 in a bent or deformed shape; when they are removed from the channel 126, after the first opening of the device 1, the flexible elements 125 take on an extended or substantially non-deformed shape and couple respective stop portions 122 of the gutter element, 5 formed by an annular stop wall 128; according to figure 10, the stop wall 128 is defined by a radially internal annular projection of the wall 41, according to figure 11, the stop wall 128 is formed by a lower edge of the wall 41.

In order to avoid damage to the device 1 in case the user insists on trying to close the device 1 and bring the gutter element 5 to the closed position When initially retracted, the threaded portion 44 of the actuator member 4 has an intermediate threaded length 130 (FIG. 10) chamfered downward and having a reduced thickness (smaller) with respect to the end screw lengths 131; in this way, if the user, once the gutter element has reached the second closing position and is blocked by the device 120 insists on rotating the actuator element 4, the intermediate thread length 130 slides on the threaded portion 43 of the gutter element 5 and elastically bends towards the actuating element 5 which consequently rotates freely.

Conveniently, the thread portion 44 of the actuator member 4 has a number of double threads with respect to the thread portion 43 of the gutter member: 5, so that the thread length 130 remains engaged even after the slip.

Conveniently, to facilitate shaving of the intermediate thread portion 130, it has a relatively high step and inclination.

Eventually it is understood that the device described here and illustrated may be subjected to numerous modifications and variations that do not go beyond the appended claims.

Claims

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION Having described the present invention, it is considered as a novelty and, therefore, the content of the following is claimed as a priority: CLAIMS

1. - A dispensing lid device (1) for a beverage bottle, in particular a bottle of alcoholic beverage, extending substantially along an axis (A) and comprising a base body (3), which can be connected to a neck (7) of a bottle (2), and a gutter element (5), provided with a landfill channel (51) and angularly connected to the base body (3) and axially slidable on a guide portion (8) of the base body (3) for selectively opening / closing a passage (63) communicating with the channel (51); the device comprises a decoupling device (65) that angularly releases the gutter element (5) from the base body (3) when the gutter element (5) reaches a predetermined position, and allows the gutter element to rotate ( 5) with respect to the base body (3); the device is characterized in that the decoupling device (65) comprises a guide wall (104) of the base body (3) cooperating with the gutter element (5) and formed by a plurality of wall sectors (105) 21: placed around the axis (A) and elastically deformable in a direction substantially radial with respect to the axis (A) and with respect to each other.

2. - The device in compliance with .la claim 1, characterized in that the wall sectors (105) are circumferentially arranged side by side and separated from one another by longitudinal slits (106).

3. - The device in accordance with i I claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each wall sector (105) comprises a sheet plate (107) projecting vertically from a flange (13) of the base body (3) 'and substantially parallel to the axis (A) and has a free end. j

4. - The device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that at least some Wall sectors (105) have respective radially inner faces (111), facing the axis (A) and provided with respective longitudinal ribs (113) projecting radially inward towards the axis (A) and delimit a plurality of longitudinal notches (114) angularly spaced apart from one another by the ribs (113). :

5. - The device in accordance with the claim 4, characterized in that each rib (1Í3) is delimited by a pair of opposite sides (115, 116),. a first side (115) is dimensioned to define a chamfer or bevel and a second side (116) is dimensioned to define a circumferential support.

6. - The device in accordance with one of the previous claims, characterized in that the wall guide (104) is defined by a radially outer side wall (102) of the base body (3) delimiting, together with a radially inner side wall (101), a seat sliding (12) housing a wall (56) of the element: gutter (5) provided with radially inner edges (60) cooperating with respective notches (114) formed in the guide wall (104).

7. - The device in accordance with one of the previous claims, characterized in that the elastic deformation of the wall sectors (105) produces a click sound.

8. - The device in accordance with one of the previous claims, further comprising an actuating element (4), rotatably coupled to the base body (3) and Axially fixed to the base body and foldably coupled to the gutter member (5) by respective thread portions i (43, 44), so that the gutter element (5) is slidable with respect to the base body (3) along the axis (A) due to the rotation of the actuator element (4) with respect to the base body (3).

9. - The device according to claim 8, characterized in that the thread portion (44) of the actuator element (4) has an intermediate thread length (130) chamfered downwards and / or having a thickness smaller than the lengths of end thread (131), in a manner in which, in case of forced closing, the intermediate thread length (130) slides on the thread portion (43) of the. gutter element (5) and! the actuator element (4) consequently rotates freely to avoid damage to the device.

10. - The device according to claim 9, characterized in that the screw portion (44) of the actuator element (4) has a number of double threads with respect to the thread portion (43) of the gutter element (5), so that the intermediate thread length (130) engages the thread portion (43) of the gutter element (5) even after sliding.

11. - The device according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a blow-limiting device (120) for limiting the return stroke of the gutter element (5) and thus dimensioned to prevent the full return of the gutter element ( 5) and to maintain the gutter element (5) partially raised with respect to the base body (3) and preferably projecting axially beyond the actuator element (4).

12. - The device according to claim 11, further comprising stop elements (121) carried by the base body (3) and selectively cooperating with respective stop portions (122) of the gutter element (5) and acting only after a first opening of the device (1), that is, after the gutter element (5) has been brought for the first time from an initial closed position to an open position.

13. - The device according to claim 12, characterized in that the stop elements (121) comprise steps (123) and / or flexible elements (125), carried by the base body (3) and selectively cooperating with respective abutment portions (122) of the gutter element (5).