MXPA03009968A

MXPA03009968A - Tamper-evident closure for liquid containers, particularly bottles.

Info

Publication number: MXPA03009968A
Application number: MXPA03009968A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Battegazzore Piero
Original assignee: Guala Closures Spa
Priority date: 2002-10-31
Filing date: 2003-10-30
Publication date: 2005-04-19
Also published as: CN100354190C; CN1493506A; KR100985326B1; KR20040038799A; ITMI20022330A1

Abstract

The present invention refers to a tamper-evident closure for liquid containers and more particularly a bottle closure, which is characterized in that an upper cap (21) is introduced between a cap and a cover (29) having a tubular bushing that extends in an axial manner. The disclosure includes a first portion located on the tubular bushing (15) of the cap, a second portion (23) located on an annular skirt (20). The portions (22) and (23) are connected therebetween by a circumferential zone (24), the same being capable of braking upon opening the closure for first time, thereby the second portion (23) is separated from the first portion (22). The disclosure further comprises means (43, 44, 41, 33, 34, 38, 39) that avoid relative rotations and axial displacements to happen between the first portion (22) of the upper cap and the bushing (15) of the cap; and the cover (29), which has an aesthetic function; as well as clutch means (45, 46, 48, 49, 50) between the second portion (23) and th e skirt (20).

Description

CLOSURE WITH EVIDENT SEAL OF MANIPULATION FOR LIQUID CONTAINERS PARTICULARLY BOTTLES Description of the invention The present invention relates to a closure for liquid containers, in particular, to a closure for bottles having a hole placed at the end of the neck, the which extends in axial direction from the body of the container and is provided with a projection or annular ring that extends in radial direction around the orifice, comprising a pouring member that can not be manipulated, which is located on the orifice of the container. neck of the container, the pouring member is provided with a hole for pouring, as well as with valve means that allow the liquid to leave the container, except that it does not enter therein, an annular skirt placed around the neck clutching in axial position , on one side, with the member to pour and on the other side, with the portion that extends in the radial direction for the purpose of firmly fixing the member for pouring into the neck, a lid, with which the hole for pouring is opened and closed, having a tubular sleeve extending in the axial direction towards the outside of the member for pouring, the screw means which are located between the inner wall of the tubular sleeve of the lid and the outer wall of the REP. 150401 pouring member, which are used to tighten and loosen the cap, as well as a cover that has an aesthetic function, which is fixed in the cap and covers the latter and the relative tubular sleeve. Closures of the type mentioned above are well known in the specific art. These are commonly used to effect the closure of liquor bottles, although they are not necessarily of a high quality type, they have the main purpose of avoiding fraudulent filling with a liquor other than the original liquor and for the purpose of providing the upper end of the liquor. the bottle with a particular aesthetic value because the cover includes the lid and that it can adopt different configurations and which can be made, either with an opaque or transparent material. In a way that is known, the closure assembly of the aforementioned type is usually covered with a thermoplastic membrane capable of being retracted, which is extended in order to cover a part of the neck of the bottle and which must guarantee, with its presence, that the closure has not yet been opened and therefore, that the bottle remains untouched. However, in the practical use of the closures mentioned above, it has been observed that the membrane, which is made of thermoplastic material capable of being retracted, is not sufficient to guarantee that the closure has not been opened and that at least a part of liquor is not extracted because the membrane could not be completely adhered to the neck of the bottle and could allow rotation and uncorking of the cap without. visible damage or breakage that could reveal tampering. Therefore, the aim of the present invention is mainly that by supplying the closure of the aforementioned type with a sealing device, which based on the first opening, provides evidence that this happened and that the bottle could have been manipulated The objective is obtained by a closure of the aforementioned type which is characterized in accordance with the appended claim 1. In the following, the invention will be described in greater detail with reference to a few practical driving examples shown by way of non-limiting examples in the attached drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of the closure according to the invention with the clutch means of the sealing device made according to a first embodiment; Figure 2 shows, in a perspective view, the metal skirt that fixes the body for pouring into the neck of the bottle, provided with other clutch means for the sealing device made according to the first embodiment; Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the closures according to the invention with the clutch means of the sealing device made according to a second embodiment; Figure 4 shows, in a perspective view, the metallic skirt that fixes the body for pouring into the neck of the bottle, provided with clutch means of the sealing device made according to its second embodiment; Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the outer lid of the closure, according to the invention; Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the cover element having an aesthetic function, according to the invention; Figures 7 and 8 show an enlarged area of Figure 1 and Figure 3, respectively. With reference to the figures mentioned above, the number 1 indicates a container having the shape of a bottle provided with a neck 2 extending along the longitudinal axis X-X. The neck -2 ends with a hole 3 around which a ring 4 is circumferentially located and forms an underlying step 5. An evident pouring member for manipulation of the known type is placed in the hole 3 with its flange 6. The pouring member it is provided with a pouring hole 7, which is formed at the end of the tubular body 8 mounted on the ring 9 connected with the flange 6 of the same pouring member. The latter is provided with valve means that allow the liquid to leave the container except that it does not enter it. Valve means of the known type comprise, for example, the spherical bodies 10 slidably housed inside a tubular element 11, with the opening 12, placed inside the neck 1 of the container. The pouring orifice 7 is closed by a retaining cap 13. The latter is provided with a ring 14, into which the hole enters for sealing purposes and with a tubular sleeve 15 extending in the axial direction on the outer side of the opening. tubular body 8. The threaded means 16 are provided on the outer surface of the body 8; these engage, as a screw thread, with the corresponding thread means 17 provided on the inner surface of the tubular sleeve 15 of the cover 13 to open and close the same.

The tubular body 8 is also provided with an annular ring 18 forming a step 19. A skirt 20, metal sheet, covers the ring 4 of the neck of the container and engages, on one side, with the step 19 of the tubular body 8 and on the other side, with the ring 4 below the step 5 where it is fixed by means of example, by means of an oscillation operation.Therefore, the skirt 20 causes the stable connection of the member to pour into the neck of the container. According to the present invention, an upper cover 21 is located on the cover 13 and its tubular sleeve 15, the upper cover is provided with a tubular sleeve comprising a first portion 22 and a second portion 23. The first portion 22 extends in axial direction on the tubular sleeve 15 of the lid, while the second portion 23 extends, at least partially, on the metal sheet skirt 20. The second tubular portion 23 is connected with the first one. portion 22 by means of a circumferential zone capable of being broken 24 which is formed by the alternating circumferential cuts 25 and the joints or bridges 26. Particularly, although not necessarily, the second tubular portion 23 is provided with the axial cuts 27, which extend in a circumferential direction between the circumferential cuts 25 and the free lower ring 28 and thus due to the possibility that, once the first opening of the closure has occurred, the tubular portion 23, separated from the portion 22, has to be completely separated from the neck of the container. In the position superimposed on the upper lid 21, a cover 29 having an aesthetic function is placed. This cover wraps, with its part 30, the top or top cover 21, with its part 31, the first tubular portion 22, and, with its part 32, at least partially, the second tubular portion 23. The cover 29 can take different configurations and can be made, as a whole or in part, with a material either opaque or transparent. The same cover 29 is fastened in the first tubular portion 22 of the top cover by means which prevent relative rotation movements. These means are represented, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, by the combination surfaces 34 and 35 in a variety of ways, elaborated on the outer wall of the portion 22 and on the inner wall of the part 31 of the cover 29, in a respective way. In the example shown in the mentioned figures, the combining surfaces are made by the portions of the concave surfaces 35, 35a and the convex surfaces 36, 36a connected along the axial connection lines 37, 37a.

As an alternative to the configuration of the combination surfaces shown, flat cuts could also be provided by creating polygonal contours that are particularly appreciated from the aesthetic point of view in the event that the cover 29 is made of transparent material. The means preventing axial separation are provided between the first tubular portion 22 of the upper lid and the cover 29. These means are formed by a projection or annular ring 38 extending in the axial direction from the tubular portion 22 and by a groove 39 formed in the inner wall of the opposing part 32 of the cover, the ring is inserted in the groove. Additional means preventing relative axial movements are provided between the first tubular portion 22 of the upper lid and the underlying tubular sleeve 15 of the lid. These means are formed by an annular rim 40, carried by the portion 22, which engages with the edge 41 of the ring 42 of the sleeve 15. Between the sleeve 15 and the first portion 22 of the top cover, other means are provided that they avoid the movements of relative rotation, these means consist of the conventional axial flanges 43 and the grooves 44 parallel to the axis XX, and they are made in the respective opposing surfaces. The ridges 43 of one surface are mounted in the grooves 44 of the other surface. From what has been described above it is appreciated that, at the time when the first opening of the closure occurs, the rotation of the cover 29 rotates the upper cover 21 and with it the underlying cover 13. During this operation, due to because the second tubular portion 2-3 of the upper lid has not completely followed the movements of the first portion 22, fracture of the joints or bridges 26 and their separation from the first portion is caused, so that this takes place giving evidence that the first opening happened. To achieve this objective, with reference to Figures 1 and 2, means are provided that prevent the rotation movements of the portion 23 relative to the underlying sheet metal skirt 20. These means are represented by a plurality of axial flanges 45 distributed in position. circumferential, which are formed in the second tubular portion 23 and by the axially and circumferentially distributed fins 46 that are provided in the skirt 20, which are engaged by the flanges 45 during the opening or uncorking rotation. According to a convenient method of manufacture, the axial fins 46 can be made by the portions of the skirt 20 cut along a portion of their contours and bent about a length not cut 47 of the substantial contour placed parallel to the axis XX. of the neck of the container. According to a different embodiment, which is shown in Figures 3 and 4, between the tubular portion 23 and the underlying skirt 20, clutch means are provided which prevent relative axial movement. These means are made by a pair of annular flanges 48 and 49 extending in radial direction from the inner surface of the tubular portion 23 and are made by a plurality of indentations 55 distributed in circumferential position in the skirt 20 and which extend in radial direction from the latter. The indentations 50 can be made with a procedure of cutting zones of the skirt 20 along a portion of its contours and by bending around an uncut length 51 of the contour positioned along a substantially circumferential direction. At the time of the first opening, by rotating the lid, although the tubular portion 23 initially follows the rotation movement of the first portion 22, the indentations 50 prevent axial displacement and cause the bridges to break. It is noted that in relation to this date the best method known by the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is that which is clear from the present description of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS Having described the invention as above, the content of the following claims is claimed as property: 1. A closure with evident seal of handling for liquid containers, in particular, a closure for bottles having a hole placed at the end of the container. neck, which extends in axial direction from the body of the container and is provided with a projection or annular ring extending radially around the orifice, comprising a pouring member that can not be manipulated, which is located on the orifice of the neck of the container, the pouring member is provided with a hole for pouring, as well as also with valve means that allow the liquid to leave the container, excepting that it does not enter therein, an annular skirt placed around the neck clutching in axial position, on one side, with the limb to pour and on the other side, with the ring that extends it extends in the radial direction in order to firmly fix the member for pouring into the neck, a cover, with which the hole for pouring is opened and closed, having a tubular sleeve extending in the axial direction towards the outside of the member for pouring, screw means located between the inner wall of the tubular sleeve of the lid and the outer wall of the pouring member that tighten and loosen the lid, as well as also a cover having an aesthetic function, which is fixed in the covers and covers the last and the relative tubular sleeve, characterized in that between the cover and the cover · which has an aesthetic function, an upper cover is introduced, the upper cover is provided with a tubular sleeve extending in axial direction, with a first portion on the tubular sleeve of the lid, as well as with a second portion on the annular skirt, the tubular portions are connected to each other by a circular zone. cunferencial, which is liable to break when the first opening of the closures occurs, so that the second portion is separated from the first portion, means are provided that prevent relative rotation movements and axial displacements between the first tubular portion of the upper lid and the cap sleeve, on one side, and between the cover having an aesthetic function, on the other side, as well as also the clutch means between the second tubular portion and the skirt. The closure according to claim 1, characterized in that the means preventing the movements of relative rotation between the first tubular portion of the upper lid and the tubular sleeve of the lid, are made by a plurality of axial ridges and grooves formed in the respective opposing surfaces, the flanges of one surface engage with the grooves of the other surface. 3. The closure according to claim 1, characterized in that the means preventing movements of relative axial displacement between the first tubular portion of the upper lid and the tubular sleeve of the lid, are made by an annular rim formed in the inner surface of the first tubular portion of the upper lid, extending radially towards the tubular sleeve of the lid and by the lower edge of the same sleeve of the lid below which the rim is placed. claim 1, characterized in that the means that prevent relative rotation movements between the first tubular portion of the upper lid and the cover having an aesthetic function, are elaborated by areas of the perimeter surfaces of the upper lid, these areas are contiguous between yes along the connecting lines that extend in axial direction clutching frontally with the corresponding combination surfaces formed in the opposing wall of the cover having an aesthetic function. 5. The closure according to claim 1, characterized in that the means preventing movements of relative axial displacement between the first tubular portion of the upper lid and the cover having an aesthetic function, are elaborated by means of an annular ring extending radially from the first portion tubular of the upper cover, forming a step "axially and by means of a corresponding annular groove formed in the opposed part of the cover that has an aesthetic function, the annular ring and the cover clutch together 6. The closure in accordance with the claim 1, characterized in that the weakened zone is made by a plurality of cuts distributed along a circumferential line and by brittle alternate bridges 7. The closure according to claim 1, characterized in that the annular skirt is made of metallic material and It is fixed on the neck of the vessel by a swing or oscillation below the an It extends in a radial direction around the neck hole. The closure according to claim 1, characterized in that the second portion of the tubular sleeve of the upper cover extends in the axial direction from the weakened zone in a length that is smaller than the axial extension of the skirt. The closure according to claim 1, characterized in that the second portion of the tubular sleeve of the upper lid is provided with axial cuts extending from the weakened zone to its free lower edge. The closure according to claims 1 and 7, characterized in that the means of clutch between the second tubular portion of the upper lid and the annular skirt made of metallic material that surrounds the annular ring of the neck of the container, are elaborated by means of a plurality of axial flanges formed on the surface of the portion orienting the skirt and by a plurality of axial fins extending radially from the opposing surface of the skirt, the fins engage with the flanges. The closure according to claim 10, characterized in that the axial fins are made by portions of the skirt, cut along a part of their contours and bent around an uncut length of the contour located substantially parallel to the axis XX of the edge. neck of the container. The closure according to claims 1 and 7, characterized in that the clutch means between the second tubular portion of the upper lid and the annular skirt made of metallic material that surrounds the annular ring of the neck of the container, are made from a a plurality of annular flanges formed on the inner surface of the second tubular portion of the upper cover, the flanges are displaced in the axial direction and extend radially towards the skirt and are made of a plurality of indentations distributed in circumferential position in the skirt With the "end extending radially from the same skirt towards the tubular portion, the annular flanges clutch in the axial position with the indentations 13. The closure according to claim 12, characterized in that the indentations are elaborated by the portion of the skirt cut along part of its contours and folded s about an uncut length of the contour positioned along a substantially circumferential direction.