MXPA06004401A - Bottle closure with warranty seal - Google Patents

Abstract

Closure (1) with a warranty seal (21) for containers for liquids, particularly bottles for valued beverages, with an orifice (2) located at the extremity of a neck (3) comprising a pouring unit associated with the neck (3) of the container, a tubular member (8) for anchoring the pourer (5) to the neck (3) of the container, a stopper (14) to open and close the said pourer (7), having an end wall (15) and a tubular skirt (16), the said stopper (14) being removably engaged with the pourer (5), an outer tubular cap (17) with a closed end (18) secured to the stopper (14) in such a way as to cover the stopper and terminate in a free edge (17d, 217d) facing towards the container, as well as a breakable seal (21) formed by an annular strip (22) surrounding the said tubular member (8) located in the axial zone (8c) beneath the free edge (17d) of the said cap and provided with at least one weakened line (28) for it to be broken by at least one rod-shaped member (24, 25) integral with the said annular strip (22) which extends axially from a perimetral area (26, 27) thereof towards the closed end (18) of the said cap (17), first means (29, 30) to engage the said at least one rod-shaped member (24, 25) with at least one axial length of the said tubular cap (17) and second means (31, 32) to engage the said strip (22) with at least one axial length of the said tubular member (8) anchored in the neck of the container, the said first and the said second means preventing relative angular movements between the parts.

Description

BOTTLE CLOSURE WITH WARRANTY SEAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a closure with a guarantee seal for liquid containers, especially for bottles with valuable beverages, with a hole located at the end of a neck which extends axially from the body of the container to along a longitudinal axis (XX), the closure comprises: - a pouring unit associated with the neck of the container, the pouring unit is equipped with a pouring body that forms a chamber with a pouring orifice, - a tubular member for anchoring the pouring body with the neck of the container, - a sealing plug for opening and closing the pouring orifice, which has a lower wall transverse to the longitudinal axis (XX) and a tubular flange reinforcement connected to the edge of the lower wall, sealing plug is coupled to the pouring body so that it can be removed, - an outer tubular lid, with a closed end, secured to the sealing plug so as to cover the sealing plug with the closed end and with a portion axial part thereof ending in a free edge directed towards the body of the container, Ref .: 172147 - the axial portion of the tubular cover is secured to the sealing plug through means that prevent axial and radial relative movements between the cap and the plug, a removable seal that connects the lid with the tubular member that anchors the pouring unit with the neck of the container. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A closure having a seal of the type specified above is described and illustrated for example in European Patent EP-A-1027263. Although, the aforementioned closure in the prior art, offers effective protection against a violation, has a number of disadvantages of a structural nature which complicates its assembly and therefore manufacture it is also relatively expensive. In accordance with such a known closure, the guarantee effect is achieved by making the first opening of the closure visible when pulling a strip fixed with a corresponding fastening tab, the strip is conditioned in the second axial portion of the cover which covers the sealing plug through predetermined lines of fracture which form their delimitation. The known seal also includes the supply of a ring of a sheet of material mounted on the strip, which covers the predetermined lines of fracture, anchored to the capsule below through the axial annular seams produced by rolling which therefore returns to the relatively complex assembly. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The object of this invention is to provide a type closure with a guarantee seal in the form of a removable annular strip in which the structural parts of the seal are simply constructed by pressing plastic materials and can be assembled with other parts of the closure through a mutual axial insertion which can be carried out in an automated way without having to use the resource of rolling the accessories and the operations to make the seams. An additional objective is to provide a seal in which the seal provides a high level of guarantee and at the same time also allows a quick removal during the first opening. These and other objects, which will be more apparent from the following description, are achieved by the closure in accordance with the appended claim 1. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES The invention will now be described more particularly with reference to a number of illustrated embodiments for the purpose of exemplifying and without restrictions in the accompanying drawings in which: - Figure 1 shows a vertical cross-section of the closure according to a first embodiment of the invention, mounted on the neck of a bottle, in a closed condition with the seal intact, - Figure 2 shows a side view of the closure in Figure 1 in a first position, - Figure 3 shows a side view of the same closure of Figure 1 in a position in which it is rotated 90 ° with respect to the position of Figure 2, - Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the closure in the condition of Figure 1, - Figure 5 shows a view of a vertical cross section of the closure according to the invention, mounted on the neck of a bottle in the closed position after a first opening has occurred and that the warranty seal has been removed, - Figure 6 shows a side view of the closure of Figure 5 in a first position, - Figure 7 shows a view side of the same closure of Figure 5 in a position rotated by 90 ° with respect to the position of Figure 6, - Figure 8 shows a perspective view of the closure in the condition of Figure 5, - Figure 9 is a view in perspect of the guarantee seal according to a first embodiment of the invention, - Figure 10 shows a plan view of the guarantee seal in Figure 9, - Figure 11 shows a cross section of the guarantee seal along the line XI-XI of Figure 10, - Figure 12 shows a cross section of the guarantee seal along line XII-XII in Figure 10, - Figure 13 shows a closure according to the invention, in a side view with the seal constructed in a modified and intact form, - Figure 14 shows the closure in Figure 13 in a position in which it is rotated by 90 ° with respect to that shown in the previous Figure, - Figure 15 shows the closure in Figure 13 in a side view with the warranty seal removed, - Figure 16 shows the closure of Figure 15 with the warranty seal removed and in a position in which it is rotated 90 ° with respect to the shown in the previous figure, - Figure 17 shows a perspective view of the guarantee seal according to the amended modality, - Figure 18 shows a plan view of the seal of Figure 17, - Figure 19 shows a cross-sectional view of the guarantee seal along line XIX-XIX in Figure 18, - Figure 20 shows a cross-sectional view of the guarantee seal along line XX-XX in Figure 18, Figure 21 shows a modified additional modality of the closure with the seal according to the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION With reference to the aforementioned Figures, the closure according to the invention is generally indicated with the number 1. This is placed over the hole 2 of neck 3 which extends along a longitudinal axis XX of the body 4 of a bottle. In the embodiment thereof illustrated in Figures 1 to 20, the closure 1 comprises a pouring unit comprising a pouring body 5 forming a chamber 6 with a pouring orifice 7, and a tubular member 8 which is integrated with the body Pourer 5 by means of an axial connection 9 made for example with ultrasonic welding or by a bond with adhesive. The tubular member 8 is firmly secured to the outer wall of the neck 3 by means of the lip 10 which engages in the annular groove 11 in the neck and by means of a plurality of axial slots and ribs 12 and 13 fitted in the inner wall of the tubular member and the outer wall of the neck 3. The tubular member 8 is therefore anchored to the neck 3 of the bottle without the possibility of effecting the axial and angular movements. The tubular member 8 extends axially towards the body 4 of the bottle through a tubular extension 8a, of a larger diameter, with the formation of an annular step 8b. The closure 1 also comprises a sealing plug 14 for closing and opening the pouring orifice 7. The sealing plug 14 comprises a lower wall 15 and a flange reinforcement 16 connected to the circular edge of the wall 15. The tubular flange reinforcement 16 engages to the outer wall of the pouring body 5 by means of a conventional threaded connection in such a way that the sealing plug 14 can be moved and fixed for the purpose of opening and closing the bottle. The closure 1 also comprises a tubular lid, indicated generally with the number 17, seated on the plug 14 coaxially with respect to the X-X axis. More specifically, the lid 17 is conditioned with a closed end 18 transverse to the axis XX which overlaps the transverse wall 15 of the sealing plug and a first portion 17a which overlaps the shoulder reinforcement 16 of the sealing plug, as well as a second portion 17b which overlaps coaxially to the tubular member 8 leaving an axial portion 8c which ends opposite the step 8b without covering. Through its first axial portion 17a, the lid 17 is anchored to the underlying sealing plug 14 by conventional means indicated generally with the number 19, which avoid the relative angular movements. This is also connected to the lower edge 16a of the shoulder reinforcement of the sealing plug by means of the coupling of one of its annular ribs 17c. In the example illustrated in Figures 1 and 5, closure 1 includes a valve unit which prevents refilling, indicated generally by the number 20 and is not described in detail because it is conventional and irrelevant for the purposes of understand this invention. According to the invention, the closure 1 is provided with a releasable guarantee seal generally indicated by the numeral 21. This seal comprises a strip 22 which is positioned around the portion 8c of the tubular member 8, substantially within the region axial that rests below the free edge 17d of the second portion 17b of the lid and the annular step 8b. The strip 22 on its inner wall 22a is equipped with annular steps 23 and 23a which engage the edge 17d and the step 8b respectively which ensures a stable position for the strip 22 relative to the axial movements. In addition to these annular steps 23 and 23a they develop a safe protection function with respect to the lid 17. The strip 22 is also reinforced by means of the axial ribs 22b made on its inner wall 22a and project radially therefrom towards the same. axis XX.

In accordance with the first embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 12 in the accompanying drawings, the bar-shaped members 24 and 25, which in the illustrated example are diametrically opposed and preferably extend in an arcuate circumferential shape with a center of curvature substantially coinciding with that of the strip 22, the lid 17 and the tubular member 8, are associated with the strip 22. Each member 24 and 25 comprises the first corresponding portions 24a and 25a which extend axially in the direction of the end wall 18 of the lid 17 and the respective corresponding second portions 24b and 25b which extend axially in the direction of the body 4 of the bottle. The members 24 and 25 are integrated with the corresponding perimeter areas 26 and 27 of the strip 22, each of which in the illustrated example are joined to the remaining perimeter portions of the strip 22 through the weakened axial lines 28. by means of which the strip 22 can be detached, which will be more evident from the subsequent description. Although in the illustrated example the portions 24b and 25b are aligned with the corresponding portions 24a and 25a, as an alternative, these portions can also be constructed not to be aligned with each other but extend from different perimeter areas of the strip 22.

Additionally, for the purpose of the warranty seal function according to the invention, an individual member 24 or 25 may be conditioned as an alternative to the pair of opposing members 24 and 25. Finally, but not necessarily, members 24 and 25 they will be diametrically opposed, in fact for the purposes of the invention they can also project and be shifted angularly with respect to each other at any angle, for example 90 ° or 120 °. According to the invention the portions 24a and 25a of the rod-shaped members 24 and 25 find housing within the corresponding axial grooves 29 and 30 provided in the tubular lid 17. These grooves 29, 30 open outwards from the closure and they have a cross-section whose dimensions are in accordance with those of the first corresponding portions 24a and 25a which are designed to be coupled therewith. In the illustrated embodiment, the slots 29 and 30 extend axially between the edge 17d of the lid and the end wall 18. In the wall 18 these are open to allow a user to hold the free end of at least one member in bar shape. Alternatively, they may be closed but extended by a length beyond the free end of each rod-shaped member to allow the limb of at least one of the portions 24a and 25a to be restrained. The portions 24b and 25b of these rod-shaped members 24 and 25 are instead housed in the corresponding recesses 31 and 32 provided axially in a tubular extension 8a which in the illustrated example open towards the outside of the closure. As an alternative, which is not illustrated in the figures because in some way it is easily understood by a person skilled in the art, the recesses 31 and 32 can be conditioned in the section 8a of the tubular member 8 to open outwards from the inside the tubular member and close to the outside. In both structural alternatives the perimeter of each recess 31, 32 is open on the side of the annular step 8b and has dimensions "and a shape such that they are in accordance with the cross section and perimeter of the corresponding second relative portion 24b, 25b of the bar members When the seal is mounted on the closure 1 and remains intact, the strip 22 is positioned between the edge 17d of the lid 17 and the step 8b of the tubular member 8, the latter is anchored to the neck of the Then the seal is immobilized with respect to axial movements., since the first corresponding portions of the bar-shaped members 24 and 25-24a, 25a- and the second portions 24b, 25b are coupled in the slots 29, 30 and recesses 31, 32, angular movements are also avoided. . During the first opening, the action of the user on the accessible extremity of one of the first portions 24a or 25a of the bar-shaped members 24 or 25 causes them to be displaced from the corresponding slot 29 or 30, and by continuing to pull away from the cover 17 causes one of the weakened lines 28 of the strip 22 to break, with the consequent destruction of the annular continuity thereof which becomes permanently uncoupled from its initial position. Since the strip 22 and the bar-shaped members 24, 25 can not be repositioned correctly because they have been evidently broken or damaged, the lack of seal provides a clear indication that the closure has already been opened for the first time and This condition is visible even when the plug is replaced on the closure. Because the outer wall of the axial portion 8c of the tubular member 8 remains exposed, this can also be used to display writings, colors or messages indicating that the closure has already been opened. In addition to this, the visible surfaces of the bar-shaped members can be used for warning messages and these members can also be elaborated either completely or in part with color which differs from the remaining parts of the closure, helping to impart a nice appearance at closing. A different embodiment of the closure according to the invention will now be described with reference to Figures 13 to 20. Structural members corresponding to those of the embodiments in Figures 1 to 12 will be indicated using the same reference numbers, but the others will be increased by 100. It will be noted that the seal, indicated in a global form with the number 21, is conditioned with a strip 122 with which the bar-shaped members 124 and 125 are associated, which in the illustrated example are diametrically opposite one from another and extend axially in the direction of the end wall 18 of the lid 17 and are housed within the corresponding axial grooves 129 and 130 completely equivalent to the grooves 29 and 30. The members 124 and 125, equivalent to the portions 24a and 25a of the embodiment in Figures 1 to 12, are integrated with the corresponding perimeter areas 126 and 127 of the strip 122, each of which is coupled with the remaining perimeter portions of the strip 122 by the weakened axial lines 128 which makes it possible to detach the strip 122 when a force is exerted to pull on at least one of the rod-shaped members 124 or 125 in a direction toward outside the lid 17. In accordance with this modified embodiment of the seal, the inner wall 122a of the strip 122 is conditioned with axial ribs 122b which extend radially towards the axis XX and are designed to engage in the corresponding slots 122c made in the axial portion 8c of the tubular member 8. In addition to this, the strip 122 is conditioned with the annular steps 123 and 123a which engage and adjoin against the edge 17d and the step 8b respectively, establishing a stable position for the strip in relationship with axial movements. As a result of the existence of the ribs 122b which project radially from the inner wall 122a of the strip 122, the step 123a is not strictly necessary to axially couple the strip 122 with the step 8b, that the same adjacent support function can be executed directly through the lower extremities of the ribs 122b. In particular the cross section of the ribs and grooves is substantially of the dovetail type, with one complementing the other, according to what is illustrated by way of example in the figures, such form ensures that they will be coupled in relation to both relative angular and radial movements.

The operation of the closure and seal according to the embodiment described above with reference to Figures 13 to 20 is exactly the same as that described in relation to the embodiments in Figures 1 to 12. A further embodiment of the closure according to the invention now it will be described with reference to Figure 21. The structural members corresponding to those of the modalities illustrated in Figures 1 to 20 have been indicated using the same reference numbers while the others have been increased by 200. It should be noted that the The tubular member 208 connecting the pouring body 205 to the neck 3 of the container 4 is equipped with an annular shoulder 208a which axially couples the annular shoulder 205a of the pouring body, forming the connection. This tubular member 108 is also axially connected to the shoulder reinforcement 16 of the sealing plug through a weakened circumferential line 216. The guarantee seal 221, in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 21, comprises a strip 222 with which they are associated. the bar-shaped members corresponding to those indicated by the numerals 24 and 25 in the embodiment in Figure 1-12 and which in the illustrated example are diametrically opposed to each other. Only one of these members can be seen in Figure 21 and this is indicated by the number 224, flanked by the weakened lines 228 for detachment of the strip. This extends axially in the direction of the end wall 218 of the lid 217, is housed in the groove 229 which is completely equivalent to the groove 29. The strip 222 is fitted with annular steps 223 and 223a which is coupled and adjoins against the edge 217d of the cover 217 and the step 208b of the tubular member 208 respectively, causing the strip 222 to be stably positioned in relation to the axial movements. The inner wall 222a of the strip 222 is conditioned with axial ribs 222b which project radially towards the axis XX and are designed to engage in the corresponding slots 222c made in the axial portion 208c of the tubular member 208. The operation of the closure and seal in accordance with the embodiment described above with reference to Figure 21 is completely identical to that already described in relation to the embodiment in Figures 1 to 12. Some dimensions and materials may be appropriate in accordance with the requirements, without thereby Go beyond the scope of the invention as described above and as claimed below. It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known to the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is that which is clear from the present description of the invention.

Claims (18)

1. CLAIMS Having described the invention as above, the content of the following claims is claimed as property. 1. A seal with guarantee seal, for liquid containers, particularly bottles for valuable beverages, with a hole located at the end of a neck which extends axially from the container body along a longitudinal axis (XX ), the closure comprises: - a pouring unit associated with the neck of the container, the pouring unit is equipped with a pouring body that forms a chamber with a pouring orifice, - a tubular member for anchoring the pouring body with the neck of the container, - a sealing plug for opening and closing the pouring orifice, which has an end wall transverse to the longitudinal axis (XX) and a tubular flange reinforcement connected to the edge of the spout. the end wall, the sealing plug is engaged in the pouring body so that it can be moved, - an outer tubular cap, with a closed end, secured to the sealing plug so that it covers the sealing plug with the closed end and with a axial portion thereof terminating in a free edge directed towards the body of the container, - the axial portion of the tubular cover is secured to the sealing plug through means preventing relative axial and radial relative movements between the cap and the sealing plug , - a removable seal that connects the lid with the tubular member that anchors the pouring unit with the neck of the container, the closure is characterized by that the releasable seal comprises an annular strip that surrounds the tubular member located in the axial area below the free edge of the lid and is conditioned with at least one weakened line to detach it from the same, at least one member in the form of an integrated bar with the annular strip, which extends axially from a perimeter area thereof to the closed end of the cap, the first means for coupling at least one of the bar-shaped members with at least one axial length of the cap tubular and the second means for coupling the strip with at least one axial length of the tubular member anchored to the neck of the container, the first and the second means prevent angular movements between the parts.
2. 2. The seal with guarantee seal according to claim 1, characterized in that the perimeter area of the strip of which the rod-shaped member extends axially, forms a body with the member.
3. 3. The seal with guarantee seal according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the weakened line for detaching the strip extends axially between the perimeter area of the strip and the remaining perimeter of the strip.
4. 4. The seal with guarantee seal according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the detachable guarantee seal comprises a pair of the bar-shaped members integrated with the strip and extending axially therefrom away from the perimeter areas corresponding.
5. 5. The seal with guarantee seal according to claim 4, characterized in that the perimeter areas from which the pair of bar-like members extends are diametrically opposed.
6. 6. The closure with guarantee seal according to claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the first means for coupling the guarantee seal strip with at least one axial length of the tubular cap, comprises axial grooves conditioned in the tubular cap inside. of which the corresponding bar-shaped members are housed, the slots are open towards the outside of the lid and are conditioned with a cross section whose dimensions correspond to those which have the bar-shaped members in their cross sections.
7. 7. The seal with guarantee seal according to claim 6, characterized in that the axial grooves extend over the entire length of the lid and have open ends at the closed end and the free edge of the lid. The seal with guarantee seal according to claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the second means for coupling the strip of the guarantee seal with at least one axial length of the tubular member, comprises at least one recess conditioned in the wall of the tubular member, at least a second portion of a rod-shaped member integrated with the strip which extends axially from a perimeter area of the strip towards the body of the container, the second portion is housed in the recess, the perimeter and the cross section of the recess has dimensions such that correspond to those of the corresponding second portion of a bar-shaped member. 9. The seal with guarantee seal according to claim 8, characterized in that recess is open axially at its end that is directed towards the seal strip and is closed at the opposite end. The seal with guarantee seal according to claim 1, characterized in that the second means for coupling the guarantee seal strip with at least one axial length of the tubular member, comprises a plurality of radially projecting ribs and grooves made in the inner wall of the strip and the outer wall of the axial length of the tubular member respectively and alternately, the ribs and grooves are coupled to each other. The seal with guarantee seal according to claim 10, characterized in that the ribs and the grooves have a substantially dovetail-shaped cross section, each complementing the other. The seal with guarantee seal according to claims 1 to 11, characterized in that it also comprises immobilization means for axially immobilizing the strip of the guarantee seal in relation to the cover and the axial length of the tubular member connecting the pouring body with the neck of the container. The seal with seal of guarantee according to claim 12, characterized in that the means for axially immobilizing the strip comprises steps conditioned on the edges of the strip forming the abutments abutting the edge of the lid and the step of the axial length of the tubular member respectively. 14. The seal with guarantee seal according to claims 1 to 13, characterized in that each of the bar-shaped members extends substantially circumferentially with a center of curvature substantially coinciding with that of the perimeter of the walls of the lid and the tubular member. 15. The seal with guarantee seal according to claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the strip and the bar-shaped members comprising the guarantee seal, are constructed of plastic material and are of a color which differs from that of the other parts of the closure. 16. The seal with guarantee seal according to claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the visible surface of at least part of the bar-shaped members and the strip is provided with messages intended for the user. The closure according to claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the tubular member for anchoring the pouring body to the neck of the container is realized integrated with the pouring body by means of welding and / or an adhesive bond. The closure according to claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the tubular member for anchoring the pouring body to the neck of the container engages the latter by means of an axial fixation between the annular steps and is also connected to the flange reinforcement. of the sealing plug by means of a weakened circumferential line. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A closure (1) with a guarantee seal (21) is described for liquid containers, particularly bottles for valuable beverages, with a hole (2) located at the end of a neck (3) comprising a pouring unit associated with the neck (3) of the container, a tubular member (8) for anchoring the pourer (5) with the neck (3) of the container, a sealing plug (14) for opening and closing the pourer (7) , having an end wall (15) and a tubular flange reinforcement (16), the sealing plug (14) is coupled with the pourer (5) so that it can be removed, an outer tubular cap (17) with a closed end (18) secured to the sealing plug (14) so as to cover the sealing plug and terminate at a free edge (17d, 217d) directed towards the container, as well as a peelable seal (21) formed by an annular strip (22). ) surrounding the tubular member (8) located in the axial zone (8c) below the free edge (17d) of the lid and is conditioned with at least one weakened line (28) to detach it by at least one bar-shaped member (24, 25) integrated with the annular strip (22) which extends axially from a perimeter area (26, 27) of the same towards the closed end (18) of the lid (17), the first means (29, 30) for coupling at least one of the rod-shaped members (24, 25) with at least one axial length of the tubular lid (17) and the second means (31, 32) for coupling the strip (22) with at least one axial length of the tubular member (8) anchored in the neck of the container, the first and the second means avoid the relative angular movements between the parts.