PT108721A - CONTAINER VIOLATION DETECTION CAPSULE, ITS USE AND OPERATING PROCEDURE - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a container breach de-capping (1) comprising an upper cover element (2), an inner spring support element (3), a spring element (4) and an element ( 5), wherein the spring element (4) is movable between (i) a first closed position, in which is disposed on the inside element (3), and (ii) a second open position, in which is disposed between INTERIOR ELEMENT (3) AND THE TOP COVER ELEMENT (2), TO BLOCK THE CAPSULE MECHANISM (1) IN THE SECOND OPEN POSITION. The invention further relates to a method of operating the tamper-evident cartridge (1), which is intended for closing beverage containers.

Description

DESCRIPTION

CONTAINER VIOLATION DETECTION CAPSULE, ITS USE AND FUNCTIONING PROCEDURE "

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a container tamper detection capsule designed to provide information to a user that there is an attempt to tamper with the closed container with such a capsule. The invention further relates to the process of operating the tamper-evident capsule. The present invention has application in the field of the production and marketing of capsules for all types of containers, in particular beverage bottles and mainly for application in the field of cork production in the cork industry.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is well known to use capsules with mechanisms which make it easy to identify the first time that a closed container with such a capsule is opened, in particular in the beverage or food bottles. Many of these capsules which are currently on the market constitute damaging systems, ie when first opening a closed container with such a capsule, it is necessary to partially damage that capsule, or else it is totally damaged, in the first once it is removed from the container.

Another problem that occurs in these capsules is the reversibility of the mechanisms that allow their functioning. That is to say, if the function of these capsules is to inform the consumers about the first opening of a closed container with such a capsule, it is imperative that this capsule does not show flaws as regards the irreversibility of its operating mechanism, otherwise the reversibility of its mechanism can be used by a hypothetical counterfactor to bypass the safety and authenticity of the capsule.

For example, WO 2014/122300 discloses a capsule with a mechanism that allows a user to identify whether a closed container with such a capsule has been tampered with. The capsule disclosed herein comprises a top cap, a spring, an inner member and an outer cylindrical member, movable relative to the inner member, from a first position corresponding to the closed position, prior to the first opening of the container, to a second position, after a user removes the capsule. The operating mechanism operates so that when the capsule is withdrawn for the first time from the container, i.e., when the capsule is first actuated, the spring, fixedly housed in the inner member, cooperates with the outer cylindrical member and an outer cylindrical member with respect to the inner member, in said second position, showing a change in the shape of the cap which allows a user to identify the breach of the container.

However, the design of the capsule disclosed in the aforementioned prior art document allows a user to violate a closed container with that capsule without triggering the sensing mechanism, i.e., enables removal of the cap (and stopper) from the container without triggering the mechanism.

In some embodiments of said capsule, it is also possible to unlock its detection mechanism after its activation and return it to the original position of safety. This weakness allows the bottle (and the stopper) to be removed from the bottle and then, after restoring its original detection configuration, to be inserted in the same or another container, without giving evidence of its violation. It is also possible to open a closed bottle with the capsule disclosed in the aforementioned document, without the operating mechanism of that capsule being activated, due to the conjugation of movements between the outer cylindrical member and the inner component. Since in the capsule of WO 2014/122300 the base of the outer cylindrical member and the base of the inner member share the same plane, ie they are both in the same position before the capsule is actuated, thus accessing the base or lower end of the inner member without moving the outer cylindrical member that drives the capsule detection mechanism. Since it is the displacement of the outer cylindrical member relative to the inner member that drives the mechanism, it is understood that by preventing such movement during removal of the capsule, removal thereof is achieved without actuation of the mechanism. For example, by placing an object between the top of the container neck and the base of the capsule, it is possible to draw the capsule by abutting said object at the base of the inner member without causing any movement of the outer cylindrical member.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a container tamper detection capsule having an irreversible locking mechanism which solves the aforementioned vulnerability of the capsules of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a container tamper detection capsule, comprising an upper cover member, an inner spring bearing member, a spring member and a lower cover member, characterized in that the member of the top cover is coupled to the lower cover member, forming an assembly defining a cavity therein; the assembly is movable from a first closed position to a second open position, and is configured to move said spring member between said first and second positions; the inner spring bearing member is disposed in said cavity of the assembly; the spring member is disposed in the cavity of the assembly and is movable between: said first closed position, in which it is arranged in a tensioned state in the inner spring bearing member, and said second open position, in which it is disposed in a state of rests between the inner spring bearing member and the upper cover member, locking the assembly in the second open position.

In a preferred embodiment, in said first closed position of the cap, the spring member is disposed on the inner spring-bearing member in compression or in tension.

Preferably, said spring member is a compression spring. More preferably, the spring member is a traction spring, and, most preferably, the spring member is a circular segment.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the assembly comprises an irreversible connection between the upper cover member and the lower cover member, rendering the access from the exterior unsafe to said cavity.

In one aspect the lower cover member has a ribbed inner collar and the inner spring bearing member has ribs arranged to come into contact with the ribbed collar of the lower cover member in the second open position.

In another aspect, the ridges of the ribbed inner rim have the shape of pyramidal teeth.

In yet another aspect the lower cover member is made of a translucent material.

In another embodiment, a portion of the inner spring-bearing member is visible to the user when said assembly is in the second open position.

In still an embodiment of the invention the inner spring-bearing member further comprises a cylindrical body adapted for insertion into the mouth of a container.

In yet another aspect, said cylindrical body and the inner spring bearing member are comprised of the same material or different materials.

In yet another aspect of the invention, said cylindrical body and the inner spring bearing member are both of cork or plastic, either one of which is plastic and the other of cork. The capsule of the present invention closes containers containing a beverage selected from the group consisting of wine, beer, spirits, water, and soft drinks. The present invention also relates to a method of operating a container tamper detection cap, the method comprising the steps of: - moving from the first closed position to a second open position the assembly relative to the tamper element spring supporting interior in which the spring member is disposed in a tensioned state; displacing, by means of said assembly, the spring element between said positions; - in the second open position, to allow the spring element to assume a rest state, locking the assembly in the second open position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The following is a description of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a schematic exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the container tamper detection cap according to the present invention; invention, including a stopper. Fig. 2 is a schematic exploded view of the embodiment of Fig. 1, shown in another perspective. Fig. 3 shows the capsule of the present invention associated with a cork stopper, in its two possible operating positions, respectively in the first closed position, on the left side of the figure, and in the second open position, after breaching, on the right side of the figure. 4 shows, in partial section, the capsule of the invention, in particular illustrates the movement of the spring member between the first closed position and the second open position, caused by the assembly formed by the upper cover member and the lower cover member . 5 is a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the capsule of the present invention. Fig. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the capsule of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a container tamper detection capsule and to the process of operating the same. Said capsule is in particular intended to close containers containing beverages. This invention allows a user to immediately recognize whether the capsule has been tampered with, and therefore whether there has been at least one attempt to open the container. The actuation of the capsule of the present invention occurs whenever a user pulls or attempts to pull said capsule for the purpose of removing it from the mouth or neck of a container.

When the capsule is breached and, as such, its triggering mechanism is triggered, a change in the shape of the capsule occurs.

It has surprisingly been found that the capsule of the present invention fully solves the problem identified in the capsule of the prior art, preventing any attempt to remove the capsule from being possible without its activation and providing an irreversible and tamper-evident locking of its functioning mechanism to its new design.

Contrary to the prior art capsule mechanism, the capsule (1) of the present invention comprises a spring member (4) that is movable. This spring member is in a tensioned state prior to the activation of the capsule (1). After actuation of the cap 1 to remove it from the container where it is disposed, said spring moves to a second position in which it is released from the tension to which it was subjected before the actuation which results in its dimensional change. This dimensional change will irreversibly lock the capsule (1) at a tamper indicating position. The fact that the spring is movable between two distinct positions allows solving the problem associated with the removal of the capsule without actuating it. The technical solution of the present invention as described below is considerably different from the prior art solution mentioned herein. In the prior art solution the spring remains in the same position and in a rest state before and after the activation of the capsule detection mechanism. This spring design enables reversibility of the tamper detection position if it is possible to access the spring from the outside, for example with a thin and flexible object. Such a solution further enables the removal of the capsule without actuation, as explained above.

In the context of the present invention, the term "container" refers to an object having a generally closed form of globular body, with a mouth or neck, for receiving a food or non-food product. The capsule of the present invention is directed, for example, to food containers, in particular beverage containers, for example beverage bottles selected from the group consisting of wine, beer, spirits, water, soft drinks and the like. Naturally, the capsule of the invention can also be used in containers for non-food products, since the nature of the capsule is not limited by the type of container it may close or cover, nor by the product contained in that container. The term "container mouth" refers to the open portion of a container, for example, a bottle neck. The term "capsule" refers to a cover for closing or capping a container, being disposed on the outside thereof, for example, by covering the free end of the neck of a bottle, and the capsule being associated with a stopper which is closed. disposed within the mouth of the container. A capsule may be made of any suitable material, and it is normal to use plastic materials. The term "cylindrical body" refers to a body having a substantially cylindrical or conical shape with two ends. One end may be bevelled or rounded and is intended to be partially or fully inserted into the mouth or neck of a container, and the opposite end may be attached by any means to a capsule if so desired. By way of example, the cylindrical body in the context of the present invention is a cork. The term "cork material" or simply "cork" refers to natural cork, natural cork cork, agglomerated cork, micro-agglomerated cork or combinations thereof. The term "plastic material" or simply "plastic" refers to polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene, high density polyethylene (HDPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or the like or combinations thereof. The term "spring element" refers to an element intended to store potential energy and which complies with Hooke's law of elasticity. By way of example, springs selected from the group comprising helical springs, spiral springs, elastic rings, circular segments and the like and combinations thereof can be used with the present invention. The expression "circular segment" or simply "segment" means an element forming part of a circle comprised between a string and any of the corresponding arcs of the circumference.

In the context of the present invention, the term "tensioned state" refers to a state resulting from a tensile or compression force. An element in a tensioned state is subjected to one of the stresses mentioned. For example, a tensioned spring is subjected to a tensile or compression force.

In the context of the present disclosure, the term "comprising" is to be understood as "including, among others". As such, the term should not be interpreted as "consisting solely of".

With reference to Figures 1 to 6, the capsule (1) of the present invention comprises an upper cover member (2), an inner spring bearing element (3), a spring element (4) and a spring element ), wherein: the top cover member (2) is coupled to the lower cover member (5), forming an assembly (25) defining a cavity therein; the assembly (25) is movable from a first closed position to a second open position, and causes said spring member (4) to move between said first and second positions; the inner spring-bearing member (3) is disposed in said cavity of assembly (25); the spring member (4) is disposed in the cavity of the assembly (25) and is movable between: said first closed position (left side capsule of Figure 3), in which it is arranged in a tensioned state in the inner member (3) (3), in which it is arranged in a relaxed state between the inner spring-supporting element (3) and the upper cover element (2) , locking the assembly (25) in the second open position. The inner spring-bearing member (3) may have the same shape as the assembly (25) or other, provided that it is adapted to allow displacement of the assembly (25) between the two said positions.

In a preferred embodiment, in said first closed position, the spring member (4) is disposed in the compression spring or traction spring support element (3) as shown in Fig.

In one embodiment, said spring member (4) is a compression spring. In this configuration, said compression spring is tensioned, being compressed in the spring-supporting inner member (3) in the first closed position, wherein movement of the assembly (25) causes said spring to move to the second open position, where assumes an expanded state, at rest, by loss of the compressive stress which constrains it in the first closed position. Of course, the inner element (3) must support the compressed spring element (4) in the first closed position.

In a preferred embodiment, the spring member (4) is a traction spring, most preferably a circular segment, for example an open ended elastic ring as shown in Figures 1 and 2, which is tensioned around the inner spring-supporting member (3) in the first closed position. The movement of the assembly (25) moves said elastic ring to the second open position, where it assumes a rest state. It should be noted that in the first closed position, the elastic ring disposed about the inner member (3) is pulled, which results in an opening of its ends relative to its normal rest state. This tensile stress exerted by the inner member 3 on the elastic ring ensures the engagement thereof in the inner member 3 in the first closed position, while allowing the displacement of said ring (or spring member 4) to the second open position if actuated by the assembly (25).

When the assembly (25) is pulled by the user to withdraw the cap (1) from the container, it moves to said second open position by dragging in this movement the spring element (4) to the second position. In this position, the spring member (4), releasing from the inner member (3), assumes its rest state in which it has a diametral dimension smaller than that assumed in the first closed position, in that it is no longer subjected to the tensile stress caused by the inner member (3) and, as such, recover its normal resting state with its ends closest to one another.

In this second open position, wherein the spring element (4) is in its rest state and as such assuming an expanded or retracted shape (depending on whether it is a compression spring or a tension spring) with respect to the shape has in the first closed position such dimensional variation of the spring member (4) associated with its change of position relative to the inner member (3) causes a physical hindrance of return of the spring element (4) and consequently of the assembly ( 25) to the first closed position as shown in Fig. 4. The spring-supporting inner member (3) may receive a compression spring or a traction spring. Additionally, embodiments of the capsule (1) of the present invention contemplate various configurations of the inner spring-bearing member (3) depending on the shape of the compression springs, traction springs or combinations thereof.

Preferably, in the assembly (25), the upper cover member (2) and the lower cover member (5) are irreversibly connected to render access from the exterior unimportant to said cavity defined therein.

Referring to Fig. 4, the upper cover member (2) is coupled to the lower cover member (5) through a permanent connection, safeguarding access to the interior of the cavity, the assembly (25) formed by both of which is moved between the first closed position and the second open position as a single element. The permanent connection between the lower part of the upper covering element (2) and the upper part of the lower covering element (5) is carried out by any suitable method known to the person skilled in the art, for example by gluing, welding, fitting, threading , or the like or combinations thereof.

In one aspect of the invention, the lower cover member (5) has a ribbed inner collar (6) and the inner spring bearing member (3) has ribs (7) arranged to come into contact with rims (9) of the collar ( 6) of the lower cover member (5) in the second open position, as shown in Fig.

Thus, in the first closed position, the ribbed inner collar (6) of the lower cover element (5) does not contact the ribs (7) of the inner spring-bearing element (3). In this way, the assembly (25) is allowed to rotate freely around the inner spring member (3). This solution does not allow the user to remove the capsule (1) only by applying torsional forces, which could enable its removal from the container without triggering the sensing mechanism. Thus, to remove the capsule 1, the user is forced to pull the assembly 25 of the capsule 1 out of the mouth or neck of the container by actuating the sensing mechanism, i.e. by placing the assembly 25, in the second open position.

In this second open position said striated inner collar (6) contacts the ribs (7) of the inner spring-bearing element (3) and the friction caused by this contact causes a rotational movement lock between the assembly (25) and the inner member (3) facilitating removal of the cap (1) by adding a torsional force to said aforementioned pulling force.

The splines (9) of the ribbed inner collar (6) may have a pyramidal tooth shape or another one that matches the function, as shown in Fig.

As for the grooves 7 of the inner spring-bearing element 3, they must block the rotational movement of the assembly 25 when it is in the second position. Thus, in one embodiment of the invention, the splines 7 are in the form of pyramidal teeth or, alternatively, a form of protrusions disposed on the inner member 3 (as shown in Figure 2).

In a further embodiment according to Figures 3 and 4, a part of the inner spring-bearing element (3) is visible to the user when the assembly (25) is locked in the second open position, i.e. when the capsule ( 1) is triggered. This is possible by using a lower cover element (5) made of a translucent material.

In another embodiment of the invention, as shown in Figures 1 to 6, the inner spring-bearing member (3) further comprises a cylindrical body (8) adapted for insertion into the mouth of a container. Of course, said cylindrical body (8) and the spring-supporting inner element (3) may be made of the same material or different materials, i.e. both cork and plastic, or one of them be plastic and another cork.

Preferably, the capsule (1) of the present invention may comprise an inner spring-supporting member (3) made of plastic comprising a cork stopper intended to close containers containing a beverage, for example, wine, beer, spirits , water, soft drinks or the like. The present invention also relates to a method of operating the container tamper detection capsule (1). The method comprises the steps of, in a capsule (1) of the invention: i) moving, from a first closed position to a second open position, the assembly (25) relative to the inner spring bearing element (3) in which it is disposed the spring element (4) in a tensioned state; ii) to move, by means of the assembly (25), the spring element (4) between said closed and open positions; and iii) in the second open position, to allow the spring element (4) to assume a rest state in which it changes its shape from the assumed shape in the first closed position, locking the assembly (25) in the second open position.

EXAMPLE

Referring to Fig. 5, the container tamper detection capsule (1) is comprised of four plastic parts: an upper cover member (2), a red spring-bearing inner support element (3) another color, depending on the desired personalization), a resilient ring (segment type) - spring element (4) - and a transparent lower cover element (5).

A cylindrical cork is bonded to the base of the body of the inner member (3) and the resilient ring (spring member (4)) disposed about the body of the inner member (3), retained therein by force exerted by the member spring in said inner member (3).

Then, the upper cover element 2 and the lower cover element 5 are joined by the lower part of the upper cover element 2 and by the upper part of the lower cover element 5. After assembly, this joint is irreversible so that the inner spring-supporting element (3) and the elastic ring (spring element (4)) which are in its interior are inaccessible from the outside. The capsule (1) thus formed is placed in a spirit bottle by inserting the cylindrical body (8) of the cork stopper into the neck of the bottle.

In order to drive the mechanism for detecting the capsule (1), the user pulls the assembly (25) in order to remove the stopper from the bottle. With this movement, the elastic ring (spring element (4)) is displaced, by the action of the assembly (25), from the first closed position to the second open position, releasing itself from the tension to which it was subjected. When the spring ring (spring member (4)) is no longer under tension, it reduces its diameter and is accommodated in a chute formed in the upper part of the inner member (3). This chute positions the elastic ring (spring member (4)) on the top of the inner member (3) between the latter and the upper cover member (2) constituting an obstacle blocking the assembly (25) in the second open position and prevents the assembly (25) from returning to the first closed position. In this way the locking mechanism is irreversible. The spring ring (spring element (4)) is not accessible because it is enclosed in the cavity of the assembly (25).

In order to provide torsion to the capsule 1, the lower cover member 5 is provided with pyramidal teeth therein which engage the inner member 3 after the activation of the capsule mechanism 1. The dimension and geometry of these pyramidal teeth, as well as the relative position between the lower cover element (5) and the inner element (3), allow free rotation of the assembly (25) in the first closed position, thereby preventing the torsing of the entire capsule (1) to aid in its removal. In the second open position, the pyramidal teeth of the lower cover member 5 contact grooves 7 of the inner member 3 blocking the rotational movement of the assembly 25 and thereby allowing a torsional force to be printed on the cork to assist in its removal. The disclosure herein should be understood as exemplifying and not limiting the scope of the present invention, which is defined in the appended claims.

Lisbon, January 29, 2016

Claims (14)

Container tamper detection capsule (1), comprising: a top cover member (2), an inner spring bearing element (3), a spring element (4) and a cover element (5) characterized in that the upper cover member (2) is coupled to the lower cover member (5), forming a joint (25) defining a cavity therein; the assembly (25) is moveable from a first closed position to a second open position, and is configured to move said spring member (4) between said first and second positions; the inner spring-bearing member (3) is disposed in the cavity of the assembly (25); the spring member (4) is disposed in the assembly cavity (25) and is movable between: said first closed position, in which it is disposed in a tensioned state in the inner spring-bearing member (3), and said second position (3) and the upper cover member (2), locking the assembly (25) in the second open position. Capsule (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that in the said first closed position the spring element (4) is arranged in the inner spring-supporting element (3) in compression or in tension. Capsule (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said spring element (4) is a compression spring. A capsule (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the spring element (4) is a traction spring. Capsule (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the spring element (4) is a circular segment. Capsule (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the assembly (25) comprises an irreversible connection between the upper cover element (2) and the lower cover element (5), making it impossible to access from the outside to said cavity. Capsule (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the lower cover element (5) has a ribbed inner collar (6) and the inner spring-bearing element (3) has grooves (7). The capsule (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the ribbed rim (6) has grooves (9) configured as pyramidal teeth. Capsule (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the lower cover element (5) is made of a translucent material. Capsule (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner spring-bearing element (3) further comprises a cylindrical body (8). A capsule (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that said cylindrical body (8) and the inner spring-bearing element (3) consist of the same or different materials. Capsule (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that said cylindrical body (8) and the inner spring-supporting element (3) are either cork or plastic, or one of them is plastic and the other of cork. Use of the capsule as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that it closes containers containing a beverage selected from the group consisting of wine, beer, spirits, water and soft drinks. A method of operating the capsule (1) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13, comprising the steps of: - moving from the first closed position to a second open position the assembly (25) relative to the element ( 3) in which the spring element (4) is arranged in a tensioned state; moving, via the assembly (25), the spring element (4) between said positions; - in the second open position, driving the spring element (4) to a rest state, locking the assembly (25) in the second open position. Lisbon, January 29, 2016