RU2705038C2 - Closure device with opening indication and indicator cap for such device - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: physics.

SUBSTANCE: sealing device (10) with opening indication for inlet of container (B) comprises closing part (12) made with possibility of being installed on inlet opening, hermetically closing it, and containing lower sleeve (13) and sealing component (14) connected in a single part by means of first opening indicator (15), and indicator cap (11). Said cap forming the second opening indicator (20) at least partially encloses at least closure component (14) of closing part (12). Access to first opening indicator (15) is possible only after breaking of indicator cap (11); in which breaking tab (16) is formed, bounded by two grooves (17, 18), located at a distance from each other and ending at a distance from lower edge (11a) of indicator cap (11). At least one of grooves (17, 18) is adjoined by a tear-off section extending to lower edge (11a) of indicator cap (11).

EFFECT: disclosed is a closure device with an opening indication and an indicator cap for such a device.

27 cl, 10 dwg

Description

Technical field

The invention relates to a capping device with an indication of opening, closing the inlet in the container, in particular in the bottle, by means of its closing part, which is placed on the inlet, hermetically closing it, and contains a lower sleeve and a sealing component located above it, connected in a single part by means of a first tamper indicator, the device also comprising an indicator cap that forms a second tamper indicator and at least partially surrounds at least stop component of the closing part, while access to the first tamper indicator is possible only after breaking the indicator cap; in which a tearing tongue is formed.

State of the art

For some products, such as medicines or even alcoholic beverages, it would be desirable for the user to recognize whether the container containing them, such as a bottle, was already open, at least once, or if it was still in its original, closed state. It is known to use for this purpose the so-called closure devices with tamper evident. Such devices are at least partially destroyed upon first opening, and this conclusively indicates that they have already been opened previously.

In the further description, it is assumed that the closure device with an indication of tampering is mounted on a standing bottle, which is accordingly oriented essentially vertically, i.e. its longitudinal axis is vertical. Therefore, the terms “above”, “below”, “in the axial direction” and “radially” used below apply specifically to this orientation of the bottle. However, the invention is not limited to bottles oriented in this way.

For a beverage bottle, a tamper evident seal usually has a first tamper indicator that is formed between the closure component, usually in the form of a screw cap screwed onto the upper end of the bottle, and a sleeve located beneath the cap. The sleeve is mounted on the bottle so that it cannot be pulled off the bottle by moving in the axial direction. If the user turns the closure component or screw cap, the jumper, which in the undamaged state connects the closure component to the sleeve, inevitably breaks (ruptures), since the closure component is shifted upward in the axial direction and the sleeve cannot repeat this axial displacement. A damaged jumper provides the user with indisputable evidence that the closure has already been opened.

It is known that in some cases, for transport and / or hygiene reasons, a bottle equipped with a similar capping device with an indication of tampering is additionally placed in a package in the form of a plastic film covering the bottle, and this package tightly tightens the closure. To open the bottle, the user must tear and remove the tight-fitting film before he gets access to the closure component of the closure part and can open the bottle by breaking said jumper. Thus, this film essentially serves as a second tamper indicator (indicator cap), the presence of which indicates to the user that the bottle is still in its original state.

The indicator cap formed by the tight-fitting film is usually provided with an element in the form of a tearing tongue, through which the user can grab the film. It was shown that, especially at the beginning of the tearing movement, when the dynamic forces resulting from this movement are still ineffective, it is quite difficult and inexperienced for users to apply tensile forces with a very small tearing tongue to break the tight-fitting film or indicator cap . As a result, opening the closure device with a tamper indication is difficult.

Disclosure of invention

The invention is directed to the development of a closure device with an indication of the opening of the described type, which can be opened by the user in a simple and reliable manner.

This problem is solved by the creation of a corking device with an indication of tampering, which has the features included in paragraph 1 of the attached formula. According to the invention, the tearing tongue is bounded by two grooves located at a distance from one another and ending at a distance from the lower edge of the indicator cap.

The basic idea of the invention is to form a tearing tab between two vertical grooves made in the thin outer wall of the indicator cap, so that the user must grab the tearing tab and pull it down. This movement is easy for the user. The tearing tab in this embodiment preferably moves away from the upper edge of the thin outer wall of the indicator cap downward, ending at a small distance from the lower edge of the cap.

In order to break (destroy) the indicator cap and remove it from the closing part, the user pulls the tearing tab down so that the tear-off section located between the lower end of at least one groove and the lower edge of the indicator cap breaks or comes off under tensile force. This will disrupt the continuity of the indicator cap, i.e. he will be torn in the peripheral direction. As a result, it can be removed from the closing part underneath.

In one embodiment, both grooves of the indicator cap can be adjacent to the tear sections, each of which extends from the lower end of the corresponding groove to the lower edge of the indicator cap. To separate the indicator cap from the closing part, the user pulls the tearing tab down until the tear sections located between the lower end of the corresponding groove and the lower edge of the indicator cap break (or tear) under the tensile force Tearing (tearing) of the tear sections will result to disruption (rupture) of the indicator cap, so that it can be removed from the closing part underneath.

In a preferred embodiment, both grooves of the indicator cap are of equal length.

The indicator cap is preferably made of suitable plastic and is mounted on the cover portion, which can rotate, but cannot be displaced in the axial direction.

The two grooves are preferably spatially separated in the peripheral direction of the indicator cap, mutually parallel and oriented vertically. In this case, it is desirable that each groove starts at the upper edge of the indicator cap and extends vertically downward from it.

A tear-off portion located at the lower end of at least one groove may be formed by reducing its cross-sectional area and / or by perforating it.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the tearing tab is radially displaced inward relative to the outer wall of the indicator cap. The advantage of this embodiment is that the user, pulling the tearing tongue down, simultaneously makes a sharp movement, diverting the lower end of the tongue near the lower edge of the indicator cap radially outward. This facilitates tearing (tearing) of the tear section in the area at the lower end of at least one groove.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the user can directly grab a tearing tab formed on the wall of the indicator cap and pull it down. However, it is possible to achieve improved functionality by using a tearing tongue in the invention, connected with its upper end opposite the tear-off portion to a grip plate. This patch is preferably larger than the tearing tab, and therefore the user can easily grab it. The grip plate is preferably molded onto the tearing tongue as an integral element. In this case, in the initial state, it can be integrated into the indicator cap and fixed on it by means of a breakable portion that can be broken. To open the capping device with an indication of tampering, the user breaks off the grip plate from the indicator cap by breaking the breakable area (which can, for example, be made in the form of a mesh or perforation lines or have a weakened cross section). After that, the user bends the pad up, and then pulls the tearing tab vertically down.

In the unused (non-destroyed) state of the indicator cap, the grip plate preferably completely or at least partially forms the upper wall of the closure device with an opening indication, so that this plate is easily accessible and does not require additional space.

In order to withdraw the grip plate from a fixed position in which it is held on the indicator cap according to the invention, an initiating portion can be formed on the side of the plate opposite the grooves. This section may be, for example, in the form of a protruding edge, beyond which the user can grab the grip plate and lift it off the indicator cap, thereby destroying the broken part.

The closing part, which contains the lower sleeve and the closure component located above the sleeve and connected to it in a single part by means of the first tamper indicator, is located on the container under the indicator cap. The closure component of the closure is preferably in the form of a screw cap. The container has a corresponding thread on which a screw cap can be screwed.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the first tamper indicator can be formed by a jumper (for example, in the form of a mesh) that connects the sleeve and the closure component of the closure to a single part and which inevitably breaks (or comes off) when the closure component is opened for the first time. Alternatively, the first tamper indicator may be formed by an annular strip bounded on both sides by perforation lines and located between the sleeve and the closure component of the closure portion. This strip is preferably provided with a gripping tongue, for which the user can grab the strip and tear it by breaking the perforation lines. As a result, the closure component is separated from the sleeve and can be removed from the container.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Other features and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment of the device, taken as an example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In FIG. 1 shows, in a perspective view, a capping device with an opening indicator according to the invention, in its original state.

In FIG. 2, the closure device of FIG. 1 is shown in a rear view.

In FIG. 3 (a) shows, in a perspective view, an indicator cap of a closure device with tamper indicating according to an embodiment of the invention.

In FIG. 3 (b) the indicator cap of FIG. 3 (a) is shown, in a perspective view, in a bottom view.

In FIG. 4 (a) shows, in a perspective view, an indicator cap of a closure device with a tamper indicating according to another embodiment.

In FIG. 4 (b) the indicator cap of the closure device of FIG. 4 (a) is shown, in a perspective view, in a plan view.

In FIG. 4 (c) shows a tamper-evident closure device comprising the indicator cap of FIG. 4 (a).

In FIG. 5 shows, in a perspective view, a closure device with tamper indication with a removed indicator cap, but with a cover that has not yet been destroyed.

In FIG. 6, a tamper evident device according to the invention is shown in section by a vertical plane passing through the longitudinal axis X.

In FIG. 7, a tamper-evident closure device according to the invention is shown in section by a horizontal plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X.

The implementation of the invention

In FIG. 1 shows, in a perspective view, a closure 10 with a tamper indicator for the container B in the form of a vertically oriented bottle having a normal inlet (not shown) at the upper end of the throat. A cover portion 12 (shown separately in FIG. 5) is installed at the inlet. The closing part has a lower sleeve 13, which is mounted on the top of the bottle neck and fixed from displacements along the bottle, i.e. along the longitudinal axis X of the bottle, and preferably from rotations about this axis. To this end, as shown in FIG. 6, an annular protrusion 31 may be formed on the inner side of the lower sleeve 13, mating with a corresponding recess 32 formed on the outer surface of the neck of the bottle.

Above the sleeve 13, there is a closure component 14 in the form of a screw cap, which can normally be mated with a thread at the upper end of the bottle neck and connected to the sleeve via a first tamper indicator 15.

The closure component 14 and the sleeve 13 are connected to form a single part, on which there are two lines of perforations 27, forming essentially complete circles, located in planes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X, and mutually offset in the direction of this axis. As a result, a continuous annular strip 25 is formed between these two lines, at one end of which there is a gripping tongue 26.

In the installed state, the closing portion 12 hermetically closes the inlet of the bottle, and it is mounted on the bottle so that it can be removed only with the destruction of the first indicator 15 opening.

An indicator cap 11 is mounted on top of the closure component 14 and on the first tamper indicator 15, which is preferably attached to the closure portion 12 so that the position of this closure relative to the closure portion 12 is fixed in the direction of the longitudinal axis X and can only be removed from the closure portion with its destruction. As shown in FIG. 6, an annular rib 33 is formed on the inner surface of the indicator cap 11 in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X, mating with a corresponding annular rib 34 made on the upper part of the sleeve 13. The ribs 33, 34 on the indicator cap and the sleeve are configured as follows to ensure that the indicator cap is mated to the cover portion 12 and secured relative to the cover portion in the direction of the longitudinal axis X. After the indicator cap is mated to the cover portion 12 (i.e., fix IAOD relative thereto), the connection between these components can be further strengthened by suitable means, non-limiting list of which includes gluing and welding, such as ultrasonic or laser, in the coupling position (fixation), i.e. in the position of mutual engagement of the annular ribs 33, 34. In this case, it is desirable that the indicator cap 11 was held on the closing part 12 with the possibility of a turn with it. As shown in FIG. 7, the indicator cap may be provided with protrusions 35 extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis X and distributed over the inner surface of the indicator cap 11. These protrusions of the indicator cap enter respective recesses 36 formed on the outer surface of the closure component 14, thereby preventing relative movement indicator cap 11 and capping component 14.

As shown in FIG. 3, the indicator cap 11, which forms the second tamper indicator 20, has a cylindrical body 30 in the shape of a round cylinder, a vertically oriented tearing tongue 16 is embedded in its wall. This tongue is limited on its sides by two grooves 17, 18, which are formed in the body wall 30 and are arranged mutually parallel and vertical. The grooves 17 and 18 reach the upper edge of the indicator cap 11 and communicate in this area with a peripheral gap 28, which is made around the circumference in the upper surface of the indicator cap 11, along its periphery. In this gap 28, as the upper surface of the indicator cap, there is an annular gripping plate 22. This plate is molded in the form of a single part with a tearing tongue 16 and connected to the body 30 of the indicator cap 11 by breaking portions 23, 37, which may have perforations and / or be fragile and which are formed in the annular gap 28. In the initial position illustrated in FIG. 3, these sections are fixed relative to the gap. The grip plate 22, in that zone which is diametrically opposite to the tearing tongue 16, has an initiating section 24 in the form of a protruding edge. This edge protrudes into a notch 29 made in the body 30 of the indicator cap 11, and, therefore, is easily accessible to the user (see Fig. 2). As shown in FIG. 3 (a) and 4 (b), the grip pad 22 is connected to at least two breakable portions 37 located in the annular gap 28 next to the initiating portion 24, and with the breakable portions 23 located in the annular gap 28 near the tearing tongue 16, those. remote from breaking areas 37.

In FIG. 1, 3 (a) and 3 (b) it is shown that the vertical grooves 17, 18 do not reach the lower edge 11a of the indicator cap 11, but end at a certain distance from it. As shown in FIG. 3 (a) and 3 (b), between the lower end of the groove 17 and the lower edge 11a of the indicator cap 11, in the continuation of the left groove 17, a tear section 19 is formed that extends to the lower edge 11a of the indicator cap. In the bottom view shown in FIG. 3 (b), it can be seen that this portion is formed by weakening (decreasing the thickness) of the wall of the indicator cap 11. As shown in FIG. 3 (a) and 3 (b), the tear section is located in the continuation of the vertical groove 17.

As can be seen from FIG. 4 (a) and 4 (b), there may be two tear-off sections 19, 19a made as extensions of both grooves 17, 18. Each of these sections is located respectively between the lower end of the groove 17, 18 and the lower edge 11a of the indicator cap 11, reaching to this bottom edge. As shown in FIG. 4 (c), to facilitate user access to the initiating portion 24, the dimensions of the cutout 29 can be increased. From FIG. 4 (a) and 4 (b) it can be seen that both grooves 17, 18 are oriented vertically and have an equal length in the direction of the longitudinal axis X, towards the lower edge of the indicator cap 11, i.e. equal length in the direction of the longitudinal axis X.

The body 30 of the indicator cap 11 is in the form of a substantially circular cylinder, the outer wall 21 of which is continuous except for the region of the grooves 17, 18 and the tearing tongue 16, which is offset inward relative to the wall 21 of the indicator cap 11, as can be seen in FIG. 1, 3 (a) -3 (b) and 4 (a) -4 (b).

One skilled in the art will recognize that the diameter of the indicator cap can be selected so that the surface of the wall 21 is a continuation of the outer surface of the sleeve 13 or is offset relative to it.

In FIG. 1 and 2, the indicator cap 11 is shown in its original (unused and undamaged) state. To open the container B (in particular the bottle), the user applies an upward force P along the longitudinal axis X to the initiating section 24 (see FIG. 2). Under the action of this force, breaking (or tearing) of the breaking parts 23 located in the annular gap 28 occurs, so that the grip plate 22 can be bent up and the user can grab it. After that, the user pulls the grip plate 22 and, accordingly, also tearing tongue 16 connected to it downward. As a result, a pulling force acts on the tear-off section 19, leading to the separation (or rupture) of this section. In the presence of two tear-off sections 19, 19a (in the embodiment of FIG. 4 (a)), this pulling force leads to the separation of one or both of these sections 19, 19a. As a result of the separation of section 19 or sections 19, 19a, the indicator cap is no longer closed around the perimeter, so that it can be moved apart in the radial direction and then removed. The tearing of the indicator cap 11 on the tear-off portion 19 is clearly visible to the user, so that the indicator cap 11 as a whole effectively forms a second tamper indicator 20, which indicates whether an attempt has already been made to open the bottle, or if the bottle is still in its original state.

In one embodiment, the grip pad 22 has mutually opposing loops 38 that are located on the pivot axis AA, and divide the grip pad 22 into the first half 22a and the second half 22b. As shown in FIG. 4 (b), the first half 22a of the grip plate is connected to the body 30 of the indicator cap 11 by means of at least two breaking parts 37, and the second half 22b by means of a group of breaking parts 23. Under the action of the force P, at least two breakable sections 37 located in the annular gap 28 (see Figs. 1 and 2), so that the first part 22a of the grip plate is rotated hinged upward, and the user can grab it. After that, the user pulls the second part 22b of the grip plate, tearing off the tear-off portions 23 located in the annular gap 28. The user then pulls the grip plate 22 and, therefore, the tear tab 16 connected to it, down. As a result, a pulling force acts on the tear-off section 19, leading to the tear-off of the tear-off section 19 or two tear-off sections 19, 19a - see FIG. 4 (a) -4 (s).

As shown in FIG. 5, after the indicator cap 11 has been torn, opened and removed, the bottle remains closed by means of the closing part 12. To open the bottle, the user must break the first tamper indicator 15, i.e. he must grab the strip 25 by the tongue 26 and break its connection with the capping component 14 and the sleeve 13 along the annular lines 27 of perforations.

As a result, the closure component 14 will separate from the sleeve 13 so that it can be removed from the bottle in the usual way (in particular by screwing). Alternatively, it may be possible to separate the first tamper indicator 15 by screwing on the closure component 14, since the closure component 14 will be axially lifted and therefore offset relative to the fixed sleeve 13.

Claims (30)

1. A capping device (10) with an indication of opening for the inlet of the container (B), comprising: a closing part (12), configured to be mounted on the inlet opening, hermetically closing it, and comprising a lower sleeve (13) and a closure component (14) connected to a single part by a first opening indicator (15), the first indicator (15) the opening is formed by an annular strip (25), bounded on both sides by perforation lines (27), and is located between the sleeve (13) and the closure component (14) of the closing part (12), and an indicator cap (11) that forms a second tamper indicator (20) and at least partially surrounds at least the closure component (14) of the closure part (12), however, access to the first tamper indicator (15) is possible only after tearing the indicator cap (11), in which a tearing tongue (16) is formed, limited by two grooves (17, 18) located at a distance from one another and ending at a distance from the bottom the edge (11a) of the indicator cap (11), with at least one of the grooves (17, 18) adjoining a tear section extending to the lower edge (11a) of the indicator cap (11). 2. A capping device according to claim 1, characterized in that the tear-off portion adjacent to at least one of the grooves (17, 18) is formed by reducing its cross-sectional area and / or by perforating it. 3. A capping device according to claim 1, characterized in that a tear section (19, 19a) is adjacent to each of the grooves (17, 18), with each tear section reaching the lower edge (11a) of the indicator cap (11). 4. A capping device according to claim 3, characterized in that the tear-off sections (19, 19a) are formed by reducing the cross-sectional area of the corresponding section and / or by perforating it. 5. A capping device according to claim 1, characterized in that said grooves (17, 18) are vertical. 6. A capping device according to claim 1, characterized in that both grooves (17, 18) of the indicator cap (11) are of equal length. 7. A capping device according to claim 1, characterized in that the tearing tab (16) is offset radially inward relative to the outer wall (21) of the indicator cap (11). 8. A capping device according to claim 1, characterized in that the tearing tab (16) with its upper end opposite the tear-off section (19, 19a) is connected to the grip plate (22). 9. A capping device according to claim 8, characterized in that said plate (22) is integrated into the indicator cap (11) and fixed therein by breaking portions (23, 37), which can be broken or torn off. 10. A capping device according to claim 9, characterized in that said plate (22) is provided with hinges (38) located on it along the axis (A-A) dividing the plate into first and second parts (22a, 22b). 11. A capping device according to claim 10, characterized in that the first part (22a) of the lining is connected to the indicator cap (11) by at least two breakable portions (37), and its second part (22b) is connected to the indicator cap (11) ) by means of a group of crumbling sections (23). 12. A capping device according to claim 8, characterized in that on the side of said lining (22), opposite the grooves (17, 18), an initiating section (24) is formed for its release. 13. A capping device according to claim 1, characterized in that the capping component (14) of the closing part (12) is a screw cap. 14. A capping device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first opening indicator (15) is formed by a grid or jumper connecting the sleeve (13) and the capping component (14) and made with the possibility of inevitable destruction upon first opening of the capping component (14). 15 Capping device according to any one of paragraphs. 1-14, characterized in that the indicator cap (11) is mounted on top of the closure component (14), and the first tamper indicator (15) is preferably fixed relative to the closing part (12). 16. A capping device according to claim 15, characterized in that on the inner surface of the indicator cap (11) there is an annular rib (33) capable of interfacing with the corresponding annular rib (34) available on the upper part of the sleeve (13), for mutual fixation of the indicator cap (11) and the closing part (12). 17. A capping device according to claim 16, characterized in that the mutual fixation of the indicator cap (11) and the closing part (12) is further strengthened by welding or gluing them in the position of mutual fixation. 18. Indicator cap for capping device with tamper indication according to any one of paragraphs. 1-17, comprising a body (30) and a tearing tongue (16) formed therein, bounded by two grooves (17, 18) located at a distance from one another and ending at a distance from the lower edge (11a) of the indicator cap (11), moreover, at least one of the grooves (17, 18) adjoins a tear-off section extending to the lower edge (11a) of the indicator cap (11). 19. The indicator cap according to claim 18, characterized in that the tear-off portion adjacent to at least one of the grooves (17, 18) is formed by reducing its cross-sectional area and / or perforating it. 20. The indicator cap according to claim 18, characterized in that a tear section (19, 19a) is adjacent to each of the grooves (17, 18), with each tear section reaching the lower edge (11a) of the indicator cap (11). 21. The indicator cap according to claim 20, characterized in that the tear-off sections (19, 19a) are formed by reducing the cross-sectional area of the corresponding section and / or its perforation. 22. The indicator cap according to claim 18, characterized in that the tearing tab (16) is radially displaced inward relative to the outer wall (21) of the indicator cap (11). 23. The indicator cap according to claim 18, characterized in that the tearing tongue (16) with its upper end opposite the tear-off section (19, 19a) is connected to the grip plate (22). 24. The indicator cap according to claim 23, characterized in that the grip plate (22) is connected to the body (30) by breaking portions (23, 37), which can be broken or torn off. 25. The indicator cap according to claim 24, characterized in that said plate (22) is provided with hinges (38) located on it along the axis (AA) dividing the plate into first and second parts (22a, 22b). 26. The indicator cap according to claim 25, characterized in that the first part (22a) of the lining is connected to the indicator cap (11) by at least two breakable portions (37), and its second part (22b) is connected to the indicator cap (11 ) by means of a group of crumbling sections (23). 27. The indicator cap according to claim 23, characterized in that on the side of said lining (22), opposite the grooves (17, 18), an initiating section (24) is formed for its release.

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