Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
  • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B67D3/00—Apparatus or devices for controlling flow of liquids under gravity from storage containers for dispensing purposes
  • B67D3/0029—Apparatus or devices for controlling flow of liquids under gravity from storage containers for dispensing purposes provided with holders for bottles or similar containers
  • B67D3/0032—Apparatus or devices for controlling flow of liquids under gravity from storage containers for dispensing purposes provided with holders for bottles or similar containers the bottle or container being held upside down and provided with a closure, e.g. a cap, adapted to cooperate with a feed tube
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D41/00—Caps, e.g. crown caps or crown seals, i.e. members having parts arranged for engagement with the external periphery of a neck or wall defining a pouring opening or discharge aperture; Protective cap-like covers for closure members, e.g. decorative covers of metal foil or paper
  • B65D41/32—Caps or cap-like covers with lines of weakness, tearing-strips, tags, or like opening or removal devices, e.g. to facilitate formation of pouring openings
  • B65D41/46—Snap-on caps or cap-like covers
  • B65D41/48—Snap-on caps or cap-like covers non-metallic, e.g. made of paper or plastics
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D2401/00—Tamper-indicating means
  • B65D2401/15—Tearable part of the closure
  • B65D2401/25—Non-metallic tear-off strips

Definitions

• Corking device for a cylinder provided with means for retaining and hooking a cast or molded joint, and method of making
• the invention relates to a closure device for a cylinder comprising a neck provided with a bead external to its free end and intended for a liquid dispenser of the “water fountain” type.
• the distribution of water by generally refrigerated fountains is a very common system in countries such as the United States of America and certain Asian countries.
• the water to be distributed is delivered in cylinders with a capacity of five gallons (19/20 liters) which are placed upside down on the distributor, the latter making it possible to distribute the water in smaller volumes, for example in glasses.
• the invention relates more particularly to plugging devices commonly called “non-spill”, that is to say which allow, thanks to an internal valve system which frees the passage of water out of the cylinder only when this the latter is in place on the dispenser, put the bottle on the dispenser and remove it from the dispenser, even before it is empty, without risk of spillage of the contents of the bottle.
• closure devices are known, in particular from document FR-A-2 769 004 issued by the applicant.
• Such a device generally comprises a plastic capsule comprising a transverse end wall from which protrude in the same direction, on the one hand a substantially cylindrical outer skirt, provided with an internal bead for attachment behind the bead of the neck of the cylinder and, on the other hand, a substantially cylindrical interior chimney intended to receive a withdrawal cannula provided on the dispenser to fit into the chimney from the transverse end wall of the capsule, when putting in place of the cylinder on the dispenser.
• the device may include a tamper-evident seal molded in one piece with the capsule and located at the start of the chimney, on the side of the transverse wall, so as to close off the chimney, the said cover being intended to be irreparably and visibly destroyed during the fitting of the withdrawal cannula into the chimney
• a seal is generally placed against the inner face of the transverse wall of the capsule, between the outer skirt and the chimney.
• the seal is intended to be compressed axially between the rim of the neck of the cylinder and the transverse wall of the capsule, when the closure device is mounted on said neck. Most often, it is a foam joint, flat and discoidal, in the center of which is a hole allowing the passage of the chimney.
• Certain devices of the prior art provide a projection on the internal face of the transverse wall of the capsule, the said projection being intended to penetrate into the seal when the closure device is mounted on the neck and that the seal is compressed. Such a projection is in particular intended to prevent the relative displacement of the seal relative to the transverse wall of the capsule.
• the projection does not always allow good retention of the seal against the transverse wall of the capsule, the seal being able in particular to detach from said wall by moving axially towards the interior of the capsule;
• the invention relates to a closure device for a cylinder comprising a neck provided with a bead external to its free end and intended for a liquid dispenser of the water fountain type, the so-called device comprising a plastic capsule comprising a transverse end wall from which protrudes a substantially cylindrical outer skirt, provided with an internal bead for attachment behind the bead of the neck of the cylinder, in which the transverse wall has, on its inner face, an annular groove with an axis substantially coincident with the axis of said capsule, delimited by two ribs projecting substantially perpendicular to said transverse wall, said groove being located, when the device is mounted on the neck of the cylinder, opposite the edge of said neck, and being intended to receive a cast or molded joint and to prevent displacement nt thereof parallel to the transverse wall.
• the plugging device further comprises a substantially cylindrical inner chimney, projecting from the transverse end wall in the same direction as the outer skirt so that the groove is located between the skirt and the chimney , said chimney being intended to receive a withdrawal cannula provided on the distributor to come to fit into the chimney from the transverse end wall of the capsule, during the positioning of the cylinder on the distributor, as well as '' a tamper-evident seal molded in one piece with the capsule and located at the start of the chimney, on the side of the transverse wall so as to close off the chimney, the said seal being intended to be irreparably and visibly destroyed during the fitting of the withdrawal cannula into the chimney.
• the axial height of the ribs is less than the thickness of the joint when it is not compressed.
• the ends of the two ribs are axially offset from each other.
• a first rib is located axially, with respect to the axis of the capsule, approximately two thirds of the diameter of said capsule, a second rib being located substantially at the same distance from the axis of the capsule as the interior end. of the inner bead of the skirt.
• the groove comprises, on its inner face, at least one means for attaching the seal, thus preventing the displacement of said seal out of the groove.
• the seal put in place by casting or molding, is held against the transverse wall both by a physicochemical adhesion force, and by the mechanical attachment means or means.
• the groove maintains the joint in all directions parallel to the transverse wall of the capsule.
• the process for producing the joint allows the mechanical attachment means to penetrate into the material of which the said joint is made before it solidifies. Thus, any risk of rupture of the joint following the force exerted by the fastening means is eliminated.
• the groove comprises, on its inner face, at least one projection forming hooking means for said seal.
• At least one rib comprises a projection extending substantially radially towards the inside of the groove.
• the axial height of the projection decreases from the rib to the end of said projection, so as to form a point capable of penetrating into the joint.
• the projection is located towards the free end of the rib.
• each of the two ribs comprises a projection extending substantially radially towards the inside of the groove.
• the bottom of the groove comprises at least one projection extending substantially axially towards the inside of the capsule.
• the projection comprises at least one face inclined at an acute angle relative to the axis of the capsule so that, when the seal is placed in the groove, at least one area of said seal is included in a catching area located axially between the bottom of the groove and part of said projection.
• the projection has, in axial section, the shape of at least one trapezium whose large base is located towards the free end of said projection. Said trapezium has an axis of symmetry substantially parallel to the axis of the capsule.
• the axial height of the projection is less than the axial height of the ribs.
• the projection is annular, the axis of said projection being substantially coincident with the axis of the capsule.
• the inner face of the groove includes localized reliefs such as ridges, roughness, or the like, forming a hooking means for the joint.
• the invention relates to an assembly comprising a closure device as previously described and a seal placed in the groove of the transverse wall of said capsule, the seal having been put in place by casting or by molding.
• the invention relates to an assembly comprising a closure device as previously described, a seal placed in the groove of the transverse wall of said capsule, the seal having been put in place by casting or by molding, and a cylinder, said cylinder being empty or at least partially filled with a certain content.
• the groove is located opposite the edge of said neck, the seal being compressed, in the groove, between the transverse wall of the capsule and the edge of the neck of the bottle.
• the invention relates to a method of producing a capsule - joint assembly.
• the seal is poured into the groove of the capsule, said capsule having been previously molded by injection.
• the capsule and the seal are produced by bi-injection molding.
• FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a closure device according to the invention, comprising a capsule and mounted on a bottle neck;
• FIG. 1 is a top view of the device of Figure 1;
• FIG. 3 is a partial axial sectional view of the device of Figure 1, showing a seal cast in a groove present inside the capsule;
• FIG. 4 is a view of detail A of Figure 3, according to a first embodiment
• FIG. 5 is a view of detail A of Figure 3, according to a second embodiment
• FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the device mounted on the neck of the cylinder, along line B-B of Figure 2;
• FIG. 7 is a sectional view similar to Figure 6, showing the closure device after placement of the cylinder on a dispenser;
• FIG. 8 and 9 schematically illustrate a variant of the method of producing a capsule provided with a seal, said capsule being shown in partial axial section.
• the capping device as illustrated by the appended figures, is intended for capping the neck 1 of cylinders for a water dispenser of the fountain type, cylinders which generally have a capacity of five gallons (19/20 liters) and which are made for example of polycarbonate.
• the neck 1 has, at its free end, an outer bead 2 for attachment.
• the closure device comprises a capsule 3 of axis 4, comprising a transverse end wall 5 from which project in the same direction on the one hand an outer skirt 6 which is essentially cylindrical and on the other hand an inner chimney 7 also of essentially cylindrical in shape, the axial height of the chimney 7 here being less than the axial height of the skirt 6.
• the skirt 6 has an inner bead 8, for example interrupted in several sectors, intended to cooperate with the outer bead 2 of the neck 1 in order to maintain the capsule 3 on the neck 1, by mutual clipping.
• the chimney 7 comprises, on its inner face, two annular reliefs 9, 10 whose function will be detailed later.
• a plug 11 in the form of a cup is fitted into the free end 12, that is to say opposite to the transverse wall 5, of the chimney 7.
• the plug 11 essentially comprises a bottom 13, located towards the free end 16 of the chimney 7, a substantially cylindrical wall 14, projecting relative to the bottom 13, and an outer annular rim 15 provided towards the bottom 12 to come to bear against the free end 16 of the chimney 7 during the fitting of the plug 11 in the chimney 7 (see Figures 3 and 6).
• the plug 11 also comprises:
• the chimney 7 is closed by a cover 20 which is molded in one piece with the capsule 3, in the form of a rupture diaphragm constituted by eight petals 21 in the form of sectors of a circle, connected together by tear lines 22 in the form of rays.
• the cover 20 has a slightly conical shape, the tip of the cone being turned towards the plug 11.
• the diameter and the axial height of the chimney 7 are chosen so that when the plug 11 is fully inserted into the chimney 7, its outer rim 15 being in contact with the free end 16 of the chimney 7, the internal rim 19 at the free end of the cylindrical wall 14 of the plug 11 is distant from the cover 20 by a distance corresponding at least to the radius of the chimney 7, therefore substantially the length of the petals 21.
• the skirt 6 has internally a tear line 23 (weakening line) which extends from the free end of the skirt 6, through the internal bead 8 interrupted at this point, to between the bead 8 of the skirt 6 and the transverse wall 5, substantially to the right of the top of the outer bead 2 of the neck 1 of the cylinder.
• a gripping tab 24 provided on the skirt 6 makes it possible to tear off the latter, that is to say to tear the capsule 3 along the tear line 23, which means that the remaining capsule no longer holds on the neck 1 from the cylinder.
• FIG. 7 represents the bottle filled with water, closed by the capsule 3, after its installation in the inverted position on a dispenser of which only the withdrawal cannula 25 has been shown since it is the only part of the dispenser which cooperates with the closure device which is the subject of the present invention.
• the withdrawal cannula 25 has a substantially cylindrical body comprising at least one withdrawal hole 26 intended for the passage of the liquid from the interior of the cylinder towards the exterior of the dispenser.
• the head 27 (upper end) of the withdrawal cannula 25 When placing the bottle on the dispenser, in the inverted position, the head 27 (upper end) of the withdrawal cannula 25 first causes the rupture of the seal 20 at the tear lines 22, c that is to say a subdivision of the cover 20 into eight petals 21 which, remaining attached by their base to the chimney 7, are folded up by the head 27 of the cannula 25. The head 27 of the cannula 25 then enters the plug 11, the inner rim 19 of which is snapped into a groove 28 formed between the head 27 and the body of the cannula 25.
• the withdrawal cannula 25 on which the cap 11 remains engaged snaps the cap 11 back into the free end of the chimney 7, until the outer rim 15 abuts against the free end 16 of the chimney 7, the projections 17, 18 also cooperating with the reliefs 9, 10.
• the plug 11 fitted fully in the chimney 7 is detached from the cannula 25, again ensuring the sealed closure of the cylinder.
• the skirt 6 is torn off along the tear line 23 of the capsule 3 by a pull exerted on the tab 24, the capsule 3 can then be removed by hand without effort, no longer maintained on the neck 1 of the cylinder.
• a new capping device is placed on the neck 1, the cover 20 and the skirt 6 of which are intact, which is a guarantee of the origin of the content of the bottle (double function of inviolability).
• the closure device according to the invention may be provided with a third tamper-evident means consisting of a circumferential tamper-evident ring or band connected to the free end of the skirt by frangible means, for example a weakening line or discrete bridges, the ring being engaged behind a second external bead provided on the neck 1 of the cylinder, at a distance below the upper bead 2.
• frangible means for example a weakening line or discrete bridges
• the inviolability or guarantee ring may be any type, or constituted by a heat-shrinkable ring, the retraction of which is produced during the fitting of the capsule 3, after filling. This guarantee ring completes the two means of inviolability or of guarantee constituted by the cover 20 and the removable skirt 6.
• the closure device according to the invention can be used without a stopper 11.
• the seal 20, as long as it is not destroyed by the withdrawal cannula 25, not only constitutes a means of guarantee or inviolability but also ensures a tight closure of the capsule 3.
• the capsule 3 does not prevent the flow of water out of the cylinder which would be withdrawn from the dispenser before being completely empty .
• the inner face 29 of the transverse wall 5 has an annular groove 30, of axis substantially coincident with the axis 4 of the capsule 3.
• the groove 30 is delimited by a first rib 31, located axially, with respect to the axis 4 of the capsule 3, substantially at two-thirds of the diameter of said capsule 3, ie substantially midway between the chimney 7 and the outer skirt 6, and by a second rib 32, situated towards the periphery of the transverse wall 5, substantially at the same distance from the axis 4 of the capsule 3 as the inner end of the inner bead 8 of the skirt 6, the said ribs 31, 32 projecting substantially perpendicular to the transverse wall 5.
• the groove 28 is located, when the capsule 3 is mounted on the neck 1 of the cylinder, opposite the rim 33 of the neck 1.
• the groove 30 is intended to receive an O-ring 34, put in place by pouring or by molding, as shown in FIG. 3.
• O-ring 34 put in place by pouring or by molding, as shown in FIG. 3.
• the axial height of the ribs 31, 32 is less than the thickness of the seal 34 when it is not compressed, but is sufficient to maintain the seal 34 inside the groove 30. It is understood that the height axial of the ribs 31, 32 is adjusted to allow the seal 34 to ensure a very good seal between the capsule 3 and the neck 1, when the capsule 3 is mounted on the neck 1 of the cylinder.
• the ends of the two ribs 31, 32 are offset axially relative to one another.
• the groove 30 makes it possible to prevent the displacement of the seal 34 parallel to the transverse wall 5, the seal 34 being held between the ribs 31, 32.
• the groove 30 is provided protrusions intended to penetrate into the material of the seal 34, when the latter is cast or molded, so as to form a means of hooking said seal 34.
• the protrusions have come from manufacture, by molding, with the capsule 3.
• each of the two ribs 31, 32 comprises an annular projection 35, of axis substantially coincident with the axis 4 of the capsule 3, extending radially inward of the groove 30.
• the invention also provides an embodiment in which the projections 35 form an acute angle with the ribs 31, 32.
• the projections 35 are each located towards the free end of a rib 31, 32.
• each of the projections 35 decreases from the rib 31, 32 to the end of the projection 35, so as to form a point capable of penetrating into the joint 34.
• the bottom 36 of the groove 30, substantially coincident with the transverse wall 5 of the capsule 3, has a projection 37 directed towards the inside of the groove 30, substantially axially.
• the projection 37 has, in axial section, the shape of a trapezoid, or rather of two trapezoids symmetrical with respect to the axis 4 of the capsule 3.
• the small base 38 of the trapezoid is substantially coincident with the bottom 36 of the groove 30, the large base 39 of the trapezoid constituting the free end of the projection 37.
• the trapezium has an axis of symmetry 40 substantially parallel to the axis 4 of capsule 3.
• the distinct trapezoid faces of the bases 38, 39 are inclined relative to the bottom 36 of the groove 30 at an acute angle, for example between 40 ° and 80 °, in particular close to 60 °.
• the axial height of the projection 37 is less than that of the ribs 31, 32.
• the projection 37 has, in axial section, the shape of a trapezium whose large base is substantially coincident with the bottom 36 of the groove 30, the small base of the trapezium constituting the free end of the projection 37.
• the small base can be very small in length, so that the trapezoid is like a triangle.
• At least one face of the trapezoid, distinct from the bases, is inclined relative to the bottom 36 of the groove 30 at an acute angle, for example between 40 ° and 80 °, in particular close to 60 °.
• the internal face of the groove 30 is provided with localized reliefs forming mechanical attachment means for the seal 34.
• the inner face of the groove 30 has ridges, scales, asperities formed by electroerosion, or the like.
• the invention also provides for creating inside the groove 30 a rough or granite surface state.
• the establishment of the seal 34 is done by depositing a certain volume of material at the bottom of the groove 30, the capsule 3 having been previously molded by injection. This deposition can be carried out using an extruder or a “hot melt” gun.
• the joint 34 is generally allowed to take its natural geometric shape, which leads to a curved surface, as illustrated in FIG. 3.
• the configuration of the protrusions 35, 37 is such that there is a zone 41 - known as the attachment zone - comprised axially between the bottom 36 of the groove 30 and the said protrusion 35, 37. Part of the material deposited at the bottom of the plug and flowing against the bottom 36 of the groove 30 is placed in the attachment zone 27.
• the attachment zone 27 Part of the material deposited at the bottom of the plug and flowing against the bottom 36 of the groove 30 is placed in the attachment zone 27.
• FIGS 8 and 9 illustrate a second alternative embodiment of the capsule assembly 3 - seal 34, by bi-injection molding. It should be noted that the figures are simplified, the ribs 31, 32 and the projections 35, 37 do not appear.
• the seal 34 is first injected, between a first mold part 42 and a core 43 which define the shape of said seal 34 ( Figure 8). The junction between the first mold part 42 and the core 43 is sealed.
• the capsule 3 is injected between a second mold part 44 and the core 43, so as to overmold the seal 34 (FIG. 9).
• the projections 35, 37 are thus molded inside the seal 34, which ensures good attachment of said seal 34.
• the capsule 3 is for example made of high density polyethylene (HDPE).
• the capsule 3 -joint assembly 34 is ejected from the mold.
• the first and second parts 42, 44 of the mold have the same internal profile, so that, after the cooling of the seal 34 previously cast, it suffices, without opening the mold, to move the said first or second part 42, 44 relative to the core 43, so as to define a housing in which the capsule 3 will be cast.
• the invention finally provides a simplified closure device (not shown), provided with the groove 30 and a seal 34 cast or molded, in which the capsule 3 comprises neither chimney 7, nor plug 11, nor cover 20, but only a skirt 6 provided with a tear line 23, one end of which is situated between the bead 8 and the transverse wall 5, so as to allow a user to remove the capsule from the neck of the cylinder by action on the tab 24 .
• canister can be set up on a dispenser without a cannula, very quickly, so as to avoid any water spraying. On the other hand, if the cylinder is removed from the dispenser before being completely empty, the seal is no longer ensured.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Closures For Containers (AREA)
• Examining Or Testing Airtightness (AREA)
• Sealing Of Jars (AREA)
• Seal Device For Vehicle (AREA)
• Superstructure Of Vehicle (AREA)
• Lighting Device Outwards From Vehicle And Optical Signal (AREA)

Priority Applications (6)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

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ID=8861636

Family Applications (1)

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Cited By (4)

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Citations (8)

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• 2001
  • 2001-03-28 FR FR0104180A patent/FR2822810B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2001-09-19 US US10/471,252 patent/US20040129667A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2001-09-19 WO PCT/FR2001/002911 patent/WO2002079046A1/fr active IP Right Grant
  • 2001-09-19 ES ES01972168T patent/ES2234888T3/es not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2001-09-19 EP EP01972168A patent/EP1373086B1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2001-09-19 AT AT01972168T patent/ATE284819T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2001-09-19 RU RU2003128029/12A patent/RU2263616C2/ru not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2001-09-19 CA CA002442213A patent/CA2442213C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2001-09-19 DE DE60107878T patent/DE60107878T2/de not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2001-09-19 PL PL01363691A patent/PL363691A1/xx not_active IP Right Cessation

Patent Citations (8)

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