Classifications

• • 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
  • B65D47/00—Closures with filling and discharging, or with discharging, devices
  • B65D47/04—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps
  • B65D47/06—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps with pouring spouts or tubes; with discharge nozzles or passages
  • B65D47/08—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps with pouring spouts or tubes; with discharge nozzles or passages having articulated or hinged closures
  • B65D47/0804—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps with pouring spouts or tubes; with discharge nozzles or passages having articulated or hinged closures integrally formed with the base element provided with the spout or discharge passage
  • B65D47/0809—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps with pouring spouts or tubes; with discharge nozzles or passages having articulated or hinged closures integrally formed with the base element provided with the spout or discharge passage and elastically biased towards both the open and the closed positions
• • 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
  • B65D2401/30—Tamper-ring remaining connected to closure after initial removal

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a closure device intended to be mounted on an opening of a container containing a fluid, liquid or pulverulent product.
• This type of closure device thus forms means for distributing the fluid contained in the container. Thanks to the sealing means integrated in the device, the distribution can be selectively enabled or stopped.
• This kind of closure device can be used in many fields such as cosmetics, paracosmetics, washing and cleaning agents, food products, pharmacy, parapharmacy, etc.
• the closure device may comprise a base defining fixing means for fixing the base to the opening of the container.
• the base generally defines a fluid dispensing orifice through which fluid can be dispensed from the container.
• the closure device can comprise a removable cap intended to be mounted on the base, said cap comprising closure means for advantageously sealingly closing the dispensing orifice of the base.
• a removable cap intended to be mounted on the base, said cap comprising closure means for advantageously sealingly closing the dispensing orifice of the base.
• the removable cap can be screwed or snapped onto the base.
• the cap can also be hinged so that it remains connected to the base, even in the open position.
• the cap can for example be pivotally mounted on the base between an open position and a closed position.
• the cap can also be completely detached from the base.
• the base is fixed to the opening of the container in a non-removable or practically non-removable manner, so that it is not easy for a user to remove the base from the opening of the container.
• the removable cap can be easily removed from the base by the user without using other means than his hands.
• a problem is therefore to assure the user who has just obtained a distributor equipped with such a closure device that he is or will be the first to remove the removable cap from the base.
• the first user must be guaranteed that he has the first use of the dispenser equipped with the closure device. This reassures the user as to the nature or origin of the product contained in the dispenser. This also ensures that the container is filled to the maximum.
• the dispensing cap of this document includes a first-use indicator system that the user must first activate by pressing on the pressure part. Before breaking the breakable link, it is not possible to rotate the cap.
• Document US-5 875 007 provides a similar lesson.
• Document US Pat. No. 3,651,992 describes another type of first-use safety cap also comprising a base and a cap. The cap is initially connected in a single piece to the base by a joint. The cap forms an anchoring stud which can be engaged in a housing formed by the base.
• the stud By tilting the cap on the base, the stud is engaged and locked in the housing. Simultaneously, the cap and the base cooperate to form a hinge. Then you can rotate the cap around the hinge. For that, it is necessary, during the first opening of the cap, to break a connection at the level of the base. The rupture of this link gives an indication of the first use. A part, which was initially formed by the base, is separated from the base and is then secured to the cap.
• the object of the present invention is to define another type of first-time control means which do not require prior manipulation by the user. In addition, the witness means must be easily visible.
• the closure device comprises first-time indicator means making it possible to easily visualize a first withdrawal of the cap from the base.
• said witness means comprise a visual witness member which can be moved between an initial position for guaranteeing no prior withdrawal and a final position for detection of prior withdrawal, said displaceable witness member reaching its final position when the cap is replaced on its base so as to close the dispensing orifice. Thanks to this visual indicator member, the user can immediately perceive whether the shutter device has already been opened or not. It is the first actuation of the cap which will make it possible to modify the position of the visual indicator member. Thus, at first glance, the user, just to see the orientation of the visual indicator member, will know if the cap has already been actuated or not.
• the displacement of the control member is a displacement by pivoting.
• the initial position is separated from the final position by an intermediate position of unstable equilibrium.
• the visual witness member is forced to position itself either in the initial position, or in the final position passing through the intermediate position of unstable equilibrium.
• the witness member is biased in the final position by a support element integral with the base, said witness member being integral with the cap.
• the control member extends in the initial position, between the base and the support element and, in the final position, between the support element and the cap.
• the support element is initially secured to the cap, and made integral to the base after initial mounting of the cap on the base.
• the support element is initially secured to the cap by means of frangible connections capable of being broken during the first removal of the cap.
• the support element is made integral with the base by welding.
• the support element is formed by a ring which extends at least partially around the cap, said ring being initially connected to the cap by bridges of brittle material
• the base comprising a crown surrounding at at least partially the dispensing orifice, said ring being fixed, advantageously by welding, to the crown with a fixing force greater than the bonding force of the ring on the cap, so that the ring remains fixed to the base when removing the cap from the base by breaking the bridges of brittle material.
• the crown forms a housing intended to receive the witness member in the initial position.
• the control member is connected to the cap along a curved articulation line advantageously defined at a lower peripheral edge of the cap.
• the cap is pivotally mounted on the base.
• the control member is made of a material or a color different from the rest of the cap.
• the ring forming the support element which is connected on the one hand to the cap by the breakable connections and which is fixed on the other hand to the base advantageously by welding already forms control means, in the sense that the ring forms a witness element initially connected, before the first removal of the cap to the cap by the breakable witness links, and fixed on the other hand to the base, the breakable links being able to be broken during the first removal of the cap so that the broken connections inform of the prior opening of the closure device. Therefore, the ring with its breakable uses, also constitute first-time witness means whose visibility depends on the shape, configuration and size of the breakable links and also on the the way they break.
• the shutter device when the witness means are in the form of a visual witness member urged by the welded ring between an initial position and a final position, the shutter device then integrates two witness means, namely the movable witness body and breakable witness links. Consequently, the shutter device according to the invention can integrate witness means only in the form of a witness element initially connected to the cap by breakable witness links, or a combination of witness member and d 'witness element giving a double indication as to the first use of the shutter device.
• the shutter device according to the invention integrates only witness means in the form of a witness member urged by a support element other than a witness element in the form of a ring connected by breakable links.
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a base of a closure device according to the invention
• FIGS. 2 and 3 are perspective views from different angles of a cap, of a closure device according to the invention
• FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a closure device according to the invention in the initial position before use
• FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the closure device of FIG. 4 in the open position
• Figure 6 is another perspective view of the device of Figures 4 and 5 in the closed position after use.
• the closure device according to the invention shown in the various figures comprises two constituent elements, namely a base 1 and a cap 2.
• the closure device also comprises a ring 3 which can be associated either with the cap, either at the base in constituent element term.
• the base 1 as well as the cap 2 can be produced by injection of plastic material.
• the base 1 can be made in one piece and is intended to be mounted on an opening of a container (not shown) containing a fluid, liquid or powdery product.
• the base 1 comprises fixing means for fixing it stably on the opening of the container.
• These fixing means may for example comprise a skirt 12 which is provided internally or externally with hooking means intended to cooperate with the opening of the container.
• the skirt 12 can be provided with an internal thread or an internal latching profile intended to cooperate with an external wall of the container. This is precisely the case of the skirt 12 of the base 1 shown in the figures.
• the skirt 12 is extended at its upper end by a re-entering shoulder 16 which extends substantially over the entire periphery of the skirt 12.
• the base 1 forms two buttresses which together define a kind crown 14 which extends partially over the periphery of the skirt.
• the two buttresses are separated by a housing 15 which forms a recess in the crown 14.
• a hinge bearing element 13 In a diametrically opposite manner to the housing 15, there is provided a hinge bearing element 13. Between the two buttresses forming the crown 14, and between the housing 15 and the hinge bearing element 13, there is provided a central nozzle 10 pierced in its center by a dispensing orifice 11.
• a cap 2 which is intended to be removably mounted on the base 1 so as to seal the dispensing orifice 11 in a sealed manner.
• the cap 2 forms a sealing stud 210 as can be seen in FIG. 5.
• the cap 2 has a general shape of a cup comprising a bottom 21 at the level of which the closing stud 210 is formed. Since the cup is overturns so as to form a sort of cap 20, the bottom 21 constitutes the upper wall of the cap 2. From this upper wall 21, the cap 20 forms a side wall 22 which is here of generally frustoconical shape.
• this side wall 22 is pierced with a window 220 which has an upper gripping edge 211 formed by the upper wall 21.
• the size of the window 220 is such that it is possible to penetrate therein at least partially a finger of one hand. It is thus possible to take hold of the cap 20 of the cap 2 using a finger of one hand.
• the side wall 22 defines a free lower end edge 201.
• a hinge pin element 24 is connected to the cap 20 at this free end edge 201.
• the cap forms a tongue 25 which is connected to the edge 201 along a curved articulation line 205.
• This tongue 25 is movable between two stable positions.
• This tongue can be made in one piece with the cap 20, in a suitable plastic material. Alternatively, the tongue may be made of a plastic material or a color different from that of the cap, for example by means of a technique by bi-injection or co-molding.
• the cap 2 In use, that is to say after the first opening of the cap, the latter consists of the cap 20, its hinge pin element 24 and its movable tongue 25.
• the cap 2 before the first use, that is to say before the first removal of the cap from the base, the cap 2 also comprises a ring 3 which extends at least partially around the cap 20, and more precisely at its lower end edge 201. This ring 3 extends over the entire periphery of the cap 20 except at the level of the hinge pin element 24. The ring 3 also extends at the level of the displaceable tongue 25.
• This tongue 25 which is located diametrically opposite the hinge pin element 24 and advantageously just below the gripping window 220, extends in the initial position, that is to say before mounting the cap 2 on the base 1 below the ring 3 as can be clearly seen on Figure 3.
• Ring 3 shows a thinning at the level of the tongue 25 in the form of an internal recess 33.
• This thinned part of the ring 3 forms a support element 32 for the tongue 25 as will be seen below.
• This support element 32 is advantageously provided with a stop and protection appendage 320 which extends over part of the external periphery of the support element 32.
• This protection appendage 320 extends downwards substantially in the same general direction as the tongue 25.
• the ring 3 is connected to the remainder of the cap 2 and more particularly to the cap 20 at its lower end edge 201 by means of several brittle or breakable connections 30.
• the cap 2 with its ring 3 can be made in one piece by injection of molded plastic.
• the cap 20 and the ring 3 initially form a unitary unitary piece.
• This one-piece piece 2 can be mounted on the base 1 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
• the cap 2 is engaged on the base 1 so that the closure stud 210 comes to be housed in the dispensing orifice. 11 by creating a seal at the seat 110.
• the hinge pin element 24 engages with the hinge bearing element 13 formed by the base 1.
• the engagement of the element axis 24 on the bearing element 13 is such that the cap 2 can then move relative to the base 1 with a rotational movement by pivoting around the axis formed by the association of the elements 13 and 24.
• the ring 3 formed initially in a single piece by the cap 2 comes into contact with the crown 14 of the base 1.
• the tongue 25 is positioned under the support element 32 formed by the ring 3, but also in the housing 15 formed on level water from the crown 14.
• the mounting of the cap 2 on the base 1 to achieve the configuration of FIG. 4 is carried out very simply without it being necessary to take care of the positioning of the tongue 25 so that it comes to be housed in the accommodation 15 below the support element 32. Indeed, the tongue 25 has not changed position since its manufacture.
• the ring 3 is fixed to the base 1 once the cap 2 is mounted on the base 1. This fixing can be carried out by any technical means, but preferably, the ring 3 is welded to the base 1 at crown 14.
• welding can be carried out with any known technique, such as for example ultrasonic welding.
• the cap 2 is fixed in position on the base 1 by means of the ring 3 fixed to the base 1 and connected to the cap 20 by means of the breakable connections 30.
• a tensile force can be exerted on the cap 20 which is sufficient to cause the breakable links 30 which receive the cap to break or break 'ring 3.
• the fixing force which connects the ring to the base 1 is greater than the breaking force of the links 30.
• the ring 3 and more particularly its brittle connections 30, constitute means of witness d e first use in the form of a visual indicator member at which one can easily and quickly see if the cap has already been removed from the base or not.
• the breakable links 30 do not have the same configuration or appearance before and after their rupture so that the user can easily see if the links are still intact or broken. This gives him clear information on the prior use of the shutter device.
• the ring 3 which forms the first-use indicator means is produced together with the cap 2 and then added and advantageously fixed by welding to the base 1. Next, the removing the cap 2 from the base 1 leaves the ring 3 fixed to the base 1.
• the cap 2 does not even need to be provided with a tongue 25.
• this movable tongue 25 also acts as a visual indicator means in cooperation with the support element 32 formed by the ring 3. In the initial position, the tongue 25 extends under the support element 32 to inside the housing 15, as can be seen very clearly in FIG. 4.
• the tongue 25 connected to the cap 20 by the line of articulation 205 is then extracted from the housing 15 and from below the support element 32. We then arrive at the open configuration of FIG. 5.
• the cover 20 is then pivoted in its maximum opening state so as to very clear the dispensing orifice 11. It is then possible to dispense the fluid contained in the container.
• the user will again pivot the cap 20 to bring it back to the initial sealed closure position of the dispensing orifice 11.
• the tab 25 which had hitherto not changed orientation since its manufacture, will then be forced to modify its orientation by a pivoting movement around the hinge line 205.
• the tongue 25 to disengage from the housing 15 is came into contact with the support element 32 and underwent a slight deformation by bending.
• the tongue 25 is again relaxed to return to its initial rest position, which is indicative of a prior withdrawal of the cover 20.
• the tongue 25 When handing over in place of the cap 20 base 1, the tongue 25, which is still still in its initial position, will again come into contact with the support element 32, but this time from above, while during the withdrawal of the tongue, the latter had come into contact with the support element 24 from below. Therefore, the tongue 25 will be forced to pivot around its articulation line 205 to reach a second final position in which the tongue 25 is then positioned above the support element 32 and no longer in below as was the case in the initial position of Figure 4. The tongue 25 then extends in a direction making an angle of nearly 90 ° relative to its initial position. It then points slightly upwards, while in the initial position, it points significantly downwards.
• this movable tongue 25 fulfills a function of first-time visual indicator, since the user can immediately notice whether the tongue 25 is positioned above or below the ring 3. A position above the ring 3 clearly informs him of a prior use of the shutter device.
• the initial position and the final position are stable positions separated by an unstable intermediate position. This is possible due to the fact that the articulation line 215 is not rectilinear, but on the contrary curved, which induces this intermediate position of unstable equilibrium separating the two stable initial and final positions. It is thus ensured that the tongue 25 cannot leave its initial position too easily, and that its change of orientation to reach the final position can practically be requested only by the support element 32.
• the cap is connected to the base by means of a hinge system 12, 24.
• the cap and the base are produced separately, in principle by molding, then the cap is mounted on the base.
• the cap and the base can be made in one piece by being connected to each other by a bridge of material which will then serve as a hinge or articulation.
• a shutter device is obtained using one or two types of first-time visual indicator means while limiting the number of component parts to two.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Closures For Containers (AREA)

Priority Applications (7)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=32406422

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (11)

Cited By (3)

Families Citing this family (6)

Citations (3)

Family Cites Families (5)

• 2002
  • 2002-12-23 FR FR0216546A patent/FR2848992B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2003
  • 2003-12-19 MX MXPA05006863A patent/MXPA05006863A/es not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2003-12-19 CA CA002511487A patent/CA2511487A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2003-12-19 EP EP03799663A patent/EP1583702A1/fr not_active Withdrawn
  • 2003-12-19 AU AU2003299377A patent/AU2003299377A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2003-12-19 BR BR0317709-2A patent/BR0317709A/pt not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2003-12-19 RU RU2005123358/12A patent/RU2005123358A/ru not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2003-12-19 PL PL377253A patent/PL202696B1/pl not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2003-12-19 US US10/540,387 patent/US20060213934A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2003-12-19 JP JP2004563285A patent/JP2006511405A/ja active Pending
  • 2003-12-19 WO PCT/FR2003/003836 patent/WO2004058588A1/fr active Application Filing

Patent Citations (3)

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