WO2004074129A1

WO2004074129A1 - Closure comprising a hinged capping member and method and equipment for its production

Info

Publication number: WO2004074129A1
Application number: PCT/IB2004/000225
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alfonso Caruana
Original assignee: Gefit S.P.A.
Priority date: 2003-02-20
Filing date: 2004-01-30
Publication date: 2004-09-02
Also published as: ITMI20030303A1

Abstract

Closure having a flip-over capping member for a fluid container with aperture extending axially along a longitudinal axis (X-X), comprising: - a tubular body (1) having an end wall (3) which is transverse with respect to the said longitudinal axis (X-X), - an aperture (9), for dispensing fluid from the container (8), formed in the said end wall (3), - a capping member (10), for closing and opening the said aperture (9), connected radially to the said tubular body (1) by means of an integrally formed flexible element (11) wherein the said capping member (10) can close the said aperture (9) by a bending movement about a transverse axis of rotation (R-R) in the area of the said flexible element (11). The radial position of the said axis of rotation (R-R) does not extend outside the peripheral edge (6) of the said end wall (3).

Description

DESCRIPTION

CLOSURE COMPRISING A HINGED CAPPING MEMBER AND METHOD AND EQUIPMENT FOR ITS PRODUCTION

5 The present invention relates to a closure having a flip-over capping member for a fluid container which has an aperture located at the end of a portion of the container extending axially along a longitudinal axis, comprising:

- a tubular body with an open end and with its opposite end having an end wall which is transverse with respect to the said longitudinal axis, the said end wall forming an

10 outer surface, an inner surface and an outer peripheral edge, the said tubular body being designed so that its open end forms an integral part of the said portion of the container,

- an aperture, for dispensing fluid from the container, formed in the said end wall,

- a capping member, for closing and opening the said aperture, connected radially to 15 the said tubular body by means of a flexible element formed in one piece with both the capping member and the said tubular body and positioned on a portion of the said outer peripheral edge formed by the said end wall,

- the said flexible element having a thickness, a transverse extension and a longitudinal extension such that the said capping member can be positioned on top of

20 the said outer surface of the end wall to close the said aperture, by a bending movement about a transverse axis of rotation extending substantially parallel to the tangent to the said edge of the said end wall in the area in which the said flexible element is connected to the tubular body. The invention also relates to a method for fabricating the closure by injection

25 moulding, and to equipment for applying the method. Closures of the aforementioned type are known in the prior art and are normally made by moulding plastic materials, preferably by means of injection into suitable moulds.

They are used on a wide scale for closing fluid containers which may be in the form of bottles or deformable tubes, the latter being particularly suitable for containing and dispensing cream- or paste-like substances, whenever it is desirable that the capping member for opening and closing the fluid dispensing aperture should not be lost. For this purpose, according to the prior art, the capping member is stably fixed radially to the body of the closure by means of a relatively slender connecting strip which can be bent and therefore allows the capping member to be positioned on the dispensing aperture.

According to known methods of fabrication by moulding, in order to produce in one piece the capping member, the closure body and the connecting element, the latter element is provided with a suitable longitudinal extension to avoid the presence of undercuts in the product to be moulded, and thus enable the mould to be opened easily without the use of complicated and costly mechanical devices. However, because of the substantial longitudinal extension of the radial connecting element in known closures, when the capping member is in the closed position and the connecting element is bent back on itself, having operated as a hinge, the end where the bending has taken place has parts which project radially beyond the profile of the closure body.

Although this does not in itself have a negative effect on the functions of the closure, it impedes its automatic manipulation, and, when the closure is made separately from the container, impedes its automatic application to the container, which normally takes place when the container has been filled and the closure is in the sealed condition.

This because the presence of projections beyond the profile of the closure body impedes its stacking and orientation, which are necessary for its automatic manipulation in appropriate conventional equipment. This also forms an obstacle to the fabrication of closures where the capping member is already in position on the dispensing aperture, since the parts projecting radially beyond the profile of the closure body impede the extraction of the article from the mould. The object of the invention is therefore to provide a closure of the type indicated above, in which the connecting element between the capping member and the closure body, when bent to allow the capping member to close the dispensing aperture, does not have parts which project radially beyond the profile of the tubular body of the closure. Another object of the invention is to provide a method and a corresponding mould for the production of such a closure according to the invention.

The problem tackled by the invention is that of producing, by means of a simple and inexpensive mould, a closure having a connecting element between the capping member and the tubular body of the closure which is sufficiently short that, when bent back on itself, the end where the bending has taken place does not project beyond the profile of the closure body, although such a short connecting element requires undercut configurations in the mould.

The problem is resolved by means of a closure as characterized in Claim 1 below, and by means of an injection moulding production method as characterized in Claim 9 below. The invention will now be described more fully with reference to an example of its embodiment, illustrated solely for guidance and without restrictive intent, in the attached drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of the closure according to the invention; Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a closure like that of Figure 1, mounted on the neck of a container shown in a partially cut-away view, with the capping member in the open position;

Figure 3 shows a plan view of the closure of Figure 1 on an enlarged scale;

Figure 4 shows an axial section through the closure of Figure 1 with the capping member in the closed position;

Figure 5a shows a sectional view, on an enlarged scale, of the area of the closure in which the bending of the connecting element of the capping member takes place, the capping member being in the open position and still housed in the corresponding portion of the mould; Figure 5b shows a sectional view like that of Figure 5a, with the capping member in the closed position and still housed in the corresponding portion of the mould;

Figure 6 shows a schematic view of the portions of the mould which can be used for producing the closure according to the invention, in the closed position of the mould;

Figures 7, 8 and 9 show schematically the sequence of stages of opening the mould for producing the closure according to the invention;

Figure 10 shows a second embodiment of the closure according to the invention; and

Figure 11 shows a third embodiment of the closure according to the invention.

With reference to the aforesaid figures and in particular to Figures 1 to 4, the closure according to the invention comprises a tubular body 1 with an open end 2 and with its opposite end having an end wall 3, transverse with respect to the longitudinal axis X-X along which the tubular body 1 extends axially. The said wall 3 forms an outer surface 4, an inner surface 5 and an outer peripheral edge 6.

The closure according to the invention, in its embodiment shown in Figure 1, is fitted on the neck 7 of a container 8, in the form of a bottle for example, by means of the tubular part 1. The sealed connection between the neck 7 and the tubular part 1 is formed by conventional means, not shown, which, if the container 8 is also made from plastic material, can include bonding and radio-frequency welding, according to requirements. The end wall 3 has an aperture 9 for dispensing the fluid present in the container 8. In the illustrated example, the aperture 9 is positioned on the axis X-X, but could also be located in a radial position away from the said axis.

A capping member, indicated as a whole by 10, is radially connected to the tubular body 1 by a flexible element 11 which, according to the invention, is made in one piece with the tubular body 1 and with the said capping member 10. The flexible element 11 is connected to the tubular body 1 at a portion 12 of the outer peripheral edge 6 of the end wall 3. It takes the form of a flat strip, having a length L, thickness S and width H, moulded in one piece with the tubular body 1, the end wall 3 and the capping member 10. The capping member 10 has a total outer surface 10a and a total inner surface 10b. Similarly, the flexible connecting element 11 has an outer surface 11a and an inner surface 1 lb.

In the embodiment of Figures 1, 2 and 3, the capping member 10 takes the form of a cap having an end 13 and an edge 14 whose external diameter is smaller than the diameter of the said tubular body 1. A stem 15, having a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the aperture 9, is formed on the end 13. When the capping member 10 is positioned on the outer surface 4 of the end wall 3, the stem 15 is inserted into the aperture 9 and caps it in a sealed way.

According to the invention, the length L of the flexible connecting element 11 is such that, when the capping member 10 is flipped on to the surface 4 of the wall 3 and the stem 15 is inserted in the aperture 9, the bending takes place about an axis R-R, parallel to the tangent taken to the edge 6, positioned at a radial distance D from the axis X-X in such a way that it does not project beyond the outer peripheral edge 6 of the end wall.

This means that, when the flexible element 11 has been bent, no part of this element projects beyond the peripheral edge 6, although the predetermined length L is such that undercut conditions will be present in the manufacturing moulds, as described below.

With reference to Figures 1 to 4, and also to Figures 5 a and 5b, it will be seen that the tubular body 1 has a recess 16 formed tangentially in a position below the flexible connecting element 11. This recess 16, which has a substantially rectilinear extension, opens towards the outside of the tubular body 1 and consists of a curved wall 17 extending from the said end wall 3 to the outer surface 18 of the tubular body

1.

The cross section of this wall 17, at least in the first portion close to the end wall 3, extends along an arc of a circle having a radius of curvature whose centre lies on the axis R-R about which the connecting element 11 is bent. In the portion which continues towards the surface 18 of the tubular body 1, the section of the said curved wall 17 can belong to arcs of circles having radii of curvature greater than that of the first portion. In the illustrated example, the tubular body 1 has a truncated conical form, with a taper towards the said end wall 3.

A recess 20 having a rectilinear extension is formed in the end wall 3 in a position above the flexible element 11. This recess 20 extends parallel to the tangent taken to the peripheral edge 6 in the radial area in which the flexible element 11 is connected to the tubular body 1. The end wall 21 of the recess 20 is coplanar with the upper surface 19 of the flexible element 11, while its maximum radial depth PR is not less than the radial extension L of the flexible element 11.

As can be seen in Figures 5a and 5b in particular, when the capping member 10 is in the open position and ready for moulding, the recess 16 delimited by the curved wall 17 gives rise to a significant undercut between the flexible connecting element 11, the edge 14 and the outer surface 18 of the tubular body 1. This is necessary in order to contain the axis of rotation R-R within the profile of the surface 18 of the tubular body 1, and to ensure that, when the capping member 10 has been flipped, there are no projections beyond the edge 6 or in any case beyond the said profile of the surface 18 of the tubular body 1. Such projections, if present, would impede the removal of the product from the mould and the automatic manipulation of the closure in the capped position.

The moulding operation, particularly one carried out by the injection of conventional plastic materials for the type of closure in question, is advantageously performed with a mound shown schematically in Figure 6, by means of a procedure shown schematically in Figures 7, 8 and 9.

This mould comprises a male portion 22 for the inner recess of the tubular body 1, at least one annular portion 23 for the lateral containment of the tubular body 1, a ring 24 for the expulsion of the product at the end of moulding, at least one counter- mould 25 and finally a portion 26 having an appendage 27. This appendage, as shown in Figures 5a, 6 and 7, is positioned in the recess 16 which mates with the curved shape of the wall 17. It also extends into the gap underlying the flexible element 11, between the outer surface 18 of the tubular body 1 and the edge 14 of the capping member 10.

5 While the mould portions 22, 23 and 25 are designed to be opened and closed by rectilinear movements parallel to the axis X-X, the portion 26 with its appendage 27 is mounted in such a way that it can rotate angularly in the direction of the arrow Fl about a rotation centre which coincides with the centre of the arc of a circle to which at least the first portion of the curved wall 17 of the recess 16 belongs.

LO With reference to Figure 7, it can be seen that, when the injection of the plastic material has been completed and therefore the moulding of the closure is finished, the counter-mould 25 is lifted by a rectilinear movement along the axis X-X. The mould portion 26, with its appendage 27, is then moved angularly until the capping member 10, still inserted in the mould, is flipped on to the upper surface 4 of

L5 the end wall 3, causing the insertion of the stem 15 into the aperture 9.

When this position has been reached, the male portion 22 of the mould with the closure mounted on it is free of any undercuts, and can be removed by a rectilinear movement parallel to the axis X-X, indicated schematically by the arrow F2 in Figure 9.

.0 At this point, the extraction ring 24 is used in a conventional way to release the closure completely from the mould, so that the closure forms a finished product in the capped state, ready for fitting to a container.

With reference to Figure 10, it can be seen that the closure according to the invention can also be made in one piece with a container 28 in the form of a deformable tube

.5 which constitutes an extension of the tubular body 1. This embodiment is particularly suitable for the packaging of paste- or cream-like products which are inserted through the base of the tube which is subsequently closed by welding or folding. Figure 11 shows a closure according to the invention which differs from that shown in Figure 1 in that the capping member is in the form of a strip 29 on which is formed a stem 30 equivalent to the stem 15 of the embodiment of Figure 1.

The strip 29 is an extension of the flexible connecting element 11. The position of the stem 30 on the strip 29 is such that the aperture 9 can be capped by bending the strip about an axis positioned in the same way as the axis R-R in Figure 3, so that, in the capped state, the closure has no parts projecting beyond the profile 6 of the end wall 3, and in any case has no parts projecting beyond the outer surface 18 of the tubular body 1.

The dimensions and materials can be chosen freely, subject to the requirements, without departure from the scope of protection defined by the following claims.

Claims

1) Closure having a flip-over capping member, for a fluid container which has an aperture positioned on the end of a portion of the container (8, 28) extending axially along a longitudinal axis (X-X), comprising: - a tubular body (1) with one open end (2) and with the opposite end having an end wall (3) which is transverse with respect to the said longitudinal axis (X-X), the said end wall forming an outer surface (4), an inner surface (5) and an outer peripheral edge (6), the said tubular body (1) being designed so that its open end forms an integral part of the said portion (7) of the container (8, 28), - an opening (9) for dispensing fluid from the container (8), formed in the said end wall (3),

- a capping member (10), for closing and opening the said aperture (9), connected radially to the said tubular body (1) by means of a flexible element (11) formed in one piece with both the capping member (10) and the said tubular body (1) and positioned on a portion (12) of the said outer peripheral edge (6) formed by the said end wall (3),

- the said flexible element (11) having a thickness (S), a transverse extension (H) and a radial extension (L) such that the said capping member (10) can be positioned on top of the said outer surface (4) of the end wall (3) and can close the said aperture (9), by bending about a transverse axis of rotation (R-R) which extends substantially in a direction parallel to the tangent to the said edge (6) of the said end wall (3) in the area in which the said flexible element (11) is connected to the tubular body (1), characterized in that the radial position of the said axis of rotation (R-R) does not lie outside the outer peripheral edge (6) of the said end wall (3) in the portion in which the said flexible element (11) is connected to the tubular body (1), and in that the transverse extension (H) and the thickness (S) of the said flexible element (11), when bent back, are completely contained within the said peripheral edge (6). 2) Closure according to Claim 1, characterized in that the said tubular body (1) has a truncated conical shape, with a taper towards the said end wall (3). 3) Closure according to Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the said aperture (9) is coaxial with the longitudinal axis X-X along which the tubular body (1) extends.

4) Closure according to Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the said tubular body (1) comprises a rectilinear recess (16), formed tangentially in a position underlying the flexible element (11) connecting the capping member (10) to the tubular body (1), the said recess (16) opening towards the outside of the tubular body (1) and consisting of a curved wall (17) extending from the said end wall (3) to the outer surface (18) of the tubular body (1), the cross section of the said wall, at least in the first portion close to the end wall (3), belonging to an arc of a circle with a radius of curvature whose centre is located on the axis R-R about which the bending of the said connecting element (11) takes place, the further curved portions belonging to arcs with greater radii of curvature.

5) Closure according to Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the outer surface (4) of the said end wall (3) comprises a rectilinear recess (20) positioned parallel to the tangent to the outer edge (6) of the said wall (3) in the area of attachment of the said flexible connecting element (11) to the said tubular body (1), and in a position above the said flexible element, provided with a maximum radial depth (PR) which is not less than the radial extension (L) of the said flexible connecting element (11).

6) Closure according to Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the bottom (21) of the said recess (20) formed in the end wall (3) of the tubular body (1) is flat and substantially coplanar with the said flexible connecting element (11).

7) Closure according to Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the said capping member (10) comprises a stem (15) for insertion into the said aperture (9) of the end wall (3) of the tubular body (1) of the closure, to close it in a sealed way, the axis of symmetry of the said stem being positioned on the capping member (10) at a distance from the said axis of rotation (R-R) of the flexible connecting element (11) equal to the distance between the axis of symmetry (X-X) of the aperture (9) and the said axis of rotation (R-R).

8) Closure according to Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the said capping member is in the form of a cylindrical cap having an end (13) and an edge (14) whose external diameter is smaller than the diameter of the said tubular body (1) measured at the position of the said end wall (3), the said end (14) forming the support for the said stem (15).

9) Method for producing a closure according to Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises the stage of moulding the said end wall (1), the said capping member (10) and the flexible connecting element (11) in one piece with the said tubular body (1), the said capping member (10) and connecting element (11) being positioned in the open position radially adjacent to the said tubular body (1), the stage of opening the mould portion (25) relating to the surface (4) of the end wall (3) outside the tubular body (1) and to the internal surfaces (10b, lib) of the capping member (10) and of the flexible connecting element (11) adjacent thereto, the stage of rotating the mould portion (26, 27) relating to the opposing outer surfaces (10a, 11a) of the capping member (10) and of the flexible connecting element (11) until the capping member (10) is caused, by the bending of the said flexible connecting element (11), to lie on top of the outer surface (4) of the said end wall (3) and to engage with the said aperture (9) formed in this wall, the stage of moving the male mould portion (22), on which the moulded closure is mounted, away from the remaining mould portions, and finally the stage of expelling the closure in its capped state. 10) Method according to Claim 9, characterized in that the rotation of the mould part (26, 27) relating to the outer surfaces (10b, 1 lb) of the capping member (10) and of the flexible connecting element (11) takes place about an axis passing through the centre of curvature of the arc of a circle along which there extends at least the first portion, close to the end wall (3), of the wall (17) which forms the said curved recess (16) of the tubular body (1).

11) Equipment for producing a closure according to Claims 1 to 8 and for applying the method according to Claims 9 and 10, characterized in that it comprises mould portions (23, 24, 25) for moulding from plastic material, in one piece, the said tubular body (1), the said end wall (3), the said capping member (10) and the flexible connecting element (11), the said capping member (10) and connecting element (11) being positioned in the open position radially adjacent to the said tubular body (1), the mould portion (25) relating to the outer surface (4) of the end wall (3) and to the inner surfaces (10b, lib) of the capping member (10) and of the flexible connecting element (11) adjacent thereto being removable axially from the remaining portions, the mould portion (26, 27) relating to the opposing outer surfaces (10a, 11a) of the capping member (10) and of the flexible connecting element (11) being movable angularly until the capping member (10) is made, with consequent bending of the flexible connecting element (11), to lie on top of the outer surface (4) of the said end wall (3) of the closure and to engage with the said aperture (9) formed therein, and finally being removable, thus enabling the mould to be opened fully and enabling the moulded closure to be removed.