WO2006120539A2

WO2006120539A2 - Plastic closure element for containers for liquids

Info

Publication number: WO2006120539A2
Application number: PCT/IB2006/001190
Authority: WO
Inventors: Steven White; Alain Gabriel-Robez
Original assignee: Pelliconi Abruzzo S.R.L.
Priority date: 2005-05-10
Filing date: 2006-05-09
Publication date: 2006-11-16
Also published as: ITBO20050336A1; WO2006120539A3

Abstract

A plastic closure element for containers (1) for liquids comprises a liquid outlet mouth (2) formed by the neck (3) of the container (1) having a ring-shaped rib (4) ; the element (100) comprises: a first body (5) , formed by an upper closure surface (6) and a discontinuous ring-shaped cover, sharing an axis (Z) , extending from the surface (6) and formed by at least a first plurality (7) of tabs, each tab having an elastically yielding radial projection (8) ; a second body (9) , encompassing and engaging with the first body (5) and having a ring-shaped surface (10) for contact with the first plurality (7) of tabs in a projections (8) minimum radial dimensions configuration, in which they are in contact with the ring-shaped rib (4) on the neck (3) , forming a closure element (100) tightening configuration on the container (1) ; the second body (9) has a set of seats (11) designed for the radial projections (8) to engage in, when the second body (9) slides axially relative to the first body (5) along the axis (Z) , in such a way as to form a first plurality (7) of tabs maximum radial dimensions configuration corresponding to a container (1) open configuration.

Description

Plastic closure element for containers for liquids

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a plastic closure element for containers for liquids, in particular for drinks.

Background Art

At present the known container closure systems, that is to say, "closure caps" of bottles made of plastic or glass, have as their basic technical solutions the traditional metal crown closure, or alternatively plastic or metal (usually aluminium) caps which can be applied by screwing on.

These two solutions, in the current drinks containers market, are not enough to satisfy both the technical and commercial requirements of new products .

Therefore, valid alternatives to traditional caps are needed (in particular as regards the above-mentioned crown caps) , above all in the case of containers for drinks, such as beers or soft drinks in general, which usually have to be able to or can discharge any overpressure gases created during container handling

(known to experts in the field as "venting") without a negative effect on the structure of the neck of the container, so that it can be reused.

The market requirements are basically: to allow secure closure of the bottle, preserving its integrity; to allow

"partial" reuse of the cap after first opening if not all of the contents of the bottle are consumed; to guarantee, in the latter case, a seal which prevents the passage of the liquid; to also guarantee immediate visual evidence of the first opening having been performed; to allow the container to be reused, in the sense that the closure element must not damage the neck, particularly in the case of plastic bottles.

This text refers to neck structures (ring) which have a distal edge with a ring-shaped bulge which the cap will grip. For the applications currently known the cap is of the crown type.

The disadvantages of the type of crown cap applied using pressure (in the sense that this type of closure can also be applied on rings with threads, in which case it is of the twist- off type - but this is not relevant to this text) are caused by: significant loads on the neck of the container when the closure is fitted, with consequent difficulty applying the closure on plastic containers due to the risk of damaging the container; the impossibility of opening the container manually; the impossibility of subsequently reusing the container - if made of plastic -, since the corrugations and closure tightening force may irreparably scratch the mouth of the container.

Therefore, to overcome said disadvantages, the Applicant has produced a plastic closure element for containers for liquids which can be used, by applying using pressure, on any type of container (glass or plastic) , with a very secure seal formed during closing, a check of integrity at the first opening, with easy and convenient opening, as well as a good secure seal after first opening.

Disclosure of the Invention

Accordingly the invention achieves said aim with a closure element for containers for liquids comprising a first body formed by an upper closure surface and a discontinuous ring-shaped cover, sharing an axis, extending from the surface and formed by at least a first plurality of tabs, each having a relative elastically yielding radial projection; a second body, encompassing and engaging with the first body and having a ring-shaped surface for contact with the first plurality of tabs in a projections minimum radial dimensions configuration, in which they are in contact with a ring-shaped rib on the neck of the container, forming a closure element tightening configuration on the container. The second body has a set of seats designed for the radial projections to engage in, when the second body slides axially relative to the first body along the axis, in such a way as to form a first plurality of tabs maximum radial dimensions configuration corresponding to a container open configuration.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The technical features of the invention, in accordance with the afore-mentioned aims, are clearly indicated in the claims herein and the advantages of the invention are more evident in the detailed description which follows, with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment without limiting the scope of the invention, in which: Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view with some portions in cross-section of a closure element in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of one of the bodies of which the closure element from Figure 1 consists; Figure 3 is a perspective view of another body of which the closure element from Figure 1 consists;

Figures 4 and 5 are respectively a front view with some parts in cross-section and a perspective view with some parts in cross-section of the closure element from the previous figures in an assembled configuration before fitting on a container;

Figures 6 to 8 are all front views with some parts in cross- section and others cut away to better illustrate some details, of the closure element from the previous figures assembled on a container and respectively in container closed, container open and container resealed configurations.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments of the Invention With reference to the accompanying drawings and in particular with reference to Figures 1 to 3 and 6, the plastic closure element disclosed is used to close containers 1 for liquids (which are not fully illustrated here, since they are not part of the invention) , in particular, but without limiting the scope of the invention, for drinks, such as beers or soft drinks in general . The part of the container 1 covered by this text comprises a drink outlet mouth 2, formed by the neck 3 of the container 1, the neck 3 having a ring-shaped rib 4. The closure element, labelled 100 as a whole, basically consists of: a first, inner body 5 and a second, outer body 9.

More specifically, the first, inner body 5 consists of an upper closure surface 6 and a discontinuous ring-shaped cover, sharing an axis Z .

The upper surface 6 is designed to engage with the outlet mouth 2, whilst the ring-shaped cover extends from the surface 6 and is formed by at least a first plurality 7 of independent tabs, each having an elastically yielding radial projection 8. The second, outer body 9 encompasses and engages with the first body 5 along the shared axis Z, and has a ring-shaped surface 10 for contact with the first plurality 7 of tabs in a projections 8 minimum radial dimensions configuration, in which they are in contact with the ring-shaped rib 4 of the neck 3 , forming a sealed tightening configuration for the closure element 100 on the container 1 (see Figure 6 in particular) .

In addition, the second body 9 has a set of seats 11, distributed along its cylindrical surface, designed for the radial projections 8 to engage in, when the second body 9 slides axially relative to the first body 5 along the axis Z (see arrow F in Figures 6 and 8) , so as to form a first plurality 7 of tabs maximum radial dimensions configuration corresponding to a container 1 open configuration.

In greater detail, the second body 9 is divided into two ring-shaped portions joined to one another without gaps, of which the first, upper portion 12, is for connection to the ring-shaped cover, whilst the second portion, lower than the first, forms the ring-shaped contact surface 10 which has the seats 11 for the radial projections 8. As is clearly visible in Figures 7 and 8, each seat 11 in the second body 9 is formed by opposite walls 11a and lib which in cross-section have a profile set at a downward angle α towards the outside of the second body 9 and designed to allow, together with the radial projections 8, respectively: - axial lifting again, along the shared axis Z, of the second body 9, after the container 1 open configuration, by means of elastic recovery of the projections 8 in the seats 11 (see Figure 7 and arrow Fl) ; and

- a third, container 1 resealing configuration, when the second body 9 again slides axially downwards relative to the first body 5, along the axis Z, and with the radial projections 8 positioned at least with the free end 8a inside the seats 11, but with relative contact, again, on the ring-shaped surface 10 in a radial projections 8 reduced dimensions configuration and with relative contact with the ring-shaped rib 4 (see arrows F2 and F3 in Figure 8) . Basically, the container 1 is resealed by the second body 9 sliding downwards (arrow F2) and allowing the radial projections 8 to turn towards the neck 2 (arrow F3) until they partly exit the seats 11. At this point, the projections 8 are partly jammed, with the free end 8a, on the seats 11, effectively locking the configuration of the two bodies 5 and 9 in that position.

Obviously, to reopen the container 1, the operations described above relative to the first opening are repeated.

In order to allow these movements, each tab 7 extends, in a configuration disengaged from the second body 9 (see Figures 4 and 5) , in an "L" shape projecting towards the outside of the first body 5. Each inner angled section of each tab 7 forms a sort of elastic hinge and a rear bulge 7a designed to engage, in the minimum dimensions configuration, with a lower ring-shaped surface of the rib 4 in the container 1 closed configuration. Moreover, the free end 8a of each radial projection 8 has a profile angled to form an end taper designed to allow, together with the above-mentioned angled walls 11a, lib of the seats 11, the achievement of the above-mentioned open, lifting again and, above all, resealing configuration for the container 1 (illustrated in Figure 8) by means of jamming on the seats 11.

In addition, it should be noticed that the first ring-shaped portion 12 of the second body 9 extends internally in an arc shape, forming a sort of chamber designed to allow movement of the radial projections 8 between the minimum and maximum dimensions configurations and vice versa.

To allow correct axial sliding of the second body 9, there are end of stroke means 13 acting between the first body 5 and the second body 9 to define the end positions which can be assumed by the second body 9 in the container 1 open configuration.

Said end of stroke means 13 are made on both the first body 5 and on the second body 9. The first body 5 comprises the ring-shaped cover formed by the first plurality of tabs 7 and by a second plurality of tabs 14, alternating along the circumference of the first body 5.

As already indicated, in the first plurality of tabs 7 each tab has radial projections 8 forming the container 1 closed and open configurations, whilst the second plurality 14 of tabs forms a part of the end of stroke means 13 acting on the second body 9.

More precisely, each tab in the second plurality 14 of tabs consists of (again see Figures 4 to 8) :

- a first section 14a extending from the upper surface 6 and extending parallel with the shared axis Z;

- a second section 14b, joined to the first section 14a at one end, perpendicular to the first section 14a and extending towards the outside of the first body 5, and

- a third section 14c extending perpendicularly relative to the second section 14b and forming, together with the second section 14b, two stop surfaces interacting with a corresponding notch 15, made in the relative ring-shaped surface 10 of the second body 9, for engagement with the second plurality of tabs 14 and forming the other part of the end of stroke means 13 of the second body 9.

Each of these notches 15 in the ring-shaped surface 10 of the second body 9 is made alternately with the engagement seats 11 for the radial projections 8.

Moreover, each notch 15 has, on its upper surface opposite the second and third sections 14b and 14c of each tab 14, a central tooth 16, projecting vertically and parallel with the shared axis Z, being designed to form a stop for the second section 14b of each tab 14, when the second body 9 slides axially downwards, and for holding the tab 14 by connection between the third section 14c and a seat formed by the tooth 16 and the ring- shaped surface 10 of the second body 9.

In other words, the tab 14 is kept in its vertical position without the risks of bending inwards, when the second body 9 moves axially downwards, thanks to the connection between the seat and the third section 14c.

In combination with these end of stroke means 13 , on the first body 5 there is a ring-shaped upper contact zone 5a for the second body 9, made as a discontinuous surface for connection between the upper surface 6 of the first body 5 and the discontinuous ring-shaped cover formed by the tabs 7 and 14.

This ring-shaped zone 5a forms an upper locking wall, in the container 1 closed and fully open configuration (see Figures 6 and 7) , for the second body 9 by means of contact with an upper surface of the first portion 12 of the second body 9.

Therefore, basically, the axial movement of the second body 9 in both directions is delimited at the bottom by the end of stroke means 13 and at the top by the ring-shaped zone 5a.

As illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, at the top of each seat

11 in the second body 9 there is a recess 17 for connection and positioning, between the first and second bodies 5 and 9, with the ring-shaped contact zone 5a in an element 100 assembly configuration and before it is connected to the container 1.

Similarly, at the top of each notch 15 in the second body 9 there is a radial bulge 18 designed to make contact with the second plurality of tabs 14 and in such a way as to allow the maintenance of a position parallel with the axis Z by the second plurality of tabs 14 in contact with the bulge 18, when the second body 9 moves axially relative to the first body 5 both during assembly on the container and during container 1 opening.

To complete the details present on the element 100, on the second body 9 there are means 19 for checking the first opening of the container 1, which can be removed from the second body 9 when the second body 9 slides axially to open the container 1.

These means 19 for checking the first opening may comprise (see Figures 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6) a circular disk 20 positioned on top of the two bodies 5 and 9 and connected to the second body 9 by a plurality of bridges 21 whose ends are connected to the disk 20 and respectively to the first upper portion 12 of the second body 9 in such a way that, in the closed configuration, they are on top of and in contact with the upper closure surface 6 of the first body 5.

In addition, the circular disk 20 has a semi-circular portion 20a projecting from the remaining circumference of the disk 20 and forming a manual grip element for manual removal of the disk 20 from the second body 9.

The numeral 22 denotes a seal element connected in the inner part of the upper surface 6 of the first body 5 and engaging with the container 1 outlet mouth 2 to allow a container seal which prevents the passage of liquids and gases.

Finally, between the upper surface 6 and the seal element 22 there may be a separator element 23 inserted between the upper surface 6 and the seal element 22.

A closure element structured in this way therefore achieves the preset aims thanks to an extremely rational architecture and countless advantages .

One of these is given by the possibility of having a closure element which can be applied to drinks containers in a simple way and with low systems costs, since the process is similar to closure with crown caps.

The low force required for closing the container allows the use of this closure element even on containers made of plastic without having to produce threads on the neck of the containers.

The security of the seal provided by this closure element is similar to that of traditional elements, whilst it can be opened with simple axial sliding of the outer body, without requiring auxiliary means and can guarantee that there is visible evidence on the container that the first opening has already been performed. The invention described has evident industrial applications and may be modified and adapted without thereby departing from the scope of the inventive concept. Moreover, all details of the invention may be substituted by technically equivalent elements .

Claims

1. A plastic closure element for containers (1) for liquids, the container (1) comprising a drink outlet mouth (2) formed by the neck (3) of the container (1), the neck (3) having a ring- shaped rib (4) , the closure element being characterised in that it comprises:

- a first, inner body (5), formed by an upper closure surface (6) and a discontinuous ring-shaped cover, sharing an axis (Z) , extending from the surface (6) and formed by at least a first plurality (7) of independent tabs, each tab having an elastically yielding radial projection (8) , the upper surface (6) being designed to engage with the outlet mouth (2) ;

- a second, outer body (9) , encompassing and engaging with the first body (5) along the axis (Z) , having a ring-shaped surface (10) for contact with the first plurality (7) of tabs in a projections (8) minimum radial dimensions configuration, wherein they are in contact with the ring-shaped rib (4) of the neck (3) , forming a closure element (100) sealed tightening configuration on the container (1) ; the second body (9) having a set of seats (11) , distributed along its cylindrical surface, designed for the radial projections (8) to engage in when the second body (9) slides axially relative to the first body (5) along the axis (Z) , in such a way as to form a first plurality (7) of tabs maximum radial dimensions configuration corresponding to a container (1) open configuration .

2. The element according to claim 1, characterised in that the second body (9) is divided into two ring-shaped portions joined without gaps, a first, upper portion (12) for connection to the ring-shaped cover (7), and a second portion, lower than the first, forming the ring-shaped contact surface (10) with the seats (11) for the radial projections (8) .

3. The element according to claim 1, characterised in that each seat (11) in the second body (9) is formed by opposite walls (11a, lib) which in cross-section have a profile set at a downward angle (α) towards the outside of the second body (9) and designed to allow, together with the radial projections (8) , respectively:

- axial lifting again, along the axis (Z) , of the second body (9) , after the container (1) open configuration, by means of elastic recovery of the projections (8) in the seats (11);

- and a third, container (1) resealing configuration, when the second body (9) again slides axially relative to the first body (5), along the axis (Z), and with the radial projections (8) positioned at least with the free end (8a) inside the seats (11) , forming a radial projections (8) minimum dimensions configuration, with relative contact with the ring-shaped rib (4) and with the first and second bodies (5, 9) relatively stable against one another .

4. The element according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises end of stroke means (13) acting between the first body (5) and the second body (9) to define at least one end position which can be assumed by the second body (9) when it slides axially, corresponding to the container (1) open configuration.

5. The element according to claim 1, characterised in that the first body (5) comprises the ring-shaped cover formed by a first and a second plurality of tabs (7, 14), alternating along the circumference of the first body (5) ; the first plurality (7) , consisting of the tabs each with radial projections (8), forming the container (1) closed and open configurations, and the second plurality (14) of tabs forming a part of the end of stroke means (13) acting on the second body (9), in such a way as to define at least one end position which can be assumed by the second body (9) with said axial sliding corresponding to the container (1) open configuration .

6. The element according to claims 1 and 5, characterised in that each tab in the first plurality (7) extends, in a configuration disengaged from the second body (9) , in an "L" shape projecting towards the outside of the first body (5) ; each inner angled section of each tab (7) forming a sort of elastic hinge and a rear bulge (7a) designed to engage, in the minimum dimensions configuration, with a lower ring-shaped surface of the rib (4) in the container (1) closed configuration.

7. The element according to claims 1 and 5 , characterised in that each tab in the second plurality (14) consists of a first section (14a) extending from the upper surface (6) and extending parallel with the shared axis (Z) , a second section (14b) , joined to the first (14a) at one end, perpendicular to the first section (14a) and extending towards the outside of the first body (5), and a third section (14c) extending perpendicularly relative to the second section (14b) and forming, together with the second section (14b) , two stop surfaces interacting with a notch (15) made in the ring-shaped surface (10) of the second body (9) , for engagement with the second plurality of tabs (14) and forming a part of the end of stroke means (13) of the second body (9) .

8. The element according to claims 1 and 7 , characterised in that each notch (15) in the ring-shaped surface (10) of the second body (9) alternates with the engagement seats (11) for the radial projections (8) ; each notch (15) having, on its upper surface opposite the second and third sections (14b, 14c) of each tab (14) , a central tooth (16) , projecting vertically and parallel with the axis (Z) , being designed to form a stop for the second section (14b) of the tab (14) , when the second body (9) slides axially, and to hold the tab (14) by connection between the third section (14c) and a seat formed by the tooth (16) and the ring- shaped surface (10) of the second body (9) .

9. The element according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises, on the first body (5) , a ring-shaped upper contact zone (5a) for the second body (9) , made as a discontinuous surface for connection between the upper surface (6) of the first body (5) and the discontinuous ring-shaped cover (7); the ring-shaped zone (5a) forming an upper locking wall, at least in the container (1) closed configuration, for the second body (9) by contact with an upper surface of a first portion (12) of the second body (9) .

10. The element according to claims 1 and 9, characterised in that at the top of each seat (11) in the second body (9) there is a recess (17) for connection and positioning, between the first and second bodies (5, 9), with the ring-shaped contact zone (5a) in an element (100) assembly configuration and before it is connected to the container (1) .

11. The element according to claims 1, 8 and 9, characterised in that, at the top of each notch (15) in the second body (9) there is a radial bulge (18) designed to make contact with the second plurality of tabs (14) in such a way as to allow the maintenance of a position parallel with the axis (Z) by the second plurality of tabs (14) in contact with the bulge (18) , when the second body (9) moves axially relative to the first body (5) .

12. The element according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises on the second body (9) means (19) for checking the first opening of the container (1) , which can be removed from the second body (9) when the second body (9) slides axially.

13. The element according to claims 1 and 12 , characterised in that the means (19) for checking the first opening comprise a circular disk (20) positioned on top of the first and second bodies (5, 9) and connected to the second body (9) by a plurality of bridges (21) whose ends are connected to the disk (20) and respectively to a first upper portion (12) of the second body (9) in such a way that, in the closed configuration, they are on top of and in contact with the upper closure surface (6) of the first body (5) .

14. The element according to claim 13, characterised in that the circular disk (20) has a semi-circular portion (20a) projecting from the remaining circumference of the disk (20) and forming a manual grip element for manual removal of the disk (20) from the second body (9) .

15. The element according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises an inner seal element (22) connected in the inner part of the upper surface (6) of the first body (5) and engaging with the container (1) outlet mouth (2) .

16. The element according to claims 1 and 15, characterised in that between the upper surface (6) and the seal element (22) there is an additional separator element (23) inserted between the upper surface (6) and the seal element (23) .

17. The element according to claims 1 and 2 , characterised in that the first ring-shaped portion (12) of the second body (9) extends internally in an arc shape, forming a sort of chamber designed to allow movement of the radial projections (8) between the minimum and maximum dimensions configurations and vice versa.

18. The element according to claims 1 to 3 , characterised in that the free end (8a) of each radial projection (8) has a profile angled to form an end taper designed to allow, together with the angled walls (11a, lib) of the seats (11) , the achievement of the open, lifting again and resealing configurations for the container (D •