WO2006122834A1

WO2006122834A1 - A closing system for a container of liquids

Info

Publication number: WO2006122834A1
Application number: PCT/EP2006/004861
Authority: WO
Inventors: Fabio Re
Original assignee: Rey-Soda S.N.C. Di Re Fabio Angelo & C.
Priority date: 2005-05-20
Filing date: 2006-05-19
Publication date: 2006-11-23

Abstract

A closing system (10) for a container of liquids (60, 70) comprises a plug (11) provided for being made integral with the container of liquids (60, 70) and incorporating a closing ball valve (20, 40), deactuable ball locking means (30, 50, 130) and sealing means (21).

Description

A CLOSING SYSTEM FOR A CONTAINER OF LIQUIDS

The present invention relates to a closing system for a container of liquids. In particular, the invention relates to a closing system for a container of a liquid or a gaseous liquid such as a fizzy drink.

In the field of bottling of liquids and in particular of gaseous drinks, plastic containers have long been used besides the conventional "glass" , such as polyethylene (PE) , polyethylene-terephthalate (PET) and other similar polymers.

The capping of such bottles may be carried out by arranging a threaded outer edge along the end portion of the neck, on which a plastic (PET) or in some cases metal cap (screw cap) is screwed.

Such system has become so widespread over time that threads have been normalised by diameters (UNIBLOC) . As an alternative, the capping of mineral water glass bottles is carried out by providing a projecting annular edge along which a metal cap is fixed by deformation (crown cap) .

In the bottles capped according to the first method, the main disadvantage is the seal, in fact it is known that the gas added to the liquid in the form of carbon dioxide and dissolved therein tends to release and escape from the seal created by the coupling of the glass-plastic or glass metal thread.

In the bottles capped with crown cap, the seal is acknowledgedly better but such bottles, once uncapped, do not allow an effective capping with the same cap.

A somewhat outdated capping technique provides, for the seal, a glass ball inserted into a bottle during the manufacture of the same . The smaller diameter of the bottle neck holds the ball inside and provides a sealing edge against the escape of gas and liquid.

This type of bottle, invented by the English Codd in 1872, provided for the introduction of fizzy drink in the upturned bottle so that the carbon dioxide emitted by the same pushed the ball against the inner edge of the neck.

The main disadvantage was represented by the poor possibility of fully sanitising the interior of the bottle and the ball for the next use, as a consequence such system was given up.

At present, the need of providing an effective closing system and adaptable to the different types of bottles containing liquids such as water, or juices or gaseous liquids such as beer, drinks and fizzy wines and drinks, is therefore felt. Moreover, among the purposes of the present invention is that of providing a closing system for a container of liquids provided with an opening and degassing device which should allow sufficient hygienic protection before and after use and which should allow avoiding uncontrolled splashes and degassing when the bottle is opened.

The Applicant has found that it is possible to obtain a closing system for a container of liquids by a cap set up for being made integral to the container of liquids and incorporating a ball closing valve, deactuable ball locking means and sealing means against the escape of the liquid and/or any gas escaped from the liquid. In the light of the objects mentioned above and of others that will appear more clearly in the following description, a closing system for a container of liquids having the features described in the appended claims is thus provided. The structural and functional features of the present invention and its advantages as compared to the known art will appear more clearly from an analysis of the following description, made with reference to the appended drawings, which show a closing system for a container of liquids obtained according to the innovative principles of the invention itself. In such drawings : figure 1 is a perspective partially sectioned view of a closing system according to the invention; figure 2 schematically shows a section elevation view of the closing system according to an embodiment of the invention; figure 3 is a perspective partially sectioned view of a closing system according to a different embodiment of the invention; figure 4 schematically shows an elevation sectioned view of a closing system according to another embodiment of the invention according to line IV-IV of figure 5; figure 5 schematically shows a plan bottom view of the closing system of figure 4; figure 6 schematically shows an elevation sectioned view of the closing system of figure 3 ; figure 7 is a schematic elevation sectioned view of the closing system of figure 1 assembled to a container of liquids; figure 8 is a perspective view of a detail of the locking means according to an embodiment of the invention; figure 9 is a perspective view of a shaped bottle adapted for receiving the closing system according to the invention; figure 10 is an elevation view of the bottle of figure 9; figure 11 is a sectioned elevation view according to line XI-XI of figure 10, with assembled the closing system according to the invention. figure 12 schematically shows a sectioned elevation view of the closing system according to a different embodiment of the invention; figure 13 is a perspective bottom view of the opening and degassing device of the closing system of figure 12.

With reference to the figures, a closing system 10 for a container of liquids 60, 70 which may be a bottle or a can provided with a spout or neck containing a liquid such as natural water or a juice or a gaseous liquid such as wine, beer or a fizzy drink, comprises a cap 11 shaped as a ring nut and without upper bottom.

In the embodiment provided for screwing on containers provided with threaded neck or bottles of the UNIBLOC type, cap 11 comprises a skirt 12 internally provided with nut screw 19 intended for a thread 61 obtained on the inlet end of the neck of the container of liquids 60, 70.

Of course, this is not the only embodiment of cap 11 which can be envisaged for being made integral with the container of liquids by joints or locking bands or the like without changing the peculiar features of the present invention.

Skirt 12 is overlapped by an annular spout 13 open outwards as it is without upper closing bottom. The annular spout exhibits both the outer and the inner diameters smaller than the corresponding diameters of the skirt so as to obtain at least one shoulder .

In particular, starting from the connection with skirt 12, spout 13 exhibits a first shoulder 14 for the seal against the top of the inlet edge of the neck of the container of liquids 60, 70, such shoulder is followed by a first collar 13' provided with a chamfer 17 whose purpose is made clear hereinafter. A second shoulder 15 further restricts the spout diameter and originates a second collar 13'' that ends in a third shoulder 16.

The inner configuration of the cap just described has the purpose of seating the sealing means comprising an annular seal 21 that is arranged along the second collar 13'' until it abuts against the third shoulder 16 and is here held seated by an annular projection 8 protruding from the surface of the second collar 13''.

A glass or plastic or metal ball 20 or a plastic clamped ball 40 is rested against such seal, intended for compressing the seal for carrying out the outward seal of gases and/or of the liquids contained in the container or bottle.

Ball 20 is held seated by locking means consisting of a shaped sleeve 30 and comprising an annular portion 31 jointed as an "L" to a tubular portion 32.

The annular portion 31 is intended for abutting against the first shoulder 14 so as to arrange between said first shoulder 14 and the top of the inlet edge of the neck of the container for liquids 60, 70, for obtaining the seal between cap and container as well as for making the coupling of threads 19, 61 elastic and steadier.

The tubular portion 32 of sleeve 30 is also shaped so as to contact in engagement the first collar 13' being held by chamfer 17 and it has such length as to abut against the second shoulder 15.

A locking ring 33 extends from the inner circumference of the annular portion 31 towards the centre of the cap which may even be divided into a plurality of sectors that form an elastic circular crown adapted for holding the ball into position.

According to the liquid to insert into the container and to the type of ball used as a valve, such locking ring may also take the function of seal and may optionally be provided with holes along the crown for allowing the fall back of liquid that could otherwise be nebulised outwards upon the opening.

As an alternative according to the embodiment of figures 4 and 5, the function of deactuable locking means is obtained by a plurality of arched tongues 33' so as to substantially obtain a circular crown similar to the crown of locking ring 33.

In particular, even though figures 4 and 5 show a sleeve 30 provided with six tongues 33' these may also be in a different number, shape and inclination, also according to the type of material selected and to the liquid to be bottled.

Each of said tongues 33' widens at the ends to form a pair of tangs 34 for stopping ball 20.

Each tongue is connected to the two adjacent ones at contact points 35 obtained on the tangs so as to leave a gap 36 between two adjacent tongues for gas venting when the ball valve is opened and for the liquid flow also when, with upturned bottle, the ball contacts the annular portion 31 again. Such points of contact 35 may be set up for tearing when the ball is pushed with sufficient strength for allowing the passage thereof, or they may be made so as to keep the tongues connected.

To this end, it should be noted that once inserted into its seat into the cap, after capping a container of liquids containing gaseous liquid such as a fizzy drink, ball 20 is subject to the inside pressure of the container of which tends to push the ball against seal 21 which to this end exhibits a flared or curved 22 surface to better adjust to the ball's own bend. It is also possible to obtain a configuration which should provide for the locking ring 33 inclined downwards so as to support the ball without pressing it against the seal.

In that case, the locking ring 33 has an inner diameter smaller than the diameter of the ball in the contact zone so as to carry out the seal itself against the escape of liquid.

With reference to figure 8, there is shown a different locking means shaped as an annular bottom 130 provided with sectors 131 separate or connected by- single points 132 or continuously so as to form an edge for seating and supporting the lower portion of the ball, sectors 131 are obtained inclined towards the bottom of the bottle. The annular bottom 130 is set up for being inserted into the cap thanks to an elastic deformation aided by the presence of a notch 35, a circumferential hooking edge 133 is further provided for being inserted into the seat created by the first collar 13' and by chamfer 17 so as to be held and carry out the ball support function, such hooking edge 133 is jointed to a tubular stiffening portion 134 directed towards the bottom of the cap.

Bottom 130 is then inserted in place of the shaped sleeve 30 substantially with the same configuration so as to exhibit sectors 131 directed towards the bottom and towards the centre of the cap.

A simplified embodiment of a system according to the invention illustrated in figure 2 envisages the manufacture of a cap provided with nails 17' that extend inclined towards the centre of the cap starting from the corner of the first shoulder 14, thus being also extended from the first collar 13' and integral with the cap.

Such nails elastically embed the ball and can also be manufactured shaped as a projecting ring for continuously surrounding the ball .

To open the ball valve, the ball itself is pressed up to cause the escape of the gas released from the liquid (in the case of gaseous liquid) so as to overcome the ball closing pressure.

By further acting on the ball, the fall of the same is caused as it is not held by sleeve 30, or by sectors 131, or nails 17' and in general by the deactuable locking means anymore, inside the container of liquids.

In the case of non-gaseous liquid it is sufficient to act with minimal effort on the ball to overcome only the resistance opposed by the deactuable locking means that hold the ball.

To complete the closing system, for obvious hygienic reasons, there is provided an outer cover 24 that engages on an annular abutment 25 obtained for example along the outer surface of the first collar 13' thanks to a correspondingly provided annular groove 23.

Such outer cover 24 can moreover be provided with an outer punch 26 or with inner baffles 27 adapted for preventing the user from contacting the ball with his/her fingers in order to push it.

With special reference to figures 2 and 5, in a different embodiment of the closing system according to the invention, the ball that acts as closing valve is made of plastic shaped as a clamped ball 40. It exhibits a central clamp 50 manufactured integral during the moulding and jointed to the median circumference of the ball itself, identified by trace A in figure 6, by bridges 51 intended for being torn upon the opening by pressure on the ball. As an alternative, it is possible to envisage a connection through a thin continuous surface breakable upon the opening.

Clamp 50 and ball 40 therewith are positioned and held seated thanks to an annular stopping element 52 continuous or in sectors shaped as a flared collar protruding from the central clamp 50 for engaging chamfer 17.

The clamp may further be supported also by a sleeve 30' obtained by the annular portion 31 to which a tubular portion 32' is optionally jointed which presses the base of the central clamp 50.

The shape of the stopping element is especially provided for deforming by closing during the introduction of the clamped ball into the cap and for opening afterwards so as to make the engagement with the chamfer effective.

The presence of the clamp along the median zone of the ball, that is, that of junction of the two initial half-balls, in the moulding allows avoiding the tumbling operation for eliminating the moulding burrs, thus reducing the manufacturing costs .

However, if the tumbling is to be avoided in a plastic ball 20 therefore without clamp, without risking that a wrong positioning of the same could impair the sealing of seal 21, it is possible to use portion 33 with the function of seal and/or use a relatively soft material for manufacturing seal 21.

Of course, all the embodiments described so far could exhibit the corresponding combinations of configuration technologically valid as well as the materials usable for the balls and the cap and for the other elements of the system could be selected as single-component or multi -component combinations of technologically convenient materials.

With reference to figures 7-9, there is shown a glass shaped bottle 70 suitable for being closed by the closing system 10, preferably by ball 20.

Such bottle exhibits threading 75 obtained at the inlet for the cap screwing.

The bottle exhibits a sandglass shape obtained by forming a pair of hollows 71 that inside the bottle generate corresponding necks 73 that stop the ball.

Above said hollows the bottle exhibits a pair of inclined recesses 72 that inside create some stopping lunettes 74 that provide an engagement channel for holding the ball when the bottle is upturned.

In this way it is possible to drink or pour the contents without interference of the ball and preventing it from closing the cap outlet.

As regards the aspect of protection from the degassing of carbon dioxide that releases from the liquid and when the valve is opened causes the emission of foam that could at least soil the user, the present invention provides, with reference to figures 12 and 13, for a closing and degassing system. The closing system 10 for container of liquids which may be a bottle or a can provided with spout or neck containing a gaseous liquid like wine, beer, or a fizzy drink, comprises cap 11 shaped as a ring nut and without upper bottom.

In the embodiment envisaged for screwing on containers provided with threaded neck or bottles of the UNIBLOC type, cap 11 comprises skirt 12 internally provided with nut screw 19 intended for a thread obtained on the inlet end of the neck of the container of liquids. Skirt 12 is overlapped by the substantially cylindrical spout 13 open outwards as it is without upper closing bottom.

Spout 13 exhibits both the outer and the inner diameters smaller than the corresponding diameters of the skirt so as to obtain at least one shoulder.

In particular, starting from the connection with skirt 12, spout 13 exhibits the first shoulder 14 for the seal against the top of the inlet edge of the neck of the container of liquids, such shoulder is followed by the first collar 13' provided with annular chamfer

17.

The second shoulder 15 further narrows the spout diameter and originates the annular inlet edge 13 ' ' flared inwards . The inside configuration of the cap described has the purpose of seating the sealing means comprising the annular seal 21 that is arranged along the second collar 13 ' ' up to abut against the second shoulder 15 and here held seated by the deactuable locking means 50 of ball 20 obtained by sleeve 51 provided with outer circumferential projection 52 optionally obtained in multiple portions, adapted for engaging inside chamfer 17.

The glass or plastic or metal ball 20 is rested against seal 21, intended for compressing the seal for carrying out the outward seal of gases and/or of the liquids contained in the container or bottle.

Ball 20 is held seated by locking means shaped as tongues 53 protruding from the bottom portion of sleeve 51. Tongues 53 form an elastic circular crown directed towards the longitudinal axis of the closing system so as to form a cradle adapted for holding ball 20 into position.

To this end, it should be noted that once inserted into its seat into the cap, after capping a container of liquids containing gaseous liquid such as a fizzy drink, ball 20 is subject to the inside pressure of the container of which tends to push the ball against seal 21 which to this end exhibits a flared or curved 22 surface to better adjust to the ball's own bend.

To protect cap 11 against pollution, the closing system is provided with an opening and degassing system 100 comprising a top 101 defined by a cylindrical body 102 provided with closing bottom 103.

Top 101 is internally provided with an opening crown 110 of the ball closing valve 20 shaped as a substantially cylindrical projection centrally projecting from bottom 103 ending in a flared circumferential end zone 104 inwards of the top so as to easily insert into the edge and exhibiting corresponding to the inner diameter of the inlet annular edge 13 ' ' of cap 11.

The cylindrical body 102 is provided with degassing grooves 111 obtained along the inner surface thereof . In the proximity of the free edge of top 101 there are obtained some inner engagement teeth 105 shaped as ring portions adapted for engaging a corresponding outer annular projection 18 of spout 13 for retaining the top . An anti-tampering band 106 is further connected to the top and is adapted for narrowing around spout 13.

To open the ball valve, the anti-tampering band is removed pressing the cap up to cause the escape of the gas released from the liquid through the degassing grooves 111 so as to overcome the ball closing pressure . The fall of the same is caused by further acting on the ball, as it is not held by clamp 50 and in general by the deactuable locking means anymore, inside the container of liquids, the ball fallen into the liquid would cause a chemical reaction with the formation of foam which is prevented by the circumferential crown 110 inside seal 21 that carries out the seal .

Claims

1) A closing system (10) for a container of liquids (60, 70) comprising a plug (11) set up for being made integral with the container of liquids (60, 70) and incorporating a closing ball valve (20, 40), deactuable ball locking means (30, 50, 130) and sealing means (21) .

2) A closing system (10) according to claim 1, wherein said cap (11) comprises a skirt (12) provided with fixing means to the neck of the container of liquids (60, 70), said skirt being overlapped by an annular spout (13) open outwards, said spout exhibiting a first shoulder (14) for the seal against the top of the inlet edge of the neck of the container of liquids (60, 70), such shoulder is followed by a first collar (13') from which said deactuable locking means extend.

3) A closing system (10) according to claim 1, wherein said deactuable locking means comprises nails (17') that extend inclined towards the centre of the cap starting from the corner of the first shoulder (14) , thus also extending from the first collar (13') and integrally with the cap (11) .

4) A closing system (10) according to claim 2, wherein in said cap (11) said shoulder (14) is followed by a first collar (13') provided with a chamfer (17), a second shoulder (15) restricts the spout diameter and originates a second collar (13' ') that ends in a third shoulder (16) so as to seat the sealing means comprising an annular seal (21) that is arranged along the second collar (13'') until it abuts against the third shoulder (16) and is here held seated by an annular projection (18) protruding from the surface of the second collar (13''), the glass or plastic ball (20) or a plastic clamped ball (40) being pressable against said seal. 5) A closing system (10) according to claim 4, wherein said locking means (30, 30') comprises a shaped sleeve provided with an annular portion (31) jointed as an "L" to a tubular portion (32, 32') . 6) A closing system (10) according to claim 5, wherein said annular portion (31) is intended for abutting against the first shoulder (14) so as to arrange between said first shoulder (14) and the top of the inlet edge of the neck of the container of liquids (60, 70) . 7) A closing system (10) according to claim 6, wherein said tubular portion (32) of the sleeve (30) is shaped so as to contact in engagement the first collar (13') being held by the chamfer (17) and has such length as to abut against the second shoulder (15) . 8) A closing system (10) according to claim 7, wherein a horizontal or inclined locking ring (33), made of a solid or hollow material, connected or separated in multiple portions extends from the inner circumference of the annular portion (31) towards the centre of the cap (11) , so as to substantially form a circular crown. 9) A closing system (10) according to claim 8, wherein a plurality of horizontal or inclined arched tongues (33') extends from the inner circumference of the annular portion (31) towards the centre of the cap (11) , so as to substantially form a circular crown. 10) A closing system (10) according to claim 9, wherein each of said tongues (33') widens at the ends to form a pair of tangs (34) for stopping the ball (20) .

11) A closing system (10) according to claim 10, wherein each tongue (33') is connected to the two adjacent ones at contact points (35) obtained on the tangs so as to leave a gap (36) between two adjacent tongues for gas venting when the ball valve is opened and for the liquid flow also when, with upturned container of liquids, the ball contacts the annular portion (31) again.

12) A closing system (10) according to claim 1, wherein said deactuable locking means consists of an annular bottom (130) provided with sectors (131) separate or connected by single points (132) or continuously so as to form an edge for seating and supporting the lower portion of the ball, the sectors (131) are obtained inclined towards the bottom of the bottle.

13) A closing system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the seal (21) exhibits a flared surface (22) , curved or having circular section to better adjust to the ball's own bend.

14) A closing system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the closing valve is made of plastic shaped as a clamped ball (40) , exhibiting a central clamp (50) made integral during the ball moulding and connected to the median circumference of the ball (40) by bridges (51) intended for being torn upon the opening by pressure on the ball.

15) A closing system (10) according to claim 14, wherein there is provided an annular stopping element

(52) shaped as a flared collar in a single piece or divided into multiple portions, protruding from the central clamp (50) for engaging the chamfer (17) so as to position and hold said clamp (50) and the ball (40) therewith seated.

16) A closing system (10) according to claim 14, wherein the clamp is further supported also by a sleeve

(30') obtained by the annular portion (31) to which a tubular portion (32') is optionally jointed which presses the base of the central clamp (50) .

17) A closing system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the closing system further comprises an outer cover (24) that engages on an annular abutment (25) obtained for example along the outer surface of the first collar (13') thanks to a correspondingly provided annular groove (23) .

18) A closing system (10) according to claim 17 wherein said outer cover (24) further comprises an outer punch (26) or inner septums (27) adapted for preventing the user from contacting the ball (20, 40) with his/her fingers in order to push it.

19) A closing system (10) according to claim 1, adapted for being assembled on a shaped bottle (70) characterised in that it comprises a threading (75) obtained at the inlet, for the cap screwing, the bottle exhibiting a sandglass shape obtained by forming a pair of hollows (71) that inside the bottle generate corresponding necks (73) that stop the ball, above said hollows the bottle exhibiting at least a pair of inclined recesses (72) that inside create some stopping lunettes (74) that provide an engagement channel for holding the ball when the bottle is upturned.

20) A closing system (10) according to claim 1, wherein there is further provided an opening and degassing device (100) comprising a top (101) internally provided with opening crown (110) of the ball closing valve (20) and with degassing grooves (111) . 21) A closing system (10) according to claim 20, wherein said top (101) is defined by a cylindrical body (102) provided with closing bottom (103) , the top (101) being internally provided with the opening crown (110) of the ball closing valve (20) centrally protruding from the bottom (103) and ending in a flared circumferential end zone (104) inwards of the top.

22) A closing system (10) according to claim 21, wherein said cylindrical body (102) is provided with degassing grooves (111) obtained along the inner surface thereof .

23) A closing system (10) according to claim 22, wherein in the proximity of the free edge of the top (101) there are obtained some inner engagement teeth (105) shaped as ring portions.