WO2006134263A1

WO2006134263A1 - Anti-filling device for a container neck, generally for a bottle, a composite sealing cap comprising said device

Info

Publication number: WO2006134263A1
Application number: PCT/FR2006/001328
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jacques Granger; Jean-Marie Bourreau
Original assignee: Alcan Packaging Capsules
Priority date: 2005-06-14
Filing date: 2006-06-13
Publication date: 2006-12-21
Also published as: FR2886924A1; AR054384A1; FR2886924B1

Abstract

A device (3) comprises a lower part (30) which is used for sealingly and substantially irreversibly fixing said device (3) to said neck (30) of the container (4) and a check means (5) forming a movable part (50), wherein said lower part (30) comprises a central part (301) containing said check means (5) in such a way that it enables a liquid to normally flow out through said neck (40) and prevents the subsequent fraudulent filling of said container (4). The inventive device is characterised in that it comprises a top part (31) which forms or comprises protection means (6) of said check means (5) and said top part (31) is irreversibly fixed to the lower part (30). The composite sealing cap (1) is formed by the interaction of said device (3) with a sealing cap (2). Said invention prevents or displays any fraudulent attempt to fill in said container.

Description

IRREGULAR DEVICE FOR CONTAINER TUBE, TYPICALLY BOTTLE, AND COMPOSITE BUCKET CAPSULE COMPRISING SAID DEVICE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the field of capping capsules, and more particularly that of anti-fraud capping capsules for packaging liquid products of great value or of great renown, typically in the field of wines, alcohols, liqueurs or spirits. .

STATE OF THE ART

A large number of patents describing capsules providing an anti-fraud or non-refilling function are already known.

Thus, by way of examples, mention may be made of French Pat. Nos. 2,730,705, 2,406,578, 2,387,166, 2,248,209, 2,738,802 and British Pat. Nos. 2,293,158 and 2,283,004. 2,274,837,

2, 274,824, 2,274,638, 2,274,637, 2,274,639, 2,251,846, 2,244,691, 2,244,048, 2239.

009, 2,238,288, 2,236,999, 2,236,998, 2,231,304, 2,219,570, 2,195,974, 2,178,000, 2.

176,467, 2,153,331, 2,057,390,2008,531, 1,532,652, 1,476,542, 1,245,034, International Applications WO 98/42587, WO 96/04179. International application WO 00/07898 is known, US Pat.

230,937 and US 2,047,791, British Patent GB 491,737, and French Patent FR 1,087

750.

PROBLEMS POSED Despite the large number of devices already known, none of these devices has become established in current practice as an effective means to meet the objective of making the containers equipped with these devices non-refillable or to make any fraudulent reuse detectable. a container by filling a liquid different from the original liquid; and this, either because these devices were inefficient or ineffective, or because they were too complicated to manufacture or assemble to a container.

As the damage suffered by the manufacturers of branded products, for example brand-name spirits, remains considerable, the plaintiff has continued its search to find a solution to the problem.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, the refilling device, intended to be fixed to a neck of a container and to be closed by a closure cap, so as to be assembled to said neck in an irreversible manner by making said container refillable, said container being typically a bottle containing a liquid, typically a beverage comprising an alcohol, comprises a so-called lower part delimiting a lower cavity, said lower part being able in particular to ensure a tight and typically irreversible attachment of said device to said neck, and an anti -return forming a movable part in said lower cavity and cooperating with said lower part forming a non-return valve, said device and typically said lower part, comprising a central part obstructing said lower cavity, typically at its upper part, so as to trapping said non-return means in said cavity lower, to allow a normal flow of said liquid out of said container, and to prevent a subsequent fraudulent filling of said container.

This device is characterized in that it comprises, above said non-return means, at least one so-called upper part forming or comprising means for protecting said non-return means, said upper part being irreversibly integral with said lower part, so that any fraudulent attempt to re-fill the said container, typically by rendering inoperative said non-return means, is prevented by said means of protection and / or is made visible by destruction or alteration of all or part of said device or typically said means of protection.

The invention solves the problems posed.

Indeed, on the one hand, and as will become clear in the following description and figures, thanks to said means of protection, fraudsters can not access the said non-return means to annihilate its action to a fraudulent filling, or in any case, can not access said non-return means without a visible alteration of said device.

On the other hand, the device according to the invention uses only standard materials and standard techniques for manufacturing its component parts, as well as standard assembly techniques for these parts, so that the device according to the invention is an industrial product capable of being manufactured at a high rate and a reasonable cost of production allowing its marketing.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

All the figures relate to the invention.

Figures la to 2b, 7 to 9d, 10a to 10d are axial sections or half-sections in the axial direction (10).

Figures 3 to 6 are half axial sections for the right part and half side views for the left part. Figures 9e to 9g are top views.

FIGS. 1a-2 relate to the same embodiment of a composite closure cap (1) comprising the same modality of refilling device (3). FIG. 1a is a half-view of the composite closure cap (1) ready to be assembled at a bottle neck (not shown) by an axial clipping, said composite closure cap (1) by assembly of said capsule capping (2) and said device (3), the skirt (200) of the capsule (1) being crimped in a circular groove (361) of the device (3).

Figures Ib to the are related to the component parts of the composite closure cap (1), except the ball (51) and the metal part (8). Figure Ib is a view of said upper piece (31). This piece (31) is a molded piece made of plastic, comprising a central portion (310) forming a grid (6 ') as a protective means (6), and a peripheral portion (311) forming a peripheral skirt (311' ) bearing on its outer surface said securing means (37) in the form of a thread (370). Figure Ic is a view of said lower part (30). This piece (30) is a molded piece comprising, from right to left: an outer wall (36) carrying said circular groove (361), a radial portion (34), and an inner wall (32) which comprises an upper portion (35), a lower portion (33) and a central portion (301). Figure Id is a view of the insert (21) of the closure cap (2), said insert (21) comprising an internally threaded skirt (210), a head (215) carrying a circular lip (213) as a means sealing. Dashed is shown a planar joint (212) as another sealing means adapted to replace said circular lip (213). Figure 1c is a view of the metal shell (20) of said closure cap (2), said closure cap (2) being formed by fixing or assembling said insert (21) in said metal shell (20).

Figure 2a corresponds to Figure 1a, after unscrewing the closure cap (2) and inclined said device (3) to obtain said normal flow of the liquid. Figure 2a illustrates the axial displacement of the ball (51) and the so-called normal flow of the liquid. The three liquid passages have been indicated by three distinct arrows through the three successive obstacles formed, during said normal flow of liquid, by the central part (301), then by the metal part (8), and finally by the gate ( &). FIG. 2b, similar to FIG. 2a, illustrates another device modality (3) in which said metal part (8) plays the role of said central part (301) intended to block the axial displacement of the ball (51). Figure 3 shows, in vertical position, another form of composite closure cap (1) assembled to the neck (40) of a bottle as a container (4).

In this embodiment, said closure cap (2) is a plastic molded closure cap (2c) comprising a threaded skirt (210 '), a head (215'), and a sealing means (211 ').

In this modality, the device (3) comprises an outer joining ring

(381) which on the one hand, assembles the lower (30) and upper (31) parts, and on the other hand, by crimping to the glass ring (401) of the neck (40), the fixing of said composite closure cap (1) at the neck (40).

In this modality, the grid (6 ') is a plane grid (6a), but a dome-shaped grid (6b) is represented in dashed line.

Dotted is shown said metal part (8) which may be optionally present.

Figure 4, similar to Figure 3, shows another form of composite closure cap (1).

In this embodiment, the closure cap (2) is a closure cap (2b) comprising a metal shell (20) and an insert (21 ') devoid of skirt, the skirt (200) of the metal shell (20) bearing a thread (204) cooperating with the thread (370) carried by the upper part (31) of said device (3).

Figure 5, similar to Figure 4, shows another form of composite closure cap (1). In this embodiment, the closure cap (2) is a closure cap (2a) comprising a metal shell (20) and an insert (21) having a threaded skirt (210) cooperating with the peripheral portion (31 1, 31 1 ') of said upper piece (31) provided with a thread (370).

In this embodiment, the outer wall (36) of the lower part (30) comprises a plurality of fastening hooks (360) which secure the composite closure cap

(1) at the neck (40). FIG. 6, similar to FIG. 5, differs in that the composite closure cap (1) is secured to the neck (40) by crimping or embossing the metal of the skirt (200) of the metal shell (20). ) under the glass ring (401) and / or in a circular groove of the glass ring, so as to form a crimping ring (205).

Ligures 7 and 8 relate to other methods of composite closure capsules (1) according to the invention. The right half-part of the figure represents the composite closure cap (1), and the cooperation of the closure cap (2) and of said device (3), the beginning of the capping of the neck (40), whereas the half left part represents the composite closure cap (1) at the end of capping. In these two modes, said lower piece (30) is a lower piece (30 ') which comprises an inner wall (32) integral with a central portion (301'), and a radial portion (34 ') axially locking the composite closure cap (1) against the rim (400) of the neck (40), the radial portion (34 ') comprising a flexible lip (340) forming a pourer through a thinned portion (341) forming a hinge. In this embodiment, said upper part (31) comprises a peripheral part (31 1) forming said grid (6 '), and a central part (310') bearing against said lower part (30 '), said upper part ( 31) being snapped into said lower piece (30).

In the embodiment of FIG. 7, the capsule is similar to that of FIG. 4, the insert of the closure cap being an insert (21 ') devoid of a threaded skirt. This insert (21 ') comprises a high detent element (214) intended to cooperate with a low detent element (371) of said lower part (30), so as to fasten said closure cap (2) to said device (3) before capping said neck (40). The modality of FIG. 8 differs from the modality of FIG. 7 in that the insert of the closure cap is an insert (21) provided with a threaded skirt (210). 9a to 9g illustrate different forms protection means (6) as a grid (6 ¹⁾ comprising a plurality of orifices (60, 60 ', 60 ").

Figures 9a to 9d illustrate the shape of the grid (6 ').

Figure 9a shows a planar grid (6a). Figure 9b shows a grid (6b) having the shape of a dome or a vault, typically semicircular.

Figure 9c shows a gate (6c) comprising a dome-shaped central portion (61) and a planar peripheral portion (62).

Fig. 9d shows a gate (6d) comprising a dome-shaped central portion (61) and a peripheral portion (62 ') provided with inclined or axial elements.

Figure 9e illustrates the case where the grids (6 ', 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) of Figures 9a to 9d comprise only a plurality of typically curvilinear slots (64).

Figure 9f illustrates the case where the grids (6 ', 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) of Figures 9a to 9d comprise only a plurality of holes (63) of square section (or possibly round). FIG. 9g illustrates the case where the central portion (61) of the grids (6 ', 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) comprises a plurality of holes (63), while the peripheral portion (62, 62') comprises a plurality typically curvilinear slits (64).

Figures 10a to 10d illustrate the shape of the orifices (60, 60 ', 60 ") of the grids (6'), Figure 10a illustrates the case where the grid (6 ') comprises a plurality of axial channels

(60a) oriented along said axial direction (10).

FIG. 10b illustrates the case where the gate (6 ') comprises a plurality of axial channels

(60b) oriented at an angle α with respect to an axial direction (10) of said device

(3), this angle typically ranging from 30 to 60 °. Figure 10c illustrates the cases where said upper ports (60) comprise or consist of a plurality of angular channels (60c) comprising two portions (600) and

(601) joined but offset axially.

FIG. 10d shows the two elements of the mold making it possible to obtain the grid of FIG. 10c, with a high mold element (65) and a low mold element (66). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, as illustrated for example in FIG. 1c, said lower part (30) may comprise a so-called inner wall (32) intended to be introduced wholly or partly into said neck (40), said inner wall ( 32) comprising a lower portion (33) having a lower lip (330) delimiting a typically circular lower orifice (331) with a surface area S1 of typically 50 to 150 mm ² , said lower lip (330) forming a seat said lower cooperating with said movable piece (50), so as to form said non-return valve, said movable piece (50) tending by gravity to close said lower orifice being pressed against said lower lip (330) when said container (4) ) is typically straight, and to separate axially from said lower seat and thus to open said lower orifice when said container (4) is inclined to pour said liquid ensuring said flow nt normal, as illustrated in Figures 2a and 2b. Said moving part (50) may be a ball (51), typically spherical.

However, said movable member (50) may be a non-spherical piece (52), or a disc, typically planar or arch-shaped.

Said inner wall (32) may form or include a means for axially guiding said movable part (50), so as to avoid any risk of locking said movable part (50).

As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, said inner wall (32), and typically its lower portion (33), can comprise a plurality of rods or axial projections (332), so as to form said axial guide means of said moving part (50) while ensuring said normal flow.

As illustrated in FIG. 1a, said inner wall (32), and typically its lower portion (33), may comprise on its inner surface axial grooves (333), so as to form said axial guide means of said moving part ( 50) while providing said normal flow. As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, said inner wall (32), and typically its lower part (33), may comprise at least one circular fin (334) intended to cooperate with said neck (40), so as to ensure sealing between said device (3) and said neck (40), and optionally to form said sealed fastener. In FIGS. 7 and 8, the fins have been represented as they are before assembly of the composite closure cap (1) in the neck (40). Said inner wall (32), and typically said lower portion (33), can be adapted to be secured to said neck (40) by force fitting in said neck (40), typically sealed, any attempt to extract said device ( 3) outside said neck (40) typically leading to a visible alteration of said device, for example to a visible alteration of said protection means (6).

However, said lower piece (30) may comprise complementary fixing means (7) of said device (3) to said neck (40), said complementary fastening means (7) typically comprising an adhesive (70) carried on the surface of said fin (334) so as to provide said airtight attachment of said device (3) to said neck (40). See Figure 8. This adhesive may be a hot-melt type adhesive As shown in Figure 7, said complementary fixing means (7) may comprise a seal (71), typically an elastomer O-ring, carried by an outer surface of said inner wall (32), and typically its lower portion (33).

As illustrated for example in FIGS Ic and Ic, said lower part (30) may comprise a radial portion (34) integral with said inner wall (30) and intended to form an axial stop during said fixing of said device ( 3) to said neck (40), said radial portion (34) bearing against the rim (400) of said neck (40), so as to ensure an automatic axial positioning of said device (3) with respect to said neck (40) when of said attachment which corresponds to the capping operation of the container (4) by the composite closure cap (1) comprising said device (3). According to the invention, and as illustrated in Figures 1a and 1b, said upper part (31) may comprise a peripheral portion (311) typically forming a peripheral skirt (311 ¹ ), and a central portion (310) secured to said portion device, forming or comprising as a means of protection (6) a gate (6 '), said gate (6') being provided with a plurality of upper orifices (60), said upper orifices (60), typically of round shape or square or curvilinear, having a unit area Su typically less than 5 mm ² , and total area Sγ typically between 20 and 100 mm ² , said surfaces Su and Sγ being chosen large enough to ensure a fairly fast flow said liquid when said liquid is poured by tilting said neck, and said unit surface Su being chosen small enough to prevent fraudulent introduction of a foreign body through said grid (6 ') e n attempt to render inefficient said non-return means (5).

As illustrated in FIGS. 10a and 10b, said upper orifices (60) may comprise or consist of a plurality of axial channels (60a) or channels

(60b) oriented at an angle α, with respect to an axial direction (10) of said device

(3), typically ranging from 30 to 60 °.

However, as illustrated in FIG. 10c, said upper orifices (60) may comprise or be constituted by a plurality of angular channels (60c), each angular channel (60c) comprising two axial portions (600) and (601) communicating with each other but offset axially, so as to prevent any introduction of a tapered object into said inner cavity (300) of said device (3).

According to the invention, it is advantageous that said central portion (310), typically said grid (6 '), and said peripheral portion (311) form a single molded piece made of plastic material.

However, given the specific geometry of the gate (6 ') and the molding possibilities, said central portion (310), typically said gate (6'), and said peripheral portion (311) can form two distinct pieces, typically molded plastic parts, said central portion (310) and peripheral (311) being typically assembled by an axial latching. It is advantageous for said grid (6 ') to be made of a molded plastic material chosen so as to have a high rigidity, typically in impact PS, so as to be at least partially destroyed in the event of a fraudulent attempt to break the cavity.

As illustrated in FIGS. 9a to 9d, said grid (6 ') can be chosen from: a plane grid (6a), a grid (6b) having the shape of a dome or a vault, typically semicircular, a gate (6c) comprising a dome-shaped central portion (61) and a planar peripheral portion (62), a gate (6d) comprising a dome-shaped central portion (61) and a peripheral portion (62 ') provided with inclined or axial elements.

As illustrated for example in Figures 1a and 1c, said central portion (301) may comprise at least one radial projection (335), so that said non-return means (5), movable in said lower cavity (300) has an axial stroke limited below by said lower lip (301) and superiorly by said radial projection (335), said radial projection (335) possibly being integral with a central element (336), this central element being able to be secured to the radial projection (335) annular by a plurality of connecting rods (332 ') allowing said normal flow. The central element (336) is a solid element that limits fraudulent access to the ball (51) to prevent or disrupt its normal operation. The axial stroke of the ball (51) has been represented by a double axial arrow in FIG.

In addition, as illustrated in many figures, said protection means (6) may comprise a metal part (8), typically a metal pellet (8 '), typically a solid metal part, positioned under said grid (6') in a so-called upper cavity (312), so as to form a mechanical barrier to any fraudulent attempt to render inoperative said non-return means.

Generally, said metal piece (8) can be positioned above said central portion (301) of said lower piece (30) obstructing said lower cavity (300), typically above said radial projection (335) of said portion lower (33), said upper cavity (312) providing said normal flow and possibly allowing an axial stroke of said metal piece (8), said axial stroke being limited below by said radial projection (335) of said lower part, when said container is typically straight, and limited upper by said protective means (6) or by an upper portion (35) of said inner wall (32), or typically by its necking portion (350), when said container (4) is inclined to pour said liquid .

Most often, said inner wall (32) may comprise said upper portion (35), said upper portion (35) including a plurality of lateral recesses (351) to allow said normal flow. In this case, the stroke of the metal part is limited, as represented by a double axial arrow in FIG. 1a, so that the metal part (8), which is a solid part, does not come into contact with said grid (6 '), which can be intentionally formed into a brittle material so as to be visibly impaired by any attempt to tamper with said device (3).

In addition, said metal piece (8) can cooperate with said inner radial projection (335) in the manner of a complementary valve so as to make at least very little, if not very, a fraudulent introduction of a fraudulent liquid into said container when said container is typically straight, said axial metal piece (8), moving axially, by gravity, when said container (4) is inclined to pour said liquid, so as to ensure said normal flow, possibly through a plurality of lateral recesses (351) formed on the inner surface of said upper portion (35). As illustrated in FIG. 2b, said metal piece (8) can limit the axial stroke of said movable piece (50) forming the non-return means (5) to a greater extent.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1a, 1c, 2a to 8, said lower part (30) may comprise a so-called outer wall (36) typically forming an outer skirt (36 ') intended to cover all or part of the glassware ring (401). ) of said neck (40). In said lower part (30), the inner (32) and outer (36) walls are secured by said radial portion (34) intended to bear against the rim (400) of the neck (40).

As shown in FIGS. 1a, 1c, 2a, 2b and 5, said outer wall (36) may comprise or form, typically at its lower end, at least one hook (360) intended to cooperate with the narrowed outer wall (402). said neck (40), so as to ensure said fixing of said device (3) to said neck (40), by an axial latching.

As illustrated in the device (3) of composite closure caps (1) illustrated in Figures 7 and 8: a) said lower part (30) may be constituted by a lower part (30 ') comprising a lower part (33' ), a radial portion (34 ') and a central portion (301'), said radial portion (34 ¹ ) forming an axial abutment against said rim (400) of said neck (40), said central portion (301 ') typically joined together at said lower lip (330 '), so as to form a cage for said non-return means (5), b) said upper piece (31) can be constituted by an upper piece (31') placed inside the said lower portion (33 '), so that said device (3) is adapted to be placed inside said neck (40). As illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, said lower piece (30 ') may comprise a flexible lip (340) forming a pourer, with a thinned portion (341) forming a hinge.

According to the invention, said lower part (30) may comprise a temporary or removable fastening means (37) intended to cooperate with said closure cap (2), said closure cap (2) typically comprising a plastic insert ( 21) adapted to cooperate with said temporary or removable securing means (37), so as to form a composite closure cap (1), all or part of said closure cap (2) to be separated from said device (3) in to achieve said normal flow. Indeed, it is advantageous to have such a fastening (37), in order to manipulate said composite closure cap (1) as a single piece on the capping lines, and thus fix said capsule (1) in the manner of an ordinary capsule which would not have said device. As illustrated in FIGS. 1a, 2a, 2b, 3 to 6, said securing means (37) may consist of a thread (370) carried by said upper part (31), typically by said peripheral part (311) or said peripheral skirt (311 '), said thread (370) being intended to cooperate with a threaded skirt (210) of said insert (21), so that said closure cap (2) can cooperate with said device (3) by screwing.

In this case, the closure cap (2) is screwed to said device (3), both as a securing means (37) and as means for opening / closing the container (4).

As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, said securing means (37) may be constituted by a so-called bottom locking element (371) integral with said upper lower part (30, 30 ') (31), typically by said part central (301 '), said low latching element (371) being intended to cooperate with a so-called top snap element (214) integral with said insert (21), so that said closure cap (2) can cooperate with said device (3) by screwing. In this case, the closure cap (2) is screwed to the neck of the container, either through the skirt (200) of the metal shell (20) as shown in Figure 7, or through the threaded skirt (210) of the insert (21) as shown in FIG.

Advantageously, said lower part (30) may comprise an anti-rotation means intended to cooperate with a complementary means of anti-rotation (402) of said neck (40), so that said device is integral in rotation said neck.

In this case, the outer wall (36) has a crenellated lower surface adapted to cooperate with a radial projection of the neck (40) forming the complementary means of anti-rotation (402), so as to block in rotation said device ( 3) with respect to said container (4), and thus to be able to screw or unscrew said closure cap (2) with respect to said container (4). According to the invention, said upper piece (31) can be made irreversibly integral with said lower piece (30), by means of an assembly means (38) chosen in particular from: a cooperation (380) of clipped male and female elements , as illustrated for example in FIGS. 1a, 3, an outer securing ring (381, 381 '), as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4.

In the case of FIG. 3, the ring (381) makes it possible to secure both the lower (30) and upper (31) parts to the neck (40), the upper part of the ring (381) being crimped on a rim. said upper part (31) and the lower part of the ring being crimped to the glass ring (401) of the neck (40) during said capping.

In the case of FIG. 4, the outer fastening ring (381 ') forms part of the skirt (200) of the metal shell (20), whose upper part is secured to said device (3) and to said upper part (31) by a crimping groove (361), and whose lower portion is then secured to the neck during said capping by crimping under the glass ring forming a crimping ring (205).

Another object of the invention is constituted by a composite closure cap (1) comprising said device (3) according to the invention, said device (3) being assembled temporarily or removably to said closure cap (2) thanks to said securing means (37), so as to be able to assemble to said neck (40), during capping of said container (4), said non-refill device (3) and said closure cap (2) and in a single step.

In this composite closure cap (1), said closure cap (2) can be a closure cap (2a) comprising a typically metallic outer shell (20) having a head (200) and a skirt (201). ), a plastic insert (21a) comprising a threaded skirt (210), a head (215), and a sealing means (211), as shown in Figures 1a, 5, 6 and 8.

Said closure cap (2) can also be a closure cap (2b) comprising a typically metallic outer shell (20) having a head (200) and a skirt (201), a plastic insert (21b ) comprising a head (215) and a sealing means (211), said skirt (201) forming a thread (204) cooperating with a thread (370) forming said securing means (37), or being able to form a thread (204 ') intended to cooperate with a thread (401) of said neck (40) during a capping step of said container by said capsule composite plug (1), as illustrated in FIGS. 4, 7. In either case, said skirt (201) may comprise at least one weakening line (201), said weakening line ( 201) being located below said insert (21a, 21b) and intended to facilitate a first opening of said capsule (2) or to form an indication of first opening of said capsule (2), after said composite closure cap (1) ) has closed said neck (40) of said container (4) during a capping phase of said container (4), said line of weakness (201) delimiting an upper portion (202) of said shell (20) located above said weakening line (201) and a lower portion (203) of said shell (20) below said weakening line (201), said lower portion (203) being crimped to said lower member (30) typically by embossing or crimping metal of said lower portion (203) in a circular groove (360) said outer wall (36), or being intended to be crimped to said neck (40), under its glass ring (401). Said closure cap (2) can also be a molded plastic closure cap (2c) comprising a threaded skirt (210 '), a head (215'), and a sealing means (211 '), as illustrated in Figure 3.

Whatever the type of closure cap (2), said sealing means (21 1, 21 ') can be chosen from: a typically plane joint (212), at least one circular lip (213, 213') integral with said head (215, 215 ').

EXAMPLES OF REALIZATION

The composite capping caps (1) are manufactured according to the figures by supplying or manufacturing: A) different capping capsules (2): capping capsules (2a) for the composite capping capsules (1) according to FIGS. 1a, 5, 6 and 8, comprising an aluminum shell (20) made of aluminum and an insert (21) made of PE or PP provided with a threaded skirt (210, 210 '),

capping capsules (2b) for the composite capping capsules (1) according to FIGS. 4 and 7 comprising an aluminum metal shell (20) and an insert (21 ') made of aluminum

PE or PP without threaded skirt,

* closure cap (2c)) for the composite closure cap (1) according to Figure 3. This closure cap is a plastic capsule without outer shell metal.

B) various non-refillable devices (3) by molding the component parts:

the lower part (30, 30 '), typically PE or PP molded part, with a circular lower orifice (331), of surface So equal to 118 mm ² , or a diameter of 12.3 mm

* the upper part (31) provided with said grid (6 '), typically molded SH shock piece.

Many grid variants (6 ') have been made as illustrated in FIGS. 9a to 10d.

By way of illustration, a grid (6 ') of the type of that of FIG. 9g and of FIG. 9d, had 208 square holes of 0.6 mm per side, ie an area of 75 mm ² for its central portion ( 61), and 16 side slits of 0.8 mm width, an area of 9.4 mm ² , or a total area S _T of flow of 84.3 mm ² .

The balls (51) 12.7 mm in diameter D were supplied either in the form of glass beads or in the form of a stainless steel ball. The metal parts (8) are supplied with glass or stainless steel.

The various parts of said device (3) were then assembled by forcing the ball (51) and the metal part (8).

The various devices (3) were then assembled to the different closure capsules (2) to form the various composite closure capsules (1) according to the figures. In order to be tested, these various composite closure capsules (1) were encapsulated on bottles (4) filled with a mixture of water and alcohol similar to the alcohols intended to be packaged.

The ease of flow was first examined, and flow times ranging from 1 minute 15 seconds per liter elapsed at 1 minute 55 seconds per liter were recorded, which is quite interesting as a flow rate.

In this respect, the most efficient grids (6 ¹ ) seem to be those corresponding to FIGS. 9d or 9g. During various tests, it seemed interesting to have a certain relationship between

"total area ST" / "surface area" at least equal to 0.5 and preferably at least equal to

0.6.

In addition, the possibilities of reintroducing a liquid into the empty bottle have been tested. It appeared, following the tests carried out:

- firstly that it was not possible to reintroduce a liquid without altering said device (3) in a visible manner,

- On the other hand, that the grid (6 ') broke easily as soon as one tried to introduce a wire into said device (3) or any other means to prevent the operation of said device (3) as an anti -fraud.

Furthermore, as a complementary anti-fraud means, especially in the case where said device (3) does not include a metal part (8), it has been found useful to have a ratio π.D ² /4.So, between the projected area of the ball diameter D, equal to π.D ^2/4, and the surface of said lower orifice (331) equal to so circular, typically between 1.03 and 1.10, so that, on the one hand, said ball remains in position on its seat during any "normal" handling of said container, and that, on the other hand, any fraudulent attempt exercising, involuntarily from the fraudster, a pressure on the ball, pushes the ball into the bottom of the bottle, and thus makes it visible by testifying to the said attempt. ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

The invention has many advantages, in addition to the primary purpose of being an anti-fraud means to prevent further filling of the container.

Indeed, on the one hand, it offers a very wide variety of practical embodiments, both the device (3) and its combination with various types of caps (2).

On the other hand, it also offers the possibility of having a device that is partially or totally introduced into the neck, so that the device (3) can possibly made very discreet, said device not substantially increasing the height a container closed by said composite capsule. In addition, it makes it possible to obtain a relatively large flow of the liquid during said normal flow, such that it will not cause a state of impatience on the part of any user.

Finally, the composite closure cap (1) according to the invention lends itself to automated manufacturing and does not introduce any particular constraint on the capping or packaging lines of alcohols or spirits.

LIST OF REFERENCES

Capsule capping composite 1

Axial direction 10 One-piece molded part 39 + 6 11

Axial locking means with 30 110

One-piece molded part 39 + 30 12

Axial locking means with 6 120

Closure cap of 1 2 Metallic shell 20

Skirt of 20 200

Line of weakness 201

Upper part of 20,202

Lower part of 20 203 Thread of 200 204, 204 '

Crimping ring at 40,401 205 Crimping ring at 3,206

Plastic insert 21, 21 '

Threaded skirt 210, 210 '

Sealing means 211, 211 'Joint plane 212

Circular lip 213

High locking element 214

Head of 21,215, 215 '

Refillable device of 1 3 Lower part 30, 30 '

Lower cavity 300

Central portion of 30 obstructing 300 301, 301 '

Upper room with 6 31

Central Part 310 Peripheral Part 311

Peripheral skirt 31 1 '

Upper cavity 312

Inner wall of 30 32

Lower part of 32 33, 33 ', lower lip / lower seat 330, 330'

Bottom hole 331

Rods or axial projections 332

Axial groove 333

Wings of 33,334 Radial projection of 301,335

Central element of 301 336

Radial part of 30 34, 34 '

Flexible lip pourer 340

Thin section forming a hinge 341 Upper part of 32 35

Shrink part 350 Lateral recess 351

Outside wall of 30 36

Fixing hook at 40 360

Circular groove 361 Temporary joining means from 3 to 21 .. 37

Thread 370

Low snap-in element 371

Means of assembly from 30 to 31 38

Cooperation of male and female elements .. 380 External fixing ring 381, 381 '

Crimping ring at 401 382

Container 4

Neck 40

Drinking 400 Glass Ring 40 401

402 anti-rotation screen

Non return means 5

Moving Part 50

Ball 51 Non-spherical piece 52

Means of protection of 5 6

Grid 6 ', 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d

Upper ports 60, 60a, 60b, 60c

Central portion 61 Peripheral portion 62, 62 '

Holes or plurality of holes 63

Slits or plurality of slits (curvilinear) 64

High mold element 65

Bottom mold element 66 Additional fastening means from 3 to 40 7

Adhesive 70 Elastomer O-ring 71

Metal part 8

Metallic pellet 8 '

Claims

1. Filling device (3), intended to be fixed to a neck (40) of a container (4) and to be closed by a closure cap (2), so as to be assembled to said neck (40) in an irreversible manner by making said container (4) refillable, said container (4) being typically a bottle containing a liquid, typically a beverage comprising an alcohol, said device (3) comprising a so-called lower part (30) delimiting a cavity lower part (300), said lower part (30) being able in particular to provide a tight and typically irreversible attachment of said device (3) to said neck (40), and a non-return means (5) forming a piece (50) movable in said lower cavity (300) and cooperating with said lower piece (30) forming a non-return valve, said device (3) and typically said lower piece (30), comprising a central portion (301) obstructing said lower cavity (300) ), typiq at its upper part, so as to trap said non-return means (5) in said lower cavity (300), to allow a normal flow of said liquid out of said container (4), and to prevent a subsequent fraudulent filling of said container ( 4), characterized in that it comprises, above said non-return means (5), at least one so-called upper part (31) forming or comprising a protection means (6) of said non-return means (5) said upper part (31) being irreversibly secured to said lower part (30), so that any fraudulent attempt to refill said container, typically by rendering inoperative said non-return means (5), is prevented by said means of protection (6) and / or is made visible by destruction or alteration of all or part of said device (3) or typically of said protection means (6), said protection means (6) being a grid (6 ') provided with upper ports (60), said grid (6 ') being of a molded plastics material.

2. Device according to claim 1 wherein said lower part (30) comprises a so-called inner wall (32), intended to be introduced in whole or in part into said neck (40), said inner wall (32) comprising a so-called part. lower section (33) having a lower lip (330) delimiting a typically circular lower orifice (331) with a surface SQ typically ranging from 50 to 150 mm ² , said lower lip (330) forming a so-called lower seat cooperating with said movable part (50), so as to form said non-return valve, said moving part (50) tending by gravity to close said lower orifice being pressed against said lower lip (330) when said container is typically straight, and axially separate from said lower seat and thus open said lower port when said container (4) is inclined to pour said liquid ensuring said normal flow.

3. Device according to claim 2 wherein said movable part (50) is a ball (51), typically spherical.

4. Device according to claim 2 wherein said movable part (50) is a non-spherical piece (52), or a disc, typically flat or arch-shaped.

5. Device according to any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein said inner wall (32) forms or comprises a means for axial guidance of said moving part.

(50), so as to avoid any risk of blocking said moving part (50).

6. Device according to claim 5 wherein said inner wall (32), and typically its lower portion (33) comprises a plurality of rods or axial projections (332), so as to form said axial guide means of said piece mobile (50) while providing said normal flow.

7. Device according to claim 5 wherein said inner wall (32), and typically its lower portion (33), comprises on its inner surface axial grooves (333), so as to form said axial guide means of said moving part. (50) while providing said normal flow.

8. Device according to any one of claims 2 to 7 wherein said inner wall (32), and typically its lower portion (33) comprises at least one circular fin (334) intended to cooperate with said neck (40), so to ensure sealing between said device (3) and said neck (40), and optionally to form said sealed fastener.

9. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein said inner wall (32), and typically said lower portion (33), is adapted to be secured to said neck (40) by a press fitting into said neck (40). , typically sealed, any attempt to extract said device (3) out of said neck (40) typically leading to a visible alteration of said device, for example to a visible alteration of said protection means (6).

10. Device according to claim 1 to 9 wherein said lower part (30) comprises a complementary fixing means (7) of said device (3) to said neck (40), said complementary fixing means (7) typically comprising an adhesive ( 70) carried by the surface of said fin (334), so as to ensure said sealing attachment of said device (3) to said neck (40).

11. Device according to claim 10 wherein said complementary fixing means (7) comprises a seal (71), typically an elastomer O-ring, carried by an outer surface of said inner wall (32), and typically its lower part. (33).

12. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 11 wherein said lower part (30) comprises a radial portion (34) integral with said inner wall and intended to form an axial stopper during said attachment of said device (3). at said neck (40), said radial portion (34) bearing against the rim (400) of said neck (40), so as to ensure automatic axial positioning of said device (3) with respect to said neck (40) during said fixation.

13. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 12 wherein said upper part (31) comprises a peripheral portion (31 1) typically forming a peripheral skirt (311 '), and a central portion (310) integral with said peripheral portion, forming or comprising as a means of protection (6) said grid (6 ¹ ) having said plurality of upper orifices (60), said upper orifices (60), typically round or square in shape or curvilinear in shape, having a unitary surface Sy typically less than 5 mm ² , and total surface S _T typically between 20 and 100 mm ² , said surfaces Su and S _T being chosen large enough to ensure a fairly fast flow of said liquid when said liquid is poured by tilting said neck, and said unit surface Su being chosen small enough to prevent fraudulent introduction of a foreign body through said grid (6 ') in an attempt to render inefficient said non-return means (5).

14. Device according to claim 13 wherein said upper orifices (60) comprise or consist of a plurality of axial channels (60a) or channels (60b) oriented at an angle α, with respect to an axial direction (10) of said device (3), typically ranging from 30 to 60 °.

15. Device according to claim 14 wherein said upper openings (60) comprise or consist of a plurality of angular channels (60c), each angular channel (60c) comprising two axial portions (600) and (601) communicating with each other but axially offset, so as to prevent any introduction of a tapered object into said interior cavity (300) of said device (3).

16. Device according to any one of claims 13 to 15 wherein said central portion (310), typically said grid (6 ¹ ), and said peripheral portion (311) form a single molded piece of plastic material.

17. Device according to any one of claims 13 to 15 wherein said central portion (310), typically said grid (6 '), and said peripheral portion (311) form two separate parts, typically molded plastic parts, said parts central (310) and peripheral (311) being typically assembled by an axial latching.

18. Device according to any one of claims 13 to 17 wherein said molded plastic forming said grid (6 ¹ ) is selected to have a high rigidity, typically shock PS, so as to be at least partially destroyed in case of fraudulent attempt to break the cavity.

19. Device according to any one of claims 13 to 18 wherein said gate (6 ') is selected from: a planar grid (6a), a gate (6b) having the shape of a dome or a vault, typically semi -circular, a gate (6c) comprising a dome-shaped central portion (61) and a planar peripheral portion (62), a gate (6d) comprising a dome-shaped central portion (61) and a peripheral portion (62) ') with inclined or axial elements.

20. Device according to any one of claims 2 to 19 wherein said central portion (301) comprises at least one radial projection (335), so that said non-return means (5), movable in said lower cavity (300). ), has an axial stroke limited lower by said lower lip (301) and higher by said radial projection (335), said radial projection (335) optionally being integral with a central member (336).

21. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 20 wherein said protective means (6) comprises a metal part (8), typically a metal pellet (8 '), typically a solid metal part, positioned under said grid (6'). ) in a so-called upper cavity (312), so as to form a mechanical barrier to any fraudulent attempt to render inoperative said non-return means.

22. Device according to claim 21 wherein said metal piece (8) is positioned above said central portion (301) of said lower piece (30) obstructing said lower cavity (300), typically above said radial projection (335) of said lower portion (33), said upper cavity (312) providing said normal flow and possibly allowing an axial stroke of said metal piece (8), said axial stroke being limited below by said projection radial (335) of said lower portion, when said container is typically straight, and limited upperly by said protective means (6) or by an upper portion (35) of said inner wall (32), or typically by its necking portion ( 350), when said container (4) is inclined to pour said liquid.

The device of claim 22 wherein said inner wall (32) comprises said upper portion (35), said upper portion (35) including a plurality of lateral recesses (351) to allow said normal flow.

24. Device according to claim 23 wherein said metal part (8) cooperates with said inner radial projection (335) in the manner of a complementary valve so as to make at least a very low non-existent fraudulent introduction of a fraudulent liquid in said container when said container is typically straight, said axial displacement of said metal piece (8), axially moving, by gravity, when said container (4) is inclined to pour said liquid, so as to ensure said flow normal, possibly through a plurality of lateral recesses (351) formed on the inner surface of said upper portion (35).

25. Device according to claim 22 wherein said metal part (8) upper limit the axial stroke of said movable part (50) forming the non-return means

(5).

26. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 25 wherein said lower part (30) comprises a so-called outer wall (36) typically forming an outer skirt (36 ') intended to cover all or part of the ring (401) of said neck (40).

27. Device according to claim 26 wherein said outer wall (36) comprises or forms, typically at its lower end, at least one hook (360) intended to cooperate with the narrowed outer wall (402) of said neck (40), of in such a way as to ensure that said device (3) is fixed to said neck (40) by axial clipping.

28. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 21 wherein: a) said lower part (30) is constituted by a lower part (30 ') comprising a lower part (33'), a radial part (34 ') and a central portion (301 '), said radial portion (34') forming an axial abutment against said rim (400) of said neck (40), said central portion (301 ') typically secured to said lower lip (330 ¹ ), so forming a cage for said non-return means (5), b) said upper piece (31) is constituted by an upper piece (31 ') placed inside said lower part (33'), so that said device (3) is adapted to be placed inside said neck (40).

29. Device according to claim 28 wherein said lower part (30 ') comprises a flexible lip (340) forming a pourer, with a thinned portion (341) forming a hinge.

30. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 29 wherein said lower part (30) comprises a temporary or removable fastening means (37) for cooperating with said closure cap (2), said closure cap (2) comprising typically a plastic insert (21) adapted to cooperate with said temporary or removable securing means (37), so as to form a composite closure cap (1), all or part of said closure cap (2) to be separated from said device (3) for effecting said normal flow.

31. Device according to claim 30 wherein said securing means (37) is constituted by a thread (370) carried by said upper piece (31), typically by said peripheral portion (31 1) or said peripheral skirt (31 '). ), said thread (370) being intended to cooperate with a threaded skirt (210) of said insert (21), so that said closure cap (2) can cooperate with said device (3) by screwing.

32. Device according to claim 30 wherein said securing means (37) is constituted by a said low latching element (371) integral with said upper lower piece (30, 30 ') (31), typically by said central portion. (301 '), said low latching element (371) being intended to cooperate with a so-called top locking element (214) integral with said insert (21), so that said closure cap (2) can cooperate with said device (3) by screwing.

33. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 32 wherein said lower part (30) comprises an anti-rotation means for cooperating with a complementary means of anti-rotation of said neck (40), so that said device is integral in rotation with said neck.

34. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 33 wherein said upper part (31) is made irreversibly integral with said lower part (30), by means of an assembly means (38) selected in particular from: a cooperation (380) of clipped male and female elements, an outer securing ring (381, 381 ').

35. composite closure cap (1) comprising said device (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 34, said device (3) being assembled temporarily or removably to said closure cap (2) through said securing means ( 37), so as to be able to assemble at said neck (40), during the capping of said container (4), said non-refill device (3) and said closure cap (2) and in a single step.

36. A composite closure capsule (1) according to claim 35 wherein said closure cap (2) is a closure cap (2a) comprising a typically metallic outer shell (20) having a head (200) and a a skirt (201), a plastic insert (21a) comprising a threaded skirt (210), a head (215), and a sealing means (211).

37. A composite closure capsule (1) according to claim 35 wherein said closure cap (2) is a closure cap (2b) comprising a typically metallic outer shell (20) having a head (200) and a a skirt (201), a plastic insert (21b) comprising a head (215) and a sealing means (211), said skirt (201) forming a thread (204) cooperating with a thread (370) forming said securing means (37), or being able to form a thread (204 ') intended to cooperate with a thread (401) of said neck (40) during a step of capping said container by said composite closure cap (1).

38. Composite capping capsule (1) according to any one of claims 36 to 37 wherein said skirt (201) comprises at least one weakening line (201), said weakening line (201) being located below said insert (21a, 21b) and intended to facilitate a first opening of said capsule (2) or to form an indication of first opening of said capsule (2), after said composite closure cap (1) has closed said neck (40) said container (4) during a capping phase of said container (4), said weakening line (201) delimiting an upper portion (202) of said shell (20) located above said line of weakness ( 201) and a lower portion (203) of said shell (20) below said line of weakness (201), said lower portion (203) being crimped to said lower member (30) typically by spinning or crimping of metal of said lower portion (203) in a e circular groove (360) of said outer wall (36), or being intended to be crimped to said neck (40), under its glass ring (401).

The composite stopper capsule (1) according to claim 35 wherein said capping cap (2) is a plastic molded capping cap (2c) comprising a threaded skirt (210 '), a head (215'), and sealing means (211 ').

40. Capsule according to any one of claims 36 to 39 wherein said sealing means (211, 211 ') is selected from: a typically plane joint (212), at least one circular lip (213, 213') integral with said head (215, 215 ').