WO2007006878A1

WO2007006878A1 - Anti-filling device

Info

Publication number: WO2007006878A1
Application number: PCT/FR2006/001398
Authority: WO
Inventors: Olivier Danjean; Patrick Charnay
Original assignee: Rexam Simandre
Priority date: 2005-07-08
Filing date: 2006-06-20
Publication date: 2007-01-18
Also published as: FR2888216B1; EP1910186A1; FR2888216A1

Abstract

The invention concerns a closing and metering device for a liquid product container, comprising a substantially cylindrical body (1) designed to be inserted into the neck (2) of the container and having a shoulder (16) forming a stop to limit its insertion into the neck (1). The body comprises an inlet (15) for a liquid product contained in the container and an outlet (12) for the liquid product, a first mass-forming element for closing by gravity the inlet (15) when the container is positioned the right way up, the first element (15) operating in combination with a second floater-forming element (4) to close the inlet when the container is positioned upside down, the first element being of higher density than the liquid product.

Description

ANTI-FILLING DEVICE

The invention relates to a closure device designed to prevent the filling of a container with liquid product, after emptying said container once.

A fraudulent practice may be to fill a bottle of a liquid food product of well-known brand, such as a drink, with a product of poor quality and lower price.

One method is to fill the empty bottle by gravity. This method consists in arranging the bottle head up, and to pour into the bottle the drink by introducing it by its neck.

A second method is to dip the bottle in a bath of beverage, head down, and to chase the air contained in the bottle so that the drink replaces the air hunted to gradually fill the bottle.

Such practices, known as "filling offenses", are particularly prevalent in public houses. They allow scammers to sell substandard substandard drinks or illegal imports under a genuine brand.

The result is a decline in beverage sales at beverage distributors of well-known brands. In addition, consumers are deceived about the product they think they consume.

In order to combat such practices, the Applicant has designed a closure device which, placed in the neck of a bottle, prevents the replacement of the initial product contained in the bottle with another product.

The invention relates to a closure device, which also has the function of doser, for liquid product container. The device according to the invention comprises a substantially cylindrical body, designed to fit into the neck of the container and having a shoulder forming a stop to limit its introduction into the neck. The body has an inlet opening of a liquid product contained in the container and an outlet opening of the liquid product. It also comprises a first mass element for gravity-closing the inlet opening when the container is positioned upside-down, this first element acting in combination with a second float element to close the inlet opening. when the container is positioned upside down, the first element being of higher density than that of the liquid product.

Thus produced, the mass forming element (or feeder) prevents any entry of liquid introduced into the neck of the container when the container is disposed "head up, that is to say when the neck of the container is oriented upwards. and that the container rests by its base on a given support.

On the other hand, the mass member also prevents any entry of liquid into the neck of the container when the latter is arranged "upside down", that is to say when the neck of the container is oriented downwards.

According to a first embodiment, the mass is made in the form of a ball of diameter greater than the diameter of the inlet opening, so as to seal said inlet opening.

In the context of this embodiment, it is advantageously provided that the ball has a diameter substantially between 2 and 20 mm, and preferably between 6 and 12 mm. The device according to the invention can thus be declined in different models, having different sizes according to those of the neck of the container for which it is intended.

So as to allow an ideal placement of the ball in the device, preventing the filling of the container by its neck, the body of the device according to the invention advantageously has, in the vicinity of the inlet opening, means for guiding and positioning the ball on the entrance opening. In the context of a device intended to be fixed on the neck of a container intended to contain alcohol, it is expected that the mass has a density greater than 0.8 (the density of the alcohol being 0, 8). In this way, the mass flows into the alcohol.

According to alternative embodiments of the device according to the invention, the mass is made of glass, polymethylmethacrylate, food polycarbonate, or metal inert with respect to the liquid product for example.

The term "inert metal" means a metal having physical properties acceptable from a food point of view, not reacting on contact with the liquid product contained in the container and causing no degradation of this product.

To allow the delivery of a dose of liquid product, and prevent the filling of the container by its neck when the container is positioned upside down (or inverted position relative to its rest position), it is advantageous to realize the device of such that the sum of the weight of the mass and the float is less than the thrust of the liquid on the submerged float when the container is positioned upside down.

According to a first variant embodiment, the float is hollow. In this case, the float comprises an envelope hermetically enclosing a volume of air, the envelope being of density substantially equal to 0.8. Said envelope may also have a density slightly greater than 0.8. Indeed, in that the float encloses an air pocket, the float can float even being made in a material of higher density than the liquid.

It is expected in this case that the volume of the envelope is greater than that of the mass and in that the density of the envelope is at least equal to that of the mass. In the context of another variant embodiment, the float is a solid body. It is then advantageously made of a material with a density of less than 0.8 to be able to float in an alcoholic solution.

According to one embodiment, the body of the device according to the invention comprises a cage for retaining and guiding the float along the axis of the body.

Advantageously, the cage is also provided with baffle forming elements so as to prevent the intrusion of a foreign body into the device and to allow the passage of the liquid.

Moreover, in the context of a preferred embodiment, but not limiting, it is intended to provide the device such that it comprises at least one housing for receiving a radial connecting edge of a crimping ring on the side of a container.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description which follows, made with reference to the appended drawings, among which:

- Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the device according to the invention for axial section and slightly in profile, said device being mounted in the neck of a container arranged "head up";

FIG. 2 is an axial sectional view of the device illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows the device illustrated in FIG. 1, in axial section, mounted in the neck of a container arranged upside down to deliver the liquid product contained in the container, at the moment when the latter enters the device. according to the invention before being delivered;

and FIG. 4 shows the device according to the invention at another time of delivery of the liquid product, at the moment when a dose of product has been delivered and where the device prevents the delivery of more liquid product. The embodiment that will be presented relates to a device intended to be implemented in the neck of a bottle containing alcohol.

It should however be understood that the device according to the invention could be implemented in the neck of a bottle containing another liquid product, such as water for example.

The device according to the invention comprises a substantially cylindrical body 1, which is designed to fit into the neck 2 of the container.

The body 1 comprises a hollow cylinder 11, open at a first end 12, and partially closed at its second end 13 by a flat ring 14 which is centered around the axis of the hollow cylinder, and which defines, around the axis of the hollow cylinder 11, an opening 15 (FIG. 3).

The opening 15 constitutes a liquid inlet opening in the device (said liquid being initially contained in the bottle), and the open end 12 constitutes an outlet opening of the liquid, the device to the outside of the bottle.

Said body 1 has, at the open end 12, a shoulder 16 forming a substantially right angle with the outer face of the wall of the hollow cylinder 11. The shoulder 16 constitutes a stop to limit the introduction of the hollow cylinder 11 into the neck 2 of the bottle.

The shoulder 16 comprises two identical flat rings 17 parallel and centered around the axis of the hollow cylinder 11, integral with the wall of the hollow cylinder 11, and spaced apart by a radial groove 18.

The radial groove 18 constitutes a housing for receiving a radial connecting edge 19 of a crimping ring 20 on the neck 2 of the bottle. Indeed, in the context of this embodiment, it is advantageously provided to fix the device by crimping on the neck of the bottle, so that the device can not be removed from the neck without at least partial destruction of the hoop , which would indicate to the consumer that the device could be momentarily removed to fill the bottle with a liquid other than that which the bottle is supposed to contain.

Crimping the device on the neck of the bottle thus provides a means for the consumer to ensure the inviolability of the device.

To fix the device on the neck of the bottle, the advantageously metallic ferrule is deformed according to a crimping process usually used in the field of perfumery and cosmetics, to come to marry the shape of the protruding bead of the outer face of the wall of the neck 2 of the bottle.

According to the invention, the device comprises a first mass element 3, which is intended to close by gravity the inlet opening 15 when the container is positioned head up (Figures 1 and 2).

In the context of this embodiment, the mass 3 is a ball 3 of diameter greater than the diameter of the inlet opening 15. In this way, the ball 3 can not pass through the inlet opening 15, since it abuts against the central inner face of the wall of the flat ring 14. The ball 3 thus seals the inlet opening 15.

In the context of this embodiment, the ball 3 has a diameter substantially equal to 10 mm for a device having dimensions such that the hollow cylinder 1 can be fitted into the neck of a bottle containing alcohol and dimension standard.

It is intended to make the ball 3 in a material of density higher than that of alcohol, a density greater than 0.8, so that the ball flows into the alcohol and gravity closing the inlet opening 15 when the bottle is positioned head up.

For example, the ball 3 could be made of polymethyl methacrylate whose density is 1, 18 and which is easily achievable. The ball 3 could also be made of food polycarbonate, or a metal (or metal alloy) inert vis-à-vis the liquid product to be dispensed.

In the context of the illustrated embodiment, it is intended to produce the glass ball 3. The ball 3 thus has a weight such that the ball is maintained by gravity in the inlet opening 15 due to its weight when the bottle is positioned head up.

According to the invention, the device comprises a second element which acts in combination with the ball 3 to close the inlet opening 15 when the container is positioned upside down.

The second element is a float member 4, i.e., a floating element in the alcohol within the scope of the illustrated and described embodiment.

It should be understood that the float member 4 is an element designed to float in any liquid product contained in the container. Also, float 4 could float in the water.

In the context of the embodiment shown, the float 4 is made in the form of a hollow cylinder, closed at both ends.

It thus comprises an envelope 41 constituted by the wall of the hollow cylinder, hermetically enclosing a volume of air (or air pocket). Due to the presence of the air pocket enclosed in the casing 41, it is not necessary for the casing 41 to have a lower density than the liquid for the float to float. The envelope may even have a density substantially equal to or slightly greater than 0.8 in the present context. example where the device is designed to be implemented in the neck of a bottle containing alcohol.

For example, the envelope of the float can be made of low density polyethylene, the density being of this material being 0.92 g. cm ^'3 .

In the context of this embodiment, the envelope 41 is made in such a way that its volume is greater than that of the ball 3, and in such a way that the density of the envelope is at least equal to that of the ball 3.

It should however be understood that the float could be made in the form of a solid body. According to this embodiment, the solid body must be made of a material density less than 0.8 g.cm ^"3 to float.

In the context of this example, the device comprises a cage 5 for retaining and guiding the float along the axis of the cylindrical body 1.

The cage 5 consists of a hollow cylinder 51, in which are placed the ball 3 and the float 4.

To allow the axial displacement of the float 4 supporting the ball 3, the hollow cylinder 51 has an internal diameter slightly greater than that of the ball and the float 4, the ball 3 and the float 4 may have an identical diameter.

It could be expected to realize the float with a concave face, in which the ball 3 could be housed. In this way, the concave face would constitute a seat for the ball 3. This would be an alternative embodiment that has not been shown in the figures.

In order to reduce the friction between the outer face of the wall of the float 4 and the inner face of the wall of the cage 5, provision is made to equip the float or the cage with projections. In this way, the contact between the inner face of the wall of the cage 5 and the outer face of the float wall occurs only occasionally, at the projections, which limits the friction surface between the two faces.

In addition, the internal face of the side wall of the cage 5 thus constitutes a means for guiding and positioning the ball in the inlet opening 15.

The hollow cylinder 51 is closed at one of its ends 52 by a disk 53, and at its other end by a perforated disk 54. A light 55, formed in the center of the perforated disk 54, has a diameter greater than that of the entrance opening 15.

The perforated disk 54 has, projecting from one of its faces, fastening elements 56 to the flat ring partially closing the hollow cylindrical body 1 of the device.

The disc 53 closing the opposite end of the cage 5 has a diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the hollow cylinder 1, and greater than or equal to the diameter of the cage.

The disk 53 has protruding peripheral slots 6. These peripheral peripheral slots 6 are such that they bear against the face of the inner wall of the hollow cylinder 1.

These peripheral peripheral slots 6 constitute elements preventing the intrusion of an object into the cage, for example to avoid dislodging the ball 3 from the inlet opening 15. They thus form a baffle of inviolability 61, by which the liquid passes to exit the device according to the invention.

Furthermore, the cage 5 has axial through slots 7 through which the liquid entering the device and entering the cage 5 can pass to flow out of the cage 5. The various elements constituting an exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention have just been presented.

A mode of operation of this device will now be described.

When the bottle is disposed head up (Figures 1 and 2), the ball 3 closes the inlet opening 15 of the device according to the invention by gravity.

In this way, if a person tries to fill the bottle by the neck 2, and pouring liquid into the device according to the invention, the liquid is introduced into the device, between the crenellations 6 baffle 61.

The liquid is distributed around the cage 5, but it can not penetrate the bottle since the ball 3 seals the opening 15.

When the bottle is disposed upside down (Figures 3 and 4), the ball 3 pushes the float 4 down the arrow F1 under the action of gravity. In other words, under the effect of its weight, the ball 3 pushes the float 4 towards the disc 53 closing the cage 5.

In this way, the inlet opening 15 of the device is disengaged, and the liquid L contained in the bottle can be introduced into the cage 5 and around the cage 5 through the axial through slots 7.

The liquid L passes between the slots 6 forming baffle 1 and is thus delivered.

The path taken by the liquid L in the device according to the invention is illustrated in FIG. 3 by arrows P.

As liquid L is delivered, the quantity of liquid L that enters the cage 4 increases. Under the action of the rise of the liquid L in the cage 5, the float 4 is moved vertically upwards along the arrow F2 illustrated in FIG. 4.

The float 4 pushes the ball 3 until the latter comes to seal the inlet opening 15 of the device, as shown in Figure 4.

Between the delivery time illustrated in FIG. 3 and the moment illustrated in FIG. 4, a liquid dose L has been delivered.

When the bottle is turned over again to be disposed upside down, the liquid L will exit the cage through the axial through slots 71 under the action of its own weight, and it will remain in the hollow cylinder 1 until the bottle is inverted again to deliver a new dose of liquid.

It is fully understood from the foregoing how the device according to the invention prevents the filling of an empty bottle arranged head up, and how the device according to the invention allows the delivery of a dose of liquid contained in the bottle .

It should be understood that the device according to the invention also prevents the filling of an empty bottle by the method of dipping the bottle upside down in a liquid bath and to chase the air that it contains to bring the liquid by the principle of communicating vessels.

Indeed, when the empty bottle is arranged upside down, the ball 3 will push the float down against the disk 53 of the cage.

By immersing the bottle arranged upside down in a bath of liquid, the liquid will fill the device, and in particular the cage 5. The rise of the liquid in the cage will cause the rise of the float in the cage, as well as the rise of the ball pushed by the float. The ball 3 will thus seal the inlet opening 15, as shown in Figure 4, and the liquid can not be introduced into the bottle.

The device according to the invention thus constitutes an effective means for preventing the fraudulent filling of a bottle, regardless of its position.

Claims

A closure and dosing device for a liquid product container, comprising a substantially cylindrical body (1) adapted to fit into the neck (2) of said container and having a shoulder (16) forming a stop to limit its insertion into said container neck (2), said body (1) having an inlet opening (15) of a liquid product contained in the container and an outlet opening (12) of the liquid product, a first mass element (3) for gravity-closing said inlet opening (15) when the container is positioned upside-down, said first element (3) acting in combination with a second float member (4) for closing said inlet opening (15) when the container is positioned upside down, said first element (3) being of higher density than that of the liquid product, characterized in that said body (1) comprises a cage (5) for retaining and guiding said float (4) according to the axis of said co rps (1).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said mass (3) is a ball (3) of diameter greater than the diameter of the inlet opening (15), so as to seal said opening of entrance (15).

3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that said ball (3) has a diameter of substantially between 2 and 20 mm, and preferably between 6 and 12 mm.

4. Device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that said body (1) has, in the vicinity of the inlet opening, means (5, 55) for guiding and positioning said ball (3) on said opening input (15).

5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said mass (3) has a density greater than

0.8.

6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said mass (3) is made of glass, PMMA, food polycarbonate or metal inert liquid product.

7. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sum of the weights of the mass (3) and the float (4) is less than the thrust of the liquid on the float (4) immersed when the container is positioned upside down.

8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said float (4) is hollow, comprising a casing (41) hermetically enclosing a volume of air, said casing (41) having a substantially equal density or slightly greater than 0.8.

9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the volume of said envelope (41) is greater than that of said mass (3) and in that the density of said envelope (41) is at least equal to that of the mass.

10. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said float (4) is a solid body, and in that it is made of a material density of less than 0.8.

11. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said cage (5) has elements (6) forming baffles (61), so as to prevent the intrusion of a foreign body into said device and to allow the passage of said liquid.

12. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one housing (18) for receiving a radial connecting edge of a crimping ring (20) on the neck (2) of a container.