WO2007049959A2

WO2007049959A2 - Container, provided with a closable fill opening, comprising a closing member and a capsule mounted on top thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2007049959A2
Application number: PCT/NL2006/000539
Authority: WO
Inventors: Roderick Vos
Original assignee: De Haagsche Olifant B. V.
Priority date: 2005-10-26
Filing date: 2006-10-25
Publication date: 2007-05-03
Also published as: NL1030269C1; WO2007049959A3

Abstract

The invention relates to containers (1) having a closable fill opening (2), the fill opening being adapted for receiving a closing member (3), the closing member being protected against tampering and unauthorized opening of the fill opening with a removable capsule (4) provided with at least one tear line (5). According to the invention the portion of the capsule 4 below the tear line - or between the tear lines (5', 5') - constitutes a crew ring (11) , which ring is detachable from the capsule (4) by means of a helical motion over screw thread (9) provided upon the container so that as a result the closing member (3) will be unlocked and released and may be removed from the fill opening (2).

Description

TITLE. Container, provided with a closable fill opening, comprising a closing member and a capsule mounted on top thereof.

The invention relates to containers, provided with a closable fill opening, the fill opening being adapted for receiving a closing member, the closing member being protected against tampering and unauthorized opening of the fill opening with a removable capsule provided with tear lines.

Particularly the invention relates to closing assemblies for containers filled with liquid for human consumption. More particularly the invention relates to a closing assembly provided with a seal comprising a guarantee band or tamper- evident element whereby the assembly may be easily opened by hand without using aid tools. The closing assembly is particularly suitable to be used for sealing wine bottles and is designed to provide for an aesthetic appearance to be associated with wines of good quality. Throughout the world wines have been contained in glass bottles with corks, after which a cylindrical sleeve or cover of plastic material or metal is mounted and positioned over the fill opening. Wines of high quality are still packaged in the same way, although some lower quality wines are provided with screw caps which may be produced and mounted upon the bottle and more easily and at lower costs.

Object of the invention is to provided for a container having a simple closure, which closure may be easily opened without needing aid tools and which closure is moreover protected against tampering and unauthorized opening of the fill opening and also may be easily produced at lower cost. This objective is achieved by a container having a closable fill opening adapted for receiving a closing member, the closing member being protected against tampering and unauthorized opening of the fill opening by encasing the closing member with an, at least partially, removable capsule provided with at least one tear line, the capsule being close-fittingly secured to the outward circumferential surfaces of the closing member and the fill opening and the capsule being interlocked by having an flanged rim portion formed upon the circumferential edge of the radially extending circumferential edge portion of the closing member; the edge portion being positioned nearby the upper edge of the fill opening in closed position of the container.

In a preferred embodiment the fill opening is outwardly provided with screw thread and the capsule is provided with engagement means adjacent to the position of the screw thread, such that the portion of the capsule below the tear line or between the tear lines constitutes a screw ring, which ring is detachable from the capsule by means of a helical motion over the screw thread so that as a result the closing member will be unlocked and released. A screw ring configured from a portion of the capsule may be easily removed by hand by the user in a method known per se, while at the same time it is evident that the closure has been opened.

Preferably a portion of the closing member is extending outside the fill opening of the container, said portion constituting an actuation surface or handgrip for manually removing the closing member from the fill opening.

This closing assembly gives the container a appealing outward appearance of high quality, and at the same time rendering the container easily openable and closable.

Particularly the portion of the closing member located in the fill opening is provided with one or more circumferential ribs. As a result the closing member may be easily removed by hand by the user, while at the same time a good liquid sealing of the fill opening is obtained.

Particularly the largest diameter of the closing member is smaller than the diameter of the smallest opening van de screw ring, allowing the screw ring to be completely removed from the fill opening by displacing the ring over the closing member.

As a result the bottle obtains an aesthetic pretty outward appearance after opening because the ring does not remain loosely behind around the fill opening.

Preferably the contact member upon the screw ring is chosen from: screw thread or means extending in the direction of the container.

Particularly after removal of the screw ring a residual portion of capsule remains behind upon the fill opening as tamper-evident of guarantee band. As a result is it clear to the user that the container has been provided with a capsule preventing unauthorised opening of the bottle.

Moreover the invention relates to a closing member for closing off a container.

Particularly the closing member is essentially configured as a solid cylindrical body, provided with grip means upon the handgrip.

Particularly the body comprises essentially a smooth/flush cylindrical shell body, provided with circumferential ribs upon its lower end, in such a way that the closing member may be inserted entirely into the fill opening.

The user is as a result able to insert and remove the closing member easily in and out of the fill opening member by means of the grip means, while at the same time the ribs provide for an excellent liquid sealing.

The invention also relates to a method for mounting a closing assembly to the fill opening of a container, comprising the following steps::

- inserting, at least partially, the closing member into the fill opening;

- mounting a capsule over the closing member and the fill opening,

- interconnecting the capsule with the closing member and with the fill opening in such a way that a close-fitting encasing is formed which protects the container against tampering and unauthorised opening. By combining these steps an aesthetically appealing closure may be realised which may be opened easily without the need for aid tools; furthermore the closing assembly is protected against unauthorised opening and moreover may be produced easily at low costs.

The invention is further explained by means of a drawing of an embodiment of a closure of the fill opening, comprising a closing member and a capsule, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a frontal view of a fill opening of a container, provided with a closing assembly according to the invention; Fig. 2 shows the container of Fig.1 sealed and interlocked by the closing member; Fig. 3 shows a perspective side view of the container having a unscrewed and unlocked screw ring ;

Fig. 4 shows the container of Fig.1 having a removed closing member; Fig. 5 shows the container of Fig.1 having a closing member provided with sealing; Fig. 6 shows the container of Fig.1 with a second embodiment of the closing member; Fig. 7A en 7B show an alternative embodiment of the closing member.

Fig.1 shows a container 1 according to the invention having a fill opening 2, closed or sealed by means of a closing member 3 and a capsule 4 mounted over the closing member 3. In this embodiment the container 1 is a (wine) bottle having a neck ending in a fill opening on its upper side.

The closing member 3 is provided with a radially extending circumferential edge portion 7 (flange) which is supported by the upper edge 8 of the fill opening 2. (See also Fig.2). A capsule 4 is mounted over the closing member 3 and a portion of the fill opening 2. In this embodiment the capsule 4 is close-fittingly secured around the outward circumference of the closing member 3 and (part) of the fill opening 2 thereby encasing the closing member 3 and the fill opening 2. As a result the capsule 4 constitutes a circumferential edge (or flanged rim) 6 at the position of the edge portion 7 of the closing member 3, so that as a result the closing member 3 is interlocked against unwanted or unauthorized removal from the fill opening 2. Usually the lower part of the capsule is therefore fixedly connected with the outward circumference of the fill opening 2. Furthermore the capsule 4 is provided with two mutually distantly positioned tear lines 5', 5" e.g. by a method well-known, such as by making alternating incisions and easily breakable bridge portions at a regular mutual distance (score lines or weakened lines). The first tear line 5' may e.g. be positioned nearby the circumferential edge 6 of the closing member 3 and the upper edge 8 of the fill opening 2; the second tear line 5" may be provided below the screw thread 9 upon the exterior surface of the fill opening 2

Fig.2 shows a cross-sectional view of the closure of container 1 according to the invention. In this embodiment the closing member 3 consists of a upper portion or hand grip 12 partially extending outside the fill opening 2 and of a second lower sealing portion 16 which may be inserted into the fill opening 2 of the container 1. The sealing portion 16 is furthermore provided with radial ribs 13, which are in circumferential engagement with the interior surface of the fill opening 2, so that as a result a fluid-tight sealing is formed. This embodiment of the closing member has the advantage that member 3 may be easily inserted in and removed from the fill opening, so that the container may be easily re-closed by the user. Preferably the closing member 3 is partially hollow, thereby forming a flexible lightweight member. A closing member 3 without sealing means, like ribs 13, may also be used, but it is well know that theses types of closing members manufactured from cork or plastic are stiff and not easily compressible and as a result may only be repositioned by hand with great difficulty, e.g. when after a part of the content of the container is removed.

Fig.3 shows how the closure, being protected against unintentional and unauthorized opening, may be opened. In this embodiment the capsule 4 is provided with engagement means 10 shaped as screw thread. This screw thread corresponds with the screw thread 9 upon the outward circumference of the fill opening 2 of the container 1. By rotating counterclockwise in the direction of arrow A by hand the portion of the capsule 4 between both tear lines 5\ 5" (see Fig.1) will form a screw ring 11 , which ring subsequently may be removed from the fill opening 2 of the container. By the helical motion or rotational movement the bridge portions in the tear lines 5', 5" will be broken, so that the protection of the fill opening 2 is removed by releasing the screw ring 11 from the capsule 4.

Fig.3 furthermore shows how the screw ring 11 is upwardly displaced over the closing member 3. Moreover is shown that on the lower part of the fill opening 2, upon its exterior circumferential surface, a residual portion or guarantee band 15 remains behind. This band 15 or temper-evident indicates when a container or bottle is opened and prevents tampering staying unnoticed. The engagement means 10 upon the screw ring 11 may also be configured as a radially inwardly extending catch/pawl or constriction/narrowing cooperating with the screw thread 9 upon the exterior surface of the fill opening 2 or any other for a skilled person well- know technical equivalent method for the forming a screw ring. Because the extending edge portion 7 in this embodiment is not radially extending outside the upper edge 8 of the fill opening and because moreover the upper tear line 5' is positioned below or nearby the spot where the edge portion 7 is supported by the upper edge 8, the screw ring 11 is allowed to be displaced easily over the edge portion 7. It is clear that the diameter of the upper opening 17 of the screw ring is greater than the diameter of the edge portion 7. When the upper portion or hand grip 12 of the closing member 3 is also provided with a diameter smaller than the diameter of the upper or smallest opening 17, the screw ring 11 may be completely removed from the container 1.

Fig. 4 shows in cross-sectional view more in detail how closing member 3 is removed from the fill opening 2 by hand by a user, without needing additional aid tools like a corkscrew. After use of the container and removal of a part of its contents, the closing member 3 may be repositioned into the fill opening 2 , so that as a result the fill opening 2 is closed and sealed again. Furthermore is shown how capsule 4 comprises a lower portion 4' (or temper-evident 15) positioned upon the container and a upper portion 4" positioned upon the handgrip 12 of the closing member 3.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention the capsule 4 comprises two portions and one tear line 5^'; the lower portion will constitute the screw ring 11 and the upper portion will constitute the cover of the closing member 3, so that in this embodiment no residual capsule portion 4" is left behind as temper-evident 15 after removal of the ring 11.

After breaking the capsule bridge portions and forming the tamper-evident ring 15, 4^' and the subsequent removal of the screw ring 11, the upper part of the capsule 4" remains interconnected with handgrip 12 of the closing member 3. By providing an advertisement or trade mark upon the upper surface of the capsule an appealing appearance may be easily created for the closing member 3. It is also possible to change the shape of the handgrip so that in combination with a capsule provided with inscriptions a great variety of aesthetic appearances may be created.

In Fig. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of the closing member 3 whereby the bottom side of the edge portion 7 is provided with a second sealing means 17 like an O-ring. As a result an improved gas- and liquid-tight sealing of the container is obtained when de closing member is inserted into the fill opening 2. Fig. 6 shows an alternative embodiment of he closing member 3. In this example the closing member 3' is essentially a solid cylindrical body provided with ribs 13'. Preferably the closing member 3' is also provided with an extending edge portion 7, so that as a result the closing member 3' may be closed and interlocked by means of a capsule 4. In this example closing member 3' is also provided with ribs 13' upon the portion of the closing member 3^' which is inserted into the fill opening 2. The capsule portions 4' en 4" are shown in fig. 6 after removal of the screw ring. In order to improve removal and insertion of the closing member 3' for a user, grip means 18 are provided upon handgrip 12. In this example the grip means 18 are performed by two oppositely mounted flattened recesses having the size of a finger top.

Fig. 7A en 7B show more in detail closing member 3^' having grip means 18. Fig. 7A shows hand grip 12 on opposite sides being provided with recesses 18. Fig. 7B shows that closing member 3^' may be completely (re-)inserted into the fill opening 2 when the extending edge portion 7 is omitted. For removal of the closing member 3^' out of the fill opening an aid tool like a corkscrew is required/necessary.

Manufacturing or mounting of tamper-evident closures according to the invention may be easily performed by combining well-known techniques. After filling the container firstly the closing member 3 is inserted into the fill opening 2. Secondly the capsule 4 or the sleeve, e.g. shaped as a capsule having a cylindrically shell, is mounted or slided over the closing member 3, until the lower portion of the sleeve or skirt is positioned upon the fill opening 2. Subsequently the capsule 4 is close-fittingly rolled or shrunk/contracted onto the closing member 3 and the fill opening 2 e.g. by a well-known technique like applying rolls. Simultaneously screw thread or another type of engagement means 10 may be formed onto the capsule. The tear line(s) 5 may be made into the capsule 4 prior to mounting the capsule onto the container, or they may be machine-made after mounting the capsule 4 over the closing member 3 and the fill opening 2. The closing member 3 and the capsule 4 may be made from any suitable material like plastic or metal.

Claims

1. Container (1) having a closable fill opening (2) adapted for receiving a closing member (3), a. the closing member (3) being protected against tampering and unauthorized opening of the fill opening (2) by encasing the closing member (3) with an, at least partially, removable capsule (4) provided with at least one tear line (5); b. the capsule (4) being close-fittingly secured to the outward circumferential surfaces of the closing member (3) and the fill opening (2) and; c. the capsule (4) being interlocked by having an flanged rim portion formed upon the circumferential edge (6) of the radially extending circumferential edge portion (7) of the closing member (3); d. the edge portion (7) being positioned nearby the upper edge (8) of the fill opening (2) in closed position of the container (1).

2. Container provided with a closing member and a capsule according to claim 1 , characterized in that the fill opening (2) of the container (1 ) is outwardly provided with screw thread (9) and the capsule (4) is provided with engagement means (10) adjacent to the position of the threading (9), such that the portion of the capsule (4) below the tear line (5) - or between the tear lines (5^', 5") - constitutes a screw ring (11), which ring is detachable from the capsule (4) by means of a helical motion over the screw thread (9) so that as a result the closing member will be unlocked and released (3).

3. Container provided with a closing member and a capsule according to anyone of the preceding claims 1 - 2, characterized in that a portion of the closing member (3) is extending outside the fill opening (2) of the container (1 ), said

^• portion constituting an actuation surface or handgrip (12) for manually removing the closing member (3) from the fill opening (2).

4. Container provided with a closing member and a capsule according to anyone of the preceding claims 1 - 3, characterized in that the portion (16) of the closing member (3) located in the fill opening (2), is provided with one or more circumferential ribs (13).

5. Container provided with a closing member and a capsule according to anyone of the preceding claims 1 - 4, characterized in that the largest diameter of the closing member (3) is smaller than the diameter of the smallest opening van de screw ring (11 ), allowing the screw ring (11 ) to be removed completely from the fill opening (2) by displacing the ring over the closing member (3).

6. Container provided with a closing member and a capsule according to anyone of the preceding claims 2 - 5, characterized in that the engagement member (10) upon the screw ring (11) is chosen from: screw thread or means extending in the direction of the container.

7. Container provided with a closing member and a capsule according to anyone of the preceding claims 2 - 6, characterized in that after removal of the screw ring (11) a residual portion of the capsule (4) remains behind upon the fill opening (2) as tamper-evident or guarantee band (15).

8. Closing member for closing off a container according to anyone of the claims 1- 7.

9. Closing member according to claim 8, characterized in that the closing member (3^J) is essentially configured as a solid cylindrical body, provided with grip means (18) upon the handgrip (12).

10. Closing member according to claim 8, characterized in that the body comprises essentially a smooth/flush cylindrical shell body, provided with circumferential ribs (13') upon its lower end, in such a way that the closing member (3') may be inserted entirely into the fill opening (2).

11. Capsule for use as closure for a container according to anyone of the preceding claims 1-10.

12. Method for mounting a closing assembly to the fill opening of a container according to anyone of the preceding claims 1 - 7, comprising the following steps:

- Inserting, at least partially, the closing member (3) into the fill opening (2);

- mounting a capsule (4) over the closing member (3) and the fill opening (2),

- interconnecting the capsule (4) with the closing member (3) and with the fill opening (2) in such a way that a close-fitting encasing is formed which protects the container (1) against tampering and unauthorised opening.