WO2016034748A1

WO2016034748A1 - Anti-theft security closure device for liquor bottles and similar containers

Info

Publication number: WO2016034748A1
Application number: PCT/ES2015/070298
Authority: WO
Inventors: Juan MONTESA ANDRES
Original assignee: IBAÑEZ RUBIO, Juan Pedro
Priority date: 2014-09-03
Filing date: 2015-04-14
Publication date: 2016-03-10
Also published as: ES2565517B1; ES2565517A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device formed by two elements which are hinged to one another and which can be engaged in a closed position, comprising: a first half-ring (11) provided with a closing portion or end (19); a second half-ring (12) provided with a housing for the closing portion or end (19) of the first half-ring (11); a hinge pin (14) between the first half-ring (11) and the second half-ring (12); a rack (16) formed on the surface of the closing portion (19) of the first half-ring (11); and a closure latch (5) housed in the second half-ring (12), incorporating a ferromagnetic body (9), and adopting substantially two positions, a first rest position in which the closure latch (5) secures the rack (16) of the closing end (19) of the first half-ring (11), and a second position in which the ferromagnetic body (9) is attracted by a magnetic field, wherein the latch releases the rack (16) of the closing end (19) of the first half-ring (11).

Description

Anti-theft security closing device for liquor bottles and similar containers

The subject of the present invention is a temporary safety device or seal that is applied to bottles and other containers (hereinafter bottles), usually liquor bottles or other beverages, whose sale price is relatively high, exposed for sale in commercial establishments, usually self-service type. In particular, the device is formed by a pair of half-rings articulated to each other provided with a locking device in the closed position by locking the respective ends opposite to the joint against the action of an elastic means, and unlocking said locking by the application of a magnetic release field that acts on a ferric body. The main object of the present invention is to provide a device that allows to protect the establishments from bottle theft in a more efficient manner, which also provides advantages to the workers who must carry out their handling. The device has at least one electromagnetic coil to be detected by suitable means.

State of the art

Various anti-theft devices for bottles have been disclosed, for example of the type comprising a device coupled to the neck of a bottle provided with an active or passive electronic device that excites an alarm device when it passes through a safety arch of the existing ones in the area of boxes or in the door of the exit of commercial establishments.

Some of these devices are cap-type, which are placed from the mouth of the bottle and imprison the neck, and particularly lock onto an annular projection that the bottles generally have. Example of such cap-shaped devices can be seen in EP 1 794 060 in which the cap has closing means that are secured by a sliding bolt of ferromagnetic material that cooperates with a slide with saw teeth, and that can, as in the present invention, be released by the application of a magnetic field of sufficient intensity. However, said device requires that it be arranged in a precise manner, orienting the cap towards the neck of the bottle, which requires greater attention, effort and operator's time than would be desirable, and also requires that the magnetic field for the release is applied in a particular way, which requires having an unlocking or uncoupling "tool", which in turn requires the intervention of the operator who has to locate the tool and grasp it, place it on the cap, release the cap, and Separate the cap from the tool again.

Another type of bottle protection devices are those in which the bottle fixing element is formed by a clamp formed by two elements, in which the closure thereof decreases the size of the central hole in which the neck is fastened from the bottle, to an adjustment that produces a lock between the clamp and the neck of the bottle. ES 2 388 105 Al describes an anti-theft device for bottles of this type, which consists of a main body provided with lateral housings in which the arms of a locking body are inserted, which are retained by means of toothed profiles. The fastening is carried out by means of two separable pieces in open position, which must be joined to make a new lock. The same drawbacks as described in the previous case can be mentioned here.

EP 0 915 222 discloses an anti-theft collar for bottles which is formed by two half-rings articulated with respect to an axis, the opposite ends being provided with the articulation of coupling plates with blocking by inserting button or bubble type. The known protection devices, like the present invention, are decoupled by means of a magnetic field formed by magnets that produce a magnetic field of adequate intensity in a tool called decoupler or detacher, which releases the locking element allowing the opening Of the device.

In general, this type of device presents a safety problem, because when it is desired to remove one of these bottles, the thief who tries to subtract the bottle can strike the device axially (parallel to the axis of the bottle) with a certain force in its protruding flat areas, which has been found to deform the whole by jumping the spring and the pin of its location or disengage the pieces that form it, being free of the blockade and therefore canceled protection. In addition, the known mechanical devices are not designed in their design to protect the health and ergonomics of the worker, so that sometimes occur in that worker small functional injuries that should be avoided. In addition, it is generally uncomfortable to attach them to bottles, and also how to remove them from the collection boxes, such as shopping centers or large areas, so it is common for the operator who must remove the device find difficulties for this, sometimes being forced to give small blows (or not so small) to detach the device, for example against the uncoupler, there are cases in which the bottle has been broken, which means time of the worker, the cleaning service, economic losses for the establishment, and health risk for the worker.

Description of the invention

To solve the problems and disadvantages mentioned above, and thus achieve a safer device, easier to build, and more ergonomic for the operator that should

manipulate it, a safety device has been developed that presents, among others, the following advantages:

^■ The closing mechanism is formed substantially in two parts in the form of a semi-ring, with one articulating end and one locking end, said parts being hinged together forming a single body, which exerts the functions of fixing element and blocking element;

^■ The locking end comprises a retention device in the form of a ratchet or rack

^■ The blocking element is formed by an elastic piece, which is provided with a spur acting as wedge against the action of the opening movement, thus preventing the opening of a forced mode;

^■ The device is provided with an elastic element next to its articulation axis, so that it tends to remain open when there has been no locking on the locking end, and so that when the retention is released it tends to open without need of additional intervention by the operator;

^■ It has a toroidal shape, which minimizes the risk of receiving impacts in the axial direction for the separation of the safety device;

^■ Has an ergonomic shape to facilitate the continued use by workers in the liquor manufacturing industry, avoiding hurtful edges; in particular, the toric ring shape of the device meets the criteria of ergonomics in its handling by workers; as the process of securing bottles with a security device, also in a large area or hypermarket, requires very repetitive actions of the same movement, it has been taken into account that the device object of the invention has no edges or points that may affect the hands of the worker producing abrasions, chafing or muscular injuries, which can take place in other devices of the state of the art. In addition, it facilitates operations since to close the device on the neck of a bottle only requires a light pressure of the hand, which reduces muscle and tendon injuries, pain and other disturbances, such as loss of mobility and / or sensitivity of the affected areas.

The safety locking device of the invention comprises the following elements:

^■ A first substantially toroidal half-ring, with a hinge end and a closing end;

^■ A second substantially toroidal half-ring, with a hinge end and a closing end; having in the first half ring at the closing end an outer radius substantially equal to or slightly lower (to avoid friction) than the inner radius of the second half ring at the closing end; we define as the end of the closure the area opposite to the articulation in which the lock between the first half-ring and the second half-ring is produced or can be produced; the second half-ring is provided with a housing, such as a tubular conduit, slot or groove for inserting the closing end of the first half-ring; An articulation axis that articulates the first toroidal half-ring and the second toroidal half-ring;

Preferably a spring disposed adjacent the hinge axis, which tends to keep the half-rings open (the closing ends separated from each other);

A rack, toothed surface or rough surface, disposed on the outer surface of the closing end of the first half-ring;

A housing recess of a closing trigger formed at the closing end of the second half-ring; said gap being open towards the center of the toroid

A closing trigger arranged in a housing recess, the closing trigger comprising:

o A positioning portion;

A fastening portion of a ferromagnetic body, said portion provided with an elastic retaining flange of said ferromagnetic body;

or A ferromagnetic body, usually a ball, disposed in the fastening portion;

A retaining portion with a serrated edge, oriented towards the center of the toroid in the housing recess, which in the rest position emerges from the ideal surface of said toroid; the orientation of the teeth and of the rack or toothed surface can be inclined and concordant with each other, so that it facilitates the closing and hinders or prevents the opening of the device

or A spur or wedge formed at the end of the serrated edge furthest from the articulation axis;

An elastic portion that joins the positioning portion with the holding portion of the ferromagnetic body and / or with the retaining portion with the serrated edge, and tends to maintain the serrated edge protruding from the ideal surface of the toroid in the area of the housing recess in a locked position;

^■ A set of retention flanges or tabs arranged on the surfaces of the half-rings oriented towards the center of the toroid, whose function is to lock with the annular projection (in the area of smaller diameter under the annular projection) of the neck of the bottles on which situates the protection device;

^■ Typically an electronic active protection device, such as an emitter or passive circuit, such as an RFID tag.

In addition, it is provided that the device comprises on its surface a set of lugs or a surface roughness that facilitates gripping by the user. The device operates as follows:

At rest, before use, the device is with the two half-rings open due to the action of the spring, that is to say that the respective closing ends are separated. The user who must protect a bottle takes the bottle and the closing device of the invention open (if it is not, he must open it, as will be indicated below), and places it around the neck of the bottle, so that the projections or retaining tabs are arranged below (closer to the body of the bottle) than the annular projection made on said neck; in this position the two closing ends are pressed to bring them closer together, against the action of the spring arranged next to the articulation axis, until contact is made, so that the first half-ring will be partially arranged inside the second ring.

The zipper or rough surface of the first half-ring then presses the serrated edge of the retaining portion that forms part of the closing trigger, which due to the elastic action of the portion elastic, retracts back the retaining portion, allowing the advance along the length of the rack, until the inner hollow of the toroid formed by the two half-rings presses the neck of the bottle to be protected. In this position, the axial extraction of the device is impossible, because it is retained in the projection of the bottle. When a thief wishes to remove the protection device of the invention he will try to open the two half-rings, and at that moment, in addition to the locking of the teeth with the rack, the spur will act on the end of the serrated edge, which will be housed between the teeth. surfaces of the two semi-rings with two effects:

^■ A first effect is to produce a blockage by the wedge effect that the more it moves towards the opening position, the greater the section of the portion interposed between the half rings, making it difficult to separate them; Y

■ A second effect is to imprison more strongly the serrated edge against the zipper of the opposite half-ring.

When the buyer arrives at the box with the bottle provided with the closing device, the operator approaches the device to the uncoupler or unlocked which is a magnetic surface, so that the ferromagnetic element of the closing trigger is attracted towards the external part, and with he the serrated edge that produces the retention and locking of the half-rings between them. Due to the action of the spring arranged next to the axis, the device opens automatically, falling and leaving the bottle free for the buyer.

Anti-theft security closure device for liquor bottles and similar containers Brief description of the drawings

In order to illustrate the explanation that will follow, we attach to this specification, five sheets of drawings, in which five figures are represented by way of example and without limitation the essence of the present invention, and in which the following can be appreciated:

Figure 1 shows an exploded view of an upper half-set with respect to a lower half-shell of the invention, separated from each other;

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the set of the half-rings, in which for clarity said half-rings are separated from each other;

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of an exploded view of the closure device, in which the half-rings are separated, as well as their respective upper and lower halves;

Figure 4 shows a sectional view of a detail of the anti-theft security closing device of the invention, in the area in which the closing and fixing of the half-rings between them occurs; Y

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the closing trigger provided with the ferromagnetic body.

In these figures the following reference signs are outlined:

1 anti-theft security closing device for liquor bottles and similar containers

2 upper assembly of the closing device

3 lower set of closing device

4 inner hollow of the ring that constitutes the closing device

5 closing trigger

6 projections or connecting lugs between the upper and lower halves

7 housing of the projections or connecting lugs between the upper and lower halves

8 projections of the half rings in the annular gap

9 ferromagnetic body 11 first half ring

12 second half ring

13 articulation axis between the half rings

14 spring for opening the half rings

15 bulge

16 zipper of the first half ring

17 articulation portion in the second half-ring

18 insertion housing, slotted or tubular

19 end closure portion of the first half-ring, carrier of the rack 16

20 portion of manual pressing of the semi-rings

21 housing of the closing trigger inside the protrusion 15

22 protrusions in the pressing portion of the half-rings 23 housing of the positioning portion of the closing trigger

51 positioning position of the closing trigger

52 elastic portion of the closing trigger

53 toothing of the closing trigger

54 fastening portion of the ferromagnetic body

55 elastic retaining flange of the ferromagnetic body

56 spur or wedge

Description of the embodiments of the invention

As indicated above, the invention described consists of a safety closure device (1) for protecting bottles and similar containers; said device (1) is formed by a first half-ring (11) and a second half-ring (12).

The first half-ring (11) is substantially toroidal, and has one with one articulating end and one closing end (19). The second half-ring (12) is also substantially toroidal, with one end constituting a hinge portion (17) and a closing end. The closing end forms, according to a preferred embodiment, a housing (18) into which the closing end (19) of the first half-ring is inserted. The closing end of the first half-ring has, therefore, an outer radius and an inner radius suitable for its rotation to be introduced into said housing (18). The half-rings (11, 12) are each preferably constituted in two parts that constitute an upper assembly (2) and a lower assembly (3), which in their assembly are susceptible to interlocking. According to a particular, non-limiting embodiment, one of the assemblies comprises one or more lugs (6) that are susceptible to insertion in holes (7) arranged in the other of the assemblies; nevertheless, they can be combined if it is convenient to have lugs (6) and holes (7) in one of the assemblies (2,3) that would fit in corresponding holes (7) and lugs (6) in the other of the assemblies (3,2) ). According to a preferred option, the half-rings (11, 12) are provided with a manual pressing portion (20) possibly provided with projections (22) to prevent slipping.

The articulation portion (17), according to a particular embodiment, is inserted in a recess in the first half-ring (11). However, without altering the object of the invention, the gap could be made in the second half-ring (12) and the inserted joint portion be made in the first half-ring (11).

The articulation portion is provided with an articulation axis (13) around which the two half-rings (11, 12) are capable of rotating between an open position, in which their closing ends are separated, and a closed position, in the respective closing ends are locked together. Preferably, the assembly is provided with a spring (14) tending to leave the assembly in the open position. The first of the half-rings (11) has a zipper (16) or retaining surface, normally provided with a toothing, on the surface of its closing end (19), said toothing being oriented so as to oppose the opening .

The second half-ring is usually provided with a protrusion (15) defining an interior hollow that constitutes a housing (21) of a closing trigger (5). The inner hollow is open towards the housing (18), so as to allow contact, and corresponding retention, between the rack (16) of the first half-ring and the closing trigger when the closing end portion (19) of the first half-ring ( 11) is inserted in the housing (18). However, the closing trigger (5) could also be inserted in the body of the second half-ring (12) without the need for a protrusion (15), for example by widening said body, or by modifying the geometry of the trigger (5) .

According to the preferred embodiment, the closing trigger (5) is arranged in a housing recess, and is formed in a single piece and is provided with the following elements:

^■ a holding or positioning portion (51) in a corresponding housing (23) in the second half-ring (12);

■ an elastic element or portion (52) which in the rest position will press a toothing (53) or retaining element towards the rack (16); Y

^■ a holding portion (54) of a ferromagnetic body (9), integral with the toothing (53); normally the fastening portion will comprise an elastic flange (55) which will allow easy assembly of the ferromagnetic body; moreover, the ferromagnetic body (9) will normally consist of a ball or sphere. The trigger, thus, will comprise a fixed part, which is the holding or positioning portion (51), and can be moved from a closed position, in which it will be located at rest by the action of the elastic element or portion (52) and in which the toothing (53) is forced to press against the rack, to an open position, when the ferromagnetic element is pulled outwards thanks to the action of a magnetic field, in which the toothing (53) is separated of the zipper, and therefore released from the retention, producing the opening thanks to the action of the spring 14.

According to a preferred embodiment, the closing trigger (5) further comprises a spur or wedge (56) for locking the opening in the closed position. When in closed position the toothing (53) of the closing trigger (5) is pressing against the rack (16) and it is intended to open without the application of the required magnetic field, the spur or wedge (56) will be introduced into the housing (18). ), preventing the separation of the retention toothing.

Furthermore, inasmuch as the elastic element (52) is disposed on one of the sides, the closing action is produced from that side, and therefore will allow elastic deformation of the elastic element, and separation of the toothing, to occur. as said tooth is pushed by the teeth of the rack (16) in the closing process, to return to the locked position when the manual pushing action ceases. On the contrary, the action of forced opening is impeded due to the orientation of the teeth of the rack (16) and the teeth (53), as well as the spur (56)

When a bottle must be protected, the half-rings are initially opened by the action of the spring (14), then a bottle is taken and the half-rings (11,12) are closed together, introducing the closing end portion (19) of the first half-ring in the housing (18) of the second half-ring, until they press against the neck of the bottle against the action of the spring (14), leaving the neck of the bottle inside the inner hollow of the ring that constitutes the closing device (1), and in which projections (8) arranged in said half-rings are placed below the annular shoulder of the neck of said bottle. In the insertion operation, the toothing (53) and with it the trigger assembly, except the positioning portion, moves inward with each tooth that must overcome, against the elastic action of the elastic portion of the trigger. As indicated, the opening takes place by applying a magnetic field that attracts the ferromagnetic body and releases the lock between the rack (16) and the toothing (53)

The body of at least one of the half-rings is configured so as to accommodate electromagnetic alarm elements.

Claims

REIVIN DICACIONES

1.- Anti-theft security closure device for liquor bottles and similar containers, formed by two elements articulated together and capable of being locked in a closed position, characterized by comprising the following elements:

^■ a first half-ring (11), provided with a closing portion or end (19);

^■ a second half-ring (12), provided with a housing for the closing portion (19) of the first half ring

(eleven);

^■ an articulation shaft (14) between the first half-ring (11) and the second half-ring (12);

^■ a rack (16) or toothed or friction surface formed on the surface of the closing portion (19) of the first half-ring; Y

^■ a closing trigger (5) housed in the second half-ring (12), which incorporates a ferromagnetic body (9), and which adopts substantially two positions:

or a first position at rest, in which said closing trigger (5) holds the rack (16) of the closing end

(19) of the first half-ring (11); Y

or a second position, in which the ferromagnetic body

(9) is attracted by a magnetic field, in which said trigger leaves the zipper (16) of the closing end free

(19) of the first half-ring (11).

2. Anti-theft security closing device for bottles of liquors and similar containers, according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the half-rings (11, 12) is provided with a joint portion (17), and that the other of the half-rings (12, 11) is provided with an insertion hole of said articulation portion (17).

3. - Anti-theft security closure device for bottles of liquors and similar containers, according to any of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that it comprises a spring (14) in the joint between the first half-ring (11) and the second half-ring ( 12), so that said spring (14) tends to keep the closing device (1) open with the free ends of the half-rings separated from each other.

4. - Anti-theft security closure device for liquor bottles and similar containers, according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the housing of the closure portion (19) of the first half-ring (11) has a shape tubular.

5. Anti-theft security closing device for liquor bottles and similar containers, according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the first half-ring (11) and the second half-ring (12) have a substantially toroidal shape.

6.- Anti-theft security closing device for liquor bottles and similar containers, according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that each of the half-rings (11, 12) is constituted in two parts that are susceptible to assembly locked to each other, said parts being provided with one or more lugs (6) that are susceptible to insertion in corresponding holes (7) arranged in the other of the parts.

7. Anti-theft security closing device for liquor bottles and similar containers, according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the half-rings (11, 12) are provided with a manual pressing portion (20).

8. - Anti-theft security closing device for bottles of liquors and similar containers, according to claim 7, characterized in that the manual pressing portion (20) is provided with a set of antislip projections (22).

9. - Anti-theft security closure device for bottles of liquors and similar containers, according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the second half-ring is provided with a protuberance (15) that defines an interior hollow that constitutes a housing ( 21) of the closing trigger (5), in which the inner hollow is open towards the housing (18), so as to allow the corresponding contact and retention between the rack (16) of the first half-ring and the closing trigger (5). ) when the end closure portion (19) of the first half-ring (11) is inserted in the slot (18).

10. Anti-theft security closing device for liquor bottles and similar containers, according to any of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the closing trigger (5) is formed in a single piece and is provided with the following elements:

^■ a fixed part forming a holding or positioning portion (51) and located in a corresponding housing (23) comprising the second half-ring (12);

^■ a toothing (53) or rack retainer (16);

^■ an elastic element or portion (52) that in rest position will press the toothing (53) towards the rack (16), and that allows elastic deformation, so that the toothing is pushed by the teeth of the rack (16) in its movement towards the closing position; Y

^■ a holding portion (54) of a ferromagnetic body (9), integral with the toothing (53).

11. - Anti-theft security closure device for bottles of liquors and similar containers, according to claim 10, characterized in that the fastening portion (54) of the ferromagnetic body (9) comprises an elastic flange (55) that allows easy assembly of the ferromagnetic body, and because the ferromagnetic body (9) consists of a ball or sphere.

12. - Anti-theft security closure device for liquor bottles and similar containers, according to any of claims 10 to 11, characterized in that the teeth of which the rack (16) and the toothing (53) of the closing trigger are provided. , are oriented in a way that opposes the opening movement.

13. Anti-theft security closing device for bottles of liquors and similar containers, according to any of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the trigger (5) further comprises a spur (56) on the ends of the toothing (53) oriented towards the opening, which in the forced opening operation is inserted into the housing (18) holding the toothing (53) against the rack (16).

14. Anti-theft security closing device for liquor bottles and similar containers, according to any of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the first half-ring (11) and / or the second half-ring (12) house electromagnetic alarm elements.