WO2021064268A1

WO2021064268A1 - Assembly including a container and a capping device permanently secured on the neck of the container

Info

Publication number: WO2021064268A1
Application number: PCT/ES2020/070587
Authority: WO
Inventors: Francisco Javier BERROA GARCÍA
Original assignee: Betapack, S.A.U.
Priority date: 2019-10-03
Filing date: 2020-09-29
Publication date: 2021-04-08
Also published as: GB2602922B; ES2817650A1; BR212022006423U2; AR120126A1; GB2602922A; EP4039613A1; UY38902A; GB202205079D0

Abstract

The invention relates to an assembly comprising: a container (1) made of blow-molded plastic material and including a neck (2) comprising a dispensing orifice (5), a support collar (6), a coupling washer arranged between the support collar (6) and the dispensing orifice (5), and a cylindrical part (8) arranged axially between the support collar (6) and the coupling washer; as well as a capping device comprising a lower ring held between the coupling washer and the support collar and cooperating with the cylindrical part, a cap, and a connecting device that joins the cap to the lower ring, in which the cylindrical part (8) has an inside diameter of between 24 and 28 mm, an outside diameter of between 25.6 and 30.4 mm, and a height of between 2.70 and 3 mm.

Description

ASSEMBLY INCLUDING A CONTAINER AND A CAPPING DEVICE PERMANENTLY SECURED ON THE

COLLAR OF CONTAINER

DESCRIPTION Technical field

The invention relates to an assembly comprising a container and a plugging device that is equipped with a plug and that allows said plug to be kept fixed to the neck of the container, thus preventing loss of the plug in nature.

Technological background

In the state of the art, such assemblies are known that include a container and a plugging device that includes a plug and that allows the plug to be kept fixed to the neck of the container. Such an assembly is described, for example, in document US2018086510 in the name of the present applicant.

The container includes a neck that is equipped with a dispensing orifice that allows the contents of the container to be poured, a support collar that protrudes radially relative to the axis of the neck, and a lock washer that protrudes radially relative to the axis of the neck, and It is arranged between the support collar and the distribution hole. The plugging device includes a lower ring that is intended to be retained in the neck of the container, a plug that is intended to cover the orifice of the container so as to seal it, and a linking device that links the plug to the lower ring.

The lower ring is held axially on the neck of the container by means of a lock washer. To do this, the locking washer has a frusto-conical shape that tapers upwards, that is to say towards the hole in the container. The coupling washer delimits, downwards, that is to say in one direction opposite the hole, a stop. The lower ring includes retaining elements that protrude radially inward. During assembly of the plugging device to the neck of the container, the retaining elements slide against the frusto-conical surface of the latch washer and subsequently snap into place behind the latch washer. The lower ring is then retained between the lock washer and the support collar. Such a plugging device is not entirely satisfactory.

In particular, the tear resistance of the lower ring is limited and consequently does not allow a sufficiently reliable guarantee that the cap will remain permanently attached to the container.

Furthermore, if the diameter of the neck of the container is limited in such a way as to limit the amount of material used for the manufacture of the container, this restricted diameter leads to difficulties during blowing of the container.

Summary

An idea on the basis of the invention is to propose an assembly that comprises a blow-molded container that is easier to make and that allows an increase in the resistance to tear-out of the corking device intended to be permanently attached to the neck of the container. and this without significantly increasing the weight of the container.

According to one embodiment, the invention provides an assembly comprising a blow-molded plastic container and comprising a neck comprising:

- a distribution hole;

- a support collar;

- a coupling washer arranged between the support collar and the distribution hole;

- a cylindrical part arranged axially between the support collar and the engagement washer; and

- a plugging device comprising: - a lower ring that is retained between the engagement washer and the support collar and that cooperates with the cylindrical part;

- a plug comprising an upper wall intended to be arranged opposite the hole in the neck;

- a linking device that links the cap with the lower ring;

- The assembly being remarkable because the cylindrical portion has an internal diameter between 24 and 28 mm, an external diameter between 25.6 and 30.4 mm and a height between 2.70 and 3 mm.

In this way, the neck has such dimensions that it is possible to use a lower ring with a larger section, in order to increase its resistance to starting and without thereby considerably increasing the weight of the neck.

Furthermore, the neck has an internal diameter d1 which is advantageous because, on the one hand, it is large enough to allow a sufficient air flow to optimize blowing operations and, on the other hand, it is sufficiently reliable to limit the amount of material used. for the manufacture of the neck.

According to other advantageous means of implementation, such a plugging device may have one or more of the following characteristics.

According to one embodiment, the internal diameter of the cylindrical portion is between 25 and 27 mm, preferably between 25.5 and 26 mm and for example of the order of 25.70 mm.

According to one embodiment, the outer diameter of the cylindrical part is between 27 and 29 mm, preferably between 27.5 and 28 mm and for example of the order of 27.7 mm.

According to one embodiment, the height of the cylindrical part is between 2.80 and 2.90 mm, for example of the order of 2.87 mm.

According to one embodiment, the cylindrical part comprises a thickness of between 0.8 and 1.2 mm, for example of the order of 1 mm. According to one embodiment, the neck ^' has a weight of between 1.3 and 1.7 g, for example of the order of 1.4 g.

According to one embodiment, the lower ring has a height of between 3.36 and 3.66 mm for more than 50% of its periphery, for example of the order of 3.51 mm.

According to one embodiment, the cap comprises an external fin which, in a closed position of the cap, surrounds the neck of the container, the external fin comprising a downwardly projecting lug and presenting on an internal surface a projecting surface which, when the cap is in the closed position, it becomes interlocked by elastic recovery behind the engagement washer, the lower ring comprising a cutout in which the lug of the cap protrudes.

According to one embodiment, the lower ring has, in the area equipped with the cutout, a height of between 1.76 and 2.16 mm, for example of the order of 1.91 mm.

According to one embodiment, the hooking washer has a frusto-conical surface that tapers upwards and the lower ring comprises retaining elements that protrude radially inward and that are configured to, during assembly of the plugging device on the neck , slide against the frusto-conical surface of the lock washer and then snap into place behind the lock washer.

According to one embodiment, the retention elements are protrusions that protrude radially inward from the lower ring.

According to an embodiment, the lower ring has, at the height of the protrusions, a maximum radial dimension comprised between 1.68 and 1.98 mm, for example, of the order of 1.83 mm.

According to one embodiment, the joining device includes two elastic blades that link the outer peripheral fin and the second sector, including the device plugging device furthermore a locking device configured to lock the plug in the tilted open position.

According to one embodiment, the locking device includes a tongue arranged between the two elastic blades and extending upwards from the lower ring and a bead that protrudes radially outward from the outer peripheral fin, the bead being arranged to bear against the tongue during the pivoting of the cap between a closed position and an open tilted position, the elastic blades, the tongue and the heel being configured in such a way that, during the pivoting movement of the cap between its closed position and its position tilted open, the elastic sheets are subjected to a tensile force that increases to an intermediate unstable position and subsequently decreases from said intermediate unstable position towards the open tilted position.

Brief description of the figures

The invention will be better understood and other objects, details, characteristics and advantages thereof will emerge more clearly in the course of the following description of various particular embodiments of the invention, given solely by way of illustration and not limitation, with reference to the drawings. attachments.

- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a plugging device.

- Figure 2 is a front view of the plugging device of Figure 1.

- Figure 3 is a view from behind of the plugging device of Figures 1 and 2.

- Figure 4 is a perspective view of a neck intended to receive the plugging device of Figures 1 to 3.

- Figure 5 is a partial sectional view of the plugging device of Figures 1 to 3 mounted on the neck of Figure 4. - Figure 6 is a sectional view of the neck of Figures 4 and 5.

Detailed description of embodiments

In the description and the figures, the axis X corresponds to the axis of revolution of the container. By convention, the "radial" orientation is directed orthogonal to the X axis. The terms "external" and "internal" are used to define the relative position of one element in relation to another, by reference to the X axis, an element close to the axis. X is rated as well as internal as opposed to an external element located radially on the periphery. The terms "upper" and "lower" are used to define the relative position of one element in relation to another by reference to a position in which the hole in the neck is directed upwards and the cap is in a closed position on the neck. of the container, an element intended to be positioned lower is designated by lower and an element intended to be positioned higher is designated by upper.

With reference to Figures 1 to 6, an assembly comprising a container 1 equipped with a neck 2 and a plugging device 3 equipped with a plug 4 intended to cover the orifice of the container 1 so as to seal it will be described below.

Container 1 is for example a bottle. The bottle has, for example, a capacity of 150 el. The container 1 is made of plastic material and is shaped by a blow molding process. In a known manner, such a manufacturing process includes a first stage during which a tubular preform having an orifice is made and a second stage during which the preform is placed in a blow mold and a compressed gas is injected into the interior of the tubular preform through said hole in the preform so that the material stretches and becomes flat against the mold so that it takes the shape of said mold.

As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the neck 2 of the container 1 includes an upper end in which a distribution orifice 5 is arranged that allows pouring the contents of the container 1. The neck 2 of the container 1 includes a support collar 6 that protrudes radially outward and a locking washer 7 that also protrudes radially outward and is arranged axially between the support collar 6 and the distribution hole 5. A cylindrical part 8 is arranged axially between the support collar 6 and the distribution hole 5. The hooking washer 7 has a frusto-conical shape that tapers upwards, that is to say in the direction of the distribution hole 5 of the container 1. The hooking washer 7 delimits downwards, that is to say in a direction opposite to the dispensing hole 5, a stop.

The plugging device 3, mainly represented in Figures 1 to 3, includes a lower ring 9 that is retained in the neck 2 of the container 1, a plug 4 that is intended to cover the distribution orifice 5 of the container 1 so that seals it and a link device 10 that links the plug 4 to the lower ring 9.

As shown in figure 5, the cap 4 includes an upper wall 11 intended to be arranged orthogonally to the X axis in front of the distribution orifice 5 of the neck 2, an external peripheral fin 12 intended to surround the neck 2 of the container 1 and a internal flap 13 which, in the closed position of the cap 4, is inserted inside the dispensing orifice 5. The external peripheral flap 12 and the internal flap 13 project downwardly from the upper wall 11. The plug 4 also includes an annular lip 14 extending from the upper wall 11, radially between the outer peripheral fin 12 and the inner fin 13. When the cap 4 is in the closed position, the annular lip 14 and the inner fin 13 are in contact against the inner face of the neck 2 in such a way as to ensure the tightness of the closure.

The cap 4 also includes a gripping rim 15, shown in Figures 1 and 2, which protrudes radially outward. The gripping rim 15 is advantageously arranged on the opposite side of the connecting device 10. The gripping rim 15 thus forms a gripping surface intended to facilitate the visibility, interpretation and manipulation of the cap 4, mainly for the purpose pivoting to the tilted open position. As shown in Figure 2, the plug 4 further includes a lug 16 arranged in an area diametrically opposite to the attachment device 10. The lug 16 protrudes downward from the lower rim of the outer peripheral fin 12 into a cutout 17 arranged in the lower ring 9. The lug 16 comprises, on its internal surface, a projecting surface which, when the cap 4 is in the closed position, becomes interlocked, by elastic extension behind the support provided by the hooking washer 7.

The connecting device 10 is configured to allow the cap 4 to pivot between a closed position, shown in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 5, and a tilted open position, not shown, in which the cap 4 disengages from the dispensing orifice. 5 and does not hinder the pouring of the contents of the container 1. As shown in figure 3, the connection device 10 includes two elastic blades 18 that connect the cap 4 and more particularly the outer peripheral fin 12 of the cap 4 to the lower ring 9.

The plugging device 3 also includes a locking device, also shown in FIG. 3, arranged to lock the plug 4 in the tilted open position. The locking device includes a tab 19 that extends upwardly from the upper edge of the lower ring 9. The tab 19 is disposed between the two elastic blades 18. The locking device further includes a butt 20 that protrudes radially toward the end. exterior, from the outer peripheral fin 12 of the cap 4. The heel 20 is configured to abut against the tab 19 when the cap 4 is pivoted to the tilted open position so as to lock the cap 4 in said tilted open position. The elastic blades 18, as well as the locking device are configured in such a way that, during a first part of the movement of the cap 4 from the released position to the tilted open position, the two elastic blades 18 are subjected, due to the support of the heel 20 on the tongue 19, at a pulling force that increases to an intermediate unstable position and subsequently decreases from said intermediate unstable position to the tilted open position. This enables the cap 4 to be locked in the tilted open position.

Advantageously, the lower ring 9 is attached, before the first opening of the container 1, to the cap 4 by means of breakable bridges 21, visible in Figures 2, 3 and 5, intended to break during the opening of the cap 4. These breakable bridges 21 thus constitute evidence of inviolability. More particularly, the breakable bridges 21 are distributed around the X axis and join the upper edge of the lower ring 9 and the lower edge of the outer peripheral fin 12.

On the other hand, the lower ring 9 includes retention elements 22, as shown in FIG. 5, which make it possible to retain the lower ring 9 on the neck 2. In the embodiment shown, the retention elements 22 are protrusions projecting radially inward from the lower ring 9. The protrusions have a radial dimension that increases from bottom to top, that is to say towards the upper edge of the lower ring 9. During the assembly of the plugging device 3 on the neck 2 of the container 1, the protrusions slide against the frusto-conical surface of the hooking washer 7 until they exceed the lower end of the hooking washer 7 and subsequently snap into place behind the support. The lower ring 9 is thus axially immobilized on the neck 2 while it can rotate relative to it about the X axis. During this assembly, the lower ring 9 comes into abutment against the support collar 6, which makes it possible to protect breakable bridges 21.

In relation to figure 6, the dimensions of the neck 2 are described below. The internal diameter of the neck 2 presents its smallest dimension at the height of its cylindrical part 8 arranged axially between the engagement washer 7 and the support collar 6 The cylindrical part 8 has an internal diameter d1 which is between 24 and 28 mm, advantageously between 25 and 27 mm, preferably between 25.5 and 26 mm and for example of the order of 25.70 mm. Such an internal diameter d1 is advantageous because, on the one hand, it is large enough to allow a sufficient air flow during blowing operations and, on the other hand, it is sufficiently small to limit the amount of material used to manufacture the neck 2.

The wall thickness of the cylindrical part 8 of the neck 2 is between 0.8 and 1.2 mm and preferably of the order of 1 mm. Also, the outer diameter d2 of the cylindrical part 8 is comprised between 25.6 mm and 30.4 mm, advantageously between 27 and 29 mm, preferably between 27.5 and 28 mm and for example of the order of 27.7 mm.

On the other hand, the cylindrical part 8 arranged between the hooking washer 7 has a height between 2.70 and 3 mm, advantageously between 2.80 and

2.90 mm for example of the order of 2.87 mm. This makes it possible to use a lower ring 9 having a larger section in order to increase its resistance to starting and this without increasing the weight of the neck 2 too considerably.

Advantageously, the weight of such a neck 2 is comprised between 1.3 and 1.7 g, for example of the order of 1.5 g, the neck 2 of the container 1 being defined as consisting of the cylindrical upper part of container 1 as shown in Figures 4 and 6.

With reference to Figures 2 and 5, the dimensions of the lower ring 9 are described below. Beyond the area of the connecting device 10 and cutting 16, the lower ring 9 has a height h2 between 3.36 and 3 , 66 mm, for example, on the order of 3.51 mm. On the other hand, the lower ring 9 has at least a thickness comprised between 0.5 and 0.6 mm, for example, of the order of 0.55 mm.

In the area of the lower ring 9 with cut-out 16, the lower ring 9 has a height h3 of between 1.76 and 2.16 mm, for example, on the order of

1.91 mm.

The lower ring 9 has, at the height of the protrusions that form the retaining elements 22, a maximum radial dimension r1 comprised between 1.68 and 1.98 mm, for example, of the order of 1.83 mm.

Although the invention has been described in connection with several particular embodiments, it is of course evident that it is in no way limited and that it encompasses all technical equivalences of the means described, as well as their combinations if these fall within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

The use of the verbs "consist", "understand" or "include" and their conjugated forms does not exclude the presence of other elements or of other stages than those stated in the claim.

In the claims, any reference signs in parentheses should not be construed as limiting the claim.

Claims

1. A set comprising:

- a container (1) of plastic material, blow molded and including a neck (2) comprising:

- a distribution orifice (5);

- a support collar (6);

- a hooking washer arranged between the support collar (6) and the distribution hole (5);

- a cylindrical part (8) arranged axially between the support collar (6) and the engagement washer; and

- a plugging device (3) comprising:

- a lower ring (9) that is retained between the engagement washer and the support collar (6) and that cooperates with the cylindrical part (8);

- a plug (4) including an upper wall destined to be arranged opposite the distribution orifice (5) of the neck (2);

- a link device (10) that joins the cap (4) to the lower ring (9);

- the assembly being characterized in that the cylindrical part (8) has an inside diameter between 24 and 28 mm, an outside diameter between 25.6 and 30.4 mm and a height between 2.70 and 3 mm.

Assembly according to claim 1, in which the internal diameter of the cylindrical part (8) is between 25 and 27 mm.

Assembly according to claim 1 or 2, in which the outer diameter of the cylindrical part (8) is between 27 and 29 mm.

Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the height of the cylindrical part (8) is between 2.80 and 2.90 mm.

Assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, in which the part Cylindrical (8) comprises a thickness between 0.8 and 1.2 mm.

Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5, in which the neck (2) has a weight of between 1.3 and 1.7 g.

Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6, in which the lower ring (9) has a height between 3.36 and 3.66 mm in more than 50% of its periphery.

Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7, in which the cap (4) includes an external flap which is in a closed position of the cap (4) around the neck (2) of the container (1), including the external flap a lug (16) that protrudes downwards and presents on an internal surface a projecting surface which, when the cap (4) is in the closed position, becomes interlocked by elastic recovery behind the hooking washer (7), including the lower ring (9) a cutout in which the lug (16) of the plug (4) protrudes.

Assembly according to claim 8, in which the lower ring (9) has, in the area equipped with the cutout, a height of between 1.76 and 2.16 mm.

Assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, in which the hooking washer (7) has a frusto-conical surface that tapers upwards and in which the lower ring (9) includes retaining elements (22) which protrude radially inward and which are configured to, during assembly of the plugging device (3) on the neck (2), slide against the frusto-conical surface of the engagement washer (7) and subsequently snap into place behind the lock washer (7).

Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 10, in which the retention elements (22) are protrusions projecting radially inwards from the lower ring (9).

Assembly according to claim 11, in which the lower ring (9) has, at the height of the protrusions, a maximum radial dimension between 1.68 and 1.98 mm.

Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 12, in which the connecting device (10) includes two elastic sheets (18) that connect the outer peripheral fin (12) and the second sector, including the plugging device ( 3) further a locking device configured to lock the cap (4) in the tilted open position.

Assembly according to claim 13, in which the locking device includes a tab (19) arranged between the two elastic blades (18) and extending upwards from the lower ring (9) and a heel (20 ) protruding radially outward from the outer peripheral fin (12), the heel (20) being arranged to bear against the tab (19) during the pivoting of the cap (4) between a closed position and a tilted open position, being the elastic blades (18), the tongue (19) and the heel (20) configured in such a way that, during the pivoting movement of the cap (4) between its closed position and its tilted open position, the elastic blades (18) they are subjected to a pulling force that increases to an intermediate unstable position and subsequently decreases from said intermediate unstable position towards the open tilted position.