WO2023223207A1

WO2023223207A1 - Closure for bottles

Info

Publication number: WO2023223207A1
Application number: PCT/IB2023/055034
Authority: WO
Inventors: Fulvio Bosano; Luca Viale
Original assignee: Guala Closures S.P.A.
Priority date: 2022-05-17
Filing date: 2023-05-16
Publication date: 2023-11-23
Also published as: IT202200010205A1

Abstract

A closure (1) for a bottle (100) comprises a pourer (2) associable with a neck (101) of the bottle (100), the pourer (2) comprising at least an upper portion (7) located at an opening (102) of the bottle (10) and a fastening portion (8) externally locked on the neck (101); a tubular element (9) externally fastened to the fastening portion (8) of the pourer (2) to lock it on the neck (101); a cap (10) reversibly connected to the pourer (2) to seal the pourer (2); the fastening portion (8) of the pourer is defined by a plurality of segments (20) extending parallel to the central axis (A), each segment (20) being removable from the neck (101) after the removal of the tubular element (9) to allow the extraction of the pourer (2) from the bottle (100).

Description

“Closure for bottles”

DESCRIPTION

Technical field

The present invention relates to a closure for bottles. In particular, for bottles having a neck with an opening and an edge defining an annular abutment surface near the same opening.

Background art

Closures for bottles of the type indicated above are known in the state of the art. One such example is described and illustrated in Italian patent IT 20150224 on behalf of the same Applicant.

The closures of the known type comprise a tubular element extending along a longitudinal direction between an upper end and a lower end. Such closures further comprise a pouring body and a cap. The cap is typically connected to the upper end of the tubular element by means of a weakening zone. The weakening zone is configured to break upon the first opening of the closure of known type.

It is further known that the closures comprise a tubular insert for retaining the closure on the bottle. Such a tubular insert is positioned inside the tubular element and is rigidly and non-reversibly connected to the pouring body and to the tubular element. In fact, once the safety closure has been assembled, it is not possible to separate the tubular insert from the tubular element and/or from the pouring body without breaking such components.

The closure disclosed in EP 2548811 Al is also known to the person skilled in the art. In particular, this document shows a closure comprising a pourer with a fastening portion adapted to be externally locked on the neck of the bottle. More in detail, the fastening portion is defined by a plurality of segments separated by grooves. EP ‘811 indicates that the grooves have the function of allowing the user to remove the pourer.

To retain the pourer on the bottle, the closure of EP ‘811 is provided with a cylindrical seal ring, which is externally fastened to the fastening portion. The cylindrical seal ring is connected to the cap by means of breakable seals which are broken by the user upon the first opening. Consequently, the cylindrical seal ring is only kept in place as long as it is connected to the cap, and falls upon the first opening. Then, after the first opening of the closure, the cylindrical seal ring no longer retains the fastening portion on the bottle. On the contrary, the permanence of the pourer on the bottle is ensured by the intrinsic elasticity of the fastening portion of the pourer.

Problem of the prior art

Typically the different components of the closures of known type are made of different materials. This feature of the known closures makes recycling the closures themselves disadvantageous and complicated. In fact, to recycle such closures it is necessary to separate the individual components. The disassembly procedure of the components requires carrying out laborious operations since the tubular insert, the tubular element and the pouring body are irreversibly connected to each other. Therefore, such closures cannot be easily recycled and are usually disposed of as non- recyclable waste.

Summary of the invention

In this context, the technical task underlying the present invention is to propose a closure for a bottle which overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art.

In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a closure whose components can be easily separated and recycled. The technical task mentioned and the objects stated are substantially achieved by the closure comprising the technical features set out in one or more of the appended claims.

In particular, a closure in accordance with the present invention is adapted to be applied to a bottle having a neck with an opening.

The closure comprises a pourer with a central axis, which can be associated with the neck of the bottle. The pourer comprises at least one upper portion which is configured to be positioned at the opening. The pourer further comprises a fastening portion adapted to be locked externally on the neck of the bottle.

The closure further comprises a tubular element fastened externally to the fastening portion of the pourer, which has the function of locking it on the neck of the bottle.

The closure further comprises a cap reversibly connected to the pourer to hermetically close the pourer.

In accordance with the present invention, the outer portion of the pourer is defined by a plurality of segments extending parallel to the central axis. Each segment is removable from the neck of the bottle after the removal of the tubular element to allow the extraction of the pourer from the bottle.

The tubular element comprises a frangible portion configured to be torn by the user, in particular after the first opening of the closure. The tubular element is configured to remain externally fastened to the fastening portion upon the first opening of the closure.

Advantages of the invention

The present invention solves the technical problem. In fact, once the tubular element locking the pourer on the bottle is removed, the segments can be separated even slightly and then easily removed from the bottle. This allows to easily disassemble the closure, separate the components thereof, and then dispose of each component separately. As a result, the closure is easily recyclable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features and advantages of the present invention will be made clearer by the indicative, and therefore non-limiting, description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a closure for a bottle illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

- Figure l is a partially lateral sectional view of a closure for a bottle according to the present invention, applied to the neck of a bottle; and

- Figure 2 is a lateral sectional view of a detail of the closure of Figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With particular reference to the appended drawings, the number 1 denotes a closure for a bottle according to the present invention. The bottle is indicated with the number 100, and comprises a neck 101 with an opening 102.

In greater detail, the closure 1 comprises a pourer 2 having a central axis "A" and insertable at least in part in the neck 101 of the bottle 100. The pourer 2 comprises an inner portion 3 associable with the neck 101 of the bottle 100 through the opening 102. In the described embodiment the pourer 2 is at least partly inserted in the neck 101 of the bottle 100, however in alternative embodiments the pourer 2 can also be completely outside the neck 101.

The inner portion 3 of the pourer 2 is provided with a passage 19 for the contents of the bottle 1, and comprises an inner cylindrical wall 4, which is provided with sealing means 5 on an outer surface 4a thereof. The inner portion 3 of the pourer 2 further comprises a flange 6 adapted to rest on the edge of the opening 102. The inner portion 3 of the pourer 2 further comprises an outer cylindrical wall 18. Such an outer cylindrical wall 18 is obtained on the flange 6 on the opposite side with respect to the bottle 100 and extends away therefrom. An anti-fill valve 17, known per se, can be inserted in the passage 19 of the inner portion 3 of the pourer 2.

The pourer 2 further comprises an upper portion 7 configured to be located at the opening 102. Such an upper portion 7 comprises a central zone 11, located at the central axis "A" and a peripheral wall 12, located externally to the central zone 11 and in particular hermetically closed on the outer cylindrical wall 18 of the inner portion 3. Openings 13 are defined between the central zone 11 and the peripheral wall 12 which are adapted to allow the contents of the bottle 100 to escape and/or allow air to enter. The structure of the central zone 11 and of the peripheral wall 12 are known per se to the person skilled in the art, and will therefore not be further described.

The pourer 2 further comprises a fastening portion 8, which is adapted to be externally locked on the neck 101 of the bottle 100.

With particular reference to figure 1, it should be noted that the closure 1 comprises a tubular element 9, which is fastened externally to the fastening portion 8 of the pourer 2, so as to lock it on the neck 101 of the bottle 100. More details on the tubular element 9 will be provided below within the scope of the present disclosure.

In more detail, the fastening portion 8 of the pourer is defined by a plurality of segments 20. Such segments 20 extend parallel to the central axis "A". Each segment 20 is arranged to be able to be moved away from the neck 101 of the bottle 100 after the removal of the tubular element 9, so as to allow the extraction of the pourer 2 from the bottle 100. Each segment 20 has an inner surface 20a, facing the neck 102 of the bottle 100, and an outer surface 20b opposite the inner surface 20a.

In further detail, the pourer 2 comprises a plurality of hinging zones 21. Each segment 20 is connected to the upper portion by a respective hinging zone 21, so as to be able to rotate along a direction transverse to the central axis "A" and move away from the neck 101 of the bottle 100. In accordance with the present invention, each segment 20 is separate from the adjacent segments 20, so as to allow the segments 20 to spread out in order to separate the closure 1 from the neck 101 of the bottle 100, as shown for example in figure 2.

It should be noted that the fastening portion 8 is preferably integrally formed with the upper portion 7 of the pourer 2. In other words, the upper portion 7 and the segments 20 are integrally formed. Consequently, the hinging zones 21 are also integrally formed with the segments 20 and the upper portion 7.

It should now be noted that each segment 20 comprises first fastening elements 22 configured to lock it on the neck 101 of the bottle 100 along the central axis "A". In particular, the neck 101 is provided with an annular recess 103, which receives the first fastening elements 22 of the segments 20 and retains them by interference. The first fastening elements 22 are preferably embodied in first inner protrusions 23, and extend away from the inner surface 20a of the segment 20.

Each segment 20 is further provided with second fastening elements 24 configured to lock the rotation of the fastening portion 8 of the pourer 2 around the central axis "A". In the embodiment described, the neck 101 is provided with a knurled zone 104, defined in particular at a lower height with respect to the annular recess 103. The second fastening elements 24 are arranged to interfere with the knurled zone 104 to lock the tangential sliding of the segments 20. In greater detail, the second fastening elements 24 are embodied in second inner protrusions 25, which also extend from the inner surface 20a of the segment 20. The second inner protrusions 25 are in particular oriented parallel to the central axis "A", so as to insert in corresponding notches defining the knurled zone 104. With particular reference to figure 1, it should be noted that each segment 20 comprises an outer protrusion 26, obtained in particular on the outer surface 20b. In use, the outer protrusions 26 of the segments 20 interfere with an annular protrusion 27 obtained inside the tubular element 9. Advantageously, this allows to prevent the tubular element 9 from being overtaken by the pourer 2, unless the user intervenes destructively.

In accordance with the present invention, the tubular element 9 is destructively removable from the pourer 2, in particular after the first opening of the closure 1. In the context of the present description, "first opening" means the moment when a cap 10, typically made as part of the closure 1 and stably fastened to other components of the closure 1 itself, is destructively removed by a user, for example by acting on a weakening zone intended for this purpose. Once the closure 1 has been opened, the cap 10 is generally capable of being repositioned in its place to better preserve the contents remaining in the bottle 100, but the integrity of the closure 1 can no longer be restored.

Advantageously, in accordance with the present invention the tubular element 9 is configured to remain externally fastened to the fastening portion 8 after the first opening, so as to retain the pourer 2 in position.

The removal of the tubular element 9 can be carried out by any means available to the user. In the preferred embodiment, the tubular element 9 is provided with a frangible portion 14 which can be easily tom by the user. Such a frangible portion 14 is defined by at least one weakening line 15 parallel to the central axis of the pourer and extending along the entire length of the tubular body 9. Merely by way of example, the frangible portion 14 can be defined by a pair of weakening lines 15 and a strip comprised therebetween. In alternative embodiments, not illustrated, the frangible portion can be made in any other manner known to the person skilled in the art, as long as it prevents the restoration of the integrity of the tubular element 9 and makes even the partial opening thereof evident.

The closure 1 further comprises the aforementioned cap 10, reversibly connected to the pourer 2 so as to sealingly close it. In the illustrated embodiment, the cap 10 is connected to the tubular element 9 in a breakable manner. In other words, the cap 10 and the tubular element 9 are integrally formed, and are separated upon the first opening. The pourer 2, in particular the upper portion 7, are provided with a thread 28, which engages on a counter thread 29 made inside the cap.

The closure 1 can further comprise an overcap 16, fastened to the cap 10 in a manner known per se. The overcap 16 advantageously allows a better grip on the cap 10 to more easily open the closure 1, and can furthermore be decorated for aesthetic purposes.

Claims

1. Closure (1) for a bottle (100) having a neck (101) with an opening (102), the closure (1) comprising:

- a pourer (2) having a central axis (A) and associable with the neck (101) of the bottle (100), the pourer (2) comprising at least an upper portion (7) configured to be located at the opening (102) and a fastening portion (8) adapted to be externally locked on the neck (101) of the bottle (100);

- a tubular element (9) externally fastened to the fastening portion (8) of the pourer (2) to lock it on the neck (101) of the bottle (100);

- a cap (10) reversibly connected to the pourer (2); wherein the fastening portion (8) of the pourer is defined by a plurality of segments (20) extending parallel to the central axis (A), each segment (20) being removable from the neck (101) of the bottle (100) after the removal of the tubular element (9) to allow the extraction of the pourer (2) from the bottle (100); characterized in that the tubular element (9) comprises a frangible portion (14) configured to be torn by the user in particular after the first opening of the closure (1); the tubular element (9) being configured to remain externally fastened to the fastening portion (8) upon the first opening of the closure (1).

2. Closure (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the tubular element (9) is configured to be removed after the first opening of the closure (1) by a destructive action on the frangible portion (14).

3. Closure (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the pourer (2) comprises a plurality of hinging zones (21), each segment (20) being connected to the upper portion (7) by a respective hinging zone (21) to rotate along a direction transverse to the central axis (A) and away from the neck (101) of the bottle (100).

4. Closure (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each segment (20) is separate from adjacent segments (20).

5. Closure (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each segment (20) comprises first fastening elements (22) configured to lock the respective segment (20) on the neck (101) of the bottle (100) along the central axis (A); second fastening elements (24) configured to lock the rotation of the fastening portion (8) of the pourer (2) around the central axis (A).

6. Closure (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the neck (101) of the bottle (100) has an annular recess (103) near the opening (102), the first fastening elements (22) comprising first inner protrusions (23) defined on each segment (20) and configured to engage in the annular recess (103).

7. Closure (1) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the neck (102) of the bottle (100) has a knurled zone (104) provided with notches, the second fastening elements (24) comprising second inner protrusions (25) arranged parallel to the central axis (A) and configured to be inserted in the notches to prevent the rotational movement around the central axis (A).

8. Closure (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the upper portion (7) of the pourer (2) and the segments (20) are integrally formed.

9. Closure (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the tubular element (9) is removable in a destructive manner from the pourer (2).

10. Closure (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the frangible portion

(14) is defined by at least one weakening line (15) parallel to the central axis (A) of the pourer (2) and extending along the entire length of the tubular element (9).

11. Closure (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the frangible portion (14) is defined by a pair of weakening lines (15) and a strip between the weakening lines (15).