EP0406397B1 - Liquid-tight closure assembly with multidirectional orientation and retractible pourer tube - Google Patents

Abstract

Liquid-tight closure assembly with pourer tube, for a container (100), comprising a neck (101) of which the external face has a threading (103) comprised of a closure plug (110), a pourer tube (140) shaped as bellows and retractible in the neck and pressed against the internal face of the plug (110), characterized in that it is also comprised of an intermediary annular U-shaped element (120) defining two branches, respectively an internal branch (121) and an external branch (122) intended to span the essential portion of the neck (101): the external face of the internal branch (123) being configured like the essential portion of the internal face (102) of the neck; the lower end (124) of the internal branch (121) presenting a shoulder (125) against which bears the lower end (145) of the bellows (140). Application to oil cans.

Description

The present invention relates to a sealed closure assembly with a retractable pouring tube with multidirectional orientation, intended for use in cooperation with containers, and in particular cans containing oils, lubricants and other similar products.

There are already known cans intended for lubricating oils, obtained by the so-called extrusion-blowing technique, comprising a pouring spout and a portion in the form of a bellows to allow a certain orientation. Unfortunately, this extrusion blow molding technique is difficult to implement, because of the fact that the parison has to be decentered. Furthermore, the bellows obtained gives a rather imprecise and limited orientation, in particular with cans of medium capacity (five liters and more). Finally, the filling of these cans, which are then necessarily equipped with the bellows pouring tube, is delicate, difficult and therefore expensive.

We then proposed cans with a separate pouring tube, intended to be placed on the neck of the container when pouring the product. This monolithic pouring tube which comprises a base connected to a flexible portion in the form of a bellows with memory effect, is intended to allow precise pouring of a liquid in any direction. This base has a thread complementary to the external thread of the canister neck, in order to allow the pouring tube to be screwed onto said neck. It should be noted that the thread formed outside the neck is intended, conventionally, to allow the closure of the bottle by means of a plug.

Although very convenient to use, easy and economical from the production point of view, this pouring tube has the drawback of not being an integral part of the container and thus, when the container is closed, of being stored separately. In addition, in addition to the risk of possible loss of the tube, one is never immune to residual lubricant stains on the walls of the tube after use, or the risk of penetration of dust and other impurities in the container, this which may foul the lubricated material when pouring the lubricant by means of said tube.

In document US-A-4,560,081, which corresponds to the preamble of independent claim 1, a cover cap for boxes has been proposed, associated with a portion of bellows compressed by the cover. By opening the cover, the retracted bellows is released, which then forms a pouring tube. This solution, suitable for boxes intended to contain drinks, is not satisfactory for neck containers, because they do not allow the use of bellows long enough to obtain a multidirectional orientation.

The present invention overcomes these drawbacks. It aims at a sealed stopper assembly with retractable pouring tube, multidirectional orientation easy and economical to manufacture, convenient to use and forming part of the container, without being permanently attached to the latter, so as to facilitate the precise pouring of the content of the container. or filling it.

• . un bouchon de fermeture proprement dit présentant une corolle ;
• . un tube verseur en forme de soufflet à effet de mémoire et à orientation multidirectionnelle, escamotable dans le col et comprimé contre la face intérieure de la corolle du bouchon de fermeture une fois mis en place sur le col,

se caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte également un élément intermédiaire annulaire en forme de U ou Y inversé, définissant deux branches respectivement interne et externe, destinées à enjamber la partie supérieure du col :

• la face externe de la branche interne épousant la partie supérieure de la face interne du col ;
• l'extrémité inférieure de la branche interne présentant un épaulement contre lequel vient s'appuyer l'extrémité inférieure du soufflet, dont l'extrémité supérieure est comprimée contre la face intérieure de la corolle du bouchon.

This sealed closure assembly with pouring tube, for container comprising a cylindrical neck, the external face of which comprises a thread, constituted by:

• . an actual closure cap having a corolla;
• . a bellows-shaped pouring tube with memory effect and multidirectional orientation, retractable in the neck and compressed against the inner face of the corolla of the closure cap once placed on the neck,

is characterized in that it also comprises an annular intermediate element in the form of an inverted U or Y, defining two branches, respectively internal and external, intended to span the upper part of the neck:

• the external face of the internal branch marrying the upper part of the internal face of the neck;
• the lower end of the internal branch having a shoulder against which the lower end of the bellows comes to bear, the upper end of which is pressed against the internal face of the corolla of the plug.

In other words, the present invention is characterized in that a retractable pouring tube with multidirectional orientation is associated with an intermediate element of suitable shape on the one hand, with the said pouring tube and on the other hand, with the neck d 'a container. In this way, the pouring tube is permanently inside the container.

In known manner, a "bellows" is a flexible portion formed by a succession of straight folds arranged in an accordion. A "memory effect bellows" is a bellows which can be stretched and inclined in a determined position under the effect of a first force, and which, under the effect of an opposite force, returns without distortion sensitive to its initial position or in another position.

• l'élément intermédiaire caractéristique comporte sur la face externe de sa branche externe un jonc annulaire destiné à coopérer avec un jonc complémentaire disposé sur la face interne latérale du bouchon de fermeture ;
• la branche externe de l'élément intermédiaire est destinée à être clipsée ou vissée sur la face externe filetée du col du récipient ;
• la face interne de la corolle du bouchon de fermeture présente une couronne cylindrique interne, destinée à coopérer avec l'extrémité supérieure du soufflet verseur pour assurer l'étanchéité ;
• l'extrémité inférieure de cette couronne cylindrique comporte une pluralité de secteurs de clipsage dirigés vers l'extérieur et destinés à coopérer avec une zone annulaire ménagée à cet effet à l'extrémité supérieure du soufflet verseur ;
• l'extrémité inférieure du soufflet est prolongée par une portion cylindrique qui pénètre dans le récipient, et dont la face externe disposée au voisinage de l'extrémité présente une saillie et une butée ménageant un espace correspondant à la longueur de l'épaulement disposé à l'extrémité de la branche interne de l'élément intermédiaire, pour encastrer l'extrémité de cette portion cylindrique sur ledit épaulement ;
• l'extrémité inférieure du soufflet est soudée à l'épaulement ;
• la branche externe de l'élément intermédiaire est filetée sur ses deux faces, respectivement sur sa face interne pour coopérer avec le filetage externe du col, et sur sa face externe avec le filetage interne du bouchon ;
• l'embase du col présente des crans verticaux destinés à s'opposer à la rotation de l'élément intermédiaire sur le col ;
• la portion en forme de soufflet est constituée par un empilement de plis droits, disposés en accordéon, dont l'épaisseur est réduite dans les zones de raccordement d'un pli à l'autre.

Advantageously, in practice:

• the characteristic intermediate element comprises on the external face of its external branch an annular rod intended to cooperate with a complementary rod arranged on the internal lateral face of the closure plug;
• the external branch of the intermediate element is intended to be clipped or screwed onto the external threaded face of the container neck;
• the internal face of the corolla of the closure cap has an internal cylindrical crown, intended to cooperate with the upper end of the pouring bellows to ensure sealing;
• the lower end of this cylindrical ring comprises a plurality of clipping sectors directed towards the outside and intended to cooperate with an annular zone formed for this purpose at the upper end of the pouring bellows;
• the lower end of the bellows is extended by a cylindrical portion which penetrates into the container, and whose external face disposed in the vicinity of the end has a projection and a stop providing a space corresponding to the length of the shoulder disposed at the end of the internal branch of the intermediate element, to embed the end of this cylindrical portion on said shoulder;
• the lower end of the bellows is welded to the shoulder;
• the external branch of the intermediate element is threaded on its two faces, respectively on its internal face to cooperate with the external thread of the neck, and on its external face with the internal thread of the plug;
• the base of the neck has vertical notches intended to oppose the rotation of the intermediate element on the neck;
• the bellows-shaped portion consists of a stack of straight folds, arranged in an accordion, the thickness of which is reduced in the areas of connection from one fold to the other.

The manner in which the invention can be implemented and the advantages which ensue therefrom will emerge more clearly from the following exemplary embodiments, in support of the appended figures.

Figure 1 is a schematic partial sectional view of a characteristic pouring tube of the invention in the retracted position.

Figure 2 is a schematic view, also in section, of the pouring tube according to the invention, but in the operational pouring position.

Figure 3 is a detailed view of the connection area between two straight folds of the bellows constituting the pouring tube.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the invention, shown in partial detail in FIG. 5.

In the figures, the general reference (1) designates a container, the neck (2) of which has a thread (9) on its external face, and an annular seal (29), the role of which will be described later.

In a first embodiment, the pouring tube according to the invention, designated by the general reference (6) is monolithic and comprises two portions, respectively a cylindrical lower portion (7) connected to an upper portion (8) flexible in bellows with memory effect, thus allowing an inclination in all directions, the connection zone between the two portions (7) and (8) defining a shoulder (45), the role of which will also be described later.

This pouring tube is advantageously produced by molding plastic material, such as high density polyethylene or polypropylene, in particular by extrusion blow molding.

The flexible bellows portion (8) ends at the top with an annular zone in a crown (10), intended to cooperate in leaktight manner with an internal crown (4) formed under the corolla of the closure cap (3). The upper end (11) of the annular ring zone (10) is intended to cooperate with the internal face of the corolla (51) of the plug (3), when the pouring tube is in the retracted position.

According to a characteristic of the invention, the closure plug (3) cooperates in a sealed manner with a characteristic annular intermediate element in the shape of a U (14) or inverted Y, generally in the form of a cylindrical crown and the major part of which is arranged at inside the neck (2) of the container (1). This characteristic intermediate element annular (14) defines two branches, respectively external (19) and internal (50), and spans essential part of the neck (2). The external face of the internal branch (50) follows the upper part (32) of the internal face of the neck (2). This intermediate element (14) is fixed in a reversible or non-reversible manner at the level of the upper zone (32) of the neck (2) of the can (1), and this, by clipping by means of an annular ring (20) formed on the inner face of the outer flap in the form of a crown (19) of said intermediate element (14), cooperating with a complementary rod (29) located on the outer face of the upper zone (32) of the neck (2) of the container (1 ). In fact, when the intermediate element (14) is clipped onto the neck (2), the upper end (33) of said neck (2) is in abutment against the connection base (21) of the flap (19), now thus firmly said intermediate element in operational position on the neck (2).

Thus, when the intermediate element (14) is clipped onto the neck (2), there is sealed cooperation at the level of the zone referenced (30) between said intermediate element (14) and the upper zone (32) of said neck ( 2).

As can be seen in FIG. 1, when the pouring tube (6) is in the retracted position, the flexible bellows portion (8) is compressed between the internal face (51) of the corolla of the plug (3) at the end (11) of said annular ring area (10), and between the shoulder (15) formed for this purpose at the interior and lower part of said intermediate element (14). This characteristic shoulder (15) cooperates with the complementary shoulder (45) formed at the level of the connection zone of the two respectively cylindrical (7) and flexible (8) portions of the pouring tube. (6). The internal face (34) of the end of said shoulder (15) of the intermediate element (14) has annular rods (16) intended to allow "sealed" sliding of the cylindrical portion (7) of the pouring tube (6 ), in particular to allow the outlet from the neck (2) of said pouring tube (6).

The sliding stroke of the cylindrical portion (7) of the pouring tube (6) is limited by means of a so-called retaining stop (12), intended to cooperate with the lower end of the shoulder (15) of the intermediate element (14). In addition, and as can be seen in FIG. 2, in order to avoid inadvertent sliding of the pouring tube inside the container (1) during use, the cylindrical portion (7) is held in place when the pouring tube is pulled out, by means of a projection (13), playing the role of clipping, and maintaining the shoulder (15) of the intermediate element (14) between this said projection (13) and the retaining stop (12). In fact, the distance separating the projection (13) from the retaining stop (12) corresponds substantially, to within tolerances, to the length of the internal face (33) of said shoulder (15). In addition, to allow the entire outside of the flexible bellows area (8) to exit from the container (1), the distance separating the shoulder (45) from the retaining stop (12) corresponds substantially to the length of the cylindrical portion of the intermediate element (14), located inside said container (1).

According to another characteristic of the invention, the lower end of the internal crown (4) located under the corolla of the stopper (3), has clipping sectors directed towards the outside and intended to cooperate with a lower clearance located under the annular ring zone (10) of the flexible portion (8) of the tube pourer (6) in order to keep it compressed axially, when it is not in the operational position, that is to say when it does not protrude out of the neck (2) of the container (1).

According to another characteristic of the invention, the connection base (21) of the flap (19) of the intermediate element (14) has an annular projection (18), directed outwards, and intended to cooperate in sealed manner with an annular ring (24) formed at the level of the internal face of the plug (3). In this way, the plug (3) can be clipped onto the intermediate element (14) independently of the container (1), that is to say without being screwed onto the thread (9) of the neck (2). When said plug (3) is clipped onto the intermediate element (14), an upper annular ring (17) coming from the connection base (21) of the flap (19) of the intermediate element (14) is in abutment against a shoulder (35) formed in the vicinity of the corolla of the plug (3). In addition, in order to increase the tightness of the assembly, said upper annular ring (17) cooperates with an internal ring (22) of the plug (3), coaxial and external with respect to said ring (4), and defining with the side wall (23) of the plug (3) said shoulder (35).

In known manner, the plug (3) has at the lower level of its internal face, a thread (26) intended to cooperate with the thread (9) formed at the level of the neck (2) of the container (1).

In a known manner also, the lower end of the stopper (3) has hooking sectors (28) intended to be clipped at the level of an annular ring (27) formed at the base of the neck (2) of the container (1 ), in order to avoid untimely unscrewing of said plug.

In practice, the characteristic intermediate element (14) and the plug (3) are made by molding plastic material, in particular low density polyethylene.

The flexible bellows part (8) of the pouring tube (6) according to the invention is formed of elementary straight folds (36) shown in detail in FIG. 3. Each of these straight folds is formed by the junction of two inclined planes (38,39,40,41) thus forming zones of inflection (42,43,44). The thickness of the elementary folds at these inflection zones is reduced in each of the connection zones from one fold to the other.

Thus, the assembly constituted by the retractable pouring tube (6), the intermediate element (14), and the plug (3), constitutes an integral entity by simple clipping of the plug (3) on the intermediate element (14). , thus axially compressing the bellows portion (8) of said tube (6) between the corolla of the plug (3) and the shoulder (15) of the lower end of the intermediate element (14). In fact, filling the container (1) turns out to be quite easy.

When the user wishes to pour the contents of the container (1), he pierces the lid, and then screws the cap (3) onto the container (1), said cap being provided with the pouring tube, the intermediate element and the plug (3) proper. He screws the stopper (3) until the intermediate element (14) is clipped onto the upper part (32) of the neck (2) of the container (1), and it is enough for him to unscrew the said stopper to release the pouring tube (6). It then directs the flexible bellows portion (8) in the desired direction after having pulled it until the shoulder (15) is clipped between the projection (13). and the retaining stop (12) of the lower part of the sliding cylindrical portion (7) of said tube.

Once the filling is complete, the user replaces the pouring tube inside the neck by simple and light pressure, and axially recompresses the bellows part (8) of the tube (6) by means of the plug (3). He then relives the latter in a completely classic manner.

As already said, Figures 4 and 5 show a preferred embodiment of the invention. Here, the container (100) has a neck (101), the internal face (102) of which is substantially cylindrical and vertical, and the external face of which has a thread (103).

The reference (110) designates a plug formed by a corolla (111) sometimes called "ceiling" having an annular sealing skirt (112), the end (113) of which has hooking sectors (113) directed towards outside. (114) denotes an annular support and stacking skirt, and (115) denotes the side of the closure plug (110), the internal face of which has a thread (116). The bottom (117) of this flank is connected by breakable bridges, not shown, to a tamper-evident belt (118) produced in a known manner. (119) designates a tab also known for detaching this tamper-evident belt (118). According to an essential characteristic of the invention, the closure assembly comprises an annular intermediate element designated by the general reference (120), in the shape of a U defining two branches, respectively internal (121) and external (122), which span the col (102). The external face (123) of the internal branch (121) is substantially vertical and cylindrical to match the internal face (102) of the neck (101). The lower end (124) of this internal branch (121) has a shoulder (125) directed towards the inside of the neck (102). The external branch (122) has, on its internal face, a thread (126) intended to cooperate with the thread (103) of the neck (102). On the other hand, the external face (127) also has a thread intended to cooperate with the thread (116) formed on the internal face of the flank (115) of the closure plug (110). The connection portion (130) of the two branches (121) and (122) has, directed outward, a circular rod (131) intended to cooperate with complementary attachment sectors (132) formed on the internal face of the flank (115). The reference (135) designates vertical notches formed on the neck (102) to prevent the return of the intermediate piece (120). The reference (136) designates also vertical notches, formed at the base of the intermediate part (120) to prevent the backward movement of the intermediate part (120).

The bellows designated by the general reference (140), is supported at its end (141) on the internal face (111) of the corolla, and has a pouring spout (142) which is supported on the annular skirt (112). This bellows (140) has a plurality of turns, for example eighteen turns as shown in the drawing. According to an essential characteristic of the invention, the lower end (145) of the bellows (140) bears on the shoulder (125). Advantageously, this lower end (145) is welded to this shoulder (125), in particular with ultrasound.

After removing the tamper-evident ring (118) and unscrewing the plug (110), the bellows (140) are released, which can be conveniently pulled up. The bellows (140) is then in the position of use, and can therefore be oriented in the desired direction.

Thanks to the diametrical tightening of the skirt (112) on the crown (142), of the branch (121) of the intermediate piece (120) on the internal face (102) of the neck (100), and to the welding of the end (145) on the shoulder (125), the assembly is completely sealed, in particular to oils.

• le fait que le tube verseur fait partie intégrante du bidon ;
• le fait que la pièce intermédiaire caractéristique épouse la forme intérieure du col, ce qui assure un versage intégral du bidon ;
• une étanchéité accrue permettant d'augmenter de manière significative la propreté de tels bidons ;
• la possibilité d'obtenir une entité solidaire composée du bouchon, de l'élément intermédiaire et du tube verseur proprement dit, garantissant ainsi un remplissage plus aisé des bidons et,
• enfin, la possibilité d'obtenir une orientation multidirectionnelle précise, donc une sécurité de confort pour l'utilisateur.

The device according to the invention has many advantages compared to those marketed to date. We can cite :

• the fact that the pouring tube is an integral part of the container;
• the fact that the characteristic intermediate piece follows the internal shape of the neck, which ensures that the container is fully poured;
• increased sealing making it possible to significantly increase the cleanliness of such cans;
• the possibility of obtaining an integral entity composed of the plug, the intermediate element and the pouring tube proper, thus guaranteeing easier filling of the cans and,
• finally, the possibility of obtaining a precise multidirectional orientation, therefore comfort security for the user.

In this way, the cans equipped with this closure and pouring assembly can be used successfully for all containers for which precise and multidirectional pouring of the most varied liquids is sought, such as in particular lubricating oils, chemicals. corrosive or not, etc. .

Claims (7)

1. Leaktight stopper unit with a pouring tube, for a container (1, 100) comprising a cylindrical neck (2, 101), the outer face of which has a thread (9, 103), consisting of:

   - a closing stopper (3, 110) as such having a crown (51, 111);

   - a pouring tube (8, 140) in the form of a memory-effect bellows and multidirectionally oriented, which can be retracted into the neck and is compressed against the inner face of the crown (51, 111) of the closing stopper (3, 110) once placed on the neck, characterized in that it also comprises a U (or reversed Y) shaped annular intermediate element (14, 120) defining two legs, an inner one (50, 121) and an outer one (19, 122), respectively, intended to straddle the upper part of the neck (2, 101):

   - the outer face of the inner leg (50, 123) fitting tightly against the upper part of the inner face (102) of the neck;

   - the lower end (124) of the inner leg (121) having a shoulder (15, 125) against which bears the lower end (145) of the bellows (8, 140), the upper end (11, 141) of which is compressed against the inner face (3, 111) of the crown of the stopper.
2. Stopper unit with a retractable pouring tube according to Claim 1, characterized in that the intermediate element (14, 120) has on its outer face an annular snap ring (18, 131) intended to interact with a complementary snap ring (24, 132) arranged on the lateral inner face (115) of the closing stopper (3, 120).
3. Stopper unit with a retractable pouring tube according to one of Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the intermediate element (14, 120) has an outer annular leg (19, 122) intended to be snapped or screwed onto the threaded outer face (29, 103) of the neck (2, 101).
4. Stopper unit with a retractable pouring tube according to Claim 1, characterized in that the retractable bellows (8, 140) terminates at the top in an annular zone in the form of a ring (10, 142), and in that the closing stopper (3, 110) has an inner ring (4, 112) intended to interact leaktightly with the annular zone in the form of a ring (10, 112).
5. Stopper unit with a retractable pouring tube according to Claim 4, characterized in that the lower end of the inner ring (4, 112) of the stopper (3, 110) comprises a plurality of snap-fastening sectors (5, 113) directed towards the outside and intended to interact with a sealing zone provided for this purpose in the region of the upper part interconnecting the bellows (8, 140) and the upper ring (10, 142).
6. Stopper unit with a retractable pouring tube according to Claim 1, characterized in that the lower end (15, 145) of the bellows (8,140) is welded to the shoulder (15, 125).
7. Stopper unit with a retractable pouring tube according to Claim 1, characterized in that the outer leg (120) of the intermediate element (114) is threaded on both faces, on its inner face (126) in order to interact with the outer thread (103) of the neck (101) and on its outer face (127) in order to interact with the inner thread (116) of the stopper (110), respectively.

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