EP0998415B1 - Sealing and tamper-proof element for container - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns a combined sealing and tamper-proof element for container (R) whereof the opening (A) is capable of being closed by a lid (C), characterised in that it comprises, in a single piece: a removable inner seal (1) whereof the inner surface is designed to be tightly sealed on the opening (A) rim and the top surface bears a strip (10) forming a prehensile tab; and a joint (2) designed to be maintained in said lid (C) and whereof the bottom surface adheres to the inner seal (1) top surface at least in the zones unoccupied by said strip (10) with a linking force less than the forces maintaining the joint (2) in the lid (C) and the inner seal (1) on the opening (A) rim respectively.

Description

The present invention relates to a combined element sealing and inviolability for containers and more particularly for those whose opening is intended to be closed by a cover as well as a process for manufacturing such an element.

There are already many technical solutions allowing jointly ensure the tightness and inviolability of a container.

Among these solutions, the heat-sealed lids are largely widespread, in particular in the field of food products.

These lids are sometimes associated with means additional sealing such as seals arranged inside the cover which is intended to cover the upper part of the container.

These covers can also be provided with means of grip such as tabs generally formed by parts of the cover itself as described in EP 395 660, EP 460,096, EP 534,949 and US 4,754,890.

However, the presence of these tabs prohibits any possibility of even temporary connection between the upper face of the cover and the seal of the cover.

However, such a connection is necessary to strengthen the inviolability and simplify the manufacturing process insofar as it allows make the sealing and tamper-evident element in one piece.

The object of the present invention is to solve the problems previous techniques, on the one hand, by realizing the tongue of gripping in the form of a ribbon attached to the cover, and on the other hand, by creating a temporary bond around said tab between said lid and seal of the cover.

• un opercule amovible dont la face inférieure est destinée à être scellée ou collée de manière étanche sur le rebord de l'ouverture et dont la face supérieure porte un ruban formant languette de préhension, et
• un joint destiné à être retenu dans ledit couvercle, caractérisé en ce que l'opercule et le joint sont réalisés en une seule pièce ; la face inférieure dudit joint adhérant à la face supérieure de l'opercule au moins dans les zones laissées libres par ledit ruban avec une force de liaison inférieure aux forces retenant respectivement le joint dans le couvercle et l'opercule sur le rebord de l'ouverture.

This object is achieved, in accordance with the invention, by means of a combined sealing and inviolability element for a container, the opening of which can be closed by a cover, of the type comprising

• a removable cover, the lower face of which is intended to be sealed or glued in a leaktight manner to the edge of the opening and the upper face of which carries a ribbon forming a gripping tab, and
• a seal intended to be retained in said cover, characterized in that the cover and the seal are made in one piece; the underside of said seal adhering to the top face of the seal at least in the areas left free by said tape with a bonding force less than the forces respectively retaining the seal in the cover and the seal on the edge of the opening .

According to an advantageous characteristic, said ribbon comprises a fold longitudinal forming an elastic hinge and delimiting, on the one hand, a fixed part secured to the upper face of the cover, and, on the other part, a movable part folded parallel to said fixed part by joint support.

Preferably, said movable upper part of the ribbon is linked to the separable seal.

According to a variant, the fixed and mobile parts are of equal widths.

According to a particular embodiment, said ribbon extends so diametral on the upper face of the cover.

According to a variant, said ribbon comprises at least two layers.

In this case, the lower layer of the ribbon is preferably integral with the upper face of the cover and separably linked to the underside of the seal.

For example, the bottom layer is made of polyethylene and the upper layer of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polyester.

According to another embodiment, said cover comprises at minus two layers.

According to a variant, said cover comprises a lower layer of sealing, a metallic interlayer and a top layer.

Preferably, said upper layer is formed of at least two sub-layers, a lower sub-layer compatible with the layer metallic and an upper underlay compatible with the ribbon.

According to yet another embodiment, said seal comprises at minus two layers.

According to a variant, said seal comprises a lower layer bonded with separable with tape and seal, one layer expanded intermediate and an upper layer arranged opposite the bottom of the cover.

According to another variant, the lower and upper layers of the joint are formed each of two sub-layers.

For example, the bottom layer of the joint is made of polyethylene terephthalate or polyamide and the intermediate layer is made with polyolefin foam.

Preferably, said seal has a symmetrical structure.

According to a specific embodiment, the weak bond between the underside of the seal and the upper side of the seal is mainly mechanical.

Another object of the invention is a method of manufacturing said element, characterized in that the upper layer of the cover by hot extrusion then the ribbon is fixed and the joint on said hot upper layer, by trapping said tape, so as to create, after cooling, a weak bond between the joint and the cap.

The invention ensures sealing and inviolability reinforced by the fact that the seal and the seal are assembled to form a single airtight piece.

The constituent layers of the cover and the seal are, as for them, fixed together firmly.

Thus, when the cover is released, the seal and the seal are easily separate without causing delamination of either or any deterioration of their interface or the tongue.

Once the cover is released, the release of the cover is also carried out without delamination or tearing by means of the grip tab.

In addition, the creation of a single element for the inviolability and the sealing makes it possible to simplify the operations of capping and packaging.

• la figure 1 représente une vue en coupe de l'élément de l'invention ;
• la figure 2 représente une vue en perspective de l'élément de l'invention après dégagement du couvercle.

The invention will be better understood on reading which follows, accompanied by the drawings in which:

• Figure 1 shows a sectional view of the element of the invention;
• FIG. 2 represents a perspective view of the element of the invention after the cover has been released.

The element E shown in Figure 1 is intended to ensure jointly the tightness and the inviolability of a container R (apparent in FIG. 2) the opening A of which can be closed off by a cover or a cap C.

Element E includes the combination of a seal 1 and a joint 2, in one piece.

The underside of the cover 1 is intended to be glued or tightly sealed on the rim of the opening A of the container R and its upper face carries a ribbon 10 forming a gripping tab. The cover 1 is, for example, heat sealed in a known manner by high frequency induction.

The seal 2 is intended, for its part, to be housed in the cover C designed for this purpose. Seal retention is ensured, for example, at by means of a peripheral ring produced on the internal wall of the cover and behind which the seal is at least partially blocked. According to the invention, the underside of the seal 2 adheres easily separable to the upper face of cover 1 at least in the areas left free by the ribbon 10.

The bonding force between the underside of seal 2 and the face upper of cover 1 is determined so that it is lower, on the one hand, to the forces ensuring the retention of the seal 2 in its housing, and secondly, the resistance to tearing of the seal 1 on the rim of the opening A of the container R. Preferably, this force connection is such that any movement of the cover C, and in particular seal 2 relative to container R, causes separation immediate seal and seal 1. Such a weak bond is preferably obtained by extruding or coextruding at temperature high (material melting temperature) the top layer of the cover 1 then by fixing the tape 10 and then applying quickly seal 2 on the upper layer of the lid thus formed, by trapping the ribbon 10.

When applying seal 2, the extruded top layer of the lid is still hot enough to keep at least partially a state favorable to an adhesion.

The lack of chemical compatibility which is more or less pronounced between the constituent materials respectively of the layer seal 2 and the upper layer of the seal 1, ensures then, after cooling, a weak bond, mainly of origin mechanical (by vacuum or suction effect). So the higher the degree of compatibility between the materials in contact, the higher the strength of bond is great between the seal and the lid because the chemical bonds, who are stronger are more numerous.

The ribbon 10 has a longitudinal fold 100 forming a elastic hinge and delimiting, on the one hand, a fixed part 10a integral of the upper face of the cover 1, and, on the other hand, a movable part 10b, folded parallel to the lower part 10a by pressing the seal 2. The fixed parts 10a and mobile 10b are preferably of equal widths as shown in Figure 1, and extend diametrically over the upper face of the cover 1 here of circular outline.

The movable part 10b of the ribbon 10 which is folded flat on the fixed part 10a is optionally linked to the underside of the seal 2 by an adhesion phenomenon similar to that which concerns the the upper face of the cover 1 adjacent to the fixed part 10a of the ribbon.

In this case, the release of the cover, at the first opening of the container, participates in the lifting of the mobile part, this which facilitates its subsequent gripping.

However, the internal faces facing the fixed parts 10a and mobile 10b of the ribbon 10 which are in contact in the folded state, are not never linked to each other to allow by action of the hinge 100 elastic deployment of the movable part 10b upwards after seal separation 2.

When the ribbon 10 comprises at least two layers 101, 102; the lower layer 101 is firmly fixed to the face top of cover 1 and layer 101 is free or bonded so separable from the underside of the joint 2. By the adhesion phenomenon described above, in the folded state of the ribbon 10, the upper layer 102 is disposed inside the fold, between the fixed parts 10a and mobile 10b.

The lower layer 101 is made, for example, by polyethylene while the upper layer 102 is polyethylene terephthalate (PET) so as to avoid any phenomenon of adhesion between the fixed parts 10a and mobile 10b.

The cover 1 comprises at least two layers and, preferably three layers according to the embodiment of Figure 1.

These three layers consist, from bottom to top, of a layer lower 11 of sealing on the edge of the opening A, of a layer interlayer 12 metallic, for example aluminum and one layer upper 13.

The upper layer 13 is formed of at least two underlays 131,132.

The lower underlay 131 is compatible with the metal of layer 12 and upper sublayer 132 is compatible with the lower layer 101 of the ribbon 10.

Layers 11, 12, 131, 132 and 101 are assembled together firmly and definitively, for example, by extrusion or coextrusion of surface coatings thermally sealed to obtain a sufficiently strong bond to avoid delamination during the separation of the cover 1 by traction on the movable part 10b tape 10 forming a gripping tab.

Where appropriate, the bonding forces between, on the one hand, the layer lower 11 and the rim of the opening A, and on the other hand, the layer lower 11 and the intermediate layer 12 will be determined one by compared to each other to produce a partial declining of the layer lower 11 when the cover 1 is torn off. purpose of leaving, at the first opening, a peripheral portion of the lower layer 11 on the edge of the opening, after tearing off cover 1, as a seal and inviolability witness.

The joint 2 comprises one or more layers and, preferably at least two layers as in the embodiment of the figure 1, with three layers 21, 22, 23 defining a symmetrical structure.

The upper layer 21 is arranged opposite the bottom of the cover C possibly being fixed by gluing or any other way.

The intermediate layer 22 is expanded and has a thickness much greater than the other two layers 21, 23. This layer is made, for example, with a cellular material such as foam polyolefin.

The lower layer 23 is linked in a separable manner, on the one hand to the movable part 10b of the ribbon 10, and, on the other hand, to the upper face of the sublayer 132 of the cover 1. The upper layer 21 and the lower layer 23 of seal 2 are each formed of two sublayers 211, 212 and 231, 232.

The lower layer 23 and, where appropriate, the upper layer 21 are made of polyethylene terephthalate or polyamide.

According to a variant, the extreme layers have very thick weak and are, for example, made up of films

Thus, the ribbon 10 is temporarily closed in the state folded between cover 1 and seal 2.

At the first use of the container, the consumer removes cover C as shown in FIG. 2.

This action has the effect of separating the seal 2 from the cover 1 into releasing the movable part 10b of the ribbon 10 which can then pivot towards the high to come into position substantially perpendicular to the common plane of the fixed part 10a and of the cover 1.

Then by pulling on part 10b, the consumer separates the cover 1 of the rim of the container 1 to release the opening A.

PET =

polyéthylène téréphtalate ou polyester

PA =

polyamide

PVC =

polychlorure de vinyle

PVDC =

polychlorure de vinylidène

PE =

polyéthylène

PP =

polypropylène

PO =

Polyoléfine

Various embodiments are given below by way of nonlimiting examples with the following list and nomenclature:

PET =

polyethylene terephthalate or polyester

PA =

polyamide

PVC =

polyvinyl chloride

PVDC =

polyvinylidene chloride

PE =

polyethylene

PP =

polypropylene

PO =

polyolefin

Example 1

Layer Materials seal 2 21 FART 22 PE foam 23 FART ribbon 10 102 FART 101 PE Cover 1 13 extrusion or co-extrusion / coating of one or more layers 12 PET, aluminum or PA film 11 Crystal paper (32gr) glued on edge (A)

Example 2

Layer Materials seal 2 21 cardboard 23 aluminum ribbon 10 102 FART 101 PE Cover 1 13 extrusion or coextrusion / coating of one or more layers 12 PET film 11 single or multilayer PE film heat sealed on edge (A)

Example 3

Layer Materials seal 2 21 cardboard 23 FART ribbon 10 102 FART 101 PE cover 1 13 132 extrusion or coextrusion / coating of one or more layers 131 aluminum 12 PET film 11 single or multi-layer PE film heat-sealed on edge (A)

Example 4

Layer Materials seal 2 21 cardboard 23 FART ribbon 10 102 FART 101 PE cover 1 13 132 extrusion or coextrusion / coating of one or more layers 131 PET film 12 aluminum 11 single or multi-layer PE film heat-sealed on edge (A)

Example 5

Layer Materials seal 2 monolayer PP foam ribbon 10 monolayer FART cover 1 13 132 extrusion or coextrusion / coating of one or more layers 131 PET film 12 aluminum 11 single or multi-layer PE film heat-sealed on edge (A)

Claims (19)

1. A combined sealing and tamper-proofing element for a container (R) whose opening (A) can be closed by a lid (C), said element being of the type comprising:

   a removable cover (1) whose bottom face is designed to be sealed in leak-tight manner to the rim of the opening (A) and whose top face carries a tape (10) forming a graspable tab; and

   a gasket (2) designed to be retained in said lid (C),

   said element being characterized in that the cover (1) and the gasket (2) are made in one piece; the bottom face of said gasket adhering to the top face of the cover (1), at least in the zones not covered by said tape (10), with bonding force that is weaker than the forces retaining respectively the gasket (2) in the lid (C) and the cover (1) on the rim of the opening (A).
2. An element according to claim 1, characterized in that said tape (10) is provided with a longitudinal fold (100) forming a resilient hinge and defining firstly a fixed portion (10a) secured to the top face of the cover (1), and secondly a moving portion (10b) folded-over parallel to said fixed portion (10a) by means of the gasket (2) bearing against said moving portion.
3. An element according to claim 2, characterized in that said moving top portion (10b) of the tape (10) is bonded to the gasket (2) in separable manner.
4. An element according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the fixed portion (10a) and the moving portion (10b) are of equal width.
5. An element according to any preceding claim, characterized in that said tape (10) extends diametrally over the top face of the cover (1).
6. An element according to any preceding claim, characterized in that said tape (10) is made up of at least two layers (101, 102).
7. An element according to claim 6, characterized in that the bottom layer (101) of the tape (10) is secured to the top face of the cover (1), and is bonded separably to the bottom face of the gasket (2).
8. An element according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the bottom layer (101) is made of polyethylene and the top layer is made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
9. An element according to any preceding claim, characterized in that said cover (1) is made up of at least two layers (11, 12, 13).
10. An element according to claim 9, characterized in that said cover comprises a sealing bottom layer (11), a metal interposed layer (12) and a top layer (13).
11. An element according to claim 10, characterized in that said top layer (13) is made up of at least two sub-layers (131, 132), namely a bottom sub-layer (131) compatible with the metal layer (12) and a top sub-layer (132) compatible with the tape (10).
12. An element according to any preceding claim, characterized in that said gasket (2) comprises at least two layers (21, 22, 23).
13. An element according to claim 13, characterized in that said gasket (2) comprises a bottom layer (23) bonded separably to the tape (10) and to the cover (1), an expanded intermediate layer (22), and a top layer (21) disposed facing the bottom of the lid (C).
14. An element according to claim 13, characterized in that the bottom layer (23) and the top layer (24) of the gasket (2) are each made up of two sub-layers (231, 232) and (211, 212).
15. An element according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the bottom layer (23) of the gasket is made of polyethylene terephthalate or of polyamide.
16. An element according to claim 13 or 15, characterized in that the intermediate layer (22) is made of a polyolefin foam.
17. An element according to any preceding claim, characterized in that said gasket (2) has a symmetrical structure.
18. An element according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the weak bonding between the bottom face of the gasket (2) and the top face of the cover (1) is mainly of mechanical origin.
19. A method of manufacturing an element according to any one of claims .1 to 18, said method being characterized in that the top layer of the cover (1) is formed by hot extrusion and then the gasket (2) is applied to the hot top layer, thereby holding the previously fixed tape captive, so that, after cooling, weak bonding is obtained between the gasket (2) and the cover (1).

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