EP1171361B1 - Composite closure cap - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to the field of capsules and more particularly capsules of screw cap intended to close containers or bottles whose ring glassware has a thread.

These bottles are typically bottles of aperitifs, liqueurs, alcohols, alcoholic beverages, the consumption of which is typically staggered, which requires the ability to close and open, possibly a large number of times said bottles.

These capsules most often include a tamper-evident or guarantee strip.

STATE OF THE ART

We already know a large number of caps with guarantee tape.

Some of these capsules are made of plastic, as described in the patent n ° 0107 680 in the name of the plaintiff, and typically intended for capping of plastic water bottles.

Others are metallic, as described in French Patent No. 2,677,333 or in French patent applications no. 9705182 or 9706009 in the name of the applicant, and typically intended for corking bottles of alcohol, aperitifs and spirits.

• mouler par injection une première partie interne définissant un fond, une paroi latérale à filetage interne et une bague d'inviolabilité,
• surmouler par injection une seconde partie externe formant coque, sur le fond et la paroi latérale de ladite première partie interne.

We also know the document FR-A1-2 752 560 which describes a process for producing a plug, a process which consists in:

• injection molding a first internal part defining a bottom, a side wall with internal thread and a tamper-evident ring,
• overmolding by injection a second external part forming a shell, on the bottom and the side wall of said first internal part.

The preamble of claim 1 is based on this state of the art.

PROBLEM

The closure capsules form an important part of the packaging of liquids and play a significant part in the final appearance, like the conditioned product.

The invention aims to satisfy an ever-increasing demand for products which allow a differentiation, a novelty of aesthetics in a field where constraints are numerous and where, given these constraints, the possibilities of modifications are very limited.

These constraints, in addition to those resulting from obvious usage functions, are first of all constraints of industrial production of capsules at high speed, at a cost that does not is not prohibitive.

These are then constraints at the conditioner of the product to be packaged. At this last, any modification of the capsule must not call into question the packaging, equipment and standard production rates, except possibly in the event of an overall reduction in production costs.

To these constraints are added those of the final consumer. In terms of openness container or bottle, the latter has habits or possibilities which one must always take this into account when designing the closure cap.

These problems are solved by the capsule according to claim 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

a) une partie intérieure, ou insert, en matière plastique, comprenant une tête dite intérieure et une jupe dite intérieure, typiquement d'axe de rotation, ladite tête intérieure comprenant un moyen de bouchage, ladite jupe intérieure comprenant un filetage intérieur sur sa surface intérieure destiné à coopérer avec le filetage dudit goulot,

b) une partie extérieure. ou capuchon, enserrant et masquant au moins ladite jupe intérieure, la surface extérieure de ladite partie intérieure et la surface intérieure de ladite partie extérieure coopérant en vue dudit assemblage desdites parties intérieure (3) et extérieure ,

The closure cap according to the invention, intended for screw closure of a container intended to contain alcoholic beverages, typically a bottle having a neck provided with a thread and a tamper-evident ring, is provided with a sealing means and a tamper-evident means, comprising two parts assembled and made integral in rotation and axially:

a) an inner part, or insert, of plastic material, comprising a so-called inner head and a so-called inner skirt, typically of axis of rotation, said inner head comprising a plugging means, said inner skirt comprising an internal thread on its surface inner intended to cooperate with the threading of said neck,

b) an external part. or cap, enclosing and masking at least said internal skirt, the external surface of said internal part and the internal surface of said external part cooperating with a view to said assembly of said internal (3) and external parts,

Said inner part performs all of the so-called technical functions of said capsule, and includes a tamper-evident means, said inner skirt being connected by bridges to a guarantee strip, intended to be retained by the ring of said neck and separated from said skirt during a first opening of said capsule.

Said outer part performs all or part of the decoration function of said capsule, and includes a so-called outer skirt, its length being such that it conceals the look, at least before said first opening of said capsule, said inner skirt and said warranty strip, so that the appearance of said warranty can be changed at will capsule without having to modify said technical functions, said warranty strip typically becoming visible after said first opening.

These means according to the invention make it possible to solve the problem posed, like this will appear with the figures whose description follows.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

All the figures, except Figures 9a and 9b, relate to capsule arrangements according to the invention which include an inner part (3) and an outer part (4), the marks starting with a "3" being typically relative to said interior part (3), and those starting with a "4" being typically relative to said outer part (4).

Figures 1a to 6b are partial vertical half-sections along the axis (12) of the capsule (1) screwed onto a neck (2) of a bottle.

For convenience, two methods have been shown face to face in Figures 1a and 1b, 2a and 2b, 3a and 3b, Sa and 5b, 6a and 6b. In these figures, the sealing of the capsule is ensured by an attached seal (35), except in Figure 3b where it is provided by a lip sealing (36).

Figures 7 and 8 are cross sections perpendicular to the axis (12) of the capsule (1).

Figures 1a and 2a, as well as Figures 3a, 5a and 6a, correspond to a first guarantee strip modality, before a first opening in FIG. 1a and after a first opening in FIG. 2a, in which both the internal skirt (31) and the skirt outer (41) have at their end a series of bridges (33, 42) and a strip of warranty (34, 43).

The interior warranty strip (34) includes an interior crown (340) and flexible hooking lugs (341) which tend to deviate towards the neck.

The external guarantee strip (43) has a rim (430) which passes below the lower end of the interior guarantee strip (34), so that, when opened, the two guarantee strips (34) and (43) fall on the neck and clearly indicate that a first opening has already taken place.

Figures 1b and 2b, as well as Figures 3b, 5b and 6b, correspond to a second guarantee strip modality, before a first opening in FIG. 1b and after a first opening in FIG. 2b, in which only the inner skirt (31) has a series of bridges (33) and a guarantee strip (34). In this case, the outer skirt (41) is long enough to hide the guarantee strip (34) before the first opening, but short enough so that, once the bridges (33) are broken, the guarantee strip becomes visible (in Figure 2b) and clearly indicates that a first opening has already happened.

In Figures la to 2b, said outer part (4) completely covers said part interior (3) and typically has a cylindrical shape, the head (40) being flat, and the skirt (41) being cylindrical.

Figures 3a, 3b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b and 7 relate in particular to variants of said external part (4).

Figure 3a: the outer part (4) forms a mushroom head.

Figure 3b: said outer skirt (41) has a profile with two straight segments connected.

This outer part can be either molded plastic or stamped metal then assembled to said inner skirt (31).

Figure 5a and 5b: said outer part (4) is limited to an outer skirt (41), which covers said inner skirt (31) entirely in FIG. 5a, and mainly in the Figure 5b, the diameter of said inner part (3) being greater where said skirt outer (41) is absent so that said capsule has a skirt (11) cylindrical with the same radius over its entire height.

Figures 6a and 6b: said inner head (30) is partially covered by said head exterior (40).

In Figure 6a, the thickness of the inner head (30) is increased where the outer head (40) is absent to obtain a uniform flat head (10), unlike the case of the Figure 6b.

Figure 7: said outer skirt (41) has any non-cylindrical shape.

FIGS. 4a to 4e represent portions of inner (31) and outer (41) skirts and illustrate methods of assembling said inner (31) and outer (41) parts to using circular anchoring means (44) formed by cooperation of elements male circulars on one part, with female elements on the other part opposite, so as to eliminate the possibility of a relative movement, in the axial direction, between said inner part (3) and said outer part (4).

FIG. 8 illustrates a method of assembling said interior parts (31) and exterior (41) using vertical or axial anchoring means (45) formed by cooperation of axial ribs on the outer surface of said inner skirt (31) with axial grooves on the inner surface of said outer skirt (41), so as to secure in rotation, by mechanical means, said inner parts (3) and exterior (4).

Figures 9a and 9b illustrate an assembly method in which the inner skirt (31) has on its outer surface a cylindrical recess (37) in which can to be fitted a skirt (41).

Figures 10a and 10b illustrate another method of the invention in which said outer part (4) is itself composite and consists of an assembly of a head (400) and a skirt (410), the material constituting said head (400) and that constituting said skirt (410) can be the same or be different, which further increases the possibilities of creations.

FIGS. 11a to 11d illustrate possibilities of decoration by surface treatment located with an aluminum skirt, so as to obtain a color contrast, shiny, roughness, in a word of appearance, between the hatched parts (410) and the bottom (411) not hatched.

Figures 12a to 12f are partial axial section views (Figure 12a) or enlarged (12b to 12f) which illustrate modalities of radial and / or axial compression means intended to increase the tightness:

Figure 12a illustrates two modalities of a radial compression means.

In the modality shown on the left side of Figure 12a, which is enlarged at the FIG. 12b, the compression means forms a stair step with Ea> Er, and the inner head in the form of an annular edge which substantially covers the rim (22) bottleneck.

On the other hand, in the modality represented on the right part of figure 12a, which is enlarged in FIG. 12c, the compression means forms a stair step with Ea neighbor of Er, and the inner head (30) is full.

Figure 12d illustrates an example of axial compression using a rib circular (300). A circular rib or retaining flange (312) allows the seal to remain attached to the capsule before use.

Figure 12e illustrates an example of an insert ensuring radial compression with a radiated part (311), the insert having no internal head.

FIG. 12f illustrates an example of an insert ensuring radial compression with a compression means integral with said inner head (30) and not with said skirt (31).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, said outer part (4) can comprise a skirt (41), and possibly a head (40), said to be external.

Most of the figures illustrate this modality.

However, special decorative effects could be obtained in the case where the skirt of the capsule (1) would partly consist of a portion of said inner skirt (31) and part of a portion of said outer skirt (41), as would be the case with Figure 5b with a shorter outer skirt (41).

Typically, said outer part (4) may have a straight skirt (41), typically cylindrical, which corresponds to the most common case, but the invention also allows you to create capsules of original shape, with a straight skirt (11) not cylindrical as shown in section in FIG. 7, or with a non-straight skirt, as shown in Figure 3a.

Said outer part (4) can form a surface of revolution, of constant radius or not according to the height considered, as illustrated in Figure 3a.

In all cases, said external part (4), of any external form, is secured to said inner part (3) and for this, said outer part (4) and said inner part (3) use as means of said assembly, an anchoring means, mechanical (44,45) or chemical, typically by bonding.

Mechanical anchoring means have been shown in Figures 4a to 4e and 8. The interior (3) and exterior (4) parts can also be snap-fitted or clipping, the materials and / or the thickness of the parts (3) and (4) being able to allow a elasticity and spring effects allowing their assembly.

In the other figures, the anchoring means has not been shown, since it consists of bonding, using a layer of adhesive, or heat sealing, all or part of said inner part (3) over all or part of said outer part (4).

According to the invention, said inner part (3) can be a PP insert, provided with a thread interior (32), the guarantee strip (34) of which includes hooking lugs (341). Such an insert can be obtained by molding or injection of PP. It is possible to get such a plastic insert as described in European Patent No. 107,680 in the name of Applicant.

According to one embodiment of the invention, said external part (4) can be metallic, or internally comprise a metal part, and be fixed to said insert (3), by bonding.

In this case, said outer part (4) can be made of surface-treated aluminum, typically brushed or anodized, to create a "metallic" appearance or color.

According to another embodiment of the invention, said external part (4) can be made of plastic, typically made of polystyrene, and be fixed to said insert by assembly mechanical or by bonding. Preferably, said outer part (4) in material plastic is metallized.

Whether by using surface treated aluminum or by metallizing a plastic material, the invention provides a very wide variety of effects decorative.

The capsules according to the invention can comprise any type of known guarantee strip in himself. Typically, said guarantee strip (34) comprises a crown interior (340) provided with hooking elements (341), typically legs or hooks, turned towards the inside of said capsule, and snapped under said ring (20), so that, during said first opening, the bridges (33) break, said guarantee strip (34) being prevented from moving upward by cooperation said elements (341) with said ring (20). so that said strip of guarantee (34), separated from the rest of the said capsule, ie visible proof of the said first opening.

An example of a guarantee band, among many others known, is given in the European Patent No. 107,680.

In the cases of capsules illustrated in FIGS. 1b, 3b, 5b and 6b, the outer skirt (41) mask said guarantee strip (34), before the first opening. But at the first opening, during which the bridges (33) are broken, the guarantee strip, separated from the rest of the skirt, falls and descends a few millimeters on the neck and becomes made visible, even on a closed bottle, as shown in Figure 2b.

According to another method illustrated in particular in Figures 1a and 1b, said outer skirt (41). just like the inner skirt (31), includes bridges (42) connecting it to a said outer ring (43), said outer ring being blocked upwards by said inner ring (340), typically thanks to a lower rim (430) of said outer crown (43), so that, when said first opening, the crowns exterior (43) and interior (340) are separated from the rest of said capsule.

In all cases, the ring (20), by blocking, during the first unscrewing, the tabs of attachment (341) or any element of a guarantee strip of said interior part (3) fulfilling an equivalent function, causes the bridges to break (33), then possibly that of the bridges (42), and therefore the fall on the neck of the bottle of the guarantee strip - which makes it possible to see, unequivocally, that a first opening has already taken place.

The capsules according to the invention can comprise any means of closure known in itself, typically by the use of either a circular lip (36) integral with said inner head, as illustrated in FIG. 3b, or of an attached seal (35) as illustrated in the other figures relating to the capsule (1).

More specifically, the capsules may include, in order to ensure the tightness of the container closed, a gasket (35) of sufficient diameter to cover the

drinking (22) from the neck (2) and an axial and / or radial compression means carried by the inner surface of said insert, for sealingly applying said seal to the drinking (22) of said neck (2) during said plugging.

A compression means is said to be axial when it is applied to the upper part (220) of the drink, and it is said to be radial in the other cases, when it is applied either on the part radiated (221) either on the vertical part (222) of the rim, as illustrated in the figure 12d.

The axial compression means may include a circular rib (300) formed on the inner wall of said inner head (30) intended to compress said seal on the upper part (220) of said drink (22), typically flat, as illustrated in the figure 12d.

Said radial compression means may include an annular allowance (310.302) formed on said inner skirt (31) or on said inner head (30), typically at the junction (301) between the inner head (30) and the skirt interior (31), and intended to compress said seal over all or part of the part radiated (221), typically inclined, and / or on the radial part (222), typically vertical, from the drink (22). This additional thickness may be integral with the inner skirt (31), as illustrated in FIGS. 12a to 12e with the reference "310", or integral with the head interior (30), as illustrated in FIG. 12f with the reference "302".

According to a variant illustrated in FIGS. 12a to 12d, said annular allowance (310) may be in the form of an annular staircase placed at the annular angle interior formed at the junction of the interior head (30) and the interior skirt (31).

According to another variant illustrated in FIG. 12b, said inner head (30) can comprise an annular edge (38) with a perforated central part, typically in look of the orifice (23) of said neck (2). This variant saves weight and material for the plastic insert (3), in particular in the case of a means of radial compression.

Indeed, the Applicant has been able to observe that the more the compression force is of the type radial, the more it is possible to reduce the thickness of said inner head (30).

a) ladite tête intérieure (30) présente une épaisseur allant de 0 à 0,5 mm,

b) ledit moyen de compression est typiquement radial, et

c) ce moyen de compression présente une partie rayonnée (311) présentant une courbure typiquement voisine de celle de la partie rayonnée (221) dudit buvant qui est en regard.

In this case, as illustrated in FIG. 12e, the capsule has the following characteristics:

a) said inner head (30) has a thickness ranging from 0 to 0.5 mm,

b) said compression means is typically radial, and

c) this compression means has a radiated part (311) having a curvature typically close to that of the radiated part (221) of said drink which is opposite.

This modality makes it possible to decrease the height of the capsule typically from 1 to 2 mm, this which can be very useful in practice, given the constraints of standardization in this area of packaging.

A person skilled in the art can adapt the exact shape and dimensions of the insert and the axial and / or radial compression means, for example the thicknesses Ea and Er as illustrated in Figure 12b. In fact, he can choose the thickness of said compression means, depending in particular on the thickness Ej of the joint and the space Eo between said neck and said capsule, so that said container is sealed by said capsule, the thickness of the locally compressed joint or the distance E between the end said compression means and said drink then typically being between 0.2 EJ and 0.7 EJ, with Ej typically between 1 and 2.5 mm.

Said axial and / or radial compression means can be an integral part of said insert (3) or form an added part.

Preferably, said compression means is an integral part of said insert, as illustrated in Figures 12a to 12f.

It is advantageous that the capsule according to the invention comprises a means of holding of said added seal, typically a retaining rim (312) integral with said skirt interior (31).

EXAMPLES OF REALIZATION

On the one hand, internal parts or inserts (3) were made of PP with external surface cylindrical, with guarantee strip (34), according to the method described in the European patent n ° 107 680, and according to the model common to the attached figures, such as FIGS. 1a to 2b.

• en aluminium comme représenté aux figures 1a à 2b, traité en surface de différentes façons, comme illustré aux figures 11a à 11d,
• en polystyrène métallisé, comme représenté aux figures 1a à 2b.

On the other hand. we made different external parts or caps (4):

• made of aluminum as shown in FIGS. 1a to 2b, treated on the surface in different ways, as illustrated in FIGS. 11a to 11d,
• made of metallized polystyrene, as shown in Figures 1a to 2b.

Finally, the caps (4) and the inserts (3) were assembled using an adhesive.

Capsules were also produced according to FIGS. 12b and 12e using a seal (35) from the trade.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

The invention makes it possible to solve the problem posed and opens the way to a very large diversity of capsules, diversity in appearance, but on the other hand these capsules exhibit the same usage behavior in response to constraints encountered.

The invention therefore allows individualization, personalization of capsules economically acceptable, thanks to the inventive concept of separation technical and aesthetic functions.

LIST OF REFERENCES

CAPPING CAPSULE 1 HEAD 10 SKIRT 11 ROTATION AXIS 12 CONTAINER MOUTH 2 INVIOLABILITY RING 20 THREAD 21 DRINKING 22 THE TOP PART 220 RAYONNEE PART 221 VERTICAL PART 222 ORIFICE 23 INTERIOR OR INSERT 3 INNER HEAD 30 CIRCULAR RIB 300 JUNCTION HEAD-SKIRT 301 ANNULAR THICKNESS 302 INNER SKIRT 31 ANNULAR THICKNESS 310 RAYONNEE PART 311 HOLDING EDGE 312 INTERNAL THREAD 32 BRIDGES 33 WARRANTY STRIP 34 INNER CROWN 340 HANGING LEGS 341 REPORTED JOINT 35 SEALING LIPS 36 OBVIOUSLY 37 ANNULAR HEAD / EDGE 38 OUTER PART OR CAP 4 EXTERNAL HEAD 40 COMPOSITE HEAD 400 OUTSIDE SKIRT 41 COMPOSITE SKIRT 410 BRIDGES 42 OUTER CROWN 43 LOWER EDGE 430 CIRCULAR ANCHORING MEANS 44 VERTICAL ANCHORING MEANS 45

Claims (22)

1. Sealing cap (1) intended for the screw closure of a recipient intended to contain alcoholic beverages, typically a bottle with a neck (2) comprising threading (21) and a pilfer-proof ring (20), equipped with sealing means and pilfer-proof means, comprising two assembled parts attached in rotational and axial terms :

   a) an inner part (3), or insert, made of plastic, comprising a so-called inner head (30) and a so-called inner skirt (31), typically with a rotation axis (12), with said inner head (30) comprising sealing means and said inner skirt (31) comprising inner threading (32) on its inner surface intended to cooperate with the threading (21) of said neck, and comprising pilfer-proof means, with said inner skirt connected by joins to a guarantee seal, intended to be held by the ring of said neck and separated from said skirt after a first opening of said cap,

   b) an outer part (4), or cap, enclosing and hiding at least said inner skirt (31), with the outer surface of said inner part (3) and the inner surface of said outer part (4) cooperating in view of said assembly of said inner (3) and outer (4) parts,

      and characterised in that said outer part (4) comprises a so-called outer skirt (41), the length of which is such that it hides, at least before said first opening of said cap (1), said inner skirt (31) and said guarantee seal (34), such that said outer part (4) carries out all or part of the decorative function of said cap (1), thus enabling the modification of the appearance of said cap at will without having to modify the technical functions carried out by said inner part, said guarantee seal (34) becoming typically visible after said first opening.
2. Cap according to claim 1 wherein said outer part (4) comprises a so-called outer head (40).
3. Cap according to any of claims 1 to 2 wherein said outer part (4) comprises a straight skirt (41).
4. Cap according to any of claims 1 to 2 wherein said outer part (4) forms a rotation surface, of a constant radius or not depending on the height in question.
5. Cap according to any of claims 1 to 4 wherein said outer part (4), of any outer shape, and said inner part (3) use mechanical (44, 45) or chemical attachment means, typically by gluing, as the means for said assembly, to said inner part (3).
6. Cap according to any of claims 1 to 5 wherein said inner part (3) is a PP insert, equipped with inner threading (32), on which the guarantee seal (34) comprises clips (341).
7. Cap according to any of claims 1 to 6 wherein said outer part (4), made of metal or comprising a metal part, is attached to said insert by gluing.
8. Cap according to claim 7 wherein said outer part (4) is made of surface-treated aluminium, typically brushed or anodised, to create a "metallic" colour or appearance.
9. Cap according to any of claims 1 to 6 wherein said outer part (4), made of plastic, typically polystyrene, is attached to said insert by mechanical assembly or by gluing.
10. Cap according to claim 9 wherein said outer part (4) is metal-coated.
11. Cap according to any of claims 1 to 10 wherein said guarantee seal (34) comprises an inner ring (340) equipped with fastening components (341), typically clips or hooks, turned towards the inside of said cap, and snapped under said ring (20) such that, during said first opening, the joins (33) break, with said guarantee seal (34) prevented from moving upwards by the cooperation of said components (341) with said ring (20), and such that said guarantee seal (34), separated from the rest of said cap, becomes the visible proof of said first opening.
12. Cap according to claim 11 wherein said outer skirt (41) comprises joins (42) attaching it to a so-called outer ring (43), with said outer ring locked upwards by said inner ring (340), typically by means of a lower rim (430) of said outer ring (43), such that, during said first opening, the outer (43) and inner (340) rings are separated from the rest of said cap.
13. Cap according to any of claims 1 to 12 wherein said sealing means typically comprises an added seal (35) or a circular lip (36) attached to said inner head.
14. Cap according to claim 13 comprising an added seal (35) of sufficient diameter to cover the edge (22) of the neck (2) and axial and/or radial compression means on the inner surface of said insert, to apply said seal in a tight manner onto said edge (22) of said neck (2) during said closure.
15. Cap according to claim 14 wherein said axial compression means comprises a circular rib (300) formed on the inner wall of said inner head (30) intended to compress said seal onto the upper part (220) of said edge (22), typically plane.
16. Cap according to any of claims 14 to 15 wherein said radial compression means comprises an annular extra thickness (310, 302) formed on said inner skirt (31) or on said inner head (30), typically at the join (301) between the inner head (30) and the inner skirt (31), and intended to compress said seal onto all or part of the curved part (221), typically inclined, and/or onto the radial part (222), typically vertical, of the edge (22).
17. Cap according to claim 16 wherein said annular extra thickness (310) takes the form of an annular step positioned at the inner annular angle formed at the join of the inner head (30) and the inner skirt (31).
18. Cap according to any of claims 14 to 17 wherein said inner head (30) comprises an annular rim (38) with a punched central part, typically opposite the mouth (23) of said neck (2).
19. Cap according to any of claims 14 to 18 wherein, a) said inner head (30) has a thickness ranging from 0 to 0.5 mm, b) said compression means is typically radial, and c) this compression means comprises a curved part (311) with a curvature typically similar to that of the curved part (221) of said edge which is opposite.
20. Cap according to any of claims 14 to 19 wherein the thickness of said compression means is chosen as a function of the thickness Ej of the seal and the space Eo between said neck and said cap in particular, such that said recipient is closed in a tight manner by said cap, the thickness of the locally compressed seal or the distance E between the end of said compression means and said edge being typically between 0.2 Ej and 0.7 Ej, where Ej is typically between 1 and 2.5 mm.
21. Cap according to any of claims 14 to 20 wherein said axial and/or radial compression means is an integral part of said insert (3) or forms an added part.
22. Cap according to any of claims 13 to 21 comprising holding means for said added seal, typically a holding rim (312) attached to said inner skirt (31).

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