EP3882172B1 - Cap for container with threaded neck provided with a locking member by support - Google Patents

Description

Technical field of the invention

The present invention relates to a cap for a container with a threaded neck. The invention relates more particularly to a stopper which is inseparable from the container even when the stopper is open.

Technical background

It is known that a container with a threaded neck such as a bottle can be provided with a neck on which a cap is fixed by screwing. The term container designates here all kinds of containers, without limitation of form or use. The stopper comprises for example a stopper body comprising a skirt of tubular shape and a plate connected at its periphery to the skirt and intended to come to cover the opening of the neck. The skirt has a net disposed inside, intended to come into engagement with a complementary shape of the neck of a container.

The skirt is frequently extended by a tamper evident ring intended to come into engagement with a flange of the collar. The tamper evident ring is connected to the skirt by bridges between which extend through partitions. When the cap is opened, the tamper evident ring remains attached to the collar and detaches from the skirt by breaking the bridges. This shows that the bottle has already been opened.

Recently, the new European directives set up a standard requiring that the basic caps as described above must now be connected to the neck of the bottle, in order to limit the impact of pollution on the environment by rejection of these caps.

Thus, the development of certain containers will only be possible insofar as their cap is attached to the rest of the container so that they are no longer separated, lost in nature and then ingested by animals. It is in this context that we have seen the development of stoppers which are inseparable from the container, whatever their state of closure or opening.

These inseparable caps, called new generation caps, comprise the same elements as conventional caps except that the cap body is permanently linked to the tamper evident ring by means of the link arms. These connecting arms are shaped by their length so as to allow the cap body to move axially away from the tamper evident ring, to detach from the neck and to be able to tilt to an open position in which access to the container is released.

The document US 5215204 describes an embodiment of this type of cap.

However, the inseparable stopper as described has the disadvantage that once the stopper body is in the open position, the link arms, in combination with the elastic force of the hinges, tend to bring the stopper body back above the neck opening. This creates a semi-open state of the container, i.e. a state in which the neck opening is partially freed. This semi-open state hinders the flow of liquid out of the container and obliges the user to hold the body of the stopper in an open position for which the neck opening is completely free.

The document WO2009/002057A2 describes an example of a stopper according to the preamble of claim 1.

Thus, the object of the invention is to propose a stopper ensuring good sealing of the bottle and guaranteeing inviolability. This plug is practical to use while guaranteeing comfort of use.

Summary of the invention

• un corps de bouchon comprenant une jupe sensiblement tubulaire centrée sur un axe longitudinal et des moyens pour sa venue en prise avec le col du récipient, le corps de bouchon étant monté pivotant entre une position de fermeture dans laquelle le corps de bouchon obture une ouverture du col et une position d'ouverture dans laquelle le corps de bouchon est dégagé de l'ouverture du corps pour permettre l'accès à l'intérieur du récipient ;
• une bague d'inviolabilité centrée sur l'axe longitudinal et comprenant des moyens pour sa venue en prise avec une collerette du col ; et
• deux bras de liaison s'étendant selon une direction angulaire, les bras de liaison étant reliés d'une part à la bague d'inviolabilité et d'autre part au corps de bouchon.

With these objects in view, the invention provides a cap for a container with a threaded neck, comprising:

• a cap body comprising a substantially tubular skirt centered on a longitudinal axis and means for engaging it with the neck of the container, the cap body being pivotally mounted between a closed position in which the cap body closes an opening of the neck and an open position in which the cap body is disengaged from the opening of the body to allow access to the interior of the container;
• a tamper evident ring centered on the longitudinal axis and comprising means for its coming into engagement with a flange of the neck; And
• two connecting arms extending in an angular direction, the connecting arms being connected on the one hand to the tamper evident ring and on the other hand to the cap body.

According to the invention, the plug comprises a blocking member located between the two connecting arms. The blocking member comprises a first part located at the level of the cap body and a second part located at the level of the tamper-evident ring, the first and second parts being made of solid material. Finally, the first part and the second part of the blocking member cooperate with each other by a bearing connection to allow the cap to be held in a completely open position in which the opening of the neck is completely cleared.

In addition, according to the invention, the first part of the blocking member is formed of a lug projecting outwards, the lug comprising an outer edge, the second part of the blocking member is formed of an island of solid material connected on either side to the two connecting arms, the island comprising an upper end which draws an arc of a circle; and the second part comprises a groove made in the vicinity of the upper end of the island, said groove forming both a support seat on which the outer edge of the lug rests, and a means for retaining the lug when the cap body is in the fully open position.

Note that the cap body is pivotally mounted between several opening positions. Indeed, the body of the cap can swing from the closed position to a barely open position in which only part of the opening of the neck is released, or to an extreme open position in which the inclination of the body of cap in relation to the tamper evident ring is maximum. When the cap body is in the extreme open position, it can also be said that the container is in the fully open position.

The fully open position can be an intermediate position between the barely open position and the extreme open position. So Generally, the cap body is in a fully open position when it forms an angle of greater than 90° with the tamper evident ring.

In the cap proposed, the purpose of the blocking member is to maintain the cap body in a completely open position. Specifically, the first part and the second part of the blocking member rest on one another so as to hold the body of the stopper offset with respect to the opening of the neck so that it is completely free.

Thus, the flow of the liquid is no longer impeded by the stopper body. The cap is therefore convenient to use. The user only has to open the cap until the cap body is immobilized by means of the blocking member. Then he can freely pour the liquid contained in the container without the need to hold the cap body.

In addition, thanks to the blocking member, the cap guarantees safety of use, because the cap body is no longer in a position to be able to retain a residual quantity of the liquid after pouring. In other words, the cap body remains dry and can be handled without discomfort for closing the cap.

• la deuxième partie a une épaisseur variable selon l'axe longitudinal avec la portion la plus mince située au voisinage de l'extrémité supérieure de l'îlot ; et la portion la plus mince comprend une face extérieure sur laquelle est réalisée la gorge ;
• la face extérieure de la portion la plus mince est une face biseautée ;
• le bord extérieur de l'ergot qui est en appui sur la gorge est un bord supérieur arrondi ;
• la deuxième partie de l'organe de blocage présente la forme d'un segment de cercle;
• le corps de bouchon est monté pivotant par rapport à la bague d'inviolabilité au moyen des charnières ; chaque charnière est formée d'une branche de maintien à faible épaisseur de manière à pouvoir se plier sur elle-même ;
• les branches de maintien s'étendent depuis le corps de bouchon en direction de la bague d'inviolabilité ; les deux branches de maintien sont disposées de part et d'autre de la première partie de l'organe de blocage et reliées toutes les deux à la deuxième partie de l'organe de blocage ;
• la jonction entre la deuxième partie et chacune des branches de maintien est une zone amincie et souple. Chacun des bras de liaison peut être relié à la fois au corps de bouchon par l'intermédiaire d'une branche de maintien correspondante et à la deuxième partie de l'organe de blocage ;
• le corps de bouchon, la bague d'inviolabilité et l'organe de blocage peuvent être formés en une seule pièce monobloc.

According to preferred embodiments of the invention:

• the second part has a variable thickness along the longitudinal axis with the thinnest portion located in the vicinity of the upper end of the island; and the thinnest portion comprises an outer face on which the groove is made;
• the outer face of the thinnest portion is a bevelled face;
• the outer edge of the lug which rests on the groove is a rounded upper edge;
• the second part of the blocking member has the shape of a segment of a circle;
• the cap body is pivotally mounted relative to the tamper evident ring by means of the hinges; each hinge is formed of a thin holding branch so as to be able to fold on itself;
• the holding branches extend from the cap body in the direction of the tamper evident ring; the two holding branches are arranged on either side of the first part of the blocking member and both connected to the second part of the blocking member;
• the junction between the second part and each of the holding branches is a thinned and flexible zone. Each of the connecting arms can be connected both to the cap body by means of a corresponding holding branch and to the second part of the blocking member;
• the plug body, the tamper evident ring and the blocking member can be formed in a single, one-piece piece.

Another object of the invention relates to an assembly comprising a container with a threaded neck and a stopper according to the invention or one of its preferred embodiments.

Brief description of figures

• [Fig.1] - la figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'un bouchon selon un exemple de réalisation de l'invention, le bouchon étant dans un état fermé ;
• [Fig.2] - la figure 2 est une vue détaillée de la zone référencée Il sur la figure 1 ;
• [Fig.3] - la figure 3 est une vue partielle, en coupe selon un plan passant par la ligne III-III et par un axe longitudinal X-X' illustrés sur la figure 1 ;
• [Fig.4] - la figure 4 est la même vue que la figure 3, mais avec le bouchon dans un état ouvert dans lequel le corps de bouchon est dans une position d'ouverture complète et extrême ;
• [Fig.5] - la figure 5 est une vue partielle, en coupe selon un plan passant par la ligne V-V et par l'axe longitudinal X-X' illustrés sur la figure 1 ;
• [Fig.6] - la figure 6 est une vue partielle et en perspective du bouchon de la figure 1 et montre le bouchon sous un autre angle ;
• [Fig.7]- la figure 7 est une vue en perspective du bouchon de la figure 1 monté sur un col de récipient en état fermé ;
• [Fig.8]- la figure 8 est la même vue que la figure 7 avec le bouchon qui est en train de s'ouvrir ;
• [Fig.9]- la figure 9 est une vue en perspective du bouchon monté sur le col du récipient dans un état ouvert dans lequel le corps du bouchon est dans une position d'ouverture complète ;
• [Fig.10]- la figure 10 est une vue perspective du bouchon dans une position d'ouverture extrême.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear during the reading of the detailed description which will follow for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended drawings in which:

• [ Fig.1 ] - there figure 1 is a perspective view of a cap according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the cap being in a closed state;
• [ Fig.2 ] - there picture 2 is a detailed view of the area referenced Il on the figure 1 ;
• [ Fig.3 ] - there picture 3 is a partial view, in section along a plane passing through the line III-III and through a longitudinal axis XX' illustrated on the figure 1 ;
• [ Fig.4 ] - there figure 4 is the same view as the picture 3 , but with the cap in an open state in which the cap body is in a completely and extreme open position;
• [ Fig.5 ] - there figure 5 is a partial view, in section along a plane passing through the line VV and through the longitudinal axis XX' illustrated on the figure 1 ;
• [ Fig.6 ] - there figure 6 is a partial perspective view of the cap of the figure 1 and shows the cork from another angle;
• [ Fig.7 ]- there figure 7 is a perspective view of the cap of the figure 1 mounted on a container neck in a closed state;
• [ Fig.8 ]- there figure 8 is the same view as the figure 7 with the cork that is opening;
• [ Fig.9 ]- there figure 9 is a perspective view of the cap mounted on the neck of the container in an open state in which the body of the cap is in a fully open position;
• [ Fig.10 ]- there figure 10 is a perspective view of the cap in an extreme open position.

Detailed description of the invention

The figures represent a stopper 1 intended to be mounted on a neck 21 of a container 2. The neck 21 and the container 2 are represented on the figures 8 and 9 .

On the figure 1 , the cap 1 comprises a cap body 10 and a tamper evident ring 11. The cap body 10 here comprises a side skirt 101 having the shape of a right cylinder with an axis of revolution X-X'. Said axis is considered as the longitudinal axis of the stopper 1. The side skirt 101 comprises ribs 103 which all extend along the longitudinal axis XX' and are distributed uniformly over the entire outer face of the side skirt 101. Thus, these ribs 103 allow the user's fingers to grip better on the cap body 10 when he grips the cap body 10 to open or close the cap 1.

The cap body 10 further comprises a plate 102 oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X-X' and connected at its periphery to the side skirt 101. The plate 102 thus forms a bottom of the cap 1.

In a known way and as observed on the figure 9 , the cap body 10 further comprises the helical ribs 108 which are intended to come into engagement with complementary helical ribs 24 which are formed on the neck 20 of the container 2. The helical ribs 108 of the cap body are made on one side inside the side skirt 101. A tamper evident ring 11 is in the extension of the side skirt 101 of the cap body 10. The tamper evident ring 11 is connected to the cap body 10 via the connecting arms 12 , here two in number, and which are themselves connected to the stopper body 10 via a locking member 13 and retaining arms 14.

Furthermore, before the very first opening of the cap, the cap body 10 is connected to the tamper evident ring 11 by frangible bridges which are distributed over the circumference of the cap. The frangible bridges are shaped to break when the cap body 10 rotates relative to the tamper evident ring 11.

In the example shown, the connecting arms 12 are formed in the tamper evident ring 11. To do this, an angular recess 113 is made in the ring 11 to form a bottom part 111 and a top part 112 separated by the recess 113. The bottom part 111 is intended to be attached to a flange of the neck while the top part 112 forms the connecting arms 12. The junction between the bottom part 111 and the top part 112 marks the end of the angular recess 113.

Here, the angular recess 113 is continuous and also serves to separate the bottom part 111 from the locking member 13.

According to the invention and as in this example, the plug body 10 is pivotally mounted with respect to the tamper evident ring 11 between a closed position and at least one open position.

In the closed position, the plate 102 of the stopper body 10 is in a horizontal position and located just above an opening 20 of the neck 21 so as to completely close this opening. Here, the terms "horizontal" and "vertical" are defined with a cap mounted on a container held upright on a flat surface. The container stands upright on a vertical axis. The horizontal direction is perpendicular to this vertical axis. Plug 1 as shown in the figure 1 or on the figure 7 is in the closed position.

In an open position, the plate 102 of the stopper body 10 no longer covers the entire opening 20 of the neck, which makes it possible to release this opening 20 and therefore access to the interior of the container. Thus, the cap body 10 in the open position therefore makes it possible to pour the liquid from the container 2.

The cap body 10 can switch between several opening positions among which there is the fully open position in which the cap body 10 is offset with respect to the opening of the neck and is towards the outside with respect to to the container 2 so as to leave the opening 20 uncovered. There figure 9 shows an example of the full open position of the cap body 10.

In addition, the cap body 10 can also be in an extreme open position in which its inclination is at its maximum. Here, in the extreme open position, the cap body 10 is turned over by 180° with respect to its closed position, as can be seen in the figure 10 .

The pivoting of the stopper body 10 is carried out by means of the hinges 15. These are formed by the holding branches 14 having a sufficiently small thickness for them to be able to bend on themselves. The axis of the hinges 15 forms the pivot axis. The transverse direction is defined as the direction which is substantially parallel to the pivot axis.

According to the invention and as illustrated in this example, the locking member 13 is arranged between the two connecting arms 12 and serves to hold the cap body 10 in a completely open position, and precisely in the position of extreme opening.

On the figure 2 , it can be observed that the blocking member 13 is composed of a first part 131 located at the level of the cap body 10 and of a second part 132 located at the level of the tamper evident ring 11.

Here, the first part 131 is formed of a lug, or a protruding strip, which protrudes outward in a radial direction.

The second part 132 is formed by an island of solid material connected on either side to the two connecting arms 12. Here, the island has the shape of a segment of a circle. Described otherwise, the island comprises an upper end 137 which draws an arc of a circle.

The second part 132 of the locking member 13 is also connected to two holding branches 14. These extend directly from the cap body 10 in the longitudinal direction and located respectively on each side of the first part 131.

As observed on the picture 3 , the second part 132 has a variable thickness in the longitudinal direction. The closer you are to the cap body 10, the thinner the second part 132 is. The thinnest portion 136 of the second part is located near the upper end 137.

The thinnest portion 136 includes an outer face 135 which is a bevelled face towards the inside of the plug. In other words, depending on the thickness, the thinnest portion 136 is bevelled.

Here, the thickness is measured in the radial direction, the length is measured in the longitudinal direction and the width is measured in the transverse direction.

According to the invention and as in this example, a groove 134 is made on the beveled outer face 135. The groove 134 extends over the entire width of the beveled outer face 135.

The groove 134 is shaped to form a bearing seat on which the first part 131 rests and to form a means for retaining the lug when the cap body reaches the extreme open position, as illustrated in the figure 4 .

More specifically, in the example illustrated, the lug forming the first part 131 of the locking member comprises an outer upper edge 133 which rests on the groove 134 when the cap body 10 is in the position of extreme openness.

The groove 134, by its configuration, is bounded axially by two strips 138, 139 slightly projecting. Thus, at least the lower band 139 temporarily prevents the lug 131 from slipping out of the groove 134. In other words, the presence of the projecting bands makes it possible to retain the lug 131 resting on the groove 134 and to overcome the elastic force of the retaining branches 14 forming a hinge and connecting arms 12, which tend to return the cap body 10 towards the tamper evident ring 11.

In this way, the cap body 10 is kept in the extreme open position so as not to interfere with the pouring of the liquid from the container. In addition, the cap body 10 is held in this position without the need for user intervention. Once the pouring of the liquid is finished, the user can apply sufficient force to push the lug 131 out of the groove 134 and then tilt the cap body into the closed position to close the container.

Here, the outer upper edge 133 is slightly rounded to facilitate the sliding of the lug on the outer face 135 of the second part 132.

It appears to figure 2 , 5 and 6 that each of the holding branches 14 is connected to the second part 132. The junction 19 between each of these branches 14 and the second part 132 has a thickness e1 less than that of the second part 132 (e3) and than that of the branch holding 14 (e2). This junction 19 of less thickness forms a flexible zone which grants more mobility to the stopper body 10, which makes it possible to facilitate the handling of the stopper body 10 during opening and closing. of the cap 1. The junction 19 also makes it possible to facilitate the bending of the holding branches 14 at the level of the junction to ensure correct positioning of the lug 131 with respect to the second part 132 when the lug 131 comes into contact with this second part 132.

Here we have two hinges 15, because the holding branches 14 are two in number.

The hinges 15 are located above the groove 134. In other words, the hinges 15 are offset axially upwards with respect to the groove 134.

On the figure 6 , the side skirt 101 ends at the bottom with a lower flap 104. Seen from above, the lower flap 104 forms an open circle with two free ends 105. The locking member 13 and the holding branches 14 are arranged in the space separating the two free ends 105 of the flap 104.

According to the invention and as in this example, the free ends 105 of the flap are located at a distance from the holding branches 14 so as to form a first through space 16, extending longitudinally, between each free end 105 and the outer side 141 of the corresponding holding branch 14. Here, the outer side 141 of a retaining branch 14 is the one that is farthest from the lug 131 in the transverse direction. On the other hand, the lower flap 104 is located above and away from the connecting arms 12 so as to form a second through space 17 extending angularly.

The lower flap 104, the holding branches 14 and the connecting arms 12 are arranged so that the first through space 16 opens into the second through space 17 to form a resultant through space 18 which is continuous and has an L-shape. , the first through space 16 and the second through space 17 join together and here form a right angle.

This particular arrangement makes it possible to have a solid attachment between the cap body and the tamper-evident ring while allowing great flexibility of tilting of the cap body.

THE figures 7 to 9 illustrate the various stages of the opening of the stopper 1 described above. The locking member 13 is not illustrated in detail in these figures.

Here, this is a very first opening of cap 1.

On the figure 7 , cap 1 is completely closed. The cap body 10 is in the closed position. Breakable bridges, not shown in the figures, connect the cap body 10 to the tamper evident ring 11. To open the cap, the user performs a first step during which he grasps the cap body 10 in one hand and container 2 in the other hand, and then the user rotates the cap 10 in a direction illustrated by the arrow R on the figure 7 . As a result of this action, the frangible bridges break, indicating that the cap or container has already been opened. The cap body 10 is now untied from the tamper evident ring 11.

In the next step, the user lifts the cap body 10 to move it axially away from the tamper evident ring 11 as illustrated in the figure 8 . The connecting arms 12 bend progressively with the rise of the cap body 10. The elasticity of the connecting arms 12 allows this removal of the cap body 10 from the tamper evident ring.

Then, the cap body 10 tilts towards the outside of the container 2 by pivoting around the axis of the hinges 15. The cap body 10 reaches a completely open position as illustrated in the figure 9 .

Finally, in the example illustrated and as shown in the figure 10 , the cap body 10 continues to pivot until it reaches the extreme open position which will be maintained by the blocking member 13.

The stopper 1 described by way of illustration of the subject of the invention has several advantages. The cap ensures that the container is properly sealed while indicating the state of use of this container, whether it is already open or not. THE cap, by the blocking member, is kept open and completely frees the neck opening so as not to impede the flow of the liquid. Finally, by remaining in the fully open position, the cap, precisely the cap body, will not be in contact with the liquid coming out of the container and will remain dry during and after the pouring of the liquid.

Claims (8)

1. A cap (1) for a container (2) with a threaded neck (21), comprising:

   - a cap body (10) having a substantially tubular skirt centered on a longitudinal axis (X-X') and means (108) for engaging with the neck of the container, the cap body being pivotably mounted between a closed position in which the cap body closes off an opening of the neck and an open position in which the cap body is disengaged from the opening (20) of the neck in order to allow access to the inside of the container;

   - a tamper-evident band (11) centered on the longitudinal axis (X-X') and comprising means for engaging with a collar of the neck; and

   - two connection arms (12) extending in an angular direction, the connection arms being connected to the tamper-evident band and to the cap body;

   the cap comprising a locking member (13) positioned between the two connection arms;

   the locking member (13) comprising a first portion (131) located at the cap body and a second portion (132) located at the tamper-evident band, the first and second portions consisting of solid material; and

   the first portion and the second portion of the locking member interacting with each other via a bearing connection in order to allow the cap body to be held in a fully open position in which the cap body is fully disengaged from the opening of the neck,

   the first portion (131) of the locking member (13) consisting of an outwardly projecting lug, the lug (131) having an outer edge (133);

   characterized in that:

   - the second portion (132) of the locking member (13) consists of a block of solid material connected on both sides to the two connection arms (12), the block comprising an upper end (137) which forms an arc of a circle; and

   - the second portion (132) comprises a groove provided in the vicinity of the upper end (137) of the block, said groove forming both a bearing point on which the outer edge of the lug bears, and a means for retaining the lug when the cap body (10) is in the fully open position.
2. The cap (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that:

   - the second portion (132) has a variable thickness along the longitudinal axis (X-X') with the thinnest portion (136) located in the vicinity of the upper end (137) of the block, and

   - the thinnest portion (136) has an outer face (135) on which the groove (134) is provided.
3. The cap (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the outer face (135) of the thinnest portion (136) is a beveled face.
4. The cap (1) according to any of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that the outer edge (133) of the lug which bears against the groove (134) is a rounded upper edge.
5. The cap (1) according to any of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that the cap body (10) is pivotably mounted relative to the tamper-evident band by means of hinges (15), in that each hinge (15) consists of a retaining limb (14) having a small thickness so as to be able to fold on itself.
6. The cap (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the retaining limbs (14) extend from the cap body (10), and are arranged on either side of the first portion (131) of the locking member (13), both of said limbs being connected to the second portion (132) of the locking member (13).
7. The cap (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the intersection (19) between the second portion (132) and each of the retaining limbs (14) is a thinned and flexible area.
8. An assembly comprising a container (2) with a threaded neck and a cap (1) according to any of the preceding claims.

Images