FR2882034A1 - Closure e.g. simple closure, for closing e.g. barrel, has rigid body with shoulders to fix sleeve around body by over molding, and lid connected to body by surface, where sleeve totally covers lower part of body - Google Patents

Abstract

The closure has a rigid body (1) with two shoulders in the upper and lower parts to fix a sleeve (2) around the body by over molding. The sleeve fills an interstitial space existing between the body and an orifice of a container, during driving in the closure. Dimensions of the body and the sleeve are adapted to the orifice. The sleeve totally covers the lower part of the body. A lid (15) is connected to the body by a surface (15b).

Description

The present invention relates to capping means for

  containers having a generally cylindrical smooth opening without attachment means as

  for example barrels used in the production of wines or vials, tubes, carboys, test tubes used for example in chemistry BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Historically amphorae used by our ancestors to transport and store food were clogged with coins of wood or cork cut to the shape of the neck and introduced slightly in force therein. The seal was precarious and depended heavily on the fit of the plug with respect to the neck. More recently, until the 1980s, the barrels were closed by wooden bungs: a trapezoidal circular piece surrounded by a piece of cloth or paper and slightly pushed into the hole in the turret. Watertightness was ensured by the tissue or paper which was strongly pressed between the walls of the bung and the hole of the barrel and which was thus supposed to fill the gaps between these two walls. However, the interstitial space between the two wooden pieces was only partly filled in and upwelling was very often observed, followed by mold and bacterial growth which could lead to contaminations of the contained liquid. these disadvantages, wooden bungs were gradually replaced by silicone bungs. These are single piece and no longer require the use of a paper or fabric seal because the elastomer is flexible enough to deform when the bung is engaged and pressed into the hole of the barrel and marry perfectly the However, although this bung ensures the sealing of liquids, its use is absolutely no longer satisfactory. Indeed, the permeability and the inertia of the silicones are very bad and the silicone plug remains a very important source of contamination. Many cases of pollution by compounds of the halochlorophenol and halochloroanisole type have been diagnosed with the bung as a vector element of these pollutions. In addition, post-baking of these very massive bungs remains very delicate and phenomena of reversal or outgassing not complete are often seen at heart. Volatile materials then migrate to the surface and affect the food character of the material.

  In the field of chemistry or foodstuffs, containers made of glass or thermoplastic materials (Erlenmeyer flasks, bottles, flasks, jars, etc.) which are highly appreciated and used for their inertia are often closed by glass or material plugs. thermoplastics. In this case, the sealing is achieved by a very precise adjustment of the stopper and the neck, which requires both the stopper and the neck of the container to be lapped, costly operations which make the bottles and shutters very expensive. Other types of plugging such as conical rubber plugs, cork plugs or cylindrical plugs made of thermoplastics are used for containers that can not be ground, such as tubes, test tubes, beakers or jars. The inertia of these materials, however, is not optimal and the permeabilities to insufficient gases limit the shelf life.

  OBJECT OF THE INVENTION The closure of containers having a so-called large or medium opening, smooth, without ring, such as for example barrels, jars, test-pieces not being satisfactory with the existing devices, there is a need for a efficient, inert sealing system and authorizing long-term storage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

  This need is satisfied by the invention which relates to a plug composed of a body of rigid material covered on its periphery with an elastomer layer intended to seal with the walls of the orifice of the receptacle. The section of this plug also called bung, is trapezoidal and it often has an upper shoulder facilitating its introduction and its extraction. It can possibly be covered with a lid obstructing the hollow part of the body, preventing any entry of foreign bodies and improving the barrier properties.

  Different embodiments of the invention are possible.

  Thus in a variant, the peripheral elastomer layer is constituted by a sleeve attached around the body and immobilized by an upper shoulder and a lower shoulder.

  In another embodiment, the elastomer portion is overmolded around the body, which ensures a perfect adhesion thereof. The lower and upper shoulders are no longer needed.

  In another version, bridges connecting the outer portion and the inner portion of the body are created to allow during overmolding the elastomer to infiltrate and fill these areas to create mechanical attachment points.

  In another variant, the U-shaped elastomer sleeve completely covers the lower part of the body which ensures a perfect seal between the body and said sleeve and ensures good mechanical positioning.

  In the four variants previously described, the body may have different configurations ranging from a U-shaped geometry to an H-shaped geometry, the H-shaped geometry having the advantage of stiffening the walls of the body.

  Specific plugs, drilled, incorporating an orifice allowing the connection or the passage of a tube or rod, anti-overpressure incorporating a degassing element, or mechanical integrating a device for clamping the sealing element in order to expand in the orifice of the container, can also be made according to the principle of the invention.

  Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge on reading the following description of particular non-limiting embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

  For the sake of simplicity, the majority of the exemplary embodiments are presented in place in the mouth of a slightly conical barrel, but all these plugs can be used for all the containers having a smooth orifice without such a retainer. that notches, nets, rings .... Reference will be made to the accompanying drawings in which: - Figures 1, la, 2, 3a and 4 are views in axial section of alternative embodiments of a plug according to the invention in position in the orifice of a FIG. 3b is a cross-sectional view of the plug shown in FIG. 3a, section taken along plane AA perpendicular to the axis, FIGS. 5 and 6 are axial sectional views of alternative embodiments of FIG. a mechanical plug according to the invention in position in the orifice of a container, - Figures 7, 8 and 9 are axial sectional views of alternative embodiments of an antisurpression plug according to the invention in position in the orifice of a container, - Figure 10 is an axial sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a plug according to the invention 35 and for connection to an automatic level device or inerting gaseous position in the orifice of a container, - Figure 11 is a view in axial section of an alternative embodiment of a pierced plug according to the invention in position in the neck of an Erlenmeyer type flask.

  DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

  In the rest of the text, the terms plug or plug will be used simultaneously to designate the application.

  The bung shown in Figure 1 comprises: - A body 1 made of rigid material and very impermeable. In this respect it is possible to use materials such as thermoplastics, wood or possibly coated metals. This body is trapezoidal section with a conicity identical to that of the orifices of the containers to be clogged. This body can be made by molding, by pressing, by machining and this, depending on the materials used. Two shoulders, the upper part and lb in the lower part, ensure the immobilization of the sleeve 2 and facilitate the handling of the bung. The bottom can possibly engraved brands or logos of the manufacturer of the containers or the cap.

  - An elastomer sleeve 2 reported around the body 1 and held by the two shoulders 1a and 1b. This sleeve is made by molding and many elastomers can be used selected compatible with the liquid contained in the container. It is understood that during the depression of the bung, the elastomeric material fills the existing interstitial space. between the body 1 and the walls of the hole of the container 3 and is compressed between these two walls. The thickness of the sleeve is sufficient to fill the inequalities and geometry defects, sealing and holding the bung in the mouth of the reci-pient are thus ensured.

  - A cover 15 can be etched on its face 15a and connected to the body 1 through the surface 15b. The details of the connection have not been shown but it is easy to imagine a mechanical connection by threading, notches or bond adhesion obtained by gluing. This lid is optional and is role is both aesthetic, it avoids fouling of the hollow part of the body 1 and improves the barrier properties.

  FIG. 1a shows a variant of FIG. 1 in which the shoulders 1a and 1b have been removed, the cover 15 immobilized here for example by a circular notch 15c slightly protrudes from the body covered with elastomer 2 and constitutes a shoulder 15d facilitating the handling. The elastomer layer is here produced by overmolding and the adhesion between the body material and the elastomer is sufficient.

  FIGS. 2, 3a, 3b and 4 show variants of this bung which all provide the same functions. They have been shown without the lid 15 but this can of course be used.

  Thus, in Figure 2 we find some of the elements already described with the same references. The variation lies in the manner of obtaining the sleeve 2 which is here made by overmolding. Notches 1a and circular grooves 1d are formed on the periphery of the truncated cone of the body 1 in order to promote the grip of the elastomer. The lower shoulder lb is no longer needed and has been removed.

  In FIGS. 3a and 3b, the body 1 has an H-shaped geometry with the horizontal part lying halfway up the wall of the container to be obstructed. This makes it possible to improve the rigidity of the body and to reduce the flexion of the walls of the body. Crenellations 1a and 1d are made at the upper and lower edges of the barrel 1 of the body so as to allow the material of the seal 2 to infiltrate through these orifices and feed cavities 2b and 2c by making bridges 2a. . These artifices of geometry are simple to achieve by shape cores and allow to achieve a mechanical grip of the sleeve on the body 1 In Figure 4, the sleeve 2 has a U-shaped geometry completely covering the body 1, the horizontal part 2e provides the mechanical strength of the lower part of the sleeve 2 on the body 1, the holding of the upper part being ensured in this case by the sameposisifs le and 2b previously described. The liquid infiltrations between the elastomer 2 and the body 1 are thus completely impossible, this improves the barrier properties and the hygienic nature of this bung. This is used when the chemical adhesion of the elastomer to the body 1 is not good or nonexistent.

  FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a so-called mechanical bung according to the principle of the invention with which a tightening of the elastomer sleeve 2 and an expansion thereof is carried out in order to ensure the sealing and the holding the plug in the orifice of the container 3. This plug is constituted by: - a. sleeve 2 made of elastomer with an ex-dull frustoconical geometry of a conicity close to that of the hole of the container 3. The dimensions of this truncated cone are such that it can be introduced into the orifice of the container. The internal recess of the sleeve is cylindrical to facilitate the translation of the body 4 and the yoke 5 during the tightening and loosening maneuvers.

  a body 4 in the form of a cylinder and having a threaded axis 4a. The diameter of the cylinder is adapted so that it can be inserted tightly into the sleeve 2 and that it can ensure its expansion during tightening, - an upper clevis 5 introduced into the upper part of the sleeve 2 and ensuring its maintenance when tightening, - a clamping element 6 screwed onto the threaded shaft 4a and allowing rotation by bringing the yoke 5 and the body 4 closer together and thus effecting the expansion of the sleeve 2. This bung is initially loosened, it is in place in the orifice of the container, then the clamping element 6 is screwed and is tightened until the expansion of the sleeve 2 is deemed sufficient. This expansion principle however requires that the thickness of the sleeve 2 is sufficient to ensure a certain rigidity thereof and that the clamping force is converted into swelling of this sleeve.

  Figure 6 shows a variant of the solution described in Figure 5 allowing a thinner sleeve. It consists of: a sleeve 2 made of elastomer with an ex-dull frustoconical geometry of a conicity close to that of the hole of the container 3. The external dimensions of the sleeve are such that it can be introduced into the opening of the container, a body 4 conically truncated cone relative to the sleeve 2 and having a threaded axis 4a. The depression of the cone under the effect of tightening causes an enlargement of the lower part of the sleeve which is then strongly pressed against the walls of the orifice of the container, thereby ensuring the sealing and blocking of the plug in the orifice, - a yoke 5 inserted into the upper part of the sleeve 2 and ensuring its maintenance during tightening, - a clamping element 6 screwed onto the threaded shaft 4a and allowing rotation by the approach of the yoke 5 and the body 4. The operation of this bung is identical to that described with the bung of Figure 5: it is introduced loosened into the orifice of the container 3, tightened in situ. It must be loosened to be extracted from the orifice. A slight pressure on the knob 6 makes it possible to slide the body 4 into the sleeve and thus to return it to the unexpanded initial state.

  FIG. 7 describes an anti-overpressure bung commonly known as a fermentation bung made according to the principle of the invention. It constitutes an evolution of the bung described by FIGS. 1, 1a, 2 and 3, thus: - the body 1 made of rigid material, the bottom has however an orifice 1d, the sleeve 2 elastomer immobilized by the two shoulders These elements are completed by: a tube 7, one end of which is welded to the body 1 vis-à-vis the orifice 1d. The upper end of the tube 7 has a sufficiently neat surface and cooperates with the ball 8 to ensure a seal, - a ball 8 obstructing the upper end of the tube 7, - a lid 9 pierced with a hole and made of elastomer. This cover is fitted slightly in force in the body 1 and comes to bear on the ball. The flexibility of the elastomer used allows slight movements of the ball allowing venting of the tube 7 and allowing evacuation of the fermentation gases from the liquid contained in the container. This plug is used in the same way as that described in Figure 1: the sleeve 2 seals between the walls of the orifice of the container 3 and the body 1. The fermentation of the liquid contained by the container is accompanied by gaseous releases that remain contained in the headspace, the pressure then increases and creates a stress on the ball. As soon as this effort reaches a certain value, the ball rises, allowing the gases to escape, causing a drop in pressure. The ball then falls back again to the gas barrier. The pressure then rises until the ball rises again and this cycle is repeated at will during the entire fermentation stage. We can easily imagine a variant without ball 8, in which the seal is made directly between the tube 7 and the cover 9.

  In FIGS. 8 and 9, two other embodiments of the fermentation bung are shown.

  Thus, in Figure 8 we find some of the elements already described with the same references. The variation is at the level of the ball retainer 8.

  The cover 9 is replaced here by a stirrup 10 which bears at the level of the shoulder la, one of the two ends of this stirrup is V-shaped thus facilitating its handling and its placement on the body 1.

  In FIG. 9, the tube 7 has a threaded bulge 7b in its upper part. The system ensuring the maintenance of the ball is constituted by: - a threaded cap 11 screwed onto the threaded bulge 7b of the tube 7, - a spring 12 bearing on the ball 8 and authorizing its movement. The adjustment of the degassing pressure is possible here by varying the intensity of compression of the spring, this by modulating the degree of tightening of the cap 11 on the threaded tube 7.

  Figure 10 depicts a bung for performing automatic leveling or continuous gaseous inerting. This is particularly advantageous for ensuring a minimum of contact between the contained liquid and the oxygen of the incoming air and offsets the loss of volume due to evaporation. It constitutes an evolution of the bung described in FIGS. 1, 1a, 2 or 3, thus: - the body 1 made of rigid material, the bottom has however an orifice ld, - the sleeve 2 made of elastomer immobilized by the These two elements are completed by: - a tube 7 whose one end is welded to the body 1 vis-à-vis the orifice 1d. The upper end ex-dull tube 7 has a bulge 7a for attaching a hose 13. This pipe is connected to a tank filled with liquid or a bottle containing a pressurized inert gas.

  FIG. 11 illustrates a variant of the invention shown in section in the neck of an Erlenmeyer type flask 14. This variant makes it possible, through an orifice 7, to pass through a rod or a round tube. Thus, the body 1 equipped with its sleeve 2 and shown in FIG. 3 is recognized. The horizontal part of the body is pierced with a hole 1d, a tube 7, one end of which is welded to the body 1 facing each other. the orifice ld and the other end is here provided with an O-ring 7b, allows the passage of a rod or a tube not shown. This allows for example to connect the inside of the container to another container and ensure a tight connection between the two or the passage of a mixer axis.

Claims (10)

  1. Closure cap for smooth orifice container, characterized in that it is constituted by a rigid body (1) generally hollow barrier material coated on its periphery with an elastomer layer (2). The dimensions of the body and the elastomer layer are adapted to the orifice of the container. This cap can be equipped with a lid (15).   2. Stopper according to claim 1 characterized in that the elastomer layer is constituted by a sleeve (2) attached and immobilized on the body by two shoulders, (la) and (1b).   3. Stopper according to claim 1 characterized in that the elastomer layer is overmolded around the body (1), the connection can then be favored by asperities type notches (lc) and grooves (ld) and or bridges (2a). and anchoring zones (2b) and or by a geometry of the U-shaped elastomeric layer thus completely covering the lower part of the body (1).   4. Stopper according to one of claims 1 and 2 characterized in that it is composed of an annual body consisting of a lower member (4) and an upper member (5) and a clamping device (6). ) which allows the approximation elements (4) and (6) and the expansion of the elastomeric sleeve (2).   5. Stopper according to claim 4 characterized in that the inner section of the sleeve (2) and the outer sections of the elements (5) and (6) are cylindrical.   6. Stopper according to claim 4 characterized in that the inner section of the sleeve (2) is truncated cone with its top located towards the inside of the container to be blocked and the geometry of the body (4) is truncated cone with its top located to the outside of the container to be clogged. 1: 3   7. Stopper according to one of claims 1, 2 and 3 characterized in that it comprises a degassing device for exhausting gases contained in the container to be clogged.   8. Stopper according to claim 7 characterized in that the system for degassing consists of a tube (7) whose one end is welded to the body (1) and the other free end has a neat surface, a ball (8) and a lid (9) of elastomer pierced with a hole or a stirrup (10) which ensure the position of the ball (8) in position on the upper end of the tube (7).   9. Stopper according to claim 7 characterized in that the system for degassing consists of a tube (7) whose one end is welded to the body (1) and the other free end has a neat surface and an external thread ( 7b), a ball (8), a spring (12) and a cap (11) screwing onto the upper end (7b) of the tube.   10. Stopper according to one of claims 1, 2 and 3 characterized in that it comprises a hole (7) allows-the attachment of a pipe (13) or the passage of an axis or pipe .