Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D41/00—Caps, e.g. crown caps or crown seals, i.e. members having parts arranged for engagement with the external periphery of a neck or wall defining a pouring opening or discharge aperture; Protective cap-like covers for closure members, e.g. decorative covers of metal foil or paper
  • B65D41/32—Caps or cap-like covers with lines of weakness, tearing-strips, tags, or like opening or removal devices, e.g. to facilitate formation of pouring openings
  • B65D41/34—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers provided with tamper elements formed in, or attached to, the closure skirt
  • B65D41/3423—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers provided with tamper elements formed in, or attached to, the closure skirt with flexible tabs, or elements rotated from a non-engaging to an engaging position, formed on the tamper element or in the closure skirt
  • B65D41/3428—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers provided with tamper elements formed in, or attached to, the closure skirt with flexible tabs, or elements rotated from a non-engaging to an engaging position, formed on the tamper element or in the closure skirt the tamper element being integrally connected to the closure by means of bridges
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D41/00—Caps, e.g. crown caps or crown seals, i.e. members having parts arranged for engagement with the external periphery of a neck or wall defining a pouring opening or discharge aperture; Protective cap-like covers for closure members, e.g. decorative covers of metal foil or paper
  • B65D41/02—Caps or cap-like covers without lines of weakness, tearing strips, tags, or like opening or removal devices
  • B65D41/04—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers secured by rotation
  • B65D41/0407—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers secured by rotation with integral sealing means
  • B65D41/0414—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers secured by rotation with integral sealing means formed by a plug, collar, flange, rib or the like contacting the internal surface of a container neck
  • B65D41/0421—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers secured by rotation with integral sealing means formed by a plug, collar, flange, rib or the like contacting the internal surface of a container neck and combined with integral sealing means contacting other surfaces of a container neck

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a threaded plug for a container for liquid products.
• the caps used in the packaging of liquid products such as drinks and, more particularly, carbonated drinks include in particular a side skirt provided with an internal thread ensuring the connection with the threaded neck of the container and connected to an upper plate carrying internally sealing means intended to cooperate with the upper edge of said neck.
• the skirt extends downwards by a tamper-evident band separable via a weakening zone engaging with an annular projection formed on the neck, below the thread.
• the sealing means overcomes the presence of an attached seal and are made in one piece with the plug.
• the sealing means comprise a rigid crown intended to be force fitted into the neck of the container.
• this fitting creates stresses even in the upper plate, which, under the action of time, heat and internal pressure, produces cracks and / or deformations detrimental both to the sealing and to the 'aesthetic.
• a variant described in WO 00/56615 consists in thinning and lengthening the flexible lip.
• this variant aims to fill the entire upper edge of the container neck with a single lip.
• this variant does not make it possible to obtain an optimal level of tightness because it is not possible to control the stresses of deformation of the lip over such a long length, without having wedging means on the wall. internal plug.
• the present invention aims to solve these technical problems satisfactorily.
• sealing means comprise an external shoulder formed in the connection zone between the skirt and the plate, having a radial projection and carrying an elastically deformable peripheral lip extending, at rest, downwards towards the axis of the stopper and intended, in the closed position of the stopper, to be inserted between the projection of said shoulder and the neck in marrying, under constraints, at least part of the curvilinear outer periphery of the upper edge of the neck.
• said sealing means further comprise an elastically deformable inner annular lip positioned so that its end free wife under constraints, at least the inner periphery of the upper edge of the neck in the closed position of the cap.
• said inner lip is formed or carried by an independent annular element disposed in the plug.
• said inner lip has a diameter for connection to the plate between the outside and inside diameters of said neck and is inclined with respect to the axis of the stopper at an angle between 0 and 45 °.
• said inner lip is intended to be inserted under stresses, in the closed position of the stopper, on the one hand an inner shoulder secured to the underside of the plate and on the other hand the neck of the container.
• the face of the outer shoulder and / or of the inner shoulder, located opposite the neck in the closed position of the plug has an undercut.
• said plate is provided at its center with a set of radial stiffening ribs. If necessary, these ribs are attached to the inner shoulder.
• said sealing means comprise, in addition, a centering and locking ring integral with the plate extending coaxially opposite said peripheral lip, delimiting, with said external shoulder and / or the peripheral lip, a groove in which the neck is housed, in the closed position of the stopper.
• the radially outer face of said crown is provided, in the lower part, with a boss intended to bear against the internal lateral wall of the neck.
• the height of the portion of the crown projecting inside the neck in the closed position of the cap is greater than the dead unscrewing stroke prior to the separation of the tamper-evident band.
• said peripheral lip is connected to the underside of the outer shoulder.
• said peripheral lip comprises a first rectilinear section, connected by a end of said external shoulder, and extended at its other end via an elbow by a second straight section.
• the elbow defines an angle between the two sections of the lip, the value of which is between 0 and 60 °.
• said peripheral lip or its first section is inclined at an angle between 20 ° and 60 ° relative to the axis of the plug.
• the thickness of said peripheral lip as well as the geometry of the outer shoulder are determined, so that the bearing contact between said lip and the upper edge of the neck is made above the planes seal of said neck, which guarantees a good seal.
• the lower face is provided with a rod extending in the direction of the inner lip.
• the invention makes it possible to ensure a reinforced tightness of the container by means of a monobloc and single-material stopper, capable of being produced in a single molding operation (injection or compression), and offering relatively low screwing and unscrewing torques. and regular.
• the cooperation of the flexible lips (peripheral and / or interior), with the corresponding shoulders, makes it possible to optimize their deformation and their positioning relative to the edges of the neck.
• Figures 1B and 1C show partial sectional views of the embodiment of Figure 1A respectively in the semi-closed position on the neck, and in the sealed closure position of the container;
• FIG. 2B and 2C show partial sectional views of the embodiment of Figure 2A, respectively in the semi-closed position on the neck and sealed;
• FIGS 3B and 3C show partial sectional views of the embodiment of Figure 3A, respectively in the semi-closed position on the neck, and sealed.
• Figures 4B and 4C show partial sectional views of the embodiment of Figure 4A, respectively in the semi-closed and sealed position
• the stopper shown in the figures is intended for plugging containers of liquid products, such as drinks (mineral water, fruit juice, sodas, etc.). These containers can be made of glass or plastic, by blowing air into preforms.
• liquid products such as drinks (mineral water, fruit juice, sodas, etc.).
• drinks mineral water, fruit juice, sodas, etc.
• These containers can be made of glass or plastic, by blowing air into preforms.
• this plug comprises a side skirt 1 provided with an internal thread 10 and connected to an upper plate 2.
• the geometry and, in particular, the pitch of the thread 10, are adapted to the threads F of the neck C of the container.
• the skirt 1 is extended downwards by a tamper-evident band 11 via a weakening zone 12 capable of being broken by unscrewing the plug.
• the upper plate 2 of the plug internally carries sealing means intended to cooperate with the upper part of the neck C and in particular its upper edge B.
• the section of the upper edge B is delimited laterally by an outer curvilinear periphery b (called “drinking”). ) and by a generally curvilinear inner circumference.
• the sealing means are made in one piece with the skirt 1 and the plate 2, and using the same plastic, which is preferably polyethylene.
• these sealing means comprise a radially outer shoulder 4, formed in the connection zone between the skirt 1 and the plate 2, having a radial projection 41 and carrying a peripheral lip 3, elastically deformable which extends, at rest, as shown in Figure 1 A, downward towards the axis X of the plug.
• the lip 3 is thus placed across the upward stroke of the upper edge B of the neck C when the cap is screwed onto the container.
• the edge B of the neck C comes into contact with the lip 3.
• Continued screwing results in the progressive deformation of the lip 3 by the edge B until the lip 3 marries, under stress, at least part of the curvilinear outer periphery b of the edge B, being inserted and crushed in space. comprised between the shoulder 4 and the said neck as shown in FIG. 1C while leaning against the projection 41.
• the face of the shoulder 4 facing the neck C preferably has, above the projection 41, an undercut 40 making it possible to compensate for possible centering defects, dimensional differences in expansion, in making the neck and / or the plug.
• the face 40 of the shoulder 4 and / or of the plate 2 located opposite the neck C may have, according to a variant shown in FIGS. 3A at 3C, a profile complementary to that of edge B.
• the lip 3 comprises a first straight section 31, connected by one end to the underside of the shoulder 4, and extended at its other end, via an elbow 30, to a second section straight 32.
• the elbow 30 defines an angle ⁇ between the two sections 31, 32 whose value is positive or negative and between 0 and 60 °, on one side or the other of the axis of the first section 31.
• the lip 3 (and here the first section 31) is inclined with an angle ⁇ between 20 ° and 60 ° relative to the axis X of the plug. This geometry ensures the shaping of the peripheral lip 3 on the upper edge B of the neck in the closed position, as illustrated in FIG. 1 C.
• the profile and the thickness (between 0.2 and 0.6 mm) of the lip 3 as well as the geometry of the shoulder 4 and in particular of the projection 41 are determined so that the lip 3 conforms to at least part of the periphery b of the edge B in a sealed manner, above the joint planes of the neck (not shown), covering, where appropriate, the adjacent lower part of the curved periphery b.
• joint surfaces are made up of fine vertical ribs resulting from the container manufacturing operations.
• the molding of the container of its preform, and in particular of the neck C can be carried out at by means of a mold formed of two separable shells delimiting, between their edges in contact, a very narrow gap where the plastic can creep and form parasitic ribs.
• These ribs remain on the container neck after it has been finished. A good seal can therefore only be ensured when the lip 3 is in abutment against a smooth surface of the neck C, that is to say devoid of any roughness, which is found only above the joint planes.
• the peripheral lip 3 is associated with a crown 5 for centering and / or blocking carried by the lower wall of the plate 2.
• the lowest point of the crown 5 is located above the level from the free end of the lip 3 at rest, in its position before closing as shown in FIG. 1A.
• the plate 2 is provided, in its center, with a set of radial stiffening ribs 7 leaning here against the crown 5.
• the sealing means are provided with an inner annular lip 6, elastically deformable.
• This annular lip 6 is here integral with the plate 2 and is inclined towards the axis X of the plug, at an angle ⁇ between 0 and 45 ° with a diameter of connection to the plate 2 between the outside and inside diameters of the neck C.
• its free end is capable of fitting, under constraints, the curvilinear inner periphery b ′ of the upper edge B of the neck C, in the closed position of the cap, so as to provide a seal complementary to that provided with the outer periphery b from edge B by the peripheral lip 3.
• the lip 6 is carried or constituted by an independent element, in the form of a ring or disc which is arranged in the bottom of the stopper.
• the face of the shoulder 52 turned opposite the neck C has here, above the projection 51, an undercut 50 whose function is similar to that of the undercut 40 of the shoulder 4.
• the crown 5 is extended downwards and is intended to extend coaxially to the neck C, facing the lip 3.
• the crown 5 defines, with the outer shoulder 4 and the lip 3, a groove 20, in which is housed the upper edge B of the neck C in the closed position so as to provide centering and a complementary seal inside col C.
• the underside of the plate is provided with a rod 21 extending in the groove 20 in the direction of the lip 3.
• the rod 21 ensures the location and the concentration of the support forces of the neck C, transmitted by the lip 3, on a circular line of the plate 2.
• the rod 21 can be used in association with the embodiments of the other figures.
• the radially outer face of the crown 5 is provided, in its lower part, with a boss 53.
• the boss 53 bears against the internal lateral wall of the neck C in the semi-closed (FIG. 3B) and closed (FIG. 3C), which causes the lower part of the crown 5 to pivot towards the inside of the neck.
• the height of the portion of the crown 5 projecting inside the neck C, in the closed position of the cap is greater than the dead unscrewing stroke prior to separation of the tamper-evident band 11 by rupture of the embrittlement zone 12.
• the internal wall of the neck is always protected from external aggressions likely to occur, during the operations of manufacture, transfer and bulk storage of the containers and / or preforms, unlike the external wall, in particular in the case of returnable containers.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Closures For Containers (AREA)

Priority Applications (5)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=8173999

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (16)

Families Citing this family (7)

Citations (7)

• 2000
  • 2000-12-22 PT PT00403654T patent/PT1216930E/pt unknown
  • 2000-12-22 TR TR2004/02130T patent/TR200402130T4/xx unknown
  • 2000-12-22 AT AT00403654T patent/ATE267747T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2000-12-22 DK DK00403654T patent/DK1216930T3/da active
  • 2000-12-22 ES ES00403654T patent/ES2225058T3/es not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2000-12-22 DE DE60011112T patent/DE60011112T2/de not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2000-12-22 EP EP00403654A patent/EP1216930B1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
• 2001
  • 2001-12-18 BR BR0116748-0A patent/BR0116748A/pt not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2001-12-18 UA UA2003065803A patent/UA75903C2/uk unknown
  • 2001-12-18 MX MXPA03005772A patent/MXPA03005772A/es active IP Right Grant
  • 2001-12-18 WO PCT/EP2001/015028 patent/WO2002051712A1/fr not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2001-12-18 RU RU2003119135/12A patent/RU2264959C2/ru not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2001-12-18 CN CNB018211283A patent/CN1246195C/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2001-12-20 PE PE2001001283A patent/PE20020644A1/es not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2001-12-21 AR ARP010105989A patent/AR032029A1/es active IP Right Grant
• 2003
  • 2003-06-25 ZA ZA200304952A patent/ZA200304952B/en unknown

Patent Citations (7)

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