MXPA05013644A

MXPA05013644A - Closure device for containers of liquids, particularly bottles for liquors.

Info

Publication number: MXPA05013644A
Application number: MXPA05013644A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Piero Battegazzore
Original assignee: Guala Closures Patents Bv
Priority date: 2003-06-24
Filing date: 2004-06-10
Publication date: 2006-05-25
Also published as: PL1636110T3; DE602004024527D1; ITMI20031279A1; ES2261010B1; CN100540410C; EA007245B1; EP1636110B1; ATE451310T1; EP1636110A1; ITMI20031279A0; BRPI0411879A; EA200600094A1; CO5700806A2; ES2261010A1; BRPI0411879B1; UA81958C2; WO2005000701A1; CN1809499A

Abstract

Closure device for bottles for liquors, comprising a pouring body (1) , a valve member (9) located within the said pouring body (1) to allow the outflow of the liquid and prevent its fraudulent introduction, a tubular element (11) comprising a first stopper-like portion (12) and a second sleeve-like portion (13), the said first stopper-like portion (12) and the said second portion (13)forming a so called tube-stopper element and being interconnected axially by a circumferential weakening line (14), the said first stopper-like portion (12) being engaged with the pouring member (1) by means of threading (17, 18) for opening and closing the said pouring aperture (3). Said tube-stopper element is provided with at least a first annular rib (25) radially projecting from its outer surface and positioned axially above said weakening line (14) and at least a second annular rib (27) also projecting from its outer surface and positioned axially below said weakening line (14), said first and second ribs forming connecting means between said removable seal means and said tube-stopper element. In such a way the seal removable means can be outer stopper or over stopper made either of plastic material or in form of a metallic sheet capsule.

Description

WO 2005/000701 Al ??????????????????? Pubtished: - wiih iniemmional search repon For two-letter codes and other abbreviations, refer to the "Guid-ance Notes on Codes and Abbreviations" appearing at the begin-ning of each regular issue of the PCT Gazette.

"CLOSURE DEVICE FOR LIQUID CONTAINERS, PARTICULARLY BOTTLES FOR LIQUORS" FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a closure device for liquid containers, particularly bottles for liquors, with an opening located at the end of a neck. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a closure device for liquid containers, particularly to bottles for liquors, with an opening located at the end of a neck, which extends axially from the body of the container along the length of the container. a longitudinal axis (XX), comprising a pouring body conditioned with an internal cavity and an opening for pouring, positioned on the opening and extending coaxially with, and on the outside, the neck, in a direction opposite to the body of the container, a valve member located between the cavity of the pouring body and can move axially with respect to an annular stop to allow the flow of the liquid outwards and prevent its fraudulent introduction, a tubular element comprising a first portion similar to a stopper and a second a cuff-like portion which extends axially along the external wall of the neck, the first portion Ref. : 168736 resembling a stopper and the second sleeve-like portion form an element called plug-tube and are interconnected axially by a weakened circumferential line, the first plug-like portion being coupled with the pouring body by means of a threaded means for the opening and closing of the opening for pouring, and removable sealing means to allow the initial opening of the closing device. The closing devices of the aforementioned type are known in the prior art and are used to close bottles of valuable liquors, they are also conditioned with a seal that guarantees the integrity of the closure device when making any previous opening visible and provides evidence, as much as possible, of some attempt to violate the seal. An example of a closure device of the aforementioned type is described in the British patent application GB-A-2,302, 867. In this embodiment, the sealing function is provided by a plug-like element which is located in the upper part of the plug portion of the tubular element and which extends axially with an annular band connected by means of a weakened circumferential line consisting, for example, of cuts separated by breakable joints. The outer cap is fixed to the cap portion axially and rotationally underlying, while the annular band is connected to the sleeve-like portion of the tubular element by means of the corresponding radial toothing, at a position below the weakened line which connects the two aforementioned portions. According to the prior art, the outer cap or additional cap can be made of a suitable plastic material or, according to specific needs, can be manufactured in the form of a metal foil capsule. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a plug-tube element conditioned with a means capable of combining with an outer plug or an additional plug made of a plastic material, with or without conventional breakable safety bands, or in the form of a metal foil capsule, with or a weakened line. Moreover, due to the fact that the known closing devices of the type specified above have the drawback that, even after a fraudulent first opening, the seal in the form of an external plug, together with the underlying cap which will now open, can be repositioned against the safety ring band, in this way it gives the impression that there is a structural continuity and consequently an integrity between the cap and the safety band, A further object of the present invention is to provide a closure device of the aforementioned type which has sealing characteristics in such a way as to overcome the aforementioned drawback. These objectives are achieved with the closure device which is characterized in accordance with appended claim 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the examples of modalities thereof, which are provided solely as a guide and without the intention of restricting, and is illustrated in the appended figures, in which Figure 1 shows a lateral elevation, in partial section, of a first embodiment of the closing device according to the invention which is fixed on the neck of a bottle; Figure 2 shows a perspective view from the outside of the seal similar to a lid fixed on the closure device of Figure 1; - Figure 3 shows a perspective view from inside the lid of Figure 2; Figure 4 shows a lateral elevation, in partial section, of a second embodiment of the closing device according to the invention which is fixed on the neck of a bottle; Figure 5 shows a perspective view from the outside of the seal similar to a lid fixed on the closing device of Figure 4; Figure 6 shows a perspective view from inside the lid of Figure 5; Figure 7 shows a side elevation of tubular element with a plug-like portion used in the closure devices of Figures 1 and 4; Figure 8 shows a perspective view of the tubular element of Figure 7. With reference to the aforementioned figures, and particularly to Figures 1, 2 and 3, it will be seen that the closing device comprises a pouring body 1 provided with a internal cavity 2 and an opening for pouring 3. This pouring body 1 is positioned on the rim 4 of the opening 5 of the neck 6 of a container, particularly a bottle, whose body is shown schematically with the numeral 7. The bottle is particularly provided for , but not exclusively, to contain liquors of value whose originality and authenticity must be guaranteed with a security means provided by the closing device in accordance with the present invention. The pouring body 1 is positioned on the rim 4 by means of the interposition of a fixed and sealed collar 8, or directly by another conventional means.

A valve member 9, which can be displaced axially in the direction of the neck axis XX of the bottle with respect to an annular stop 10 of the cavity of the pouring body, is located in the cavity 2 of the pouring body 1. In a conventionally, the valve member 9 allows the flow of liquid out of the pouring opening 3 but prevents its fraudulent introduction. The closure device also comprises a tubular element, indicated generally with the numeral 11, consisting of a first portion similar to a plug 12, the outer surface which is preferably knurled, and a second portion similar to a sleeve 13. The two portions 12 and 13 are axially interconnected by a weakened line 14 conventionally formed by circumferential cuts separated by breakable joints, not shown in the figures. The plug-like portion 12 comprises a wall 15 perpendicular to the axis XX, which closes the upper end of the tubular element 11. The wall 15 has a collar 16 which projects towards the cavity 2 of the pouring body 1 and is designed to be axially coupled with the pouring opening 3 in order to close it. The portion 12 is superimposed on the indicated underlying body 1 with which it is engaged by a screw means consisting of the "threads 17 and 18 which allows the pour opening 3 to be opened and closed when the container is used. The cuff-like portion 13 is conditioned with conventional means, indicated schematically in 19 and 20, for its axial and circumferential coupling with the underlying part of the pouring body in such a way that axial and rotary shifts between these parts are avoided and consequently The unscrewing and re-screwing of the plug portion 12 is allowed by breaking the joints of the weakened line 14 when the closure device is opened for the first time.Finally, the closure device according to the invention comprises a seal similar to a lid, indicated generally with numeral 21, which is fixed on top of the portion similar to a plug 12. L The lid 21 consists of an upper wall 22, perpendicular to the axis XX, and an annular band 23 which extends axially over the portion similar to a plug 12 to a point beyond the weakened line 14. The annular band 23 , as shown in figures 2, 3, 7 and 8, is coupled to the tubular element 11 by means of a first set of raised sectors 24, distributed circumferentially on the inner wall 23a and positioned below a first annular rib 25 of the tubular element 11, and a second set of raised sectors 26 which are positioned below a second rib 27, within the slot 28. The first annular rib 25 is positioned axially above the weakened line 14 while the second annular rib 27 it is positioned axially below the weakened line 14. The profile of the cross section of each raised sector 24 and 26 is essentially triangular in shape with the vertex pointing towards the axis XX of the neck. The respective lower sides 24a and 26a are inclined, but the respective lateral sides 24b and 26b are positioned essentially perpendicular to the X-X axis of the neck. With particular reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, it should be noted that the annular ribs 25 and 27 are conditioned with planes sloping downwards with respect to the container on their upper faces 25a and 27a to assist in the axial movement of the sectors 24. and 26 during the operation of the lid 21, but are conditioned with planes that are practically perpendicular to the axis XX on their opposite faces. This particular configuration, while allowing the operation of the lid 21 without causing damage such as fracture or cracking, avoids such action if the lid is forced axially upward for the purpose of a fraudulent removal and illegally accessing the underlying plug 12. As a Alternatively, the upper faces 25a and 27a of the ribs 25 and 27 can also be perpendicular to the axis XX as well as their opposite faces. In that case, the inclined planes are provided on the sectors 24 and 26 to assist in the axial movement during the operation of the cover 21. The configuration of the ribs 25 and 27 with the lower planes perpendicular to the axis XX, against the which are positioned the corresponding upper sides 24b and 26b of the sectors 24 and 26, so that such sectors 24 and 26 can pass up to this stage, solely and exclusively as a result of the substantially radial deformation of the wall forming the band 23 of the lid, which causes the irreversible formation of bends, breaks and color variations, which provides evidence of an attempt to violate the lid. The use of a material such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) for the formation of the lid 21, makes the aforementioned phenomenon more evident and therefore this material is preferred. With further reference to Figures 2 and 3, it should be noted that the end wall 22 of the capsule 21 is provided with at least one tab or tab 29 formed in the wall with a circular cut 30 which leaves an intact portion 31 for the which tongue can flex when lifted from the plane of the wall. The circular cut 30 extends on the sides of the portion 31 with the continuations 32 and 33 in line with which the weakened axial lines 34 and 35 are respectively formed on the inner surface 23a. When the lid 21 is fixed on the plug portion 12, it should be noted that the aforementioned weakened lines preferably extend from the level of the opening 3 of the pouring body 1 substantially as much as the area where the embossed sectors are formed. For the first authorized opening of the closing device, the lid 21 must first be removed by lifting the tab 29 and pulling it, so that it performs a rotation movement on the portion 31, and continue with the tearing of the area "S" of the wall 23 resting between the axial weakened lines 34 and 35. The tear causes the lid 21 to break, which can not be reconstituted again, even in a fraudulent manner. To finally allow the lid 21 to be removed from the underlying portion similar to a plug 12, the lid is conditioned with additional axial cuts 36 and 37 which extend partially transverse to the band 23 in the vicinity of the transverse wall 22. The aforementioned cuts 36 and 37 allow the lid to be flexed in at least one of the generatrices of the tubular band 23 and consequently allow the removal and practically destruction of the lid. Even when the reference is made in the example described above for a pair of weakened axial lines, the lid 21 can alternatively break and be removed by means of a weakened single line with the torn tab positioned on the side of this weakening. With reference to Figure 4, it should be noted that the second embodiment of the closure device according to the invention mainly differs from the first embodiment, illustrated in Figure 1, in that the tubular band 23 of the cover 21 is provided with annular terminal area 38 connected to the tubular band 23 by a weakened circumferential line 39 consisting of cuts 40 separated by the breakable joints 41. It should also be noted that the raised sectors set 26 is positioned in the terminal area 38 and that the torque of weakened axial lines 34 and 35 stop at the position of the weakened circumferential line 39. Finally, it should be noted that the tab 29 for tearing the lid is replaced by a corresponding pair of tabs 42 and 43 formed by cuts in the wall 22 from the top.

With reference to this second embodiment of the closure device, the rupture of the lid 21 and its removal from the underlying portion resembling a plug 12, which takes place with the same procedure as that described with reference to the first embodiment of the Figure 1, causes the terminal area 38 to be left in place, the presence of this surface providing evidence, clearer of the fact that the closure device has been opened. Obviously, the dimensions may be varied in accordance with the requirements without thereby separating from the scope of the invention as described above and as claimed below. It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known to the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is that which is clear from the present description of the invention.

Claims

13 CLAIMS Having described the invention as above, the content of the following claims is claimed as property. A closure device for liquid containers, particularly liquor bottles, having an opening located at the end of a neck extending axially from the container body along the longitudinal axis (XX), comprising a body conditioned spout with an internal cavity and a pouring opening, positioned over the opening and extending coaxially with and out of the neck in a direction opposite to the body of the container, a valve member located within the cavity of the pouring body and it can move axially with respect to an annular stop to allow the flow of the liquid outwards and prevent some fraudulent introduction, a tubular element comprising a first portion similar to a stopper and a second portion similar to a sleeve which extends axially to the length of the outer wall of the neck, the first portion resembling a stopper and the second portion resembling a sleeve for With an element called plug-tube and axially interconnected by a weakened circumferential line, the first plug-like portion engages with the spout member by a threaded means for opening and closing the plug. opening for pouring, and a removable sealing means to allow the opening of the closing device, which is characterized in that the plug-tube element is provided with at least a first annular rib (25) projecting radially from its outer surface and is positioned axially on weakened line and at least one second annular rib projecting from its outer surface and positioned axially below the weakened line, the first rib and second rib form a connection means between the removable sealing means and the element plug-tube. A closing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the sealing means comprises a cover fixed on the upper part of the portion similar to a stopper and extending axially with an annular band from the upper portion of the portion similar to a plug to a point beyond the weakened circumferential line connecting the first portion and the second portion of the tubular member, the cap is provided with at least one weakened line which extends axially along its annular band by at least from the level of the opening for essentially pouring to an area below the weakened circumferential line of the tubular element, at least one tongue which is fitted on the top of the lid adjacent to the stopper for 15 pull the "S" area of the annular band positioned on the side of the weakened axial line, thereby causing the cap to break. The closing device according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the cover comprises a pair of weakened axial lines spaced one from the other, the "S" area of the band resting between the lines that can be removed by tearing them . The closing device according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the weakened lines are formed with cuts made on the inner surface of the lid without going through the thickness of the lid. The closing device according to claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the cover is conditioned on the internal surface of the portion of the annular band in which the weakened axial lines are formed, with at least a first set of sectors circumferential for coupling under a corresponding annular rib carried by the surface of the first portion resembling a plug of the tubular element. The closing device according to claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the cover is conditioned on the inner surface of the annular band portion in which the axial lines are formed. weakened, with a second set of raised circumferential sectors to be coupled under a corresponding annular rib carried by the sleeve-like portion of the tubular element. The closing device according to claims 1 to 6, characterized in that each of the circumferential sectors in relief of the first set and the second set of sectors has an essentially triangular cross section with the vertex pointing towards the longitudinal axis ( XX) of the neck of the container and with the upper side, for coupling with the corresponding lower side of the annular ribs of the tubular element, positioned essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (XX) · 8. The closing device according to the claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the lid comprises an annular terminal surface axially connected to the annular strip by a weakened circumferential line. The closing device according to claim 8, characterized in that the weakened axial lines stop at the location of the weakened circumferential line. The closing device according to claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the weakened circumferential line consists of a plurality of cuts 17 that alternate with breakable joints and are positioned between the first set and the second set of circumferential sectors in relief. The closing device according to claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the upper part of the lid is composed of a wall, transverse to the longitudinal axis (XX) of the neck, which comprises two tongues placed side by side to tear the "S" area that rests between the pair of weakened axial lines. The closing device according to claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the cap comprises axial incisions formed in the vicinity of its upper wall to allow the tubular band to flex along at least one of its axial generatrices that pass through at least one of its incisions and to facilitate completely removing the cap from the plug-like portion, after tearing the "S" area that lies between the weakened axial lines. The closing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the removable sealing means are located on a cap shaped capsule made of a metal sheet connected to the cap-tube element by a roller provided under the first rib of the cap. plug-tube element.