EP2691313B1 - Stopper device provided with a first-opening indicator - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a container closure device, and in particular, although not exclusively, to a device for capping a container containing a liquid for human consumption. It relates in particular to means for indicating that the closure device has not been opened since its first closure.

STATE OF THE PRIOR ART

In the document US 4,941,592 is described a plug molded in one piece, consisting of a base for attachment to a container and a cap hinged to the base, partially covering the base. The cap is further provided with a tab connected to the cap by breakable bridges. The cap is molded in the open position. At the first closure, the tongue is in a corresponding housing of the base, open near the cap on a portion of the upper face of the base not covered by the cap. The tongue carries, on an upper face visible in the original closed position, an indication readable by the consumer or the user, indicating that it is a security seal. At the first opening, the bridges break and the tongue, hook-shaped, remains trapped in the base, taking an oblique position which makes the indication disappear on the upper face and irreversibly indicates that the plug has been removed. open. A user unfamiliar with the plug and confronted for the first time with the unsealed closed cap, simply notes the presence of a notch constituted by the housing that it can not interpret as proof of the real state of the plug.

In the document EP 1 892 194 is described a two-piece cap, one outer forming a base and an articulated cap, the other inner forming a pourer insert, the cap being provided with two breakable tabs indicating the sealed state of the cap. At first opening, the tabs are separated from the cap and disappear inside corresponding housings provided in the periphery of the base. The consumer or the user who does not know in advance the principle of operation of the cap and is for the first time faced with a closed cap and unsealed, while he has never been in the presence of the sealed cap, does not easily recognize the disappearance of the tabs supposed to testify to the first opening of the cap.

In the document DE 201 18 537 is described a molded stopper molded in the open position having a base and a cap connected by a hinge. The base is provided with a radially outwardly open housing in which is inserted at the first closure, a first opening indicator consisting of a T-tab connected to the cap by breakable bridges. At first opening, the inviolability indicator, by gravity, falls to the bottom of the housing while remaining visible through the radial opening. If the cap is then closed, the distance between the T-tab and the cap is indicative of the opening of the cap. However, this distance remains low, and is the only difference between the closed cap sealed and unsealed.

The document WO2007 / 026194 discloses a first-opening control system for an articulated cap according to the preamble of claim 1. The witness, initially connected to the cap by breakable bridges, separates to fall by gravity in the lower part of a housing, the latter having an opening through which the witness is visible. But the inviolability witness is also visible, in the upper part of the housing, in its initial position prior to the first opening. The consumer is supposed to determine the state of the closure device according to the positioning of the witness.

All of these embodiments propose to directly signal the sealed state of the closure device, the unsealed state deducing therefrom as an alteration of the sealed state. This signaling philosophy does not clearly allow a user who would not know the sealed original state of the closure device to recognize otherwise than by comparison the unsealed state of a closed device.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

The invention aims to overcome the drawbacks of the state of the art and to propose means for visibly indicating an unsealed state of a plug.

• une embase comportant une paroi périphérique de fixation à un col de récipient, la paroi périphérique de fixation définissant un axe géométrique de référence du dispositif, l'embase présentant au moins un logement comportant une ouverture radiale extérieure et une ouverture axiale supérieure ;
• un capuchon mobile par rapport à l'embase entre une position fermée et une position ouverte ;
• au moins un témoin de première ouverture logé dans le logement et relié au capuchon par une liaison sécable au travers de l'ouverture axiale, le témoin de première ouverture ayant des dimensions empêchant son extraction par l'ouverture axiale supérieure ou l'ouverture radiale extérieure, de sorte que le témoin de première ouverture, à l'ouverture du capuchon, se sépare du capuchon et reste prisonnier dans le logement ;
• un cache faisant partie de l'embase et séparant l'ouverture radiale extérieure de l'ouverture axiale supérieure et délimitant une partie supérieure du logement, le témoin de première ouverture en position fermée du capuchon étant disposé dans la partie supérieure du logement et totalement occulté à la vue par le cache, le témoin de première ouverture étant apte, après séparation entre le témoin d'ouverture et le capuchon, à tomber dans une partie inférieure du logement, l'ouverture radiale étant disposée de manière à rendre visible le témoin de première ouverture tombé dans la partie inférieure du logement.

To do this, a first embodiment of the invention proposes a closure device comprising

• a base comprising a peripheral wall for attachment to a container neck, the peripheral fixing wall defining a reference geometric axis of the device, the base having at least one housing having an outer radial opening and an upper axial opening;
• a cap movable relative to the base between a closed position and an open position;
• at least one first opening indicator housed in the housing and connected to the cap by a breakable connection through the axial opening, the first opening indicator having dimensions preventing its extraction through the upper axial opening or the outer radial opening , so that the first opening indicator, at the opening of the cap, separates from the cap and remains a prisoner in the housing;
• a cover forming part of the base and separating the outer radial opening from the upper axial opening and delimiting an upper part of the housing, the first opening indicator in the closed position of the cap being disposed in the upper part of the housing and totally concealed at the sight of the cover, the first opening indicator being adapted, after separation between the opening indicator and the cap, to fall in a lower part of the housing, the radial opening being arranged so as to make visible the control of first opening fell in the lower part of the housing.

Thus the appearance of the witness characterizes by its mere presence the unsealed condition of the closure device. Where appropriate, the witness may carry a sign or a text that can be read by the consumer or the user, which renders the transmitted message unmistakable. The outer radial opening and the upper axial opening, separated by the cover, constitute two windows completely framed by walls of the base. The sizes of these openings and the witness are such that the witness is not likely to escape, which secures the device vis-à-vis children who might be tempted to swallow a small piece released at the opening .

According to one embodiment, the first-opening indicator is provided with at least one engaging relief cooperating with a complementary hooking relief of the base to allow insertion of the first-opening indicator into its housing, while opposing its extraction. Preferably, the hooking relief of the first opening indicator protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction, or in a particular mode in a direction perpendicular to both the axial direction and the radial direction. Thus the attachment relief is never visible by the outer radial opening.

The cap and the base may not be bonded to each other. However, according to a preferred embodiment, it is provided that the cap is articulated on the base by means of an articulation ensuring a pivoting of the cap between the open position and the closed position. By hinge means here as well a hinge with a fixed pivot axis geometry that a joint with two hinge hinges in series or in parallel, or a strap. The joint can be bistable or not.

In the case of a hinged closure device, it can be provided that the housing and the hinge are located on the periphery of the base, in particular diametrically on either side of the geometric reference axis. It is also possible to provide a tongue or a relief favoring the opening and located diametrically opposite the articulation.

Naturally, two first-opening witnesses may be provided, which may for example be symmetrical to one another on either side of a plane median perpendicular to the axis of articulation of the hinge and containing the geometric axis of reference, and to be housed in two housings also located symmetrically on either side of this median plane.

According to one embodiment, the base comprises an inner relief of attachment to the container neck, for example an internal thread or resilient snap hooks. The housing is then preferably located axially between the fixing relief and the cap.

According to one embodiment, the cap comprises a bottom and an outer peripheral wall in contact with the base in the closed position of the closure device. The outer peripheral wall of the cap may be in contact with the base in a circle in a plane of contact perpendicular to the reference geometric axis, or in a contact ellipse (non-circular) in an oblique contact plane (non-perpendicular ) with respect to the reference geometric axis. In this latter configuration, and according to a preferred embodiment, the housing is preferably closer to the minor axis of the ellipse than the major axis of the ellipse. In the case of an articulated closure device, it is also possible that the hinge is closer to the major axis of the ellipse than the short axis of the ellipse.

Advantageously, it can be provided that the first-opening indicator protrudes axially from a rim of the peripheral wall of the cap.

Preferably, the first opening indicator and / or the base are deformable, preferably elastically, to allow insertion of the first opening indicator in the housing by the upper axial opening.

According to one embodiment, the outer radial opening is separated in two by a stiffening bar, which also helps to prevent a first opening of the control opening by the radial opening.

According to one embodiment, the cap is shaped so as to have a trajectory interference with the first opening indicator after rupture of the breakable connection during the first opening and move the first opening indicator in a transient position, the cap further comprising a heel for, when closing after the first opening, press the first opening indicator in the transient position and force the first-opening indicator to fall into a lower part of the housing.

According to another aspect of the invention, this relates to a method of manufacturing a closure device as defined above in which the cap and the base are molded in the open position, then the cap is placed on the lid. base in closed position by inserting the first opening indicator in the housing. The molding may be an injection molding, mono- or bi-material. In particular, a cap and a base can be provided in two different plastic materials, the hinge being in the plastic material of the cap or the base. It is also possible to mold the cap and the base separately and assemble them in the closed position.

• lors de la première fermeture du dispositif de bouchage, on cache totalement à la vue un témoin de première ouverture derrière un cache du dispositif de bouchage,
• lors de la première ouverture du dispositif de bouchage, on permet un mouvement du témoin de première ouverture qui rend visible le témoin de première ouverture sans séparer le témoin de première ouverture du dispositif de bouchage.

According to another aspect of the invention, it relates to a method for guaranteeing to a consumer the absence of opening of a closure device of the container as defined above, comprising the following steps:

• when the closing device is closed for the first time, a first opening indicator behind a cover of the closure device is completely hidden in view,
• when the closure device is opened for the first time, it allows a movement of the first-opening indicator which makes the first-opening indicator visible without separating the first-opening indicator from the closure device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

• la figure 1, une vue en perspective d'un dispositif de bouchage selon un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention, en position ouverte avant la première fermeture ;
• la figure 2, une vue en coupe du dispositif de bouchage de la figure 1 en position ouverte avant la première fermeture ;
• la figure 3, une vue en coupe d'un détail du dispositif de bouchage dans la position de la figure 2 ;
• la figure 4, une vue de côté du dispositif de bouchage de la figure 1, en position fermée, avant la première ouverture ;
• la figure 5, une vue en perspective du dispositif de bouchage de la figure 1, au cours de la première ouverture ;
• la figure 6, une vue de côté du dispositif de bouchage de la figure 1, refermé, après la première ouverture ;
• la figure 7, une vue de côté d'un dispositif de bouchage selon un deuxième mode de réalisation, en position fermée, avant la première ouverture ;
• la figure 8 une vue de côté d'un capuchon du dispositif de bouchage de la figure 7 ;
• la figure 9 une vue d'un détail du dispositif de bouchage de la figure 7, dans la position fermée, avant première ouverture ;
• la figure 10, une vue de côté du dispositif de bouchage de la figure 7, en position refermée, après une première ouverture ;
• la figure 11, une vue d'un détail du dispositif de bouchage de la figure 7, dans la position refermée, après première ouverture.
• la figure 12, une vue en perspective d'un dispositif de bouchage selon un troisième mode de réalisation de l'invention, en position ouverte avant la première fermeture ;
• la figure 13, une vue en perspective du dispositif de bouchage de la figure 12, en position fermée avant la première ouverture ;
• la figure 14, une vue de côté du dispositif de bouchage de la figure 12, en position fermée, avant la première ouverture ;
• la figure 15, une vue d'un détail du dispositif de bouchage de la figure 12, dans la position fermée, avant première ouverture.
• la figure 16, une vue en perspective du dispositif de bouchage de la figure 12, en position ouverte après la première ouverture ;
• la figure 17, une vue de côté du dispositif de bouchage de la figure 12, en position refermée, après la première ouverture ;
• la figure 18, une vue d'un détail du dispositif de bouchage de la figure 12, dans la position refermée, après première ouverture.
• la figure 19, une vue de détail du dispositif de bouchage de la figure 12, au cours de première ouverture, dans un état intermédiaire entre la position position fermée des figures 13 à 15 et la position ouverte de la figure 16 ;
• la figure 20, une vue de détail du dispositif de bouchage de la figure 12, au cours de la fermeture suivant la première ouverture, dans un état intermédiaire entre la position ouverte de la figure 15 et la position refermée des figures 16 et 18.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge on reading the description which follows, with reference to the appended figures, which illustrate:

• the figure 1 , a perspective view of a closure device according to a first embodiment of the invention, in open position before the first closure;
• the figure 2 , a sectional view of the closure device of the figure 1 in the open position before the first closing;
• the figure 3 , a sectional view of a detail of the closure device in the position of the figure 2 ;
• the figure 4 , a side view of the closure device of the figure 1 in the closed position before the first opening;
• the figure 5 , a perspective view of the closure device of the figure 1 , during the first opening;
• the figure 6 , a side view of the closure device of the figure 1 closed again after the first opening;
• the figure 7 , a side view of a closure device according to a second embodiment, in the closed position, before the first opening;
• the figure 8 a side view of a cap of the closure device of the figure 7 ;
• the figure 9 a view of a detail of the capping device of the figure 7 in the closed position, before first opening;
• the figure 10 , a side view of the closure device of the figure 7 , in the closed position, after a first opening;
• the figure 11 , a view of a detail of the closure device of the figure 7 , in the closed position, after first opening.
• the figure 12 , a perspective view of a closure device according to a third embodiment of the invention, in open position before the first closure;
• the figure 13 , a perspective view of the closure device of the figure 12 in the closed position before the first opening;
• the figure 14 , a side view of the closure device of the figure 12 in the closed position before the first opening;
• the figure 15 , a view of a detail of the closure device of the figure 12 , in the closed position, before first opening.
• the figure 16 , a perspective view of the closure device of the figure 12 , in the open position after the first opening;
• the figure 17 , a side view of the closure device of the figure 12 in the closed position after the first opening;
• the figure 18 , a view of a detail of the closure device of the figure 12 , in the closed position, after first opening.
• the figure 19 , a detailed view of the closure device of the figure 12 , during first opening, in an intermediate state between the closed position position of Figures 13 to 15 and the open position of the figure 16 ;
• the figure 20 , a detailed view of the closure device of the figure 12 , during closure after the first opening, in an intermediate state between the open position of the figure 15 and the closed position of figures 16 and 18 .

For the sake of clarity, identical or similar elements are marked with identical reference signs throughout the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT

The closure device 10 according to the first embodiment, illustrated on the Figures 1 to 6 , comprises a cap 12 connected to a base 14 by a hinge 16 . The closure device is here produced by injection molding in the open position. As will be explained in detail in the following description, the closure device 10 is then closed in the position of the figure 3 either in the mold before ejection of the workpiece, or directly at the outlet of the mold, or at a later stage of manufacture or assembly on the container to which capping device is intended.

The base 14 has a substantially cylindrical outer peripheral wall 18 defining a reference geometric axis XX for the entire closure device 10 . The outer peripheral wall 18 is provided on its inner face with an internal thread 20 intended to be screwed onto a container neck. It can be extended at its end opposite to the cap 12 by a safety ring 22 , connected for example to the free end of the outer peripheral wall 18 by breakable bridges 24 . It may also have axial grooves 26 on its outer face.

In the remainder of the description, it will be assumed that the closure device is oriented with its vertical reference geometric axis and its base placed under the cap.

In this embodiment, the base 14 is further provided with a bottom 28 , closing the outer peripheral wall 18 and forming a tubular pourer 30 whose opening 32 has a reduced section relative to the cross section of the container neck and relative to the outer peripheral wall 18 , to facilitate and direct the flow out of the container, and allow where appropriate a direct grip to the consumer's mouth. The bottom 28 forms a substantially flat wall and oblique with respect to the reference geometric axis, the tubular pourer 30 projecting axially from this wall 28 upwards in the axial direction opposite to the peripheral wall 18 and centrally or eccentrically relative to the reference geometric axis XX. The periphery of the bottom 28 and the peripheral wall 18 , at their junction, forms a closed continuous seat 33 for the positioning and sealing of the cap 12 . Because of the general orientation oblique bottom 28 relative to the reference geometric axis XX , the seat 33 is inscribed in plan view substantially in an ellipse, having a major axis AA and a small axis BB , the major axis AA is the rope more large dimension and the small axis BB being the smaller dimension of the string perpendicular to the major axis. The outer peripheral wall 18 has a height, measured parallel to the axis XX , maximum at one end of the major axis which will be said high and a minimum height at the other end of the major axis, which will be said in the low suite.

In this embodiment, the hinge 16 is located at the upper end of the major axis AA , radially outside the seat 33 and has a pivot axis ZZ perpendicular to the major axis AA and the reference axis XX . In this case, the hinge 16 consists of a bistable reactive hinge having a general shape of butterfly. The pourer 30 is in turn located in the lower part of the bottom 28 , near the lower end of the major axis AA and opposite the hinge 16 , which can be translated by the fact that the geometric projection of the orifice 32 of the spout 30 on the major axis AA parallel to the reference geometric axis XX is closer to the lower end of the major axis AA than its upper end. This positioning of the pourer 30 maximizes its height relative to the wall of the bottom 28 from which it projects, for a given total height of the base 14 . It also makes it possible to position the hinge 16 so that the axis of rotation of the hinge, perpendicular to the reference axis XX and the major axis AA , is as high as possible, which gives the cap 12 a trajectory favorably limiting collisions with the salient pourer 30 .

As can be seen in the figures, the bottom 28 is not strictly plane but slightly corrugated on the contrary, the ellipse of which it has been mentioned above being strictly defined as the ellipse passing through the highest point, the point and the lowest point of the junction 32 between the peripheral wall 18 and the bottom 28 (measured parallel to the reference axis), and located in the cylindrical envelope defined by the peripheral wall 18 . The half-wave shape of the bottom 28 makes it possible to maximize the height of the peripheral wall 18 in the part closest to the hinge 16 , which facilitates the insertion in this zone, on each side of the hinge 16 , of a housing 34 located on the periphery of the peripheral wall 18 and from the bottom 28 . The two housings are symmetrical with respect to a median plane of the device, containing the axes XX and AA . Each of these housings 34 is accessible through a slot 36 constituting an upper axial opening. It is also widely open radially by a window 38 . The upper axial slot 36 and the outer radial window 38 are separated by a strip of material 40 making the continuity of the periphery of the peripheral wall 18 and constituting a cover for an upper portion 34S of the housing 34 , located above the part of the housing 34 visible from the outer radial window, this visible part being said in the following lower portion 34I of the housing 34 . The housing 34 has a bottom face 34F corresponding to a local thinning of the peripheral wall 18 of the base 14 . This bottom face 34F faces in part higher than the bar of material 40 and in the lower part to the window 38 . The housing 34 is further delimited by side faces 34G and 34D and a bottom face 34B made in the thickness of the peripheral wall 18 of the base 14 .

The cap 12 is intended, in the closed position of the figure 3 , to cover and protect the spout 30 and more generally the entire bottom 28 of the base 14 . It is possible to define a reference geometric axis YY linked to the cap 12 and coinciding with the geometric axis XX of the base and the closure device in the closed position. Naturally, this reference axis YY of the cap pivots about the axis of rotation of the hinge 16 with the cap, hence its position on the figure 1 . The cap 12 has a bottom 41 substantially plane and perpendicular to the reference geometric axis YY of the cap, and a left-sided peripheral wall 42 projecting from the bottom 41 to cover and envelop the bottom of the base 14 . The peripheral wall 42 has a flange 44 forming a closed curve, intended to bear axially and radially on the seat 33 to seal in the closed position.

The cap 12 is provided before the first closure, as shown in FIG. figure 1 two first opening indicators 46 connected to the rim 44 of the peripheral wall of the cap by breakable bridges 48 . Each witness 46 forms a signaling plate 50 extended by two elastically deformable attachment pins 52 . Each witness 46 has a weak radial thickness, a height in the axial direction substantially equal to that of the window 38 and a greater width than the other two dimensions, in the orthoradial direction, perpendicular to the other two.

Each first-opening indicator 46 is disposed so as to be able to enter the slot 36 of one of the housings 34 when the cap 12 , from the initial open position of the figure 1 , switches to the closed position of the figure 3 during the first closing of the closure device 10 . The witnesses 46 each have a ramp that bears on a relief 54 of the wall of the housing 34 , allowing the lugs 52 to fade when the witnesses 46 penetrate the slots 36 , then to relax in the housing 34 to prevent the withdrawal of the witnesses 46 from the slots 36 . The reliefs 54 protrude in a direction orthoradial with respect to the reference axis XX.

In the position of Figures 3 and 4 , the closure device 10 is sealed, the witnesses 46 being trapped inside the housing 34 . Remarkably, the witnesses 46 are arranged in the upper part 34S of the housings, hidden from view by the covers 40 . The flange 44 of the peripheral wall 42 of the cap, in axial and radial support on the seat 33 of the base, constitutes a seal which isolates from the outside the portion of the base 14 covered by the cap 12 .

Where, from the sealed closed position of Figures 3 and 4 , we try to open the cap 12 , we encounter a resistance of the hooking lugs 52 resting on the reliefs 54 , which oppose the extraction movement of the witnesses. If the opening force is sufficiently large, the breakable bridges 48 break, so that the cap 12 separates from the first opening indicators 46 and can be moved to the open position, pivoting about the axis of rotation. pivoting defined by the hinge. The witnesses 46 are then free to fall, by gravity, into the lower part 34I of the housings, in front of the windows 38 , becoming visible to the observer, as shown in FIG. figure 5 .

If the cap 12 is returned to its closed position after this first opening, the first-opening indicators remain visible in the lower portion 34I of the housings, as illustrated by FIG. figure 6 .

A second embodiment is illustrated on the Figures 7 to 11 . For the sake of brevity, the elements common with the first embodiment will not be described in detail and reference will be made for any addition to the description of the first embodiment.

The closure device 10 according to the second embodiment comprises a cap 12 connected to a base 14 by a hinge 16 . The closure device is made by injection molding in the open position, then, like the device of the first embodiment, closed in the position of the figure 7 either in the mold before ejection of the workpiece, or directly at the outlet of the mold, or at a later stage of manufacture or assembly on the container to which capping device is intended.

The base 14 has a substantially cylindrical outer peripheral wall 18 defining a reference geometric axis XX for the entire closure device 10 . The outer peripheral wall 18 is provided on its inner face with an internal thread intended to be screwed onto a container neck. It can be extended at its end opposite to the cap 12 by a safety ring 22 , connected for example to the free end of the outer peripheral wall 18 by breakable bridges 24 . It may also have axial grooves 26 on its outer face. As in the first embodiment, the base has two housings 34 symmetrical with respect to the plane of the figure 7 . As illustrated in more detail on the figure 9 Each housing 34 has a bottom face 34F corresponding to a local thinning of the peripheral wall 18 of the base 14. This bottom face 34F faces in part higher than the bar of material 40 and in the lower part to the window 38 . The housing 34 is further delimited by side faces 34G and 34D and a bottom face 34B made in the thickness of the peripheral wall 18 of the base 14 .

We illustrated on the figure 8 the cap alone, in the closed position before first opening the figure 7 . We distinguish on the figure 8 a first-opening indicator 46 connected to the rim 44 of the peripheral wall of the cap by breakable bridges 48D , 48G, and 48S, connecting the first-opening indicator respectively to a straight portion 44D , a left- hand portion 44G and an upper portion 44S of the edge of the peripheral wall of the cap. Each witness 46 forms a signaling plate 50 equipped with a hook 152 . Each witness 46 has a small radial thickness, a height in the axial direction substantially equal to that of the window 38 and a greater width than the other two dimensions, in the orthoradial direction, perpendicular to the other two.

As can be seen more particularly in the figure 9 , each first-opening indicator 46 is arranged so as to be able to enter the slot 36 of one of the housings 34 when the cap 12 , from the initial open position, switches to the closed position of the Figures 7 to 9 during the first closing of the closure device 10 .

During the closing stroke of the cap 12 , the indicator 46 slides along the bottom wall 34F of the housing while the hook 152 comes to bear sliding against an inner ramp of the wall of the housing 34 , deforming the wall elastically, to exceed a hooking relief 154 of the housing wall 34 , allowing the wall to return to its original shape, thus preventing the subsequent removal of the witnesses 46 . The relief 154 projects in a radial direction with respect to the reference axis XX.

In the closed position before first opening of Figures 7 to 9 , the closure device 10 is sealed, the witnesses 46 being trapped inside the housing 34 . Remarkably, the witnesses 46 are arranged in the upper part 34S of the housings, completely hidden from view by the covers 40 . Thus, only the bottom face 34F of the housing is visible through the window 38 , indicating the sealed state of the closure device.

Where, from the sealed closed position of Figures 7 to 9 , we try to open the cap 12 , there is a resistance of the hooks 152 resting on the reliefs 154, which oppose the extraction movement of the witnesses. If the opening force is sufficiently large, the breakable bridges 48R , 48D and 48S break, so that the cap 12 separates from the first opening indicators 46 and can be moved to the open position, pivoting around the pivot axis defined by the hinge. The witnesses 46 are then free to fall, by gravity, into the lower part 34I of the housings, in front of the windows 38 , becoming visible to the observer, as illustrated on the figure 10 and 11 .

If the cap 12 is returned to its closed position after this first opening, the first-opening indicators remain visible in the lower portion 34I of the housings, as illustrated by FIG. figure 11 .

It should be emphasized that in the first as in the second embodiment, the witnesses 46 have a shape not planar, but left, inscribed on a cylinder portion centered on the reference axis XX, and conjugate to the shape in cylindrical sector of the bottom face 34F and that of the slot 36 . Each witness 46 also has a height such that after opening, when it occupies the entire height of the window 38 in the lower portion 34I of the housing, an upper portion of the control 46 , including the upper breakable bridges 48S , remains in the upper part 34S of the housing. These dimensions are chosen so as to prevent any extraction of the witnesses 46 by the windows 38 . The extraction by the slots 36 is prevented by the hooks 152 and the reliefs 154 .

A third embodiment is illustrated on the Figures 12 to 20 . For the sake of brevity, the elements common with the first two embodiments will not be described in detail and reference will be made for any additional to the description of the previous embodiments.

The cap 12 is provided before the first closure, as shown in FIG. figure 12 two first-opening indicators 46 connected to the flange 44 of the peripheral wall of the cap by breakable bridges 48D , 48G , and 48S. Each witness 46 forms a signal plate 50 equipped with a hook 152 , and extended by two lugs 52 , on which are formed the breakable bridges 48D , 48G , and 48S. The flange 44 of the peripheral wall of the cap has, at each control 46 , cutouts of forms conjugated to those of the control, defining a heel 44T inserted between the two legs 52 .

Each first-opening indicator 46 is disposed so as to be able to enter the slot 36 of one of the housings 34 when the cap 12 , from the initial open position of the figure 12 , switches to the closed position of the figure 13 during the first closing of the closure device 10 .

In the position of Figures 13 to 15 , the closure device 10 is sealed, each witness 46 being trapped inside one of the housing 34 . Remarkably, the witnesses 46 are arranged in the upper part 34S of the housings, hidden from view by the covers 40 . Unlike the first two embodiments, it has however been made here that the breakable bridges 48S remain visible. Moreover, each window 38 is separated in two by a stiffening bar 34T , which extends parallel to the axis XX, thus forming two window portions 38D , 38G .

Where, from the sealed closed position of figures 13 and 14 , we try to open the cap 12 , we encounter a resistance of the hooks 152 resting on reliefs similar to the reliefs 154 of the second embodiment, which oppose the extraction movement of the witnesses 46 . If the opening force is sufficiently large, the breakable bridges 48R , 48D and 48S break, so that the cap 12 separates from the first opening indicators 46 and can be moved to the open position shown in FIG. figure 16 , pivoting about the pivot axis defined by the hinge 16 . The witnesses 46 are then free to fall, by gravity, into the lower part 34I of the housings, in front of the windows 38 , becoming visible to the observer, as illustrated on the figure 10 and 11 .

If the cap 12 is returned to its closed position after this first opening, the first opening indicators 46 remain visible through the windows 38 in the lower part of the housing 34 , as shown in FIG. figure 16 . The stiffening bar contributes to prevent any extraction of the witnesses by the windows 38 .

If, for one reason or another, one of the first opening witnesses 46 has not fallen by gravity into the lower part of the housing 34 during the first opening, means are provided to ensure that this fall takes place at the latest during the reclosing. These means are illustrated on the Figures 19 and 20 , which make it possible to visualize the kinematics of the opening and the closing, at the level of the witnesses of first opening 46 . More specifically, it is found that during the opening and after rupture of the breakable bridges 48R, 48D and 48S, the first opening indicator 46, if it does not fall of itself in the lower portion 34I of the housing 34 , is pushed laterally by the lower end 44Z of the rim of the cap, in the general direction of the arrow 100 . Assuming that the first opening indicator 46 has still not fallen when reclosing, the heel 44T formed on the cap presses against one of the legs 52 as shown in FIG. figure 20 , then imposing the descent of the first opening indicator 46 in the lower part of the housing 34 , in the general direction of the arrow 200 .

Various variations are possible. In particular, the embodiments described above may be combined with one another so as to form other embodiments.

Other conjugations of shapes between control 46 and the faces of the housing 34 can be implemented to prohibit the extraction of the witnesses 46 by the windows 38 , for example lateral guide grooves provided in the side faces 34D and 34G .

In the second embodiment, it is found that no contact has been made between the flange 44 of the peripheral wall 42 of the cap and the seat 33 of the base, so that this version has no problem. sealing property pushed between the outside of the base portion 14 covered by the cap 12 . However, one skilled in the art will understand that it is easily possible, by a very slight modification of the shapes of the seat 33 and the rim 44 , to obtain a tight seal against dust and liquids.

The base does not necessarily constitute a pourer projecting inside the cap and intended to reduce the passage section at the outlet of the container. It may indeed have only a function of attachment to the container neck and if necessary sealing the cap. If a pourer function is desired, it can be performed by means of an insert which is fixed to the base and / or the neck of the container.

It is also conceivable that the base 14 is fixed indirectly on the container neck, that is to say that there is an intermediate piece of interface between the peripheral wall fixing the base and the neck of the container. , for example a piece constituting a pourer.

The breakable bridges connecting the first-opening indicators to the cap may be replaced by a continuous film of thin material or any other means of breakable connection.

The number of first-opening witnesses may be any depending on the diameter of the base, in practice between one and four and preferably one or two.

The elasticity necessary to allow insertion of the first opening indicator (s) in their respective housing can be obtained by the shape of the hooking lugs, by incisions in the body of the witnesses or by similar arrangements at the corresponding walls. housing.

The seal between the cap and the base, at the contact between the rim of the peripheral wall of the cap and the corresponding seat on the base, may be reinforced by the shape of the seat, which may for example constitute a groove or a hanging relief. Depending on the constraints of the application, one can also be satisfied with an axial contact between the rim of the peripheral wall of the cap and the seat of the base.

It can be provided that the bottom 41 of the cap is provided with an inner peripheral sealing wall forming a skirt penetrating into the tubular pourer to establish a seal.

In the embodiment shown, the closure device has a total symmetry with respect to the geometric plane containing the axes XX and AA . However, this symmetry is not necessary.

The joint can be of any type compatible with molding in the open position. It is preferably a reactive hinge bistable, that is to say, two stable open and closed positions, and at least one unstable position between the two stable positions.

However, the invention is also applicable to a closure device without hinge, whose cap in the open position is not connected to the base.

Claims (19)

1. A closure device (10) comprising:

   - a base (14) comprising a peripheral wall (18) for fixing to a container neck, with the fixing peripheral wall (18) defining a reference geometric axis (X-X) of the device, with the base having at least one recess (34) comprising an external radial opening (38) and an upper axial opening (36);

   - a cap (12) movable relative to the base (34) between a closed position and an open position;

   - at least one first opening indicator (46) received in the recess (34) and connected to the cap (12) by means of a frangible connection (48) through the axial opening (36), with the first opening indicator (46) having dimensions which prevent the extraction thereof through the upper axial opening (36) or the external radial opening (38), so that the first opening indicator (46), upon the first opening of the cap (12), separates from the cap (12) and remains captive in the recess (34);

   characterized in that the base (14) is provided with a cover (40) separating the external radial opening (38) from the upper axial opening (36) and defining an upper part (34S) of the recess, with the first opening indicator (46), in the closed position of the cap (12), being positioned in the upper part (34S) of the recess and totally hidden by the cover (40), with the first opening indicator (46) being able to fall into a lower part (34I)of the recess upon separation between the first opening indicator (46) and the cap (12), with the radial opening (38) being so positioned as to make the first opening indicator (46) fallen into the lower part (34I)of the recess visible.
2. A closure device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first opening indicator (46) is provided with at least one attachment pattern (52) cooperating with a matching attachment pattern (54) of the base (14) so as to enable the insertion of the first opening indicator (46) into the recess (34) and oppose the extraction thereof.
3. A closure device according to claim 2, characterized in that said attachment pattern (52) of the first opening indicator (46) protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the reference axis (X-X).
4. A closure device according to claim 3, characterized in that the attachment pattern (52) of the first opening indicator (46) protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the radial direction relative to the reference axis (X-X).
5. A closure device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first opening indicator (46) and/or the base (14) are deformable, so as to enable the insertion of the first opening indicator (46) into the recess through the upper axial opening (36).
6. A closure device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the recess (34) has walls of a shape mating the first opening indicator (46), prohibiting the extraction of the first opening indicator (46) through the radial opening (38).
7. A closure device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cap (12) is articulated on the base via a hinge (16) providing a cap pivoting between the open position and the closed position.
8. A closure device according to claim 7, characterized in that the recess (34) and the hinge (16) are located on either side of the reference geometric axis (X-X).
9. A closure device according to claim 7, characterized in that the device comprises a second recess (34) and a second first opening indicator (46), with the recess (34) and the second recess (34) being located symmetrically on either side of a median plane of the closure device containing the reference geometric axis (X-X) and perpendicular to the hinge (16) pivot axis.
10. A closure device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fixing peripheral wall (18) comprises an internal relief (20) for attaching to the container neck, with the recess (34) being located axially between the attachment pattern (20) and the cap (12).
11. A closure device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cap (12) comprises a bottom (41) and an outer peripheral wall (42) in contact with the base (14) in the closed position.
12. A closure device according to claim 11, characterized in that the outer peripheral wall (42) of the cap is in contact with the base in a contact ellipse in an oblique contact plane relative to the reference geometric axis (X-X).
13. A closure device according to claim 12, characterized in that the recess is closer to the minor axis of the ellipse than to the major axis of the ellipse.
14. A closure device according to claim 7 and any one of claims 12 or 13, characterized in that the hinge (16) is closer to the major axis of the ellipse than to the minor axis of the ellipse.
15. A closure device according to any one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that the first opening indicator (46) axially protrudes from a rim (44) of the peripheral wall (42) of the cap.
16. A closure device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the external radial opening (38) is divided in two by a stiffening bar.
17. A closure device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cap is so shaped as to have a path interference with the first opening indicator (46) after the breaking of the frangible connection (48) upon the first opening and to move the first opening indicator (46) to a transient position, with the cap further comprising a heel to press the first opening indicator (46) into the transient position and force the first opening indicator (46) to fall into a lower portion (34I) of the recess upon a closing subsequent to the first opening.
18. A method for manufacturing a closure device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cap (12) and the base (14) are molded in the open position, then the cap (12) is positioned onto the base (14) in the closed position by inserting the first opening indicator (46) into the recess (34).
19. A method for guaranteeing a consumer that a closure device (10) of a container according to any one of claims 1 to 17 has never been opened, characterized in that it comprises the following steps:

    - upon the first closing of the closure device (10), a first opening indicator (46) is hidden behind a cover (40) of the closure device (10),

    - upon the first opening of the closure device (10), a displacement of the first opening indicator (46) is allowed which makes the first opening indicator (46) visible without separating the first opening indicator (46) from the base (14).

Images