ES2375787B1 - Self-opening device for bottles with crown cap - Google Patents

Abstract

Self-opening device for bottles with a crown cap, consisting of a hollow, semi-spherical cup-shaped element (1), which is placed superimposed on said cap and internally includes the opening mechanism, which consists of a stem (2 ), as a lever, which is fixed laterally on the peripheral skirt of the cap (3) and emerges divergently above the cap, staying in an inclined position supported on an intermediate foot (24) and with its free end (23) bumping against the inner wall of the bowl, in the area opposite the outer face of the cap (3). The opening of the cap, which is removed from the bottle together with the bowl (1) is carried out by pressing or hitting said bowl externally.

Description

Self-opening device for bottles with crown cap.

Object of the invention

The present invention relates to a device for opening bottles provided with a cap type closure

5 crown Specifically, it is an element that is placed in each of the bottles that closes with these caps in order to constitute an "easy open", integrated into the crown cap itself. Optionally this device could be adapted in a domestic tool intended to open bottles with this type of closure.

Background of the invention

The use of crown caps is currently very widespread, particularly in refreshing drinks with

10 gas, or beers, where a tight seal is required, simple to place and cheap. A crown cap is a circular metal plate, which has been punched to form a kind of bowl with a series of folds in its perimeter skirt that imprison the bottleneck. Inside this bowl has a coating of a soft material that when in contact with the outer edge of the mouth of the bottle makes a tight seal, which prevents the exit of gas and liquid from inside.

15 Many types of openers for crown caps are known; Due to its similarity to the object of the invention, we highlight the following documents: ES-1037963 and ES-1039080, both referring to cylindrical elements that are inserted over the cap and the bottle, entering a length sufficient for at least one hook to engage below the folds of the cap, said hook being associated with a lever or similar means placed at the base of said cylinder, so that when striking on said base the crown plug disconnection occurs

20 of the bottle.

An easy-open closure is also known for a closure consisting of a thin aluminum foil that is strangled in the neck of the bottle, similar to a crown cap, which has a side ring that allows it to be pulled, to tear said sheet and be able to remove it from said ring, once it is broken in half. This type of opening, by means of a ring implemented in the closing itself, is not applicable to the caps

25 crown, since there is no possibility of tearing them, nor can they be opened by pulling a side ring, since a certain force is required that allows to slightly expand the diameter of the fold zone, so that the gas from the bottle begins to come out and contribute to the detachment of the cap.

Description of the invention

The self-opening device for bottles with crown cap object of the invention aims to solve the

The problem of opening with an element that is incorporated into each crown cap, consisting of a cap of small size superimposed on the cap, which allows it to be removed without the need for any type of tool or opener. The opening mechanism is so simple that it is enough with a light blow with the hand on said cap, to get it and the crown cap to detach together from the bottle.

As we have already indicated, the visible part of this device is constituted by an element as a

35 hollow semi-spherical bowl that has a diameter approximately that of the crown cap in which it is placed. Associated with the cap, before or after its placement in the bottle, a lever-like rod is placed, which is fixed laterally on the peripheral skirt of the cap, adapts on the arched edge of the cap with its upper base and emerges divergently upwards and towards the center of the stopper, staying in an inclined position, resting on the stopper by means of an intermediate foot.

40 This bowl is made of a flexible material and has a flange in the open base, directed inwards, which determines a diameter slightly smaller than that defined by the folds of the crown cap; so that once said cup has been placed hooked below the folds of the cap, it remains attached to it in that position hiding the cap and the opening mechanism until its opening occurs, at which time both elements detach from The bottle in unison.

45 To make the opening it is enough to strike downwards from the outer base of the bowl that covers the opening mechanism, so that said lever, while tending to sink the base of the cap at the point where the said support rests intermediate foot, pulls the peripheral skirt of the plug from the proximal area in which said rod is fixed, so that between one and another effort the cap of the neck is detached and, in collaboration with the gas under pressure, allows its release of the bottle

50 This bowl can be made of a plastic or rubber material, while the lever-rod should preferably be metallic because of its strength and its ease of fixing on the cap. Fixing can be done by mechanical means, introduced under at least one of the folds of the crown cap; and it can also be done by welding, placing the rod directly on the circular metal sheet that will give rise to the crown plug, before making the folds that make up the perimeter skirt by imprisoning the neck of the

55 bottle

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The placement of this easy opener in each bottle also allows the crown cap to be protected from dirt. On the other hand, the presence of this opener incorporated in each bottle does not prevent the stacking of the boxes or bottle packs since the device does not activate until it is hit on this bowl that conforms it.

Description of the figures

To complement the description that is being made and in order to facilitate the understanding of the characteristics of the invention, a set of drawings is attached to the present specification in which, for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, the following has been represented:

Figures 1 and 2 show perspective views of a bottle with a crown cap and the easy-opening of the invention, respectively with the unopened bottle and all the elements that comprise it deployed.

Figures 3 and 4 represent paths seen, from different perspectives and with the bowl (1) partially sectioned, of an easy-opening of this nature placed in a bottle with a crown cap.

Figure 5 represents a perspective view of the sheet which will give rise to a crown plug, in which the opening mechanism (2) has been previously fixed, before its formation in a cap.

Preferred Embodiment of the Invention

The self-opening device of the invention is intended for beer bottles, soft drinks and in general all those that are closed by a crown cap. Externally, as can be seen in the referenced figures, this device is constituted by a hollow and semi-spherical shaped element (1), which has a diameter similar to that of the crown plug (4) in which place overlay. This bowl (1), which houses and conceals the opening mechanism, is made of a flexible material, such as plastic or rubber. In the open base it has an inwardly directed flange (11), which determines a diameter slightly smaller than that defined by the folds of the crown plug (3); so that it is hooked below said folds, hiding the plug and the opening mechanism.

The opening mechanism itself consisting of a rod (2), as a lever, which is fixed laterally on the peripheral skirt of the plug (3) and emerges divergently above the plug, staying in an inclined position supported on an intermediate foot ( 24), while its free end (23) bumps against the inner wall of the bowl (1), in the area opposite the outer face of the cap (3). The lever-rod (2) is made of a metallic material that has sufficient strength to resist the effect of a blow at the end of the lever without bending and without releasing from its connection to the peripheral skirt of the plug.

This lever rod (2) has an arcuate area (21), according to the radius of the crown plug, fixed or provided with fixing means in said cap. United in the song they start each lever arms in inverted "V", whose vertex (23) supports in the bowl (1), while the ends move movably in the edge of the arched area (21) in order to adapt to the crown cap rim configuration. In turn, both arms in "V" are joined at an intermediate point by a transverse bar that extends downward determining the support foot (24) of the lever (2), said foot being located in an intermediate position between the edge and the center of the crown cap.

With this arrangement, by pressing or hitting the bowl externally, the lever arm (2) slightly sinks the cap through the area where the foot rests (24), while the area (21) pulls out the skirt of the cap, until its detachment of the bottle takes place, together with the bowl (1) and the mechanism (2) integrated in it.

The fixing of the opening mechanism (2) on the edge of the crown cap (3) can be done by mechanical means, hooked under at least one of the folds of the crown cap, through some type of stop, hook or existing tooth in zone (21) attached to said skirt.

In a manufacturing alternative, the fixing of the opening mechanism (2) on the edge of the crown plug (3) is carried out by means of welding that fixes the arcuate part (21) directly on the circular metal plate that will give rise to the crown cap, before making the folds that make up the perimeter skirt of said cap that imprisons the neck of the bottle. (See figure 5).

Once the nature of the invention has been sufficiently described, as well as a preferred embodiment, it is stated for the appropriate purposes that the materials, shape, size and arrangement of the described elements may be modified, provided that this does not imply an alteration. of the essential features of the invention claimed below:

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Claims (6)

1.-Self-opening device for bottles with crown cap, comprising:

-

an element as a hollow, semi-spherical bowl (1), which has an inside diameter approximately equal to or less than that of the crown cap (4) in which it is placed superimposed, which internally includes an opening mechanism;

-

an opening mechanism consisting of a rod (2), as a lever, which is fixed laterally on the peripheral skirt of the plug (3) and emerges divergently above the plug, staying in an inclined position supported on an intermediate foot (24) and with its free end (23) bumping against the inner wall of the bowl, in the area opposite the outer face of the cap (3); so that pressing or hitting said bowl externally produces its detachment from the bottle, together with the crown cap that closes it.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the bowl (1) that houses and conceals the opening mechanism is made of a flexible material and has a flange (11) in the open base, directed inwards, which determines a diameter slightly smaller than that defined by the folds of the crown cap (3); so that it is hooked below said folds, hiding the plug and the opening mechanism. 3. Device according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the lever-rod (2) constituting the opening mechanism is a metallic element that has an arcuate area (21) according to the radius of the crown plug, fixed or provided with fixing means in said cap; from whose ends they start each lever arms in inverted "V", whose vertex (23) rests on the bowl (1), while the ends are joined movably in the edge of the arched area (21) in order to adapt to the crown cap rim configuration; both arms in "V" are joined at an intermediate point by a transverse bar that extends downwards determining the support foot (24) of the lever (2), said foot being located in an intermediate position between the edge and the center of the crown cap. 4. Device according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the fixing of the opening mechanism

(2)

 at the edge of the crown cap (3) is carried out by mechanical means, hooked under at least one of the folds of the crown cap

5. Device according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the fixing of the opening mechanism

(2)

 at the edge of the crown plug (3) it is carried out by welding, placing the arched part (21) directly on the circular metal sheet that will give rise to the crown cap, before making the folds that make up the perimeter skirt of said cap that imprisons the neck of the bottle.

SPANISH OFFICE OF THE PATENTS AND BRAND Application no .: 201230182 SPAIN Date of submission of the application: 08.02.2012 Priority Date: REPORT ON THE STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE 51 Int. Cl.: B67B7 / 16 (2006.01) RELEVANT DOCUMENTS

Category

56 Documents cited Claims Affected

TO

EN 1037963 U (MUÑOZ) 01.05.1998, the whole document. 1-5

TO

ES 1038086 U (MUÑOZ) 16.05.1998, column 2, lines 23-40; figures. 1-5

TO

GB 2193194 A (SHU) 03.02.1988, the whole document. 1-5

TO

US 4414866 A (KICHIJYO) 15.11.1983, column 1, line 35 - column 5, line 15; figures. 1-5

Category of the documents cited X: of particular relevance Y: of particular relevance combined with other / s of the same category A: reflects the state of the art O: refers to unwritten disclosure P: published between the priority date and the date of priority submission of the application E: previous document, but published after the date of submission of the application

This report has been prepared • for all claims • for claims no:

Date of completion of the report 21.02.2012

Examiner V. Anguiano Mañero Page 1/4

REPORT OF THE STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE Application number: 201230182 Minimum documentation searched (classification system followed by classification symbols) B67B Electronic databases consulted during the search (name of the database and, if possible, terms of search used) INVENES, EPODOC, WPI State of the Art Report Page 2/4  WRITTEN OPINION Application number: 201230182 Date of Written Opinion: 21.02.2012 Statement

Novelty (Art. 6.1 LP 11/1986)

Claims Claims 1-5 IF NOT

Inventive activity (Art. 8.1 LP11 / 1986)

Claims Claims 1-5 IF NOT

The application is considered to comply with the industrial application requirement. This requirement was evaluated during the formal and technical examination phase of the application (Article 31.2 Law 11/1986).  Opinion Base.- This opinion has been made on the basis of the patent application as published. State of the Art Report Page 3/4  WRITTEN OPINION Application number: 201230182  1. Documents considered.- The documents belonging to the state of the art taken into consideration for the realization of this opinion are listed below.

Document

Publication or Identification Number publication date

D01

EN 1037963 U (MUÑOZ) 01.05.1998

D02

EN 1038086 U (MUÑOZ) 05/16/1998

D03

GB 2193194 A (SHU) 03.02.1988

D04

US 4414866 A (KICHIJYO) 15.11.1983

 2. Statement motivated according to articles 29.6 and 29.7 of the Regulations for the execution of Law 11/1986, of March 20, on Patents on novelty and inventive activity; quotes and explanations in support of this statement The patent application complies with the patent requirements established in articles 6, 8 and 9 of law 11/1986 by the following reasons: The problem posed by the applicant is to facilitate the opening of crown plugs with opening mechanism for the cap and the cap detach together from the bottle. For this, a device is proposed by the applicant of self-opening for crown cap bottles. The first claim describes: a) Semi-spherical hollow bowl element with internal opening mechanism. b) Opening mechanism consists of a stem attached to the peripheral skirt of the cap, resting on an intermediate foot with its free end bumping against the inside wall of the bowl. The documents cited in the state of the art report are: -EN 1037963 U, D01. -ES 1038086 U, D02. -GB 2193194 A, D03. -US 4414866 A, D04. D01 describes a bottle opener with a hollow bowl and inner stem for support in the cap and subsequent opening ( Figure 1), which differs from the patent application in that the bowl is not semi-spherical and the internal pulling arm is not It has an intermediate foot. In turn, D02 is based on exactly the same operation as the patent application, but it difference in the first place in the shape of the bowl and also in the intermediate foot of the arm, being in this case a helical device (description, figure 3). D03 (the whole document) is a bottle opener with a spherical cap which differs, within the opening arm, in that it does not have an intermediate foot as indicated in the request for patent. Finally, D04 is an opener that has an opening foot (6) but articulated and in a different arrangement than the indicated in the patent application. The rest of claims (2-5) being dependent on the first claim also meet the requirements of patentability State of the Art Report Page 4/4