ES3030337T3 - Closure for a container - Google Patents

Abstract

A closure for a container comprising a neck (1) ending in an opening (11), said closure comprising: a closure body comprising a lid (2) and an over-lid (3) and a skirt (4) made of a heat-shrinkable material; wherein the lid (2) comprises a closure element (21) adapted to be coupled to the neck (1) of the container to removably close the opening (11) of the neck (1), the overlid (3) comprises a seat (31), the closure element (21) of the lid (2) is at least partially arranged in the seat (31) to be constrained within the seat (31), the skirt (4) comprises a first portion (41) configured to surround and be stably fixed to an outer surface (13) of the neck (1) of the container, a second portion (42) attached to the body of the closure and an intermediate portion (43) interposed between the first (41) and the second (42) portions, the intermediate portion (43) comprising a frangible portion (44) configured to break upon first opening of the container. (Automatic translation with Google Translate, without legal value)

Description

DESCRIPTION

Closure for a container

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a closure for a container, for example, containing valuable alcoholic beverages.

State of the art

Closures for containers comprising a neck ending in an opening are known in the art.

International patent application PCT No. WO 03/050009 describes, in Figure 4, a closure for a container comprising a neck ending in an opening and having a finish at the opening, said closure comprising:

- a closure body comprising a cap and an overcap;

- a skirt made of heat-shrinkable material, where:

- the stopper comprises a closure member adapted to engage the neck of the container to removably close the neck opening,

- the overcap comprises a seat, the closure member of the cap being partially arranged in said seat so as to be locked inside said seat, wherein said skirt comprises a first part configured to surround and be stably fixed to an outer surface of the neck of the container, a second part fixed to the closure body and an intermediate part interposed between the first part and the second part,

- the second part is fixed between the stopper and the over-stopper, the second part of the skirt being at least partially restricted between the edge of the over-stopper and a corresponding stop element of the stopper.

International patent application PCT No. WO 2018/193422 describes a closure comprising a cap and an overcap. In particular, the cap comprises a closure member adapted to engage the neck of the container to removably close the neck opening. The overcap comprises a seat, and the closure member of the cap is partially constrained in said seat such that the cap is secured to the overcap.

German patent document No. DE 2604330 describes a closure comprising a cap and a skirt made of heat-shrinkable material. The cap is partially inserted into the opening of the container's neck, with the skirt surrounding the container's neck and cap. Once the skirt is heated, it adheres to the neck and cap, thereby holding the cap within the container's neck. Furthermore, a skirt integrity check will confirm whether the container has been opened for the first time.

Prior art problem

However, such prior art closures can be manipulated more or less easily.

The container securing element described in PCT International Patent Application No. WO 03/050009 may be made of a deformable material that can be removed by bending, or of a flexible material that can be removed by sliding past the container rim. The closure described in PCT International Patent Application No. WO 2018/193422 does not have a "tamper-evident" system, i.e., a system for providing evidence of whether the container has been first opened.

Furthermore, in the closure described in German patent document No. DE 2604330, the heat-shrinkable skirt can be easily removed and reapplied after replacing the beverage originally contained in the container. As a result, a simple check of the skirt's integrity does not guarantee that tampering has not occurred.

Summary of the invention

Therefore, the technical purpose of the present invention is to provide a closure for a container that can obviate the drawbacks of the prior art.

In particular, an object of the present invention is to provide a closure that can provide evidence of whether a first opening of the container has occurred.

Furthermore, one object of the present invention is to provide a closure that cannot be easily tampered with. A further object of the present invention is to provide a closure that can prevent leakage of beverages from the container during transport of said container.

The technical purpose and objects mentioned above are achieved by a closure comprising the technical features specified in one or more of the appended claims.

Advantages of the invention

A preferred embodiment of the invention may provide a closure which provides visual evidence of whether a first opening of the container has occurred, and which is also not easily tampered with.

Said preferred embodiment of the invention can also ensure liquid tightness when the closure is applied to a container, thus preventing leakage of beverage through the opening of the neck of the container during transport of said container.

Brief description of the drawings

Additional features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the illustrative, non-limiting description of a preferred, non-exclusive embodiment of a closure for a container, as shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 is a sectional perspective view of a closure of the present invention, applied to a neck of a container.

- Figure 2 is a partially sectioned front view of an alternative embodiment of the closure of Figure 1, applied to a neck of a container.

- Figure 3 is a partially sectioned exploded view of the closure of Figure 2 and a neck of a container.

- Figure 4 is a partially sectioned front view of an alternative embodiment of the closure of Figure 1, applied to a neck of a container.

- Figure 5 is a partially sectioned front view of an alternative embodiment of the closure of Figure 1. - Figure 6 is a partially sectioned front view of an alternative embodiment of the closure of Figure 1, applied to a neck of a container.

Detailed description

Referring in particular to the attached figures, there is shown a closure for a container (not shown) comprising a neck 1 ending in an opening 11 and having a finish 12 at the opening 11. The opening 11 of the neck 1 is delimited by a perimeter edge 14. The container is well known to those skilled in the art and will not be described further herein.

The closure comprises a closure body comprising a cap 2 and an overcap 3.

The cap 2 comprises a closure member 21 adapted to engage the neck 1 of the container to removably close the opening 11 of the neck 1. As explained further below, the closure member 21 seals the opening 11 of the neck 1, thereby preventing leakage of beverages contained in the container. Preferably, the closure member 21 extends between a base 24 and an opposite top 25 in a longitudinal direction X-X. Still preferably, the closure member 21 comprises a perimeter wall 213 extending between the base 24 and the top 25 of the closure member 21. In other words, the perimeter wall 213 of the closure member 21 connects the base 24 and the top 25 of the closure member 21.

The overcap 3 comprises a seat 31.

Preferably, the seat 31 extends between an insertion opening 311 delimited by an edge 35 of the overcap 3 and an opposite upper surface 312 in the longitudinal direction X-X. In addition, a connecting surface 313 connects the insertion opening 311 with the upper surface 312.

Also preferably, the overcap 3 comprises a first body 33 and a second body 34 joined together to define the seat 31.

The closure member 21 of the plug 2 is arranged at least partially in the seat 31 so as to be restricted within the seat 31. Preferably, the upper part 25 of the closure member 21 faces the upper surface 312 of the seat 31 of the overcap 3.

Still preferably, the closure member 21 of the cap 2 has a coupling portion 211 and an insertion portion 212. The base 24 of the closure member 21 is defined in the coupling portion 211 of the closure member 21, while the top 25 of the closure member 21 is defined in the insertion portion 212 of the closure member 21. The coupling portion 211 is coupleable to the neck 1 of the container, while the insertion portion 212 is arranged in the seat 31 of the overcap 3. Preferably, the insertion portion 212 is shaped to fit into the seat 31 of the overcap 3.

Furthermore, the closure comprises a skirt 4 made of heat-shrinkable material. Preferably, said skirt 4 is defined by a membrane made of a heat-shrinkable material. The skilled person will appreciate that a membrane made of a heat-shrinkable material is configured to shrink to approximately 50% of its respective initial size, which will allow it to adhere to the object around which it has been wrapped.

The skirt 4 comprises a first portion 41 configured to surround and be stably secured to an outer surface 13 of the neck 1 of the container. Since the skirt 4 is made of a heat-shrinkable material, as heat is applied to the skirt 4 after the first portion 41 of the skirt 4 has been disposed around the neck 1 of the container, the first portion 41 firmly adheres to the outer surface 13 of the neck 1.

Furthermore, the skirt 4 comprises a second portion 42 secured to the closure body. The second portion 42 of the skirt 4 therefore has an inner region 421 secured to the closure body and an outer region 422 which is exposed when the closure is applied to the container.

Finally, the skirt 4 comprises an intermediate part 43 interposed between the first part 41 and the second part 42. The intermediate part 43 of the skirt 4 connects the outer area 422 of the second part 42 of the skirt 4 with the first part 41 of the skirt 4.

As a result, when the closure is applied to the container, the first part 41 of the skirt 4, the intermediate part 43 of the skirt 4 and the outer area 422 of the second part 42 of the skirt 4 are exposed, i.e. visible to a user, while the inner area 421 of the second part 42 of the skirt 4 is not visible.

It should be noted that since the first part 41 of the skirt 4 is exposed when the closure is applied to the neck 1 of the container, one or more graphic indicia representing, for example, the producer of the beverage in the container may be provided on said first part 41.

In one aspect, the intermediate portion 43 comprises a frangible portion 44 that is configured to break upon first opening of the container. Thus, a user may grasp the overcap 3 and pull it in the longitudinal direction X-X away from the neck 1 and/or impart a rotation to the overcap 3 about the longitudinal direction X-X, to cause the frangible portion 44 to break and allow removal of the cap 2 and the overcap 3 from the neck 1 of the container.

Even after the cap 2 and the overcap 3 have been removed, at least the first part 41 of the skirt 4 remains stably fixed to the neck 1 of the container.

It should be noted that a check of the integrity of the frangible portion 44 will provide evidence of whether a first opening of the container has occurred. Furthermore, since the second portion 42 of the skirt 4 is secured to the closure body, said second portion 42 will be difficult to remove from the skirt 4 and replace. This is because, if a counterfeiter were to succeed in removing the closure from the container in order to replace the beverage contained therein, thereby tampering with the container, the inner region 421 of the second portion 42 of the skirt 4 would still be secured to the closure body. Moreover, if the counterfeiter had even been able to remove the inner region 421 of the second portion 42 of the skirt 4, they would find it difficult to apply a new skirt 4 without producing prima facie evidence on the closure that the opening of the container had occurred.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first part 41 of the skirt 4 is configured to be arranged below the finish 12 of the neck 1 of the container.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the second part 42 is fixed to the cap 2 or the overcap 3. Preferably, the second part 42 is at least partially restricted between the overcap 3 and the cap.

Still according to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the overcap 3 has a first fixing surface 32 having a first zone 32a delimiting the seat 31. When the closure is applied to the container, the first fixing surface 32 faces the neck 1 of the container.

Preferably, the first area 32a of the first fixing surface 32 corresponds to the connection surface 313 and the upper surface 312 of the seat 31.

The second fixing surface 32 further has a second zone 32b adjacent to the first zone 32a and defined at the edge 35 of the overcap 3.

Still according to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the plug 2 has a second fixing surface 22.

The second part 42 of the skirt 4 is at least partially restricted between the first fixing surface 32 and the second fixing surface 22. Preferably, the inner region 421 of the second part 42 of the skirt 4 is restricted between the first fixing surface 32 and the second fixing surface 22. Furthermore, the second part 42 of the skirt 4 is at least partially restricted between the edge 35 of the overcap 3 and a corresponding stop element 14, 23. Preferably, the inner region 421 is at least partially restricted between the edge 35 and the corresponding stop element 14, 23.

According to a first embodiment of the invention, the second fixing surface 22 is defined in the closing member 21 of the cap 2. Preferably, the second fixing surface 22 is defined in the insertion part 212 of the closing member 21. More preferably, the fixing surface 22 is defined in the insertion part 212 of the perimeter wall 213 of the closing member 21.

The closing member 21 of the plug 2 is at least partially restricted within the seat 31, with the second fixing surface 22 facing the first area 32a of the first fixing surface 32.

According to this first embodiment of the invention, the second part 42 of the skirt 4 is at least partially restricted in the seat 31 between the first zone 32a of the first fixing surface 32 and the second fixing surface 22.

Preferably, according to this first embodiment of the invention, the second part 42 of the skirt 4 is at least partially restricted in the seat 31 between the connection surface 313 and the second fixing surface 22 defined in the insertion part 212 of the perimeter wall 213 of the closure member 21. In other words, according to this first embodiment, the inner area 421 of the second part 42 of the skirt 4 is restricted between the connection surface 313 of the seat 31 and the perimeter wall 213 of the closure member 21 and, at the same time, when the closure is applied to the container, the inner area 421 of the second part 42 of the skirt 4 is partially restricted between the second area 32b of the first connection surface 32 and the perimeter edge 14 of the neck 1 of the container. In more detail, the inner area 421 of the second part 42 of the skirt 4 is restricted between the edge 35 of the overcap 3 and the corresponding stop element 14, 23. In the first embodiment, the corresponding stop element 14, 23 is defined by the perimeter edge 14 of the neck 1 of the container.

According to a second embodiment of the invention, which is alternative to the first embodiment, the plug 2 comprises an annular element 23. The closing member 21 of the plug 2 is arranged within the annular element 23.

Preferably, the annular element 23 faces at least partially towards the edge 35 of the overcap 3.

Still preferably, when the closure is applied to the container, the annular element 23 is arranged at least partially on the perimeter edge 14 of the neck 1 of the container.

According to this second embodiment of the invention, the second fixing surface 2 is defined on the annular element 23.

Preferably, according to this second embodiment of the invention, the second part 42 of the skirt 4 is at least partially restricted between the second area 32b of the first fixing surface 32 and the second fixing surface 22 defined in the ring element 23. In other words, according to this second embodiment of the invention, the inner area 421 of the second part 42 of the skirt 4 is restricted between the edge 35 of the overcap 3 and the corresponding stop element 14, 23. In the second embodiment, the corresponding stop element 14, 23 is defined by the annular element 23.

According to an alternative embodiment, not shown, the closure comprises fixing members adapted to reversibly fix the closure member 21 of the cap 2 to the neck 1 of the container. Preferably, the fixing members are associated with the closure member 21 of the cap 2. More preferably, the fixing members are associated with the coupling portion 211 of the closure member 21.

Still preferably, the fixing members comprise a first thread associated with the closure member 21 of the cap 2. The first thread can be coupled with a second thread associated with the neck 1 of the container to reversibly connect the closure member 21 of the cap 2 to the neck 1 of the container. In a further aspect, the closure member 21 of the cap 2 has a cylindrical shape and is adapted to engage within a section of the neck 1 through the opening 11 to reversibly close the opening 11 of the neck 1. In other words, assuming that the closure member 21 of the cap 2 is formed as a cylinder, the engaging portion 211 of the closure member 21 is understood to have a substantially cylindrical shape, while the insert portion 212 may have any shape as long as it fits into the seat 31 of the overcap 3. The engaging portion 211 of the substantially cylindrical closure member 21 engages by interference fit with an inner surface 15 of the neck 1 of the container.

According to a further aspect, the closure member 21 comprises a through channel 26 between a lower opening 27 located at the base 24 of the closure member 21 and an upper opening 28 located at a distance from the lower opening 27 in the longitudinal direction X-X. Preferably, the through channel 26 extends in the longitudinal direction X-X.

The through channel 26 is in fluid communication with the interior of the container when the closure is applied to the neck 1 of the container.

Said closure comprises a one-way valve 6 located in the upper opening 28 of the through channel 26 and configured to allow gases to flow out of the interior of the container through the upper opening 28.

The one-way valve 6 is actuated as a result of an increase in pressure within the container, thereby providing control of the pressure level within the container. Advantageously, in the event of an excessive increase in pressure within the container, the one-way valve 6 prevents the pressure inside the container from acting on the closure and resulting, for example, in a deformation of the skirt 4. A deformation of the skirt 4 could cause a loss of liquid tightness in the closure, thereby resulting in the leakage of beverage droplets during transport of the container.

Preferably, the one-way valve 6 is configured to prevent gases from flowing into the container through the upper opening 28 of the through channel 26. Advantageously, the closure prevents gases from flowing into the container, which may lead to deterioration of the properties of the beverage contained in the container, and therefore maintains the organoleptic properties of the beverage.

With the through channel 26 and the one-way valve 6, a closure can be provided which ensures effective maintenance of liquid tightness when this closure is applied to a vessel.

Preferably, the upper opening 28 is formed in the insertion part 212 of the closing member 21. According to a first embodiment of the through channel 26, the upper opening 28 is formed in the perimeter wall 213 of the closing member 21.

According to a second embodiment of the through channel 26, which is an alternative to the first embodiment of the through channel 26, the opening is formed in the upper part 25 of the closing member 21. Preferably, according to this second embodiment of the through channel 26, the upper opening 28 faces the upper surface 312 of the seat 31 of the overcap 3.

Claims (12)

1. A closure for a container comprising a neck (1) ending with an opening (11) and having a finish (12) at the opening (11), said closure comprising: - a closure body comprising a cap (2) and an overcap (3); - a skirt (4) of heat-shrinkable material; where: - the stopper (2) comprises a closure member (21) adapted to engage the neck (1) of the container to removably close the opening (11) of the neck (1), - the overcap (3) comprises a seat (31), the closing member (21) of the cap (2) being at least partially arranged in said seat (31) so as to be locked within said seat (31), - said seat (31) has an insertion opening (311) defined by an edge (35) of the overcap (3), - said skirt (4) comprises a first part (41) configured to surround and be stably fixed to an outer surface (13) of the neck (1) of the container, a second part (42) fixed to the closing body and an intermediate part (43) interposed between the first part (41) and the second part (42), said intermediate part (43) comprising a breakable part (44) which is configured to break after a first opening of the container, - the second part (42) is fixed to the cap (2) or to the overcap (3), the second part (42) of the skirt (4) being at least partially restricted between the edge (35) of the overcap (3) and a corresponding stop element (14, 23); characterized in that the stop element (14, 23) is defined by a peripheral edge (14) of the neck (1) of the container or by an annular element (23). 2. A closure according to claim 1, wherein the second part (42) is at least partially blocked between the overcap (3) and the plug (2). 3. A closure according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first part (41) of the skirt (4) is configured to be arranged below the finish (12) of the neck (1) of the container. 4. A closure according to claim 2 or 3, wherein: - the overcap (3) has a first fixing surface (32) having a first zone (32a) delimiting the seat (31); - the plug (2) has a second fixing surface (22); - the second part (42) of the skirt (4) being at least partially blocked between the first fixing surface (32) and the second fixing surface (22). 5. A closure according to claim 4, wherein: - the second fixing surface (22) is defined in the closing member (21) of the plug (2); - the closing member (21) of the plug (2) is at least partially locked within the seat (31) with the second fixing surface (22) facing the first zone (32a) of the first fixing surface (32). 6. A closure according to claim 4, wherein: - the plug (2) comprises the annular element (23), the closing member (21) of the plug (2) being arranged within the annular element (23); - the second fixing surface (22) is defined on the annular element (23). 7. A closure according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the closure comprises fixing members adapted to reversibly fix the closure member (21) of the cap (2) to the neck (1) of the container. 8. A closure according to claim 7, wherein said fixing members comprise a first thread associated with the closure member (21) of the cap (2), said first thread being adapted to engage with a second thread associated with the neck (1) of the container to reversibly connect the closure member (21) of the cap (2) to the neck (1) of the container. 9. A closure according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the closure member (21) of the plug (2) has a cylindrical shape and is adapted to engage within a section of said neck (1) through said opening (11) to reversibly close the opening (11) of the neck (1). 10. A closure according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein: - the closure member (21) extends between a base (24) and an opposite upper part (25) in a longitudinal direction (X-X) and comprises a perimeter wall (213) extending between the base (24) and the upper part (25), said closure member (21) comprising a through channel (26) between a lower opening (27) located in the base (24) and an upper opening (28) separated from the lower opening in the longitudinal direction (X-X); said through channel (26) being in fluid communication with the interior of the container when the closure is applied to the neck (1) of the container; - said closure comprises a one-way valve (6) located in the upper opening (28) of the through channel (26) and configured to allow gases to flow out of the interior of the container through the upper opening (28). 11. A closure according to claim 10, wherein said one-way valve (6) is configured to prevent gases from flowing into the container through said upper opening (28) of the through channel (26). 12. A closure according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the overcap (3) comprises a first body (33) and a second body (34) joined together to define the seat (31).