FR2842176A1 - Stopper with hinged cap comprises base and cap with top cover articulated to ring by strap enabling cap to be molded in closed position - Google Patents

Abstract

The stopper (1) comprises a base (4) and a cap (5) including a top cover (31) articulated to a ring (29) by a strap (3). The strap enables the cap to be molded in a closed position of the cover. When the cover is closed the sensitive zones of the cap are either located in a sealed closed space or able to be in contact with a liquid and capable of being treated so as to eliminate the liquid. Tamper proof means are deformed and ruptured when the top is first opened so that the resulting free ends are sufficiently spaced apart to reveal it has been tampered with. An independent claim is included for a method of making the stopper.

Description

The invention relates to a plug of the type comprising a first part and

  a second part associated with each other by a junction and articulation device. The invention also relates to an assembly comprising such a stopper and a container neck, as well as to a method for producing such a stopper.

  Caps of this type are already known, for example provided with a hinge.

  A hinge of the prior art, as well as a stopper provided with such a hinge, are for example shown in FIGS. 1 to 3: - FIG. 1 is a side view of the stopper, partially showing the hinge, the cap being closed; - Figure 2 is a view of the cap of Figure 1 according to arrow A, showing more specifically the hinge;

  - Figure 3 is an axial sectional view of the plug of Figure 1.

  The plug 100 comprises on the one hand a base part 101, intended to be mounted on the neck of a container, and comprising a chimney 102 provided with a

upper opening.

  The plug 100 also comprises a closing / opening part 103 articulated to the base part 101 by a hinge 104, and which can be moved between a closing position, in which the closing / opening part 103 covers the chimney 102 and closes the upper opening thereof, and an open position, in which the upper opening of the

chimney 102 is released.

  The hinge 104 has the general shape of a butterfly, comprising: an upper edge 105 in the form of an arc of a circle connected to the closing / opening part 103; a lower edge 106 in the form of an arc of a circle connected to the base part 101

  - And two side edges 107a, 107b.

  This type of hinge is not entirely satisfactory.

  First of all, the caps provided with this type of hinge must necessarily be molded in the open position. This has many drawbacks: the mold used is large, therefore more expensive; it is necessary to provide an additional operation for closing the closing / opening part after the cap is removed from the mold, the latter being stored and delivered in the closed position; cycle time is found

  lengthened, and the production rate decreased.

  In addition, this type of hinge does not meet demand

  increasing sterilization of corks.

  The sanitization is carried out by immersion in a bath of the stopper, the closing / opening part being in the closed position. After this operation, it is necessary to rinse the cap to remove all traces of aseptic liquid. This operation is carried out by spraying a

rinse on the cap.

  However, when the closing / opening part 103 is in the closed position, there is a space e of very small dimensions between the hinge 104 and each of the two parts 101, 103 of the plug 100 (see FIG. 1). Therefore, it is not possible to rinse the cap 100 properly, traces of liquid

  aseptic may remain in said space e, which is not desirable.

  In addition, the structure of this type of hinge - and in particular the short distance separating the upper edge 105 from the lower edge 106 - does not allow plugs to be produced which, when the closing / opening part 103 is in the closed position, ensure an excellent seal between the part of

  base 101 and the closing / opening part 103.

  In fact, when the closing / opening part 103 is in the closed position, the lower edge 108 of the closing / opening part 103 and the upper edge 109 of the base part 101 are not perfectly contiguous,

  a clearance j existing between them (see Figures 1 to 3).

  As a result, when the plug 100 is immersed in a bath for the aseptic operation, the aseptic liquid can infiltrate through the space e and through the clearance j towards the zone between the external face. from chimney 102 and

  the inner face of the closing / opening part 103.

  However, this area cannot be adequately rinsed by spraying. This is all the more harmful since the consumer may have to drink

  directly through the chimney the contents of the container fitted with the cap.

  The invention aims to solve these problems. It aims to provide a stopper comprising a first part and a second part associated with each other by a junction and articulation device which allows the molding of the stopper in the closed position, as well as an effective sanitization and rinsing. , while retaining the advantages of known hinges, for example of the butterfly type, namely the maintenance of the closing part I

  opening in the open position, and the closing guide.

  To this end, and according to a first aspect, the invention relates to a plug of the type comprising a first part and a second part associated with each other by a junction and articulation device, the second part being capable of be moved, relative to the first part, between an open position and a closed position. According to the invention, the junction and articulation device is in the form of a strap having a first end linked to the first part of the plug and a second end linked to the second part of the plug, said strap comprising at least a transverse weakening zone situated at a distance from said ends and further comprising two articulation zones situated on either side of

said weakening zone.

  According to the invention, the second end of the strap is linked to the second

  part of the plug remote from the first part of the plug.

  For example, the weakened area is in the form of localized thinning. The weakening zone may be substantially rectilinear or be delimited by two arcs of a circle whose concavities are directed opposite one another,

  said weakening zone having substantially the shape of a butterfly.

  According to a possible embodiment, the weakening zone is located

  appreciably halfway up the strap.

  According to other characteristics, at least one articulation zone comprises a weakening line located at a distance from the ends of the strap, and / or at least one articulation zone is situated in the immediate vicinity of the ends

of the strap.

  The material of the strap is for example flexible enough to allow deformation of said strap especially in the vicinity of its

ends.

  When the second part of the stopper is in the closed position, the strap may have in longitudinal section: - the shape of a U whose bottom is curved towards the outside of the stopper; - the shape of a U whose bottom is curved towards the cap; - the shape of a U whose bottom is directed obliquely to its branches;

- or the shape of an arc.

  According to a possible embodiment, the width of the strap is more than half

the length of said strap.

  For example, the stopper comprises on the one hand a base part comprising an upper opening and a lower opening at its axial ends, intended to be mounted on the neck of a container, and on the other hand a cover forming part intended for be associated with the base part, said cover part comprising an annular ring comprising: hooking means able to cooperate with complementary hooking means of the base part; - A cap connected to the ring by said strap, able to be moved between a closed position in which the cap closes the upper opening of the base part, and an open position, in which said opening

is not blocked.

  The base part may comprise an annular wall from which protrude, substantially perpendicularly and in opposite directions, on the one hand an external skirt provided with an internal thread intended to cooperate with a complementary external thread of a container neck, and on the other hand a fireplace. When the cap is in the closed position, the cap and the chimney cooperate in a sealed manner. Furthermore, the cap comprises latching means able to cooperate with reciprocal latching means

of the base part of the cap.

  According to a second aspect, the invention relates to an assembly comprising a stopper as described above and a container neck or a container having a neck, the said container being empty or at least partially filled with a

certain content.

  Finally, according to a third aspect, the invention relates to a method for producing such a plug in which the plug is obtained by molding a single

  piece and in the closed position of the strap and the first and second parts.

  The other characteristics of the invention result from the following description of

  embodiments, description made with reference to the appended figures

  in which: FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a plug, said plug comprising a base part and a part forming a cover connected by a junction and articulation element according to a first embodiment of the invention, the cover portion being in the closed position; - Figure 5 is a side view, along arrow B, of the cap of Figure 4; - Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5, the cover portion being in the open position; - Figure 7 is a rear view, along arrow C, of the cap of Figure 4; - Figure 8 is an axial sectional view of the plug of Figure 4; - Figures 9 and 10 are respectively side and perspective views of a plug provided with a junction and articulation element according to a second embodiment of the invention; - Figures 11 and 12 are respectively side and perspective views of a plug provided with a junction and articulation element according to a third embodiment of the invention; - Figures 13 and 14 are respectively side and perspective views of a plug provided with a junction and articulation element according to a

  fourth embodiment of the invention.

  Firstly, reference is made to FIGS. 4 to 8 which represent a plug 1 of axis 2, provided with a junction and articulation element 3. The plug 1 is by

  example made of plastic.

  The plug 1 comprises on the one hand a base part 4, intended to be mounted on a container neck, and on the other hand a cover forming part 5

  intended to be associated with the base part 4.

  The plug 1 is described in a position where the axis 2 is vertical, the cover forming part 5 being situated above the base part 4. The axis 2 defines a direction of elevation with respect to which the terms "height", "upper", "lower". A location near axis 2 is called "interior", as opposed to a location remote from axis 2,

called "exterior".

  Of course, the plug 1 can take other positions in space,

  especially when used by a consumer.

  The neck with which the plug 1 is intended to be associated has an opening through which the contents of the container can pass. The neck comprises on its outside face a thread, projections forming hooking means, located under the thread, as well as a flange forming a bearing surface, located under the

projections.

  The container can be flexible, so that a user can, by pressing on said container, favor the exit of the content. The container can also be rigid.

  The base part 4 of the plug 1 is first described.

  The base part 4, molded in one piece, is made of a material

relatively rigid plastic.

  The base part 4 firstly comprises an annular wall 10, of axis 2, having in its center a pouring orifice 11 of relatively large diameter, for example of the order of three quarters of the outside diameter of the annular wall 10 Therefore, the output flow of the contents of the container can be relatively large, without the need to exert pressure

on the container.

  The base part 4 also comprises a cylindrical outer skirt 12, projecting substantially perpendicularly from the annular wall 10 from the outer edge thereof. The outer skirt 12 is provided with a thread

  interior 13 complementary to the external thread of the neck.

  In addition, an annular tamper-evident band 14, produced in one piece with the base part 4, is connected to the free end 15 of the outer skirt 12 by frangible bridges 16 or by a line of weaker resistance. The tamper-evident band 14 comprises hooking projections 17, directed towards the axis 2 of the plug 1, and intended to cooperate with the projections of the container neck for

  allow the tamper-evident band 14 to be maintained at said collar.

  Thus, the integrity of the bridges 16 of the tamper-evident strip 14 certifies that the part

  base 4 of plug 1 has never been unscrewed from the neck.

  The base part 4 further comprises a chimney 18, projecting substantially perpendicularly from the annular wall 10 from the inner edge thereof, around the pouring orifice 11, in the direction opposite to the skirt

outdoor 12.

  The chimney 18 firstly comprises a substantially cylindrical lower portion 19, linked to the annular wall 10, and extending over approximately one third of the total height of the chimney 18. About halfway up the lower portion 19, the outer face of the chimney 18 has a projection 20 whose function

will be described later.

  The chimney 18 also includes an intermediate portion 21 extending from the upper edge of the lower portion 19 towards the top of the plug 1 and towards the axis 2. The intermediate portion 21 has substantially the shape of a truncated cone whose l angle at the top is less than 900, for example of the order

700.

  Finally, the chimney 18 has a substantially cylindrical upper portion 22, linked to the upper edge of the second intermediate portion 22, extending over approximately one third of the total height of the chimney 18. The diameter of the upper portion 22, which defines the upper opening of the base part 4, is for example of the order of half the diameter of the

lower portion 19.

  In the junction zone between the upper portion 22 and the intermediate portion 21, the chimney 18 comprises an interior element 6 intended to

  regulate the output flow of the container contents.

  The element 6 firstly comprises a disc part 7 placed substantially perpendicular to the axis 2, held inside the chimney 18 by friction against the interior wall of said chimney 18 and by contact with a

  inner bead 23 of the chimney 18.

  The disc part 7 is for example made of polypropylene or

high density polyethylene.

  The disc part 7 has a central stud 8 directed towards the upper portion 22 of the chimney 18, as well as at least one orifice 9, located at a distance from the stud 8, and passing through said disc part 7 so as to communicate the interior container with cap 1 with opening

  upper part of the base part 4 of the plug 1.

  The element 6 also includes a flexible membrane 24, for example made of elastomer, located in the immediate vicinity of the disc part 7, on the side of the

  upper portion 22 of the chimney 18.

  The flexible membrane 24 has a central opening capable of cooperating with the stud 8, and also bears against the inner face of the portion

upper 22 of the chimney 18.

  This plug 1 is intended to be associated with a flexible container. Under the effect of the pressure exerted by a user on the container, the stopper 1 being turned over so that the upper opening of the base part 4 of the stopper 1 is directed downwards, the flexible membrane 24 is deformed and its the central opening is clear of the nipple 8. Thus, the contents of the container can pass through the orifices 9 of the discoid part 7 and the central opening of the membrane

flexible 24.

  When no pressure is exerted on the container, the membrane 24 is in the position shown in FIG. 8, and the contents of the container do not

  can exit towards the upper opening of the base part 4 of the plug 1.

  In addition, the chimney 18 has an outer bead 27 towards the upper part of the upper portion 22. The function of the outer bead 27 is

described later.

  Finally, the chimney 18 has, at its upper end, a fold 25.

  Furthermore, the base part 4 comprises an inner skirt 28 projecting substantially perpendicularly from the annular wall 10 in the same direction as the outer skirt 12, from the inner edge of the annular wall 10, in extension of the lower portion 19 of the chimney 18. The internal skirt 28 is intended to cooperate with the internal face of the container neck,

for sealing.

  We will now describe the part forming the cover 5 of the plug 1. The part forming the cover 5 is molded in one piece and made of a plastic material.

relatively rigid.

  The cover portion 5 comprises an annular ring 29 comprising at least one projection 30 on its inner face, said projection 30 being intended to cooperate with the projection 20 of the chimney 18. The ring 29 may have a continuous projection 30 or several projections 30 regularly spaced on its face

  interior. Thus, the ring 29 is kept attached to the base part 4.

  Furthermore, the lower edge of the ring 29 is located in the immediate vicinity of the annular wall 10 of the base part 4 of the plug 1. The cover part 5 also includes a cap 31 connected to the ring 29 by a junction element and articulation in the form of a strap 3. The cover 31 is capable of being moved between a closed position, in which the cover 31 covers the chimney 18, thereby closing the upper opening of the base part 4 (FIG. 5), and an open position, in which the chimney 18 is released, said upper opening not being closed

(figure 6).

  The cover 31 has an upper wall 33 - able to cover the upper opening of the base part 4 - from which protrude, substantially perpendicularly and in the same direction: - an outer side wall 34 able to surround the chimney 18 when the cover 31 is in the closed position, and comprising a frontal zone 34a, substantially opposite to the hinge, surmounted by a flange 34b arranged to allow easy opening of the cover 31 by simple action of the thumb; - A first inner skirt 35, provided with an inner bead 36 able to cooperate with the outer bead 27 of the upper portion 22 of the chimney 18, thus allowing the closing by snap-fastening of the cap 31 on the base part 4; a second inner skirt 37, of smaller diameter and greater height than those of the first inner skirt 35, said second skirt

  inner 37 being able to cooperate with the fold 25, for sealing.

  The different sealing means provided on the one hand between the base part 4 and the neck, and on the other hand between the base part 4 and the cover forming part 5, make it possible to ensure perfect sealing, even if a user returns the

  container when the cap 31 is in the closed position.

  The side wall 34 has a height such that, when the cover 31 is in the closed position, the free edge 38 of said side wall 34 is located opposite the lower portion 19 of the chimney 18, for example substantially at mid-height

of said lower portion 19.

  In addition, the height of the ring 29 is such that, when the cap 31 is in the closed position, the upper edge 39 of said ring 29 is located in the immediate vicinity of the free edge 38 of the cap 31, a very small space, and

  relatively invisible, existing between them.

  Before first opening of the cover 31, the free edge 38 of the side wall 34 of the cover 31 is connected to the upper edge 39 of the ring 29 by frangible bridges 40, for example by two diametrically opposite bridges 40, located

  each approximately a quarter of a turn from the strap 3.

  We now describe the strap 3.

  In the embodiments shown, the strap 3 is of substantially rectangular shape and is relatively wide, its width being greater than half the length of said strap, for example close to the diameter of

  the upper portion 25 of the chimney 18.

  The strap 3 has a first end 43 linked to the ring 29 and a second end 42 linked to the cover 31. The strap 3 is for example linked to the

  ring 29 near the upper edge 39 of said ring 29.

  The second end 42 of the strap 3 is linked to the cover 31 at a significant distance from the ring 29, for example close to half the height of the chimney 18. This contributes to allowing an effective rinsing of the plug 1, in the measure o the space provided between the strap 3 and the cover 31 is

  relatively large, unlike the prior art.

  The strap 3 comprises at least one transverse weakening zone 44 located at a distance from the ends 42, 43 of said strap 3, substantially at mid-height of the strap 3. The weakening zone 44 is in the form

localized thinning.

  According to one embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 10, the weakening zone 44 is delimited by two arcs of a circle 45, 46 whose concavities are directed opposite each other, said zone d weakening 44 thus substantially having the shape of a butterfly, of thickness reduced by

compared to the rest of the strap 3.

  According to another embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 11 to 14, the area

  weakening 44 is substantially straight.

  The strap 3 further comprises two articulation zones 47, 48 located on the side

  and on the other side of the weakening zone 44.

  The articulation zones 47, 48 can be lines of weakness located at a distance from the ends of the strap (FIGS. 11, 12) or near

  immediate of these (Figures 9 and 10).

  The articulation zones 47, 48 can also be obtained by the use of a relatively flexible material for the production of the strap 3, to allow deformation of said strap especially in the vicinity of its ends. The design of the strap 3 allows an opening of the cover 31 between between about 130 at least and about 210 at most, as well as maintaining in the open position, without it being necessary to have recourse

  to a more expensive standard hinge, for example of the butterfly type.

  In addition, thanks to the strap 3, the cover portion 5 can be molded in the closed position. Thus, the mold used is of smaller dimensions, therefore less expensive; it is not necessary to provide an additional operation for closing the cap 31 after demolding; the cycle time is shorter, therefore the higher production rate. In addition, the fact of providing a hinge in the form of a strap 3 makes it possible to

  perform effective sanitizing operations.

  The hinge being produced by a single element (the strap 3), the setting

  work of such a hinge is also simple and inexpensive.

  As a variant, instead of being articulated to the ring 29, the strap 3 can be linked to the base part 4, which eliminates the articulation at the very level of the junction

  between the two parts 4 and 5 of the plug 1.

Claims (24)

  1. A plug of the type comprising a first part (4) and a second part (5) associated with each other by a junction and articulation device (3), the second part (5) being capable of be moved, relative to the first part (4), between an open position and a closed position, characterized in that the junction and articulation device (3) is in the form of a strap ( 3) having a first end (43) linked to the first part (4) of the plug and a second end (42) linked to the second part (5) of the plug, said strap (3) comprising at least one weakening zone transverse (44) located at a distance from said ends and further comprising two articulation zones (47, 48) located on either side of said zone weakening (44).   2. Plug according to claim 1, characterized in that the second end (42) of the strap (3) is linked to the second part (5) of the plug   away from the first part (4) of the plug.   3. Plug according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the weakening zone (44) is in the form of localized thinning.   4. Stopper according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in   that the weakened zone (44) is substantially rectilinear.   5. Stopper according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in   that the weakening zone (44) is delimited by two arcs of a circle (45, 46) whose concavities are directed opposite one another, said   weakened zone (44) having substantially the shape of a butterfly.   6. Stopper according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in   that the weakened zone (44) is situated substantially at mid-height of the strap (3).   7. Stopper according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in   that at least one articulation zone (47, 48) comprises a line   weakening located at a distance from the ends of the strap.   8. Stopper according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in   that at least one articulation zone (47, 48) is located nearby   immediately from the ends of the strap.   9. Cap according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in   that the material of the strap (3) is flexible enough to allow deformation of said strap especially in the vicinity of its ends.   10. Stopper according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in   that, when the second part (5) of the plug is in the closed position, the strap (3) has in longitudinal section the shape of a U   the bottom of which is curved towards the outside of the cap.   11. Stopper according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in   that, when the second part (5) of the plug is in the closed position, the strap (3) has in longitudinal section the shape of a U   the bottom of which is curved towards the cap.   12. Stopper according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in   that, when the second part (5) of the plug is in the closed position, the strap (3) has in longitudinal section the shape of a U   whose bottom is directed obliquely to its branches.   13. Stopper according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in   that, when the second part (5) of the plug is in the closed position, the strap (3) has in longitudinal section the shape of an arc of circle.   14. Stopper according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in   that the width of the strap (3) is greater than half the length of said strap.   15. Stopper according to any one of claims 1 to 14 characterized in   what it comprises on the one hand a base part (4) comprising an upper opening and a lower opening at its axial ends, intended to be mounted on the neck of a container, and on the other hand a cover forming part (5) intended to be associated with the base part (4), said cover part (5) comprising an annular ring (29) comprising: - attachment means capable of cooperating with complementary attachment means of the base part (4); - A cap (31) connected to the ring (29) by said strap (3), capable of being moved between a closed position in which the cap (31) closes the upper opening of the base part, and a position   opening, in which said upper opening is not closed.   16. Cap according to claim 15, characterized in that the opening of the cap (31) is between about 1300 minimum and around up to 2100.   17. Stopper according to claim 15 or claim 16, characterized in that the height of the ring (29) is such that, when the cap (31) is in the closed position, the upper edge (39) of said ring ( 29) is located in the immediate vicinity of the free edge (38) of the cap (31), the free edge (38) of the cap (31) being connected to the upper edge (39) of the ring, before preview   opening of said cap, by frangible bridges (40).   18. Plug according to one of claims 15 to 17, characterized in that the   cap (31) comprises latching means (35) capable of cooperating with reciprocal latching means (27) of the base part (4) of the plug.   19. Plug according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in   that the base part (4) comprises an annular wall (10) from which protrude, substantially perpendicularly and in opposite directions, on the one hand an external skirt (12) provided with an internal thread (13) intended to cooperate with a complementary external thread of a neck   container, and secondly a chimney (18).   20. Plug according to claim 19, characterized in that the chimney (18) comprises, towards its upper end portion (22), an outer bead (27), and in that the cover (31) has a first inner skirt ( 35) provided with an inner bead (36) able to cooperate with the bead   outside (27) of the chimney (18).   21. Cap according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that the cap (31) comprises a second inner skirt (37) capable of cooperating.   with the inside face of the chimney (18).   22. Stopper according to any one of claims 19 to 21, characterized in   that, when the cap (31) is in the closed position, the cap (31) and the   chimney (18) cooperate tightly.   23.An assembly comprising a plug (1) according to any one of   previous claims and a container neck or a container having a   neck, said container being empty or at least partially filled with a certain content.   24.A method of producing a stopper according to any one of   Claims 1 to 22, characterized in that the plug is obtained by   molding in one piece and in the closed position of the strap (3) and the   first (4) and second (5) parts.