WO2025150075A1

WO2025150075A1 - Closure system for a receptacle

Info

Publication number: WO2025150075A1
Application number: PCT/IT2024/000002
Authority: WO
Inventors: Simone Barsanti
Original assignee: Inca SpA Industria Nazionale Cosmetici & Affini
Current assignee: Inca SpA Industria Nazionale Cosmetici & Affini
Priority date: 2024-01-09
Filing date: 2024-01-09
Publication date: 2025-07-17
Anticipated expiration: 2026-07-09

Abstract

A closure system for a receptacle in the cosmetics sector comprises a coupling ring nut defining an opening of the receptacle and comprising a side ring and an aluminium cap configured to close the opening of the receptacle and to snap-fit with the coupling ring nut; the cap comprises, in an inner side wall, at least four elastic flaps projecting inside the cap itself and configured to snap-fit with the coupling ring nut; each elastic flap comprises a tooth configured to abut, in an engagement configuration of the cap, with a lower portion of the side ring of the coupling ring nut.

Description

DESCRIPTION

CLOSURE SYSTEM FOR A RECEPTACLE

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a closure system for a receptacle.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the closure system is a closure system for a receptacle in the cosmetics sector.

Prior art

To date, several receptacle closure systems are known, and among these the most prevalent are closure systems in which the connection is of what is known as the 'snap-fit' type.

Snap-fit is a mechanical assembly method which allows two parts to be joined without the use of screws, bolts or adhesives.

Nevertheless, among the known devices, different components are required for the closure systems, which are made of metal with low mechanical performance so as to be able to ensure a suitable mechanical seal to prevent unwanted deformations which would no longer allow the closure system to be reused.

For example, closure systems are known in which, in order to use the snap-fit system effectively, it is necessary to use an annular-shaped element which, by elongating along its circumference, allows to carry out the necessary elastic function. Nevertheless, the ring deforms when subjected to radial forces, changing its geometry, but not necessarily exploiting the elasticity of the material with which it is made.

Therefore, the retaining ring of known type can work elastically (desired function) but is generally either too rigid (where it has a rectangular crosssection), or works poorly elastically because it deforms (where it has a circular cross-section).

In order to reduce this functional ambiguity, it is known to cut the ring (defining a discontinuity), creating however a strong asymmetry in the junction, which is clearly weaker in the vicinity of the cut. Object of the invention

The technical task of the present invention is thus to provide a closure system, entirely made of what is known as a 'light metal alloy' such as an aluminium alloy used predominantly for aesthetic and/or decorative purposes, of a receptacle which is capable of overcoming the drawbacks of the known art.

The object of the present invention is thus to provide a receptacle closure system which is less complex from a structural point of view while still ensuring greater reliability with respect to the known closure systems.

A further object of the present invention is thus to provide a closure system for a receptacle which allows a freely designable control of the opening/closing forces.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a closure system for a receptacle whose operation is repeatable for at least the useful life of the receptacle.

The defined technical task and the specified objects are substantially achieved by a closure system for a receptacle comprising the technical characteristics set forth in one or more of the appended claims. The dependent claims correspond to possible embodiments of the invention.

In particular, the specified technical task and the specified objects are essentially achieved by a closure system for a receptacle, in particular for a receptacle in the cosmetics sector.

The closure system comprises a coupling ring nut and a cap.

The coupling ring nut is in use defining a receptacle opening and comprises a side ring.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the coupling ring nut is integral with the receptacle itself.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, the coupling ring nut is counter-shaped with respect to an aperture of the receptacle defining the opening and can be fitted or attached or applied to the aperture of the receptacle itself.

The cap is in use configured to close the opening of the receptacle.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the cap comprises at least one side wall and one upper wall.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the upper wall has a circular shape and, with the side wall, gives the cap itself a cylindrical shape.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the upper wall is polygonal in shape (e.g., quadrangular) and has a number of side walls equal to the number of sides of the upper wall itself.

The cap is in use configured to snap engage with the coupling ring nut.

The cap comprises at least three, and for example four, elastic flaps projecting inside the cap itself and configured to snap engage with the ring nut. In other words, the flaps are defined, i.e., made on an inner portion of said at least one side wall.

Each flap comprises a tooth configured to abut, in a cap engagement configuration, with a lower portion of the side ring of the ring nut.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the cap is made of aluminium or regardless can be made of a metal alloy based on light metals (such as unalloyed aluminium or the like).

According to a further aspect of the present invention, the coupling ring nut is made of aluminium or in any case of a metal alloy based on light metals (such as alloyed aluminium or the like) and/or low mechanical performance.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the cap or the flaps are made from plastically deformed aluminium sheet metal.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the cap and therefore the flaps are made from plastically deformed aluminium sheet metal. In other words, in such an embodiment the cap and flaps are integral. In other words, the flaps are made in a single piece with an inner side wall of the cap. Advantageously, the operation of the closure system is ensured even when each tooth and the side ring (or a lower portion of the side ring) may have different surface finishes (without prejudice to the purely technical fact that different surface finishes and/or hardnesses generate different degrees of frictional binding reactions, which in turn are reflected in the net amount of actuating and/or disengaging force to be applied to the present system).

Advantageously, the closure system allows the opening/closing forces to be controlled as desired.

Advantageously, the closure system only needs two components to operate properly in the creation of the snap engagement. In other words, the closure system is capable of ensuring a high closure efficiency as well as to obtain an extraction force result greater than 10N (1 kgf) regardless of the friction generated between the surfaces of the teeth and the side ring.

Advantageously, the closure system in achieving high extraction forces (cap opening) even in the presence of zero friction forces, thus ensuring consistent results even when the surface and aesthetic finishes of the receptacle change.

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become clearer from the indicative and therefore non-limiting description of an embodiment of a closure system for a receptacle.

Brief description of the drawings

Such description will be set forth herein below with reference to the accompanying drawings, provided for merely indicative and therefore nonlimiting purposes, wherein:

Figure 1 and figure 1 A are schematic representations of a component of the closure system subject-matter of the present invention;

Figure 2 and figure 2A are schematic representations of a further component of the closure system subject-matter of the present invention;

Figure 3 and figure 3A are schematic representations of a closure system subject-matter of the present invention in a configuration of use thereof.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

With reference to the accompanying drawings, a closure system for a receptacle 'C has been indicated as 10, which, for the sake of descriptive simplicity, will be referred to below as system 10.

The system 10 comprises a coupling ring nut 20 and a cap 30.

The coupling ring nut 20 in use defines an opening 'A' of the receptacle 'C. The coupling ring nut 20 further comprises a side ring 21. Therefore, the coupling ring nut 20 has a side portion 22 provided with the aforementioned side ring 21 .

According to an aspect of the present invention, the coupling ring nut 20 is defined by a neck or mouth of the receptacle 'C itself defining the aforementioned opening 'A'. In other words, the coupling ring nut 20 itself defines the portion of the receptacle 'C defining the opening 'A' and therefore the side ring 21 itself defines a neck/aperture ring of the receptacle 'C.

Preferably, the coupling ring nut 20 is integrated or integrable or fitted to the neck or to the aperture of the receptacle 'C defining the aforementioned opening 'A'. In such an embodiment, the coupling ring nut 20 is counter-shaped with respect to the neck/aperture of the receptacle 'C and the side ring 21 corresponds to the neck/aperture ring of the receptacle 'C.

In other words, the coupling ring nut 20 is integrated in or defines a portion of the receptacle 'C defining the opening 'A'.

Preferably, the side ring 21 defines a step having a substantially flat lower portion 23.

Preferably, the coupling ring nut 20 is made of aluminium.

Preferably, the coupling ring nut 20 is made of plastically deformed aluminium sheet metal. In other words, the shape of the coupling ring nut 20, irrespective of whether it is integrated or defines a portion of the receptacle 'C, is obtained by means of plastic deformation of the aforementioned aluminium sheets which, irrespective of their surface finish, allow for the proper operation of the system 10, as will become clearer in the remainder of the present description.

The cap 30 comprises an upper wall 31 and at least one side wall 32 extending starting from the upper wall 31 .

According to an embodiment, the upper wall 31 has a circular shape and the upper wall 31 gives the cap 30 itself a substantially tubular or truncated cone shape.

According to a further embodiment, the upper wall 31 has a quadrangular or polygonal shape and has a number of side walls 32 equal to the number of sides of the upper wall 31 itself.

Preferably, the cap 30 extends along its own normal extension axis 'X' to the upper wall 31.

The cap 30 is in use configured to close the opening 'A' of the receptacle 'C and to snap-fit with the coupling ring nut 20.

The cap 30 comprises at least three (and, according to an embodiment which is illustrative but not limiting of the present inventive concept, at least four) elastic flaps 33 projecting inside the cap 30 itself. In other words, the elastic flaps 33 extend inside the cap 30.

The elastic flaps 33 are configured to obtain the snap-fitting of the cap 30 with the coupling ring nut 20. In other words, in use, i.e., during an insertion of the cap 30 on the coupling ring nut 20, the elastic flaps 33 are shaped to elastically deform with respect to the side ring 21 .

Each elastic flap 33 comprises a tooth 34 configured to abut, in an engagement configuration of the cap 30 with the coupling ring nut 20, with the lower portion 23 of the side ring 21 of the coupling ring nut 20.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the cap 30 is made of aluminium or aluminium alloy or similar metal material/alloy. Preferably, the cap 30 or the elastic flaps 33 provided with the tooth 34 are made of plastically deformed aluminium sheet metal.

Preferably, both the cap 30 and the coupling ring nut 20 are made of aluminium or aluminium alloy or similar metal material/alloy.

Preferably, both the coupling ring nut 20 and the cap 30 are made of plastically deformed aluminium sheet metal (or similar material and/or alloy).

Preferably, the elastic flaps 33 are integral with the cap 30. In other words, the elastic flaps 33 are obtained at the same time as the formation of the cap 30 or subsequent to the formation thereof but starting from the side wall 32 of the cap 30 itself. Therefore, the elastic flaps 33 are made in a single piece with the cap 30, i.e., with the side wall 32 of the cap 30.

Preferably, each tooth 34 is configured to abut with the lower portion 23 of the side ring 22 in the engagement configuration of the cap 30 with the coupling ring nut 20. In other words, the substantially flat lower portion 23 is suitable for intercepting and retaining each tooth 34 of the cap 30.

Preferably, and as depicted in the accompanying drawings, the elastic flaps 33 have an elongated shape parallel to an extension axis of the cap 30. In other words, the elastic flaps 33 are parallel to the extension axis 'X' of the cap 30 and each tooth 34 has an extension transverse to the extension axis 'X'.

Preferably, each tooth 34 is defined in a lower half of the respective elastic flap 33 and has an engagement surface 35 facing the upper wall 31 of the cap 30. In other words, each tooth 34 has a shape similar to that of an airfoil in which the 'leading edge' (i.e., the engagement surface 35) has a substantially flat shape so as to be able to define, in the engagement configuration of the cap 30 with the coupling ring nut 20, a stable contact surface with the lower portion 23 of the side ring 21 .

As depicted for example in the accompanying drawings, each elastic flap 33 is projecting inside cap 30 according to a first deformation thickness 'ST and each tooth 34 is projecting inside the cap with a second deformation thickness 'S2' greater than the first deformation thickness 'S1 '. Preferably, each elastic flap 33 and the related tooth 34 defines, with respect to the side wall 32 of the cap 30, an undulating profile in which the tooth 34 defines a sharp edge provided with a substantially flat surface (the engagement surface 35).

Preferably, the elastic flaps 33 are equally spaced from each other. In other words, if the cap 30 has a quadrangular or polygonal upper wall 31 , the elastic flaps 33 are all positioned in the same portion of the respective side wall 32. Preferably, each elastic flap 33 is placed in a median portion of the respective side wall 32.

Preferably, in the embodiment in which the cap 30 has an annular shape, the elastic flaps 33 are angularly equally spaced from each other.

Advantageously, the present invention also exploits the snap-fit connection principle but without having to exploit additional elements such as screws, bolts, adhesives, rings or the like.

The operating principle is based on the elastic deformation of the elastic flaps 33, which, during an engagement of the cap 30 around the coupling ring nut 20, expand with respect to the side ring 21 until the tooth 34 passes below the side ring 21 itself. In such a configuration, and irrespective of the surface finish of the tooth 34 (i.e., of the engagement surface 35) or of the lower portion 23 of the side ring 21 , the system 10 is capable of ensuring a coupling between the cap 30 and the coupling ring nut 20 which is as flat as possible such that when an attempt is made to disengage the cap, a normal force arises between the lower portion 23 and the raised engagement surface 35.

In other words, the system 10 and the particular shape of the teeth 34 and the side ring 21 allow to obtain an extraction force result greater than 10 N, regardless of the friction generated between the engagement surface 35 and the lower portion 23.

Therefore, the system 10 advantageously allows high extraction forces (i.e., opening the cap 30) to be achieved even in the presence of zero friction forces, thus ensuring constancy in the operation of the system 10 itself even when the surface and aesthetic finishes vary.

Advantageously, the system 10 always works axially-symmetrically and without adding third elements, entrusting the desired elastic function to a rigid geometric system made inside the cap 30 (i.e., elastic flaps 33 provided with the tooth 34), and by changing it, it is possible to design well-defined force profiles both in opening and in closing.

Advantageously, the system 10 consists of only two elements (cap 30 and coupling ring nut 20). Advantageously, the system 10 allows the opening/closing forces to be controlled as desired (within a defined range) and independent of the surface finishes of the two interface materials, whatever they may be. Advantageously, the system 10 is cheap and easily implemented.

Claims

1. Closure system (10) for a receptacle (C), in particular for a receptacle (C) in the cosmetics sector, comprising:

- a coupling ring nut (20) in use defining an opening (A) of the receptacle (C), said coupling ring nut (20) comprising a side ring (21 ); and

- a cap (30) in use configured to close said opening (A) of the receptacle (C) and to snap-fit with said coupling ring nut (20), characterised in that:

- said cap (30) comprising, in an inner side wall (32), at least three, and preferably four, elastic flaps (33) projecting inside the cap (30) itself, said elastic caps (33) being configured to make said snap-fit with said coupling ring nut (20) occur, each elastic flap (33) comprising a tooth (34) configured to abut, in an engagement configuration of the cap (30), with a lower portion (23) of said side ring (21 ) of said coupling ring nut (20); and

- said cap (30) is made of aluminium and/or aluminium alloy and/or similar material.

2. Closure system (10) according to claim 1 , wherein said cap (30) and/or said elastic flaps (33) provided with said tooth (34) are made of plastically deformed aluminium sheet metal.

3. Closure system (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said side ring (21 ) defines a step having a substantially flat lower portion (23) suitable for intercepting and retaining each tooth (34) of said cap (30).

4. Closure system (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said elastic flaps (33) are equally spaced from each other.

5. Closure system (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said elastic flaps (33) have an elongated shape parallel to an extension axis (X) of said cap (30).

6. Closure system (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein each tooth (34) is defined in a lower half of the respective elastic flap (33) and has an engagement surface (35) facing an upper wall (31 ) of said cap (30).

7. Closure system (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said cap (30) has an upper wall (31 ) of annular shape and wherein said elastic flaps (33) are angularly spaced apart from each other.

8. Closure system (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein:

- each elastic flap (33) is projecting inside said cap (30) according to a first deformation thickness (S1 ); and

- each tooth (34) is projecting inside said cap (30) with a second deformation thickness (S2) greater than said first deformation thickness (S1 ).

9. Closure system (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said elastic flaps (33) are integral with said cap (30).

10. Closure system (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said coupling ring nut (20) is integrated in or defines a portion of said receptacle (C) defining said opening (A).