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WO2025172806A1 - Bouchon pour un récipient - Google Patents

Bouchon pour un récipient

Info

Publication number
WO2025172806A1
WO2025172806A1 PCT/IB2025/051315 IB2025051315W WO2025172806A1 WO 2025172806 A1 WO2025172806 A1 WO 2025172806A1 IB 2025051315 W IB2025051315 W IB 2025051315W WO 2025172806 A1 WO2025172806 A1 WO 2025172806A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
cap
neck
locking ring
container
engaging element
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
PCT/IB2025/051315
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Vittorio BASSI
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Sacmi Imola SC
Original Assignee
Sacmi Imola SC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Sacmi Imola SC filed Critical Sacmi Imola SC
Publication of WO2025172806A1 publication Critical patent/WO2025172806A1/fr
Pending legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D55/00—Accessories for container closures not otherwise provided for
    • B65D55/16—Devices preventing loss of removable closure members
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D41/00—Caps, e.g. crown caps or crown seals, i.e. members having parts arranged for engagement with the external periphery of a neck or wall defining a pouring opening or discharge aperture; Protective cap-like covers for closure members, e.g. decorative covers of metal foil or paper
    • B65D41/32—Caps or cap-like covers with lines of weakness, tearing-strips, tags, or like opening or removal devices, e.g. to facilitate formation of pouring openings
    • B65D41/325—Caps or cap-like covers with lines of weakness, tearing-strips, tags, or like opening or removal devices, e.g. to facilitate formation of pouring openings with integral internal sealing means
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D41/00—Caps, e.g. crown caps or crown seals, i.e. members having parts arranged for engagement with the external periphery of a neck or wall defining a pouring opening or discharge aperture; Protective cap-like covers for closure members, e.g. decorative covers of metal foil or paper
    • B65D41/32—Caps or cap-like covers with lines of weakness, tearing-strips, tags, or like opening or removal devices, e.g. to facilitate formation of pouring openings
    • B65D41/34—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers provided with tamper elements formed in, or attached to, the closure skirt
    • B65D41/3423—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers provided with tamper elements formed in, or attached to, the closure skirt with flexible tabs, or elements rotated from a non-engaging to an engaging position, formed on the tamper element or in the closure skirt
    • B65D41/3428—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers provided with tamper elements formed in, or attached to, the closure skirt with flexible tabs, or elements rotated from a non-engaging to an engaging position, formed on the tamper element or in the closure skirt the tamper element being integrally connected to the closure by means of bridges
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D41/00—Caps, e.g. crown caps or crown seals, i.e. members having parts arranged for engagement with the external periphery of a neck or wall defining a pouring opening or discharge aperture; Protective cap-like covers for closure members, e.g. decorative covers of metal foil or paper
    • B65D41/32—Caps or cap-like covers with lines of weakness, tearing-strips, tags, or like opening or removal devices, e.g. to facilitate formation of pouring openings
    • B65D41/34—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers provided with tamper elements formed in, or attached to, the closure skirt
    • B65D41/3442—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers provided with tamper elements formed in, or attached to, the closure skirt with rigid bead or projections formed on the tamper element and coacting with bead or projections on the container
    • B65D41/3447—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers provided with tamper elements formed in, or attached to, the closure skirt with rigid bead or projections formed on the tamper element and coacting with bead or projections on the container the tamper element being integrally connected to the closure by means of bridges
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2251/00—Details relating to container closures
    • B65D2251/10—Details of hinged closures
    • B65D2251/1008—Means for locking the closure in open position
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2401/00—Tamper-indicating means
    • B65D2401/15—Tearable part of the closure
    • B65D2401/30—Tamper-ring remaining connected to closure after initial removal

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a closing cap for a container.
  • this invention relates to a closing cap for a container comprising a retaining ring, configured to remain anchored to a neck of the container, a closing element removably engageable with the neck and at least one connecting band for keeping the closing element connected to the retaining ring.
  • the cap according to the invention is particularly, but not exclusively, suitable for being applied on containers such as bottles intended to contain liquid substances.
  • caps for containers comprising a cup-shaped body provided with a transversal wall and with a lateral wall extending around an axis, which are typically made of plastic material and are provided with a separating line made in the lateral wall to define a retaining ring and a closing element, removably engageable with the neck, so as to open or close the container.
  • the retaining ring is configured to remain anchored to a neck of the container.
  • the closing element is provided with an inner thread structure, suitable for engaging with an outer thread structure of the neck, to allow the cap to be unscrewed from and screwed back onto the neck.
  • the closing element and the retaining ring are rotated together around the axis, and they simultaneously move together along a line parallel to the axis, away from the neck. That happens until an engaging element of the retaining ring, which projects inwards from a free edge of the cap, abuts against a locking ring of the neck, which prevents the retaining ring from rising further along the axis, acting as a stop for the movement of the retaining ring away from the neck, and causes the breakable bridges to break along the separating line. After the breakable bridges have been broken, the retaining ring can remain associated with the neck of the bottle, whilst the closing element can be separated from the container and, subsequently, be screwed back onto the neck.
  • the retaining ring after the breakable bridges have been broken, falls due to gravity but is kept in position by a supporting ring of the neck, placed below the locking ring, which acts as a support for the retaining ring and prevents it from freely falling downwards.
  • the supporting ring is usually used while making the containers for conveying the containers themselves in the production plants, and is shaped like an annular flange.
  • the axial distance between the locking ring and the supporting ring is such that it keeps the retaining ring trapped, after separation of the retaining ring and the closing element, so as to prevent it from shifting freely on the neck.
  • caps comprising at least one connecting band, in such a way as to leave the closing element and the retaining ring joined to each other, with the cap in an open condition.
  • Document US2001002661 shows a closure for a container, which comprises a cap and a security skirt, separatable from the cap, which are connected to each other by breakable bridges.
  • the security skirt comprises an outer skirt and a plurality of inner skirts, which are positioned between the outer skirt and the neck.
  • Each inner skirt includes an inner protuberance, directed towards the inside of the container, an outer protuberance, directed towards the outside of the container, and a flap, which is the end part of the inner skirt and is connected to the outer skirt, near the breakable bridges, by means of an anti-rotation strip.
  • the security skirt shown in document US2001002661 cannot be used for tethered caps with containers without the supporting ring, since the outer protuberance and the anti-rotation strip of the inner skirt may obstruct the movement of the connecting band, when the user wants to re-close the closing element on the neck of the container.
  • One aim of the invention is to improve prior art tethered caps, and in particular to provide a closing cap comprising a retaining ring, configured to remain anchored to a neck of the container, a closing element, removably engageable with the neck, and at least one connecting band, for keeping the closing element connected to the retaining ring, in such a way that the closing cap can advantageously be used even in the presence of a container without a supporting ring.
  • a further aim is to provide a tethered cap for a container, provided with a closing element which remains connected to the retaining ring by means of a connecting band, which can remain stably locked in position after opening and which at the same time allows a user to easily open, or re-close the cap, after it has been opened for the first time.
  • Another aim is to provide a tethered cap for a container, provided with a closing element which remains connected to the retaining ring by means of a connecting band, which additionally can be made in a simple and inexpensive way.
  • the invention provides a cap for a container according to claim 1 and the claims dependent on it.
  • Figure 1 is a cross-section of a closing cap according to the invention, associated with a neck of a container, which comprises a closing element and a retaining ring connected to each other by means of a connecting band, in a closed condition, wherein the retaining ring comprises an engaging element comprising a fixing part, which defines a final end of the engaging element itself, which is hooked onto and wrapped around a locking ring of the neck;
  • Figure 1 A is an enlarged detail of the engaging element of Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 2 is a perspective cross-section of the cap of Figure 1 , associated with the neck of the container;
  • Figure 3 is a front view of the cap of Figure 1 , which comprises a tab aligned with a pair of connecting bands, which are positioned at the sides of the tab, in the closed condition of Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 4 is a front view of the cap of Figure 3, in an initial opening step of the closing element, wherein the closing element begins to be separated from the retaining ring and the fixing part of the engaging element continues to remain hooked onto the locking ring of the neck, and wherein the engaging element comprises a continuous annular root, and a plurality of flaps, which project from the annular root;
  • Figure 5 is a side view of the cap of Figure 4, in an intermediate opening step of the closing element, wherein the closing element has completely uncoupled from a coupling structure of the neck and the fixing part of the engaging element continues to remain hooked onto the locking ring of the neck;
  • Figure 8 is a side view of the cap of Figure 7, in the intermediate opening step, wherein the fixing part of the engaging element continues to remain hooked onto the locking ring of the neck.
  • the numeral 1 denotes a cap for closing a container 2, of which only a neck 201 is shown, in particular a bottle intended to contain a liquid substance such as a beverage.
  • the cap 1 is made of polymeric material. Any polymeric material suitable for moulding can be used to obtain the cap 1 .
  • the cap 1 comprises a lateral wall 3 which extends around an axis Z, and a transversal wall 4 positioned at one end of the lateral wall 3, so as to close that end.
  • the transversal wall 4 extends transversally, in particular perpendicularly, to the axis Z.
  • the transversal wall 4 can be flat, even though other shapes are theoretically possible. In the example shown, the transversal wall 4 has a substantially circular shape in plan view.
  • the lateral wall 3 and the transversal wall 4 define a cup-shaped body suitable for receiving a final portion of the neck 201 of the container 2, so that the cap 1 can close the self-same container 2.
  • the lateral wall 3 is connected to the transversal wall 4 by means of a connecting zone 401 , which may be shaped, in cross-section, like a rounded edge or a circular connection.
  • the lateral wall 3 may be provided, on an outer surface thereof, with a plurality of knurling lines 312, extending parallel to the axis Z and suitable for facilitating gripping of the cap 1 by the user or by the capping machine which applies the cap 1 on the container 2 to be closed.
  • the cap 1 comprises a retaining ring 301 , which is configured to remain anchored to the neck 201 of the container 2 and extends as far as a free edge 303 of the lateral wall 3.
  • the cap 1 also comprises a closing element 302 removably engageable with the neck 201 , so as to open or close the container 2.
  • the closing element 302 is configured to open, or close a supply opening 203 of the neck 201 .
  • the knurling lines 312 may be positioned in the closing element 302, as shown in the accompanying figures, but may also optionally continue, according to a variant not illustrated, in the retaining ring 301.
  • the lateral wall 3 of the cap 1 is internally provided with a coupling structure 310, configured to removably couple the closing element 302 to the neck 201 of the container 2, in such a way that the cap 1 is movable from the closed condition, in which the cap 1 closes the supply opening 203 of the container 2, to an open condition.
  • the coupling structure 310 of the cap 1 is positioned inside the closing element 302 and is shaped to engage with a corresponding coupling structure 204 present on the outside of the neck 201 of the container 2.
  • the coupling structure 310 of the closing element 302 and the coupling structure 204 of the neck 201 are, as illustrated in the accompanying figures, made in the form of a thread structure. In this case, the passage from the closed condition to the open condition is performed by means of a rotation of the closing element 302 relative to the neck 201 of the container 2.
  • the thread structure may be made using a single helical thread, or using multiple helical threads, for example using two helical threads, or three helical threads.
  • the coupling structure may comprise at least one circular ridge, continuous or interrupted, for removably locking the cap 1 on the neck 201 using pressure.
  • the coupling structure may comprise a hinge structure, interposed between the closing element and the retaining ring, which allows the closing element to be rotated relative to the retaining ring around an axis of the hinge structure itself.
  • the cap 1 comprises a separating line 5 which is provided on the lateral wall 3 to define the retaining ring 301 and the closing element 302.
  • the retaining ring 301 extends between the separating line 5 and the free edge 303, which delimits the retaining ring 301 on the opposite side to the transversal wall 4, and may have a cylindrical or frustoconical outer surface.
  • the separating line 5 may be circumferentially interrupted, to leave the closing element 302 and the retaining ring 301 joined to each other in the cap 1 open condition in a joining zone 305.
  • the separating line 5 may, for example, extend between a first end 501 and a second end 502 which between them can define the joining zone 305, between the closing element 302 and the retaining ring 301 .
  • the cap 1 also comprises at least one connecting band 306 for keeping the closing element 302 connected to the retaining ring 301 . By means of the connecting band 306, the closing element 302 remains connected to the retaining ring 301 even in an open configuration.
  • the lateral wall 3 comprises a further separating line 7, which may be provided to define, together with the separating line 5, if the separating line 5 is interrupted, the connecting band 306 capable of connecting the closing element 302 and the retaining ring 301 to each other, after the cap 1 has been opened for the first time.
  • Figure 3 shows how at least one connecting band advantageously comprises a pair of connecting bands, that is to say, a first connecting band 306 and a second connecting band 307, which are positioned at the sides of the joining zone 305.
  • the further separating line 7 may be positioned between the separating line 5 and the free edge 303, as shown in Figure 3.
  • the cap 1 may also comprise two cuts 601 and 602, which extend in the lateral wall 3 and between them define a tab 308.
  • the cuts 601 and 602 extend parallel to the axis Z, but this is not necessary. In fact, the cuts 601 and 602 may even be inclined relative to respective axes parallel to the axis Z.
  • the first part of the separating line 5 extends from the first end 501 of the separating line 5.
  • the second part of the separating line 5 extends from the second end 502 of the separating line 5.
  • the central stretch 701 of the further separating line 7 is positioned between the cuts 601 , 602 to define the tab 308, but is also circumferentially interposed between the first lateral stretch 702 and the second lateral stretch 703 of the further separating line 7.
  • first connecting band 306 and the second connecting band 307 extend from circumferentially opposite end portions of the further separating line 7 and are therefore circumferentially positioned on opposite sides of the tab 308.
  • the separating line 5 and the further separating line 7 may be made as cutting lines, by means of a cutting operation on a concave body obtained by moulding. Those cutting lines may pass through the entire thickness of the lateral wall, or not pass through if the thickness of the lateral wall is to be only partially cut.
  • the separating line 5 and the further separating line 7 are made by means of through cuts passing through an entire thickness of the lateral wall.
  • the separating line 5 and the further separating line 7 may even be shaped in the form of lines of weakness, or small openings, capable of separating respectively the closing element 302 from the retaining ring 301 (considering the separating line 5) and the connecting bands 306, 307 from a remaining part of the retaining ring 301 (considering the further separating line 7).
  • the separating line 5 there may be a plurality of breakable bridges, not illustrated, whilst along the further separating line 7 there may be a plurality of breakable elements, also not illustrated, both being intended to break the first time the cap 1 is opened.
  • the separating line 5 may be axially interposed between the further separating line 7 and the free edge 303.
  • the joining zone 305 may be positioned below the further separating line 7, when the cap 1 is associated with the container 2.
  • the further separating line 7 is positioned in the closing element 302 and not in the retaining ring 301 .
  • the separating line 5 and the further separating line 7 may be parallel to each other and transversal, in particular perpendicular, to the axis Z of the cap 1. In this case, the axial height of the connecting bands 306, 307 is circumferentially constant.
  • the separating line 5 and the further separating line 7 may be inclined relative to each other and delimit connecting bands 306, 307 which have an axial height that is not circumferentially constant.
  • the retaining ring 301 comprises an engaging element 8, which is configured to engage with a locking ring 202 of the neck 201 of the container 2. It should be noticed that the engaging element 8 is configured to allow separation of the closing element 302 from the retaining ring 301 , promoting breaking of the breakable bridges present along the separating line 5 when the cap 1 is opened for the first time.
  • the engaging element 8 is positioned between the retaining ring 301 and the neck 201 of the container 2.
  • the annular root 802 corresponds to a continuous annular zone of the engaging element 8, which starts from the initial end 801 and at least partially joins the plurality of projecting flaps 803 to each other.
  • the engaging element 8 may comprise a plurality of projecting flaps, which differ from the projecting flaps 803 only in that they project from the initial end 801 and not from the annular root 802.
  • the engaging element 8 may be at least partially continuous, or interrupted.
  • the engaging element 8 comprises a single flap 808, which is continuous.
  • the continuous annular zone of the engaging element 8, which starts from the initial end 801 extends uninterrupted as far as a final end of the engaging element 8.
  • the number of projecting flaps 803 may be between 4 and 24, preferably between 6 and 16.
  • the locking ring 202 is an annular enlargement, which extends in a plane placed transversally to the axis Z and has, considering a plane passing through the axis Z, a substantially rectangular cross-section, in which an upper connection is rounded.
  • An outer wall 202a of the locking ring 202 is inclined relative to a lower wall 202b, directed towards a bottom (not illustrated) of the container 2 and substantially planar.
  • the locking ring 202 has a substantially cylindrical shape and the outer wall 202a and the lower wall 202b are connected to each other by an outer edge 202c.
  • the locking ring 202 also has a top wall 202d, directed towards the supply opening 203, which is planar and is connected to the outer wall 202a by the rounded connection.
  • the locking ring 202 could have a shape different from that illustrated in Figure 1 and 2, without this in any way limiting the invention.
  • the locking ring 202 may have a substantially frustoconical shape and be without the top wall 202d, having a substantially triangular cross-section.
  • the engaging element 8 comprises the single continuous flap 808, the fixing part 804 is annular and continuous.
  • the retaining ring 301 is connected in one piece to the engaging element 8, and since the engaging element 8 is hooked onto the locking ring 202, the retaining ring 301 is prevented from falling due to gravity, and at the same time it is also guaranteed that the retaining ring 301 remains securely in position during use of the cap 1 .
  • the fixing part 804 allows considerable improvement in the ease with which the cap 1 can be used, even in the absence of a supporting ring of the neck 201 , the retaining ring 301 remaining stably locked to the locking ring 202 of the neck 201 .
  • the user can open and close the cap 1 multiple times, even after the first opening, without the retaining ring 301 disturbing the user.
  • the fixing part 804 may be “C”-shaped for wrapping around and hooking onto the locking ring 202.
  • the fixing part 804 comprises a contact surface 805 and a hooking portion 806.
  • the contact surface 805 and the hooking portion 806 define the “C” shape of the fixing part 804.
  • the hooking portion 806 initially projects upwards from the contact surface 805, when the cap 1 is associated with the container 2 and is in a vertical position, and then projects inwards.
  • the hooking portion 806 is shaped like a projection, it is simple to make although being very effective in hooking onto the locking ring 202.
  • the hooking portion 806 comprises an initial section 806a, which extends from the contact surface 805, has a planar shape, and is configured to make contact with the outer edge 202c and/or the outer wall 202a of the locking ring 202 and a final section 806b, which projects inwards starting from the initial section 806a and is configured to make contact with the outer wall 202a of the locking ring 202.
  • the initial section 806a projects upwards, when the cap 1 is associated with the container 2 and is in a vertical position.
  • the outer edge 202c may be received between the contact surface 805 and the initial section 806a, as shown in Figure 1A, but may also make contact exclusively with the initial section 806a, if the contact surface 805 forms an acute angle with the initial section 806a.
  • the final section 806b may have a planar shape and be inclined relative to the initial section 806a. In other words, an angle may be formed between the initial section 806a and the final section 806b.
  • the initial section 806a and/or the final section 806b may be curved, since the hooking portion 806 may have the shape of a curved hook, which projects inwards, after initially projecting upwards, considering the cap 1 associated with the container 2 and in a vertical position.
  • the engaging element 8 comprises an initial part 807 which extends from the initial end 801 and has a thickness increasing until it defines the contact surface 805.
  • the initial part 807 is triangular and the contact surface 805 defines a cathetus of the triangle whose opposite vertex is defined by the initial end 801 of the engaging element 8.
  • the hooking portion 806 is less thick than the initial part 807, defined at the contact surface 805.
  • the lower edge of the tab 308 (or the lower edge defined by the central stretch 701 of the further separating line 7, if the tab 308 is absent), which in the cap 1 open condition is positioned resting on the neck 1 , benefits from the fact that the outer zone, defined by the outer wall 806A’ of the initial section 806 and by the outer wall 807’ of the initial part 807, is continuous, since it can slide on that zone without getting stuck, when the user rotates the closing element 302 from the open condition to re-close the cap 1.
  • the “C”-shaped fixing part 804 wraps around and hooks onto the locking ring 202: whilst the contact surface 805 is configured to engage with the lower wall 202b of the locking ring 202 of the cap 1 , the hooking portion 806 wraps around the outer edge 202c and the outer wall 202a of the locking ring 202.
  • a cup-shaped body In use, at the end of a moulding procedure, a cup-shaped body is obtained, not illustrated, which has the lateral wall 3 which extends from the transversal wall 4 as far as a free edge 303, beyond which a panel intended to form the engaging element 8 extends.
  • the cup-shaped body receives a final portion of the neck 201 of the container 2, the panel is bent to form the engaging element 8 and what is obtained is a cap 1 which can be associated with the neck 201 of the container 2 itself, as is shown for example in Figure 1 .
  • the fixing part 804 is hooked onto the locking ring 202 and this guarantees that the retaining ring 301 remains fixed to the locking ring 202 during a use of the cap 1 even in the absence of the supporting ring for the cap itself.
  • the contact surface 805 is below the locking ring 202 present on the neck 201 , in the sense that the contact surface 805 is configured to engage with the lower wall 202b of the locking ring 202.
  • the contact surface 805 it is not necessary, at least when the cap 1 is initially associated with the container 2, for the contact surface 805 to abut against the lower wall 202b, since the latter may even be positioned far from the contact surface 805 if the hooking portion 806 encloses and hooks onto the outer wall 202a of the locking ring 202.
  • the user grips the closing element 302 and rotates the closing element 302 around the axis Z, in order to unscrew the closing element 302 from the neck 201 .
  • the closing element 302 and the retaining ring 301 are rotated together around the axis Z, and they simultaneously move together along a line parallel to the axis Z, away from the neck 201 .
  • the engaging element 8 of the retaining ring 301 abuts against the locking ring 202, that is to say, the contact surface 805 of the fixing part 804 engages with the lower wall 202b of the locking ring 202 and prevents the retaining ring 301 from rising further along the axis Z, acting as a stop for the movement of the retaining ring 301 away from the neck 201 .
  • the closing element 302 which is unscrewed by the user, continues to be stressed along the axis Z away from the neck 201 and also drags the retaining ring 301 with it, however the upward motion of the latter is stopped by the contact surface 805.
  • the breakable bridges present along the separating line 5 are tensioned until causing them to break.
  • the closing element 302 which separates from the retaining ring 301 along the separating line 5, remains joined to the retaining ring 301 by means of the first connecting band 306 and the second connecting band 307, as shown in Figures 4 and 5.
  • the hooking portion 806 continues to remain hooked onto the locking ring 202, wrapping around it.
  • the container 2 can be opened.
  • the user By further rotating the closing element 302 to free the supply opening 203, the user can bring the closing element 302 into the open condition of Figure 6 and its rotating movement is not obstructed by the retaining ring 301 , since the retaining ring 301 is stably locked in the same position that it occupied both before and during opening.
  • the retaining ring 301 cannot fall due to gravity, thanks to the fixing part 804.
  • the user can return the cap 1 from the open condition of Figure 6 to the closed condition of Figure 1 by means of a sequence of operations in reverse order compared with what was previously described.
  • the user can re-apply the closing element 302 on the neck 201 , by initially moving the closing element 302 away from the neck 201 to free the tab 308, before rotating the closing element 302 around the joining zone 305 and then screwing the closing element 302 onto the coupling structure 204 of the neck 201 again.
  • the closing element 302 moves towards the supply opening 203, the engaging element 8 again remains stably locked to the locking ring 202 and therefore user application of the closing element 302 on the neck 201 is facilitated.
  • the fixing part 804 allows considerable improvement in the ease with which the cap 1 can be used, even in the absence of a supporting ring of the neck 201 , the retaining ring 301 remaining stably locked to the locking ring 202 of the neck 201 .
  • HDPE high density polyethylene
  • PP polystyrene-maleic anhydride copolymer
  • that material may be in the form of a homopolymer, or heterophasic copolymer, or even statistical copolymer.
  • the melt index of PP may vary from 2 to 20 g, in the following measuring conditions: 10 minutes, 230°C, 2.16 kg.
  • This invention is advantageously applicable to a cap 1 , which is suitable for use, for example, on necks 201 in the following list, each neck 201 being associated with a respective code which identifies the name of the neck 201 , the diameter of the outer surface of the neck 201 , and the diameter of the supply opening of the neck 201 , in accordance with the nomenclature of CETIE (www.cetie.org)) or ISBT (www.bevech.org).
  • the neck 201 is also a European standard, the reference number is also provided.
  • this invention is particularly applicable to a cap 1 which is suitable for use for beverages on the following list: carbonated beverage up to 11 g/l of CO2; carbonated beverage up to 9 g/l of CO2; carbonated beverage up to 7 g/l of CO2; non-carbonated beverage, for example still water; pressurised beverage, for example due to the presence of N2 (nitrogen) in a head space of the container with overpressure of up to 1 .5 bar, preferably up to 1 bar; beverage sensitive to oxidative degradation, or beverage sensitive to microbial degradation; cold filled beverages ( ⁇ 35°C); hot filled beverages ⁇ 95°C, preferably 70 ⁇ Tf (Filling temperature) ⁇ 89°C.
  • the transversal wall 4 of the cap 1 is particularly applicable to a cap 1 in which the transversal wall 4: may be flat, or concave, or may have an outer annular zone, flat or concave, at a first distance from the free edge and a central zone, flat or concave, at a second distance from the free edge, the second distance being greater than the first distance, to define a raised space; it may optionally have internal logos, or external logos; it may have a smooth or rough outer surface, as defined in accordance with standard ISO1302, for example between NO and N10, preferably between N4 and N9; it may have a thickness of between 0.4 mm and 2 mm; it may have an inner surface provided with a reinforcing ribbing, where the reinforcing ribbing can be made using spokes, or concentric rings, or a combination thereof.
  • the transversal wall 4 of the cap comprises a sealing zone, configured to create a fluid-tight seal with the neck 201 .
  • the sealing zone is particularly applicable to a cap 1 in which the sealing zone: may be internal, that is to say, such that it engages with an inner surface of the neck, and may be made: by means of an annular protrusion which projects from the transversal wall and which may be provided with a free end that is olive-shaped, or shaped with an increasing cross-section, or with a constant cross-section but shaped in such a way that it can be bent towards the lateral wall; may be external, that is to say, such that it engages with an outer surface of the neck, and may be made: by means of a lip which projects from the transversal wall and may be shaped like a flexible ring, or by means of a lip which projects from the lateral wall, or from the connecting zone where the transversal wall is joined to the lateral wall; may be frontal, that is to say, such that it engages with an upper top surface of the neck and may be made: by means of a lip which projects from the transversal wall.
  • lateral wall 3 As regards the lateral wall 3, as already indicated, it can be provided with knurling lines 312.
  • the knurling lines 312 may be angularly equally spaced apart from each other, numbering between 30 and 144, preferably between 60 and 120; they may be grouped and each group may be separated from the adjacent group by a space without a knurling line, for example there may be 24 groups present, in which each group has 3 knurling lines which are equally spaced apart from each other; there may be service knurling lines present, with reduced length, used to guide the cap during a cutting operation; they may be present on the lateral wall and optionally on the transversal wall and/or on the retaining ring.
  • the lateral wall 3 may have: a constant thickness, for example between 0.35 and 1 .2 mm; or may have an uneven thickness, which is for example greater towards the free edge 303 of the lateral wall 3.
  • the coupling structure 310 which is configured to removably couple the closing element 302 to the neck 201 of the container 2
  • this invention is particularly applicable to a cap 1
  • the coupling structure 310 may have: a thread structure with single helical thread with angular extent between 500° and 930°, preferably between 650° and 760°, in which the thread optionally has a plurality of interruptions numbering between 4 and 30; a thread structure with multiple helical threads, for example with two helical threads, or with three helical threads, in which each thread has an angular extent between 90° and 380°, preferably between 120° and 250°, wherein each thread optionally has a plurality of interruptions numbering between 2 and 15, for example the coupling structure may comprise two helical threads, or three helical threads; at least one circular ridge, continuous or interrupted, for removably locking the cap 1 on the neck 201 using pressure.
  • the interruptions of each thread are preferential escape routes for the gas which may be present inside the container 2. It should be noticed that this invention is particularly applicable to a cap 1 in which the interruptions may be made exclusively on the thread, or may be dug in the lateral wall 3 of the cap 1 , to guarantee greater depth for the interruption and therefore to increase a passage for the gas which may be present in the container 2.
  • the cap 1 may be made as a concave body obtained by means of injection moulding, or compression moulding.
  • the breakable bridges and/or the breakable elements may be made using special moulds during moulding of the cap 1 , or by means of a cutting operation, after the concave body has been made.
  • the cutting operations may be carried out by means of respective blades, for example circular or linear, which interact with the lateral wall from the outside of the latter, or from the inside.
  • the blades may have an interrupted cutting edge, if the decision is made to leave the breakable bridges defined along the separating line and/or to leave respective breakable elements defined along the further separating line.
  • the blades do not cut through the entire thickness of the lateral wall, but instead only partially cut through the thickness of the lateral wall, so as to leave, along the separating line and/or along the further separating line, a thin membrane intended to be broken when the cap is opened for the first time.
  • each blade may have a continuous cutting edge if a respective strip of the lateral wall intended to be cut comprises a plurality of enlarged parts, circumferentially distributed in the strip and configured to be partially cut by a 360° cut by the continuous cutting edge, in such a way as to define the breakable bridges along the separating line and/or the breakable elements along the further separating line.
  • this invention is particularly applicable to a cap 1 in which, after the cap has been opened for the first time, the retaining ring 301 : may completely separate from the closing element 302 and remain associated with the neck 201 of the container 2; may partially separate from the closing element to keep the cap 1 associated with the container 2; may be provided with one or more vertical incisions to remain connected to the closing element 301 , but completely separated from the neck 201 of the container 2.
  • the engaging element 8 projects inwards towards the inside of the cap 1 starting from its initial end 801 , which may be placed on the free edge 303, or near the free edge 303.
  • this invention is particularly applicable to a cap 1 in which along the initial end 801 of the engaging element 8 there may be a plurality of drainage openings present, which have a small angular extent, are equally spaced apart from each other and serve to drain any washing liquid after moulding of the cap 1 .
  • the number of drainage openings may be between 3 and 30, preferably between 5 and 16.
  • this invention is particularly applicable to a cap 1 in which the engaging element 8 may be moulded inwards, that is to say, it may be formed already directly bent inwards towards the inside of the cap, or in which it may be moulded outwards from the cap, that is to say, it may be made as a projection which extends beyond the free edge 303 and is then bent.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Closures For Containers (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un bouchon pour un récipient comprenant une paroi latérale s'étendant autour d'un axe et une paroi transversale positionnée à une extrémité de la paroi latérale. Le bouchon comprend une bague de retenue, qui est conçue pour rester ancrée à un col du récipient et s'étend jusqu'à un bord libre de la paroi latérale ; un élément de fermeture pouvant venir en prise de manière amovible avec le col, de façon à ouvrir ou fermer le récipient ; au moins une bande de liaison pour maintenir l'élément de fermeture relié à la bague de retenue. La bague de retenue comprend un élément de mise en prise, conçu pour venir en prise avec une bague de verrouillage du col. L'élément de mise en prise fait saillie vers l'intérieur à partir d'une extrémité initiale, qui est placée sur le bord libre, ou à proximité du bord libre, et comprend une partie de fixation, qui définit une extrémité finale de l'élément de mise en prise, qui est conçue pour garantir que l'élément de mise en prise reste fixé à la bague de verrouillage pendant une utilisation du bouchon.
PCT/IB2025/051315 2024-02-12 2025-02-07 Bouchon pour un récipient Pending WO2025172806A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT202400002872 2024-02-12
IT102024000002872 2024-02-12

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2025172806A1 true WO2025172806A1 (fr) 2025-08-21

Family

ID=90810545

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/IB2025/051315 Pending WO2025172806A1 (fr) 2024-02-12 2025-02-07 Bouchon pour un récipient

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2025172806A1 (fr)

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20010002661A1 (en) * 1999-06-03 2001-06-07 Bryan L. Reidenbach Tamper-resistant bottle closure
US6739466B1 (en) * 2002-10-03 2004-05-25 Rexam Medical Packaging Inc. Folding finger tamper-indicating band arrester
US20090314776A1 (en) * 2005-04-27 2009-12-24 Sacmi Cooperativa Maccanici Imola Societa' Cooperativa Caps, containers and methods
US20220204228A1 (en) * 2019-07-22 2022-06-30 Sacmi Cooperativa Meccanici Imola Societa' Cooperativa A cap for a container, combination of a cap and a neck of the container and its production method

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20010002661A1 (en) * 1999-06-03 2001-06-07 Bryan L. Reidenbach Tamper-resistant bottle closure
US6739466B1 (en) * 2002-10-03 2004-05-25 Rexam Medical Packaging Inc. Folding finger tamper-indicating band arrester
US20090314776A1 (en) * 2005-04-27 2009-12-24 Sacmi Cooperativa Maccanici Imola Societa' Cooperativa Caps, containers and methods
US20220204228A1 (en) * 2019-07-22 2022-06-30 Sacmi Cooperativa Meccanici Imola Societa' Cooperativa A cap for a container, combination of a cap and a neck of the container and its production method

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