US20050211657A1 - Device for closing a container neck, container equipped with such a device and process for manufacturing such a device - Google Patents
Device for closing a container neck, container equipped with such a device and process for manufacturing such a device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20050211657A1 US20050211657A1 US11/091,549 US9154905A US2005211657A1 US 20050211657 A1 US20050211657 A1 US 20050211657A1 US 9154905 A US9154905 A US 9154905A US 2005211657 A1 US2005211657 A1 US 2005211657A1
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- neck
- closure
- sealing piece
- container
- cap
- 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.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
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- 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
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- 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
- B65D41/02—Caps or cap-like covers without lines of weakness, tearing strips, tags, or like opening or removal devices
- B65D41/04—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers secured by rotation
- B65D41/0435—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers secured by rotation with separate sealing elements
- B65D41/045—Discs
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a device for closing the neck of a container and to a container equipped with such a device, as well as to a process for manufacturing such a device.
- the invention relates in particular to glass containers which contain for example an alcoholic beverage or a medicinal solution.
- the surface state of the pouring edge of the neck often presents roughness, such as micro-cracks or micro-fissures.
- rough areas, and even such splinters are all the more numerous or marked when the container is a recycled bottle, i.e. a bottle having already served and which has been subjected to a cleaning before being re-used.
- the closure presses the sealing disc in abutment against the pouring edge of the neck the rough areas risk tearing or cutting the material of the disc, thus deteriorating the seal of the container.
- the invention relates to a device for closing the neck of a container, particularly made of glass, comprising a removable closure for closing the neck and a sealing piece adapted to be applied in tight abutment on the pouring edge of the neck by the closure, characterized in that the sealing piece defines, on its side intended to be turned towards the pouring edge of the neck, a first surface for tight abutment on the pouring edge and, on the opposite side, a second surface for pressing abutment of the closure, the respective contact properties of these first and second bearing surfaces being adapted to provoke, upon application of an effort of pressure on the sealing piece by the closure, a rotational connection of the sealing piece and of the neck at the level of the first bearing surface and a sliding contact between the sealing piece and the closure at the level of the second bearing surface.
- the invention also relates to a container, particularly made of glass, comprising a neck and equipped with a device for closing this neck comprising a removable closure for closing the neck and a sealing piece adapted to be applied in tight abutment on the pouring edge of the neck, characterized in that the coefficient of friction between the sealing piece and the pouring edge of the neck is strictly higher than the coefficient of friction between the sealing piece and the closure.
- the sealing piece for example a disc
- the sealing piece is, at the level of its face in tight contact with the pouring edge, connected in rotation with the neck when the closure presses the disc against the pouring edge of the neck, the closure being mobile in sliding abutment on the opposite face of the disc.
- the presence of roughness or of splinters on the surface of the pouring edge does not, therefore, risk damaging the sealing disc to a great extent.
- the closure comprises a cap and a globally tubular piece open at at least one of its axial ends, adapted to be connected both around the neck of the container in removable manner and inside the cap in fixed manner and provided, on its inner face, with means for axially supporting the sealing piece.
- the closure device therefore comprises at least three elements to be assembled, namely the cap, the sealing piece, for example a sealing disc, and the tubular piece forming an axial support for the sealing piece, this tubular piece and the closure forming at least in part, in the assembled state, the closure pressing the sealing piece against the pouring edge of the neck.
- the means supporting the sealing piece are borne by the tubular piece and not directly by the cap, the latter is more easily moulded and especially demoulded, no extended undercut surface being necessary.
- the outer face of the cap is in that case not deteriorated by shrink marks, thus guaranteeing its exterior aesthetics, for example by covering it with a trim or a decorative coating.
- the invention also relates to a process for manufacturing a device for closing the neck of a container, particularly made of glass, in which a sealing piece is available, adapted to be applied in tight abutment on the pouring edge of the neck, characterized in that there are further available a cap and a globally tubular piece open at at least one of its axial ends and provided, on its inner face, with means for axially supporting the sealing piece, and in that the process comprises the following steps of:
- the process according to the invention thus allows a rapid and easy assembly of the closure device constituted by the cap, the sealing piece and the added tubular piece, this device consequently being just as easy to manipulate in order to be removably connected, for example screwed, around the neck of the container.
- this process may in practice be automatized, without it being detrimental to the quality of its production.
- the tubular piece used is a sleeve open at its two axial ends
- step a) for positioning the sealing piece is effected before step b) of introduction and immobilization of this sleeve
- step a) the sealing piece is placed in axial abutment on the support means, being introduced in the sleeve from its axial end which will be closest to the bottom wall of the cap at the end of step b).
- the assembly does not necessitate deformation or distortion of the sealing piece since the latter is, at first, simply placed on the support means formed on the inner face of the sleeve, then this sleeve is introduced inside the closure, being subsequently immobilized therein.
- a tongue projecting from the inner face of the cap and adapted to be in mesh with a corresponding axial stop of the neck when the container is first unstopped, is folded towards the bottom wall of the cap.
- FIG. 1 is an exploded view in perspective of a closure device according to the invention.
- FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section of the device of FIG. 1 , assembled around the neck of a container.
- FIG. 3 is a view on a larger scale of the circled detail III in FIG. 2 .
- FIG. 4 is a partial view in section taken along plane IV-IV indicated in FIG. 2 .
- FIGS. 5 to 7 are views respectively similar to FIGS. 1 to 3 , illustrating a variant of the device according to the invention.
- FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 2 , partly representing another variant of the device according to the invention.
- FIGS. 1 and 2 show a closure device 1 adapted to be removably connected on a neck 2 of a container 3 , for example a bottle made of glass or the like.
- the neck 2 presents a globally cylindrical shape, of axis X-X.
- the terms “upper” and “up” will be considered as corresponding to a direction globally parallel to axis X-X and moving away from the neck 2 , i.e. a direction towards the upper part of FIGS. 1 and 2 , while the terms “lower” and “down” will correspond to an opposite direction.
- the neck 2 defines a pouring edge 4 at the level of which the liquid contained in the container is intended to be poured.
- the outer face of the neck 2 is successively provided, from top to bottom, with a helical thread 5 and a ring 6 , both projecting radially towards the outside and integral with the neck.
- a transverse shoulder 7 slightly inclined with respect to a plane perpendicular to axis X-X.
- the closure device 1 essentially comprises three distinct pieces, namely a cap 10 , a sealing disc 20 and a sleeve 30 , intended to be assembled coaxially then mounted on the neck 2 .
- the cap 10 and the sleeve 30 form a one-piece closure 40 , as explained hereinbelow.
- the cap 10 presents a tubular shape, of axis X-X when the device 1 is connected on the neck 2 as in FIG. 2 .
- the cap is open at its lower end and is closed at its upper end by a bottom wall 11 on the periphery of which a tubular skirt 12 of axis X-X extends axially downwards.
- the outer face of this skirt 12 presents, in its upper part, a grooved surface 121 intended to facilitate the grasp of the cap 10 in a user's hand.
- the skirt 12 is provided, on its inner face, with a possibly discontinuous projecting tongue 122 which extends both in the direction of the axis X-X and the bottom 11 .
- the free end of this tongue 122 is located just below the shoulder 7 of the neck 2 when the device 1 is in its connected configuration of FIG. 2 .
- a line of weakness 123 is provided in the running part of the skirt 12 , a little above the tongue 122 .
- This line of weakness 123 is for example constituted by bridges of cleavable material or by a plurality of circumferential notches or cut-outs made in the skirt 12 .
- the cap 10 is made of a semi-rigid plastics material, such as polypropylene or polyethylene, polypropylene being preferred, particularly for aesthetic reasons.
- the cap is obtained by moulding, the piece being demoulded without difficulty insofar as the inner face 124 of the skirt 12 does not present any extensive radial undercut surface.
- the tongue 122 extends in a position different from that shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , its free end in that case being directed downwardly and not upwardly in order to facilitate unmoulding of the cap.
- This tongue must therefore be plastically folded upwardly when the device 1 is assembled, as will be explained hereinbelow.
- the sleeve 30 is constituted by a globally tubular body 31 of axis X-X and open at its two axial ends.
- the sleeve is adapted to be introduced inside the cap 10 , being immobilized therein both axially and in rotation about axis X-X, and thus form the closure 40 .
- the upper part of the outer face 32 of the sleeve presents, in longitudinal section, a crest/trough profile 321 substantially complementary of a corresponding crest/trough profile 125 of the inner face 124 of the skirt 12 of the cap 10 .
- the outer face 32 of the sleeve is, to that end, provided with an axial series of annular rings 322 projecting radially to the outside, adapted to cooperate by complementarity of shape with similar rings of the inner face 124 of the skirt 12 in order to participate in the blocking of the sleeve 30 in axial translation with respect to the cap 10 .
- the lower part of the outer face 32 of the sleeve 30 presents, in transverse section, as shown in FIG. 4 , a crest/trough profile 323 complementary of a corresponding crest/trough profile 126 of the inner face 124 of the skirt 12 .
- the outer face 32 of the sleeve 30 is to that end provided with a plurality of striae 324 projecting radially outwardly and extending parallel to axis X-X, distributed over the periphery of the sleeve. These striae 324 are adapted to come into mesh with complementary longitudinal grooves of the inner face 124 of the cap and thus to ensure blocking of the cap 30 in rotation with respect to the closure 10 .
- the upper end of the body 31 of the sleeve 30 forms an edge 33 substantially complementary of the inner face of the zone 13 of junction between the bottom wall 11 and the skirt 12 of the cap.
- the upper end edge 33 thus forms for the sleeve 30 an upward axial stop with respect to the cap 10 .
- the lower end of the body 31 of the sleeve 30 forms a substantially planar edge 34 adapted to abut axially on a swell 127 projecting radially inwardly of the inner face 124 of the skirt 12 .
- the lower end edge 34 thus forms for the sleeve 30 a downward axial stop with respect to the cap 10 .
- the sleeve 30 defines an inner face 35 provided, in its upper part, with a shoulder 351 and, in its lower part, with a thread 352 , both projecting radially inwardly.
- the thread 352 is substantially complementary of the outer thread 5 of the neck 2 , with the result that the sleeve 30 is adapted to be screwed and unscrewed on the neck 2 .
- the shoulder 351 defines a substantially planar upper face 353 adapted to form a downward axial support for the sealing disc 20 .
- the axial distance x separating this face 353 from the upper end edge 33 is strictly less than the axial thickness of the disc 20 at rest, i.e. when the sleeve 30 is not connected inside the cap 10 .
- the sleeve 30 is made of a moulded plastics material, such as polyethylene. Insofar as the sleeve is intended to be totally introduced and therefore hidden inside the cap 10 , its outer surface state is of little importance, with the result that the formation of shrink marks or other superficial defects is acceptable during manufacture thereof.
- the sealing disc 20 defines a lower surface 21 intended to be in simple abutment and in tight contact against the pouring edge 4 of the neck 2 and an upper surface 22 intended to be pressed downwardly by the bottom wall 11 of the cap 10 .
- the lower face of this bottom wall is provided with an annular swell 111 projecting axially downwardly and located plumb with the pouring edge when the device 1 is connected around the neck.
- the lower surface 21 of the disc 20 presents a coefficient of friction, with respect to the glass constituting the neck 2 , which is strictly higher than the coefficient of friction between the upper surface 22 of the disc and the swell 111 . Consequently, even when an intense effort of pressure P is applied on the disc by the bottom 111 of the cap 10 , the disc is connected to the neck 2 in rotation while the cap 10 is in sliding contact on the surface 22 of the disc.
- These respective coefficients of friction of the surfaces 21 and 22 result for example from the matter constituting the sealing disc or are the consequence of appropriate surface treatments or coatings. Examples of matter and of coatings are given hereinbelow.
- the lower face 21 optionally defines an annular hollow impression 211 , visible in FIG. 1 , substantially complementary of the pouring edge 4 of the neck 2 .
- the sealing disc 20 is made of at least two axially superposed cylindrical layers 23 and 24 . These layers 23 and 24 are fast with each other either by simple friction or by an appropriate adhesive material.
- the lower layer 23 is constituted by a tight material which is rigid or semi-rigid with a view to stabilizing the structure and avoiding a rupture of seal.
- the upper layer 24 is constituted by a flexible material, in practice more supple than the material constituting the lower layer 23 .
- the layer 23 may be provided to be plastically deformable while the layer 24 is elastically and reversibly deformable so that, at rest, i.e. when the closure device 1 is not connected on the neck 2 , the upper face 22 of this layer extends for example substantially along a plane transverse with respect to axis X-X, while, when the device 1 is in its configuration of closure of FIGS. 2 and 3 , the inner swell 111 of the cap 10 downwardly deforms the upper face 22 , the layer 24 transmitting the effort of pressure P to the lower layer 23 .
- the supple layer 24 advantageously presents a long-lasting resistance in elasticity, so that it globally resumes its original shape even after having remained in a deformed configuration for several years.
- the cap 10 is available in its demoulded state mentioned hereinabove, i.e. in particular with its tongue 122 directed downwardly, together with the cap 30 and the sealing disc 20 .
- the sealing disc 20 is brought above the sleeve 30 , in coaxial manner, and this disc is deposited axially on the upper face 353 of the shoulder 351 . No deformation of the disc is necessary, the inner diameter of the upper part of the sleeve being slightly greater than the outer diameter of the disc.
- the sleeve 30 thus provided with the disc 20 is introduced inside the cap 10 , by introducing it axially and by force from its open lower end.
- the tool allowing the sleeve to be positioned inside the cap then advantageously ensures folding of the tongue 122 upwardly, so that it takes the configuration of FIGS. 2 and 3 .
- the sleeve 30 is axially introduced in the cap 10 until its upper end edge 33 comes into abutment against the bottom wall 11 .
- the sleeve is then wedged axially inside the cap by the cooperation both of the end edge 33 with the zone 13 , of the lower end edge 34 with the swell 127 of the skirt 12 and of the crest/trough profile 321 of the sleeve with the complementary profile 125 of the skirt 12 of the cap.
- the sleeve is also wedged in rotation with respect to the cap by the cooperation of the crest/trough profiles 323 of the sleeve and 126 of the closure.
- the closure 40 thus formed by the cap 10 and the sleeve 20 fast with each other and internally equipped with the sealing disc 20 is then connected by screwing around the neck 2 until, on the one hand, the tongue 122 passes below the shoulder 7 of the neck and, on the other hand, the sealing disc 20 is axially pressed between the pouring edge 4 and the annular swell 111 of the bottom wall 11 .
- the device 1 is then in its configuration of FIGS. 2 to 4 .
- the force of pressure P applied on the disc 20 provokes the rotational connection of this disc with the pouring edge 4 , while the bottom wall 11 slides on the upper surface 22 of the disc. Consequently, if the surface state of the pouring edge 4 is deteriorated, particularly by the presence of micro-fissures or micro-cracks of the glass of the pouring edge 4 formed for example when the container is cleaned, such surface roughness will not provoke tearings of the tight layer 23 .
- a user unscrews the device by applying a corresponding torque on the closure 40 , particularly by gripping this closure at the level of the grooved outer surface 121 of the skirt 12 .
- the sleeve 30 is immobilized inside the cap 10 , the whole of the device is unscrewed upwardly, causing the tongues 122 to mesh against the shoulder 7 of the neck 2 .
- the line of weakness 123 By rupture of the line of weakness 123 , the whole upper part of the device 1 continues to be unscrewed upwardly, while the lower part of the cap 10 remains in place around the neck.
- the device 1 is in that case unscrewable over an angular stroke of several degrees without the line of weakness 123 being broken for all that.
- the sealing disc 20 the elastic upper layer 24 then compensates the upward elevation of the closure, by being elastically deformed so as to maintain tight abutment of the layer 23 on the pouring edge 4 .
- the user of the closure device 1 is thus assured of the perfect hermetic conservation of the contents of the container 3 , particularly when the latter contains a product which is particularly sensitive to air and/or was filled under aseptic conditions.
- This advantageous arrangement of the sealing disc 20 also consequently limits the risks of sabotage of the contents of the container 3 , i.e., more generally, the untimely introduction inside this container of substances that must not be found therein and which might have penetrated when the closure 40 is moved away from the pouring edge without the line of weakness 123 being broken for all that.
- the device 1 may subsequently be rescrewed on the neck 2 of the container 3 , the disc 20 being returned into position of seal against the pouring edge 4 , as during the initial positioning of the device on the neck.
- FIGS. 5 to 7 show a variant 1 ′ of the closure device 1 of the preceding Figures.
- identical elements between the devices 1 and 1 ′ bear the same references while the specific elements of the device 1 ′ bear references followed by a prime.
- the variant 1 ′ differs from the device 1 essentially by the shape of the piece connected inside the cap 10 which, unlike the sleeve 30 of the preceding Figures, is in the form of a cover 30 ′ constituted by a globally tubular body 31 ′ of axis X-X and axially open at only one of its two ends.
- the cover 30 ′ is adapted to be introduced inside the cap 10 , being immobilized therein both axially and in rotation about axis X-X, and thus form a closure 40 ′.
- the cover 30 ′ is provided with arrangements similar to the sleeve 30 , i.e. with an outer face 32 ′ which, in transverse section, presents a crest/trough profile 323 ′ similar to that shown in FIG. 4 for the sleeve 30 , with an upper end part 33 ′ which forms an upward axial stop with respect to the cap 10 , and with a lower end edge 34 ′ which forms a downward axial stop with respect to the cap.
- the upper end part 33 ′ of the cover 30 ′ is constituted by a bottom wall in the form of a disc of matter, centred on axis X-X, which closes the upper end of the tubular body 31 ′.
- This bottom wall 33 ′ is not connected to the body 31 ′ over the whole of its periphery, but in a plurality of zones 36 ′ distributed uniformly over this periphery.
- One of these connecting zones is shown in section in FIG. 6 and not in FIG. 7 .
- the inner face 35 ′ of the cover 30 ′ is provided, in its lower part, with a thread 352 ′ similar to the thread 352 of the sleeve 30 .
- the inner face 35 ′ is provided with a plurality of projections 351 ′ projecting radially inwardly, distributed, over the periphery of the body 31 ′, between two connection zones 36 ′.
- Each projection 351 ′ defines a substantially planar upper face 353 ′ adapted to form a downward axial support for the sealing disc 20 .
- the totality of these faces 353 ′ thus constitutes an axial support for the disc 20 , substantially similar to the face 353 of the shoulder 351 of the sleeve 30 .
- the cap 10 is available in its demoulded state defined hereinabove, together with the cover 30 ′ and the sealing disc 20 .
- the disc 20 is brought inside the cover 30 ′ so as to place this disc axially between the faces 353 ′ of the projections 351 ′ and the bottom wall 33 ′. Unlike the device 1 , in order to allow this positioning, a slight deformation of the disc is necessary and the axial distance separating the faces 353 ′ from the bottom wall 33 ′ must be strictly greater than the thickness of the disc 20 at rest.
- this cover Before or after having positioned the disc 20 inside the cover 30 ′, this cover is placed inside the cap 10 , by introducing it axially and by force from its open lower end, in manner similar to the introduction of the sleeve 30 in this cap.
- the closure 40 ′ is thus formed, which is then connected by screwing around the neck 2 until, on the one hand, the tongue 122 passes over the shoulder 7 of the neck and, on the other hand, the sealing disc 20 is axially pressed between the pouring edge 4 and the bottom wall 33 ′ of the cover 30 ′.
- the device 1 ′ is then in its configuration of FIGS. 6 and 7 .
- the force of pressure P applied on the disc 20 provokes the rotational connection of this disc with the pouring edge 4 while the bottom wall 33 ′ slides over the upper surface 22 of the disc.
- the tight layer 23 of the disc 20 is therefore not damaged.
- the tightening of the closure 40 ′ does not lead to pressing the disc 20 directly by the bottom wall 11 of the cap 10 , but by the bottom wall 33 ′ of the cover 30 ′, this bottom wall itself being pressed downwardly by the bottom wall 11 of the cap.
- the lower surface 21 of the disc 20 should therefore present a coefficient of friction, with respect to the glass constituting the neck 2 , which is strictly higher than the coefficient of friction between the upper face 22 of this disc and the wall 33 ′ of the cover 30 ′, in order that the face 22 be in sliding contact while the face 21 connects the disc 20 to the neck 2 in rotation during application of the effort of pressure P.
- the first use of the device 1 ′, as well as its subsequent uses, are similar to those described for the device 1 .
- FIG. 8 partially shows a variant 1 ′′ of the closure device 1 of FIGS. 1 to 4 .
- the elements identical between the devices 1 and 1 ′′ bear the same references while the specific elements of device 1 ′′ bear references followed by a second.
- the variant 1 ′′ essentially differs from the device 1 by, on the one hand, its sealing disc 20 ′′ which is a single layer and, on the other hand, the presence of another sealing disc 14 ′′ permanently fast with the bottom wall 11 , for example by gluing.
- the cap 10 ′′ of the device 1 ′′ thus comprises both the body of plastics material including the bottom wall 11 and the skirt 12 , i.e. globally the cap 10 of the device 1 , and the disc 14 ′′, the cap 10 ′′ forming an assembly in one piece.
- the disc 14 ′′ when the closure 40 ′′ is tightened around the neck 2 , the disc 14 ′′, fixed with respect to the bottom wall 11 , presses the disc 20 ′′ against the pouring edge 4 of the neck 2 , as indicated by arrows P.
- the pressure applied on the disc 20 ′′ provokes its rotational connection with the pouring edge 4 at the level of its lower surface 21 ′′ while the disc 14 ′′ slides over the upper surface 22 ′′ of the disc 20 ′′.
- the discs 14 ′′ and 20 ′′ are thus free to rotate with respect to each other.
- the disc 14 ′′ of the cap 10 ′′ is made of an elastic material, such as silicone, while the sealing disc 20 ′′ is made of a polyethylene foam covered, on the pouring edge 4 side, with a coating with high coefficient of friction with respect to the glass of the pouring edge, while it is covered, on the opposite side, with a coating with low coefficient of friction with respect to the disc 14 ′′.
- an elastic material such as silicone
- the sealing disc 20 ′′ is made of a polyethylene foam covered, on the pouring edge 4 side, with a coating with high coefficient of friction with respect to the glass of the pouring edge, while it is covered, on the opposite side, with a coating with low coefficient of friction with respect to the disc 14 ′′.
- the assembling, the first use and the subsequent uses of the device 1 ′′ are similar to those described for the device 1 .
- a variant (not shown) consists in combining the variants 1 ′ and 1 ′′ by connecting a supple disc similar to disc 14 ′′ on the bottom wall 33 ′ of the cover 30 ′ and by using the sealing disc 20 ′′.
- the sealing disc 20 may be replaced by a sealing washer whose inner diameter is substantially equal to or smaller than the inner diameter of the pouring edge 4 .
- the tubular piece 30 or 30 ′ permanently connected inside the cap 10 may be welded to this cap, particularly by application or ultra-sounds, or be glued.
Abstract
This closure device comprises a removable closure for closing the neck of the container and a sealing piece adapted to be applied in tight abutment on the pouring edge of the neck by the closure. The sealing piece defines, on its side intended to be turned towards the pouring edge, a first surface for tight abutment on the pouring edge and, on the opposite side, a second surface for pressing abutment of the closure, the respective contact properties of these first and second bearing surfaces being adapted to provoke, upon application of an effort of pressure on the sealing piece by the closure, a rotational connection of the sealing piece and of the neck at the level of the first bearing surface and a sliding contact between the sealing piece and the closure at the level of the second bearing surface. The invention is more particularly applicable to the closure of containers made of glass or a similar fragile material.
Description
- The present invention relates to a device for closing the neck of a container and to a container equipped with such a device, as well as to a process for manufacturing such a device. The invention relates in particular to glass containers which contain for example an alcoholic beverage or a medicinal solution.
- When it is desired to guarantee a suitable seal of a container by such a closure device, particularly when the container contains a liquid, or more generally a product particularly sensitive to oxidation and/or when the container is made of glass or the like, it is known to use a sealing disc which rests in simple abutment on the pouring edge of the neck around which a removable closure is connected. This closure, for example screwed around the neck, thus presses the sealing disc against the pouring edge of the neck. Insofar as the closure must allow the container to be successively unstopped and re-stopped, the sealing disc is generally provided to be retained inside the closure, in the vicinity of its bottom wall. An example of such a closure device is given in U.S. Pat. No. 4,519,518.
- When the neck of the container is made of glass or a similar fragile material, the surface state of the pouring edge of the neck often presents roughness, such as micro-cracks or micro-fissures. Such rough areas, and even such splinters, are all the more numerous or marked when the container is a recycled bottle, i.e. a bottle having already served and which has been subjected to a cleaning before being re-used. When the closure presses the sealing disc in abutment against the pouring edge of the neck, the rough areas risk tearing or cutting the material of the disc, thus deteriorating the seal of the container.
- It is an object of the present invention to propose a closure device and a container provided with such a device, for which the risks of damage of the sealing disc are reduced with a view to improving tightness of the container, even when the surface state of the pouring edge is deteriorated, in particular for containers made of glass or a similar fragile material.
- To that end, the invention relates to a device for closing the neck of a container, particularly made of glass, comprising a removable closure for closing the neck and a sealing piece adapted to be applied in tight abutment on the pouring edge of the neck by the closure, characterized in that the sealing piece defines, on its side intended to be turned towards the pouring edge of the neck, a first surface for tight abutment on the pouring edge and, on the opposite side, a second surface for pressing abutment of the closure, the respective contact properties of these first and second bearing surfaces being adapted to provoke, upon application of an effort of pressure on the sealing piece by the closure, a rotational connection of the sealing piece and of the neck at the level of the first bearing surface and a sliding contact between the sealing piece and the closure at the level of the second bearing surface.
- The invention also relates to a container, particularly made of glass, comprising a neck and equipped with a device for closing this neck comprising a removable closure for closing the neck and a sealing piece adapted to be applied in tight abutment on the pouring edge of the neck, characterized in that the coefficient of friction between the sealing piece and the pouring edge of the neck is strictly higher than the coefficient of friction between the sealing piece and the closure.
- In the device and the container according to the invention, the sealing piece, for example a disc, is, at the level of its face in tight contact with the pouring edge, connected in rotation with the neck when the closure presses the disc against the pouring edge of the neck, the closure being mobile in sliding abutment on the opposite face of the disc. The presence of roughness or of splinters on the surface of the pouring edge does not, therefore, risk damaging the sealing disc to a great extent.
- According to an advantageous characteristic of the closure device or of the container provided with this device, the closure comprises a cap and a globally tubular piece open at at least one of its axial ends, adapted to be connected both around the neck of the container in removable manner and inside the cap in fixed manner and provided, on its inner face, with means for axially supporting the sealing piece.
- According to this characteristic, the closure device therefore comprises at least three elements to be assembled, namely the cap, the sealing piece, for example a sealing disc, and the tubular piece forming an axial support for the sealing piece, this tubular piece and the closure forming at least in part, in the assembled state, the closure pressing the sealing piece against the pouring edge of the neck. Insofar as the means supporting the sealing piece are borne by the tubular piece and not directly by the cap, the latter is more easily moulded and especially demoulded, no extended undercut surface being necessary. The outer face of the cap is in that case not deteriorated by shrink marks, thus guaranteeing its exterior aesthetics, for example by covering it with a trim or a decorative coating.
- According to other characteristics of this device or this container, taken separately or in any technically possible combinations:
-
- the outer face of the tubular piece bears first means for blocking in axial translation and first means for blocking in rotation, respectively associated with corresponding second means for blocking in translation and second means for blocking in rotation, borne by the inner face of the closure.
- the first means for blocking in translation and/or the first means for blocking in rotation are adapted to cooperate by complementarity of shapes with the second means for blocking in translation and the second means for blocking in rotation, respectively.
- the first means for blocking in translation present, in longitudinal section, a crest/trough profile and/or the first means for blocking in rotation present, in transverse section, a crest/trough profile.
- the means for axial support define at least one surface for axially retaining the sealing piece, spaced from one of the ends of the tubular piece by a distance strictly less than the axial thickness of the sealing piece when the tubular piece is outside the closure.
- the sealing piece comprises at least on the side facing towards the pouring edge of the neck when the device closes the container, a first tight layer and, on the opposite side, a second layer which is elastically and reversibly deformable.
- the closure comprises an elastically deformable element, fast with a part of the closure and adapted to abut against the sealing piece.
- the closure device is provided with means indicating the first use of the device, adapted to cooperate with a corresponding part of the neck when the container is first unstopped and the amplitude of elastic deformation of the second layer of the sealing piece and/or the amplitude of elastic deformation of the elastically deformable element of the closure are greater than the clearance between these indicating means and this part of the neck.
- The invention also relates to a process for manufacturing a device for closing the neck of a container, particularly made of glass, in which a sealing piece is available, adapted to be applied in tight abutment on the pouring edge of the neck, characterized in that there are further available a cap and a globally tubular piece open at at least one of its axial ends and provided, on its inner face, with means for axially supporting the sealing piece, and in that the process comprises the following steps of:
-
- a) placing the sealing piece inside the tubular piece, in axial abutment on the support means, and
- b) introducing and immobilizing the tubular piece inside the cap so as to obtain a removable closure for closing the neck, adapted to apply the sealing piece against the pouring edge of the neck.
- The process according to the invention thus allows a rapid and easy assembly of the closure device constituted by the cap, the sealing piece and the added tubular piece, this device consequently being just as easy to manipulate in order to be removably connected, for example screwed, around the neck of the container. As the different operations of the process are carried out solely in substantially axial movements, this process may in practice be automatized, without it being detrimental to the quality of its production.
- According to an advantageous characteristic of this process, the tubular piece used is a sleeve open at its two axial ends, step a) for positioning the sealing piece is effected before step b) of introduction and immobilization of this sleeve, and, during step a), the sealing piece is placed in axial abutment on the support means, being introduced in the sleeve from its axial end which will be closest to the bottom wall of the cap at the end of step b). As the sleeve supports the sealing piece before this sleeve is added in the cap, the assembly does not necessitate deformation or distortion of the sealing piece since the latter is, at first, simply placed on the support means formed on the inner face of the sleeve, then this sleeve is introduced inside the closure, being subsequently immobilized therein.
- According to another advantageous characteristic of this process, during introduction of the tubular piece inside the cap, a tongue projecting from the inner face of the cap and adapted to be in mesh with a corresponding axial stop of the neck when the container is first unstopped, is folded towards the bottom wall of the cap.
- The invention will be more readily understood on reading the following description given solely by way of example and made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
-
FIG. 1 is an exploded view in perspective of a closure device according to the invention. -
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section of the device ofFIG. 1 , assembled around the neck of a container. -
FIG. 3 is a view on a larger scale of the circled detail III inFIG. 2 . -
FIG. 4 is a partial view in section taken along plane IV-IV indicated inFIG. 2 . - FIGS. 5 to 7 are views respectively similar to FIGS. 1 to 3, illustrating a variant of the device according to the invention; and
-
FIG. 8 is a view similar toFIG. 2 , partly representing another variant of the device according to the invention. - Referring now to the drawings,
FIGS. 1 and 2 show aclosure device 1 adapted to be removably connected on aneck 2 of acontainer 3, for example a bottle made of glass or the like. Theneck 2 presents a globally cylindrical shape, of axis X-X. - In the following description, the terms “upper” and “up” will be considered as corresponding to a direction globally parallel to axis X-X and moving away from the
neck 2, i.e. a direction towards the upper part ofFIGS. 1 and 2 , while the terms “lower” and “down” will correspond to an opposite direction. - At its free end, the
neck 2 defines apouring edge 4 at the level of which the liquid contained in the container is intended to be poured. The outer face of theneck 2 is successively provided, from top to bottom, with ahelical thread 5 and aring 6, both projecting radially towards the outside and integral with the neck. At the level of the transition between the lower end of this ring and the rest of theneck 2, there is formed atransverse shoulder 7 slightly inclined with respect to a plane perpendicular to axis X-X. - The
closure device 1 essentially comprises three distinct pieces, namely acap 10, asealing disc 20 and asleeve 30, intended to be assembled coaxially then mounted on theneck 2. In the assembled state, thecap 10 and thesleeve 30 form a one-piece closure 40, as explained hereinbelow. - The
cap 10 presents a tubular shape, of axis X-X when thedevice 1 is connected on theneck 2 as inFIG. 2 . The cap is open at its lower end and is closed at its upper end by abottom wall 11 on the periphery of which atubular skirt 12 of axis X-X extends axially downwards. The outer face of thisskirt 12 presents, in its upper part, agrooved surface 121 intended to facilitate the grasp of thecap 10 in a user's hand. - In its running part, the
skirt 12 is provided, on its inner face, with a possibly discontinuous projectingtongue 122 which extends both in the direction of the axis X-X and thebottom 11. The free end of thistongue 122 is located just below theshoulder 7 of theneck 2 when thedevice 1 is in its connected configuration ofFIG. 2 . - When the device is entrained upwardly for the first time, the
tongue 122 comes into mesh with theshoulder 7, in that case preventing the axial disengagement of the lower part of theskirt 12 while the upper part of this skirt is withdrawn. To that end, a line ofweakness 123, shown in dotted lines inFIGS. 1 and 2 , is provided in the running part of theskirt 12, a little above thetongue 122. This line ofweakness 123 is for example constituted by bridges of cleavable material or by a plurality of circumferential notches or cut-outs made in theskirt 12. - The
cap 10 is made of a semi-rigid plastics material, such as polypropylene or polyethylene, polypropylene being preferred, particularly for aesthetic reasons. The cap is obtained by moulding, the piece being demoulded without difficulty insofar as theinner face 124 of theskirt 12 does not present any extensive radial undercut surface. It will be noted that, in the demoulded state of thecap 10, thetongue 122 extends in a position different from that shown inFIGS. 2 and 3 , its free end in that case being directed downwardly and not upwardly in order to facilitate unmoulding of the cap. This tongue must therefore be plastically folded upwardly when thedevice 1 is assembled, as will be explained hereinbelow. - The
sleeve 30 is constituted by a globallytubular body 31 of axis X-X and open at its two axial ends. The sleeve is adapted to be introduced inside thecap 10, being immobilized therein both axially and in rotation about axis X-X, and thus form theclosure 40. - More precisely, as shown in greater detail in
FIG. 3 , the upper part of theouter face 32 of the sleeve presents, in longitudinal section, a crest/trough profile 321 substantially complementary of a corresponding crest/trough profile 125 of theinner face 124 of theskirt 12 of thecap 10. Theouter face 32 of the sleeve is, to that end, provided with an axial series ofannular rings 322 projecting radially to the outside, adapted to cooperate by complementarity of shape with similar rings of theinner face 124 of theskirt 12 in order to participate in the blocking of thesleeve 30 in axial translation with respect to thecap 10. - The lower part of the
outer face 32 of thesleeve 30 presents, in transverse section, as shown inFIG. 4 , a crest/trough profile 323 complementary of a corresponding crest/trough profile 126 of theinner face 124 of theskirt 12. Theouter face 32 of thesleeve 30 is to that end provided with a plurality ofstriae 324 projecting radially outwardly and extending parallel to axis X-X, distributed over the periphery of the sleeve. Thesestriae 324 are adapted to come into mesh with complementary longitudinal grooves of theinner face 124 of the cap and thus to ensure blocking of thecap 30 in rotation with respect to theclosure 10. - Moreover, the upper end of the
body 31 of thesleeve 30 forms anedge 33 substantially complementary of the inner face of thezone 13 of junction between thebottom wall 11 and theskirt 12 of the cap. Theupper end edge 33 thus forms for thesleeve 30 an upward axial stop with respect to thecap 10. - Similarly, the lower end of the
body 31 of thesleeve 30 forms a substantiallyplanar edge 34 adapted to abut axially on aswell 127 projecting radially inwardly of theinner face 124 of theskirt 12. Thelower end edge 34 thus forms for the sleeve 30 a downward axial stop with respect to thecap 10. - Furthermore, the
sleeve 30 defines aninner face 35 provided, in its upper part, with ashoulder 351 and, in its lower part, with athread 352, both projecting radially inwardly. - The
thread 352 is substantially complementary of theouter thread 5 of theneck 2, with the result that thesleeve 30 is adapted to be screwed and unscrewed on theneck 2. - The
shoulder 351 defines a substantially planarupper face 353 adapted to form a downward axial support for thesealing disc 20. The axial distance x separating thisface 353 from theupper end edge 33 is strictly less than the axial thickness of thedisc 20 at rest, i.e. when thesleeve 30 is not connected inside thecap 10. - The
sleeve 30 is made of a moulded plastics material, such as polyethylene. Insofar as the sleeve is intended to be totally introduced and therefore hidden inside thecap 10, its outer surface state is of little importance, with the result that the formation of shrink marks or other superficial defects is acceptable during manufacture thereof. - The
sealing disc 20 defines alower surface 21 intended to be in simple abutment and in tight contact against the pouringedge 4 of theneck 2 and anupper surface 22 intended to be pressed downwardly by thebottom wall 11 of thecap 10. The lower face of this bottom wall is provided with anannular swell 111 projecting axially downwardly and located plumb with the pouring edge when thedevice 1 is connected around the neck. - Independently of the presence of the
sleeve 30, thelower surface 21 of thedisc 20 presents a coefficient of friction, with respect to the glass constituting theneck 2, which is strictly higher than the coefficient of friction between theupper surface 22 of the disc and theswell 111. Consequently, even when an intense effort of pressure P is applied on the disc by thebottom 111 of thecap 10, the disc is connected to theneck 2 in rotation while thecap 10 is in sliding contact on thesurface 22 of the disc. These respective coefficients of friction of thesurfaces - The
lower face 21 optionally defines an annularhollow impression 211, visible inFIG. 1 , substantially complementary of the pouringedge 4 of theneck 2. - According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention and independent of the presence of the
sleeve 30, thesealing disc 20 is made of at least two axially superposedcylindrical layers layers - The
lower layer 23 is constituted by a tight material which is rigid or semi-rigid with a view to stabilizing the structure and avoiding a rupture of seal. Theupper layer 24 is constituted by a flexible material, in practice more supple than the material constituting thelower layer 23. - The
layer 23 may be provided to be plastically deformable while thelayer 24 is elastically and reversibly deformable so that, at rest, i.e. when theclosure device 1 is not connected on theneck 2, theupper face 22 of this layer extends for example substantially along a plane transverse with respect to axis X-X, while, when thedevice 1 is in its configuration of closure ofFIGS. 2 and 3 , theinner swell 111 of thecap 10 downwardly deforms theupper face 22, thelayer 24 transmitting the effort of pressure P to thelower layer 23. - The
supple layer 24 advantageously presents a long-lasting resistance in elasticity, so that it globally resumes its original shape even after having remained in a deformed configuration for several years. - By way of example of matter constituting the
lower layer 23, both sufficiently rigid and with high coefficient of friction with respect to the pouringedge 4, mention may be made of polyethylene foams, possibly coated on the pouring edge side either with a fine film of a supple and soft material such as an ionomer, or with a fine multi-layer coating incorporating a layer of metal or polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) to ensure a better tightness to gases. Similarly, as matter constituting theupper layer 24, both sufficient supple and with sliding contact with respect to thecap 10, mention may be made of silicone, rubber or thermoplastic elastomers such as styrene-ethylenes/butylene-styrenes (SEBS). - The assembly of the
closure device 1 and its positioning around theneck 2 will now be described. - Initially, the
cap 10 is available in its demoulded state mentioned hereinabove, i.e. in particular with itstongue 122 directed downwardly, together with thecap 30 and thesealing disc 20. - In a first step, the
sealing disc 20 is brought above thesleeve 30, in coaxial manner, and this disc is deposited axially on theupper face 353 of theshoulder 351. No deformation of the disc is necessary, the inner diameter of the upper part of the sleeve being slightly greater than the outer diameter of the disc. - In a second step, the
sleeve 30 thus provided with thedisc 20 is introduced inside thecap 10, by introducing it axially and by force from its open lower end. The tool allowing the sleeve to be positioned inside the cap then advantageously ensures folding of thetongue 122 upwardly, so that it takes the configuration ofFIGS. 2 and 3 . - The
sleeve 30 is axially introduced in thecap 10 until itsupper end edge 33 comes into abutment against thebottom wall 11. The sleeve is then wedged axially inside the cap by the cooperation both of theend edge 33 with thezone 13, of thelower end edge 34 with theswell 127 of theskirt 12 and of the crest/trough profile 321 of the sleeve with thecomplementary profile 125 of theskirt 12 of the cap. The sleeve is also wedged in rotation with respect to the cap by the cooperation of the crest/trough profiles 323 of the sleeve and 126 of the closure. - The
closure 40 thus formed by thecap 10 and thesleeve 20 fast with each other and internally equipped with thesealing disc 20 is then connected by screwing around theneck 2 until, on the one hand, thetongue 122 passes below theshoulder 7 of the neck and, on the other hand, thesealing disc 20 is axially pressed between the pouringedge 4 and theannular swell 111 of thebottom wall 11. Thedevice 1 is then in its configuration of FIGS. 2 to 4. - At the end of tightening of the
closure 40 around theneck 2, the force of pressure P applied on thedisc 20 provokes the rotational connection of this disc with the pouringedge 4, while thebottom wall 11 slides on theupper surface 22 of the disc. Consequently, if the surface state of the pouringedge 4 is deteriorated, particularly by the presence of micro-fissures or micro-cracks of the glass of the pouringedge 4 formed for example when the container is cleaned, such surface roughness will not provoke tearings of thetight layer 23. - When the
closure device 1 is first used, a user unscrews the device by applying a corresponding torque on theclosure 40, particularly by gripping this closure at the level of the groovedouter surface 121 of theskirt 12. As thesleeve 30 is immobilized inside thecap 10, the whole of the device is unscrewed upwardly, causing thetongues 122 to mesh against theshoulder 7 of theneck 2. By rupture of the line ofweakness 123, the whole upper part of thedevice 1 continues to be unscrewed upwardly, while the lower part of thecap 10 remains in place around the neck. - As a function of the manufacturing tolerance of the
tongue 122 as well as of the surface state of theshoulder 7, which may be deteriorated by splinters of the glass constituting theneck 2, it may be that a non-negligible axial clearance exists between the free end of the tongue and the shoulder. In other words, thedevice 1 is in that case unscrewable over an angular stroke of several degrees without the line ofweakness 123 being broken for all that. During this initial phase of unscrewing of theclosure 40, the tightness of the container is nonetheless ensured by thesealing disc 20. More precisely, the elasticupper layer 24 then compensates the upward elevation of the closure, by being elastically deformed so as to maintain tight abutment of thelayer 23 on the pouringedge 4. The user of theclosure device 1 is thus assured of the perfect hermetic conservation of the contents of thecontainer 3, particularly when the latter contains a product which is particularly sensitive to air and/or was filled under aseptic conditions. This advantageous arrangement of thesealing disc 20 also consequently limits the risks of sabotage of the contents of thecontainer 3, i.e., more generally, the untimely introduction inside this container of substances that must not be found therein and which might have penetrated when theclosure 40 is moved away from the pouring edge without the line ofweakness 123 being broken for all that. - The
device 1 may subsequently be rescrewed on theneck 2 of thecontainer 3, thedisc 20 being returned into position of seal against the pouringedge 4, as during the initial positioning of the device on the neck. - FIGS. 5 to 7 show a
variant 1′ of theclosure device 1 of the preceding Figures. For convenience, identical elements between thedevices device 1′ bear references followed by a prime. - The
variant 1′ differs from thedevice 1 essentially by the shape of the piece connected inside thecap 10 which, unlike thesleeve 30 of the preceding Figures, is in the form of acover 30′ constituted by a globallytubular body 31′ of axis X-X and axially open at only one of its two ends. - Like the
sleeve 30, thecover 30′ is adapted to be introduced inside thecap 10, being immobilized therein both axially and in rotation about axis X-X, and thus form aclosure 40′. To that end, thecover 30′ is provided with arrangements similar to thesleeve 30, i.e. with anouter face 32′ which, in transverse section, presents a crest/trough profile 323′ similar to that shown inFIG. 4 for thesleeve 30, with anupper end part 33′ which forms an upward axial stop with respect to thecap 10, and with alower end edge 34′ which forms a downward axial stop with respect to the cap. - Unlike the
sleeve 30, theupper end part 33′ of thecover 30′ is constituted by a bottom wall in the form of a disc of matter, centred on axis X-X, which closes the upper end of thetubular body 31′. Thisbottom wall 33′ is not connected to thebody 31′ over the whole of its periphery, but in a plurality ofzones 36′ distributed uniformly over this periphery. One of these connecting zones is shown in section inFIG. 6 and not inFIG. 7 . - The
inner face 35′ of thecover 30′ is provided, in its lower part, with athread 352′ similar to thethread 352 of thesleeve 30. In its upper part, theinner face 35′ is provided with a plurality ofprojections 351′ projecting radially inwardly, distributed, over the periphery of thebody 31′, between twoconnection zones 36′. Eachprojection 351′ defines a substantially planarupper face 353′ adapted to form a downward axial support for thesealing disc 20. The totality of thesefaces 353′ thus constitutes an axial support for thedisc 20, substantially similar to theface 353 of theshoulder 351 of thesleeve 30. - Assembling of the
closure device 1′ and its positioning around theneck 2 will now be described. - Initially, the
cap 10 is available in its demoulded state defined hereinabove, together with thecover 30′ and thesealing disc 20. - The
disc 20 is brought inside thecover 30′ so as to place this disc axially between thefaces 353′ of theprojections 351′ and thebottom wall 33′. Unlike thedevice 1, in order to allow this positioning, a slight deformation of the disc is necessary and the axial distance separating thefaces 353′ from thebottom wall 33′ must be strictly greater than the thickness of thedisc 20 at rest. - Before or after having positioned the
disc 20 inside thecover 30′, this cover is placed inside thecap 10, by introducing it axially and by force from its open lower end, in manner similar to the introduction of thesleeve 30 in this cap. - The
closure 40′ is thus formed, which is then connected by screwing around theneck 2 until, on the one hand, thetongue 122 passes over theshoulder 7 of the neck and, on the other hand, thesealing disc 20 is axially pressed between the pouringedge 4 and thebottom wall 33′ of thecover 30′. Thedevice 1′ is then in its configuration ofFIGS. 6 and 7 . - At the end of tightening of the
closure 40′ around theneck 2, the force of pressure P applied on thedisc 20 provokes the rotational connection of this disc with the pouringedge 4 while thebottom wall 33′ slides over theupper surface 22 of the disc. In the same way as for thedevice 1, if the surface state of the pouringedge 4 is deteriorated, thetight layer 23 of thedisc 20 is therefore not damaged. It will be noted that, unlike thedevice 1, the tightening of theclosure 40′ does not lead to pressing thedisc 20 directly by thebottom wall 11 of thecap 10, but by thebottom wall 33′ of thecover 30′, this bottom wall itself being pressed downwardly by thebottom wall 11 of the cap. Thelower surface 21 of thedisc 20 should therefore present a coefficient of friction, with respect to the glass constituting theneck 2, which is strictly higher than the coefficient of friction between theupper face 22 of this disc and thewall 33′ of thecover 30′, in order that theface 22 be in sliding contact while theface 21 connects thedisc 20 to theneck 2 in rotation during application of the effort of pressure P. - The first use of the
device 1′, as well as its subsequent uses, are similar to those described for thedevice 1. -
FIG. 8 partially shows avariant 1″ of theclosure device 1 of FIGS. 1 to 4. For convenience, the elements identical between thedevices device 1″ bear references followed by a second. - The
variant 1″ essentially differs from thedevice 1 by, on the one hand, itssealing disc 20″ which is a single layer and, on the other hand, the presence of anothersealing disc 14″ permanently fast with thebottom wall 11, for example by gluing. Thecap 10″ of thedevice 1″ thus comprises both the body of plastics material including thebottom wall 11 and theskirt 12, i.e. globally thecap 10 of thedevice 1, and thedisc 14″, thecap 10″ forming an assembly in one piece. - The closure formed by this
cap 10″ and thesleeve 30 is referenced 40″. - For the
variant 1″, when theclosure 40″ is tightened around theneck 2, thedisc 14″, fixed with respect to thebottom wall 11, presses thedisc 20″ against the pouringedge 4 of theneck 2, as indicated by arrows P. In manner similar to thedevice 1, the pressure applied on thedisc 20″ provokes its rotational connection with the pouringedge 4 at the level of itslower surface 21″ while thedisc 14″ slides over theupper surface 22″ of thedisc 20″. Thediscs 14″ and 20″ are thus free to rotate with respect to each other. - By way of example, the
disc 14″ of thecap 10″ is made of an elastic material, such as silicone, while thesealing disc 20″ is made of a polyethylene foam covered, on the pouringedge 4 side, with a coating with high coefficient of friction with respect to the glass of the pouring edge, while it is covered, on the opposite side, with a coating with low coefficient of friction with respect to thedisc 14″. - It will be noted that this
variant 1″ combines the same advantages as thedevice 1, namely that: -
- like the
lower layer 23 of thedisc 20, the matter constituting (thedisc 20″ is not damaged at the level of itssurface 21″ by the pouringedge 4 if the latter presents a deteriorated surface state, and - like the
upper layer 24 of thedisc 20, theelastic disc 14″ compensates the beginning of elevation of theclosure 40″ when it is unscrewed so as to maintain the tight abutment of thedisc 20″ on the pouring edge.
- like the
- The assembling, the first use and the subsequent uses of the
device 1″ are similar to those described for thedevice 1. - A variant (not shown) consists in combining the
variants 1′ and 1″ by connecting a supple disc similar todisc 14″ on thebottom wall 33′ of thecover 30′ and by using thesealing disc 20″. - Various arrangements and variants to the closure device described hereinabove may, of course, be envisaged. By way of example, the
sealing disc 20 may be replaced by a sealing washer whose inner diameter is substantially equal to or smaller than the inner diameter of the pouringedge 4. Similarly, in complement or in place of the means for connection by complementarity of shapes envisaged hereinabove, thetubular piece cap 10 may be welded to this cap, particularly by application or ultra-sounds, or be glued.
Claims (19)
1. Device for closing the neck of a container, particularly made of glass, comprising a removable closure for closing the neck and a sealing piece adapted to be applied in tight abutment on the pouring edge of the neck by the closure, wherein the sealing piece defines, on its side intended to be turned towards the pouring edge of the neck, a first surface for tight abutment on the pouring edge and, on the opposite side, a second surface for pressing abutment of the closure, the respective contact properties of these first and second bearing surfaces being adapted to provoke, upon application of an effort of pressure on the sealing piece by the closure, a rotational connection of the sealing piece and of the neck at the level of the first bearing surface and a sliding contact between the sealing piece and the closure at the level of the second bearing surface.
2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the closure comprises a cap and a globally tubular piece open at at least one of its axial ends, adapted to be connected both around the neck of the container in removable manner and inside the cap in fixed manner and provided, on its inner face with means for axially supporting the sealing piece.
3. The device of claim 2 , wherein the outer face of the tubular piece bears first means for blocking in axial translation and first means for blocking in rotation, respectively associated with corresponding second means for blocking in translation and with corresponding second means for blocking in rotation, in particular complementary, borne by the inner face of the cap.
4. The device of claim 2 , wherein the means for axial support define at least one surface for axially retaining the sealing piece, spaced from one of the ends of the tubular piece by a distance strictly less than the axial thickness of the sealing piece when the tubular piece is outside the cap.
5. The device of claim 1 , wherein the sealing piece comprises at least on the side facing towards the pouring edge of the neck when the device closes the container, a first tight layer and, on the opposite side, a second layer which is elastically deformable.
6. The device of claim 5 , wherein the closure device is provided with means indicating the first use of the device, adapted to cooperate with a corresponding part of the neck when the container is first unstopped and in that the amplitude of elastic deformation of the second layer of the sealing piece and/or the amplitude of elastic deformation of the elastically deformable element of the closure are greater than the clearance between these indicating means and this part of the neck.
7. The device of claim 1 , wherein the closure comprises an elastically deformable element, fast with another part of the closure and adapted to abut against the sealing piece.
8. The device of claim 7 , wherein the closure device is provided with means indicating the first use of the device, adapted to cooperate with a corresponding part of the neck when the container is first unstopped and in that the amplitude of elastic deformation of the second layer of the sealing piece and/or the amplitude of elastic deformation of the elastically deformable element of the closure are greater than the clearance between these indicating means and this part of the neck.
9. Container, particularly made of glass, comprising a neck and equipped with a device for closing this neck comprising a removable closure for closing the neck and a sealing piece adapted to be applied in tight abutment on the pouring edge of the neck,
wherein the coefficient of friction between the sealing piece and the pouring edge of the neck is strictly higher than the coefficient of friction between the sealing piece and the closure.
10. The container of claim 9 , wherein the closure comprises a cap and a globally tubular piece open at at least one of its axial ends, adapted to be connected both around the neck of the container in removable manner and inside the cap in fixed manner and provided, on its inner face with means for axially supporting the sealing piece.
11. The container of claim 10 , wherein the outer face of the tubular piece bears first means for blocking in axial translation and first means for blocking in rotation, respectively associated with corresponding second means for blocking in translation and with corresponding second means for blocking in rotation, in particular complementary, borne by the inner face of the cap.
12. The container of claim 10 , wherein the means for axial support define at least one surface for axially retaining the sealing piece, spaced from one of the ends of the tubular piece by a distance strictly less than the axial thickness of the sealing piece when the tubular piece is outside the cap.
13. The container of claim 9 , wherein the sealing piece comprises at least on the side facing towards the pouring edge of the neck when the device closes the container, a first tight layer and, on the opposite side, a second layer which is elastically deformable.
14. The container of claim 13 , wherein the closure device is provided with means indicating the first use of the device, adapted to cooperate with a corresponding part of the neck when the container is first unstopped and in that the amplitude of elastic deformation of the second layer of the sealing piece and/or the amplitude of elastic deformation of the elastically deformable element of the closure are greater than the clearance between these indicating means and this part of the neck.
15. The container of claim 9 , wherein the closure comprises an elastically deformable element, fast with another part of the closure and adapted to abut against the sealing piece.
16. The container of claim 15 , wherein the closure device is provided with means indicating the first use of the device, adapted to cooperate with a corresponding part of the neck when the container is first unstopped and in that the amplitude of elastic deformation of the second layer of the sealing piece and/or the amplitude of elastic deformation of the elastically deformable element of the closure are greater than the clearance between these indicating means and this part of the neck.
17. Process for manufacturing a device for closing the neck of a container, particularly made of glass, in which a sealing piece is available, adapted to be applied in tight abutment on the pouring edge of the neck,
wherein there are further available a cap and a globally tubular piece open at at least one of its axial ends and provided, on its inner face, with means for axially supporting the sealing piece, and
wherein the process comprises the following steps of:
a) placing the sealing piece inside the tubular piece, in axial abutment on the support means, and
b) introducing and immobilizing the tubular piece inside the cap so as to obtain a removable closure for closing the neck, adapted to apply the sealing piece against the pouring edge of the neck.
18. The process of claim 17 , wherein the tubular piece used is a sleeve open at its two axial ends,
step a) for positioning the sealing piece is effected before step b) of introduction and immobilization of this sleeve, and,
during step a), the sealing piece is placed in axial abutment on the support means, being introduced in the sleeve from its axial end which will be closest to the bottom wall of the cap at the end of step b).
19. The process of claim 17 , wherein, during step b) of introduction and immobilization of the tubular piece, a tongue projecting from the inner face of the cap and adapted to be in mesh with a corresponding axial stop of the neck when the container is first unstopped, is folded towards the bottom wall of the cap.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US11/091,549 US20050211657A1 (en) | 2004-03-26 | 2005-03-29 | Device for closing a container neck, container equipped with such a device and process for manufacturing such a device |
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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FR0403154 | 2004-03-26 | ||
FR0403154A FR2868048A1 (en) | 2004-03-26 | 2004-03-26 | DEVICE FOR CLOSING A COLLAR OF A CONTAINER, CONTAINER EQUIPPED WITH SUCH A DEVICE AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING SUCH A DEVICE |
US55811404P | 2004-04-01 | 2004-04-01 | |
US11/091,549 US20050211657A1 (en) | 2004-03-26 | 2005-03-29 | Device for closing a container neck, container equipped with such a device and process for manufacturing such a device |
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US20050211657A1 true US20050211657A1 (en) | 2005-09-29 |
Family
ID=34988530
Family Applications (1)
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US11/091,549 Abandoned US20050211657A1 (en) | 2004-03-26 | 2005-03-29 | Device for closing a container neck, container equipped with such a device and process for manufacturing such a device |
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Cited By (13)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7644902B1 (en) | 2003-05-31 | 2010-01-12 | Rexam Medical Packaging Inc. | Apparatus for producing a retort thermal processed container with a peelable seal |
US20100018942A1 (en) * | 2007-02-27 | 2010-01-28 | Guala Closures S.P.A. | Tamper evident closure for containers provided with a threaded neck |
US7766178B2 (en) | 2001-12-21 | 2010-08-03 | Rexam Medical Packaging Inc. | Closure for a retort processed container having a peelable seal |
US7780024B1 (en) | 2005-07-14 | 2010-08-24 | Rexam Closures And Containers Inc. | Self peel flick-it seal for an opening in a container neck |
US7798359B1 (en) | 2004-08-17 | 2010-09-21 | Momar Industries LLC | Heat-sealed, peelable lidding membrane for retort packaging |
US20100258698A1 (en) * | 2009-04-14 | 2010-10-14 | Wunderwall, LLC | Cup for holding bottles in a bottle rack |
US20100258521A1 (en) * | 2007-07-25 | 2010-10-14 | Antonio Bertolaso | Closing cap for a container, method for closing a container and method for manufacturing a closing cap for a container |
US20110036839A1 (en) * | 2009-08-17 | 2011-02-17 | Gardner William A | Screw-capsule for wine bottles |
US8100277B1 (en) | 2005-07-14 | 2012-01-24 | Rexam Closures And Containers Inc. | Peelable seal for an opening in a container neck |
US8251236B1 (en) | 2007-11-02 | 2012-08-28 | Berry Plastics Corporation | Closure with lifting mechanism |
WO2017193173A1 (en) * | 2016-05-13 | 2017-11-16 | Terrence Tremayne | Closure preform |
US10358282B1 (en) * | 2018-02-15 | 2019-07-23 | Grip, Llc | Cigarette package |
US20210171257A1 (en) * | 2019-12-04 | 2021-06-10 | Société Lorraine De Capsules Métalliques-Manufacture De Bouchage | Screw capping device intended to remain tethered to a container after opening of the container |
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US4462502A (en) * | 1980-12-22 | 1984-07-31 | Ethyl Molded Products Company | Threaded closure with liner |
US4473163A (en) * | 1981-11-19 | 1984-09-25 | Ernst & Co., Inh. Geiger & Neuenschwander | Screw cap with inner and outer covers |
US4519518A (en) * | 1984-05-31 | 1985-05-28 | Specialty Packaging Products, Inc. | Means for mounting a closure in a predetermined position |
US6403173B1 (en) * | 1997-05-12 | 2002-06-11 | Pechiney Emballage Alimentaire | Sealing metal cap with plastic insert |
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US3917100A (en) * | 1971-07-21 | 1975-11-04 | Joseph Dukess | Closure with rotatable layered liner |
US4310101A (en) * | 1979-03-05 | 1982-01-12 | Max Factor & Company | Combined bottle and screw cap assembly |
US4280632A (en) * | 1979-09-17 | 1981-07-28 | Yukitomo Yuhara | Bottle cap |
US4462502A (en) * | 1980-12-22 | 1984-07-31 | Ethyl Molded Products Company | Threaded closure with liner |
US4473163A (en) * | 1981-11-19 | 1984-09-25 | Ernst & Co., Inh. Geiger & Neuenschwander | Screw cap with inner and outer covers |
US4519518A (en) * | 1984-05-31 | 1985-05-28 | Specialty Packaging Products, Inc. | Means for mounting a closure in a predetermined position |
US6403173B1 (en) * | 1997-05-12 | 2002-06-11 | Pechiney Emballage Alimentaire | Sealing metal cap with plastic insert |
Cited By (20)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7766178B2 (en) | 2001-12-21 | 2010-08-03 | Rexam Medical Packaging Inc. | Closure for a retort processed container having a peelable seal |
US7644902B1 (en) | 2003-05-31 | 2010-01-12 | Rexam Medical Packaging Inc. | Apparatus for producing a retort thermal processed container with a peelable seal |
US7798359B1 (en) | 2004-08-17 | 2010-09-21 | Momar Industries LLC | Heat-sealed, peelable lidding membrane for retort packaging |
US7780024B1 (en) | 2005-07-14 | 2010-08-24 | Rexam Closures And Containers Inc. | Self peel flick-it seal for an opening in a container neck |
US8100277B1 (en) | 2005-07-14 | 2012-01-24 | Rexam Closures And Containers Inc. | Peelable seal for an opening in a container neck |
US20100018942A1 (en) * | 2007-02-27 | 2010-01-28 | Guala Closures S.P.A. | Tamper evident closure for containers provided with a threaded neck |
US8453857B2 (en) * | 2007-02-27 | 2013-06-04 | Guala Closures S.P.A. | Tamper evident closure for containers provided with a threaded neck |
US20100258521A1 (en) * | 2007-07-25 | 2010-10-14 | Antonio Bertolaso | Closing cap for a container, method for closing a container and method for manufacturing a closing cap for a container |
US8251236B1 (en) | 2007-11-02 | 2012-08-28 | Berry Plastics Corporation | Closure with lifting mechanism |
US8650839B1 (en) | 2007-11-02 | 2014-02-18 | Berry Plastics Corporation | Closure with lifting mechanism |
US20100258698A1 (en) * | 2009-04-14 | 2010-10-14 | Wunderwall, LLC | Cup for holding bottles in a bottle rack |
US8267259B2 (en) * | 2009-04-14 | 2012-09-18 | Wunderwall, LLC | Cup for holding bottles in a bottle rack |
EP2467309A4 (en) * | 2009-08-17 | 2013-03-27 | William A Gardner | Screw-capsule for wine bottles |
EP2467309A2 (en) * | 2009-08-17 | 2012-06-27 | William A. Gardner | Screw-capsule for wine bottles |
US20110036839A1 (en) * | 2009-08-17 | 2011-02-17 | Gardner William A | Screw-capsule for wine bottles |
WO2017193173A1 (en) * | 2016-05-13 | 2017-11-16 | Terrence Tremayne | Closure preform |
AU2017261850B2 (en) * | 2016-05-13 | 2023-01-19 | Krzysztof Mastalerz | Closure preform |
US10358282B1 (en) * | 2018-02-15 | 2019-07-23 | Grip, Llc | Cigarette package |
US20210171257A1 (en) * | 2019-12-04 | 2021-06-10 | Société Lorraine De Capsules Métalliques-Manufacture De Bouchage | Screw capping device intended to remain tethered to a container after opening of the container |
US11591147B2 (en) * | 2019-12-04 | 2023-02-28 | Société Lorraine De Capsules Métalliques-Manufacture De Bouchage | Screw capping device intended to remain tethered to a container after opening of the container |
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Legal Events
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STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |