WO2008102077A2

WO2008102077A2 - Plug and method for mounting the same

Info

Publication number: WO2008102077A2
Application number: PCT/FR2007/002174
Authority: WO
Inventors: Philippe Nusbaum; Frédéric Granier
Original assignee: Bericap
Priority date: 2007-01-16
Filing date: 2007-12-27
Publication date: 2008-08-28
Also published as: AR064850A1; FR2911328B1; FR2911328A1; WO2008102077A3; BRPI0800395A

Abstract

The invention relates to a plug that comprises two parts, the first part (2) Defining a base and including an annular groove (5) defining a geometrical mounting axis and an elastically deformable latching relief (18), the second part defining a hood (6) and including a fixation ring (80) inserted in said groove (5) and maintained in position by the latching relief (18), a cap (60) formed with a top blocking wall (19) and at least one sealing skirt (22), and means (7) for pivoting the cap (60) relative to the ring (80) between an open position for accessing the pouring shaft (50) and a blocking position in which the sealing skirt (22) interacts with the base while the blocking wall covers said shaft (50). The hood (6) includes an abutment (70) and the base includes a counter buffer (71) interacting with the abutment (70) for indexing the angular position of the base (3) relative to the hood (6) about the mounting axis. It is thus possible to mount the two parts according to a simple method that combines a translation closing-in movement of the two parts and a rotation movement that is interrupted when the abutment is in contact with the counter buffer.

Description

CAP AND METHOD OF MOUNTING

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a two-piece cap for a container for packaging a liquid or pasty food including such as oil, sauce, vinegar, a dairy product, or others. It relates more specifically to the assembly of two pieces constituting such a plug.

STATE OF THE PRIOR ART

It is known from a state of the internal technique not accessible to the public, subject of a patent application not yet published at the filing date of the present application, No. PCT / FR06 / 001553, a two-piece cap , respectively forming a base and a cover. The base comprises a lower skirt provided with a thread or an attachment cord for attachment to a container, a pouring well, and an annular groove defining a mounting axis and provided with an elastically hooking relief. deformable device. The cover is provided with a fastening ring inserted into the groove and held in position by the engaging relief, a cap provided with a closure wall and at least one sealing skirt. and a hinge hinge between the ring and the cap, the hinge being reversibly movable from a closed position to an open position, allowing movement of the cap relative to the ring respectively of a position d opening giving access to the well to a closed position in which the sealing skirt cooperates with the base and the closure wall covers the well.

When mounting the two parts, the cover must be positioned angularly relative to the base in a plane perpendicular to the geometric axis of assembly, which makes mounting complex and expensive.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention aims to facilitate the assembly of a two-piece plug, of the type described above. To do this, it is proposed according to the invention a cap comprising:

a first part constituting a base and comprising: a lower skirt provided with means for fixing to a container,

- A pouring well,

an annular groove defining a geometric mounting axis; an elastically deformable hooking projection,

a second component constituting a hood comprising

a fixing ring inserted into said groove and held in position by said hooking relief,

a cap provided with a top closure wall and at least one sealing skirt, means for pivoting the cap relative to the ring between an open position giving access to said pouring well and a position of shutter in which the sealing skirt cooperates with the base and the closure wall covers said well.

According to the invention, the cap is characterized in that the cover comprises a stop and the base comprises a abutment cooperating with the abutment to index an angular position of the base relative to the cover around a mounting axis.

The cooperation between the abutment and the abutment makes it possible to present the two component parts of the cap without having previously determined their respective angular position, then to rotate them relative to each other about the axis of mounting them closer to the mounting axis until the rotational movement is interrupted by the meeting of the stop and the abutment.

Thus realized, the plug offers the assurance of precise angular positioning of the cap on the base.

According to one embodiment, the abutment interferes elastically with the pouring well in the open position or in an intermediate position between the closed position and the open position, to hold the cap in position or to guide the hood in his movement. The same relief ensures a dual function, during assembly and during subsequent use. The stop may include a ramp which facilitates its guidance relative to the pouring well.

Advantageously, the base comprises a lid closing the pouring well. This seal makes it possible to preserve the contents of the container before the first opening and constitutes a tamper evidence. This lid can be removed and provided with a gripping ring.

In the context of one embodiment, it is provided that the lid has a plurality of disks of diameter less than the diameter of the lid, said disks having a delimiting border in the thickness of said lid made by a shrinkage of matter. In the In this embodiment, it can be provided that the gripping ring is connected to each of the disks by a tab.

Advantageously, the ring is connected to the cap by frangible bridges. The bridges constitute a tamper evident witness before the first opening of the cap.

According to another aspect of the invention, it relates to a method of mounting a plug according to any one of the preceding claims. According to the invention, the method comprises the following steps:

- Arrangement of said two parts coaxially along a given axis Z,

relative translation between the first piece and the second piece along the Z axis so that said stop penetrates partially into said well

- reverser -, - combined-to-r- or followed by a relative rotation between the first part and the second part about the Z axis until the stop comes into contact with the abutment, - and translation of the bonnet along the axis until insertion of the ring into the annular groove and maintaining said ring by the hooking relief.

Preferably, the cap does not rotate relative to the ring during assembly, the relative translational step without rotation bringing the second piece into the closed position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES [0014] Other advantages and features will emerge more clearly from the following description of two modes. particular embodiments of the invention, given by way of non-limiting examples, and represented in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows in perspective a cover of a plug according to the invention,

FIG. 2 is an enlargement of part A of the hood illustrated in FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 represents in perspective a base of a plug according to a first embodiment according to the invention,

FIG. 4 is an enlargement of a portion B of the base illustrated in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the base illustrated in FIG. 3 and of the hood illustrated in FIG. 1, the base being é-fràht ^~ pos ^" itiôîmée ^~ axîalëmè ^" nt under the hood,

FIG. 6 is a view from above of the base shown in FIG. 3,

FIG. 7 is an enlargement of a portion E of the base illustrated in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 represents a base according to a second embodiment according to the invention,

FIG. 9 is an enlargement of a portion C of the base illustrated in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the base illustrated in FIG. 8 and of the hood illustrated in FIG.

1, the base being positioned axially below the hood, and - Figure 11 is a top view of the base shown in Figure 8.

For clarity, identical or similar elements are identified by identical reference signs throughout the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT [0016] The two embodiments of the plug according to the invention which will now be described are made of plastic and have a general axis of revolution Z (FIGS. 5 and 10).

They are typically intended for containers (such as bottles) for packaging a liquid or pasty food including such as oil, sauce, vinegar, a dairy product, or the like.

In the embodiment shown, the cap comprises a first part 1 and a second part 2 intended to be rigidly associated with one another.

The first part 1 - for example polyethylene - forms a peripheral base 3 (Figure 3) or a base 3 '(Figure 8) and a pouring means 4 (Figure 3) or a pouring means 4' (Figure 8) . It also includes first means 5 or 5 '(respectively FIGS. 3 and 8) fixing peripherals for the second part 2.

The second part 2 - for example transparent polypropylene - forms a cover 6 (Figure 1) and, means 7 for pivoting the cover 6 and second means 8 peripheral fasteners complementary to the first means 5 and 5 'of attachment .

The cap is described assuming the vertical axis Z, the base 3 (or 3 ') down and the hood 6 to the top. It is in relation to this position that must be understood the words "high", "low", "above", "below", "top" ... The word "axial" refers to the Z axis, while the word "transverse" refers to what is perpendicular to the Z axis. Depending on the context, the word "internal" (or "inner") refers to what is located in the plug stricto sensu or what is turned towards or close to the Z axis, while the word "external" (or " outside ") is the opposite. Unless otherwise specified, the plug is described in the closed position prior to first use.

The base 3 comprises a lower skirt 9 or 9 '(respectively Figures 3 and 8) of generally cylindrical shape, directed downwards arranged for and intended to be fixed on the neck of the container, by means of suitable fasteners complementary to one another, such as a protruding flange or a thread, provided in this case on the inner face of the outer skirt 9. These fastening means are partially shown in FIGS. 10 by the elements bearing the reference 40.

The pouring means 4 comprises a cylindrical wall 10 of smaller diameter than the outer skirt 9, having a portion facing the outer skirt 9 and a portion 10a projecting axially from the outer skirt 9 upwards. This portion 10a is limited at its summit end by a free edge 11 extending substantially in a transverse plane. On a little more than half a circle opposite the means 7 of pivoting, the free edge 11 is flared outwardly to form the pouring means.

The portion 10a of the wall 10 has a smooth cylindrical inner face 12 and an outer face having a cylindrical portion 14 downwards, on the side of the outer skirt 9, and upwardly a recessed portion 15, in addition small diameter, connecting the cylindrical portion 14 to the free edge 11.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6, the pouring means 4 also comprises on the one hand a tear-off lid 16 preventing access to the contents of the container before a first use and protecting this content, and on the other hand means 17 regulating the flow of the contents of the container (Figure 5).

The lid 16 is a means for closing a well 50, said well 50 axially passing through the base 3 and constituting a pouring means that delivers passage to the liquid contained in the container when it is delivered.

The base 3 also has an annular shoulder 18, transverse, located between the top of the outer skirt 9 of the base 3 and the portion 10a of the wall 10 of the

-moyen - poureur- 4 -.-- The -auaement-annular 18 is an elastically deformable hooking relief of a portion of the cover 6.

In the vicinity of the shoulder 18, the base has an upper portion in which is formed an annular groove 5, open upward, adjacent to the outer face of the cylindrical portion 14 of the wall 10. This annular groove forms the first fastening means 5.

The cover 6 has a transverse top wall 19 - flat in the embodiment shown - having an inner face 19a facing downwards. It also comprises, adjacent to the peripheral edge of the wall 19, a short cylindrical peripheral skirt 20, directed downwards, bounded by a lower free edge 21. The skirt 20, and therefore the entire cover 6, has an axial height which, thanks to the structure of the cap, can be reduced, all things being equal otherwise. For example, for a plug whose base 3 has a diameter of about 3 cm and a total height of the order of 1.5 to 2 cm, the height may be of the order of 0.5 cm .

The inner face 19a of the top wall 19 of the cover 6 protrudes downwardly a sealing skirt 22 of generally cylindrical shape, entirely located in the axial height of the cover 6 defined by the height of the skirt 20.

The sealing skirt 22 of the cover 6, which has an outer diameter in correspondence with the internal diameter of the portion 10a of the wall 10 towards the free edge 11, comes into contact with the inner face 12 of the wall 10. of the base 3 to participate in sealing, in addition to the free edge 11 of the pouring means 4 comes into contact with the inner face 19a of the top wall 19 of the cover 6.

The second-piece ~ 2-also comprises a ring 80 forming the second peripheral attachment means 8. The ring 80 is housed by filling, and held firmly in the groove 5, by fitting and through respective protrusions appropriate, or by welding, or by any other means. Thus, the two parts 1 and 2 are rigidly associated with each other. In the embodiment considered, the ring 80 has a radially outwardly directed upper horizontal bead, which comes on the upper face of the annular shoulder 18, just above the outer skirt 9 of the base 3, so that to completely close the groove 5.

It is understood that the groove 5 and the ring 80 may be the subject of alternative embodiments within the scope of the patent, since the rigid cooperation function is fulfilled ensuring the respective attachment of the two parts 1 and 2. The cap consists of two parts 1 and 2 comprises two parts, one that can be described as fixed - in that it is rigidly fixed on the neck of the container - and the other that one can qualify as mobile, associated with each other by the means 7 of pivoting, the means 7 forming a hinge between the ring 80 and the skirt 20 of the cover 6. The fixed part comprises the first part 1 and the ring 80, while the movable portion is formed of a portion 60 of the cover 6, this cap portion.

The two fixed and movable parts cooperate firstly as described, in that the inner face 19a of the top wall 19 and the outer face of the sealing skirt 22 of the cover 6 come into contact, respectively, with the free edge 11 and the inner face 12 of the wall 10 of the pouring means 4, participating in the seal. Then, the cylindrical peripheral skirt 20 surrounds the outside part

Similarly, the portion of the inner face of the skirt 20 of the cover 6 adjoining its lower free edge 21 comes into contact with the outer face of the cylindrical portion 14 of the wall 10 of the housing. medium pourer 4, to help maintain the cap in the closed position. Reserve made of a circular sector in which are the means 7 of pivoting, the free edge 21 of the skirt 20 is adjacent to the upper edge of the ring 8, substantially in the transverse plane of the shoulder 18 subsequently qualified junction plane, for the reason that when looking at the cap from the outside, the junction plane is one in which the cover 6 and the base 3 appear to be adjacent.

The pivoting means 7, operatively associated with the fixed part and the cover 6, provide the pivoting of the latter around a transverse axis X, between two extreme positions, namely a stable closed position and a position of stable opening. The X axis, perpendicular to the Z axis and parallel to the plane of Figures 5 and 10, is essentially virtual and its position is not perfectly fixed but instead moves axially when opening and closing the cap. The extreme open position results from a pivoting of substantially 180 ° with respect to the closed position. If necessary, the cover 6 can be opened in an intermediate position, for example as a result of a 90 ° pivoting.

On both sides of the pivoting means 7, and two small circular sectors - in this case a few degrees or ten degrees - the lower free edge 21 of the skirt 20 of the hood 6 defines a segment directed towards the top wall 19 and extending to near it. In the embodiment shown, the two segments each have a very slightly rounded overall shape and their connections with the rest of the free edge 21 of the skirt 20 and with the upper arcuate segment 24 are also rounded. Thus, at the location of the segments, the axial height of the skirt 20 is reduced and the two segments delimit two empty portions 28.

On either side of the pivoting means 7, and on two small circular sectors corresponding to the sectors of the two segments and the two empty parts 28, the axial height of the ring 80 is increased, the ring 80 projecting axially to outside and above the groove 5, so as to form on either side of the pivoting means a sort of curvilinear rectangle triangle 27.

The function of the pivoting means 7, right triangles 27 and empty parts 28 is disclosed in the previously mentioned patent application PCT / FR06 / 001553. The base 3 also comprises a neck 32 intended to be disposed opposite the pivoting means 7 of the cover 6 when the cover is mounted on the base.

The neck 32 is protruding from the cylindrical portion 14 of the base and serves to block the impurities that can be introduced into the cap by the empty parts 28 of the cap.

To index the angular position of the neck 32 relative to the empty parts 28 of the cap, the sealing skirt 22 of the cover is made in such a way that, punctually, it forms a tab 70 (particularly visible in Figure 2) directed downwards, said tab being made in the vicinity of one of the empty parts 28.

In parallel, the base has a shim 71 protruding on the inner face 12 of the wall 10 of the base 3 and -vi-s-ible- in-between-th-ie-r-on-Figure 4 The wedge 71 is made in the vicinity of the neck 32.

The tab 70 of the cover 6 forms a stop and the wedge 71 of the base forms a buttress. The cover is positioned correctly relative to the base when the tab forming the abutment comes into contact with the wedge forming abutment.

Thus, the stop 70 of the cover and the abutment 71 of the base cooperate to index the angular position of the base relative to the cover, in a direction of rotation at least with respect to the Z axis, in the 'occurrence clockwise which constitutes a direction of indexation.

As shown in Figure 1, the stop 70 includes a ramp 72. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. 9, the abutment comprises a ramp 73.

The stop 70 is made such that when the cap is in the open position, the stop interferes with the edge of the well 50. The stop thus constitutes a cap holding tab in the open position, or partially open .

To do this, it is expected that the length of the stop is at least equal to half the height of the skirt 20 of the cap 6, as can be seen in Figure 1.

According to a possible embodiment, the cap may also comprise means ensuring the inviolability before a first opening, interposed between the skirt 20 of the cover and the ring 80. These tamperproof means have not been represented so as to simplify the understanding of the figures-. They are usually made in the form of frangible bridges.

We will now more particularly refer to Figures 1 to 6 to describe the first embodiment of the base to be fixed on the neck of food oil bottles.

According to this first embodiment, and as indicated above, the tear-off lid 16 constitutes internal means ensuring the inviolability before a first opening. Insofar as the cover is transparent, as indicated above, the user can see that the cover 16 is in place and has not been removed.

The lid 16 is constituted by a transversal discoid bottom, removable closing the pouring means 4, the peripheral edge is connected to the inner face 12 of the wall

10 of the pouring means 4, above the regulating means 17, by a line or zone of lower strength, so that it can be torn due to sufficient traction of the user, once the cover 6 open, then removed. To the disc of the lid 16 is fixed, above, a gripping ring 35 facilitating the tearing of the lid 16 by the user.

In the embodiment shown, the means 17 (FIG. 5) regulating the flow of a cooking oil consist of a multiplicity of parts (commonly called "petals"), extending from the internal face 12 of the wall 10 of the pouring means 4, slightly below the cover 16, being directed towards the Z axis, distributed substantially uniformly about said axis, slightly directed downwards, and leaving free passage spaces between they and centrally.

The invention is however not limited to being implemented on a plug comprising only the base which is shown in Figures 1 to 7.

The invention can also be applied to bases made differently.

For example, the invention also applies to a base such as that illustrated in Figures 8 to 11.

The sealing cap 16 'of the pouring well 50 is in a plane perpendicular to the Z axis, as illustrated in particular in FIGS. 8 and 10.

The lid 16 'has three discs 80 delimited by a plastic narrowing in the thickness of the lid 16'.

Each of the disks 80 is connected by a tab 81 to a gripping ring 82. Due to the shrinkage of material in the thickness of the lid 16 ', when the gripping ring is pulled, the three discs 80 are disengaged from the lid 16', leaving gaping three openings of diameter substantially more small as that of the pouring pit 50.

Such an embodiment is particularly advantageous in the context of an application of the base to the delivery of a liquid less viscous than the edible oil. In particular, this embodiment is particularly intended for the delivery of food vinegar.

Moreover, and to facilitate the opening of the cover 6, the latter comprises on the outer face of its skirt 20, diametrically opposite the means 7 of pivoting, a ridged portion 36 providing a grip for the user .

We are going now. describe the method of mounting the base 3 with the cover 6.

The base 3 and the cover 6 are first injection molded separately - the cover 6 being molded closed - then rigidly assembled together the two parts 3 and 6 by following the steps described below:

The base and the cover are arranged coaxially.

We proceed to a first approximation step relative translation of the cover 6 relative to the base along the Z axis so that the stopper 70 enters the pouring well 50.

A second step of rotation of the cap relative to the base around the Z axis is carried out, in this case in the clockwise direction, until the stop 70 comes into contact. with the abutment 71 projecting from the inner wall 12 of the base, the inner wall 12 constituting a wall of the pouring well 50. The tool which provides this rotation is for example provided with a torque sensor controlling the stopping of the rotation when the stop 70 meets the abutment 71, or a torque limiter ensuring disengagement of the rotational drive. Where appropriate, the first and second stages can be combined in a movement approach step combining translation along the Z axis and rotation around the Z axis in the indexing direction.

Finally, we proceed to a relative translation step without rotation of the cover relative to the base along the Z axis until insertion of the ring in the annular groove and latching hooking relief 18, said ring then being maintained by the hooking relief 18.

Thus, the base ^{^} and the cover are secured by being positioned in such a way that the neck 32 of the base is opposite the pivoting means 7 and the empty parts 28 of the cover 6.

The sealing of the pollutant plug is thus ensured.

Claims

1. Stopper comprising:

a first piece (2) constituting a base and comprising:

a lower skirt (9; 9 ') provided with means for fixing to a container,

a pouring well (50),

an annular groove (5) defining a geometric mounting axis,

an elastically deformable hooking projection (18),

and a second component constituting a cover (6) comprising:

- a fixing ring (80) inserted into said groove (5) and held in position by said engaging relief (18),

a cap (60) provided with a top closure wall (19) and at least one sealing skirt (22),

- pivoting means (7) of the cap (60) relative to said ring (80) between an open position giving access to said pouring well (50) and a closed position in which the sealing skirt (22) ) cooperates with the base and the closure wall covers said well (50),

characterized in that the cover (6) comprises an abutment (70) and the base comprises a abutment (71) cooperating with the stop (70) for indexing the angular position of the base (3) relative to the cover (6) around the mounting axis.

2. Stopper according to claim 1, characterized in that the stop (70) comprises a ramp (72).

3. Stopper according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the stop (70) elastically interferes with the pouring well (50) in the open position or in an intermediate position between the shutter position and the position opening, to hold the cap (60) in position and / or guide the cap.

4. Stopper according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base (3) comprises a tear-off lid (16; 16 ') closing the pouring well (50).

5. Stopper according to claim 4, characterized in that the cover (16,16 ') is provided with a gripping ring (35; 82).

6. Stopper according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the base (3) comprises a cover (16; 16 ') closing the pouring well (50), the seal (16') having a plurality of disks (80) of smaller diameter than the diameter of the lid, said disks having a delimiting border in the thickness of said lid made by a material narrowing.

7. Stopper according to claim 6, characterized in that the cover (16 ') is provided with a gripping ring (82) connected to each of said disks (80) by a tab (81).

8. Stopper according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ring (80) is connected to the cap by frangible bridges.

9. A method of mounting a plug according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises the following steps:

- Arrangement of said first and second parts in co ^~ axial ^~ next ^{~ ~} u: πr ^~ axis ^~ geometric mounting Z,

relative translation between the first piece and the second piece along the axis Z so that said stop (70) partially penetrates into said pouring well (50), combined with or followed by a relative rotation between the first piece and the second piece around the Z axis until the stop comes into contact with the abutment,

and relative translation without rotation between the first piece and the second piece along the Z axis until insertion of the ring into the annular groove and maintenance of said ring by the hooking relief.

10. Mounting method according to claim 9, characterized in that during assembly, the cap does not pivot by relative to the ring, the step of relative translation without rotation bringing the second piece into the closed position.