U.S. patent application number 11/661151 was filed with the patent office on 2007-12-13 for closure device, receptacle provided with a closure device of this type and method for closing a receptacle.
Invention is credited to Hanno Kaess, Michel Luzzato, Luc Martin, Jean-Patrice Racine.
Application Number | 20070284392 11/661151 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34948055 |
Filed Date | 2007-12-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070284392 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kaess; Hanno ; et
al. |
December 13, 2007 |
Closure Device, Receptacle Provided With a Closure Device of This
Type and Method for Closing a Receptacle
Abstract
This device (1) comprises a largely tubular base (3), which is
adapted for being joined to the outer face of the neck (21) and
which internally delimits a through hole (323) provided for opening
into the receptacle, and a cap (4) that is provided as a single
piece with the base (3) by at least one articulation strip of the
cap that enables the cap to be displaced relative to the base
between closed position and an open position. In order to limit the
infiltration of a sterilizing liquid into the device when
sterilizing the latter while having a device that is simple to mold
and assemble, a flow vent (6) is provided for being placed and
hermetically immobilized in the hole (323) of the base (3), this
vent keeping the contact zones (613, 661, 663) tight with the cap
(4) in a closed position and being lengthened, on the side to be
turned toward the receptacle, by a sealing lip (64) that rests
against the inner face of the neck when the base is joined to the
outer face of the neck.
Inventors: |
Kaess; Hanno; (Darmstadt,
DE) ; Racine; Jean-Patrice; (Trevoux, FR) ;
Martin; Luc; (Gex, FR) ; Luzzato; Michel;
(Lyon, FR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Ralph A. Dowell of DOWELL & DOWELL P.C.
2111 Eisenhower Ave
Suite 406
Alexandria
VA
22314
US
|
Family ID: |
34948055 |
Appl. No.: |
11/661151 |
Filed: |
September 1, 2005 |
PCT Filed: |
September 1, 2005 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/FR05/02186 |
371 Date: |
February 26, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/153.05 ;
222/153.09 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2401/15 20200501;
B65D 2251/20 20130101; B65D 47/0804 20130101; B65D 2251/1066
20130101; B65D 2251/105 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/153.05 ;
222/153.09 |
International
Class: |
B65D 47/08 20060101
B65D047/08 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 2, 2004 |
FR |
0409305 |
Claims
1-20. (canceled)
21. A closure device for closing a receptacle that is provided with
a neck, the device comprising: a generally tubular base that is
adapted to be secured to the outside face of the neck and that
internally defines a bore for opening out into the receptacle; and
a cap that is made integrally with the base via at least one hinge
strip for pivoting the cap relative to the base between a closed
position and an open position, the device being characterized in
that it further comprises a flow chimney that is adapted to be
fitted and held hermetically in the bore of the base, that forms
zones of leaktight contact with the cap in the closed position, and
that, on its side facing the receptacle, is extended by a sealing
lip that is adapted to bear against the inside face of the neck
when the base is secured to the outside face of the neck.
22. A device according to claim 21, characterized in that the
chimney is provided with an outer peripheral flange for interposing
between the base and the neck of the receptacle when the base is
secured to the receptacle, the outer peripheral end of the flange
forming a flexible sealing lip for sealing against a portion of the
inside face of the base.
23. A device according to claim 21, characterized in that, when the
chimney is fitted in the base, at least one portion of the inside
face of the base co-operates, by complementary shapes, with a
leaktight-contact zone carried by the outside face of the chimney,
so as to close, in leaktight manner, an empty space defined between
the chimney and the base.
24. A device according to claim 21, characterized in that, when the
cap is in the closed position, inner portions of the cap
co-operate, by complementary shapes, with leaktight-contact zones
carried by portions of the outside face, and possibly by a portion
of the inside face, of the chimney, so as to close, in leaktight
manner, an empty space defined between the cap and the chimney.
25. A device according to claim 21, characterized in that, on the
side remote from the receptacle, the chimney forms a tubular spout
for extracting liquid or the like contained in the receptacle, and
in that the cap includes a wall that covers and closes the spout in
leaktight manner when the cap is in the closed position.
26. A device according to claim 25, characterized in that at least
one bearing skirt that bears in leaktight manner against a
corresponding portion of the inside face and/or of the outside face
of the spout projects from said wall of the cap.
27. A device according to claim 25, characterized in that the spout
is internally provided with a closure member that can be peeled or
torn off.
28. A device according to claim 25, characterized in that the spout
is provided with a lip that projects into the spout from the inside
face of the spout, and that is adapted to be deformed elastically
by the cap, while said cap is being assembled, between a
non-deformed state, in which the lip extends generally in a plane
that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the
chimney, and a deformed state, in which the lip forms a peripheral
sealing line against the cap.
29. A device according to claim 21, characterized in that, the
chimney and the cap carry respective retainer means for retaining
the cap in its closed position, in particular by complementary
shapes, and in that the retainer means are situated on the chimney
and on the cap in zones that are distinct from the zones that
provide leaktight contact between the chimney and the cap.
30. A device according to claim 21, characterized in that the cap
includes a side wall that surrounds the chimney when the cap is in
the closed position, and in that the outside face of the side wall
includes, in its periphery, a concave zone that is situated at the
hinge strip(s).
31. A device according to claim 21, characterized in that the
preferred deformation zone of the or each strip, that defines a
pivot axis for pivoting the cap relative to the base, is situated
closer to the junction zone between the strip and the cap than to
the junction zone between the strip and the base.
32. A device according to claim 21, characterized in that the cap
is provided with an outer stub that is situated, on the periphery
of the cap, at the hinge strip(s), and that is shaped to bear and
to slide against the base while the cap is passing from its closed
position to its open position.
33. A device according to claim 32, characterized in that the base
defines a housing for receiving and locking the stub when the cap
is in its open position.
34. A device according to claim 21, characterized in that it
includes indicator means for indicating first-use of the device,
said indicator means comprising at least one elongate tab that
extends longitudinally along a substantially peripheral direction
of the base before the cap is opened for the first time, a first
end of the tab being connected in hinged manner to an element from
amongst the base and the cap, while the second end of the tab is
connected to the other element via at least one breakable
bridge.
35. A device according to claim 34, characterized in that the
indicator means comprise two of said tabs that are joined together
at their second ends so as to form a loop that is deformable
between a generally flat configuration (FIG. 8) and a more curved
configuration (FIG. 13) when the cap is opened for the first
time.
36. A device according to claim 34, characterized in that, between
its first and second ends, the or each tab is provided with at
least one additional breakable bridge that is adapted to break
before the end bridge of the tab when the cap is opened for the
first time.
37. A device according to claim 34, characterized in that the base
is pierced by at least one cavity passing radially right through
the base, and opening out axially on the edge of the base facing
the cap when said cap is in the closed position, and in that the or
each tab is housed in the or one of the cavities.
38. A device according to claim 37, characterized in that, facing
the or each cavity, the chimney presents a color that is different
from the color of the tab(s).
39. A receptacle provided with a neck, the receptacle being
characterized in that it is fitted with a closure device according
to claim 21.
40. A method of closing a receptacle provided with a neck, the
method being characterized in that it comprises the following
steps: molding firstly a generally tubular base that is adapted to
be secured around the neck, that internally defines a bore for
opening out into the receptacle, and that is made integrally with a
cap via at least one hinge strip for pivoting the cap relative to
the base between a closed position and an open position, the cap
being molded in the closed position; molding secondly a flow
chimney that is adapted to be fitted and held hermetically in the
bore of the base, that forms zones of leaktight contact with the
cap in the closed position, and that, on the side facing the
receptacle, is extended by a sealing lip that is adapted to bear
against the inside face of the neck, the chimney being molded
separately from the base and the cap; fitting the chimney and
preventing it from moving, in at least one direction, inside the
bore of the base; applying a disinfectant to the outside and to the
inside of the assembly comprising the chimney, the base, and the
cap, then rinsing the assembly; and securing the base to the
outside face of the neck of the receptacle, causing the lip to bear
in leaktight manner against the inside face of the neck.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a closure device for
closing a receptacle, to a receptacle fitted with such a device,
and to a method of closing a receptacle.
[0002] It applies to the field of packaging liquids, such as
mineral water or drinkable yoghurt, in a receptacle provided with a
neck on which there is arranged a closure device, making it
possible to drink straight from the receptacle. That type of
closure device is generally designated under the term "sports
cap".
[0003] An example is given in U.S. Pat. No. 6,050,452 which
proposes a device constituted by three components, namely: a
generally tubular base made of plastics material that is secured in
leaktight manner on the neck of the receptacle; a closure nozzle
that is slidably fitted around the base in such a manner as to
slide along the axis of the neck; and an outer cap that covers the
nozzle, preventing it from moving in translation in such a manner
as to close the receptacle. That three-component device is
difficult to assemble. Furthermore, that device poses problems when
attempts are made to sterilize it, since the inside of the device,
through which the fluid being delivered passes, and the outside of
the device, part of which is put into contact with the lips of the
user who drinks straight therefrom, must, as far as possible, be
free of contaminating substances such as germs or microbes.
[0004] To this end, it is known to sterilize closure devices just
before they are assembled on receptacles, by immersing them in a
bath of disinfectant liquid and/or by spraying such a liquid
thereon, prior to rinsing them in order to eliminate said liquid.
However, during such operations of applying disinfectant liquid and
of rinsing it, disinfectant liquid can easily infiltrate into and
stagnate in empty spaces between the nozzle and the cap, and
between the nozzle and the base of the above-mentioned
three-component device. Rinsing the device does not make it
possible to eliminate all of the disinfectant liquid that has
infiltrated into those spaces, which liquid consequently risks
being ingested by the user when the cap is opened for the first
time.
[0005] Another example of that type of "sports cap" is proposed in
JP-A-2000 142761. The closure device includes a tubular base
similar to the base of the device of U.S. Pat. No. 6,050,452, and
includes simultaneously: an outer skirt for securing to the outside
face of the neck of the receptacle; an inner skirt for sealing the
inside face of the neck; and a flow chimney through which liquid
can flow to the outside. The skirts and the chimney form a single
piece that is difficult to mold. In order to protect the chimney,
the device includes a second component in the form of an outer cap
having a bottom portion that covers the outside face of the outer
skirt of the base, while a top portion of the cap is hinged
relative to the bottom portion for selectively closing or opening
the chimney. In use, all of the cap should be removed from the
base, so as not to hinder the user when drinking straight from the
receptacle. That device poses as many sterilization problems as the
device of U.S. Pat. No. 6,050,452, indeed it poses more problems
because of the easily detachable connection between the inner base
and the outer cap, where the disinfectant liquid tends to
stagnate.
[0006] Another example of a closure device, described in FR-A-2 827
261, includes a tubular base similar to the base of the
three-component device of U.S. Pat. No. 6,050,452, being suitable
for being secured in leaktight manner on the neck of a receptacle,
and being made integrally with a cap hinged relative to the base to
pivot between a leaktight, closed position of the receptacle and an
open position enabling the user to extract the liquid from the
receptacle through the base. The base and the cap are molded as a
single piece, with the cap in the closed position, and thus
connected to the base both by at least one strip that subsequently
enables the cap to pivot relative to the base, and by first-use
indicator means of the closure device, e.g. in the form of
breakable bridges that connect the cap directly to the base, or in
the form of a tamperproofing strip that is completely detachable
and that is connected in breakable manner to the base and to the
cap.
[0007] The single-piece device does not need to be assembled, but
is difficult to sterilize in effective manner. Interstitial spaces
between the base and the closed cap, in particular at the zone
where the cap is hinged to the base and at the first-use indicator
means, constitute traps for trapping disinfectant liquid while it
is being applied to the device. Rinsing the device is not
sufficient to evacuate the stagnant liquid, so much so that the
risk of ingestion by the user is high. However, the interstitial
spaces between the base and the closed cap are necessary for
subsequently enabling the cap to pivot relative to the base, and
they are generally created when molding the device.
[0008] The object of the present invention is to propose a closure
device, having a hinged cap and having a base secured to a
receptacle neck, that can be subjected to conventional sterilizing
and rinsing operations, in particular along current sterilization
lines, while limiting as much as possible any infiltration of
disinfectant liquid into the device and any retention of the liquid
in the device.
[0009] To this end, the invention provides a closure device for
closing a receptacle that is provided with a neck, the device
comprising: a generally tubular base that is adapted to be secured
to the outside face of the neck and that internally defines a bore
for opening out into the receptacle; and a cap that is made
integrally with the base via at least one hinge strip for pivoting
the cap relative to the base between a closed position and an open
position, the device being characterized in that it further
comprises a flow chimney that is adapted to be fitted and held
hermetically in the bore of the base, that forms zones of leaktight
contact with the cap in the closed position, and that, on its side
facing the receptacle, is extended by a sealing lip that is adapted
to bear against the inside face of the neck of the receptacle when
the base is secured to the outside face of the neck.
[0010] Thus, the closure device of the invention essentially
comprises two components that are structurally distinct, but that
are assembled together, namely the base on which the cap is hinged,
and the flow chimney. Each of the components is easily obtained by
molding an appropriate plastics material. Securing the device to
the neck of the receptacle is achieved essentially, or even
exclusively, by the base of the device, whereas sealing between the
device and the neck of the receptacle is guaranteed essentially, or
even exclusively, by the lip that extends the chimney. The fact of
providing these two functions of securing and sealing by means of
two distinct components and not by a single piece, makes molding
each of the two components easier. The two components are then
assembled together easily: firstly, the chimney is dimensioned to
be capable of being fitted and held in the bore of the base in such
a manner that one or more leaktight contacts is/are established
between the outside face of the chimney and at least the wall of
the base defining the bore, and secondly, the chimney and the cap
in the closed position establish leaktight contacts at the
leaktight-contact zone. In this way, when the base and the chimney
are assembled together, and when the closure device is immersed in
a bath of disinfectant liquid or when such a liquid is sprayed on
the device, no significant space exists either between the base and
the cap or between the base and the chimney, and as a result the
disinfectant liquid cannot infiltrate between the components.
Rinsing the device then makes it possible to eliminate the traces
of disinfectant liquid that reside on the outside and inside faces
of the device taken as a whole.
[0011] According to other characteristics of the closure device,
taken in isolation or in any technically feasible combination:
[0012] the chimney is provided with an outer peripheral flange for
interposing between the base and the neck of the receptacle when
the base is secured to the receptacle, the outer peripheral end of
the flange forming a flexible sealing lip for sealing against a
portion of the inside face of the base; [0013] the chimney is
fitted in the base, at least one portion of the inside face of the
base co-operates, by complementary shapes, with a leaktight-contact
zone carried by the outside face of the chimney, so as to close, in
leaktight manner, an empty space defined between the chimney and
the base; [0014] when the cap is in the closed position, inner
portions of the cap co-operate, by complementary shapes, with
leaktight-contact zones carried by portions of the outside face,
and possibly by a portion of the inside face, of the chimney, so as
to close, in leaktight manner, an empty space defined between the
cap and the chimney; [0015] on the side remote from the receptacle,
the chimney forms a tubular spout for extracting liquid or the like
contained in the receptacle, and the cap includes a wall that
covers and closes the spout in leaktight manner when the cap is in
the closed position; [0016] at least one bearing skirt that bears
in leaktight manner against a corresponding portion of the inside
face and/or of the outside face of the spout projects from said
wall of the cap; [0017] the spout is internally provided with a
closure member that can be peeled or torn off; [0018] the spout is
provided with a lip that projects into the spout from the inside
face of the spout, and that is adapted to be deformed elastically
by the cap, while said cap is being assembled, between a
non-deformed state, in which the lip extends generally in a plane
that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the
chimney, and a deformed state, in which the lip forms a peripheral
sealing line against the cap; [0019] the chimney and the cap carry
respective retainer means for retaining the cap in its closed
position, in particular by complementary shapes, and the retainer
means are situated on the chimney and on the cap in zones that are
distinct from the zones that provide leaktight contact between the
chimney and the cap; [0020] the cap includes a side wall that
surrounds the chimney when the cap is in the closed position, and
the outside face of the side wall includes, in its periphery, a
concave zone that is situated at the hinge strip(s); [0021] the
preferred deformation zone of the or each strip, that defines a
pivot axis for pivoting the cap relative to the base, is situated
closer to the junction zone between the strip and the cap than to
the junction zone between the strip and the base; [0022] the cap is
provided with an outer stub that is situated, on the periphery of
the cap, at the hinge strip(s), and that is shaped to bear and to
slide against the base while the cap is passing from its closed
position to its open position; and [0023] the base defines a
housing for receiving and locking the stub when the cap is in its
open position.
[0024] In addition, the first-use indicator means of the
above-mentioned hinged-cap closure devices are not satisfactory in
the sense that either they rely on the use of breakable bridges,
which, when the cap is in the closed position, do not enable the
user to determine with certitude whether the cap has already been
opened, or they are constituted by a tamperproofing strip which the
user must begin by removing completely and which the user may
discard without any respect for the environment, and with the risk
of a child accidentally swallowing it.
[0025] To avoid those drawbacks, the closure device of the
invention includes indicator means for indicating first use of the
device, said indicator means comprising at least one elongate tab
that extends longitudinally along a substantially peripheral
direction of the base before the cap is opened for the first time,
a first end of the tab being connected in hinged manner to an
element from amongst the base and the cap, while the second end of
the tab is connected to the other element via at least one
breakable bridge.
[0026] When the cap is opened for the first time, the longitudinal
direction of the or each tab of the first-use indicator means of
the invention pass from an orientation that is substantially
peripheral relative to the base to an orientation that is more
parallel to the longitudinal axis of the base. The user can thus
quickly and easily see that the cap has been opened for the first
time.
[0027] According to advantageous characteristics of the device:
[0028] the indicator means comprise two tabs that are joined
together at their second ends so as to form a loop that is
deformable between a generally flat configuration and a more curved
configuration when the cap is opened for the first time; and [0029]
between its first and second ends, the or each tab is provided with
at least one additional breakable bridge that is adapted to break
before the end bridge of the tab when the cap is opened for the
first time.
[0030] In order to make visual checking easier for the user, the
base is pierced by at least one cavity passing radially right
through the base, and opening out axially on the edge of the base
facing the cap when said cap is in the closed position, and the or
each tab is housed in the or one of the cavities. Facing the or
each cavity, the chimney advantageously presents a color that is
different from the color of the tab(s), thereby creating a visual
contrast effect for the user.
[0031] The invention also provides a receptacle provided with a
neck and fitted with a closure device as defined above.
[0032] The invention further provides a method of closing a
receptacle provided with a neck, the method being characterized in
that it comprises the following steps: [0033] molding firstly a
generally tubular base that is adapted to be secured to the outside
face of the neck, that internally defines a bore for opening out
into the receptacle, and that is made integrally with a cap via at
least one hinge strip for pivoting the cap relative to the base
between a closed position and an open position, the cap being
molded in the closed position; [0034] molding secondly a flow
chimney that is adapted to be fitted and held hermetically in the
bore of the base, that forms zones of leaktight contact with the
cap in the closed position, and that, on the side facing the
receptacle, is extended by a sealing lip that is adapted to bear
against the inside face of the neck, the chimney being molded
separately from the base and the cap; [0035] fitting the chimney
and preventing it from moving, in at least one direction, inside
the bore of the base; [0036] applying a disinfectant to the outside
and to the inside of the assembly comprising the chimney, the base,
and the cap, then rinsing the assembly; and [0037] securing the
base to the outside face of the neck of the receptacle, causing the
lip to bear in leaktight manner against the inside face of the
neck.
[0038] The invention can be better understood on reading the
following description, given solely by way of example, and made
with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0039] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a closure device of the
invention, with its cap in the closed position;
[0040] FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, from another view point,
with the cap of the device in the open position;
[0041] FIG. 3 is a longitudinal section of the FIG. 1 device on a
plane of symmetry of the device;
[0042] FIG. 4 is a longitudinal section of the FIG. 1 device on a
plane that is angularly offset relative to the FIG. 3 section
plane, and containing one of the hinge strips for pivoting the cap
relative to the base of the device;
[0043] FIG. 5A is a larger-scale view of a detail circled V in FIG.
3;
[0044] FIGS. 5B and 5C are views similar to FIG. 5A, showing the
device being opened;
[0045] FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5A, showing a first variant
of the closure device;
[0046] FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 5C, showing a second
variant of the device;
[0047] FIGS. 8 and 9 are perspective views, from different
respective angles, showing a third variant of the device of the
invention;
[0048] FIG. 10 is a longitudinal section of the device of FIGS. 8
and 9 on a plane of symmetry of the device;
[0049] FIG. 11 is a Larger-scale view of a detail circled XI in
FIG. 10;
[0050] FIGS. 12A to 12D are views of a detail circled XII in FIG.
10, and respectively showing successive steps for opening the
device; and
[0051] FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 8, showing the device
being opened for the first time.
[0052] FIGS. 1 to 4 show a closure device 1 for closing a
receptacle 2 that is shown in part only, and in the righthand
portion of FIG. 3. By way of example, the receptacle is a bottle
made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) containing a drinkable
liquid such as mineral water.
[0053] The device 1 essentially comprises two components that are
manufactured individually, then assembled together as explained
below, namely: [0054] a generally tubular base 3 of central axis
X-X, on which there is hinged a cap 4 that is made integrally with
the base via two hinge strips 5, one of the strips being visible in
FIG. 2 and also in FIG. 4; and [0055] a generally tubular chimney 6
of central axis that substantially coincides with the axis X-X in
the figures.
[0056] Initially, the base 3 and the cap 4 are described in greater
detail below.
[0057] By deforming the strips 5, the cap 4 can pivot relative to
the base 3 about an axis Z-Z between a closed position of the
receptacle 2, shown in FIG. 1, and an open position, shown in FIG.
2, in which the liquid contained in the receptacle can be extracted
from the receptacle freely, without being retained by the cap.
[0058] Each strip 5 thus constitutes a hinge-type connection
between the cap and the base. The thickness of the strips 5 is
sufficient to withstand being repeatedly flexed, thereby avoiding
the risk of the user pulling the cap 4 off the base 3, and running
the risk of swallowing the cap. Each strip is advantageously
provided, e.g. by means of ribs, so that its preferred deformation
zone, that defines the pivot axis Z-Z, is as close as possible to
its junction zone with the cap 4, as shown in FIG. 4, for reasons
that are explained in greater detail below.
[0059] In the description below, the adjectives "top" and "bottom"
are defined with reference to the device 1 having its base 3 placed
flat on a generally horizontal surface, and having its cap 4 in the
closed position. The top surfaces of the device are thus directed
upwards in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, and in FIGS. 8 to 15, whereas the
bottom surfaces are directed downwards.
[0060] The base 3 is stepped along the axis X-X and thus includes a
bottom portion 31 and a top portion 32, both being generally
circularly cylindrical. The thickness of the wall constituting the
base 3 is substantially constant along its length, and the diameter
of the bottom portion 31 is strictly greater than the diameter of
the top portion 32. The portions 31 and 32 are interconnected via a
shoulder 33 that extends in a plane that is substantially
perpendicular to the axis X-X.
[0061] The bottom portion 31 is provided with an internal helical
rib 311 for co-operating with the external thread of a neck 21 of
the receptacle 2 so as to hold the device 1 on the receptacle. The
base 3 is thus adapted to be secured directly around the neck 21,
i.e. secured to the outside face of the neck without other
essential components of the closure device being interposed
therebetween.
[0062] The cap 4 presents a generally frustoconical shape, of axis
that coincides with the axis X-X when the cap is in the closed
position. At its top end, the cap is closed by a substantially
plane wall 41 that is made integrally with the side wall 42 of the
cap. In its periphery, the side wall 42 presents a plurality of
recesses, i.e. a plurality of zones having outer surfaces that are
concave. A first recess 421, visible in FIG. 3, is situated, in the
periphery of the cap 4, between the strips 5. The recess 421 is
dimensioned to receive a portion of the shoulder 33 of the base 3
when the cap 4 is in the open position, as shown in FIG. 2. By
providing for the pivot axis Z-Z to be as close as possible to the
cap 4 in the longitudinal direction of each strip 5, the depth of
the recess 421 can be kept moderate, without preventing the cap
from being opened over an angle of more than 180.degree. before
coming into conflict with the shoulder 33.
[0063] A second recess 422, diametrally opposite the recess 421, is
upwardly closed by a peak 423 that extends in the radial extension
of the wall 41. The recess 422 thus constitutes a reception zone
for receiving the end of a finger of the user with a view to
exerting a force F.sub.423 on the peak 423, so as to cause the cap
to pivot from its closed position to its open position.
[0064] The base 3, the cap 4, and the strips 5 form a single piece,
made by molding plastics material with the cap in the closed
position. On leaving its mold, the cap 4 is thus connected to the
base 3 both via the strips 5 that extend from the top edge 321 of
the base portion 32 to the bottom edge 426 of the side wall 42 of
the cap, and via first-use indicators 7 of the device 1, i.e.
indicators for indicating the first time the cap 4 is pivoted with
a view to opening the receptacle 2. Apart from the strips 5 and the
indicator means 7, the top edge 321 of the base 3 and the bottom
edge 426 of the cap 4 are situated facing each other, in more or
less touching manner, as in the plane in FIG. 3, for example.
[0065] By means of arrangements similar to those proposed in FR-A-2
827 261, the opening angle of the cap 4 in the open position is
advantageously greater than 180.degree.. Furthermore, in order to
make it easier to pivot the cap, and in order to keep it still in
the open position, the bottom portion of the side wall 42 of the
cap is made integrally with a stub 428 that is clearly visible in
FIGS. 5A to 5C. The stub projects radially out from the wall 42 and
angularly between the strips 5. Axially, the stub 428 thus forms,
in part, the bottom end of the wall 42, such that its bottom
surface constitutes, in part, the bottom edge 426 of the cap 4. The
outer edge 429 of the generally cylindrical stub is connected to
the bottom edge 426 via a curved surface 43. The surface 43 is
designed to co-operate with the top edge 321 of the base portion 32
when the cap 4 is pivoted, as shown in FIG. 5B. More precisely,
while the cap 4 is being pivoted, as indicated by arrow F.sub.4,
the surface comes into contact with the outer periphery of the edge
321, and, being blunt, slides against the wall 32 of the base 3.
While it is being pivoted, the cap 4 is thus guided effectively
relative to the base 3 until it reaches its maximally-open position
shown in FIG. 5C.
[0066] Two additional, optional arrangements are shown in FIGS. 6
and 7 respectively. In FIG. 6, the portion of the edge 321 facing
the stub 428 is beveled in such as manner as to slope towards the
bottom portion 31 of the base 3, away from the axis X-X. In this
way, the maximum opening angle of the cap 4 is increased compared
to FIG. 5A correspondingly by a few degrees. In FIG. 7, the base
portion 32 is provided, on its outside face, with a bulge of
material 325 that is angularly located between the strips 5. In
this way, just above the bulge, the base 3 defines a housing 326
for receiving and locking the stub 428 when the cap 4 is completely
open.
[0067] The indicators 7 include two tabs 71 that are substantially
symmetrical about the section plane of FIG. 3. Each tab 71 is in
the form of an elongate strip that extends lengthwise along a
substantially peripheral direction of the base 3 before the cap is
opened for the first time. More precisely, the longitudinal end 72
of each tab 71 is made integrally with the portion 32, whereas its
opposite end 73 is made integrally with and is connected to the
edge 426 of the cap 4 via a breakable bridge 74. The end 72 is thin
compared to the remainder of the tab 71, such that the end
constitutes a pivot hinge for pivoting the tab relative to the base
3. In this way, when the cap 4 is pivoted for the first time from
its closed position to its open position, as shown by arrow F.sub.4
in FIG. 2, the cap 4 acts, via the bridges 74, to cause the tabs 71
to pivot about an axis that is substantially radial relative to the
axis X-X, at their ends 72, as indicated by arrow F.sub.71 in FIG.
2. Each tab then extends lengthwise along a direction that tends to
become parallel to the axis X-X, as shown by the dashed-line
representation of the tab 71 visible in FIG. 2. The tabs 71
continue to pivot until the bridges 74 break. The tabs 71 then more
or less take up their initial configuration by resiliently
returning thereto, as shown by continuous lines in FIG. 2.
[0068] Thus, when the user manipulates the device 1 for the first
time and when the user pivots the cap 4, the user can check whether
the tabs 71 are caused to pivot about their ends 72. To enable the
user to follow the pivoting of the tabs 71 easily and distinctly,
each of the tabs is housed in a cavity 322 that passes right
through the wall of the portion 32, and that is pierced downwards
from the top edge 321. The bottom wall of the cavity is remote from
the bottom of the tab 71, leaving clearance j through which the
user can see the initial position of the tabs 71 without
difficulty.
[0069] The chimney 6 is described below in greater detail.
[0070] The chimney 6 is formed as a single piece, obtained by
molding plastics material, for example. The piece comprises a
circularly-cylindrical bottom portion 61 on which there is arranged
a top nozzle, described below, that enables liquid to flow with a
view to it being extracted from the device 1, possibly directly
into the mouth of a user who drinks straight from the receptacle
2.
[0071] The outside diameter of the cylinder 61 is substantially
equal to the inside diameter of the top portion 32 of the base 3,
such that the chimney 6 is adapted to be fitted inside the bore 323
defined by the portion 32. When the chimney is fitted in the base
3, as in FIGS. 1 to 4, a portion of the outside face 611 of the
cylinder 61 forms a generally cylindrical zone 612 of leaktight
contact with a corresponding portion of the inside face 324 of the
portion 32.
[0072] An annular flange 63 projects radially out from the bottom
end of the cylinder 61. The flange presents an outside diameter
that is substantially equal to the inside diameter of the bottom
portion 31 of the base 3. In this way, when the chimney 6 is
inserted into the base 3, the flange 63 is designed to bear axially
against the shoulder 33 that thus forms an abutment for the chimney
6. As shown in the righthand portion of FIG. 3, the flange 63 is
axially interposed between the shoulder 33 and the threaded neck 21
of the receptacle 2 when the device 1 is screw-fastened on the
neck.
[0073] Over its outer periphery, the flange 63 forms a flexible
sealing lip 631 for sealing against the inside face 312 of the
portion 31 of the base 3.
[0074] So as to avoid hindering insertion of the chimney 6 into the
base 3, the inside face of the transition zone between the portion
32 and the shoulder 33 of the base 3 is beveled a little so as not
to come into conflict with the outside face of the transition zone
between the cylinder 61 and the flange 63. This results in an
interstitial space 81 between the base 3 and the chimney 6 when
said chimney is inserted into the base. The space 81 is
hermetically isolated from the outside, on one side by the contact
zone 612 between the cylinder 61 and the portion 32, and on the
other side by the sealing lip 631 that bears against the portion
31.
[0075] The cylinder is extended downwards by a lip 64 that is
generally circularly cylindrical, and that is on the same axis as
the cylinder 61. The outside face of the lip 64 is for bearing in
leaktight manner against the inside of the neck 21 of the
receptacle 2 when the device 1 is screw-fastened on the neck, as
shown in the righthand portion of FIG. 3. To this end, the
transition zone between the lip 64 and the cylinder 61 can be
deformed a little, as shown by arrow F.sub.64 in FIG. 3.
[0076] When the cap 4 is in the closed position, the bottom portion
of the inside face 427 of its side wall 42 is designed to bear
hermetically against the top portion of the cylinder 61. In other
words, the top portion of the cylinder forms a generally
cylindrical zone 613 of leaktight contact with the side wall
42.
[0077] The nozzle 62 of the chimney 6 presents a generally
frustoconical shape. It is made integrally with the bottom cylinder
61 via a tubular wall portion 65 that is radially closer to the
axis X-X than the cylinder 61 and than the bottom end of the nozzle
62. The wall 65 thus defines a cylindrical groove 651 that is
dimensioned to co-operate, by complementary shapes, with bulges of
material 424A and 425A that, as shown only for the bulge 425A in
FIG. 2, project inwards from the wall 42, at two recesses 424 and
425 that are formed in the wall 42, and that are substantially
symmetrical about the section plane of FIG. 3. The bulges are thus
provided for snap-fastening in the groove 651 when the cap 4 is in
the closed position.
[0078] At its top end, the nozzle 62 is extended upwards by an
annular spout 66 inside which there is provided a flow regulator 67
in the form of three radial branches 671 that are made integrally
with the chimney 6.
[0079] The spout 66 is adapted to co-operate, by complementary
shapes, with the wall 41 of the cap 4. More precisely, two
concentric skirts 411 and 412 project downwards from the wall 41,
said skirts being disposed on either side of the spout 66 when the
cap 4 is in the closed position. The skirt 411 of smaller diameter
presents a smaller axial dimension and thus forms a sealing lip
against the end portion 661 of the inside face 662 of the spout 66,
whereas the other skirt 412 presents an axial dimension that is
sufficient to come to bear in leaktight manner against a larger
portion 663 of the outside face 664 of the spout. The leaktightness
of the contact zone 663 between the spout 66 and the skirt 412 is
improved by making both the top portion of the outside face 664 and
the bottom portion of the inside face of the skirt 412 slightly
convex.
[0080] When the cap 4 is in the closed position, it surrounds the
chimney 6, and a large empty space 82 is defined between the nozzle
62 and the cap 4. The space 82 is hermetically isolated from the
outside, on one side by the contact zone 613 between the cylinder
61 of the chimney and the side wall 42 of the cap, and on the other
side by the contact zones 661 and 663 between the spout 66 and the
wall 41 of the cap.
[0081] As indicated above, the device 1 is obtained by
manufacturing, separately, firstly the chimney 6, and secondly the
component comprising the base 3, the cap 4 in the closed position,
and the hinge strips 5. The chimney 6 is then inserted, along the
axis X-X, into the base 3 through the bottom portion 31 and with
the nozzle 62 directed upwards. The chimney is inserted until the
flange 63 comes to bear axially against the shoulder 33 of the base
3. The bulges 424A and 425B of the cap 4 are thus engaged with the
groove 651 of the chimney, the cap 4 possibly being prevented from
moving axially upwards, e.g. by bearing against the top face of its
wall 41, so as to avoid the indicators 7 deforming too much. The
flexible lip 631 takes up the radial tolerance clearance between
the chimney 6 and the base 3. The device 1 is thus in its
configuration in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4.
[0082] The device 1 is then sterilized by immersion in a bath of
disinfectant liquid and/or by spraying such a liquid on the outside
and on the inside of the device. The spaces 81 and 82 are
hermetically isolated from the outside by the various
leaktight-contact zones 612, 613, 661, and 663 established during
assembly of the device, and by the lip 631, such that the
disinfectant liquid does not penetrate into the spaces, as shown by
arrows A in FIGS. 3 and 4. The device is then thoroughly rinsed,
both inside and outside, in such a manner as to eliminate all
traces of disinfectant liquid, in particular between the facing
edges 426 and 321 of the cap 4 and of the base 3.
[0083] The device 1 is then screw-fastened on the threaded neck 21
of the receptacle 2, until the top edge of the neck comes to bear
axially against the flange 63, thereby preventing the chimney 6
from being removed via the bottom of the base 3. Leaktightness
between the inside of the receptacle 2 and the inside of the device
1 is thus essentially provided by the lip 64 bearing against the
inside face of the neck 21.
[0084] Thus user who wishes to consume the liquid contained in the
receptacle 2 pivots the cap 4 about the axis Z-Z, causing the means
7 to deform and break if the cap is being opened for the first
time. All of the nozzle 62 and the top portion of the cylinder 61
are thus visible and accessible from the outside. The user's lips
can be applied thereto without risk of ingesting the disinfectant
liquid. In addition, by providing for the chimney 6 to be made of a
plastics material of color that is different from the color of the
base 3, the user can easily distinguish the tabs 71 contrasting
with the chimney 6, said chimney being locally visible from the
outside through the cavities 322 that thus serve as windows. The
user can also easily see the extraction zone for extracting the
liquid contained in the receptacle when the cap 4 is open, thereby
imparting a certain attractive appearance to the device
overall.
[0085] The user can then close the cap 4 in effective manner, by
clipping the bulges 424A and 425A carried by the cap 4 in the
groove 651 hollowed out in the chimney 6. Insofar as the cap 4 and
the chimney 6 co-operate, so as to retain the cap in the closed
position, at distinct zones of their leaktight-contact zones 613,
661, and 663, repeated closure of the cap does not significantly
spoil the sealing between the cap and the chimney.
[0086] FIGS. 8 to 13 show a variant of the closure device 1, in
which variant the elements that are common to the closure device in
FIGS. 1 to 5C are designated by the same numerical references. As
described below, this variant differs from the embodiment in FIGS.
1 to 5C essentially in the leaktight-contact zones between its
chimney 6 and its cap 4 in the closed position, in the
configurations of the device that enable the cap to be pivoted and
kept still, and in the first-use indicators. Furthermore, in
contrast to the device in FIGS. 1 to 5C, the chimney 6 of the
device in FIGS. 8 to 13 does not have an internal flow
regulator.
[0087] As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the top end of the spout 66' of
the chimney 6 includes an annular lip 665' of central axis that
coincides with the axis X-X in the figures, and said lip projects
radially towards said axis from the inside face 662' of the spout.
The lip 665' is dimensioned to be deformed elastically by an inner
skirt 411' that projects downwards from the wall 41 of the cap 4,
when said cap is in the closed position. More precisely, when the
cap 4 is closed, the free end of the skirt 411' presses the free
end of the lip 665' downwards, deforming said lip and forming a
leaktight-contact zone 661' between them. When the cap is pivoted
from its open position to its closed position, the elasticity of
the free end of the lip 665' enables the skirt 411' to come
progressively into contact therewith, the portion of the skirt that
is situated in the proximity of the pivot strips 5 being pressed
against the lip 665' before the portions of the skirt that are
further away. In other words, the presence of the lip 665', which,
in its non-deformed state, extends generally in a plane that is
perpendicular to the axis X-X, guarantees the reliability of the
sealing along the entire contact line 661', despite the cap 4 being
closed by pivoting, such a pivoting arrangement otherwise tending
to lead to sealing defects at the contact zones between the cap and
the chimney that are furthest away from the hinge-strips 5. The
sealing line 661' is established for the first time when the
chimney is assembled in the base, in particular so as to prevent
the infiltration of disinfectant liquid as explained above, and it
is subsequently established each time the cap is closed.
[0088] A second sealing line 663' is advantageously provided
between the outside face 664' of the spout 66' and the inside of
the cap 4. To this end, a second inner skirt 412' projects
downwards from the wall 41 of the cap concentrically with the skirt
411' that presents a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of
the skirt 412'. The skirt 412' is designed to bear in leaktight
manner against the outside face 664' of the spout 66' so as to form
the second sealing line 663', in a manner similar to the way in
which the skirt 412 bears against the spout 66 of the device in
FIGS. 1 to 5C. In order to make it easier to mold the second skirt
412', the side wall 42 of the cap 4 is dimensioned so that its
recess 422 and the skirt 412' are formed by a single wall of
material in the section plane of FIG. 10.
[0089] In order to make it easier to pivot the cap and to improve
its being kept still in the open position, the bottom portion of
the side wall 42 of the cap 4 is made integrally with a stub 428'
that is clearly visible in FIGS. 9, 10, and 12A to 12D. The stub
projects radially out from the wall 42 and angularly between the
strips 5. The stub 428' forms, in part, the bottom axial end of the
wall 42, its bottom surface 428A' constituting, in part, the bottom
edge 426 of the cap 4. The outer edge 428B' of the generally
cylindrical stub is connected to the bottom surface 428A' via a
curved surface 428C' that is designed to co-operate with the top
edge 321 of the base portion 32 when the cap 4 is pivoted into the
open position, as shown in FIGS. 12A to 12D. More precisely, the
edge 321 is provided, axially facing the stub 428', with a bulge
325' that projects out from the outside face of the base portion
32. The top face 325A' of the bulge is beveled in such as manner as
to slope towards the bottom portion 31 of the base 3, away from the
axis X-X. In this way, while the cap 4 is pivoting towards its open
position, indicated by arrow F.sub.4 in FIG. 12, the curved surface
428C' of the stub 428' slides and pivots against the sloping
surface 325A' of the bulge 325', as shown in FIG. 12B, in such a
manner as to guide the cap 4 downwards, effectively, until the
curved surface 428C' is brought against the end edge 325B' of the
bulge, as shown FIG. 12C. The cap 4 continues to pivot until its
side wall 42 comes into contact against the shoulder 33 connecting
together the bottom and top portions 31 and 32 of the base, the
strips 5 being dimensioned for this purpose. At its zone of contact
with the cap 4, the shoulder 33 presents an outside surface 33A'
that is beveled to slope upwards towards the axis X-X. The surface
33A' forms a ramp for the cap 4 while the user continues to force
the cap to pivot, such that, as indicated by arrow F'.sub.4, the
cap 4 slides along the surface 33A' towards the axis X-X. The
sliding causes the stub 428' to be engaged in a housing 326'
defined by the edge 321 of the base portion 32, just above the
bulge 325'. The cap is thus in the configuration in FIG. 12D, its
recess 421 coming to cover, in complementary manner, the zone of
the base 3 that is situated angularly in the same position as the
bulge 325'. Receiving the stub 428' in the housing 326' thus locks
the cap 4 in the completely open position, in which the opening
angle of the cap is about 180.degree..
[0090] As a variant to the indicators 7 of the device in FIGS. 1 to
5C, the indicators 7' of the device in FIGS. 8 to 13 include a
flexible loop 71', which, before the cap 4 is opened for the first
time, is flat against itself along a peripheral direction of the
base 3, whereas, while the cap is being opened for the first time,
the loop takes on a more curved configuration, as shown in FIG. 13.
To this end, the loop 71' is housed in a cavity 322' that passes
radially right through the wall of the base portion 32, and that is
pierced downwards from the top edge 321 of the portion. The loop is
looped by being made integrally with the bottom wall of the cavity
322', the connection zone between each end 72' of the loop and the
base portion 32 constituting a hinge for pivoting the loop relative
to the base 3. In order to entrain and deform the loop 71' while
the cap is being opened, the middle portion 73' of the loop 71' is
connected to the edge 426 of the cap 4 via a breakable bridge
74'.
[0091] In order to avoid the bridge 74' breaking prematurely while
the cap 4 is being opened for the first time, and in order to avoid
the user thus having difficulty in knowing whether the device is
being opened for the first time, other breakable bridges 75', at
the edge 426 of the cap, advantageously connect with two respective
zones of the loop 71' situated along the loop, between the bridge
74' and its end 72'. The additional bridges 75' are not as strong
as the main bridge 74', i.e. they break before the bridge 74', as
shown FIG. 13. However, before they break, the bridges 75', in
conjunction with the bridge 74', cause the loop 71' to deform with
an amplitude that is sufficient to guarantee to the user that the
device is being opened for the first time.
[0092] In other words, the loop 71' is constituted by two
individual tabs 71A' and 71B' that are symmetrical about the
section plane of FIG. 10, and that are joined together at the
portion 73' of the bridge 74'. By way of variant, only one of the
two tabs 71A' or 71B' could be provided as a first-use indicator of
the device.
[0093] Various developments and variants to the above-described
closure device 1 could also be envisaged. By way of example: [0094]
the hinge connection of each tab 71, or 71A', 71B' could, instead
of being provided at the junction between the tab and the base 3,
be provided at the junction with the cap 4, the tab thus being
connected to the base via at least one breakable bridge similar to
the bridges 74 or 74'; and/or [0095] at the flow regulator 67, or
even instead of said flow regulator, the chimney could be provided
with a closure member that can be peeled or torn off and that is
advantageously provided with a pull tab that can be gripped; the
closure member constitutes an additional first-use indicator of the
device, in particular when the receptacle contains a substance that
is particularly delicate with regard to preservation.
* * * * *