U.S. patent application number 12/227650 was filed with the patent office on 2009-06-11 for bottle closure device.
This patent application is currently assigned to M.B.F, PLASTIQUSE. Invention is credited to Alain Pagneux.
Application Number | 20090145872 12/227650 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37661134 |
Filed Date | 2009-06-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090145872 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Pagneux; Alain |
June 11, 2009 |
Bottle closure device
Abstract
The closure device (D) for closing a bottle (1) comprises an
overmolded cap (2) and ferrule (4) made of two different materials
and prevented from moving relative to each other by tamperproofing
means (43). The device (D) further comprises fastener means (3, 5)
for fastening onto the neck (11) of the bottle. A first element
selected from the cap (2) and the ferrule (4) includes a peripheral
tongue (43) that is placed substantially around the entire outer
periphery of the device (D) and that forms the tamperproofing
means. This tongue is connected to a body (41) of the first element
via tearable means (45) and includes patterns (47) designed to
co-operate, while the tongue is connected to the body of the first
element, with complementary patterns (27) formed in the second
element selected from the cap (2) and the ferrule (4).
Inventors: |
Pagneux; Alain; (Vincelles,
FR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Ralph A. Dowell of DOWELL & DOWELL P.C.
2111 Eisenhower Ave, Suite 406
Alexandria
VA
22314
US
|
Assignee: |
M.B.F, PLASTIQUSE
Oyonnax
FR
|
Family ID: |
37661134 |
Appl. No.: |
12/227650 |
Filed: |
May 30, 2007 |
PCT Filed: |
May 30, 2007 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/FR2007/000894 |
371 Date: |
November 24, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
215/201 ;
215/254 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 41/08 20130101;
B65D 41/3457 20130101; B65D 41/62 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
215/201 ;
215/254 |
International
Class: |
B65D 50/00 20060101
B65D050/00; B65D 41/32 20060101 B65D041/32 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 31, 2006 |
FR |
06 04854 |
Claims
1-10. (canceled)
11. A device for closing a bottle, the device comprising: an
overmolded cap and ferrule made of two different materials and
prevented from moving relative to each other by tamperproofing
means, and fastener means for fastening to a neck of the bottle,
wherein a first element selected from the cap and the ferrule
includes a peripheral tongue that is placed around substantially
the entire outer periphery of the device and that forms said
tamperproofing means, said tongue being connected to a body of said
first element via tearable means and including patterns that are
designed, when the tongue is connected to the body of said first
element, to co-operate with complementary patterns formed in the
second element selected from the cap and the ferrule.
12. A closure device according to claim 1, wherein the material
constituting the cap is not adhesive relative to the material
constituting the ferrule.
13. A closure device according to claim 1, wherein said tearable
means comprise tear serrations.
14. A closure device according to claim 1, wherein the tongue is
connected to a body of the ferrule, said body being designed to
surrounding the neck of the bottle.
15. A closure device according to claim 4, wherein the tongue
covers the cap in part and includes indented patterns in its inner
peripheral surface, which patterns are substantially complementary
to complementary patterns in relief formed on the outer peripheral
surface of the cap.
16. A closure device according to claim 1, wherein said fastener
means comprise a fastener ring and a stopper suitable for being
screwed onto said fastener ring, the cap and the stopper comprising
complementary prevention means for preventing relative
movement.
17. A closure device according to claim 6, wherein said prevention
means comprise teeth projecting radially from the inner peripheral
surface of the cap and substantially complementary to teeth
projecting radially from the outer peripheral surface of the
stopper.
18. A closure device according to claim 6, wherein the fastener
ring includes means for preventing it from moving axially or in
rotation relative to the neck of the bottle.
19. A closure device according to claim 6, wherein the fastener
ring is connected to a pourer assembly.
20. A closure device according to claim 1, wherein the overmolded
cap and ferrule are made by dual injection of two different
synthetic materials.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a closure device for a
bottle, the device comprising a cap and a ferrule prevented from
moving relative to each other by tamperproofing means.
[0002] FR-A-2 722 478 discloses fitting a bottle neck with a
guarantee seal, comprising a capsule having a tamperproofing tongue
for preventing the capsule from moving relative to a stopper that
closes the bottle. In that device, the capsule is fastened on the
neck of the bottle by snap-fastening against a ring, itself
snap-fastened on a pourer device fitted to the bottle. Thus,
placing that guarantee seal on the neck of a bottle is an operation
that is difficult and lengthy, thereby increasing the cost of
producing bottles fitted with such a seal.
[0003] FR-A-2 085 876 also discloses fitting a bottle neck with a
stopper device comprising a closure proper and a finish ring,
together with means for preventing movement relative to the neck of
the bottle. A tamperproofing ring is provided on the outer
peripheral surface of the closure and is received in a locking
groove of the ring, so as to prevent the closure from turning
relative to the ring. If the closure is forced to turn, the tongue
deforms and enables the stopper device to be opened. Deformation of
the tongue indicates that the bottle has been opened. Nevertheless,
since that tongue is of limited circumferential extent, it can be
deformed back again so as to be replaced in the locking groove of
the ring, thereby fraudulently masking prior opening of the
bottle.
[0004] The invention seeks more particularly to remedy these
drawbacks by proposing a closure device that is suitable for being
put into place on the neck of a bottle in a manner that is easy and
fast, and that also includes tamperproofing means that are
reliable, and that cannot be put back into place after the device
has been opened.
[0005] To this end, the invention provides a device for closing a
bottle, the device comprising an overmolded cap and ferrule made of
two different materials and prevented from moving relative to each
other by tamperproofing means, the device further comprising
fastener means for fastening to the neck of the bottle, the device
being characterized in that a first element selected from the cap
and the ferrule includes a peripheral tongue that is placed around
substantially the entire outer periphery of the device and that
forms said tamperproofing means, said tongue being connected to a
body of said first element via tearable means and including
patterns that are designed, when the tongue is connected to the
body of said first element, to co-operate with complementary
patterns formed in the second element selected from the cap and the
ferrule.
[0006] According to other characteristics of the invention, that
are advantageous: [0007] the material constituting the cap is not
adhesive relative to the material constituting the ferrule; [0008]
said tearable means comprise tear serrations; [0009] the tongue is
connected to a body of the ferrule, said body being designed to
surrounding the neck of the bottle; [0010] the tongue covers the
cap in part and includes indented patterns in its inner peripheral
surface, which patterns are substantially complementary to patterns
in relief formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cap; [0011]
said fastener means for fastening on the neck of the bottle
comprise a fastener ring and a stopper suitable for being screwed
onto said fastener ring, the cap and the stopper comprising
complementary means for preventing relative movement; [0012] said
means for preventing the cap from moving relative to the stopper
comprise teeth projecting radially from the inner peripheral
surface of the cap and substantially complementary to teeth
projecting radially from the outer peripheral surface of the
stopper; [0013] the fastener ring includes means for preventing it
from moving axially or in rotation relative to the neck of the
bottle; [0014] the fastener ring is connected to a pourer assembly;
and [0015] the overmolded cap and ferrule are made by dual
injection of two different synthetic materials.
[0016] The characteristics and advantages of the invention appear
from the following description of an embodiment of a closure device
of the invention, given purely by way of example and made with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0017] FIG. 1 is an elevation view of a closure device in
accordance with the invention, prior to being put into place on the
neck of a bottle;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a view analogous to FIG. 1, the closure device
being in place on the neck of the bottle;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a section of the FIG. 1 closure device, in the
configuration of FIG. 2;
[0020] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the FIG. 1 closure
device; and
[0021] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view from another angle
showing some of the component elements of the FIG. 1 closure
device.
[0022] The closure device D shown in FIG. 1 is designed to be
fitted to the neck 11 of the bottle 1, e.g. containing high-value
liqueur. The device D comprises a cap 2 and a ferrule 4 that are
overmolded in conventional manner, one of these two elements being
molded on the other element that then forms a molding support. The
overmolded cap 2 and ferrule 4 are made of two different synthetic
materials that do not adhere relative to each other. The device D
further comprises means for fastening on the neck 11 of the bottle
1, namely a ring 5 for fastening on the neck 11 and a stopper 3 for
closing the bottle 1.
[0023] The ring 5 has two concentric tubular portions 51 and 53
interconnected by a radial portion 55. The radial portion 55 is
designed to bear against the mouth 13 of the bottle 1 so that the
portion 51 extends along the outer surface 11a of the neck 11,
while the portion 55 extends towards the inner of the neck 11.
[0024] The outer portion 51 of the ring 5 has a series of teeth 57
suitable for engaging under a portion in relief 111 projecting from
the outer surface 11A of the neck 11, in the vicinity of the mouth
13. The teeth 57 are distributed regularly around the outer portion
51. Each pair of teeth 57 defines a gap e for receiving a spline
115 projecting from the outer surface 11A of the neck 11, beneath
the portion in relief 111. As shown in FIG. 1, the neck 11 has four
splines 115 regularly distributed around the neck 11 and suitable
for being received in four gaps e, situated at substantially
45.degree. from one another and defined by four pairs of teeth 57
of the portion 51. In a variant, the number of splines 115 may be
other than four, in particular it may be greater than four, the
splines 115 being received in a corresponding number of gaps e.
[0025] Because of the co-operation between the teeth 57 and
respectively the portion in relief 111 and the splines 115, the
ring 5 is held stationary relative to the neck 11, both axially
along the longitudinal axis X.sub.11 of the neck 11, and in
rotation about said axis.
[0026] The ring 5 also has a sleeve 59 projecting from the radial
portion 55 away from the portions 51 and 53. The stopper 3 of the
closure device D, that comprises a top wall 31 and a tubular rim 33
projecting from the top wall 31, is designed to be screwed onto the
ring 5 so as to cover the sleeve 59. For this purpose, the outer
surface 59A of the sleeve 59 is provided with a thread 58 suitable
for co-operating with a thread 38 formed in the inner surface 33B
of the rim 33. When screwed onto the sleeve 59, the stopper 3
closes the opening of the bottle 1.
[0027] Together, the overmolded cap 2 and ferrule 4 take the form
of a single part suitable for being fitted by applying pressure on
the stopper 3 and the ring 5 fastened on the neck 11 of the bottle
1. The cap 2 and the ferrule 4 are obtained by dual injection of
two different synthetic materials that do not adhere relative to
each other. By way of example, the cap 2 may be made of
acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), while the ferrule 4 is made
of polypropylene.
[0028] The cap 2 forms a top wall 21 and a tubular rim 23 extending
from the top wall 21. The outer surface 23A of the rim 23 is
provided with a groove 25 formed substantially around the entire
outer periphery of the rim 23. In the example shown, the groove 25
includes four patterns 27 in relief that are regularly distributed
on its outer surface. In a variant, the number of patterns 27 in
relief may be other than four, in particular it may be greater than
four.
[0029] The ferrule 4 comprises a tubular body 41 for surrounding
the neck 11 of the bottle 1, and a tamperproofing tongue 43
connected to the body 41 by means of tear serrations 45. The tongue
43 extends substantially all the way around the body 41, with the
exception of a zone Z adjacent to a grasping portion 43C that forms
one end of the tongue 43.
[0030] In the example shown, the tongue 43 has four indented
patterns 47 in its inner surface 43B that are substantially
complementary to the four patterns 27 in relief on the cap 2. In a
variant, the number of indented patterns 47 could be other than
four, matching the number of patterns 27 in relief on the cap. Each
pattern 27 in relief is suitable for engaging in an indented
pattern 47, thereby creating a mortise-and-tenon type connection
between the cap 2 and the ferrule 4. In a variant of the invention
that is not shown, the patterns 27 of the cap may be indented
patterns while the corresponding patterns 47 of the tongue are
patterns in relief. The cap 2 and the ferrule 4 are overmolded with
the patterns 27 and 47 mutually engaged so that the cap 2 is held
stationary relative to the ferrule 4, axially along the
longitudinal axis X.sub.4 of the ferrule, and in rotation about
said axis. When the ferrule 4 and the cap 2 are in place on the
neck 11 of the bottle 1, the axes X.sub.4 and X.sub.11
coincide.
[0031] On the inner surface 23B of the rim 23, the cap 2 has teeth
29 projecting radially from the surface 23B and substantially
complementary to teeth 39 projecting radially from the outer
surface 33A of the rim 33 of the stopper 3. Furthermore, the
ferrule 4 has a portion in relief 49 projecting from the inner
surface 41B of the body 41 and suitable for snapping under the
teeth 57 of the ring 5, as can be seen in FIG. 3. Thus, the
overmolded cap 2 and ferrule 4 are suitable for covering the
stopper 3 and the ring 5, the top wall 21 of the cap 2 bearing
against the top wall 31 of the stopper 3, while the rim 23 of the
cap 2 and the body 41 bear respectively against the rim 23 of the
stopper 3 and the outer portion 51 of the ring 5. In this position,
the overmolded cap 2 and ferrule 4 are prevented from moving
relative to the stopper 3 and the ring 5, both axially along the
axis X.sub.4 by co-operation between the portion in relief 49 on
the ferrule 4 and the teeth 57 of the ring 5, and in rotation about
the axis X.sub.4 by co-operation between the teeth 29 of the cap 2
and the teeth 39 of the stopper 3.
[0032] In this embodiment, and as can be seen in the figures, the
closure device D also has a pouring element V comprising a main
portion 7 and an end portion 9 having two superposed balls 6 and 8
housed between them, one forming ballast and the other a float. The
assembly V, is itself known, and serves to prevent unauthorized
filling of the bottle 1.
[0033] As shown in FIG. 1, the preassembled closure device D is
suitable for being put into place on the neck 11 of the bottle 1 by
extending a pressure force P on the cap 2 substantially parallel to
the coinciding axes X.sub.4 and X.sub.11. It is thus possible to
obtain the configuration shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in which the
device D is prevented from moving relative to the neck 11 of the
bottle 1, both axially along the coinciding axes X.sub.4 and
X.sub.11, and in rotation about these axes. Because of the
mechanical connection between the cap 2 and the tongue 43 that
results from co-operation between the patterns 27 and 47, the
device D is not deformed under the effect of the pressure force P.
Thus, the device D of the invention can be put into place easily
and quickly, merely by exerting pressure on the cap 2. This
operation can be performed by a press, repetitively and quickly,
thereby serving to limit the cost of closing bottles.
[0034] In the configuration of FIGS. 2 and 3, the tongue 43
prevents the bottle 1 from being opened, holding the cap 2
stationary relative to the ferrule 4, both axially along, and in
rotation about the coinciding axes X.sub.4 and X.sub.11. In order
to open the bottle 1, it is necessary to separate the tongue 43
from the body 41 and the cap 2. This is performed by grasping the
tongue 43 via the grasping portion 43C and by exerting sufficient
traction force to tear the serrations 45 and separate the tongue 43
from the cap 2 where they are in contact, in particular via the
complementary patterns 27 and 47. Separating the tongue 43 from the
cap 2 does not require excessive force, since there is no adhesion
between the materials constituting the ferrule 4 and the cap 2.
[0035] Once the tongue 43 has been separated in this way from the
body 41 and the cap 2, the stopper 3 can be unscrewed from the ring
5 by exerting a turning force on the cap 2 which is constrained to
turn with the stopper 3 by means of the complementary teeth 29 and
39. Thereafter the bottle can be reclosed by screwing the assembly
formed by the cap 2 and the stopper 3 back onto the ring 5. Thus,
the device D of the invention enables the bottle to which it is
fitted to be opened safely and also enables the bottle to be
reclosed in leaktight manner.
[0036] Since the tongue 43 extends substantially around the entire
periphery of the body 41, it is difficult to reconstitute the
connection between the tongue 43 and the body 41 after the
serrations 45 have been torn. Thus, the device D of the invention
provides a tamperproofing system that is reliable and not
reusable.
[0037] The invention is not limited to the example described and
shown. In particular, the device D need not have a pourer element
to prevent filling. In addition, the overmolded cap 2 and ferrule 4
may be fastened on the neck 11 of a bottle 1 by fastener means
other than the above-described stopper 3 and ring 5. In particular,
the ferrule 4 may have teeth that are analogous to the teeth 57 of
the ring 5 and that are arranged on its inner peripheral surface so
as to prevent the overmolded cap 2 and ferrule 4 from moving
axially or in rotation relative to the neck 11.
[0038] In a variant of the invention that is not shown, a
tamperproofing peripheral tongue analogous to the tongue 43 may be
connected to the rim 23 of the cap 2 via tearable means, such as
tear serrations, the tongue then having patterns suitable for
co-operating with complementary patterns of the ferrule 4. Thus, as
in the above-described embodiment, the cap 2 and the ferrule 4 are
prevented from moving relative to each other both axially and in
rotation, but the tongue now belongs to the cap 2 instead of to the
ferrule 4. As in the manner described above, the cap 2 and the
ferrule 4 of this variant can be overmolded by dual injection of
two different synthetic materials that do not adhere relative to
each other. By way of example, the cap 2 and the tamperproofing
tongue may be made of polypropylene, while the ferrule 4 is made of
acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS).
* * * * *