Stopper, particularly for pressurised containers

Abstract

A stopper for a container such as a bottle has a sealing element which includes an annular portion deformable against the container to form a seal. An operating element cooperates with the sealing element and is axially movable with respect thereto from a first position in which the stopper may be removed from the container to a second or sealing position in which the operating element applies a radial force to the annular portion of the sealing element.

Parent Case Text

This application is a continuation of my copending application Ser. No. 220,603, filed Jan. 25, 1972, now abandoned.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to stoppers and particularly to stoppers for containers holding a fluid under pressure such as beer bottles.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Containers of this kind are normally sealed by a relatively rigid metal cap lined with an elastic seal which is compressed against a surface of the bottle neck, thereby imparting a permanent deformation to the cap. Stoppers of this type are not easily reused, and in the event of their reuse they do not provide a seal after first being opened. Screw stoppers retain a certain sealing power if reused a number of times, but they are not generally satisfactory for the bottling of gaseous fluids such as beverages.

The object of the present invention is to provide a stopper which has the full sealing action required for the bottling of gaseous beverages and requires neither metal parts nor permanent deformation. The invention also proposes a stopper of this kind which is capable of reuse while retaining substantially all of its original sealing properties.

SUMMARY

According to the invention, there is provided a stopper for a container such as a bottle, comprising a sealing element having an annular portion for location adjacent a non-cylindrical annular zone of the neck of the container, said portion being deformable radially towards the neck to form a seal, and an operating element cooperating with the sealing element and adapted to be displaced axially relative to the sealing element, to apply an axial and radial force to the periphery of the annular portion in such a manner as to move said portion towards the annular zone and hold it in sealing contact therewith.

In one embodiment the seal constituted by the annular portion is elastically deformable and is applied against the neck or moves away therefrom depending on the direction in which the operating element is displaced axially relative to the sealing element.

In another embodiment the operating element is provided with a face having an annular groove or cavity which on suitable axial displacement of the operating element takes up a position opposite the seal so as to receive this seal and enable it to move elastically away from the annular zone of the neck.

It is convenient for the two elements to be adapted to interlock in the axial direction when in a determined relative axial position, thus making it possible for them to be removed together from the neck of the container.

In one application, the annular zone is formed on the outer peripheral face of the neck; the sealing element is composed of a closing end and a capping skirt, the bottom portion of which constitutes the seal, and the operating element comprises a ring, which may or may not be provided with an end surface and which surrounds the skirt; it is therefore not subjected to the pressure of the contents of the container, so that only external intervention can break the sealing contact between the seal and the neck, and, if such intervention does not occur, the internal pressure maintains this contact through an autoclave effect.

In another application the annular zone is situated on the inner face of the neck or on the inner face of the container at the base of the neck; the operating element is disposed inside the sealing element; when the seal is in the operative position the operating element is locked axially to the sealing element, at least as regards its movement in the upward direction, so that the pressure of the contents ensures the maintenance of the sealing action through autoclave effect; in order to break the sealing contact the operating element is moved downwards from its operative position until at the level of the seal it presents an annular groove enabling the seal to move elastically away from the inner face of the neck or of the container.

The devices according to the invention may include guarantee bands, or tamperproof devices or markings of various kinds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1a and 1b show a stopper according to the invention with an external seal;

FIGS. 2a to 2c, 3a to 3d, and 4a to 4d illustrate respectively three embodiments with an internal seal.

All these embodiments, which comprise a sealing element E and an operating element A, will be described in the position which they occupy on a container having a vertical axis and with its mouth facing upwardly.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In FIGS. 1a and 1b the sealing element E capping a container neck G is composed of a flat closing end 1 and an external skirt 2. The end is terminated by an annular portion 3 extending beyond the outer face 4 of the skirt, and on its bottom face 5 has an annular lip 6 adapted to be deformed in order to be held in elastic contact with the inner face of the neck G. On its inner face 7 the skirt 2 has an annular bead 8 which, like the entire element E, is made of an elastically deformable material and which in the non-deformed state (FIG. 1a) has a polygonal cross-sectional shape adapted to be located in an annular groove in the neck G and to be situated opposite and below a non-cylindrical annular zone P on the outer face of the neck. The skirt 2 is in addition provided on its outer face 4 with an annular projection 9 which in the example illustrated has a triangular shape pointing radially outwards, the upper face 10 of which is inclined downwards from the skirt. On its periphery the top face of the end 1 has a tear-off annular projection 11 which in cross-section has an inverted L-shaped profile and which together with the end 1 forms an annular groove 12 which is open towards the outside. The horizontal branch of the L-shaped profile ends in a bevelled face 13 which in the outward direction is inclined downwardly.

The operating element A consists essentially of a cylindrical ring 14 which closely surrounds the skirt 2 of the element E. On its bottom vertical face the ring 14 has two annular projections 15 and 16, disposed in that order from top to bottom. The top projection 15 has a sawtooth-shaped profile bounded by a horizontal top face 17 and an inclined bottom face 18.

The stopper is fitted on the container preferably by direct action on the element A from the outset.

The position shown in FIG. 1a corresponds to the first phase of this fitting operation, which consists in capping the mouth of the container with the aid of the element E, the sealing bead 8 of which takes up position opposite and at a distance from the zone P of the neck, while the operating ring 14 rests by its bevelled bottom edge on the face 10 and defines with the skirt 2 an annular gap 20 located immediately adjacent and above the face 10, as shown in FIG. 1a, the annular projection 16 being disposed between the face 10 and the projecting portion 3, while the inclined face 18 of the element A is situated above the inclined face 13 of the element E.

In order to pass from the position shown in FIG. 1a to that shown in FIG. 1b, further pressure is applied to the element A and it is moved downwards in the direction of the axis of the stopper. The bottom edge of the ring 14 being radially spaced from the skirt 2 as shown in FIG. 1a, pivots the projection 9 and slides on the inclined face 10, moves beyond the projection in the downward direction and pushes it radially inwards, which has the effect of applying the sealing bead 8 and compressing it against the face P of the neck, thus making the seal. In the course of this axial displacement of the element A in relation to the element E, the inclined face 18 slides on the inclined face 13 and moves past it in the downward direction, the downward movement of the element A terminating when the annular projection 15 is received in the annular groove 12 and is made captive therein, thus having the effect of locking the element A axially in both directions. As long as the element A retains this position the bead 8 cannot return to its starting position (FIG. 1a) and it is impossible to open the container. In order to make its opening possible, the element A must be raised, which necessitates the tearing-off of the element 11, which thus constitutes a guarantee or tamperproof band. Once this band has been torn off the raising of the ring 14, which enables the seal 8 to move away from the neck, entails the raising of the element E through the striking of the projection 16 against the projecting portion 3.

It will be understood that the assembly constructed in this manner can be reused as many times as desired by returning the element E to its position and lowering the element A to the position in which the seal is locked. On each occasion the sealing is just as effective as in the first stoppering operation. The pressure of the contents of the container can only improve this seal through the autoclave effect and does not in any way entail the risk of bringing about accidental opening of the container. In order to make this opening possible it is in fact necessary for the raising of the element A to precede the raising of the element E, whereas the internal pressure tends to lift only the element E.

The stopper is therefore locked to the container by the force of the elements used and by their relative positions rather than by the magnitude of a clamping force. The clamping force intended to effect sealing contact can be moderate, and the invention enables it to be localised on a determined annular zone. The two elements of which the stopper is composed are placed in position at the same time and in a single operation, and the same is true of their removal.

In the embodiment illustrated in the two half-sections 2a, 2b, and the section 2c, corresponding to three different positions of the same device, the element E of the latter is composed of a curved end 21 and the skirt 22 adapted to be inserted into a container neck C. The end 21 has pierced in it a central hole 23 closed by a tear-off diaphragm 24. It is provided with a peripheral rim adapted to surround the rim of the neck C and to grip the latter between it and the inner skirt 22. The latter terminates at the bottom in a dead projecting from its inner face and having a sawtooth-shaped cross-sectional profile with a horizontal top face 26 and an inclined bottom face 27, these faces forming a sharp edge 28 at their intersection.

The element A comprises a hollow cylinder 29 mounted slidably in the skirt 22 and closed at the top by a stepped end 30 the central portion of which is raised in relation to the remaining portion and is provided over its entire periphery with a raised rim 32.

On its outer face the cylinder 29 is provided with a shallow bottom groove 33 with a semicircular or V-shaped profile, and with an upper groove 34 of relatively greater axial height.

The position shown in FIG. 2a corresponds to a first phase of positioning the stopper on the container. The cylinder 29 of the element A rests on the flat circular face 26 of the element E with both elements A and E defining therebetween an annular gap 34 located immediately adjacent and above the face 26, and the whole arrangement is inserted into the neck G, the top edge of which is capped by the rim 25.

The position shown in FIG. 2b is reached by applying a downwardly directed pressure to the end 21 by means of a punch M guided in a cylinder N resting on the rim 25. Through the action of this pressure the cylinder 29 is lowered, moving the bead 26, 27 radially outwards through elastic deformation, this bead thus coming into sealing contact with an annular zone P of the inner face of the container at the base of the neck G. This downward movement of the cylinder 29 ceases when the edge 28 penetrates into the groove 33. Stoppering with sealing contact is terminated, the punch M, N, is withdrawn, and the curved end 21 assumes its original shape through elasticity, while the element A remains locked in the lowered position.

In order to open the container (FIG. 2c) the rod T is inserted into the hole 23 and pressure is applied to tear the closing diaphragm 24, and the raised portion 31 of the element A is pressed downwards. Sufficient force is applied to free the groove 33 from the edge 28, thus enabling the element A to move downwards. This downward movement is continued until the groove 34 is situated level with the bead 27,28, thus enabling the latter to move away from the zone P and to return elastically to its starting position, being received in the groove 34. This terminates the axial displacement of the element A, which remains attached to the face 26 of the element E. The stopper can then be withdrawn and may be reused to a certain extent while showing signs of the first opening of the container through the absence of the diaphragm 24.

In the embodiment illustrated in four different positions in the half-sections in FIGS. 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d, the element E is composed of a skirt 41 inserted into the neck G of a container and provided with an upper rim 42 directed outwards and adapted to cap the top edge of the neck. On its inner cylindrical face the skirt 41 has two annular grooves 43, 44 which are situated at different levels and each of which has a sawtooth-shaped cross-sectional profile, with a horizontal upper face and an inclined lower face. At the bottom the skirt 41 terminates in an integral ring 45 to which it is connected by a thin portion 46 and which in cross-section has a sawtooth-shaped profile, with a flat top face 47 projecting from the inner face of the skirt 41.

The element A is composed of a hollow cylinder 48 mounted slidably in the skirt 41, and of a top closing end 51. The outer face of the cylinder 48 is provided at the top with an annular projection 49 having a sawtooth-shaped profile, with a horizontal upper face and an inclined lower face. Below this projection this outer face has an annular groove 50.

The stopper is fitted by acting directly on the element A from the beginning. FIG. 3a illustrates a first phase of this fitting operation. The element A rests with its bottom edge on the face 47 of the element E with both elements A and E defining therebetween an annular gap 52 located immediately adjacent and above the face 47, and the latter is inserted into the neck of the container, after the latter has been filled. The element A is then further driven in by applying the force required to pivot the ring 45 radially outwards and to bring it into sealing contact with the annular zone P of the neck G, as illustrated in FIG. 3b. This driving movement, in the course of which the cylinder 48 moves the ring 45 pivotally and slides with its bottom edge on the face 47, terminates when the annular projection 49 having a sawtooth-shaped profile penetrates into the similarly shaped annular groove 43.

In order to open the container, the element A is driven further in until the annular projection 49 penetrates into the next annular groove 44 (FIG. 3c). In this position the annular groove 50 formed on the outer face of the cylinder 47 is so situated that it can receive the sealing ring 45, which thus returns through elasticity to its original position, in which it is withdrawn from the inner face of the neck, thus making it possible for the assembly A E to be removed and for the container to be opened (FIG. 3d).

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4a to 4d, the element E is composed of a cylindrical skirt 61 inserted into a container neck G and provided with a top peripheral rim 62 directed radially outwards and covering the rim of the neck.

A tear-off annular band 63 connected by a breakable connection to the rim 62, projects from the upper face of the latter. The band 63 has in cross-section an inverted L-shape, of which the horizontal branch, directed radially inwards, terminates in a bevelled face 64 which is inclined inwards from top to bottom. On its inner face the skirt 61 has a bottom zone 65 set back in relation to a top zone 66 and connected to the latter by a narrow horizontal face 67. The skirt is provided with a thickened bottom rim 68 projecting radially in the inward direction in relation to the two faces 65, 66 and having in cross-section a horizontal top face 69 and a bottom face 70 slightly inclined in relation to the vertical.

The element A is composed of a cylindrical skirt 71 crowned by a closing end 72 projecting over it. The outer surface of the skirt 71 has an upper zone 73 set back in relation to a bottom zone 74, to which it is connected by a horizontal face 75. The peripheral edge of the closing end 72 is bevelled, with a face 76 inclined from top to bottom in the inward direction.

FIG. 4a illustrates a first phase of the operation of fitting the assembly A, E on the container. The element A has been inserted by axial sliding into the element E, the faces 74 and 73 of the element A being in contact respectively with the faces 65 and 66 of the element E, with the skirt 71 resting on the face 69, and skirts 61,71 defining therebetween an annular gap 77 immediately adjacent and above the face 69, while the face 76 is disposed above the face 64. The assembly thus connected together is inserted into the neck.

The position illustrated in FIG. 4b is assumed by driving the element A through the element E with the aid of a press tool S until the end 72 bears against the rim 62. In the course of this movement the face 76 slides on the face 64 pushing the band 63 elastically towards the outside, and this band then returns to its original shape in order to imprison the end 72 between it and the rim 62. Likewise during the course of this movement the bottom edge of the skirt 71 pivots the rim 68 and slides on the face 69; the rim 68 is moved over towards the outside and comes into sealing contact with an annular zone P of the inner face of the container, at the base of the neck. The element 68 thus acts as a sealing lip and retains its position as a tight seal as long as the element A remains axially locked between the elements 62 and 63.

In order to open the container, the element A must be moved upwards in relation to the element E in order to enable the seal 68 to return in the inward direction. This upward displacement necessitates the tearing-off of the band 63 (FIG. 4c), which thus serves as guarantee or tamperproof band.

In the course of its upward displacement the element A comes into contact through its face 75 with the face 67 of the element E (FIG. 4d) and continues its movement while carrying the latter with it, in order to open the container.

Apart from the guarantee band which can be used only once, the stopper of FIGS. 4a to 4d is fully reusable, because it is easily possible to pass in succession from the state 4d to the states 4c and 4d by driving the element A downwards after having placed the element E back on the neck of the container, whereby the lip 68 is again pivoted outwards through about 90.degree..

In FIG. 4b, corresponding to the condition before the first destoppering, the internal pressure of the contents of the container acting on the end 72 is transmitted to the seal 68 by means of the band 63 and the skirt 61, and improves the tightness of the seal by autoclave effect. The same is true of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3a and 3d. In FIG. 3b the pressure of the contents of the container cannot blow off the element A, the proejection 49 of which engages with the annular groove 43 of the element E, and this pressure finally leads to the firmer application of the seal 45 against the wall of the container.

Claims

I claim:

1. A resealable stopper for a container having a neck with a downward facing annular zone, comprising a sealing element with a skirt provided at its lower edge with an integral beading having an annular sealing surface and an operating element cooperating with the sealing element and axially displaceable in relation thereto, wherein both said elements have in relation to each other an inoperative position in which the operating element has a lower edge radially spaced from the skirt and resting in abutting relationship upon the beading whereby both elements define therebetween an annular gap immediately adjacent and above said beading, while the sealing surface is positioned under and free of sealing contact with said annular zone, and an operating position reached by thrusting said lower edge down against said beading, thereby causing the latter to pivot downwards relative to the skirt and the annular sealing surface to pivot upwards relative to the skirt and sealingly engage the annular zone.

2. A stopper according to claim 1, in which the annular sealing surface is elastically deformable and is applied against the downward facing annular zone or moves away therefrom depending on whether the operating element is displaced axially in one direction or the other in relation to the sealing element.

3. A stopper according to claim 1, in which the operating element, has a face provided with an annular groove or cavity to receive the beading on suitable axial displacement of the operating element to enable the sealing surface to move elastically away from the downward facing annular zone of the neck, thus enabling the stopper to be removed.

4. A stopper according to claim 1, in which the two elements are interlockable in the axial direction in a determined relative axial position, thus becoming withdrawable together from the neck of the container.

5. A stopper according to claim 1, in which locking means are provided for axially locking in position relative the operating element to the sealing element when the two elements occupy the relative position necessary for applying the seal on the neck.

6. A stopper according to claim 4, in which said locking means comprise a tear-off guarantee element.

7. A stopper according to claim 6, in which the guarantee element is a band fixed to a sealing element by a breakable joint.

8. A stopper according to claim 6, in which the guarantee element is a perforable region provided in a closing end which forms part of the sealing element and which encloses the operating element.

9. A stopper according to claim 1, in which said downward facing annular zone is situated on the outer peripheral face of the container neck.

10. A stopper according to claim 1, in which the operating element is disposed inside the skirt and the latter is adapted to be inserted into a container neck, said downward facing annular zone being situated on the inner face of said container neck.

11. A stopper according to claim 10, in which the sealing element has a closing end providing a closure for the container.

12. A stopper according to claim 10, in which the assembly of the two elements has a closing end partly formed on each of them and providing a closure for the container.

13. A bottle, in combination with a stopper according to claim 1.

14. A resealable stopper for a container having a neck with a downward facing annular zone, comprising a sealing element with a skirt provided at its lower edge with a beading having first and second portions radially projecting in opposite directions relative to the skirt with an annular sealing surface formed on said second projecting portion, and an operating element cooperating with the sealing element and axially displaceable in relation thereto, wherein both said elements have in relation to each other an inoperative position in which the operating element has a lower edge radially spaced from the skirt and resting in abutting relationship upon the first portion whereby both elements define therebetween an annular gap immediately adjacent and above said first portion, while the sealing surface is positioned under and free of sealing contact with said annular zone, and an operating position reached by thrusting said lower edge down upon said first portion, thereby causing the beading to pivot bodily relative to the skirt, with the beading first portion moving down and the beading second portion moving up to cause sealing contact between the annular zone of the container neck and the annular sealing surface.

15. A stopper according to claim 14, in which the annular sealing surface is elastically deformable and is applied against the downward facing annular zone or moves away therefrom depending on whether the operating element is displaced axially in one direction or the other in relation to the sealing element.