Stopper for bottles

Abstract

Stopper for bottles, comprising a pouring element (1) assembled with a hinged closing cap (2), the closing cap (2) being able to be placed in an open position and a closed position, characterized in that said closing cap (2) comprises a protrusion (3) in its closest part to the pouring element (1), whose protrusion (3) contacts the pouring element (1) in the open position of the closing cap (2).

Claims

1. A stopper for bottles, comprising: a pouring element (1) which is attachable to the neck of a bottle; and a closing cap (2) which is equipped with a protrusion (3) and which is connected to said pouring element (1) by way of a hinge (4); wherein said stopper is transformable between an open configuration and a closed configuration; and wherein said protrusion (3) is disposed adjacent to, and in contact with, said pouring element (1) when said stopper is in said open configuration; wherein said pouring element is equipped with a nozzle (10), wherein said closing cap (2) comprises a closing collar (8) which is engaged to said nozzle (10) when said stopper is in said closed configuration, and wherein said closing collar (8) is equipped with a recess (9) which accommodates said protrusion when said stopper is in said closed configuration.

2. The stopper of claim 1, wherein said protrusion (3) is semicircular in shape in a cross-sectional plane taken along its longitudinal axis.

3. The stopper of claim 1, wherein said protrusion (3) is flexible.

4. The stopper of claim 2, wherein said protrusion (3) is flexible.

5. The stopper of claim 1, wherein the protrusion (3) is circumscribed within a circle defined in the pouring element (1).

6. The stopper of claim 2, wherein the protrusion (3) is circumscribed within a circle defined in the pouring element (1).

7. The stopper of claim 3, wherein the protrusion (3) is circumscribed within a circle defined in the pouring element (1).

8. The stopper of claim 4, wherein the protrusion (3) is circumscribed within a circle defined in the pouring element (1).

9. The stopper of claim 1, wherein said hinge (4) includes first and second arms (5), and wherein said protrusion (3) is disposed between said first and second arms (5).

10. The stopper of claim 1, wherein said closing cap (2) comprises a cavity (6) which is disposed next to said protrusion (3) when said stopper is in said closed configuration.

11. The stopper of claim 1, wherein said pouring element (1) comprises at least one lateral flange (7) projecting from said pouring element (1).

12. The stopper of claim 1, wherein the closing cap (2) comprises a cantilevered cover (11), comprising a plurality of ribs (12) at its lower part.

13. The stopper of claim 1, in combination with a bottle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) For better understanding of what has been disclosed, some drawings in which, schematically and only by way of a non-limiting example, a practical case of embodiment is shown.

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the stopper for bottles according to the present invention in its open position;

(3) FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the stopper for bottles according to the present invention in its closed position; and

(4) FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the stopper for bottles according to the present invention in its closed position.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(5) As shown in the figures, the stopper for bottles according to the present invention comprises a pouring element, generally identified by reference number 1, and a closing cap, generally identified by reference number 2.

(6) The pouring element 1 is attached to the neck of a bottle, not shown, for example, by an engaging thread or cord. This pouring element 1 is designed so that during its normal use it does not separate from the bottle.

(7) On the other hand, the closing cap 2 is mounted hinged to said pouring element 1 by means of a hinge 4, and it can be placed in an open position (shown in FIG. 1) or in a closed position (shown in FIGS. 2 and 3).

(8) According to the present invention, the stopper for bottles comprises a protrusion 3 in its closest part to the pouring element 1, as can be seen in the figures. This protrusion 3 contacts the pouring element 1 in the open position of the closing cap 2. For example, this protrusion 3 contacts a circular wall of the pouring element 1 of the stopper.

(9) The function of this protrusion 3 is to provide the user with an indication that the closing cap 2 has been placed in its open or closed position, as it will provide feedback to the user, such as an acoustic indication by clicking. For this purpose, the protrusion 3 is preferably made from a flexible plastic material.

(10) Furthermore, the protrusion 3, which is preferably semicircular in shape, acts as an abutment to retain the closing cap 2 in its open position, preventing its accidental movement.

(11) The hinge 4 between the pouring element 1 and the closing cap 2 is formed, according to the shown embodiment, by two arms 5, defining a space between them, the protrusion 3 being arranged between both arms 5.

(12) As can be seen in FIG. 1, the pouring element 1 comprises a nozzle 10, which facilitates the pouring of the liquid contained in the bottle or that the user drinks directly from the bottle using the nozzle of the pouring element.

(13) Furthermore, the pouring element 1 also comprises lateral flanges 7 that protrude from said pouring element, which facilitate manipulation of the stopper in an automated manner. In particular, the pouring element 1, according to the shown embodiment, comprises two lateral flanges 7 that extend from the hinge between the pouring element 1 and the closing cap 2 towards the opposite side, leaving a space between the flanges 7.

(14) The closing cap 2 comprises a cover 11 in its upper part that extends in a cantilevered manner, under which a plurality of ribs 12 extend for its reinforcement, using the least possible material, with the consequent economic and weight saving. This cantilevered cover 11 facilitates the opening of the bottle, thanks to which it is possible to change the closing cap 2 from its closed position to its open position.

(15) The closing cap 2 also comprises a cavity 6 in its rear part next to the protrusion 3, as can be seen in FIG. 3. This cavity 6 prevents the closing cap 2 from abutting the pouring element 1 before reaching the open position. According to the shown embodiment, this cavity 6 has an oval shape, although it could have any other suitable shape.

(16) The closing cap 2 also comprises a closing collar 8, which in the closed position of the closing cap 2, engages with the nozzle 10 of the pouring element 1. To facilitate this engagement, the closing collar 8 comprises a recess 9 in its part closest to the pouring element 1, as can be seen in FIG. 1.

(17) From its closed position, when a user wishes to open the stopper according to the present invention, he/she must move the closing cap 2 from its closed position to its open position.

(18) To this end, he/she must push the cantilevered cover 11 upwardly, so that the closing cap 2 rotates around the hinge 4 until the protrusion 3 abuts with the pouring element 1. At the moment it abuts, the protrusion 3 will flex and provide an acoustic signal with a click, to inform the user that it has reached the open position.

(19) This open position, preferably with an opening degree greater than 180°, will remain stable thanks to the presence of said protrusion 3, facilitating the pouring of the liquid contained in the bottle or its drink directly from the bottle.

(20) To close the stopper, the user will push up the closing cap 2 to rotate around the hinge 4, overcoming the resistance of the protrusion 3 against the pouring element 1 and causing the closing cap 2 to engage on the pouring element 1 in its closed position.

(21) Although reference has been made to specific embodiments of the invention, it is apparent to a person skilled in the art that the disclosed stopper for bottles is susceptible of numerous variations and modifications, and that all the details mentioned can be replaced by other technically equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection defined by the appended claims.