Assembly Comprising A Container And Plugging Device Attached To The Container

Abstract

The invention relates to an assembly that includes: a container consisting of a neck fitted with a clamping collar, and a capping device that includes: a lower ring (9), a cap (1); an articulation device (10) that connects the cap (1) to the lower ring (9); and a locking device configured to lock the cap (1) in the tilted open position, said locking device consisting of a strip (23) and a protruding portion (24) axially protruding from the bottom ring (9); the strip (23) and the protruding portion (24) being configured in such a way that, when the cap (1) is in the titled open position, the protruding portion (24) is held between the strip (23) and the locking clamping collar.

Claims

1. An assembly consisting of: a container fitted with a the neck consisting of a dispensing hole, a helical thread; rotating around an axis X, which is provided on the neck and a clamping collar; and a capping device that includes: a lower ring axially attached to the neck and movable in rotation on the neck around said axis X, said lower ring consisting of a first section consisting of engaging elements which protrude radially towards the inside of the lower ring and are arranged below the clamping collar to axially retain the lower ring on the neck of the container and a second section, the first section and the second section of the lower ring being articulated with each other so that the second section rotates with respect to the first section between a lowered position in which the second section is intended to be arranged below the clamping collar and a raised position in which the second section is arranged at least partially above the clamping collar; a cap includes an upper wall and an external peripheral skirt, external peripheral skirt having a helical thread intended to cooperate with the helical thread of the neck to allow movement of the cap between a closed position and a released position in which the helical thread of the cap is no longer engaged with the helical thread of the neck); and an articulation device consisting of two sheets that connect the external peripheral skirt and the second section and configured to allow the cap to pivot between the released position and a titled open position in which the cap is released from the orifice of the neck; the second section of the lower ring being suitable to be positioned in the lowered position when the cap is in the tilted open position; the capping device additionally comprising a locking device configured to lock the cap in the tilted open position, said locking device comprising: a heel which protrudes axially from the outer peripheral skirt, between the two sheets of the articulation device and which consists of a strip which protrudes radially outwards; and a protruding portion that protrudes axially from the second section of the lower ring, between the two sheets of the articulation device; the strip and the protruding portion being configured in such a way that, when the cap is in its titled open position and the second section of the lower ring is in the lowered position, the protruding portion is held between the strip and the clamping collar.

2. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein 1>Le2, wherein: L: length of the sheets in an initial state in which the cap is in the closed position; e1: a radial distance between a contact area of the strip intended to come into contact with the protruding portion when the cap in the titled open position and an intersection between a straight line passing through the upper ends of the sheets and a plane of symmetry of the sheets in relation to each other; and e2: a radial distance between a contact area of the protruding portion intended to come into contact with the strip when the cap in the titled open position and an intersection between a straight line passing through the lower ends layers of the sheets and the plane of symmetry.

3. The assembly according to claim 2, wherein e1>Le2+e3+e4 wherein: e3: a radial clearance between the lower ring and the neck according to a direction radial to the axis X and inscribed in the plane of symmetry; and e4: a radial clearance between the protruding portion and the clamping collar.

4. The assembly according to claim 3 wherein e1=Le2+e3+e4+ wherein is comprised between 0.05 and 2 mm.

5. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the protruding portion protrudes beyond a lower limit of the outer peripheral skirt.

6. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first section of the lower ring consists of a front area that is diametrically opposite the second section and two clamping areas that are each arranged between the front area of the first section and the second, and wherein the engaging elements are arranged only in the two engaging areas to allow adequate radial movement of the lower ring to facilitate the passage of a part of the second section on each side of the clamping collar during the movement of the second section between the lowered position and the released position.

7. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the sheets and the locking device are configured in such a way that, during the pivoting movement of the cap between the closed position and the titled open position, the elastic sheets are subjected to a tensile force increasing to an intermediate unstable position and then decreasing from said intermediate unstable position towards the titled open position.

8. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the capping device is molded in one piece.

9. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the lower ring is connected to the outer peripheral skirt by frangible bridges.

10. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein when the cap is in its tilted open position and the second section of the lower ring is in the lowered position, the opening angle of the cap greater than 120.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0045] The invention will be better understood and other purposes, details, features and advantages thereof will become more apparent during the following description of various particular embodiments of the invention, provided solely by way of illustration and not limitation, with reference to the attached drawings.

[0046] FIG. 1 is a rear three-quarter perspective view of a capping device mounted on the neck of a container.

[0047] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a container neck intended to receive the capping device of FIG. 1.

[0048] FIG. 3 is a side view of the capping device mounted on the neck of the container and showing the cap of the capping device in a released position where it is no longer engaged with the neck of the container.

[0049] FIG. 4 is a detail view of the engaging elements protruding radially inward from the bottom ring of the capping device.

[0050] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the capping device mounted on the neck of the container and showing the cap of the capping device in a tilted open position in which the cap is released from the orifice on the neck.

[0051] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the capping device mounted on the neck of the container and showing the cap of the capping device in the tilted open position in which the cap is released from the neck orifice.

[0052] FIG. 7 is an enlargement of FIG. 1 illustrating the locking device in detail.

[0053] FIG. 8 is a schematic sectional representation of the cap and the strip.

[0054] FIG. 9 is a schematic sectional representation of the lower ring and the protruding portion.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT

[0055] In the description and figures, the axis X corresponds to the axis of rotation of the cap 1 of the capping device when it is screwed onto the neck 2 of the container. By convention, the radial orientation is directed orthogonal to the axis X and the axial orientation is directed parallel to the axis X. The terms external and internal are used to define the relative position of one element with respect to another, e.g. with reference to the axis X, an element close to the axis X is thus qualified as internal as opposed to an external element located radially on the periphery.

[0056] The terms upper and lower are used to define the relative position of one element with respect to another, with reference to a position in which the orifice 3 of the neck 2 is oriented upwards and the cap 1 is in the closed position on the neck 2 of the container, an element intended to be placed lower being designated as lower and an element intended to be placed higher being designated as upper. The terms in front and behind are used to define the relative position of one element with respect to another along a diameter perpendicular to the axis X.

[0057] With reference to FIGS. 1 to 6, an assembly is described below comprising a capping device, shown in particular in FIG. 1, and a container equipped with a neck 2, shown in particular in FIG. 2.

[0058] As represented in FIG. 2, the neck 2 of the container has an upper end in which an orifice 3 is formed that allows the contents of the container to be poured out. The neck 2 of the container includes a support collar 4 that protrudes radially outwardly and a clamping collar 5 that also protrudes radially outwardly and which is arranged axially between the support collar 4 and the orifice 3. On the other hand, the neck 2 includes, axially positioned between the clamping collar 5 and the orifice 3, a helical thread 6 formed by a series of helical ribs, protruding radially outwards from an external surface of the neck 2. The helical thread 6 is intended to cooperate with a complementary helical thread 7, shown in particular on FIG. 5, formed by a series of helical ribs that are formed on the cap 1 of the capping device.

[0059] According to an embodiment, the helical thread 6 formed on the neck 2, as well as the helical thread 7 formed on the cap 1 are interrupted. In other words, the adjacent helical ribs are separated by a space that forms a vent and that makes it possible, in particular, to evacuate the gas inside the container while the cap 1 is still attached to the neck 2.

[0060] The capping device includes a lower ring 9 that is retained on the neck 2 of the container, a cap 1 that is intended to cover the orifice 3 of the container in order to seal it, and an articulation device 10 that connects the cap 1 to the lower ring 9. Cap 1 is movable between a closed position, shown in FIG. 1, and a released position, shown in FIG. 3, in which the cap 1 is no longer engaged with neck 2. Cap 1 is also suitable to tilt from the released position towards the tilted open position, represented in FIGS. 5 and 6, wherein the cap 1 is detached from the orifice 3 of the neck 2 so as not to hinder the pouring of the contents of the container. The capping device also includes a locking device arranged to lock the cap 1 in the tilted open position.

[0061] As shown in particular in FIG. 1, the cap 1 includes an upper wall 13 intended to be arranged substantially orthogonal to the axis X, facing the orifice 3 of the neck 2 when said cap 1 is in the closed position. Cap 1 additionally includes an external peripheral skirt 14 intended to surround the neck 2 of the container when the cap 1 is in the closed position. The external peripheral skirt 14 extends, downwards, perpendicular to the upper wall 13, from the external periphery of said upper wall 13. The helical thread 7 is provided on the internal face of the external peripheral skirt 14.

[0062] As shown in particular in FIGS. 5 and 6, the cap 1 also includes an internal skirt 8, which extends perpendicularly downwards from the upper wall 13 of the cap 1 and is dimensioned to be inserted inside the orifice 3 of the neck 2. Cap 1 also includes an annular lip 15 that extends, from the upper wall 13, radially between the internal skirt 8 and the external peripheral skirt 14. The internal skirt 8 and the annular lip 15 are dimensioned so that, when the cap 1 is in the closed position, in the neck 2 of the container, the internal skirt 8 is in contact against the internal face of the neck 2 while the annular lip 15 is in contact against the external face of the neck 2. Thus, the internal skirt 8 and the annular lip 15 make it possible to guarantee the tightness of the closure.

[0063] Advantageously, the lower ring 9 is, before the first opening of the container, connected to the cap 1 by frangible bridges, not illustrated in figures, intended to break during the opening of the cap 1. These frangible bridges thus constitute tamperproof seals.

[0064] The lower ring 9 is held axially on the neck 2 of the container as long as it can rotate with respect to the latter around the axis X. As shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, the lower ring 9 includes two parts that are hinged together, that is to say, a first section 16 and a second section 17 by which the lower ring 9 is connected to the cap 1 by means of the articulation device 10.

[0065] According to an embodiment, the lower ring 9 includes two narrowed areas, that is to say, whose radial thickness is less than the radial thickness of the lower ring 9 outside said narrowed areas. The two narrowed areas delimit the first section 16 and the second section 17. The narrowed areas thus form pivots that allow the second section 17 to be articulated with respect to the first section 16. According to another embodiment, the lower ring 9 does not have narrowed areas that delimit the first and second sections 16, 17.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 3, the second section 17 is able to pivot upwards with respect to the first section 16, between a lowered position in which the second section 17 is intended to be arranged below the clamping collar 5 and a raised position, in which the second section 17 is arranged at least partly above the clamping collar 5. This allows the cap 1 to move upwards relative to the neck 2 of the container, until the helical thread 7 of the cap 1 disengages from the helical thread 6 formed on the neck 2 of the container. In other words, when the cap 1 is unscrewed, the lower ring 9 is dragged in rotation around the axis X while the second section 17 of the lower ring 9 rotates with respect to the first section 16 up to the raised position to allow an axial movement, upwards of cap 1, from the closed position, to the released position, represented in FIG. 3. When the cap 1 rotates from the released position towards the titled open position, the second section 17 of the lower ring 9 rotates in the opposite direction with respect to the first section 16 and then returns to the lowered position. On the other hand, as described in more detail below, the second section 17 also rotates with respect to the first section 16 from the lowered position to the raised position when the cap 1 rotates from the tilted open position to the released position.

[0067] The lower ring 9 is held axially on the neck 2 of the container by means of the clamping collar 5. As shown in FIG. 2, the clamping collar 5 has a frustoconical outer surface that tapers upwards, that is, in the direction to the orifice 3 of the container. The clamping collar 5 delimits, downwards, that is to say, in a direction opposite to the orifice 3, a protrusion.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 4, the first section 16 of the lower ring 9 includes engaging elements 18 that cooperate with the clamping collar 5 formed on the container in order to axially retain the lower ring 9 to the neck 2 of the container. The engaging elements 18 are protrusions which protrude radially inwards from the first section 16 of the lower ring 9. The engaging elements 18 have an increasing radial dimension, from bottom to top, that is, in the direction of the upper edge of the lower ring 9. During the assembly of the capping device on the neck 2 of the container, the engaging elements 18 slide against the frustoconical surface of the clamping collar 5 and are then locked by a spring return behind the clamping collar 5

[0069] The first section 16 of the lower ring 9 consists of a front area 19 that is diametrically opposite to the second section 17 of the lower ring 9 and two engaging areas 20, one of which is represented in FIG. 4, which are arranged on each side of the front area 19 and each one is arranged between the front area 19 and the second section 17 of the lower ring 9. According to an embodiment, the engaging elements 18 are only arranged in the two engaging areas 20, 21. In this way, due to the absence of engaging elements 18 in the front area of the first section 16, there is a radial clearance (designated hereinafter as e4) between the lower ring 9 and the neck 2 that allows the lower ring 9 to move from front to back and vice versa. The radial clearance e4 between the lower ring 9 and the neck 2 depending on the front/rear direction is, for example, between 0.5 and 1 mm. This facilitates the passage of a part of the second section 17 on each side of the clamping collar 5 during the movement of the second section 17 between the lowered position and the raised position. In other words, the tensile forces that will be exerted on the lower ring 9 to allow the second section 17 to pass on each side of the clamping collar 5 are less.

[0070] In the embodiment shown, the articulation device 10 includes two sheets 11, 12, seen in particular in FIG. 4, which join the cap 1 and, more particularly, the outer peripheral skirt 14 of the cap 1 with the lower ring 9, and more particularly, with the second section 17 of the lower ring 9. The sheets 11, 12 are symmetrical to each other with respect to a plane of symmetry P, represented in FIGS. 8 and 9, which is vertical and passes through axis X.

[0071] Returning to FIG. 1, it is seen that the sheets 11, 12 are attached to the outer peripheral skirt 14 in a toothed portion. Likewise, the sheets 11, 12 are advantageously attached to the second section 17 of the lower ring 2 in a toothed portion. In other words, the sheets 11, 12 extend substantially above the lower limit of the outer peripheral skirt 9 and extend substantially below the upper limit of the lower ring 3.

[0072] The locking device includes a heel 22, in particular, seen in FIGS. 1, 5 and 6, which is formed on the outer peripheral skirt 14 of cap 1. The heel 22 protrudes axially downwards, that is, in the direction of the lower ring 9, from the outer peripheral skirt 14 of cap 1. Heel 22 protrudes between the two sheets 11, 12. Heel 22 consists of a strip 23 that extends circumferentially between the two sheets 11, 12 and that protrudes radially outward from heel 22.

[0073] The locking device consists of a protruding portion 24 that protrudes axially upwards, that is, towards the outer peripheral skirt 14 of cap 1, from the second section 17 of the lower ring 9. The protruding portion 24 also protrudes between the two sheets 11, 12.

[0074] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the strip 23 and the protruding portion 24 are arranged so that, when the cap 1 is in the tilted open position, the protruding portion 24 is provided inserted between the strip 23 and the clamping collar. 5. In other words, when the cap is in the tilted open position, the strip 23 and the protruding portion 24 are in contact with each other in an area located in the plane of the clamping collar 5 and the protruding portion 24 is also in contact against the clamping collar 5.

[0075] As shown respectively in FIGS. 8 and 9, the contact area of the strip 23 with the protruding portion 24 is placed at a radial distance e1 from the intersection between the straight line that passes through the upper ends of the sheets 11, 12 and the plane of symmetry P and the area of contact of the protruding portion 24 with the strip 23 is placed at a radial distance e2 from the intersection between the straight line passing through the lower ends of the sheets 11, 12 and the plane of symmetry P.

[0076] The dimension el is such that e1>Le2, with L: the length of the sheets 11, 12, in the initial state, when the cap is in the closed position. This ensures that the strip 23 comes into contact against the protruding portion 24 and that the sheets 11, 12 are tensioned when the cap 1 is in the tilted open position.

[0077] Additionally, e1>Le2+e3+e4 with e3: the radial clearance between the protruding portion 24 and the clamping collar 5 and e4: the radial clearance between the lower ring 9 and the neck 2 according to the forward/reverse direction, that is, according to a direction radial to the axis X and inscribed in the plane of symmetry P. Preferably, e1=e2+e3+e4+ with between 0.05 and 2 mm, and is determined in such a way that the protruding portion 24 is in contact against the clamping collar 5 when cap 1 is in the tilted open position.

[0078] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, when the cap 1 is in a titled open position, the upper edge of the contact surface of the strip 23 extends axially below the upper end of the sheets 11, 12 at a distance d1, the upper edge of the protruding portion 24 extends axially above the lower end of the sheets 11, 12 at a distance d2 and the upper edge of the clamping collar 5 extends axially above the lower end of the sheets 11, 12 at a distance d3. Advantageously, the distance d1 is less than d2 and d3.

[0079] The kinematics of cap 1 is as follows. During the first unscrewing, the cap 1 leaves the closed position and moves away from the lower ring 9 to the released position, illustrated in FIG. 3. The frangible bridges break during this movement. Additionally, during this unscrewing movement of the cap 1, the lower ring 9 is dragged in rotation around the axis X and the second section 17 of the lower ring 9 rotates towards the raised position as the cap 1 moves away from the clamping collar 5.

[0080] Subsequently, the cap 1 can then be rotated backwards in the direction of the titled open position in which the outer peripheral skirt 14 extends upwards from the top wall 13. During the movement of the cap 1 backwards in the direction of its titled open position, the strip 23 abuts against the protruding portion 24 and thus causes the pivoting of the second section 17 of the lower ring 9 which pivots from the raised position to the lowered position.

[0081] The possibilities of stretching the sheets 11, 10 together with the aforementioned features of the blocking device, make it possible to create a hard point during the tilting of the cap 1 between the released position, represented in FIG. 3, and the tilted open position, represented in FIGS. 4 and 5. In other words, the sheets 11, 12 as well as the locking device are configured in such a way that, during a first part of the movement of the cap 4 from the released position towards the titled open position, the two elastic sheets 28, 29 are, due to the support of the strip 23 on the protruding portion 24, are subjected to a tensile force that increases up to an intermediate unstable position and then decreases from said intermediate unstable position towards the titled open position. This allows cap 1 to be locked in the tilted open position.

[0082] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, when the second section 17 of the lower ring 9 is in the lowered position and the cap 1 is in its titled open position, the strip 23 abuts against the protruding portion 24 which, in this way, is inserted between said strip 23 and the clamping collar 5.

[0083] In this way, the cap 1 remains in its titled open position since, by reason of the aforementioned arrangement, the cap 1 cannot rotate towards the released position in which the cap 1 faces the dispensing orifice 3 while the second section 17 of the lower ring 9 remains in the lowered position.

[0084] Advantageously, when the cap 1 is in its titled open position and the second section 17 of the lower ring 9 is in the lowered position, the opening angle of the cap 1 is greater than 120 and, advantageously, greater than or equal to 145 and, for example, of the order of 180. The opening angle corresponds to the protruding angular section that is formed at the intersection between a plane parallel to the upper wall 13 of cap 1 and a horizontal plane.

[0085] To close cap 1 again, the user tilts cap 1 forward to the released position. During this inclination, the contact between the strip 23 and the protruding portion 24 disappears, which allows the movement of the second section 17 of the lower ring 9 towards the raised position.

[0086] When the second section 17 is in the raised position and the cap 1 is in the released position, said cap 1 can then be screwed back onto the neck 2 of the container. During screwing, the lower ring 9 is driven in rotation around the X axis and the second section 17 of the lower ring 9 rotates towards the lowered position as the cap 1 is close to the clamping collar 5.

[0087] Advantageously, the capping device assembly is molded in a single piece made of synthetic material, such as polyethylene and advantageously high-density polyethylene. Advantageously, the capping device is molded in the configuration of FIG. 1, i.e. in a closed position, in which position it can be mounted directly on the neck 2 of the container.

[0088] Although the invention has been described in relation to several particular embodiments, it is more than evident that it is in no way limited by them and that it includes all the technical equivalents of the described means, as well as their combinations if they fall within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

[0089] The use of the verb consist of, comprising or include and its conjugated forms do not exclude the presence of other elements or stages other than those established in a claim.

[0090] In the claims, any reference signs between parentheses are not to be construed as limiting the claim.