CLOSURE MEMBER

Abstract

The invention provides a closure member (10, 110) for covering and/or closing a container (100, 200), in particular a bottle, the closure member (10, 110) comprising: a shell element (13, 113) comprising an opening (13d, 113d), the shell element (13, 113) being at least partially made of a conductive material, and a transponder (20, 120) comprising an antenna, the antenna being arranged at the opening (13d, 113d).

Claims

1. Closure member (10, 110) for covering and/or closing a container (100, 200), in particular a bottle, the closure member (10, 110) comprising: a shell element (13, 113) comprising an opening (13d, 113d; 13d, 113d) provided in a top portion (13a, 113a) or a side portion (13b, 113b) of the shell element, the shell element (13, 113) being at least partially made of a conductive material, and a transponder (20, 120) comprising an antenna and being arranged in or below the opening, the antenna being arranged at the opening (13d, 113d; 13d, 113d), wherein the antenna is arranged at the same level, or below or under the opening.

2. Closure member (10, 110) according to claim 1, wherein the dimension of the antenna .sub.Antenna, the dimension of the opening in the shell .sub.Hole, and the distance between the level of the opening and the antenna d obey the following relationship:
.sub.Hole.sub.Antenna0.2d+2 mm for d0.64 mm(I.)
.sub.Hole.sub.Antenna4.96d0.9 mm for td<0.64 mm with t being the thickness of the shell element (13, 113) at the opening.

3. Closure member (10, 110) according to claim 1, wherein the dimension of the antenna .sub.Antenna, the dimension of the opening in the shell .sub.Hole, and the distance between the level of the opening and the antenna d obey the following relationship:
.sub.Hole.sub.Antenna0.26d for d0 mm(II.)

4. Closure member (10, 110) according to claim 1, wherein the dimension of the antenna .sub.Antenna is smaller by at least 2 mm than the dimension of the opening in the shell .sub.Hole.

5. Closure member (10, 110) according to claim 1, wherein the antenna is arranged at a distance of 1 mm or less from the level of the opening.

6. Closure member (10, 110) according to claim 1, wherein the shell element (13, 113) comprises a metallic material, in particular aluminium, wherein it is preferred that the shell element (13, 113) is an aluminium foil.

7. Closure member (10, 110) according to claim 1, wherein the closure member (10, 110) further comprises a closure element (11, 111), the closure element (11, 111) being configured to engage, directly or indirectly, with the container (100, 200), the closure element (11, 111) supporting the shell element (13, 113).

8. Closure member (10, 110) according to claim 7, wherein the transponder (20, 120) is provided on the closure element (11, 111).

9. Closure member (10, 110) according to claim 1, further comprising a cover element (14, 114), the cover element (14, 114) being made of a non-conductive material and being positioned such that the cover element (14, 114) closes the opening (13d, 113d) and covers the transponder.

10. Closure member (10, 110) according to claim 8, wherein the cover element (14, 114) is attached to the closure element (11, 111) by gluing, welding or a snap-fit connection.

11. Closure member (10, 110) according to claim 9, wherein the transponder (20, 120) has a circular shape and a central portion (14a, 114a) of the cover element (14, 114) covers the transponder (20, 120).

12. Closure member (10) according to claim 1, wherein a top portion (13a) of the shell element (13) covers an outer circumferential portion (14b) of cover element (14).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] The invention may be better understood by reference to the following specification disclosed in a preferred embodiment thereof and taken in conjunction with the following accompanying drawings in which:

[0039] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention;

[0040] FIG. 2 is a perspective, cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

[0041] FIG. 3 provides a sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 of the invention;

[0042] FIG. 4 provides a sectional view of another embodiment of the invention;

[0043] FIG. 5 shows an example for evaluating a position and size of a transponder antenna and opening according to the invention; and

[0044] FIGS. 6a and 6b show two alternative embodiments for the location of the opening, according to the present invention.

[0045] The description and the accompanying drawings are to be construed by ways of example and not of limitation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0046] Embodiments of the invention will be described in further detail in the following. Modifications of certain individual features in this context can be combined with other features, thereby providing additional embodiments.

[0047] FIG. 1 shows a closure member 10 attached to the neck of a bottle 100, which bottle 100, according to the present embodiment, may contain a beverage, like water, a soft-drink, wine, beer, spirits or the like. It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to containers for beverages, but may be any type of container, such as for perfumes, technical liquids, or even solids such as powders, or gels etc.

[0048] The closure member 10 comprises a closure element or screw cap 11 which engages with an external thread provided on a neck of the bottle 100. The closure element 11 comprises a top portion 11a having, in plan view, a circular surface, and a side wall portion 11b extending along an exterior side wall of the bottle 100. The inner side of the side wall portion 11b of the closure element 11 is provided with an internal thread.

[0049] A sealing element 12 is attached to an inner side of the top portion 11a of the closure element 11, the sealing element 12 abutting to an upper side of the bottle 100 when the closure member 10 is in an engaged state.

[0050] On the upper side of the closure element 11, a cover element 14 is provided, which has, in plan view, a circular shape. An outer circumferential portion 14b of the cover element 14 is attached to the closure element 11, for example by gluing or welding the cover element 14 to the closure element 11. Alternatively, the cover element 14 may be attached to the closure element 11 by a snap-fit connection.

[0051] An inner circumferential portion 14a (central portion) of the cover element 14 is arranged so as to be spaced from the upper side of the closure element 11. In other words, a cavity is provided between the central portion 14a of the cover element 14 and the upper side of the closure element 11.

[0052] In the cavity, a transponder 20 is arranged, which transponder 20 is in particular attached to the upper side of the closure element. In an alternative embodiment, the transponder 20 may also be attached to the lower side of the cover element 14. The transponder 20 is, according to the present embodiment, a RFID-tag, in particular an NFC-tag. The size and the position of the transponder 20 will be described below in further detail. In the present exemplary embodiment, the antenna of the transponder 20 is circular. Also, in this embodiment it is preferred that the diameter of the antenna is about 2 mm smaller than the diameter of the opening. In another embodiment, the diameter (dimension) of the NFC-tag may be substantially equal to the diameter (dimension) of the opening.

[0053] On an exterior side of the side wall portion 11b of closure element 11 and extending to the outer circumferential portion 14b of the cover element 14, an electrically conductive shell element 13 is arranged, which electrically conductive shell element is according to the present embodiment an aluminium foil.

[0054] The electrically conductive shell element 13 comprises a top portion 13a, which is provided on an upper side of the outer circumferential portion 14b of the cover element 14. An opening 13d is provided in the top portion 13a of the shell element 13.

[0055] The shell element 13 further comprises a side wall portion 13b extending on outer circumferential side of the side wall portion 11b of the closure element 11, and end portion 13c which extends on outer circumferential side of the neck of the bottle 100.

[0056] FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the closure member of the invention. This closure member 110 is designed for bottles 200 which, once emptied, shall not be refilled again, such as bottles for high-value liquids. The closure member 110 comprises a shell element 113 which surrounds a closure element or screw cap 111. The closure element 111 is provided with a thread to engage with a pourer 115 which in turn is fixedly connected with a tubular washer 116 that is irremovably fastened within the neck of the bottle 200.

[0057] The closure element 111 comprises a top portion 111a that is provided with a circular groove 111c, and a side wall portion 111b that is provided with the thread.

[0058] On its upper side, the closure element 111 is provided with a cover element 114 in order to cover and close the opening 113d of the shell element. The cover element 114 has a central portion 114a above the top portion of the closure element 111a, an outer circumferential portion 114b, and leg portions 114c that engage by snap-fit into the groove 111c in order to fasten the cover element 114 to the closure element 111. The central portion 114a again is spaced apart by a small distance from the underlying top portion 111a of the closure element 111 to thereby form a cavity for a transponder 120. Here, the transponder 120 is an NFC-tag having a substantially circular antenna, and is attached (for example by gluing) to the top portion 111a of the closure element 111. In this embodiment, the NFC-tag 120 is arranged at a distance of about 0.5 mm from the level of the opening 113d in the shell element 113. The diameter of the NFC-tag 120 is 2 mm smaller than the diameter of the opening 113d. Such dimensions have been derived by obeying equation (II.) which will be discussed, along with other possible values for size and position of the transponder, in further detail below. In another embodiment, the diameter (dimension) of the NFC-tag may be substantially equal to the diameter (dimension) of the opening.

[0059] The shell element 113 is made of electrically conductive material, for example aluminium, and has a structure similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3 in that it comprises a top portion 113a in which a circular opening or hole 113d is formed. In this embodiment, the outer circumferential portion 114b overlies the top portion 113a of the shell element. Moreover, the shell element 113 further comprises a side wall portion 113b, which extends the outer circumferential side of the side wall portion 111b of the closure element 111. In this embodiment, the end portion 113c of the shell element 113 is separately provided from the sidewall portion 113b so that it remains attached to the neck of the bottle 200 also when the screw cap 111 is unscrewed and the bottle opened.

[0060] In the top portion of the pourer 115, an upper sphere seat 119 is provided that abuts the top portion 111a of the closure element (screw) 111. Within the washer 116, a plastic valve seat 118 is arranged which is normally closed by a glass sphere 117 to form a non-refillable system. When the bottle is turned for pouring, the glass sphere 117 moves into an upper sphere seat 119 so that the contents of the bottle can flow out through the valve 118 and the pourer 115. As soon the bottle is turned back towards the upright position, the sphere 117 moves into the valve 118 and closes it, so that the bottle cannot be re-filled again.

[0061] Hereafter, the possible arrangements of the transponder (RFID-tag) 20, 120 in the closure member 10, 110 is described in further detail, as determined within the framework of this invention and applicable both to the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 3, and 4. Reference is made in particular to FIG. 5, which shows an example for determining a position and size of a transponder antenna and an opening in the shell element. The relation between the distance from the level of the opening and the size of the transponder antenna and hole determines the performance of the closure member with transponder, i.e. if a signal can reliably be acquired by a receiver (for example an NFC-receiver within a mobile phone). Here, it shall be noted that not all such receivers have the same sensitivity, which can lead to problems in particular with NFC-transponders since the distances at which communication between transponder and receiver can occur are very small, below about 20 or 30 mm.

[0062] In FIG. 5, the relationship between .sub.Hole, the diameter of the opening, .sub.Antenna the diameter of the antenna, and the distance d between the transponder antenna and the level of the opening, i.e. the surface defined by the outer or upper edges of the opening, is illustrated.

[0063] In fact, the Applicant has performed reading/communication tests with several NFC-enabled mobile phones and has found out that for a certain range (set of values) of the distance d between the transponder antenna and the level of the opening, the diameter of the antenna .sub.Antenna and the diameter of the opening .sub.Hole, roughly of tested devices achieve reliable and consistent communication with the transponder in the closure member. This range is called working range in FIG. 5. A range (set of values) where all tested devices achieve reliable communication is called optimum range in FIG. 5.

[0064] FIG. 5 shows a stylised section of the inventive closure member from the centre line to the outer edge of the container (bottle) neck, in which only the shell element 13, 113 is indicated. The vertical axis indicates the distance d in mm of the transponder antenna above (positive values) and below (negative values) the level of the opening, and thus the position at which the transponder shall be placed. It is noted that in the following equations the distance d enters as an absolute value, without sign. The level of the opening corresponds to d=0 mm. The horizontal axis indicates the difference in mm between .sub.Hole, and .sub.Antenna. As can be seen, there is a working range (cross-hatched densely from left bottom to right top) delimited by boundaries A and B, in which the diameter of the antenna is such that a working communication can be established with many receiver devices. This working range is defined for antenna positions below the opening.

[0065] To the left of boundary B, sill in the area below the opening, there is the optimum range (cross-hatched widely from lower right to upper left) in which reliable communications were achieved with all tested receiver devices. These boundaries have been approximated with linear equations (I.), (I.) and (II.) that define a limit on the relationship between .sub.Hole and .sub.Antenna as a function of d, and thus an easily workable teaching for the engineer designing closure members with transponders, reproduced in the following

.sub.Hole.sub.Antenna0.2d+2 mm for d0.64 mm(I.)

.sub.Hole.sub.Antenna4.96d0.9 mm for td<0.64 mm(I.)

[0066] t is the thickness of the shell element at the opening, and willwithout limitationin general be between 0.2 and 0.5 mm for standard aluminium foils. The reason why equation (I.) is defined only for distances larger than t is that for d<t one enters already the optimum range where the difference .sub.Hole.sub.Antenna may follow equation (II), and may be 0 mm, i.e. the antenna diameter may be equal to the opening (hole) diameter.

[0067] In the case that the antenna is arranged above the opening of the shell element, again a relationship between .sub.Hole, the diameter of the opening, .sub.Antenna the diameter of the antenna, and the distance d between the transponder antenna and the level of the opening can be obtained. Here, there hasn't been any distinction of ranges (set of values) since all tested NFC-receivers managed to establish reliable communication with the NFC-transponder in the wide-cross-hatched area, i.e. the optimum range. .sub.Hole, .sub.Antenna and d have the following relationship above the opening:

.sub.Hole.sub.Antenna14.64d+1.8 mm for d>0 mm(III.)

[0068] Since many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all the explanations herein or aspects shown in the drawings are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

[0069] FIGS. 6a and 6b show two possible locations for the openings 13d, 113d (transponder 20, 120 and cover 14, 114 not shown for clarity). In FIG. 6a, the opening 13d, 113d is located on the top portion 13a, 113a of the shell element 13, 113. In FIG. 6b, the opening 13d, 113d is located in the side wall portion 13b, 113b of the shell element 13, 113. Both embodiments can be combined with any of the embodiments of the preceding figures.

[0070] While specific embodiments have been discussed, various modifications may of course be made, and the invention is not limited to the specific form or configuration of parts described herein, except insofar as such limitations are included in the following claims. It will be understood by the skilled person that sub-combinations are of utility and may be employed even without explicit reference to other features.

[0071] Dimensions mentioned in connection with the embodiments or shown in the figures do not limit the scope of the claims, either, but intend to provide an illustrative example.

REFERENCE SIGNS

[0072] 10, 110 closure member [0073] 11, 111 closure element (screw cap) [0074] 11a, 111a top portion of closure element [0075] 11b, 111b side wall portion of closure element [0076] 12 sealing element [0077] 13, 113 electrically conductive shell element [0078] 13a, 113a top portion of the shell element [0079] 13b, 113b side wall portion of the shell element [0080] 13c, 113c end portion of the shell element [0081] 13d, 113d opening of the shell element [0082] 14, 114 cover element [0083] 14a, 114a central portion of cover element [0084] 14b, 114b outer circumferential portion of cover element [0085] 114c snap-fit leg portions of the cover element [0086] 115 pourer [0087] 116 washer [0088] 117 glass sphere (non-refillable system) [0089] 118 valve seat (non-refillable system) [0090] 119 upper sphere seat [0091] 20, 120 transponder (RFID-tag) [0092] 100, 200 bottle (container)