CLOSURE FOR CONTAINERS WITH EVIDENCE OF FIRST OPENING

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cap-type closure for containers comprising means for showing evidence of a first opening, the closure preferably being coupled to the mouth of a container. The present invention is characterized by a closure comprising an inner cap and an outer cap interconnected to one another so as to allow a spacing to be set between the two once the first opening of the closure takes place.

Claims

1. A closure for containers with evidence of first opening configured so as to be coupled to the mouth of a container according to an axial direction X-X, comprising: an inner cap (1) comprising: a main body (1.1); an inner thread (1.2) complementary to a thread of either the mouth of the container or of a pouring element; fixing means (1.3) adapted for being fixed to the container; breakable means (1.4) adapted for connecting the main body (1.1) and the fixing means (1.3), wherein these breakable means (1.4) are adapted for breaking when a pre-established torque between the main body (1.1) and the fixing means (1.3) is surpassed in the operating mode; an outer cap (2) configured for at least partially housing the main body (1.1) of the inner cap (1); wherein a first part, either the inner cap (1) or the outer cap (2), comprises a flange (3) directed towards a second part other than the first part, either the outer cap (2) or the inner cap (1); wherein the second part comprises: at least one groove (4) with a helical segment (4.1) according to the axial direction X-X configured for guiding the path of the flange (3) of the first part such that a relative rotation between the first part and the second part brings about a mutual axial movement X-X; a housing (4.2) for the flange (3), the housing (4.2) preferably located at one end of the helical segment (4.1); an elastically deformable prolongation (4.3) configured for restricting the section of the groove (4) in at least one part of the helical segment (4.1), with a section smaller than what is required for the passage of the flange (3) such that, in the operating mode, the forced passage of the flange (3) causes the elastically deformable prolongation (4.3) to bend; and wherein the configuration of the groove (4) is such that, after the flange (3) reaches the housing (4.2), the flexible prolongation (4.3) elastically recovers its initial position, partially or completely, irreversibly blocking the flange (3) from coming out of the housing (4.2); wherein the torque required for the forced passage of the flange (3) through the groove (4) causing the elastically deformable prolongation (4.3) to bend is less than the torque required for breaking the breakable means (1.4); and the first part and the second part comprise two end positions: a first position before the first opening in which the flange (3) is located in the groove (4) in a position away from the housing (4.2), and a second position after the first opening in which the flange (3) is located in the housing (4.2) after surpassing the segment of the groove (4) restricted by the elastically deformable prolongation (4.3) such that the first part and the second part are axially spaced with respect to the first position resulting in the irreversible separation between the first part and the second part, showing evidence of the first opening, and wherein said spacing is visually accessible.

2. The closure according to claim 1, wherein the first part is the inner cap (1) and the second part is the outer cap (2).

3. The closure according to claim 2, wherein the elastically deformable prolongation (4.3) comprises a configuration complementary to at least one part of the flange (3) adapted for being supported on the flange (3) when it is located in the housing (4.2) and such that it establishes a support retaining the bending of the elastically deformable prolongation (4.3).

4. The closure according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the assembly formed by the groove (4) and the flange (3) is concealed, preferably by a capsule covering the outer cap (2).

5. The closure according to any of the preceding claims, wherein it further comprises a capsule (5) comprising a lower skirt (5.1) and an upper portion (5.2) for covering the outer cap (2) at least partially, wherein: the breakable means (1.4) are configured by means of a ring with a perimetral flange (1.3.1); the lower skirt (5.1) is notched in order to retain the perimetral flange (1.3.1) of the breakable means (1.4) in order to fix the breakable means (1.4) either to a pouring element (6) or to the container.

6. The closure according to claim 5, wherein the spacing between the first part and the second part after the first opening leaves the ring of the breakable means (1.4) visually accessible.

7. The closure according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a pouring element (6) configured for being coupled to the container comprising: an outer thread (6.1) complementary to the inner thread (1.2) of the inner cap (1); a skirt (6.2) adapted for being coupled to the container.

8. The closure according to claim 7, wherein the pouring element (6) comprises a pouring surface (6.3) and the inner cap (1.5) comprises a complementary prolongation (1.5) adapted for being supported on the pouring surface (6.3) in order to establish the leak-tight closure between the two.

9. The closure according to claim 7 or 8, comprising a valve to prevent the fraudulent refilling of the container.

10. The closure according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the inner cap (1) comprises a first upper surface (1.6) transverse to the axial axis X-X showing at least one upper housing (1.6.1) radially spaced from the center established by the axial axis of rotation X-X; the outer cap (2) comprises a second upper surface (2.1) transverse to the axial axis X-X showing at least one supporting flange (2.1.1) radially spaced from the center established by the axial axis of rotation X-X by the same distance as the upper housing (1.6.1) of the first upper surface (1.6); wherein: in the first position between the first part and the second part the supporting flange (2.1.1) is housed in the upper housing (1.6.1), and in the second position between the first part and the second part the supporting flange (2.1.1) is in contact with the transverse first upper surface (1.6) and outside of the upper housing (1.6.1).

11. The closure according to claim 10, wherein the at least one upper housing (1.6.1, 1.7) of the inner cap (1) comprises a depth which decreases from the upper surface (1.6) of the inner cap (1) to the deepest point of said upper housing (1.6.1, 1.7), such that when transitioning from a first position to a second position, the at least one supporting flange (2.1.1, 2.2) of the outer cap (2) moves along the upper housing (1.6.1) from the deepest point of the upper housing (1.6.1) until reaching the upper surface (1.6) and being outside of the upper housing (1.6.1).

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0077] These and other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment, given only by way of illustrating and non-limiting example, in reference to the attached figures.

[0078] FIG. 1A shows an elevational view of a closure in a first position before the first opening thereof according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0079] FIG. 1B shows an elevational view of the same closure as in FIG. 1A in a second position after the first opening thereof.

[0080] FIG. 2 shows an elevational view of the closure of FIG. 1A without the upper capsule portion.

[0081] FIG. 3 shows an elevational view of the closure of FIG. 1A without the upper capsule portion in an intermediate position.

[0082] FIG. 4 shows an elevational view of the closure of FIG. 1B without the upper capsule portion.

[0083] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the closure of FIG. 3.

[0084] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the closure without the outer cap according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0085] FIG. 7 shows a bottom perspective view of the closure with the outer cap separated according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0086] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the pouring element without the outer and inner caps according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0087] FIG. 9 shows a section view of the closure of FIG. 1A.

[0088] FIG. 10 shows a section view of the closure of FIG. 1B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0089] The present invention describes a closure device for containers with evidence of a first opening. This closure is configured so as to be coupled to the mouth of a container or bottle or pouring element according to an axial direction X-X.

[0090] FIGS. 1A-1B show an elevational view of the closure where the comparison between a first position of the closure in which a first opening has not taken place, and a second position of the closure showing evidence that a first opening thereof has taken place can particularly be seen. As can be observed in FIGS. 9 and 10 showing a section of the closure of FIGS. 1A-1B, the closure comprises an inner cap (1) and an outer cap (2) as the main components.

[0091] The inner cap (1) is formed by a main body (1.1), an inner thread (1.2) which is complementary to the mouth of the container or to a pouring element (6); and fixing means (1.3) which fix the inner cap (1) to the container. Furthermore, the inner cap (1) comprises breakable means (1.4) connecting the main body (1.1) of the inner cap (1) and the fixing means (1.3). Particularly, the breakable means (1.4) break when a pre-established torque between the main body (1.1) and the fixing means (1.3) is surpassed in the operating mode. The outer cap (2) partially houses the main body (1.1) of the inner cap (1).

[0092] The closure further comprises a capsule (5) formed by a lower skirt (5.1) and an upper portion (5.2) covering the outer cap (2).

[0093] The breakable means (1.4) of the inner cap (1) are configured by means of an assembly of breakable bridges and comprise a lower ring with a perimetral flange (1.3.1) that is retained by means of the lower skirt (5.1) which is notched to thus keep the ring of the fixing means (1.3) fixed to a pouring element (6) or container.

[0094] In the particular example illustrated in the figures, the inner cap (1) corresponds to a first part of the closure, and the outer cap (2) corresponds to a second part. That is, the inner cap (1) (as shown in FIG. 6) comprises a plurality of flanges (3) protruding from the inner cap (1) outwardly therefrom. Moreover, the outer cap (2) comprises a plurality of grooves (4), in particular, as many grooves (4) as there are flanges (3) comprised in the inner cap (1).

[0095] In particular, FIGS. 2-4 show how the grooves (4) have a helical segment (4.1) according to the axial direction X-X, and this groove (4) is configured for guiding the path of the flange (3) of the inner cap (1). Therefore, a relative rotation between the inner cap (1) and the outer cap (2) brings about a mutual axial movement X-X. Furthermore, there is shown a housing (4.2) located at one end of the helical segment (4.1) which is intended for receiving the flange (3) moving in its corresponding groove (4). Each groove (4) further has an elastically deformable prolongation (4.3) configured for restricting the section of the groove (4) in at least one part of the helical segment (4.1). In particular, the groove (4) has a section smaller than what is required for the passage of the flange (3). In the operating mode, the forced passage of the flange (3) through the groove (4) thereby causes the bending of the elastically deformable prolongation (4.3). This combination of grooves (4) with flanges (3) is characterized in that the configuration of the groove (4) is such that, after the flange (3) reaches the housing (4.2), the flexible prolongation (4.3) elastically recovers its initial position, irreversibly blocking the flange (3) from coming out of the housing (4.2).

[0096] FIGS. 2 to 4 show a movement sequence between the inner cap (1) and the outer cap (2) during the initial phase in a first opening of the closure.

[0097] FIG. 2 shows a first position of the closure in which the flanges (3) are housed in the groove (4) at an end opposite where the housing (4.2) is located, while the elastically deformable prolongations (4.3) are in a rest state, i.e., not subject to any bending stress. This is the position and configuration of the cap when, after the manufacture thereof, it is installed on the bottle before the first opening.

[0098] FIG. 3 shows an intermediate position of the closure as the first opening thereof is being performed, in which figure it can be observed how the flange (3) has moved in the groove (4) towards the housing (4.2), forcing the bending of the prolongation (4.3) so that said prolongation will allow its passage through the helical segment (4.1) of the groove (4). In this figure, the prolongation (4.3) is slightly bent, upwardly in this case, while at the same time the flange (3) presses on it so as to allow movement through the helical segment (4.1) of the groove (4). FIG. 3 shows a movement for the transition of the closure between the first position and the second position.

[0099] FIG. 4 shows a second position of the closure in which the flanges (3) have reached the housing (4.2) after having travelled along the helical segment (4.1) of the groove. In this figure, the prolongation (4.3) has elastically recovered its initial position and is irreversibly blocking the flange (3) from coming out of the housing (4.2).

[0100] Therefore, the first position (FIG. 2) describes a position of the closure before the first opening in which the flange (3) is located in the groove (4) in a position away from the housing (4.2). The second position (4) describes a position of the closure after the first opening in which the flange (3) is located in the housing (4.2) after surpassing the segment of the groove (4) restricted by the elastically deformable prolongation (4.3). When the transition from a first position to the second position takes place, the outer cap (2) and the inner cap (1) are axially spaced with respect to the first position, resulting in an irreversible separation between the outer cap (2) and the inner cap (1).

[0101] This spacing shows evidence of the first opening of the closure and is visually accessible. In particular, the spacing between the inner cap (1) and the outer cap (2) showing evidence of the first opening of the closure can be observed in FIGS. 1B, 4, and 10. In particular, the spacing between the outer cap (2) and the inner cap (1) after the first opening leaves the ring of the breakable means (1.4) visually accessible.

[0102] The torque required for the forced passage of the flange (3) through the groove (4) causing the elastically deformable prolongation (4.3) to bend is less than the torque required to break the breakable means (1.4). The breakable means therefore present sufficient resistance for the inner cap (1) to remain attached to the fixing means (1.3) and ensure the retention for the bending of the elastically deformable prolongation (4.3) to take place.

[0103] At this point, the user continues applying torque which now surpasses the resistance of the breakable means (1.4) given that the flanges (3) are supported on the walls of the housing (4.2), completing the opening of the cap and allowing the assembly formed by at least the inner cap (1) and the outer cap (2) to be separated from the container. At this point, with this spaced position, the assembly of the inner cap (1) and outer cap (2) is locked together and acts like a single body.

[0104] As observed in FIG. 4, the elastically deformable prolongation (4.3) comprises a configuration which is complementary to at least one part of the flange (3) on which the flange (3) is supported when it is located in the housing (4.1). A support for the flange (3) retaining the bending of the elastically deformable prolongation (4.3) is thereby established. In particular, the prolongation (4.3) comprises at its free end on which the flange (3) is supported in the second position an L-shaped configuration partially surrounding the flange (3) when the latter is located in the housing (4.2) of the groove (4). Furthermore, this support with complementary shapes stabilizes the compression conditions of the elastically deformable prolongation, minimizing the possibilities of buckling in the event of a forced attempt to recover the first position.

[0105] In FIGS. 1A-1B, the assembly formed by the grooves (4) and the flanges (3) is concealed under the upper portion (5.2) of the capsule (5).

[0106] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the closure in an intermediate position during the first opening of the closure, as described in detail above for FIG. 3. It is observed in detail in this figure how the outer cap (2) comprises a completely smooth second upper surface (2.1) transverse to the axial axis X-X.

[0107] FIGS. 7 to 10 show a pouring element (6) comprising an outer thread (6.1) which is complementary to the inner thread (1.2) of the inner cap (1), allowing the inner cap (1) to be screwed onto the pouring element (6); and a skirt (6.2) suitable for being coupled to a container. The pouring element (6) further comprises a pouring surface (6.3) on which a prolongation (1.5) of the inner cap (1) is supported, as observed in detail in FIGS. 9 and 10, in order to thus establish a leak-tight closure between the pouring surface (6.3) and the prolongation (1.5) of the inner cap (1). Furthermore, FIGS. 9 and 10 show a valve (7) for preventing the fraudulent refilling of the container on which the present closure is arranged. This valve (7) remains closed when the container is in the vertical position with the pouring element (6) oriented upwards to prevent the fraudulent refilling.

[0108] FIG. 6 shows the closure without the outer cap (2), i.e., only the inner cap (1) is shown. This inner cap (1) comprises a first upper surface (1.6) transverse to the axial axis X-X with four upper housings (1.6.1) radially spaced from the center established by the axial axis of rotation X-X. The upper housings (1.6.1) of the inner cap (1) have a variable height which decreases from the upper surface (1.6) of the inner cap (1) to the deepest point of said upper housing (1.6.1). That is, the base of each upper housing (1.6.1) has a ramp configuration.

[0109] Moreover, in FIG. 7, the image on the right shows a bottom perspective view of an outer cap (2) of the closure. It can particularly be observed that the outer cap (2) comprises a second upper surface (2.1) transverse to the axial axis X-X showing two supporting flanges (2.1.1) (of the four that this configuration has) radially spaced from the center established by the axial axis of rotation X-X. The supporting flanges (2.1.1) are radially spaced by the same distance as the upper housings (1.6.1) of the first upper surface (1.6) of the inner cap. That is, the configuration of the supporting flange (2.1.1) of the inner cap is complementary to the upper housings (1.6.1) of the inner cap. This complementary configuration causes, in the first position between the outer cap (2) and the inner cap (1), the supporting flanges (2.1.1) to be housed in the upper housings (1.6.1), while in the second position the supporting flanges (2.1.1) are in contact with the transverse first upper surface (1.6) and outside of the upper housing (1.6.1). In other words, transitioning from the first position to the second position causes each supporting flange (2.1.1) to move, for example by sliding, along the respective upper housing (1.6.1) until being positioned on the upper surface (1.6) of the inner cap (1). The arrangement of these supporting flanges (2.1.1) supported on the upper surface (1.6) ensures and maintains the blocking of the spacing between the outer cap (2) and the inner cap (1) with respect to an axial stress seeking to force the rest of the assembly.

[0110] FIGS. 2 to 5 show how the outer cap (2) comprises a plurality of grooves (2.3) facilitating the gripping thereof. Moreover, the upper portion (5.2) of the capsule (5) is arranged on the outer cap (1) and comprises a toothed configuration (5.3) in only one part of this upper portion (5.2), as can be observed in FIGS. 1A-1B. This portion having a toothed configuration (5.3) of the capsule (5) has been obtained in this embodiment by notching the capsule by plastic deformation on the grooves (2.3) of the outer cap (2). The upper portion (5.2) of the capsule (5) does not rotate according to the outer cap (2) since the toothed configuration (5.3) offers the grooves (2.3) of the outer cap (2) restraint against rotation. Furthermore, the toothed configuration (5.3) of the capsule (5) facilitates the gripping of the closure for the user.

[0111] It is observed in FIG. 6 how the inner cap (1) further comprises four perimetral housings (1.7) in the form of a groove with a ramp configuration in at least part of its movement. These perimetral housings (1.7) are complementary to the supports (2.2) arranged on the inside of the outer cap (2), as observed in the image on the right in FIG. 7.