Hinged closure device with first opening indicator

Abstract

A closure device includes a first part forming a fastening base for fastening to the container neck and having at least one peripheral fastening groove and a second part forming a lid, a fastening ring defining a reference geometrical axis, and a hinge connecting the fastening ring to the lid for guiding the lid relative to the fastening ring between a closed position and an open position, the fastening ring being engaged by snap-in action into the fastening groove of the first part. The second part additionally also forms a first-opening indicator and a frangible connection between the first-opening indicator and a peripheral rim flange of the lid, a free space being maintained in the axial direction between the fastening ring and the first-opening indicator in the closed position prior to the first opening, the first-opening indicator being retained by at least one lock zone of the first part so as to be separated from the lid and drop into the free space upon the first opening.

Claims

1. A closure device to be integrally fastened to a container neck, the closure device comprising: a first part forming a fastening base for fastening to the container neck and having a peripheral fastening groove; a second part forming a lid, a fastening ring defining a reference geometrical axis, and a hinge connecting the fastening ring to the lid for guiding the lid relative to the fastening ring between a closed position and an open position, the fastening ring being engaged by snap-in action into the fastening groove of the first part, wherein the second part also forms a first-opening indicator and a frangible connection between the first-opening indicator and a peripheral rim flange of the lid, a free space being maintained in the axial direction between the fastening ring and the first-opening indicator in the closed position prior to the first opening, the first-opening indicator being retained by one or more lock zones of the first part so as to be separated from the lid and drop into the free space upon the first opening; wherein the first part is shaped so as to render visible in the closed position prior to the first opening, the first opening indicator as well as the free space, and wherein the one or more lock zones of the first part comprise at least two lock zones for clipping the first-opening indicator, and at least one viewing recess separating the two lock zones and rendering visible in the closed position prior to the first opening, the first-opening indicator as well as the free space.

2. The closure device according to claim 1, wherein the one or more lock zones of the first part include more than two lock zones separated two by two by recesses, at least one of the recesses being a viewing recess rendering visible prior to the first opening, the first-opening indicator as well as the free space.

3. The closure device according to claim 2, wherein the more than two lock zones are distributed over the entire periphery of the first part.

4. The closure device according to claim 1, wherein the one or more lock zones prevent the removal of the first-opening indicator after the first opening.

5. The closure device according to claim 1, wherein the first-opening indicator has a form shaped in a circular arc around the reference axis.

6. The closure device according to claim 5, wherein the circular arc runs over an angular section that is greater than 45 about the reference axis.

7. The closure device according to claim 6, wherein the circular arc runs over an angular section that is less than 180.

8. The closure device according to the claim 5, wherein the circular arc runs over an angular section that is greater than 180 about the reference axis.

9. The closure device according to the claim 8, wherein the circular arc runs over an angular section that runs from a first lateral edge of the hinge up to an opposite second lateral edge of the hinge.

10. The closure device according to claim 1, wherein the hinge comprises of a strip of material connected by an upper end to a connection zone of the lid and by a lower end to the fastening ring, and opposite lateral edges positioned to face corresponding lateral rim flanges of the lid.

11. The closure device according to claim 10, wherein in the closed position the hinge does not project outwards relative to a peripheral wall of the lid.

12. A closure device to be integrally fastened to a container neck, the closure device comprising: a first part forming a fastening base for fastening to the container neck and having a peripheral fastening groove; a second part forming a lid, a fastening ring defining a reference geometrical axis, and a hinge connecting the fastening ring to the lid for guiding the lid relative to the fastening ring between a closed position and an open position, the fastening ring being engaged by snap-in action into the fastening groove of the first part; wherein the second part also forms a first-opening indicator and a frangible connection between the first-opening indicator and a peripheral rim flange of the lid, a free space being maintained in the axial direction between the fastening ring and the first-opening indicator in the closed position prior to the first opening, the first-opening indicator being retained by one or more lock zones of the first part so as to be separated from the lid and drop into the free space upon the first opening; wherein the hinge comprises a strip of material connected by an upper end to a connection zone of the lid and by a lower end to the fastening ring, and opposite lateral edges positioned to face corresponding lateral rim flanges of the lid, and wherein in the closed position, the hinge does not project outwards relative to a peripheral wall of the lid.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) Other characteristic features and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the description which follows, with reference made to the accompanying figures, which illustrate the following:

(2) FIG. 1, is an isometric view of a closure device in two parts, after assembly and in the closed position prior to the first opening, according to a first embodiment of the invention;

(3) FIG. 2, is an isometric view of the closure device of FIG. 1, in the open position;

(4) FIG. 3, is a rear view of the two parts of the closure device of FIG. 1, prior to assembly;

(5) FIG. 4, is a view from the side of the two parts of the closure device of FIG. 1, prior to assembly;

(6) FIG. 5, is a cross sectional view of a detail of the closure device of FIG. 1, in the closed position prior to the first opening;

(7) FIG. 6 a sectional view of a detail of the closure device of FIG. 1 in the closed position prior to the first opening;

(8) FIG. 7, is a view in the cross-sectional plane of FIG. 5, of a detail of the closure device of FIG. 1, in the closed position after the first opening;

(9) FIG. 8, is a view in the sectional plane of FIG. 6, of a detail of the closure device of FIG. 1, in the closed position after the first opening;

(10) FIG. 9, is an isometric view of a closure device in two parts according to a second embodiment of the invention, prior to assembly in the closed position;

(11) FIG. 10, is an isometric view of the closure device of FIG. 9, after assembly, in the closed position, prior to the first opening;

(12) FIG. 11, is an isometric view of the closure device of FIG. 9, in the open position;

(13) FIG. 12, is a cross sectional view of a detail of the closure device of FIG. 9, in the closed position prior to the first opening;

(14) FIG. 13, is a cross sectional view of a detail of the closure device of FIG. 9, in the closed position prior to the first opening;

(15) FIG. 14, is a cross sectional view of a detail of the closure device of FIG. 9, in the closed position prior to the first opening;

(16) FIG. 15, is a view in the cross sectional plane of FIG. 12 of a detail of the closure device of FIG. 9, in the closed position after the first opening;

(17) FIG. 16, is a view in the cross sectional plane of FIG. 13 of a detail of the closure device of FIG. 9, in the closed position after the first opening; and

(18) FIG. 17, is a view in the cross sectional plane of FIG. 14 of a detail of the closure device of FIG. 9, in the closed position after the first opening.

(19) For the sake of greater clarity, identical or similar elements have been identified by identical reference signs on all the figures shown.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT

(20) The closure device 10 represented in FIGS. 1 to 8 is constituted of two parts 12, 14 made out of plastic material and assembled to one another.

(21) The first part 12 comprises a base 16 provided with a relief portion (not shown) for fastening to a container, which may be constituted, for example, and in a known manner, of one or more threads to be used for screwing the base on to a container neck. This base 16 may, if necessary, and also in a known manner, be provided at its lower end with a tamper evident ring cooperating with the neck of the container in order to make visible any attempt at separation between the first part and the neck of the container. The first part 12 further comprises a spout 18 projecting out in the axial direction relative to the base 16, this spout having herein an exterior surface having a rotational symmetry about a reference axis 100 of the first part 12, and a central opening 19.

(22) The first part 12 further has a peripheral annular fastening groove 20 visible in the FIGS. 5 to 8, incorporated in the base and encircling the spout 18. This groove 20 is partially closed by an annular fastening relief portion 22 projecting out radially towards the interior of the groove 20 and towards the spout 18.

(23) The first part 12 also has retaining tabs 24, here six in number, separated from one another by the recesses 26, and projecting out from the base 12 in the axial direction so as to be facing and at a short distance from a cylindrical wall 28 of the spout 18. Each of the retaining tabs 24 forms a lock zone with a hook 30 projecting out radially towards the interior and towards the spout 18.

(24) The second part 14 forms a lid 32, a closed fastening ring 34 defining a reference axis 200 and a hinge 36 connecting the fastening ring 34 to the lid 32 in order to guide the lid 32 relative to the ring 34 between a closed position illustrated in FIG. 1, and an open position illustrated in FIG. 2, by rotation about an axis 300 that is orthoradial in relation to the reference axis 200. The lid 32 has a top wall 38 that is preferably planar and a peripheral wall 40. The interior surface of the top wall may, in a known manner, be provided with a sealing skirt (not shown), that comes into axial contact or preferably radial contact with an interior or exterior wall of the opening 19. The lid 32 has a height H, measured in the closed position between a lower peripheral rim flange 42 of the peripheral wall 40 and the top wall 38, which, in this embodiment measures less than the exterior diameter D of the ring 34, and in this case less than of the exterior diameter of the ring. The top wall forms a tongue 44 projecting in a radial direction towards the exterior, radially opposite the hinge 36. This tongue 44 is preferably situated within the interior of a cylinder that is tangential to an exterior periphery of the ring 34, preferably in an upper zone situated in the closed position opposite the ring and the hinge 36 relative to a plane that is perpendicular to the reference axis 200.

(25) The hinge 36 comprises of a strip of material connected by an upper end to a connection zone of the lid 32 and by a lower end to the ring 34, and opposite lateral edges 46, 48 positioned to face the corresponding lateral rim flanges of the lid 32. At least in one zone situated axially between on the one hand, a first plane perpendicular to the reference axis 200 and intersecting the upper end of the strip and on the other hand, a second plane perpendicular to the reference axis 200 and intersecting the lower end of the strip, and extending angularly about the reference axis at 60 on both sides of the lateral edges of the strip, the hinge and the lid in the closed position have a common exterior casing envelope, which is tantamount to saying that the hinge does not protrude outwards relative to the adjacent surface of the peripheral wall of the lid.

(26) A geometric plane P may be defined perpendicular to the reference axis 200, situated between the top wall 38 and the ring 34, and below which the peripheral wall 40 has a spherical exterior casing envelope or is more generally constituted by a surface of revolution about the reference axis 200, in particular a surface of revolution with a generatrix having a concavity turned towards the axis of revolution 200. This plane P is preferably situated above the hinge 36, between this latter and the top wall 38. Preferably, the peripheral wall 40 of the lid, at its lower end, is tangential or substantially tangential to a cylinder of revolution around the reference axis 200.

(27) The second part 14 also comprises a first-opening indicator 50 in the form of a circular arc extending substantially over an angular section that is greater than 180 about the reference axis 200, preferably from a first lateral edge 46 of the hinge 36 up to an opposite second lateral edge 48 of the hinge, without being connected to the latter. The first-opening indicator 50 is connected to the peripheral rim flange 42 of the peripheral wall 40 of the lid by frangible bridges 52, and is positioned axially between the peripheral rim flange 42 and the fastening ring 34. As shown in particular in FIGS. 3 and 4, a free space 54 is maintained in the axial direction between the ring 34 and first-opening indicator 50 in closed position prior to the first opening.

(28) The two parts 12, 14 are assembled to form the closure device, by ensuring that the reference axes 100, 200 coincide in the position illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, and then by bringing the two parts 12, 14 towards each other by axial translational movement. It should be noted that it is not necessary to provide for an angular indexing of the parts about the rotational axes 100, 200 on account of the rotational symmetry of the first part. The fastening ring 34, which is provided with a fastening relief portion 56 projecting out radially towards the exterior, is deformed resiliently upon the passage of the fastening relief portion 22 of the groove 20 and then comes to be engaged irreversibly in the fastening groove 20, the fastening relief portions 22 and 56 prevent the separation of the two parts. As for the first-opening indicator 50 it has a lock shaped portion 58 which, after undergoing resilient deformation upon the passage of the hooks 30, comes to snap in place under the hooks 30 of the retaining tabs 24, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6.

(29) At the first opening of the lid 32, the first-opening indicator 50 is retained by the hooks 30 of the retaining tabs 24, and the bridges 52 get torn, separating the first-opening indicator 50 from the lid 32. The first-opening indicator 50 then drops by gravity into the free space 54 and comes to bear against the ring 34. This position is maintained when the lid 32 is closed, as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8.

(30) The dropping of the first-opening indicator 50 reveals a space 58 (FIG. 8) between the lid 32 and the first-opening indicator 50, which space is clearly visible from all angles and indicates to the consumer that the closure device 10 has been opened. In a remarkable manner, this space runs over the entire perimeter of the lid, from one lateral edge of the hinge to the other. Also in a remarkable manner, there is neither the appearance nor the disappearance of the first-opening indicator 50, but rather the simple displacement of the latter. Even if they are not familiar with the closure device 10, the consumer noting the positioning of the first-opening indicator 50 on the closed closure device is able to easily verify whether or not it has previously been opened by shaking or turning over the container and observing whether or not there is any displacement of the first-opening indicator, or by listening to the sound of the first-opening indicator moving against the first part.

(31) It is also to be noted that given that the first-opening indicator 50 remains trapped by the retaining tabs 24, the invention avoids the eventual release into the environment of a plastic part which could be the source of further pollution or present a hazard in the event of ingestion by a child.

(32) The open position illustrated in FIG. 2 is preferably a stable position, the hinge 36 is preferably a reactive hinge in the sense that, after breakage of the bridges 52, the hinge 36 itself tends to drive the lid 32 into the open position. Where appropriate, the hinge is reactive only after going beyond a neutral point angular position about the axis 300. This can then be referred to as a bistable hinge, in the sense that following the angular positioning of the lid 32 on one side or the other of the neutral point position, the hinge 36 returns the lid 32 to the closed position or the open position.

(33) A second embodiment of the invention will now be described in relation to the FIGS. 9 to 17. This closure device is largely similar to that shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, and, to avoid repetition, reference will be made to the previous description for the common points.

(34) As illustrated in the figures, the first part 12 of the closure device 10 according to the second embodiment comprises only one recess 26 extending over an angle of less than 180, and preferably measuring about 60 to 120, preferably diametrically opposite the hinge 36. On both sides of this recess 26 is formed a groove 20 which runs in the circumferential direction from one edge of the recess 26 to the other, thus over an angular section of more than 180, which is complementary to that of the recess 26. The groove 20 is provided with a fastening relief portion 22 projecting out radially towards the interior and towards a cylindrical wall 28 of the spout 18.

(35) The second part 14 comprises a lid 32, of which the peripheral wall 40 has a recess 41 for accommodating at least partially a first-opening indicator 50 which is connected to the peripheral wall 40 by frangible bridges 52 situated at the level of the recess 41. The fastening ring 34 of the second part 14 comprises a segment 35 of reduced height at the level of the first-opening indicator 50, in order to leave between the first-opening indicator 50 and the fastening ring 34 a sufficient space 54 that is visible through the recess 26. On either side of the segment 35, the fastening ring 34 has a greater height and is provided with a fastening relief portion 56 projecting out radially towards the exterior, which runs substantially up to the corresponding lateral edge 46, 48 of the hinge 36. The first-opening indicator 50 has in the circumferential direction a length that is slightly greater than the recess 26 and comprises at its ends two lock shaped portions 58, located in the extension of the fastening relief portions 56 of the fastening ring 34. The ends of the fastening groove 20 are thus arranged to face the two lock shaped portions 58, and constitute two lock zones for the first-opening indicator 50. Apart from these two lock zones, the fastening groove 20 serves to accommodate and retain the fastening ring 34.

(36) At the time of assembly, the reference axes 100, 200 of the two parts 12, 14 are aligned and they are positioned angularly relative to one another, before being brought together. The ring 34 comes to snap in place in the groove 20, and fastening relief portions 58 come to snap in place in the lock zones at the two ends of the groove 20.

(37) At the time of the first opening, the first-opening indicator 50 is found to be locked in place at the lock zones, the bridges 52 are torn and the lid 32 is opened while the first-opening indicator 50 drops by gravity into the free space 54, in contact with the narrowed segment 35 of the fastening ring 34, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 15 to 17. This position is maintained during a subsequent closure of the lid 32, so as to ensure the consumer is informed of the opening of the container.

(38) Naturally, a number of different variants are possible. In order to limit the deformation through bending of the first-opening indicator 50 during the tearing of the bridges 52, it may be advantageous to position them only in the proximity of the ends of the first-opening indicator and the lock shaped portions 58.

(39) The shape of the hinge 36 and that of the lid 32, which in the embodiments presented have been chosen in order to provide good mechanical strength to the second part 14 and to minimise the consumption of material may, however, vary based in particular on aesthetic considerations. The spout 18 may be of any type and is not necessarily centered on the reference axis 200 of the second part.

(40) In one variant of the first embodiment, it is possible to provide for the annular fastening relief portion 22 provided on the first part 12 for the fastening of the ring 34, to be projecting out radially towards the exterior from the cylindrical wall 28 of the spout. Similarly, the clip hooks 30 may be disposed on the cylindrical wall 28 of the spout, and oriented radially towards the exterior. The retaining tabs 24 then have only a function of retaining the ring 34 and the first-opening indicator 50. This remark holds true in a similar manner for the second embodiment.

(41) Naturally, the invention is applicable to closure devices having varying external forms and shapes.