BOTTLE CLOSURE WITH MEANS FOR EVIDENCING A FIRST USE

Abstract

The present invention relates to a closure for bottles with means for evidencing a first use when it is in nominal conditions, i.e., fitted on the mouth of the bottle. The closure contains at least one spout (5), a plug (6) of the spout and a cap (3). The present invention allows evidencing the first opening of the closure due to the internal configuration of the closure changing. This change modifies the internal configuration and allows one or more visual changes in the device. The change in the internal configuration is based on modifying the position of an annular band (7) arranged between the plug and cap.

Claims

1. A bottle closure with means for evidencing a first use in nominal conditions wherein this closure extends along a longitudinal axis X-X corresponding to the axis of the mouth of the bottle when the closure is in an operative position on said mouth and comprises the following components: a spout (5) with a seat (5.2) configured for being coupled on the mouth of the bottle, a pouring mouth (5.3) at the end opposite the seat (5.2) according to axis X-X, and an outer thread (5.1); a plug (6) configured for plugging the pouring mouth (5.3) of the spout (5) by means of the entrance into said pouring mouth (5.3) according to axis X-X, and comprising at least one outer projection (6.1) protruding according to the radial direction; a cap (3) with an inner thread (3.1) configured for being screwed onto the outer thread (5.1) of the spout (5) such that screwing and unscrewing the cap (3) gives rise to at least one axial displacement of said cap (3) according to the direction of axis X-X with respect to the spout (5), and it comprises a first inner projection (3.2) configured for abutting with the outer projection (6.1) of the plug (6) in the displacement corresponding to unscrewing such that axial displacement of the cap (3) according to the direction of axis X-X during the unscrewing thereof imposes axial displacement of the plug (6) and the exit thereof from the pouring mouth (5.3) of the spout (5), characterized in that it additionally comprises an elastically deformable annular band (7), and in that the plug (6) comprises both a first perimetral seat (6.2) and a housing (6.3), both adapted to receive said annular band (7), wherein: the first perimetral seat (6.2) is configured for housing the annular band (7) by housing the annular band (7) in the perimetral seat (6.2) under stress in the configuration of the closure prior to the first opening; said perimetral seat (6.2) allows axial displacement of the annular band (7) according to direction X-X along a segment after which the annular band (7) is housed in the housing (6.3), under less stress, evidencing the first opening; and wherein the cap (3) comprises a second inner projection (3.3) configured for abutting with the annular band (7) such that axial displacement of the cap (3) according to the direction of axis X-X during the unscrewing thereof in the first opening imposes axial displacement of the annular band (7) from the perimetral seat (6.2) of the plug (6) to the housing (6.3).

2. The closure according to claim 1, wherein the annular band (7) is a ring having an open, circular configuration.

3. The closure according to claim 1, wherein the annular band (7) has a height according to the direction of axis X-X such that once housed in the housing (6.3), it prevents the cap (3) during closure thereof from reaching the position according to the axial direction of axis X-X adopted before the first opening by mechanical interference.

4. The closure according to claim 1, wherein the perimetral seat (6.2) of the annular band (7) is a segment having a cylindrical outer surface.

5. The closure according to claim 1, wherein the housing (6.3) of the annular band (7) is formed by a plurality of radial ribs (6.4) distributed such that they are circumferentially arranged in the plug (6) and having a step (6.4.1) in each rib (6.4) located on the side farthest from the center and adapted to receive at least part of the inner face of the annular band (7), keeping said annular band (7) under stress that is less than the stress of said annular band (7) when it is located in the perimetral seat (6.2).

6. The closure according to claim 1, wherein the annular band (7) is visually accessible from the outside to evidence the first opening depending on if said annular band (7) is located in the perimetral seat (6.2) or it if is located in the housing (6.3).

7. The closure according to claim 1, wherein the cap (3) is open on the face where the housing of the annular band (7) is located.

8. The closure according to claim 7, wherein the cap (3) is covered by a capsule (1, 2).

9. The closure according to claim 1 or 8, wherein the capsule (1) or the upper portion of the cap (3) has one or more windows (1.2) on the face corresponding to the housing of the annular band (7) to allow visual access to said annular band (7).

10. The closure according to claim 1, wherein: the cap (3) comprises adjacent to its edge opposite the surface corresponding to the housing of the annular band (7) a sealing ring (4), the sealing ring (4) is axially integral with the spout (5), wherein in the first opening axial displacement of the cap (3) causes the separation thereof from the sealing ring (4).

11. The closure according to claim 10, wherein there is a breakable connection between the cap (3) and sealing ring (4) that breaks in the first opening.

12. The closure according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the sealing ring (4) comprises a notch (4.1); the capsule (1,2) comprises an upper portion (1) and a lower portion (2) separated by a perimetral cut made in the notch (4.1) of the sealing ring (4); and, wherein the lower portion (2) of the capsule makes the sealing ring (4) integral with the spout (5); and the notched portion of the upper portion (1) which is housed in the notch (4.1) is released therefrom after the first opening, leaving the sealing ring (4) visually accessible.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] These and other features and advantages of the invention will be better understood based on the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment, given solely by way of illustrative and non-limiting example in reference to the attached drawings.

[0045] FIGS. 1A-1C

[0046] FIGS. 1A and 1B show a plan view and an elevational view of the closure according to a first embodiment in the configuration prior to the first opening. FIG. 1A is lacking a capsule covering the cap in order to observe the inside thereof. The elevational view of FIG. 1B is sectioned by a plane passing through the central longitudinal axis X-X and shows the capsule. FIG. 1C is an enlargement of the upper portion of FIG. 1B to show each of the components as well as the portions thereof in greater detail.

[0047] FIGS. 2A-2C

[0048] FIGS. 2A-2C show the same views as preceding FIGS. 1A-1C but with the closure according to the configuration it adopts after the first opening.

[0049] FIG. 3

[0050] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the same embodiment with the outer appearance and upper windows which allow observing one of the possible changes in visual appearance after the first opening.

[0051] FIG. 4

[0052] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the same embodiment as that shown in FIG. 3 in which the outer capsule has been removed, leaving the cap in view.

[0053] FIG. 5

[0054] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the same embodiment as that shown in FIG. 4 in which the cap has been removed, leaving the spout in view. In this case the annular band has been included, unlike the preceding figure.

[0055] FIG. 6

[0056] FIG. 6 depicts the same view as that shown in the preceding figure after having removed the annular band.

[0057] FIG. 7

[0058] FIG. 7 shows an exploded perspective view of the plug and band slightly separated.

[0059] FIG. 8A-8B

[0060] FIG. 8A shows a plan view of the closure of the embodiment before the first opening in which the band is not visually accessible through the windows. FIG. 8B shows the same plan view showing the visual appearance after the first opening, such that the annular band is visually accessible through the windows.

DETAILED DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0061] According to the first inventive aspect, the present invention relates to a closure for bottles that allows evidencing the first opening, for example, to prevent fraudulent refilling.

[0062] The most relevant aspects of the invention are described below in reference to the drawings, and other embodiments according to alternatives to configurations at specific points of the closure will also be indicated.

[0063] FIGS. 1A-1C show a plan view and a section of the elevational view of an embodiment of the closure. FIG. 1C is an enlargement of the upper portion of the closure shown in FIG. 1B, where the most relevant parts are located.

[0064] The closure of the invention is intended for being fitted on a bottle or container. Longitudinal axis X-X is used as a reference wherein the geometric axis of the neck of the bottle coincides with the longitudinal axis of the closure.

[0065] The closure according to this embodiment comprises a spout (5) which in turn has a seat (5.2) configured for being coupled on the mouth of the bottle. Given that the remaining elements are connected with the spout (5), the seat (5.2) of the spout (5) is the element that allows attaching the closure to the bottle.

[0066] The spout (5) has a pouring mouth (5.3) through which the content of the bottle is poured out once the closure has been open. According to the axial direction determined by longitudinal axis X-X, the pouring mouth (5.3) is located at the end opposite the seat (5.2).

[0067] The spout (5) also has an outer thread (5.1) intended for receiving a cap (3). The cap (3) has an inner thread (3.1), which screws onto the outer thread (5.1) of the spout (5), such that the cap (3) shows vertical displacement in addition to rotational movement in the screwing and unscrewing operation.

[0068] The cap (3) has a first inner projection (3.2) which is configured in this case as a perimetral projection with a planar support surface transverse to longitudinal axis X-X.

[0069] The spout (5) is closed by means of a plug (6). The plug (6) is a part having an annular closure portion (6.5) that enters the mouth of the spout (5) assuring a leak-tight fit in order to prevent the liquid from coming out when the closure is closed.

[0070] The plug (6) has an outer projection (6.1) protruding according to the radial direction with a radius greater than the radius of the end of the first inner projection (3.2) of the cap (3). In this embodiment, the outer projection (6.1) has a continuous perimetral configuration. During the opening of the cap (3), its first inner projection (3.2) is raised up until it abuts with the outer projection (6.1) of the plug. After both parts abut through their projections (3.2, 6.1), axial displacement of the cap (3) causes the raising up of the plug (6), releasing the spout (5).

[0071] According to the axial direction, a perimetral seat (6.2) in the form of a cylindrical sector is arranged above the outer projection (6.1) of the plug (6). This perimetral seat is configured for receiving an elastically deformable annular band (7). In this embodiment, the annular band (7) is a segment of an open cylindrical sector having an inner diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the cylindrical sector of the perimetral seat (6.2). Another name for this configuration is a ring having an open, circular configuration. When the annular band (7) is fitted on the perimetral seat (6.2) of the plug (6), the open ends (7.1) of the annular band (7) are separated and the annular band (7) is under stress given that its natural position corresponds to the position showing a smaller diameter. FIG. 1A shows the open ends (7.1) of the annular band (7) that are separated and the annular band (7) tightly fitting within the diameter imposed by the perimetral seat (6.2) of the plug (6).

[0072] FIG. 1C shows the annular band (7) on its perimetral seat (6.2) and with the outer projection (6.1) preventing it from moving down. The only possible movement is upward movement driven by the first inner projection (3.2) of the cap (3).

[0073] A plurality of circumferentially distributed radial ribs (6.4) is shown in the upper portion of the plug (6). These radial ribs (6.4) do not reach the center, reducing weight of the closure.

[0074] A step (6.4.1) giving rise to a housing (6.3) for the annular band (7) is shown in the upper portion of the ribs (6.4). The set of circumferentially distributed steps (6.4.1) define points of support for the inner face of the annular band (7) but according to a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the seat (6.2) of the plug (6).

[0075] The perimetral seat (6.2) of the plug (6) is a cylindrical sector with the axis parallel to the longitudinal axis X-X, such that in a section view it is shown as a vertical wall that allows the annular band (7) to slide upwards.

[0076] The thickness of the annular band (7) is such that since it is located on the perimetral seat (6.2), it radially surpasses the outer projection of the plug (6). The cap (3) has a second inner projection (3.3), arranged axially above the first inner projection (3.2), such that in the upward movement during the first opening it abuts with the protruding lower portion of the annular band (7). When they abut, the upward movement of the cap (3) also imposes upward movement of the annular band (7), sliding over the seat (6.2) of the plug (6) until surpassing it in the upper portion thereof.

[0077] Once the annular band (7) has surpassed the seat (6.2) of the plug (6), the seat (6.2) no longer imposes its diameter and the annular band (7) reduces the diameter by releasing all or some of the stress to which it was subjected. The release of stress forces a change in configuration in which the annular band (7) is now housed in the housing (6.3) of the plug (6) showing a smaller diameter, i.e., the diameter now imposed by the support establishing the plurality of steps (6.4.1) of the ribs (6.4) of the plug (6).

[0078] The second inner projection (3.3) of the cap (3) and the thickness of the annular band (7) have dimensions such that when the annular band (7) is in the housing (6.3) of the plug (6) with a smaller diameter, any axial displacement of the cap (3) during screwing and unscrewing operations do not give rise to any mechanical interference between said second inner projection (3.3) of the cap (3) and said annular band (7). In other words, once the first opening of the closure has taken place, the second inner projection (3.3) of the cap (3) no longer has any function in the closure and does not interact with the annular band (7) given that said annular band (7) is already permanently housed in the housing (6.3).

[0079] FIGS. 2A-2C show this second configuration of the closure in the closed position but after the first opening took place. Particularly, FIG. 2A shows the open ends (7.1) of the annular band (7) being less separated given that now the annular band (7) adopts a smaller diameter. In this same plan view, the annular area outside the circle corresponding to the larger diameter of the annular band (7) is the view of the outer projection (6.1) which in turn is separated from the second inner projection (3.3) of the cap (3). Nevertheless, the first inner projection (3.2) of the cap (3), which has larger dimensions than the second inner projection of the cap (3) and therefore has a smaller diameter in plan view, continues abutting during opening with the outer projection (6.1) of the plug (6) in each opening even though the first opening has already taken place.

[0080] According to this embodiment, the cap (3) is open in the upper portion. Although it could be closed, in the example it is shown to be closed by means of an aluminum capsule (1). In the outer and upper portion, the cap (3) has a knurled ring (3.4) on which the capsule (1) has been notched (1.1) to favor transmitting the effort that the user applies to screw and unscrew the cap (3) when applying effort on the outer surface of the capsule (1), i.e., torque, to the cap (3) through the knurling (3.4), preventing rotational sliding between both parts.

[0081] As shown in FIG. 1C, the gap between the housing (6.3) and the capsule (1), or the upper portion of the cap (3) if it were closed, is very small in height before the first opening. This height is smaller than the height of the annular band (7). After the first opening, since the annular band (7) is in the housing, the cap (3) cannot be screwed on up to the same axial position because when being screwed on, the annular band (7) comes into contact with the capsule (1).

[0082] After the first opening, the lower portion of the cap (3) is positioned such that it is axially separated from the initial position before the first opening. This separation or raising of the cap (3) gives rise to a previously covered annular sector now being exposed.

[0083] In this embodiment, in an initial configuration the cap (3) is prolonged by means of a sealing ring (4). In this embodiment, the cap (3) and the sealing ring (4) are connected by means of a breakable attachment, for example by means of breakable bridges or by means of a perforated line.

[0084] At the same time, the sealing ring (4) is axially integral with the spout (5).

[0085] The aluminum capsule (1) is prolonged into a lower portion (2). Cutting and notching is done by means of a splining operation, which separates the capsule (1) into two portions, a first upper portion (1) and a second lower portion (2).

[0086] The sealing ring (4) has a groove notch (4.1) defined by two annular projections, one arranged above the other according to the axial direction. The notching creating the separation between the lower edge of the upper portion of the capsule (1) and the upper edge of the lower portion of the capsule (2) is housed in the notch (4.1) of the sealing ring (4).

[0087] The upper edge of the lower portion of the capsule (2) housed in or entering the notch (4.1) of the sealing ring (4) assures the fixing of the spout (5) to the bottle to a greater extent.

[0088] In the first opening of the closure, the cap (3) moves upwards, causing the breakable connection between the sealing ring (4) and the cap (3) to break. This breaking is audible evidence of a first opening.

[0089] The sealing ring (4.1) remains fixed in position with respect to the spout (5), and the cap (3), together with the upper portion of the capsule (1), moves upwards, surpassing the upper perimetral projection giving rise to the notch (4.1).

[0090] As described, after this first opening the annular band (7) imposes a separation between the cap (3) and plug (6) which, in the leak-tight closing position with the spout (5), also results in a separation between the cap (3) and said spout (5). In other words, once the first opening has been carried out, the lower edge of the upper portion of the capsule (1) after the closure does not move down to the height of the notch (4.1) of the sealing ring (4), but rather stays at a greater height which leaves said sealing ring (4) visually accessible. Since the sealing ring (4) is visually accessible, there is evidence of the first opening. If the sealing ring (4) has a color that stands out from the color of the capsule (1, 2) this visual evidence is therefore greater.

[0091] In this embodiment, the sealing ring (4.1) has an annular projection (4.2) limiting the position of the lower edge of the upper portion of the capsule (1) so that said edge is protected after closure after having carried out the first opening.

[0092] In this same embodiment, the upper portion of the closure has windows (1.2) which allow having visual access to the inside of the cap (3). Given that the cap (3) is open and closure is achieved with the capsule (1), the windows (1.2) are therefore located in the capsule (1). If the cap (3) were closed, the windows would therefore be located in the cap (3).

[0093] In this particular case, the windows (1.2) are circumferentially distributed with a radius such that they allow direct visual access to the annular band (7) when said annular band (7) is located in the housing (6.4) but not when it is located in the perimetral seat (6.2). Before the first opening, the windows (1.2) do not show the annular band (7), but after the first opening the windows allow this visual access to at least part of the annular band (7).

[0094] FIGS. 8A and 8B show a top plan view of the closure. FIG. 8A particularly shows the windows (1.2) with visual access to the housing (6.3) and the stepping (6.4.1) of the ribs (6.4) retaining the annular band (7) before the first opening. FIG. 8B shows the annular band (7) in its position after the first opening. When the color of the annular band (7) stands out from the color of the upper portion of the capsule (1) the contrast is greater and evidence of the first opening is greater.

[0095] Visual evidence of the first opening obtained with the sealing ring (4) is independent of the visual evidence obtained with the windows (1.2). The invention can be provided with either one or both of them.

[0096] The sections of FIGS. 1A-1C and 2A-2C additionally show that the spout has a frame (8) and a valve (9) to prevent fraudulent refilling. In this embodiment, the seat (5.2) has improved retention because the frame (8) enters said seat. Given that the frame (8) has a material that is more flexible than the spout (5), greater leak-tightness between spout and bottle is favored.

[0097] The sequence of FIGS. 3 to 7 allow seeing in perspective view the same parts that have been described in reference to the sections shown in FIGS. 1A-1C and 2A-2C by removing in an orderly manner one or more parts when going from one figure to the next.

[0098] FIG. 3 shows the perspective view of the outer appearance of the closure before the first opening. The windows (1.2) do not show the annular band (7), nor is the sealing ring (4) accessible, rather only the notched transition between the upper portion of the capsule (1) and the lower portion of the capsule (2) is shown.

[0099] FIG. 4 shows the perspective view of the same closure after having removed the upper portion of the capsule (1). The cap (3) and sealing ring (4) arranged thereunder and attached by means of a breakable attachment can be seen by removing the upper portion of the capsule (1).

[0100] Shown in the upper portion are the outer knurled ring (3.4) of the cap (3), the gap which allows receiving the annular band (7), which is not shown, when it is located on the perimetral seat (6.2), the ribs (6.4), as well as the steps (6.4.1) defining the housing of the annular band (7.1) when the first opening has taken place.

[0101] FIG. 5 shows the same closure after removing the cap (3) wherein the spout (5) and its outer threading (5.1) are visible. Said FIG. 5 shows the annular band (7) located on the perimetral seat (6.2) when the closure has still not been opened for the first time.

[0102] FIG. 6 reproduces the same situation after eliminating the annular band (7).

[0103] FIG. 7 is a detailed exploded perspective view of the plug (6) and the annular band (7).