Structrual element for a bottle closure with means for showing its first use in nominal conditions

Abstract

A structural element for a bottle closure having means for showing a first use in nominal conditions. This structural element can be made from components such as a pouring dispenser or a frame. This structural element is characterized by the use of two components which are linked such that the attachment between both disappears after the first use in nominal conditions when said structural element is mounted in the operating mode on the bottle. The first use in nominal conditions requires removing one of the components and it cannot be put back in its original position, restoring its also original attachment.

Claims

1. A structural element for a bottle closure with means for showing its first use in nominal conditions, where this structural element extends along a longitudinal X-X axis corresponding to the axis of the mouth of the bottle when the structural element is in an operating position on said mouth and comprises two components, a first component (1) comprising: an outer sleeve (1.1), with an axis parallel to the X-X axis, having a base (1.2) at one of its ends suitable for being coupled on the mouth of the bottle a core (1.4) arranged inside the outer sleeve (1.1), with its axis essentially parallel to the X-X axis, and linked to it by means of at least one bridge (1.5), where there is a first cavity (C1) between the core (1.4) and the outer sleeve (1.1) accessible from the outside when the structural element is in the operating position on the mouth of the bottle; and a second cavity (C2) accessible from the inside, the first cavity (C1) and the second (C2) cavity are communicated by means of one or more windows (1.6), located between the core (1.4) and the outer sleeve (1.1), intended for the passage of the liquid stored in the bottle when the structural element is in the operating position on the mouth of the bottle; and, a second component (2) which can be removed by the user so that the structural element operates in nominal conditions comprising: a first body (2.1) arranged in the first cavity (C1), a gripping element (2.2) accessible from the outside in an operating position attached to the first body (2.1), an element (2.3) of the first body (2.1) having a mechanical link or attachment with the first component (1) and is suitable so that after the second component (2) is removed by the user by means of pulling on the gripping element (2.2), this mechanical link or attachment stops acting.

2. The structural element according to claim 1, characterised in that the core (1.4) of the first component (1) has a perimetric ring (1.7) limiting the separating space between the first cavity (C1) and the second cavity (C2) and where the first body (2.1) of the second component (2) rests at least partially.

3. The structural element according to claim 1, characterised in that the element (2.3) of the first body (2.1) having a mechanical link or an attachment with the first component (1) is located in the second cavity (C2).

4. The structural element according to claim 1, characterised in that the element (2.3) of the first body (2.1) arranged in the second cavity (C2) comprises a step resting on at least one sector of the perimetric edge of a ring (1.7).

5. The structural element according to claim 2, characterised in that the element (2.3) of the first body (2.1) arranged in the second cavity (C2) is a prolongation extending, at least in one sector, perimetrically along the side of the ring (1.7) arranged in the second cavity (C2).

6. The structural element according to claim 2, characterised in that the core (1.4) has a housing for a valve arranged internally in the operating position and in that the element (2.3) of the first body (2.1) arranged in the second cavity (C2) is a prolongation extending, at least in one sector, through the inside of the housing of the core (1.4) for limiting the movement of one or more components of the valve.

7. The structural element according to claim 6, characterised in that the element (2.3) of the first body (2.1) extending, at least in one sector, through the inside of the housing of the core (1.4) comprises a weakening element (2.3.1) suitable for breaking when the second component (2) is removed.

8. The structural element according to claim 7, characterised in that the element (2.3) of the first body (2.1) has a sector which detaches inside the bottle after the weakening element (2.3.1) breaks.

9. The structural element according to claim 1, characterised in that the attachment between the first component (1) and the second component (2) is by means of bi-injection or by means of over injection.

10. The structural element according to claim 1, characterised in that the first component (1) and the second component (2) have different colours.

11. The structural element according to claim 1, characterised in that an end opposite the base (1.2) has a pouring surface (1.3) for pouring the liquid out of the bottle such that the structural element has the function of a pouring dispenser.

12. The structural element according to claim 1, characterised in that the base (1.2) is suitable for being located directly on the bottle such that the structural element has the function of a frame.

13. The structural element according to claim 1, characterised in that the second component is attached to the first component (1) closing any communicating passage between the first cavity (C1) and the second cavity (C2).

14. A bottle closure comprising a structural element according to claim 1 and a cap (10).

15. The bottle closure according to claim 14, characterised in that the cap (10), at least in its surface corresponding to the area covering the zone of the core (1.4), the first cavity (C1) or both, is transparent allowing viewing the second component (2) or part of said component (2).

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) These and other features and advantages of the invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment given only by way of illustrative and non-limiting example, with reference to attached drawings.

(2) FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment where the structural element is a pouring dispenser body. This same figure shows a section according to a vertical plane of the so-called first component (the pouring dispenser), without showing the second component in order to see the details of the inner structure of the first component more clearly.

(3) FIG. 2 shows a section according to a vertical plane of the first component and the second component according to the first embodiment. This second component is what allows showing the first use in nominal conditions once it is removed.

(4) FIG. 3 shows a section according to a vertical plane of the first component and the second component according to a second embodiment.

(5) FIG. 4 shows a section according to a vertical plane of the first component and the second component according to a third embodiment.

(6) FIG. 5 shows a section according to a vertical plane of the first component and the second component according to a fourth embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(7) According to the first inventive aspect, the present invention is a structural element for a bottle closure which allows showing its first use in nominal conditions. FIGS. 1 and 2 show a first embodiment where the structural element is a pouring dispenser. The structural element of this embodiment is particularly suitable for being coupled on a frame having a valve for preventing fraudulent refilling of the bottle on which it is coupled. This frame is arranged directly on the bottle in this particular case. In other embodiments of the invention, it is possible for the structural element to be arranged directly on the bottle. In both cases, when it is indicated that the structural element is in the operating mode on the mouth of the bottle, it is understood as that it is so directly or with the interposition of other elements as is the case of this embodiment.

(8) FIG. 1 only shows the first component (1) of the structural element such that there are no regions concealed by the graphical depiction of the second component (2). According to the first embodiment, this first component (1) is formed by an essentially cylindrical outer sleeve (1.1). The outer sleeve (1.1) has a base (1.2) serving as a support on a perimetric ring of the frame which in turn rests directly on the mouth of the bottle. The frame is also not depicted in the figure for the sake of clarity.

(9) A thicknessing on which there are arranged teeth (1.8) which allow improving the fixing of the structural element to the bottle with the collaboration of elements of the closure which are not object of this invention is shown in this base (1.2).

(10) There is a thread (1.9) on the outer surface of the outer sleeve (1.1) for screwing a cap (10) on. The cap (10) is what establishes the closure to prevent the liquid from exiting.

(11) This same outer sleeve (1.1) shows a section reduction (1.1.1) giving rise to a sector in its upper part having a smaller diameter which in turn ends in a pouring surface (1.3).

(12) A core (1.4) is housed inside the outer sleeve (1.1). In this embodiment the core (1.4) is formed by a body in the form of an inverted cup, giving rise to an internal cavity which allows housing a valve for preventing fraudulent refilling.

(13) Like the outer sleeve (1.1), this core (1.4) also has an axis of symmetry where both axes are coaxial and coinciding with the longitudinal X-X axis defined by the mouth of the bottle.

(14) The core (1.4) and the outer sleeve (1.1) are linked by a plurality of fin-shaped bridges (1.5). The cross-section selected in FIG. 1 coincides on the left side of the first component with one of the bridges (1.5). In the remaining figures the vertical section plane which gives rise to the different sections has not been made to coincide with any of the bridges (1.5) although these exist to clearly show the passage channels for the fluid.

(15) Dotted lines coinciding with the section of the core (1.4) and the outer sleeve (1.1) have been used in the view of FIG. 1, where the wing-shaped bridge (1.5) is shown, although the intersection resulting from the attachment with the core (1.4) and the attachment with the outer sleeve (1.1) should not give rise to any line. These dotted lines allow clearly identifying, for example, the area of the bridge (1.5) which is in contact with the fluid during pouring.

(16) In this embodiment, the core (1.4) additionally has a perimetric ring (1.7). FIG. 1 shows how a first cavity (C1), which is accessible by the user, and a second cavity (C2), which is not accessible by the user, are configured between the core (1.4) and the outer sleeve (1.1). In this embodiment, the separation between the first cavity (C1) and the second cavity (C2) is defined by the passage partially restricted by means of the narrowing of the outer sleeve (1.1), the free edge of the bridge (1.5) giving access to the first cavity (C1) and the ring (1.7) of the core (1.4). These elements define the windows (1.6) allowing the passage between the first cavity (C1) and the second cavity (C2).

(17) When pouring the bottle, the liquid passes through these windows (1.6) from the second cavity (C2), with access to the content of the bottle, to the first cavity (C1), which in turn flows into the pouring surface (1.3).

(18) This access passage (in the opposite direction) from a first cavity (C1) to a second cavity (C2) has also been identified by means of an arrow with a dotted line.

(19) The same first component (1) as in FIG. 1 is depicted in FIG. 2 except that the section does not include the bridge (1.5) and the second component (2) is shown incorporated.

(20) In this embodiment the second component (2) has a first body (2.1) in the form of a perimetric ring resting on the ring (1.7) protruding also perimetrically from the core (1.4). In turn, this first body (2.1) is covering the windows (1.6) of the first component preventing the liquid from exiting the bottle.

(21) It is possible for the liquid to exit the bottle only when the second component (2) is removed. According to another embodiment, the first body (2.1) of the second component (2) only covers some of the windows (1.6) or partially covers them, allowing a small amount of liquid to exit but not in nominal conditions.

(22) The removal of this second component (2) gives rise to a configuration of the structural element such as that shown in FIG. 1 where it is possible for the liquid to exit in nominal conditions.

(23) In this embodiment, the first body (2.1) of the second component (2) shows an element (2.3) projecting towards the second cavity (C2) resting on the perimetric edge of the ring (1.7) of the core (1.4).

(24) Although the converging form of this element (2.3) can give rise to a specific retention or mechanical link taking into account the section on each side of the longitudinal X-X axis, in this embodiment the structural element has been manufactured in two steps, a first step of plastic injection giving rise to the first component shown in FIG. 1 and a second step of plastic over injection, with a plastic which can be different from the first, providing the second component on the first component. The contact region of the first body (2.1) of the second component (2) on the first component (1) is attached by the partial melting of the plastic in the interface. Both mechanical attachments are attachments linking the second component (2) to the first component (1).

(25) The second component (2) further shows a gripping element (2.2) extending from the base of the first body (2.1) located on the perimetric ring (1.7) of the core (1.4) to the upper part of the core (1.4). This upper zone of the core (1.4) is the most easily accessible by the user therefore it is easy to grab the gripping element (2.2) with one's fingers and pull it.

(26) Achieving a weak attachment in this upper zone of the core (1.4) is possible in the over injection operation such that the gripping element (2.2) is held tight to the core (1.4) until the user breaks the weak attachment with a finger for example.

(27) The user pulling on the gripping element (2.2) allows the second component (2) to be removed, overcoming the mechanical link or links it maintains with the first component (1). Once these links have stopped acting they can no longer be restored so the first use in nominal conditions is shown.

(28) FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment where the element (2.3) of the first body (2.1) with a mechanical link extends below the ring (1.7) of the core (1.4). This location of the second cavity (C2) is even more inaccessible by the user and allows a stronger mechanical link between the second component (2) and the first component (1). Although the attachment by over injection is not strong, the shape the second component (2) adopts for resting on the lower surface of the ring (1.7) increases the tensile strength and above all makes returning the second component (2) in the first component (1) difficult.

(29) FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment where the element (2.3) of the first body (2.1) with a mechanical link extends in the lower part until it reaches the lower part of the core (1.4) entering the internal cavity of said core (1.4).

(30) This solution can be combined with the preceding example since it is possible to additionally arrange a support on the ring (1.7) of the core (1.4).

(31) In this example shown in FIG. 4 the extension of the element (2.3) of the first body (2.1) interferes with any component which is housed in the internal cavity of the core (1.4), in particular the components of the valve.

(32) The components of the valve are movable components which in a specific position allow the liquid to pass and in another position close the passage for the liquid. The existence of an element (2.3) which obstructs the movement of the movable component of the valve before the second component (2) is removed and which disappears after being removed makes this movable element have a different degree of freedom before and after the second component (2) is removed. As a result, this embodiment not only provides visual evidence and evidence of a change in the interaction with the fluid by modifying the openings in the windows (1.6) but also sonorous evidence since the free movement of the movable components make sound and the complete or partial release thereof changes the conditions in which said sound is made.

(33) A particular case of this example is when the element (2.3) obstructing the movement of the movable component of the valve completely blocks its mobility.

(34) In order to facilitate the removal of the second component by the user, this element (2.3) of the first body (2.1) can have one or more breakable bridges (2.3.1), i.e., weakened attachments which give way to stress.

(35) FIG. 5 shows another embodiment where there are now two breakable bridges (2.3.1) and they are arranged at the lower ends of the prolongation housed inside the cavity of the core (1.4). This can give rise to two different situations, as appropriate, an embodiment in which the sector housed in the cavity of the core (1.4) has an attachment keeping it attached to the core (1.4) after the second component (2) is removed, and another situation in which this prolongation is not linked to the core (1.4) after it is removed. In turn, this second situation gives rise to two particular examples, one in which the sector which breaks by either breakable bridge is kept attached to the first body (2.1) and is extracted with it, and another in which this sector falls inside the bottle.

(36) Any of these examples can be combined since the particular solutions establishing a link between the first component (1) and the second component (2) do not have to be incompatible, and a person skilled in the art would be capable of using two simultaneous modes of mechanical attachments on the same structural element.

(37) An object of the invention is also a closure incorporating a structural element such as that described as well as a cap.

(38) An object of the invention is also a closure such as the preceding closure where the cap (10) has at least one transparent surface covering the zone of the core (1.4), the first cavity (C1) or both. Even though the cap (10) is placed on the bottle, the user can view the second component (2) or part of said component (2) because the surface is transparent.

(39) Since the user can view the second component (2) or part of said component (2) without needing to remove the cap, the user does not need to unscrew it to check if the bottle has been used for the first time in nominal conditions.

(40) According to a further embodiment, the second component is attached to the first component (1) closing any communicating passage between the first cavity (C1) and the second cavity (C2) sealing the bottle when the structural element is closing its mouth.