Closure Device, Receptacle Provided With a Closure Device of This Type and Method for Closing a Receptacle

This device (1) comprises a largely tubular base (3), which is adapted for being joined to the outer face of the neck (21) and which internally delimits a through hole (323) provided for opening into the receptacle, and a cap (4) that is provided as a single piece with the base (3) by at least one articulation strip of the cap that enables the cap to be displaced relative to the base between closed position and an open position. In order to limit the infiltration of a sterilizing liquid into the device when sterilizing the latter while having a device that is simple to mold and assemble, a flow vent (6) is provided for being placed and hermetically immobilized in the hole (323) of the base (3), this vent keeping the contact zones (613, 661, 663) tight with the cap (4) in a closed position and being lengthened, on the side to be turned toward the receptacle, by a sealing lip (64) that rests against the inner face of the neck when the base is joined to the outer face of the neck.

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Description

The present invention relates to a closure device for closing a receptacle, to a receptacle fitted with such a device, and to a method of closing a receptacle.

It applies to the field of packaging liquids, such as mineral water or drinkable yoghurt, in a receptacle provided with a neck on which there is arranged a closure device, making it possible to drink straight from the receptacle. That type of closure device is generally designated under the term “sports cap”.

An example is given in U.S. Pat. No. 6,050,452 which proposes a device constituted by three components, namely: a generally tubular base made of plastics material that is secured in leaktight manner on the neck of the receptacle; a closure nozzle that is slidably fitted around the base in such a manner as to slide along the axis of the neck; and an outer cap that covers the nozzle, preventing it from moving in translation in such a manner as to close the receptacle. That three-component device is difficult to assemble. Furthermore, that device poses problems when attempts are made to sterilize it, since the inside of the device, through which the fluid being delivered passes, and the outside of the device, part of which is put into contact with the lips of the user who drinks straight therefrom, must, as far as possible, be free of contaminating substances such as germs or microbes.

To this end, it is known to sterilize closure devices just before they are assembled on receptacles, by immersing them in a bath of disinfectant liquid and/or by spraying such a liquid thereon, prior to rinsing them in order to eliminate said liquid. However, during such operations of applying disinfectant liquid and of rinsing it, disinfectant liquid can easily infiltrate into and stagnate in empty spaces between the nozzle and the cap, and between the nozzle and the base of the above-mentioned three-component device. Rinsing the device does not make it possible to eliminate all of the disinfectant liquid that has infiltrated into those spaces, which liquid consequently risks being ingested by the user when the cap is opened for the first time.

Another example of that type of “sports cap” is proposed in JP-A-2000 142761. The closure device includes a tubular base similar to the base of the device of U.S. Pat. No. 6,050,452, and includes simultaneously: an outer skirt for securing to the outside face of the neck of the receptacle; an inner skirt for sealing the inside face of the neck; and a flow chimney through which liquid can flow to the outside. The skirts and the chimney form a single piece that is difficult to mold. In order to protect the chimney, the device includes a second component in the form of an outer cap having a bottom portion that covers the outside face of the outer skirt of the base, while a top portion of the cap is hinged relative to the bottom portion for selectively closing or opening the chimney. In use, all of the cap should be removed from the base, so as not to hinder the user when drinking straight from the receptacle. That device poses as many sterilization problems as the device of U.S. Pat. No. 6,050,452, indeed it poses more problems because of the easily detachable connection between the inner base and the outer cap, where the disinfectant liquid tends to stagnate.

Another example of a closure device, described in FR-A-2 827 261, includes a tubular base similar to the base of the three-component device of U.S. Pat. No. 6,050,452, being suitable for being secured in leaktight manner on the neck of a receptacle, and being made integrally with a cap hinged relative to the base to pivot between a leaktight, closed position of the receptacle and an open position enabling the user to extract the liquid from the receptacle through the base. The base and the cap are molded as a single piece, with the cap in the closed position, and thus connected to the base both by at least one strip that subsequently enables the cap to pivot relative to the base, and by first-use indicator means of the closure device, e.g. in the form of breakable bridges that connect the cap directly to the base, or in the form of a tamperproofing strip that is completely detachable and that is connected in breakable manner to the base and to the cap.

The single-piece device does not need to be assembled, but is difficult to sterilize in effective manner. Interstitial spaces between the base and the closed cap, in particular at the zone where the cap is hinged to the base and at the first-use indicator means, constitute traps for trapping disinfectant liquid while it is being applied to the device. Rinsing the device is not sufficient to evacuate the stagnant liquid, so much so that the risk of ingestion by the user is high. However, the interstitial spaces between the base and the closed cap are necessary for subsequently enabling the cap to pivot relative to the base, and they are generally created when molding the device.

The object of the present invention is to propose a closure device, having a hinged cap and having a base secured to a receptacle neck, that can be subjected to conventional sterilizing and rinsing operations, in particular along current sterilization lines, while limiting as much as possible any infiltration of disinfectant liquid into the device and any retention of the liquid in the device.

To this end, the invention provides a closure device for closing a receptacle that is provided with a neck, the device comprising: a generally tubular base that is adapted to be secured to the outside face of the neck and that internally defines a bore for opening out into the receptacle; and a cap that is made integrally with the base via at least one hinge strip for pivoting the cap relative to the base between a closed position and an open position, the device being characterized in that it further comprises a flow chimney that is adapted to be fitted and held hermetically in the bore of the base, that forms zones of leaktight contact with the cap in the closed position, and that, on its side facing the receptacle, is extended by a sealing lip that is adapted to bear against the inside face of the neck of the receptacle when the base is secured to the outside face of the neck.

Thus, the closure device of the invention essentially comprises two components that are structurally distinct, but that are assembled together, namely the base on which the cap is hinged, and the flow chimney. Each of the components is easily obtained by molding an appropriate plastics material. Securing the device to the neck of the receptacle is achieved essentially, or even exclusively, by the base of the device, whereas sealing between the device and the neck of the receptacle is guaranteed essentially, or even exclusively, by the lip that extends the chimney. The fact of providing these two functions of securing and sealing by means of two distinct components and not by a single piece, makes molding each of the two components easier. The two components are then assembled together easily: firstly, the chimney is dimensioned to be capable of being fitted and held in the bore of the base in such a manner that one or more leaktight contacts is/are established between the outside face of the chimney and at least the wall of the base defining the bore, and secondly, the chimney and the cap in the closed position establish leaktight contacts at the leaktight-contact zone. In this way, when the base and the chimney are assembled together, and when the closure device is immersed in a bath of disinfectant liquid or when such a liquid is sprayed on the device, no significant space exists either between the base and the cap or between the base and the chimney, and as a result the disinfectant liquid cannot infiltrate between the components. Rinsing the device then makes it possible to eliminate the traces of disinfectant liquid that reside on the outside and inside faces of the device taken as a whole.

According to other characteristics of the closure device, taken in isolation or in any technically feasible combination:

    • the chimney is provided with an outer peripheral flange for interposing between the base and the neck of the receptacle when the base is secured to the receptacle, the outer peripheral end of the flange forming a flexible sealing lip for sealing against a portion of the inside face of the base;
    • the chimney is fitted in the base, at least one portion of the inside face of the base co-operates, by complementary shapes, with a leaktight-contact zone carried by the outside face of the chimney, so as to close, in leaktight manner, an empty space defined between the chimney and the base;
    • when the cap is in the closed position, inner portions of the cap co-operate, by complementary shapes, with leaktight-contact zones carried by portions of the outside face, and possibly by a portion of the inside face, of the chimney, so as to close, in leaktight manner, an empty space defined between the cap and the chimney;
    • on the side remote from the receptacle, the chimney forms a tubular spout for extracting liquid or the like contained in the receptacle, and the cap includes a wall that covers and closes the spout in leaktight manner when the cap is in the closed position;
    • at least one bearing skirt that bears in leaktight manner against a corresponding portion of the inside face and/or of the outside face of the spout projects from said wall of the cap;
    • the spout is internally provided with a closure member that can be peeled or torn off;
    • the spout is provided with a lip that projects into the spout from the inside face of the spout, and that is adapted to be deformed elastically by the cap, while said cap is being assembled, between a non-deformed state, in which the lip extends generally in a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the chimney, and a deformed state, in which the lip forms a peripheral sealing line against the cap;
    • the chimney and the cap carry respective retainer means for retaining the cap in its closed position, in particular by complementary shapes, and the retainer means are situated on the chimney and on the cap in zones that are distinct from the zones that provide leaktight contact between the chimney and the cap;
    • the cap includes a side wall that surrounds the chimney when the cap is in the closed position, and the outside face of the side wall includes, in its periphery, a concave zone that is situated at the hinge strip(s);
    • the preferred deformation zone of the or each strip, that defines a pivot axis for pivoting the cap relative to the base, is situated closer to the junction zone between the strip and the cap than to the junction zone between the strip and the base;
    • the cap is provided with an outer stub that is situated, on the periphery of the cap, at the hinge strip(s), and that is shaped to bear and to slide against the base while the cap is passing from its closed position to its open position; and
    • the base defines a housing for receiving and locking the stub when the cap is in its open position.

In addition, the first-use indicator means of the above-mentioned hinged-cap closure devices are not satisfactory in the sense that either they rely on the use of breakable bridges, which, when the cap is in the closed position, do not enable the user to determine with certitude whether the cap has already been opened, or they are constituted by a tamperproofing strip which the user must begin by removing completely and which the user may discard without any respect for the environment, and with the risk of a child accidentally swallowing it.

To avoid those drawbacks, the closure device of the invention includes indicator means for indicating first use of the device, said indicator means comprising at least one elongate tab that extends longitudinally along a substantially peripheral direction of the base before the cap is opened for the first time, a first end of the tab being connected in hinged manner to an element from amongst the base and the cap, while the second end of the tab is connected to the other element via at least one breakable bridge.

When the cap is opened for the first time, the longitudinal direction of the or each tab of the first-use indicator means of the invention pass from an orientation that is substantially peripheral relative to the base to an orientation that is more parallel to the longitudinal axis of the base. The user can thus quickly and easily see that the cap has been opened for the first time.

According to advantageous characteristics of the device:

    • the indicator means comprise two tabs that are joined together at their second ends so as to form a loop that is deformable between a generally flat configuration and a more curved configuration when the cap is opened for the first time; and
    • between its first and second ends, the or each tab is provided with at least one additional breakable bridge that is adapted to break before the end bridge of the tab when the cap is opened for the first time.

In order to make visual checking easier for the user, the base is pierced by at least one cavity passing radially right through the base, and opening out axially on the edge of the base facing the cap when said cap is in the closed position, and the or each tab is housed in the or one of the cavities. Facing the or each cavity, the chimney advantageously presents a color that is different from the color of the tab(s), thereby creating a visual contrast effect for the user.

The invention also provides a receptacle provided with a neck and fitted with a closure device as defined above.

The invention further provides a method of closing a receptacle provided with a neck, the method being characterized in that it comprises the following steps:

    • molding firstly a generally tubular base that is adapted to be secured to the outside face of the neck, that internally defines a bore for opening out into the receptacle, and that is made integrally with a cap via at least one hinge strip for pivoting the cap relative to the base between a closed position and an open position, the cap being molded in the closed position;
    • molding secondly a flow chimney that is adapted to be fitted and held hermetically in the bore of the base, that forms zones of leaktight contact with the cap in the closed position, and that, on the side facing the receptacle, is extended by a sealing lip that is adapted to bear against the inside face of the neck, the chimney being molded separately from the base and the cap;
    • fitting the chimney and preventing it from moving, in at least one direction, inside the bore of the base;
    • applying a disinfectant to the outside and to the inside of the assembly comprising the chimney, the base, and the cap, then rinsing the assembly; and
    • securing the base to the outside face of the neck of the receptacle, causing the lip to bear in leaktight manner against the inside face of the neck.

The invention can be better understood on reading the following description, given solely by way of example, and made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a closure device of the invention, with its cap in the closed position;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, from another view point, with the cap of the device in the open position;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal section of the FIG. 1 device on a plane of symmetry of the device;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal section of the FIG. 1 device on a plane that is angularly offset relative to the FIG. 3 section plane, and containing one of the hinge strips for pivoting the cap relative to the base of the device;

FIG. 5A is a larger-scale view of a detail circled V in FIG. 3;

FIGS. 5B and 5C are views similar to FIG. 5A, showing the device being opened;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5A, showing a first variant of the closure device;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 5C, showing a second variant of the device;

FIGS. 8 and 9 are perspective views, from different respective angles, showing a third variant of the device of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal section of the device of FIGS. 8 and 9 on a plane of symmetry of the device;

FIG. 11 is a Larger-scale view of a detail circled XI in FIG. 10;

FIGS. 12A to 12D are views of a detail circled XII in FIG. 10, and respectively showing successive steps for opening the device; and

FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 8, showing the device being opened for the first time.

FIGS. 1 to 4 show a closure device 1 for closing a receptacle 2 that is shown in part only, and in the righthand portion of FIG. 3. By way of example, the receptacle is a bottle made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) containing a drinkable liquid such as mineral water.

The device 1 essentially comprises two components that are manufactured individually, then assembled together as explained below, namely:

    • a generally tubular base 3 of central axis X-X, on which there is hinged a cap 4 that is made integrally with the base via two hinge strips 5, one of the strips being visible in FIG. 2 and also in FIG. 4; and
    • a generally tubular chimney 6 of central axis that substantially coincides with the axis X-X in the figures.

Initially, the base 3 and the cap 4 are described in greater detail below.

By deforming the strips 5, the cap 4 can pivot relative to the base 3 about an axis Z-Z between a closed position of the receptacle 2, shown in FIG. 1, and an open position, shown in FIG. 2, in which the liquid contained in the receptacle can be extracted from the receptacle freely, without being retained by the cap.

Each strip 5 thus constitutes a hinge-type connection between the cap and the base. The thickness of the strips 5 is sufficient to withstand being repeatedly flexed, thereby avoiding the risk of the user pulling the cap 4 off the base 3, and running the risk of swallowing the cap. Each strip is advantageously provided, e.g. by means of ribs, so that its preferred deformation zone, that defines the pivot axis Z-Z, is as close as possible to its junction zone with the cap 4, as shown in FIG. 4, for reasons that are explained in greater detail below.

In the description below, the adjectives “top” and “bottom” are defined with reference to the device 1 having its base 3 placed flat on a generally horizontal surface, and having its cap 4 in the closed position. The top surfaces of the device are thus directed upwards in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, and in FIGS. 8 to 15, whereas the bottom surfaces are directed downwards.

The base 3 is stepped along the axis X-X and thus includes a bottom portion 31 and a top portion 32, both being generally circularly cylindrical. The thickness of the wall constituting the base 3 is substantially constant along its length, and the diameter of the bottom portion 31 is strictly greater than the diameter of the top portion 32. The portions 31 and 32 are interconnected via a shoulder 33 that extends in a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the axis X-X.

The bottom portion 31 is provided with an internal helical rib 311 for co-operating with the external thread of a neck 21 of the receptacle 2 so as to hold the device 1 on the receptacle. The base 3 is thus adapted to be secured directly around the neck 21, i.e. secured to the outside face of the neck without other essential components of the closure device being interposed therebetween.

The cap 4 presents a generally frustoconical shape, of axis that coincides with the axis X-X when the cap is in the closed position. At its top end, the cap is closed by a substantially plane wall 41 that is made integrally with the side wall 42 of the cap. In its periphery, the side wall 42 presents a plurality of recesses, i.e. a plurality of zones having outer surfaces that are concave. A first recess 421, visible in FIG. 3, is situated, in the periphery of the cap 4, between the strips 5. The recess 421 is dimensioned to receive a portion of the shoulder 33 of the base 3 when the cap 4 is in the open position, as shown in FIG. 2. By providing for the pivot axis Z-Z to be as close as possible to the cap 4 in the longitudinal direction of each strip 5, the depth of the recess 421 can be kept moderate, without preventing the cap from being opened over an angle of more than 180° before coming into conflict with the shoulder 33.

A second recess 422, diametrally opposite the recess 421, is upwardly closed by a peak 423 that extends in the radial extension of the wall 41. The recess 422 thus constitutes a reception zone for receiving the end of a finger of the user with a view to exerting a force F423 on the peak 423, so as to cause the cap to pivot from its closed position to its open position.

The base 3, the cap 4, and the strips 5 form a single piece, made by molding plastics material with the cap in the closed position. On leaving its mold, the cap 4 is thus connected to the base 3 both via the strips 5 that extend from the top edge 321 of the base portion 32 to the bottom edge 426 of the side wall 42 of the cap, and via first-use indicators 7 of the device 1, i.e. indicators for indicating the first time the cap 4 is pivoted with a view to opening the receptacle 2. Apart from the strips 5 and the indicator means 7, the top edge 321 of the base 3 and the bottom edge 426 of the cap 4 are situated facing each other, in more or less touching manner, as in the plane in FIG. 3, for example.

By means of arrangements similar to those proposed in FR-A-2 827 261, the opening angle of the cap 4 in the open position is advantageously greater than 180°. Furthermore, in order to make it easier to pivot the cap, and in order to keep it still in the open position, the bottom portion of the side wall 42 of the cap is made integrally with a stub 428 that is clearly visible in FIGS. 5A to 5C. The stub projects radially out from the wall 42 and angularly between the strips 5. Axially, the stub 428 thus forms, in part, the bottom end of the wall 42, such that its bottom surface constitutes, in part, the bottom edge 426 of the cap 4. The outer edge 429 of the generally cylindrical stub is connected to the bottom edge 426 via a curved surface 43. The surface 43 is designed to co-operate with the top edge 321 of the base portion 32 when the cap 4 is pivoted, as shown in FIG. 5B. More precisely, while the cap 4 is being pivoted, as indicated by arrow F4, the surface comes into contact with the outer periphery of the edge 321, and, being blunt, slides against the wall 32 of the base 3. While it is being pivoted, the cap 4 is thus guided effectively relative to the base 3 until it reaches its maximally-open position shown in FIG. 5C.

Two additional, optional arrangements are shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 respectively. In FIG. 6, the portion of the edge 321 facing the stub 428 is beveled in such as manner as to slope towards the bottom portion 31 of the base 3, away from the axis X-X. In this way, the maximum opening angle of the cap 4 is increased compared to FIG. 5A correspondingly by a few degrees. In FIG. 7, the base portion 32 is provided, on its outside face, with a bulge of material 325 that is angularly located between the strips 5. In this way, just above the bulge, the base 3 defines a housing 326 for receiving and locking the stub 428 when the cap 4 is completely open.

The indicators 7 include two tabs 71 that are substantially symmetrical about the section plane of FIG. 3. Each tab 71 is in the form of an elongate strip that extends lengthwise along a substantially peripheral direction of the base 3 before the cap is opened for the first time. More precisely, the longitudinal end 72 of each tab 71 is made integrally with the portion 32, whereas its opposite end 73 is made integrally with and is connected to the edge 426 of the cap 4 via a breakable bridge 74. The end 72 is thin compared to the remainder of the tab 71, such that the end constitutes a pivot hinge for pivoting the tab relative to the base 3. In this way, when the cap 4 is pivoted for the first time from its closed position to its open position, as shown by arrow F4 in FIG. 2, the cap 4 acts, via the bridges 74, to cause the tabs 71 to pivot about an axis that is substantially radial relative to the axis X-X, at their ends 72, as indicated by arrow F71 in FIG. 2. Each tab then extends lengthwise along a direction that tends to become parallel to the axis X-X, as shown by the dashed-line representation of the tab 71 visible in FIG. 2. The tabs 71 continue to pivot until the bridges 74 break. The tabs 71 then more or less take up their initial configuration by resiliently returning thereto, as shown by continuous lines in FIG. 2.

Thus, when the user manipulates the device 1 for the first time and when the user pivots the cap 4, the user can check whether the tabs 71 are caused to pivot about their ends 72. To enable the user to follow the pivoting of the tabs 71 easily and distinctly, each of the tabs is housed in a cavity 322 that passes right through the wall of the portion 32, and that is pierced downwards from the top edge 321. The bottom wall of the cavity is remote from the bottom of the tab 71, leaving clearance j through which the user can see the initial position of the tabs 71 without difficulty.

The chimney 6 is described below in greater detail.

The chimney 6 is formed as a single piece, obtained by molding plastics material, for example. The piece comprises a circularly-cylindrical bottom portion 61 on which there is arranged a top nozzle, described below, that enables liquid to flow with a view to it being extracted from the device 1, possibly directly into the mouth of a user who drinks straight from the receptacle 2.

The outside diameter of the cylinder 61 is substantially equal to the inside diameter of the top portion 32 of the base 3, such that the chimney 6 is adapted to be fitted inside the bore 323 defined by the portion 32. When the chimney is fitted in the base 3, as in FIGS. 1 to 4, a portion of the outside face 611 of the cylinder 61 forms a generally cylindrical zone 612 of leaktight contact with a corresponding portion of the inside face 324 of the portion 32.

An annular flange 63 projects radially out from the bottom end of the cylinder 61. The flange presents an outside diameter that is substantially equal to the inside diameter of the bottom portion 31 of the base 3. In this way, when the chimney 6 is inserted into the base 3, the flange 63 is designed to bear axially against the shoulder 33 that thus forms an abutment for the chimney 6. As shown in the righthand portion of FIG. 3, the flange 63 is axially interposed between the shoulder 33 and the threaded neck 21 of the receptacle 2 when the device 1 is screw-fastened on the neck.

Over its outer periphery, the flange 63 forms a flexible sealing lip 631 for sealing against the inside face 312 of the portion 31 of the base 3.

So as to avoid hindering insertion of the chimney 6 into the base 3, the inside face of the transition zone between the portion 32 and the shoulder 33 of the base 3 is beveled a little so as not to come into conflict with the outside face of the transition zone between the cylinder 61 and the flange 63. This results in an interstitial space 81 between the base 3 and the chimney 6 when said chimney is inserted into the base. The space 81 is hermetically isolated from the outside, on one side by the contact zone 612 between the cylinder 61 and the portion 32, and on the other side by the sealing lip 631 that bears against the portion 31.

The cylinder is extended downwards by a lip 64 that is generally circularly cylindrical, and that is on the same axis as the cylinder 61. The outside face of the lip 64 is for bearing in leaktight manner against the inside of the neck 21 of the receptacle 2 when the device 1 is screw-fastened on the neck, as shown in the righthand portion of FIG. 3. To this end, the transition zone between the lip 64 and the cylinder 61 can be deformed a little, as shown by arrow F64 in FIG. 3.

When the cap 4 is in the closed position, the bottom portion of the inside face 427 of its side wall 42 is designed to bear hermetically against the top portion of the cylinder 61. In other words, the top portion of the cylinder forms a generally cylindrical zone 613 of leaktight contact with the side wall 42.

The nozzle 62 of the chimney 6 presents a generally frustoconical shape. It is made integrally with the bottom cylinder 61 via a tubular wall portion 65 that is radially closer to the axis X-X than the cylinder 61 and than the bottom end of the nozzle 62. The wall 65 thus defines a cylindrical groove 651 that is dimensioned to co-operate, by complementary shapes, with bulges of material 424A and 425A that, as shown only for the bulge 425A in FIG. 2, project inwards from the wall 42, at two recesses 424 and 425 that are formed in the wall 42, and that are substantially symmetrical about the section plane of FIG. 3. The bulges are thus provided for snap-fastening in the groove 651 when the cap 4 is in the closed position.

At its top end, the nozzle 62 is extended upwards by an annular spout 66 inside which there is provided a flow regulator 67 in the form of three radial branches 671 that are made integrally with the chimney 6.

The spout 66 is adapted to co-operate, by complementary shapes, with the wall 41 of the cap 4. More precisely, two concentric skirts 411 and 412 project downwards from the wall 41, said skirts being disposed on either side of the spout 66 when the cap 4 is in the closed position. The skirt 411 of smaller diameter presents a smaller axial dimension and thus forms a sealing lip against the end portion 661 of the inside face 662 of the spout 66, whereas the other skirt 412 presents an axial dimension that is sufficient to come to bear in leaktight manner against a larger portion 663 of the outside face 664 of the spout. The leaktightness of the contact zone 663 between the spout 66 and the skirt 412 is improved by making both the top portion of the outside face 664 and the bottom portion of the inside face of the skirt 412 slightly convex.

When the cap 4 is in the closed position, it surrounds the chimney 6, and a large empty space 82 is defined between the nozzle 62 and the cap 4. The space 82 is hermetically isolated from the outside, on one side by the contact zone 613 between the cylinder 61 of the chimney and the side wall 42 of the cap, and on the other side by the contact zones 661 and 663 between the spout 66 and the wall 41 of the cap.

As indicated above, the device 1 is obtained by manufacturing, separately, firstly the chimney 6, and secondly the component comprising the base 3, the cap 4 in the closed position, and the hinge strips 5. The chimney 6 is then inserted, along the axis X-X, into the base 3 through the bottom portion 31 and with the nozzle 62 directed upwards. The chimney is inserted until the flange 63 comes to bear axially against the shoulder 33 of the base 3. The bulges 424A and 425B of the cap 4 are thus engaged with the groove 651 of the chimney, the cap 4 possibly being prevented from moving axially upwards, e.g. by bearing against the top face of its wall 41, so as to avoid the indicators 7 deforming too much. The flexible lip 631 takes up the radial tolerance clearance between the chimney 6 and the base 3. The device 1 is thus in its configuration in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4.

The device 1 is then sterilized by immersion in a bath of disinfectant liquid and/or by spraying such a liquid on the outside and on the inside of the device. The spaces 81 and 82 are hermetically isolated from the outside by the various leaktight-contact zones 612, 613, 661, and 663 established during assembly of the device, and by the lip 631, such that the disinfectant liquid does not penetrate into the spaces, as shown by arrows A in FIGS. 3 and 4. The device is then thoroughly rinsed, both inside and outside, in such a manner as to eliminate all traces of disinfectant liquid, in particular between the facing edges 426 and 321 of the cap 4 and of the base 3.

The device 1 is then screw-fastened on the threaded neck 21 of the receptacle 2, until the top edge of the neck comes to bear axially against the flange 63, thereby preventing the chimney 6 from being removed via the bottom of the base 3. Leaktightness between the inside of the receptacle 2 and the inside of the device 1 is thus essentially provided by the lip 64 bearing against the inside face of the neck 21.

Thus user who wishes to consume the liquid contained in the receptacle 2 pivots the cap 4 about the axis Z-Z, causing the means 7 to deform and break if the cap is being opened for the first time. All of the nozzle 62 and the top portion of the cylinder 61 are thus visible and accessible from the outside. The user's lips can be applied thereto without risk of ingesting the disinfectant liquid. In addition, by providing for the chimney 6 to be made of a plastics material of color that is different from the color of the base 3, the user can easily distinguish the tabs 71 contrasting with the chimney 6, said chimney being locally visible from the outside through the cavities 322 that thus serve as windows. The user can also easily see the extraction zone for extracting the liquid contained in the receptacle when the cap 4 is open, thereby imparting a certain attractive appearance to the device overall.

The user can then close the cap 4 in effective manner, by clipping the bulges 424A and 425A carried by the cap 4 in the groove 651 hollowed out in the chimney 6. Insofar as the cap 4 and the chimney 6 co-operate, so as to retain the cap in the closed position, at distinct zones of their leaktight-contact zones 613, 661, and 663, repeated closure of the cap does not significantly spoil the sealing between the cap and the chimney.

FIGS. 8 to 13 show a variant of the closure device 1, in which variant the elements that are common to the closure device in FIGS. 1 to 5C are designated by the same numerical references. As described below, this variant differs from the embodiment in FIGS. 1 to 5C essentially in the leaktight-contact zones between its chimney 6 and its cap 4 in the closed position, in the configurations of the device that enable the cap to be pivoted and kept still, and in the first-use indicators. Furthermore, in contrast to the device in FIGS. 1 to 5C, the chimney 6 of the device in FIGS. 8 to 13 does not have an internal flow regulator.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the top end of the spout 66′ of the chimney 6 includes an annular lip 665′ of central axis that coincides with the axis X-X in the figures, and said lip projects radially towards said axis from the inside face 662′ of the spout. The lip 665′ is dimensioned to be deformed elastically by an inner skirt 411′ that projects downwards from the wall 41 of the cap 4, when said cap is in the closed position. More precisely, when the cap 4 is closed, the free end of the skirt 411′ presses the free end of the lip 665′ downwards, deforming said lip and forming a leaktight-contact zone 661′ between them. When the cap is pivoted from its open position to its closed position, the elasticity of the free end of the lip 665′ enables the skirt 411′ to come progressively into contact therewith, the portion of the skirt that is situated in the proximity of the pivot strips 5 being pressed against the lip 665′ before the portions of the skirt that are further away. In other words, the presence of the lip 665′, which, in its non-deformed state, extends generally in a plane that is perpendicular to the axis X-X, guarantees the reliability of the sealing along the entire contact line 661′, despite the cap 4 being closed by pivoting, such a pivoting arrangement otherwise tending to lead to sealing defects at the contact zones between the cap and the chimney that are furthest away from the hinge-strips 5. The sealing line 661′ is established for the first time when the chimney is assembled in the base, in particular so as to prevent the infiltration of disinfectant liquid as explained above, and it is subsequently established each time the cap is closed.

A second sealing line 663′ is advantageously provided between the outside face 664′ of the spout 66′ and the inside of the cap 4. To this end, a second inner skirt 412′ projects downwards from the wall 41 of the cap concentrically with the skirt 411′ that presents a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the skirt 412′. The skirt 412′ is designed to bear in leaktight manner against the outside face 664′ of the spout 66′ so as to form the second sealing line 663′, in a manner similar to the way in which the skirt 412 bears against the spout 66 of the device in FIGS. 1 to 5C. In order to make it easier to mold the second skirt 412′, the side wall 42 of the cap 4 is dimensioned so that its recess 422 and the skirt 412′ are formed by a single wall of material in the section plane of FIG. 10.

In order to make it easier to pivot the cap and to improve its being kept still in the open position, the bottom portion of the side wall 42 of the cap 4 is made integrally with a stub 428′ that is clearly visible in FIGS. 9, 10, and 12A to 12D. The stub projects radially out from the wall 42 and angularly between the strips 5. The stub 428′ forms, in part, the bottom axial end of the wall 42, its bottom surface 428A′ constituting, in part, the bottom edge 426 of the cap 4. The outer edge 428B′ of the generally cylindrical stub is connected to the bottom surface 428A′ via a curved surface 428C′ that is designed to co-operate with the top edge 321 of the base portion 32 when the cap 4 is pivoted into the open position, as shown in FIGS. 12A to 12D. More precisely, the edge 321 is provided, axially facing the stub 428′, with a bulge 325′ that projects out from the outside face of the base portion 32. The top face 325A′ of the bulge is beveled in such as manner as to slope towards the bottom portion 31 of the base 3, away from the axis X-X. In this way, while the cap 4 is pivoting towards its open position, indicated by arrow F4 in FIG. 12, the curved surface 428C′ of the stub 428′ slides and pivots against the sloping surface 325A′ of the bulge 325′, as shown in FIG. 12B, in such a manner as to guide the cap 4 downwards, effectively, until the curved surface 428C′ is brought against the end edge 325B′ of the bulge, as shown FIG. 12C. The cap 4 continues to pivot until its side wall 42 comes into contact against the shoulder 33 connecting together the bottom and top portions 31 and 32 of the base, the strips 5 being dimensioned for this purpose. At its zone of contact with the cap 4, the shoulder 33 presents an outside surface 33A′ that is beveled to slope upwards towards the axis X-X. The surface 33A′ forms a ramp for the cap 4 while the user continues to force the cap to pivot, such that, as indicated by arrow F′4, the cap 4 slides along the surface 33A′ towards the axis X-X. The sliding causes the stub 428′ to be engaged in a housing 326′ defined by the edge 321 of the base portion 32, just above the bulge 325′. The cap is thus in the configuration in FIG. 12D, its recess 421 coming to cover, in complementary manner, the zone of the base 3 that is situated angularly in the same position as the bulge 325′. Receiving the stub 428′ in the housing 326′ thus locks the cap 4 in the completely open position, in which the opening angle of the cap is about 180°.

As a variant to the indicators 7 of the device in FIGS. 1 to 5C, the indicators 7′ of the device in FIGS. 8 to 13 include a flexible loop 71′, which, before the cap 4 is opened for the first time, is flat against itself along a peripheral direction of the base 3, whereas, while the cap is being opened for the first time, the loop takes on a more curved configuration, as shown in FIG. 13. To this end, the loop 71′ is housed in a cavity 322′ that passes radially right through the wall of the base portion 32, and that is pierced downwards from the top edge 321 of the portion. The loop is looped by being made integrally with the bottom wall of the cavity 322′, the connection zone between each end 72′ of the loop and the base portion 32 constituting a hinge for pivoting the loop relative to the base 3. In order to entrain and deform the loop 71′ while the cap is being opened, the middle portion 73′ of the loop 71′ is connected to the edge 426 of the cap 4 via a breakable bridge 74′.

In order to avoid the bridge 74′ breaking prematurely while the cap 4 is being opened for the first time, and in order to avoid the user thus having difficulty in knowing whether the device is being opened for the first time, other breakable bridges 75′, at the edge 426 of the cap, advantageously connect with two respective zones of the loop 71′ situated along the loop, between the bridge 74′ and its end 72′. The additional bridges 75′ are not as strong as the main bridge 74′, i.e. they break before the bridge 74′, as shown FIG. 13. However, before they break, the bridges 75′, in conjunction with the bridge 74′, cause the loop 71′ to deform with an amplitude that is sufficient to guarantee to the user that the device is being opened for the first time.

In other words, the loop 71′ is constituted by two individual tabs 71A′ and 71B′ that are symmetrical about the section plane of FIG. 10, and that are joined together at the portion 73′ of the bridge 74′. By way of variant, only one of the two tabs 71A′ or 71B′ could be provided as a first-use indicator of the device.

Various developments and variants to the above-described closure device 1 could also be envisaged. By way of example:

    • the hinge connection of each tab 71, or 71A′, 71B′ could, instead of being provided at the junction between the tab and the base 3, be provided at the junction with the cap 4, the tab thus being connected to the base via at least one breakable bridge similar to the bridges 74 or 74′; and/or
    • at the flow regulator 67, or even instead of said flow regulator, the chimney could be provided with a closure member that can be peeled or torn off and that is advantageously provided with a pull tab that can be gripped; the closure member constitutes an additional first-use indicator of the device, in particular when the receptacle contains a substance that is particularly delicate with regard to preservation.

Claims

1-20. (canceled)

21. A closure device for closing a receptacle that is provided with a neck, the device comprising: a generally tubular base that is adapted to be secured to the outside face of the neck and that internally defines a bore for opening out into the receptacle; and a cap that is made integrally with the base via at least one hinge strip for pivoting the cap relative to the base between a closed position and an open position, the device being characterized in that it further comprises a flow chimney that is adapted to be fitted and held hermetically in the bore of the base, that forms zones of leaktight contact with the cap in the closed position, and that, on its side facing the receptacle, is extended by a sealing lip that is adapted to bear against the inside face of the neck when the base is secured to the outside face of the neck.

22. A device according to claim 21, characterized in that the chimney is provided with an outer peripheral flange for interposing between the base and the neck of the receptacle when the base is secured to the receptacle, the outer peripheral end of the flange forming a flexible sealing lip for sealing against a portion of the inside face of the base.

23. A device according to claim 21, characterized in that, when the chimney is fitted in the base, at least one portion of the inside face of the base co-operates, by complementary shapes, with a leaktight-contact zone carried by the outside face of the chimney, so as to close, in leaktight manner, an empty space defined between the chimney and the base.

24. A device according to claim 21, characterized in that, when the cap is in the closed position, inner portions of the cap co-operate, by complementary shapes, with leaktight-contact zones carried by portions of the outside face, and possibly by a portion of the inside face, of the chimney, so as to close, in leaktight manner, an empty space defined between the cap and the chimney.

25. A device according to claim 21, characterized in that, on the side remote from the receptacle, the chimney forms a tubular spout for extracting liquid or the like contained in the receptacle, and in that the cap includes a wall that covers and closes the spout in leaktight manner when the cap is in the closed position.

26. A device according to claim 25, characterized in that at least one bearing skirt that bears in leaktight manner against a corresponding portion of the inside face and/or of the outside face of the spout projects from said wall of the cap.

27. A device according to claim 25, characterized in that the spout is internally provided with a closure member that can be peeled or torn off.

28. A device according to claim 25, characterized in that the spout is provided with a lip that projects into the spout from the inside face of the spout, and that is adapted to be deformed elastically by the cap, while said cap is being assembled, between a non-deformed state, in which the lip extends generally in a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the chimney, and a deformed state, in which the lip forms a peripheral sealing line against the cap.

29. A device according to claim 21, characterized in that, the chimney and the cap carry respective retainer means for retaining the cap in its closed position, in particular by complementary shapes, and in that the retainer means are situated on the chimney and on the cap in zones that are distinct from the zones that provide leaktight contact between the chimney and the cap.

30. A device according to claim 21, characterized in that the cap includes a side wall that surrounds the chimney when the cap is in the closed position, and in that the outside face of the side wall includes, in its periphery, a concave zone that is situated at the hinge strip(s).

31. A device according to claim 21, characterized in that the preferred deformation zone of the or each strip, that defines a pivot axis for pivoting the cap relative to the base, is situated closer to the junction zone between the strip and the cap than to the junction zone between the strip and the base.

32. A device according to claim 21, characterized in that the cap is provided with an outer stub that is situated, on the periphery of the cap, at the hinge strip(s), and that is shaped to bear and to slide against the base while the cap is passing from its closed position to its open position.

33. A device according to claim 32, characterized in that the base defines a housing for receiving and locking the stub when the cap is in its open position.

34. A device according to claim 21, characterized in that it includes indicator means for indicating first-use of the device, said indicator means comprising at least one elongate tab that extends longitudinally along a substantially peripheral direction of the base before the cap is opened for the first time, a first end of the tab being connected in hinged manner to an element from amongst the base and the cap, while the second end of the tab is connected to the other element via at least one breakable bridge.

35. A device according to claim 34, characterized in that the indicator means comprise two of said tabs that are joined together at their second ends so as to form a loop that is deformable between a generally flat configuration (FIG. 8) and a more curved configuration (FIG. 13) when the cap is opened for the first time.

36. A device according to claim 34, characterized in that, between its first and second ends, the or each tab is provided with at least one additional breakable bridge that is adapted to break before the end bridge of the tab when the cap is opened for the first time.

37. A device according to claim 34, characterized in that the base is pierced by at least one cavity passing radially right through the base, and opening out axially on the edge of the base facing the cap when said cap is in the closed position, and in that the or each tab is housed in the or one of the cavities.

38. A device according to claim 37, characterized in that, facing the or each cavity, the chimney presents a color that is different from the color of the tab(s).

39. A receptacle provided with a neck, the receptacle being characterized in that it is fitted with a closure device according to claim 21.

40. A method of closing a receptacle provided with a neck, the method being characterized in that it comprises the following steps:

molding firstly a generally tubular base that is adapted to be secured around the neck, that internally defines a bore for opening out into the receptacle, and that is made integrally with a cap via at least one hinge strip for pivoting the cap relative to the base between a closed position and an open position, the cap being molded in the closed position;
molding secondly a flow chimney that is adapted to be fitted and held hermetically in the bore of the base, that forms zones of leaktight contact with the cap in the closed position, and that, on the side facing the receptacle, is extended by a sealing lip that is adapted to bear against the inside face of the neck, the chimney being molded separately from the base and the cap;
fitting the chimney and preventing it from moving, in at least one direction, inside the bore of the base;
applying a disinfectant to the outside and to the inside of the assembly comprising the chimney, the base, and the cap, then rinsing the assembly; and
securing the base to the outside face of the neck of the receptacle, causing the lip to bear in leaktight manner against the inside face of the neck.
Patent History
Publication number: 20070284392
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 1, 2005
Publication Date: Dec 13, 2007
Inventors: Hanno Kaess (Darmstadt), Jean-Patrice Racine (Trevoux), Luc Martin (Gex), Michel Luzzato (Lyon)
Application Number: 11/661,151
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: 222/153.050; 222/153.090
International Classification: B65D 47/08 (20060101);