CLOSURE CAPSULE FOR CONTAINERS

Abstract

A closure capsule for containers, comprising: a side wall (1), of tubular shape concentric with a longitudinal axis (X); an end wall (2), disposed at a first end of the side wall (1) and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (X); an abutment wall (3), perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (X) and disposed inside the side wall (1) so as to provide an abutment for the upper edge of the neck of a container; the end wall (2) and the abutment wall (3) lie in distinct planes and the plane in which the end wall (2) lies is at a distance from the plane in which the abutment wall (3) lies, so as to increase the longitudinal extension of the side wall (1) by one end tract (T).

Description

The object of the present invention is a closure capsule for containers. The invention particularly refers to a capsule for the closure of containers, such as for example bottles or flacons that are equipped with an access opening disposed at the top of a neck.

Various models of closure capsules for containers are currently available. For the most part, the capsules that are now available are equipped with an internal thread for application to the neck of the container. It is therefore important that the capsule can be firmly grasped in order to be able to exert the torque required to screw and unscrew the capsule onto/from the neck of the container, especially the first time the container is opened. In fact, the capsules are frequently provided with security elements, the function of which is to indicate unequivocally that the first opening of the container has taken place. These security elements are often constituted by rings or barriers, which, upon the first opening, detach from the capsule at a breakable edge. When the container is opened for the first time, it is thus necessary to exert a torque on the capsule sufficient to break the security elements.

In cases in which a bottle contains carbonated liquids, pressure is created inside the bottle and the pressure is transmitted to the upper wall of the capsule, particularly to the area surrounded by the sealing lip. This area is normally provided with radial ribs that extend radially from the centre of the capsule. In the capsules of a known type, these ribs are distributed at a constant angular pitch so as to stiffen the entire upper wall of the capsule in a uniform manner. Normally this prevents deformation of the coupling area between the sealing lip and the neck of the container, so that the gas trapped inside the bottle cannot escape. In this manner, very high pressure levels can be generated inside the bottle, especially in the event of improper storage of the liquid after the bottle has been opened for the first time.

The capsules currently available are not satisfactory in terms of ergonomics. The dimensions prove to be too small, making it difficult to exert a sufficiently firm grip on such capsules.

An aim of the present invention is to offer a capsule with markedly improved ergonomics compared to the prior-art capsules.

Another aim of the present invention is to offer a capsule provided with a particularly effective security ring that contributes to reducing the torque required when opening the capsule for the first time.

An aim of the present model is to offer a closure capsule that makes it possible to maintain the hermetic sealing of a bottle and free the gas contained inside the bottle when a given pressure level is exceeded.

An advantage of the capsule according to the present model is that it is economical, like the currently available capsules.

Another advantage of the capsule according to the present model is that it can replace currently available capsules.

Further characteristics and advantages of the present model will become more apparent from the following detailed description of an embodiment of the capsule at hand, which is illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the attached figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a view of a first embodiment of the capsule according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the capsule of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a second embodiment of the capsule;

FIG. 4 is a view of a third embodiment of the capsule according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a view of a fourth embodiment of the capsule according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a view of a fifth embodiment of the capsule according to the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a view of a sixth embodiment of the capsule according to the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a view of a seventh embodiment of the capsule according to the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a view of an eighth embodiment of the capsule according to the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a view of a ninth embodiment of the capsule according to the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a view of a tenth embodiment of the capsule according to the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a view of an eleventh embodiment of the capsule according to the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a view of a twelfth embodiment of the capsule according to the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a view of a thirteenth embodiment of the capsule according to the present invention;

FIG. 15 is an axonometric view of a further embodiment of the capsule;

FIG. 16 is a side view of the capsule appearing in FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a view from below of the capsule appearing in FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a sectional view taken along the plane of line C-C of the capsule appearing in FIG. 17.

The closure capsule according to the present invention comprises a side wall (1) of tubular shape concentric with a longitudinal axis (X). The side wall (1) is internally provided with coupling means for the coupling thereof to the neck of a container, for example a thread as shown in the figures. An end wall (2) is disposed at a first end of the side wall (1), perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis (X). The capsule is also provided with an abutment wall (3) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (X) and disposed inside the side wall (1) so as to provide an abutment for the upper edge of the neck of a container.

The end wall (2) and the abutment surface (3) lie in distinct planes and the plane in which the end wall (2) lies is at a distance from the plane in which the abutment wall (3) lies, so as to increase the longitudinal extension of the side wall (1) by one end tract (T). Essentially, this end tract (T) increases the extension of the capsule along the longitudinal axis (X), thereby increasing the ergonomics thereof.

As shown in the figures, the side wall (1) is connected to the abutment wall (3), which is disposed perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis (X) and extends inwardly of the side wall (1). The abutment wall (3) substantially lies in a first plane that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (X). The end wall (2) lies in a second plane that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (X), which is disposed above the abutment wall (3). The abutment wall (3) and the end wall (2) are connected to each other by the end tract (T), which preferably extends parallel to and concentrically with the longitudinal axis (X). As can be seen in the figures, the diameter of the end wall (2) is smaller than that of the side wall (1).

An internal sealing lip (5) is disposed inside the side wall (1). This internal lip (5) projects below the end wall (2) and it is concentric with the longitudinal axis (X). The internal lip (5) is preferably aligned with the end tract (T), defining a downward extension thereof. The internal lip (5) is structured so as to enable it to be arranged in contact with the internal surface of the opening to which the cap is designed to be coupled.

The abutment wall (3) and the end tract (T) form an indentation (R) on the external surface of the capsule. In a first embodiment, this indentation (R) is in the form of a step. To stiffen the indentation (R) and to improve the grip on the capsule, a plurality of radial ribs (21) are arranged between the end wall (2) and the side wall (1). These ribs (21) are connected to both the end tract (T) and the abutment wall (3), and at a first end, they are joined to the end wall (2), whereas at an opposite end they are joined to the side wall (1). The ribs (21) preferably extend at least partly on the side wall (1), projecting therefrom so as to increase the grip thereon.

In an alternative embodiment of the capsule, the abutment wall (3) is located at the end of an internal ring (31) that projects beneath the end wall (2) concentrically with the longitudinal axis (X). In this embodiment as well, the capsule comprises an end tract (T) comprised between the abutment wall (2) and the end wall (2).

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the internal ring (31) is at a distance from the side wall (1), defining an annular space interposed between the internal ring (31) and the side wall (1). A plurality of internal ribs (22) are disposed radially between the internal ring (31) and the side wall (1). These ribs serve the function of stiffening the end tract (T) and the internal ring (31).

In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the capsule can be provided with an internal sealing lip (5), disposed inside the side wall (1) as in the solution of FIG. 1. This internal lip (5) projects below the end wall (2) and it is concentric with the longitudinal axis (X). The internal lip (5) is structured so as to enable it to be arranged in contact with the internal surface of the opening to which the cap is designed to be coupled. As shown in FIG. 3, the internal ring (31) is also at a distance from the internal lip (5), as well as from the side wall (1). The internal ribs (22) also extend between the internal ring (31) and the internal lip (5), thereby also contributing to the stiffening of the internal lip.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, the internal ribs (22) extend radially from the side wall (1) to the lateral surface of the internal lip (5). The abutment wall (3) is defined by the internal ribs (22), beneath which it is arranged in contact with the upper edge of the neck of the container.

The capsule according to the present invention advantageously comprises a security ring (8) that is breakably connected to a lower edge (4) of the side wall (1). The security ring (8) comprises a connecting lip (9) facing the inside of the side wall (1) and the end wall (2). As can be seen in FIG. 4, the connecting lip (9) is associated with a lower edge of the security ring (8) and faces upwards, inclined inwardly of the capsule.

The connecting lip (9) is structured so as to come into contact with a radial ring associated with the neck of a container. The connecting lip is provided with a first edge (91), lying on a conical surface concentric with the longitudinal axis (X), and a second edge (92), lying on a conical surface substantially perpendicular to the first edge (91).

As shown in FIGS. 5 to 14, the first edge (91) lies on a conical surface concentric with the longitudinal axis (X) and downwardly inclined, that is, with its vertex facing downwards, on the opposite side with respect to the end wall (2). The second edge (92) is substantially perpendicular to the first edge (91), or, in general, it lies on a conical surface concentric with the longitudinal axis (X), with its vertex facing the end wall (2).

The first edge (91) is structured so as to come into contact with the radial ring solidly constrained to the neck of the container, beneath the radial ring. The second edge (92) is structured so as to come into contact with the radial ring solidly constrained to the neck of the container, but to the side of the radial ring. In other words, overall, the first and the second edge (91, 92) define an L-shaped surface; the concavity thereof faces the inside of the capsule. This L-shaped surface is designed to receive the radial ring of the neck of the container at least partially, in an arrangement beneath and outside of the radial ring.

When the capsule is being unscrewed, the first edge (91) comes into contact with the radial ring of the neck. This contact stops the upward movement of the first edge (91), and along with it, movement of the connecting lip (9) and the security ring (8) as well. The connecting lip (9) tends to rotate inwards due to the contact between the first edge (91) and the radial ring of the neck. However, this rotation is prevented by the second edge (92), which is arranged in lateral contact with the radial ring of the neck. In essence, the first and the second edge (91, 92) prevent the connecting lip (9) from rotating downwards, and slipping off the neck of the container without causing breakage of the security ring (8).

The connecting lip (9) advantageously comprises a plurality of active tracts (93), each of which is provided with a first and a second edge (91, 92), which are interconnected by joining tracts (94). These joining tracts (94) are thinner in thickness than the active tracts and they increase the overall circumferential elasticity of the connecting lip. This facilitates the first insertion of the capsule on the neck of the container.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the joining tracts (94) do not extend as far as the lower edge of the security ring (8), as they terminate over the lower edge of the security ring, each defining a through opening (C), facing downwards. This opening (C) opens downwards the space comprised between the security ring (8) and the connecting lip (9), enabling the outflow of possible volumes of products that have remained trapped between the connecting lip and the security ring.

The opening (C) also contributes to reducing the effort required to bend the connecting lip (9) into the operating position, that is, upwards, and to screw the capsule until the connecting lip (9) is arranged beneath the radial ring of the neck.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, the joining tracts (94) extend instead as far as the lower edge of the security ring, so as to make the connecting lip (9) less extendible in the direction of the circumference.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, the joining tracts (94) have a central portion that does not extend as far as the lower edge of the sealing ring (8), as the central portion terminates over the lower edge of the security ring, each joining tract defining a through opening (C) facing downwards and that opens only in the central portion of the respective joining tract (94). This solution represents a compromise between the solutions shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, in that the sealing lip is less extendible than the solution shown in FIG. 5, but it maintains the possibility for outflow of the liquid from the zone comprised between the sealing ring (8) and the sealing lip (9).

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8, the through openings (C) are afforded below the active tracts (93). Each active tract (93) has a central portion that does not extend as far as the lower edge of the sealing ring (8), as it remains at a distance from it, delimiting at the top the through opening (C). Furthermore, the central portion of each active tract (93) preferably has a lightening groove (93a) that terminates at the through opening (C). Less extendibility of the circumference of the sealing lip (9) is maintained in this solution, although the through openings are maintained (C).

In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, the first edge (91) extends for the entire length of the connecting lip (9) concentrically with the longitudinal axis (X). The second edge (92) is instead defined at the active tracts (93), which are circumferentially distributed along the connecting lip (9). In other words, the connecting lip (9) extends concentrically with the longitudinal axis (X) for the entire circumferential extension of the security ring (8), defining in an upper zone, the first edge (91). The active tracts (93) project from the connecting lip (9) towards the longitudinal axis (X), forming brackets. The second edge (92) is defined by the active tracts (93), particularly by an upper surface of the active tracts (93).

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9, the connecting lip (9) is provided with through openings (C) interposed between the various active tracts (93). The function of these through openings (C) is to enable drainage of liquid from the space comprised between the security ring (8) and the connecting lip (9), as well as to increase the circumferential elasticity of the connecting lip (9). The embodiment shown in FIG. 10 is not provided with through openings (C).

A variant of the embodiment of FIG. 10 is shown in FIG. 11. In the embodiment of FIG. 11, the first and second edges (91, 92) alternate with respect to each other along the connecting lip (9). Essentially, the first edge (91) ends at the active elements (93). As a result, the upper edge of the connecting lip (9) has a stepped shape.

An embodiment similar to the embodiment of FIG. 11 is represented in FIG. 12, in which the through openings (C) are present on the connecting lip (9), in the zones interposed between the active elements (93).

In the embodiment showed in FIG. 13, the through openings (C) are afforded at the active elements (93), rather than in the zones of the connecting lip (9), and they are interposed between the active elements. In particular, the through openings (C) are disposed beneath the active elements (93).

In the embodiment of FIG. 14), the through openings (C) are disposed at the active elements (93) and at the zones of the connecting lip (9) and they are interposed between the active elements (93).

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 15, 16, 17 and 18, the capsule according to the present invention comprises an upper wall (2) that is substantially circular in shape. A lateral portion (3) is connected to an edge zone of the upper wall (2). The upper wall (2) and the lateral portion (3) are concentric with a central axis (X) perpendicular to the upper wall (2).

The lateral portion (3) is provided with coupling means (4) to enable connection of the capsule to the neck of a bottle (unillustrated). The upper wall (2) is provided with a sealing ring (41) that projects below the upper wall (2) and it is structured for at least partial insertion inside the neck of the bottle and to adhere to the latter, so as to realize a hermetic seal.

The upper wall (2) is provided with at least one rib (51) that extends along a radial direction with respect to the central axis (X). The rib (51) comprises at least one end portion disposed in proximity to or coincident with the central axis (X). Therefore, the rib (51) is not symmetric with respect to the central axis (X), but extends at least prevalently only on one side of the central axis (X).

In a preferred embodiment, the upper part (2) comprises two ribs (51, 52) that extend along a radial direction and that are disposed asymmetrically with respect to the central axis (X). The ribs (51, 52) preferably project below the upper wall (2).

In other words, measuring the angles counter clockwise about the central axis (X), the angle (A) separating a first rib (51) from a second rib (52) differs from the angle (B) separating the second rib (52) from the first rib (51). This means that a first zone (Z1) of the upper wall (2) comprised within the smaller angle (A) between the ribs (51, 52) is more rigid than a second zone (Z2) outside this smaller angle (A). In this manner, the two zones (Z1, Z2) deform differently with an increase in the pressure inside the bottle, until the seal between the lip (41) and the neck of the bottle is compromised, permitting discharge of the gas.

The illustrated embodiment shows two ribs (51, 52), but a different number of ribs is of course a possibility, provided that they are distributed asymmetrically with respect to the central axis (X), and/or spaced by angular pitches that are not constant so as to stiffen the upper wall (2) non-uniformly.

As can be seen in FIG. 18, the ribs (51, 52) extend preferably between the central axis (X) and the lip (41).

The capsule according to the present model can be supplied with a security ring (6) associated with a lower edge of the lateral portion (3) by means of a breakable edge.

Claims

1. A closure capsule for containers, comprising: a side wall (1) of tubular shape concentric with a longitudinal axis (X); an end wall (2) disposed at a first end of the side wall (1) and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (X); an abutment wall (3) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (X) and disposed inside the side wall (1) so as to provide an abutment for the upper edge of the neck of a container; characterized in that the end wall (2) and the abutment wall (3) lie in distinct planes and the plane in which the end wall (2) lies is at a distance from the plane in which the abutment wall (3) lies, so as to increase the longitudinal extension of the side wall (1) by one end tract (T).

2. The capsule according to claim 1, wherein the end tract (T) is provided with external ribs (21).

3. The capsule according to claim 1, wherein the end tract (T) is provided with internal ribs (22).

4. The capsule according to claim 1, comprising a security ring (8) that is breakably connected to a lower edge (4) of the side wall (1), wherein the security ring (8) comprises a connecting lip (9) facing the inside of the side wall (1) and the end wall (2), said connecting lip (9), being arranged so as to come into contact with a radial ring associated with the neck of a container, and provided with a first edge (91) lying on a conical surface concentric with the longitudinal axis (X), and a second edge (92), lying on a conical surface substantially perpendicular to the first edge (91).

5. The capsule according to claim 4, wherein the connecting lip (9) comprises a plurality of active tracts (93), each of which is provided with a first and a second edge (91, 92), which are interconnected by joining tracts (94).

6. The capsule according to claim 4, wherein the first and second edges (91, 92) alternate with respect to each other along the connecting lip (9).

7. The capsule according to claim 4, wherein the connecting lip (9) comprises a plurality of through openings (C).

8. The closure capsule for containers, comprising: an upper wall (2); a lateral portion (3) connected to the upper wall (2); a central axis (X), with which the upper wall (2) and the lateral portion (3) are concentric; and at least one radial rib (51), which is associated with the upper wall (2), characterized in that the rib (51) has one end portion disposed in proximity to or at the central axis (X).

9. The capsule according to claim 8, comprising two radial ribs (51, 52) associated with the upper wall (2) and disposed asymmetrically with respect to the central axis (3).

10. The capsule according to claim 9, comprising two or more radial ribs (51, 52) separated by angular pitches that are not constant about the central axis (X).

11. The capsule according to claim 8, wherein the lower part of the upper wall is provided with a sealing lip (41) and the ribs (51, 52) extend between the central axis (X) and the sealing lip (41).

12. The capsule according to claim 8, wherein the ribs (51, 52) project below the upper wall (2).