EP2966002A1 - Cap with safety closure - Google Patents

Abstract

Container closure capsule (3) having a cap (5) having a skirt (19) and means (21) for attachment to the container; a cover (7) hinged and provided with a hook (9) before projecting; and an opening control strip (11) connected to the cap (5) by at least two breakable bridges (13a, 13b) and which defines a hooking edge for the hook, in the closed position of the lid. The hook (9) has an upper surface (9a) which is at least locally convex to engage a bottom surface (11a) of the opening control strip (11) which is at least locally concave.

Description

• de boucher de manière appropriée un récipient dont on veut savoir s'il a déjà été ouvert ou pas, tel un tube de parapharmacie ou de produits cosmétiques,
• et d'en libérer chaque fois que nécessaire la sortie d'une partie au moins du contenu.

The present invention relates to a solution for:

• to properly close a container which one wants to know if it has already been opened or not, such as a tube of parapharmacy or cosmetics,
• and to release whenever necessary the output of at least part of the content.

• une coiffe, ou base, présentant une jupe et qui est pourvue d'un orifice de distribution du contenu du récipient et de moyens de fixation situés à l'intérieur de la jupe, pour une fixation au récipient,
• un couvercle pourvu d'un crochet saillant et lié à la coiffe par au moins une charnière arrière horizontale pour être mobile, au-dessus de la coiffe, entre une position d'ouverture et une position de fermeture de l'orifice de distribution, et
• une bande témoin d'ouverture qui est liée (fixée) à la coiffe par au moins deux pontets sécables et qui définit un bord d'accrochage pour le crochet, en position de fermeture du couvercle.

Is thus concerned a plug, or in other words a capsule, for closing a container, the capsule having:

• a cap, or base, having a skirt and which is provided with a dispensing orifice of the contents of the receptacle and fastening means situated inside the skirt, for attachment to the receptacle,
• a cover provided with a projecting hook and connected to the cap by at least one horizontal rear hinge to be movable, above the cap, between an open position and a closed position of the dispensing orifice, and
• an opening indicator strip which is connected (fixed) to the cap by at least two breakable bridges and which defines a hooking edge for the hook, in the closed position of the lid.

Thus, an object of the invention is a capsule for packaging with hinge (s) allowing the closure lid (valve) to be fixed to the base of the capsule, the function of which is the closure of the containers used mainly in the cosmetics industry, chemical and pharmaceutical.

The object of the invention is to find a solution for closing plastic or other synthetic packaging, suitable for closing packages, especially cosmetic, chemical or pharmaceutical products containing liquids in the form of creams, gels, fluids or emulsions .

US5115932 discloses a valve cap whose defect is that the package that has it can not be equipped with a visible tamper evident.

WO00 / 76875 provides a monoblock capsule, consisting of a valve (lid) and a base comprising a safety mechanism. A tip is attached to the base or valve via an easy-to-break connection. This solution is very different from the object of the invention because its production is far from economical.

WO94 / 03371 presents a modification already known in the art of closure, having a system of inviolability and on-site protection as in its original state. It is a screw cap, made of plastic, comprising at least one protruding protective element in the form of protrusion at the neck of the container. The objective of WO94 / 03371 was to provide a one-piece plastic closure, provided with a protection element easily broken by a potential user, and to remedy pre-existing defects. However, the solution is far from pleasant to use and does not offer a simple capsule mechanism for practical use.

FR2894229 discloses a hinged capsule provided with a base and a pivoting cap attached to said base via a hinge. FR2894229 provides a thick tongue, covering the entire area serving as a finger. The dispenser does not have a characteristic point in the form of an orifice of a very small diameter, located inside the cap, dispensing the product contained in the container. A difference also consists in differences in the dimensions of the entire cap and its components in the form of a valve (cover) and protection tab serving as a tamper-proof indicator of the package.

As for FR 2820120 although it already has a solution with cap, cover provided with a protruding hook and connected to the cap by at least one rear hinge, and opening indicator strip, of the predefined type, but, facing him, a problem remains, related to manufacturing tolerances and the resistance provided by the hook against a forced, unauthorized opening.

A solution is proposed below which provides that the hook has a top surface at least locally convex to engage a lower surface of the opening control strip, at least locally concave.

Thus, since manufacturing tolerances are more difficult to satisfy on parallel straight surfaces than on curved shapes, the above solution should provide an advantage, as well as the resistance against an opening. forced; Indeed, with such concave / convex cooperating forms, a portion of the force exerted on the band will be transmitted laterally and not vertically, which will improve the mechanical strength of the inter-engagement between the hook and the band.

Another consideration is that the opening indicator strip protrudes forward of the hook at their respective engagement surfaces and / or the bottom surface of the hook protrudes by tilting upwardly.

Thus, there will be no misplaced hold of the finger at the passage, upward, the hook.

Another consideration is that the cover has a cap that extends to the front and upper portion adjacent to the top of the opening control strip.

Thus, going up after having passed the hook, the finger will naturally abut on this cap slightly prominent and cause the opening of the lid, if the opening control strip has been removed.

Another consideration is that the skirt has, under and in the vertical of the opening control strip and the hook, a truncated surface which extends obliquely rearward and upward to a surface of the cap which serves to support the cover in the closed position and which, at the top of the truncated surface, then advances beyond the hook.

Thus, going up from the bottom of the cap, the finger will be guided backwards and upwards by a truncated surface, therefore flatter than the rest of the surrounding outer face of the skirt, without abutting against the hook.

And, so that the cap remains effective at best, it is further recommended that the front of the cap is set back from the lower end of the truncated surface where it connects to the rest of the outer face of The hairdo.

• que, au sommet de la surface tronquée, la surface de la coiffe qui sert d'appui au couvercle en position de fermeture s'avance moins qu'une partie au moins de la casquette,
• et/ou que, liée à la coiffe par les pontets sécables, la bande témoin d'ouverture soit, dans cet état, logée dans un creux frontal du couvercle de façon :
  • -- à ne pas être proéminente par rapport au sommet de la surface tronquée,
  • -- et à ce que la casquette soit à peine proéminente par rapport à ladite bande.

Concerning this cap, it is also advised:

• that at the top of the truncated surface, the surface of the cap which serves to support the cover in the closed position advances at least a portion of the cap,
• and / or that, linked to the cap by the breakable bridges, the opening control strip is, in this state, housed in a front hollow of the cover so as to:
  • not to be prominent with respect to the top of the truncated surface,
  • and that the cap is barely protruding with respect to said band.

Thus, it will minimize the risk of forced opening, while the opening control strip is in place, and / or it will facilitate the opening of the lid, if the opening control strip has been removed.

To further address this issue of limiting the risks of forced opening, while the opening control strip is in place, it is recommended that, laterally, next to the cap, the cover has a notch where is arranged a side portion operating the opening control strip by a finger of the user, without overflow forward with respect to said cap.

• qui s'élève en étant légèrement écartée d'une face externe dressée du couvercle et sous laquelle s'étendent certains au moins des pontets sécables,
• et par laquelle un arrachage latéral de la bande témoin d'ouverture s'opèrera.

In this case, it will even be preferable that, in a notch, such as that mentioned above, the lateral operating part of the opening control strip has a tab:

• which rises slightly apart from an erected external face of the lid and under which at least some of the breakable bridges extend,
• and by which a lateral tearing of the opening control strip will take place.

Indeed, thus deporting aside the grip of the opening control strip while it is in place, fixed to the top of the cap, it will avoid interfering this action with an unexpected action on the cap. And the tearing of the opening control strip will operate in a lateral movement, from an area located laterally away from the hook, while the opening movement of the cover will operate in a substantially vertical movement, of bottom up, in the area the hook, which will not interfere, the prominence of the cap priming, including.

According to yet another consideration, it is furthermore advised that the opening control strip has a convex upper surface and that the cap has a shape that matches that of the convex upper surface adjacent thereto.

Thus, it will be simple to integrate, on the capsule, an effective cap, the convex upper surface hook, and the concave lower surface control strip, without having to dimension excessively in width the control strip.

• les figures 1,2 montrent d'une capsule, en perspective de 3/4 avant (fig.1) et de 3/4 arrière (fig.2), dans l'état ouvert du couvercle, alors que la bande témoin d'ouverture est toujours en place (situation inhabituelle, illustrée pour les besoins de la présentation);
• la figure 3 est une vue de face, de l'avant, dans l'état fermé du couvercle et bande témoin d'ouverture en place (situation normale, capsule sécurisée fermée, montée sur un récipient) ;
• la figure 4 montre une coupe transversale locale, selon la ligne IV-IV de la figure 3 ;
• et la figure 5 est une autre coupe transversale locale, montrant l'intérieur de la coiffe, laquelle est toujours montée sur le récipient, avec sa jupe qui camoufle les moyens internes de fixation.

Other features and advantages may still be apparent from the more detailed description which follows in connection with illustrations where:

• the figures 1,2 show a capsule, in perspective of 3/4 before ( fig.1 ) and 3/4 back ( fig.2 ), in the open state of the lid, while the opening control strip is still in place (unusual situation, illustrated for the purposes of the presentation);
• the figure 3 is a front view, from the front, in the closed state of the lid and opening indicator strip in place (normal situation, secure capsule closed, mounted on a container);
• the figure 4 shows a local cross-section, along line IV-IV of the figure 3 ;
• and the figure 5 is another local cross section, showing the inside of the cap, which is always mounted on the container, with its skirt which camouflages the internal fixing means.

In the figures, we therefore see a capsule 1 of molded plastic material.

The capsule is in one piece.

It is intended to ensure the closure of a container 3 containing a product to be dispensed.

• une coiffe ou base 5,
• un couvercle 7 pourvu d'un crochet 9 saillant et lié à la coiffe par au moins une charnière arrière (AR) horizontale 10, et
• une bande témoin d'ouverture 11 qui est liée à la coiffe 5, ici par deux séries 13a,13b de deux pontets sécables (par exemple) et qui définit localement, en 110, un bord d'accrochage pour le crochet 9, en position de fermeture du couvercle (fig.3).

The capsule 1 presents or comprises:

• a cap or base 5,
• a cover 7 provided with a hook 9 projecting and connected to the cap by at least one horizontal rear hinge (AR) 10, and
• an opening control strip 11 which is connected to the cap 5, here by two series 13a, 13b of two breakable bridges (for example) and which defines locally, at 110, a hooking edge for the hook 9, in the closed position of the lid ( fig.3 ).

Thus, it will be understood that, in place on the capsule, the opening indicator strip 11 is fixed only to the cap 5, here by the breakable bridges, without being attached to the cover. It is by the hook 9 protruding at the front, slid under this transverse band 11, that the safety connection closing the lid operates (see figs.3,4 ).

The cap or base 5 has an upper surface 15, generally flat, through which passes a hole 17 for dispensing the contents of the container, as well as a skirt 19. The skirt extends downwards from the upper surface 15 and defines a hollow interior space 20. Internally, in this space 20, the cap or 5 is further provided with means 21 for fixing, for attachment to the neck 23 of the container 3. These means may be provided on a second skirt, cylindrical, concentric to the first.

The fastening means 21 may define lugs which secure snap-fastening to the neck 23 of the container, which can then have a flange 25 opposite the outer face ( fig.5 ).

As illustrated, it may be appropriate, for the discretion and efficiency of the attachment, that the fastening means 21 are provided on an inner skirt 27, for example cylindrical, coaxial with the skirt 19.

The horizontal rear hinge 10 allows the lid 7 to be movable, above the cap, between an open position ( figs.1,2 ) and a closed position of the dispensing orifice 17.

In order to promote manufacturing of injection-molded plastic resin, while avoiding manufacturing tolerances which are difficult to satisfy and by ensuring a resistance ensured by the hook 9 against a forced opening, it is proposed that this hook has a surface upper 9a which is at least locally convex to engage a lower surface 11a of the opening control strip 11 which is at least locally concave.

The illustrated solution also makes it possible to avoid a poor retention of a finger of the user when crossing the hook, while the lid is closed and the opening control strip 11 is in place ( figs.3,4 ).

For this, it is expected that this opening control strip protrudes forward (AV) of the hook 9 at their respective engagement surfaces 9a / 11a and / or (preferably "and") that the bottom surface 9b of the hook advances by bowing upwards, as can be seen fig.4 .

It is furthermore preferable that when going up after having passed the hook 9, the finger naturally abuts on a shape acting to cause the lid to open, if the opening control strip 11 has been removed.

This is particularly for this purpose that the cover 7 has a cap 29 extending at the front and upper part adjacent to the top of the opening control strip 11.

It will be understood that this cap 29 extends front side (AV) of the lid, in the upper part, in limit with the wall or transverse surface 31 which closes the lid on the top and, by the endpiece 33 which protrudes internally , closes the orifice 17, in the closed position.

Having found problems on other capsules, it is here also provided that up from the bottom of the cap, the finger is, front side (AV) guided backwards and upwards, without abutting against the hook 9.

To this end, it is proposed that the skirt 19 has, beneath and in the vertical of the opening control strip 11 and the hook 9, so front side (AV), a truncated surface 31 extending obliquely towards the rear and up to a surface 33 (horizontal) of the cap which will then support the cover 7, in the closed position, and which at the top of the truncated surface and as seen fig.4 , then advances beyond the hook.

Flatter than the rest of the surrounding outer face of the skirt 19, the truncated surface 31 promotes a judicious placement of the finger to open the cover by tilting backwards (AR), around the hinge 10.

And, as already indicated, so that the cap 29 remains effective at best, it is further recommended that the front of this cap is set back from the lower end 31a of the truncated surface where it connects to the rest of the outer face of the cap (see fig.4 ).

• que, au sommet de la surface tronquée 31, la surface 33 de la coiffe qui sert d'appui au couvercle en position de fermeture s'avance moins que l'extrémité avant de la casquette,
• et/ou (de préférence « et ») que, liée à la coiffe par les pontets sécables 13a,13b, la bande témoin d'ouverture 11 soit, dans cet état fermé, logée dans un creux frontal 35 du couvercle de façon (voir fig.4) :
  • -- à ne pas être proéminente vers l'avant par rapport au sommet de la surface tronquée,
  • -- et à ce que la casquette 29 soit, quant à elle, à peine proéminente vers l'avant par rapport à ladite bande 11.

Regarding this cap, it is still advisable, again as we see fig.4 :

• that at the top of the truncated surface 31, the surface 33 of the cap which serves to support the cover in the closed position advances less than the front end of the cap,
• and / or (preferably "and") that, linked to the cap by the breakable bridges 13a, 13b, the opening control strip 11 is, in this closed state, housed in a front depression 35 of the cover so (see fig.4 ):
  • - not to be protruding forward with respect to the top of the truncated surface,
  • - And that the cap 29 is, for its part, barely protruding forward with respect to said strip 11.

Thus, the opening control strip in place, it will minimize the risk of forced opening, and / or it will facilitate the opening of the lid, if the opening control strip has been removed.

To further address this issue of limiting the risks of forced opening, while the opening control strip is in place, it is therefore recommended that, laterally, next to the cap 29, the cover has a notch 37 where is arranged a lateral part 39 of maneuvering the opening control strip by a finger of the user, without overflow forward with respect to said cap.

• qui s'élève en étant légèrement écartée vis-à-vis de la face externe dressée 41 du couvercle 7,
• sous laquelle s'étendent certains au moins des pontets sécables (ici ceux 13b),
• et par laquelle un arrachage latéral de la bande témoin d'ouverture 11 s'opèrera (flèche 43).

In this case, it will even be preferable that, in the notch 37, the lateral portion 39 of operation of the opening control strip has a tab 39a:

• which rises slightly away from the upright external face 41 of the cover 7,
• under which extend at least some breakable bridges (here those 13b),
• and by which a lateral tearing of the opening control strip 11 will take place (arrow 43).

Benefits to this have already been stated above.

According to yet another consideration, it is furthermore advised that the opening control strip 11 has a convex upper surface 11b and that the cap has a shape (concave lower surface 29b) which will marry that of this convex upper surface which is adjacent to it.

Thus, it will be possible to use a generally arcuate control strip, well integrated in the recesses 35, 37, with a small width (height).

According to other considerations, it is expected that the cover is of a thickness less than the thickness of the base itself, placed on the body of the container through the latching system. This thickness is expressed by a relationship of 1 to 3. Such a situation will make that the lid will be much lighter than the base. This solution offers greater ease and increases the functionality related to opening the lid of the capsule.

Moreover, as mentioned above in connection with the notch 37, such a lid opening mode solution is designed so that a specially formed recess allows to place a finger there, mainly the thumb for open the lid of the capsule. The position of the finger in the hollow, mainly the thumb, will be preferably both by the placement of the end of the finger, its adhesion throughout the hollow for this purpose and by the movement of the cover by a movement of the finger to the top, as a perpendicular placement of the finger relative to the hollow, where the edge of the lid comes into contact with the fingertip. Moved up, the lid opens the base of the capsule. It is also possible to proceed with the opening by placing a finger, mainly the thumb, below the lid, in the opposite position of the thumb to the entire package.

In this solution, it is impossible to replace a broken tab.

An additional feature is the presence, as
a dispenser located inside the base of the capsule, introduced inside the package of the liquid, equipped with a very small diameter orifice, preventing an excess spill of the liquid outside the container. 'packaging. The diameter of the dispenser orifice is 1 to 5 mm.

Claims (10)

Capsule for closing a container (3), the capsule presenting: - a cap (5) having a skirt (19) and which is provided with a hole (17) for dispensing the contents of the container and means (21) for fixing located inside the skirt, for attachment to the container, - a cover (7) provided with a hook (9) protruding and connected to the cap by at least one horizontal hinge (10) to be movable, above the cap, between an open position and a position closing the dispensing orifice (17), and - an opening control strip (11) which is connected to the cap (5) by at least two breakable bridges (13a, 13b) and which defines a hooking edge for the hook, in the closed position of the cover (7); ) characterized in that the hook has an upper surface (9a) which is at least locally convex to engage a lower surface (11a) of the opening control strip which is at least locally concave. The capsule of claim 1, wherein the opening control strip protrudes forward of the hook (9) at their respective engagement surfaces, and / or the bottom surface of the hook advances by tilting toward the high. Capsule according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cover (7) has at the front and in the upper part a cap (29) which extends adjacently over the opening control strip (11). Capsule according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the skirt (3) has, under and in the vertical of the opening control strip and the hook (27), a truncated surface (31) which extends obliquely towards the rearwardly and upwardly to a surface (33) of the cap which serves to support the cover (7) in the closed position and which, at the top of the truncated surface, then protrudes beyond the hook (9). Capsule according to claims 3 and 4 wherein, at the top of the truncated surface, the surface (33) of the cap which serves as support for the lid (7) in the at least partially closed position, advances less than at least a portion of the cap (29). Capsule according to claims 3 and 4 or 3 and 5, wherein the front of the cap (29) is recessed relative to the lower end of the truncated surface (31) where it is connected to the rest of the face outer of the cap. Capsule claims 3 and 4 or 3 and 5 or 3 and 6 where, linked to the cap (5) by the breakable bridges (13a, 13b), the opening control strip (11) is then housed in a front hollow of the cover (7) so not to be prominent with respect to the top of the truncated surface, and that the cap (29) is barely protruding with respect to said band. The capsule of claim 3 wherein, laterally, next to the cap (29), the cover (7) has a notch (41) where is arranged a side portion (39a) for actuating the opening control strip (11) by a finger of the user, without overflow forward with respect to said cap. The capsule of claim 8, wherein, in a notch, the lateral operating portion of the opening control strip (11) has a tab (39a): - which rises slightly apart from an upright external face of the cover (7) and under which extend at least some of the breakable bridges (13a, 13b), - and by which a lateral tearing of the opening control strip is effected. Capsule according to claim 3, wherein the opening control strip (11) has a convex upper surface (11b) and the cap has a shape (29b) which matches that of the convex upper surface adjacent thereto.

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