Safety closure

Description

[0001] The present invention refers to safety closures for bottles intended to contain cosmetic products. The present invention further refers to a method of manufacturing safety closures.

[0002] The expression safety closure is used to indicate a closure that can be repeatedly opened and closed, and comprising means for indicating wholeness thereof.

[0003] The state of the art, for the closure of the aforementioned bottles, comprises closures made of synthetic material obtained through injection in suitable moulds, which are constituted by a body intended to be irreversibly coupled to the neck of the bottle, and by a cover constituted by the same material of the body and joined to the body by a thin and flexible part serving as a hinge. The cover and the body are obtained using the same material, by means of a single injection operation.

[0004] The closures of the prior art reveal the drawback lying in the fact that the wholeness of the packaging should be guaranteed by means different from the closure, such as a film sheath, whose removal indicates the first opening of the bottle.

[0005] The need of applying a safety sheath after applying the device to the neck of the bottle implies complicating the provision of the finished packaging and it does entirely guarantee that a sheath similar to the original one is not reapplied after a non-authorised opening of the bottle

[0006] Other closures comprise safety devices which are integrated in the body that is coupled to the neck of the bottle, and which are adapted to be snap-coupled to the cover. Closures of this kind are disclosed for example in the prior patents WO 2008/081171 which discloses a method according to the preamble of claim 1 and a closure according to the preamble of claim 4, EP 0210138, US 4487324 and US 2004/069806.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to overcome the aforementioned drawback through a simple and inexpensive solution.

[0008] This object is attained through a closure having the characteristics outlined in the Independent claim 4 and a method of manufacturing having the characteristics outlined in the independent claim 1; the dependent claims refer to further characteristics of the invention that improve the efficiency thereof.

[0009] Substantially the object is attained by a closure comprising a body intended to be snap-coupled on the neck of a bottle, and provided with an upper hole for the outlet of the product.

[0010] A cover obtained in the same body injection operation, è joined to the body by flexible tabs serving as a hinge and it is provided with a shank intended to be sealingly inserted in an upper hole of the body.

[0011] A safety device is created at least partly on the body by means of a second injection operation.

[0012] On the side of the safety device fixed to the body there rises means at least partly accessible from outside adapted to be snap-coupled at corresponding appendages of the cover.

[0013] Said means are connected to the side of the safety device fixed to the body by appendages fragile to the forces they are subjected to for decoupling from the cover by said means fixed to the body and at least partly accessible from outside.

[0014] The fact of making the security system with a second injection operation entails that the closure is formed substantially by two bodies (the body intended to engage on the neck of the bottle and the safety device), which are joined together inseparably, but are still two distinct bodies. This feature has the advantage that those two bodies can be made of different materials and / or different colors, etc.; that being not possible with conventional methods

[0015] The constructional and functional characteristics of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, which with reference to the attached drawings illustrates a preferred embodiment provided by way of non-limiting example.

Fig 1 shows the invention at the exit from the mould.

Fig 2 shows the invention of Fig 1 seen in plan view.

Fig 3 shows the section III-III of Fig 2.

Fig 4 shows - in plan view - the invention after the first closure.

Fig 5 shows the section V-V of Fig 4.

Fig 6 shows the invention in lateral view, closed, during normal use.

Fig 7 shows the invention in perspective view, open, during normal use.

[0016] The figures show the closure 1 comprising a main body 2, a cover 3, and a safety device 5.

[0017] The main body 2 is drinking-glass-shaped, and it has, on the interior surface thereof starting from the bottom, six forms 21 in relief, equally spaced, intended to be snap-coupled on an annular relief present on the neck of the bottle, not illustrated.

[0018] From the upper flat surface of the body 2 there is derived - downwards - an annular lip 22 intended to be sealingly inserted in the neck of the bottle, not illustrated.

[0019] The body 2 has an upper opening 23.

[0020] The cover 3 is a concave body intended to fittingly rest on the body 2 (Figs 3 ,5).

[0021] The cover 3 has, facing towards the body 2 when the cover is positioned resting, a central shank 31 intended to be sealingly inserted on the opening 23 of the body 2.

[0022] The body and the cover are joined by three thin tabs 4 intended to serve as a hinge.

[0023] Under normal conditions of use the cover 3 is kept in position by the shank 31 inserted into the hole 23.

[0024] The body 2, the cover 3 and the tabs 4 are obtained by means of a single injection operation.

[0025] The cover 3 has an internal notch 32, and an external notch 33 at the position opposite to the tabs 4.

[0026] The safety device comprises a single body 5, obtained by means of a second injection operation on the body 2.

[0027] For such purpose, the body 2 has, at a position opposite to the position of the tabs 4, a recess adapted to stably and fittingly receive a crescent-shaped insert 51.

[0028] Two appendages 52 which support a curved framework 53 rise at the lateral ends of the insert 51.

[0029] Said appendages 51 are fragile, and untended to break when subjected to pulling forces.

[0030] With the cover closed they are received at corresponding cavities present on the edge of the cover.

[0031] The framework 53 comprises a curved side 531 intended, at the first closure of the cover, to be arranged therewithin and beneath the notch 32 of the cover.

[0032] Opposite to the side 531 the framework 53 comprises a small shaped handle 532, which, at the first closure of the cover, is arranged above the notch 33 of the cover.

[0033] Before and after the closure of the cover, the configuration of the safety device is the one illustrated sectionally in Fig 3.

[0034] After the first closure of the cover, the configuration of the safety device is the one illustrated sectionally in Fig 5 and Fig 6.

[0035] After the first opening of the cover the configuration of the closed device is that illustrated in Fig 7.

[0036] The operation of the invention is clear.

[0037] After exit from the mould the cover is reclosed assuming the configuration of Fig 5 sectionally.

[0038] The device is thus snap-inserted on the neck of the bottle.

[0039] At the first use of the product, the user first operates on the handle 532 of the framework 53, causing the breaking of the appendages 52 and the irreversible detachment of the framework from the insert 51.

[0040] At this point the cover can be opened and closed without hindrances.

[0041] It should be pointed out that the material of the first injection intended to form the body and cover is preferably PP Polypropylene.

[0042] The material of the second injection intended to form the safety device is preferably PP Polypropylene.

[0043] The first and the second injection are carried out in succession in the same mould provided with mobile inserts which, after the first injection for forming the body and the cover, are removed to create the injection space of the safety device.

[0044] It is deemed that the described embodiment may be subjected to modifications and improvements without departing from the scope of protection of the following claims.

Claims

1. A method of manufacturing a safety closure comprising a body (2) intended to be snap-coupled on the neck of a bottle, and provided with an upper hole (23) for the outlet of the product, a cover (3) joined to the body (2) by flexible tabs (4) serving as a hinge and provided with a shank (31) intended to be sealingly inserted in the upper hole (23) of the body (2), and - in a position opposite to the flexible tabs - a safety device fixed to the body (2) from which there rises means at least partly accessible from outside adapted to be snap-coupled at corresponding appendages of the cover, said means being connected to the safety device by means of appendages (52) fragile to the forces they are subjected to for decoupling said means from the cover (2), characterized in that the body (2) and the cover (3) are obtained in a same first injection operation, whereas the safety device is obtained by means of a second injection operation.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the body (2) is made of one material and has a colour and the safety device is made of a different material and/or has a different colour.

3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first and the second injection operations are carried out in succession.

4. Safety closure comprising a body (2) intended to be snap-coupled on the neck of a bottle, and provided with an upper hole (23) for the outlet of the product, a cover (3) obtained in the same body injection operation, joined to the body (2) by flexible tabs (4) serving as a hinge and provided with a shank (31) intended to be sealingly inserted in the upper hole (23) of the body (2), wherein it comprises - in a position opposite to the flexible tabs - a safety device fixed to the body (2) and obtained by means of a second injection operation from which there rises means at least partly accessible from outside adapted to be snap-coupled at corresponding appendages of the cover, said means being connected to the safety device by means of appendages (52) fragile to the forces they are subjected to for decoupling said means from the cover (2), characterized in that the body (2) is made of one material and has a colour and the safety device is made of a different material and/or has a different colour.

5. Safety closure according to claim 4 characterised in that said means at least partly accessible from outside comprise a framework (53) having a first side (532) intended to be positioned outside the edge of the cover to be snap-coupled to a notch of the cover, and serving as a handle.

6. Safety closure according to claim 5 characterised in that said framework (53) comprises a second side (531) intended to be positioned within the edge of the cover to be snap-coupled to a notch present on the internal edge of the cover.

Ansprüche

1. Verfahren zur Herstellung eines Sicherheitsverschlusses, umfassend einen Hauptteil (2), der dafür vorgesehen ist, mittels Schnappverbindung am Hals einer Flache angebracht zu werden, und mit einer oberen Öffnung (23) für die Ausgabe des Produkts ausgestattet ist, einen Deckel (3), der mit dem Hauptteil (2) durch flexible Streifen (4) verbunden ist, die als Scharnier dienen, und der mit einem Zapfen (31) ausgestattet ist, der dafür vorgesehen ist, abdichtend in die obere Öffnung (23) des Hauptteils (2) eingesetzt zu werden, und eine Sicherheitseinrichtung, die an einer Position gegenüber den flexiblen Streifen am Hauptteil (2) befestigt ist, von der sich ein Mittel erhebt, das zumindest teilweise von außen zugänglich und dafür eingerichtet ist, mittels Schnappverbindung an entsprechenden Fortsätzen des Deckels angebracht zu werden, wobei das Mittel mittels Fortsätzen (52) mit der Sicherheitseinrichtung verbunden ist, die gegenüber den Kräften, denen sie beim Abnehmen des Mittels vom Deckel (2) ausgesetzt sind, zerbrechlich sind, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Hauptteil (2) und der Deckel (3) beim gleichen ersten Spritzvorgang erzielt werden, wohingegen die Sicherheitseinrichtung mittels eines zweiten Spritzvorgangs erzielt wird.

2. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, wobei der Hauptteil (2) aus einem Material gefertigt ist und eine Farbe aufweist, und die Sicherheitseinrichtung aus einem anderen Material gefertigt ist und/oder eine andere Farbe aufweist.

3. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei der erste und der zweite Spritzvorgang nacheinander ausgeführt werden.

4. Sicherheitsverschluss, umfassend einen Hauptteil (2), der dafür vorgesehen ist, mittels Schnappverbindung am Hals einer Flasche angebracht zu werden, und mit einer oberen Öffnung (23) für die Ausgabe des Produkts ausgestattet ist, einen Deckel (3), der im gleichen Hauptteil-Spritzvorgang erzielt wird und mit dem Hauptteil (2) durch flexible Streifen (4) verbunden ist, die als Scharnier dienen, und der mit einem Zapfen (31) ausgestattet ist, der dafür vorgesehen ist, abdichtend in die obere Öffnung (23) des Hauptteils (2) eingesetzt zu werden, wobei er an einer Position gegenüber den flexiblen Streifen eine Sicherheitseinrichtung umfasst, die am Hauptteil (2) befestigt ist und mittels eines zweiten Spritzvorgangs erzielt wird, von der sich ein Mittel erhebt, das zumindest teilweise von außen zugänglich und dafür eingerichtet ist, mittels Schnappverbindung an entsprechenden Fortsätzen des Deckels angebracht zu sein, wobei das Mittel mittels Fortsätzen (52) mit der Sicherheitseinrichtung verbunden ist, die gegenüber den Kräften, denen sie beim Abnehmen des Mittels vom Deckel (2) ausgesetzt sind, zerbrechlich sind, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Hauptteil (2) aus einem Material gefertigt ist und eine Farbe aufweist und die Sicherheitseinrichtung aus einem anderen Material gefertigt ist und/oder eine andere Farbe aufweist.

5. Sicherheitsverschluss nach Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das zumindest teilweise von außen zugängliche Mittel einen Rahmen (53) umfasst, der eine erste Seite (532) aufweist, die dafür vorgesehen ist, außerhalb des Randes des Deckels positioniert zu werden, um mit einer Kerbe des Deckels in Schnappverbindung gebracht zu sein und als Griff zu dienen.

6. Sicherheitsverschluss nach Anspruch 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Rahmen (53) eine zweite Seite (531) umfasst, die dafür vorgesehen ist, im Rand des Deckels positioniert zu sein, um mit einer am Innenrand des Deckels vorhandenen Kerbe in Schnappverbindung gebracht zu sein.

Revendications

1. Procédé de fabrication d'une fermeture de sécurité comprenant un corps (2) destiné à être accouplée par encliquetage sur le goulot d'une bouteille et pourvue d'un trou supérieur (23) pour la sortie du produit, un couvercle (3) uni au corps (2) par des languettes flexibles (4) servant comme une articulation et muni d'une tige (31) destinée à être insérée de manière hermétique dans le trou supérieur (23) du corps (2), et - dans une position opposée aux languettes flexibles - un dispositif de sécurité fixé au corps (2) à partir duquel montent des moyens accessibles au moins en partie de l'extérieur, adaptés pour être accouplés par encliquetage au niveau d'appendices correspondants du couvercle, lesdits moyens étant connectés au dispositif de sécurité au moyen d'appendices (52) fragiles pour les forces auxquelles ils sont soumis pour désaccoupler lesdits moyens par rapport au couvercle (2), caractérisé en ce que le corps (2) et le couvercle (3) sont obtenus dans une même première opération d'injection, alors que le dispositif de sécurité est obtenu au moyen d'une deuxième opération d'injection.

2. Procédé selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le corps (2) est réalisé en un matériau et a une couleur et le dispositif de sécurité est réalisé en un matériau différent et/ou a une couleur différente.

3. Procédé selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans lequel les première et deuxième opérations d'injection sont exécutées en succession.

4. Fermeture de sécurité comprenant un corps (2) destiné à être accouplée par encliquetage sur le goulot d'une bouteille et pourvue d'un trou supérieur (23) pour la sortie du produit, un couvercle (3) obtenu dans la même opération d'injection du corps, uni au corps (2) par des languettes flexibles (4) servant comme une articulation et muni d'une tige (31) destinée à être insérée de manière hermétique dans le trou supérieur (23) du corps (2), dans laquelle elle comprend - dans une position opposée aux languettes flexibles - un dispositif de sécurité fixé au corps (2) et obtenu au moyen d'une deuxième opération d'injection, à partir duquel montent des moyens accessibles au moins en partie de l'extérieur, adaptés pour être accouplés par encliquetage au niveau d'appendices correspondants du couvercle, lesdits moyens étant connectés au dispositif de sécurité au moyen d'appendices (52) fragiles pour les forces auxquelles ils sont soumis pour désaccoupler lesdits moyens par rapport au couvercle (2), caractérisée en ce que le corps (2) est réalisé en un matériau et a une couleur et le dispositif de sécurité est réalisé en un matériau différent et/ou a une couleur différente.

5. Fermeture de sécurité selon la revendication 4, caractérisée en ce que lesdits moyens accessibles au moins en partie de l'extérieur comprennent une armature (53) ayant un premier côté (532) destiné à être positionné à l'extérieur du bord du couvercle pour être accouplé par encliquetage avec une encoche du couvercle, et servant comme une poignée.

6. Fermeture de sécurité selon la revendication 5, caractérisée en ce que ladite armature (53) comprend un deuxième côté (531) destiné à être positionné à l'intérieur du bord du couvercle pour être accouplé par encliquetage avec une encoche présente sur le bord interne du couvercle.

Drawing