CLOSURE DEVICE FOR CONTAINER

Abstract

 The invention relates to closure devices for beverage containers. The closure device comprises a body (1) with a pour spout (5), a hinged lid (2) hinged to the body (1) with the ability to move between closed position and open position, and a tamper-evident element made in the form of a tear-off membrane (4) located on the upper end surface of the body (1). The invention provides a visual indication that the closure device for container has been opened, as well as durability and integrity of the tamper-evident element during storage, transportation and use.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to closure devices for both beverage containers, preferably glass bottles with spirits used in the liquor industry, and for closing containers, for example made of plastic, with cosmetic and similar liquids. Such a closure device is usually fixed to the neck of the container, assembled with a hinged closure cap, and also contains tamper-evident elements that must be modified in some way to gain access to the contents of the container, wherein the modification should become a clear indication that the container has been previously opened. The present technical solution is particularly suitable for tamper-evident devices where a panel must be torn off or detached in order to open the container.

[0002] Recently, reclosable lids have gained popularity. Such lids are commonly used, for example, in containers with lid-like top and similar containers. Generally, there are two types of lids: snap type lids and screw type lids, each type being made with the possibility to reclose the respective pouring hole.

[0003] From US patent No. 5201440 (IPC B65D47/08, publ. 13.04.1993) a closure device for container is known, which comprises a body with a dispensing orifice, as well as a lid located on the body so that it can be moved from "closed" position to "open" position and vice versa with respect to the dispensing orifice. The tamper-evident element is made in the form of a protruding part of the lid, connected to it by first frangible web. Fixing means is connected by a second frangible web to the other part of the tamper-evident element, and the fixing means is retained by the body of the closure device. The tamper-evident element includes a pull tab that can be pulled until the frangible webs connecting the tamper-evident element to the lid and to the fixing means are completely severed. This permits the lid to be opened, providing evidence of tampering with the closure device.

[0004] A closure device for a container is known, comprising a body and a lid, as well as a tamper-evident element connected to the body of the closure device by means of an anchor element received in an anchor element-receiving aperture defined in the body of the closure device (US patent No. 5875907, B65D47/08, 02.03.1999). The tamper-evident element is connected via frangible junction to the lid of the closure device. A plug extends from the tamper-evident element and is receivable in a plug-receiving aperture defined in the body. When the tamper-evident element is depressed to force the plug into the plug-receiving aperture, the frangible junction breaks and the tamper-evident element is retained in its depressed position. This provides an indication that the closure device may have been previously opened.

[0005] The disadvantage of these known solutions lies in the fact that the process of opening the packaging is not obvious enough, since after reclosing the cap, the ends of the webs return to their original position, which makes it difficult to determine whether the guarantee mechanism has been opened.

[0006] A plug, with a hinged cap for packaging liquid products, containing a dispenser, with a ribbed body and a neck, rigidly connected to a diamond-shaped base, and a cap hinged to the dispenser by means of a flexible element (RF patent No. 2344977, B65D41/32, 27.01.2007), is known. At the same time, a recess is made on the ribbed body, in which a tooth is located, and a slot, in which a pocket is located, connected to the body by means of webs with the possibility of their breaking when the plug is opened. The cap has a tab with two teeth at its end, which allows the tab to be fixed in the pocket and prevents the detachment of the pocket from the tab. The disadvantage of this design is the complex implementation of both the device itself and the indicating system.

[0007] The closest analogue of the claimed technical solution is a dispensing lid according to the patent of the Russian Federation No. 2694296 (B65D47/08, 11.07.2019) with a hinged top, comprising a base made with the possibility of connection with the neck of the container; a cap hinged to the base in a movable manner between a closed position and an open position; and dispensing element. The lid further comprises a tamper-evident element, wherein the tamper-evident element is configured to be activated either when the cap is opened for the first time or when the base is removed from the neck. If the base is removed from the neck, the dispensing element can be held on the neck until the tamper-evident element is activated, and then it is removed together with the base. Due to the fact that the lid with a hinged top is made of plastic, over time it can be deformed during storage, transportation and use, and in addition, said lid has an insufficiently reliable tamper-evident element due, for example, to breakage of weakened webs before the first opening.

[0008] The object of the present invention is to create a closure device that does not show the disadvantages of known analogues and that provides a more obvious and easily anchorable tamper evident.

[0009] The technical result of the present invention is expansion of the existing similar means, characterized by increased reliability in the use of the closure device for container, in particular, due to an improved and more obvious tamper evident indication while ensuring the reliability of the tamper-evident element.

[0010] The problem is solved, and the specified technical result is achieved in that the closure device for container comprises a body with a pour spout, configured to be installed on the neck of the container, a hinged lid covering the pour spout of the body in the closed position of the device and hinged to the body with the ability to move between closed position and open positions, and a tamper-evident element, characterized in that the tamper-evident element is made in the form of a tear-off membrane placed on the upper end surface of the body and covering the surface of the hinged lid before the first opening of the device.

[0011] The implementation of the tamper-evident element in the form of a tear-off membrane and its placement on the upper end surface of the body does not require special complex means to control the opening of the closure device and simultaneously provides a clear, obvious tamper evident and reliability of the tamper-evident element itself.

[0012] The problem is solved, and the specified technical result is achieved also in specific embodiments of the claimed invention. In particular, it is preferred if the hinged lid is provided with an internal annular protrusion which seals the pour spout of the body.

[0013] Preferably, the tear-off membrane contains at least one grip tab.

[0014] Preferably, the at least one grip tab is placed on the fixing elements located on the surface of the sidewall of the body.

[0015] Further, possible, but not limiting, embodiments of the claimed technical solution are presented in more detail with reference to the attached drawings, where:

Fig. 1 shows a general view of the assembled device;

Fig. 2 shows a view of the device after the first opening, in closed position;

Fig. 3 shows a view of the device after the first opening, in open position;

Fig. 4 shows a plan view of the device after the first opening;

Fig. 5 shows a sectional view of the body and lid.

[0016] The closure device for a container comprises a body 1 installed on the neck of the container (not shown in the figures), a hinged lid 2 connected to the body by a hinged joint 3, and a tamper-evident element in the form of a tear-off membrane 4.

[0017] The body 1 is made with a pour spout 5 and elements 6 for axial and radial fixation on the container, made in the form of axial ribs and an annular collar. In the inner part of the body 1, there is a cylindrical protrusion made with possibility of sealing the container neck.

[0018] The hinged lid 2 is made with an internal annular protrusion 7, made with the possibility of sealing the pour spout 5. Also, the hinged lid 2 may contain a protruding section 8 with a catch 9, made to facilitate the opening of the hinged lid 2.

[0019] On the side surface of the body 1, a partial recess 10 can be provided to accommodate the corresponding protruding section 8 of the hinged lid 2. An annular collar 11 can be made along the perimeter of the upper end surface of the body 1, which protects the edges of the tear-off membrane 4 from accidental tearing, which increases the reliability of the tamper-evident element.

[0020] A tamper-evident element in the form of a tear-off membrane 4, for example, made of metal or aluminum foil, or a polymer film, or in the form of a sticker, covers the surface of the hinged lid 2 and can be made with at least one grip tab 12. The grip tab 12 is placed on the fixing protrusions 13, which makes it possible to remove the tear-off membrane 4 from the surface of the sidewall of the body 1 without additional effort. The protrusions 13 can be placed on the surface of the sidewall of the body 1, and if a flat bevel is made on the said surface under the partial recess 10 of the body 1 (as shown in Figs. 2, 3), they can be placed on said flat bevel. The grip tab 12 increases the reliability of the tear-off membrane 4 during transportation, storage and use of the closure device, and also makes it possible to clearly determine the act of opening. At the same time, the fixing protrusions 13 additionally enhance the reliability of the tear-off membrane 4 and contribute to a more obvious and simple determination of the act of opening.

[0021] The body 1 and hinged lid 2 can be made of polymeric material, preferably by injection molding.

[0022] The device is assembled by installing the hinged lid 2 on the body 1 using a hinged joint 3.

[0023] Prior to the first opening, the tamper-evident element in the form of a tear-off membrane 4 is welded to the upper end wall of the body 1, so that the tear-off membrane 4 covers the surface of the hinged lid 2. One of the preferred embodiments may include welding of the tear-off membrane 4 to both the upper end wall of the body 1 and part of the sidewall or the above-mentioned flat bevel under the partial recess 10. An adhesive connection can also be used to attach the tear-off membrane 4 to the surface of the end wall of the body 1.

[0024] After tearing the tear-off membrane 4 by gripping the tab 12 during the first opening, a section of the recess 10 on the side surface of the body 1 opens, after which a finger can pick up the surface of the protruding section 8 of the catch 9 and open the hinged lid 2, which is an obvious and indisputable indication of compromising the integrity of the device.

[0025] The closure device is installed on the container in a state ready to be tamper evident (i.e., the initial opening by the consumer).

[0026] Thus, the invention provides a visual indication that the closure device for container has been opened, and also ensures the durability and integrity of the tamper-evident element during storage, transportation and use.

Claims

1. Closure device for a container, comprising a body (1) with a pour spout (5) configured to be installed on the neck of the container, a hinged lid (2) covering the pour spout (5) of the body (1) in the closed position and hinged to the body (1) with the ability to move between closed position and open position, and a tamper-evident element, characterized in that the tamper-evident element is made in the form of a tear-off membrane (4) placed on the upper end surface of the body (1) and covering the surface of the hinged lid (2) before the first opening of the device.

2. The closure device for a container according to claim 1, characterized in that the hinged lid (2) is made with an internal annular protrusion (7) which seals the pour spout (5) of the body (1).

3. The closure device for a container according to claim 1, characterized in that the tear-off membrane (4) comprises at least one grip tab (12).

4. The closure device for a container according to claim 3, characterized in that the at least one grip tab (12) is placed on fixing protrusions (13) located on the surface of the sidewall of the body (1).

Drawing