COMBINATION OF A SAFETY LID AND CONTAINER

Description

[0001] The invention relates to the field of engineering intended for storage and/or transporting containers with low-viscous liquids preventing tampering and refilling thereof.

[0002] Known in the art are containers with a neck wherein the retaining ridges and grooves are made alternately so that form conjointly a rifled or fluted profile (RU Patent Nº 2129512, IPC B65D 41/34, publ. 1999). The containers are also known that are provided with a system of the external thread and retaining slots or splines (US 6276544, IPC B65D 41/62, publ. 5.07.2000., US5115932, IPC B65D 41/34, publ. 26.05.92). These containers are produced in combination with respective closure hoods fixed directly on the neck be means of ribs or splines thus preventing occasional opening or tampering of the liquid.

[0003] A combination of a closure and container is known, the bottleneck of said container being provided on the outer surface with a multi-start thread that consists of alternating ridges and grooves, each groove commencing at or adjacent to the free end of the neck and terminating in a recess formed in the neck, wherein the closure includes essentially a circular top portion and a depending skirt, the skirt being provided over the radial interior surface with a plurality of denticles spaced apart circumferentially at a distance corresponding to the distances between the screw grooves and spaced in axial direction from the internal upper part of the closure to a distance that upon pushing the closure down onto the bottleneck makes each denticle to engage with one of the recesses formed on the neck as the closure is being fastened sealingly on the bottleneck and contiguously to each recess adjoining a ramp located so that on relative rotation of the closure having been pushed onto the neck of the container at least some of the projections lean against at least some of the ramp members and thus are guided by the ramps into a corresponding groove in the thread to allow the closure be unscrewed from the neck of the container (RU Nº 2199475, IPC B 65 D 41/17, publ. 2003). The drawbacks of this technical solution consist in complex enough container and closure designs, and insufficient protection against unauthorized opening and tampering.

[0004] A combination of a closure and container is known, wherein said container comprises a case, a neck and a collar, on which neck retaining projections are made on the upper side surface to be engaged with the closure so as to prevent its slippage at opening (EP Nº 1121298, IPC B 65D 11/04, publ. 08.08.2003).

[0005] Known in the art and described at length in home and foreign literature are closures for bottles. Among known analogues there is "A valve for container" USSR Authorship Certificate no. 765129 (IPC B 65 D 51/10, publ. 23.09.80), "A device preventing bottle filling-up" GB Patent no. 2272418 (IPC B 65 D 49/02, publ. 18.05.94), "A device for preventing refilling" GB Patent no. 2274824 (IPC B 65 D 49/02, publ. 09.02.94), "A device preventing refilling GB Patent no. 2274637 (IPC B 65 D 49/06, publ. 17.01.94), "A device preventing refilling" GB Patents nos. 2274638 and 2274639 (IPC B 65 D 49/10, publ. 17.01.94), and "A closure for bottles" EP Application no. 0670271, (IPC B 65 D 49/00, publ. 06.09.92).

[0006] Above-noted analogues are rather intricate in structure so that mass production of their elements presents certain problems (requires special equipment). Some of the closures are unable to provide pouring of a needed quantity or quality emptying of the liquid due to numerous design elements and insufficient distance between them. The majority of mentioned devices employ a ball as a shut-off element known to be unstable in position, wherefore some auxiliary members are to be introduced that complicate the design and confine in a number of cases mobility of the element, limiting thereby quick shift from one position into another. The ball-shaped shut-off element is unstable and requires vertical guides to be fitted on the seat, the guides being located so that the ball is blocked between them, which limits its mobility. As a result of cooling, the pressure in the bottle drops leading sometimes to sticking of the shut-off element making it necessary to agitate the bottle hastily.

[0007] A closure is also known comprising a cylindrical sleeve whose upper portion presents a screw cap having an elastic moveable annular projection aimed at fastening on the bottle so as to form thereby a non-detachable joint. The screw cap has a pressed on top hood with a warranty collar, inside the case there is a threadedly secured splitter in the form of a ring with the ribs separating the interior space into through channels for liquid flow. Inside the case there is a resilient element for liquid flow in which centre a seat is made with a discharge opening and a shutoff element in the form of a valve resting on said seat. The resilient element is tightly fit inside the bottleneck by means of elastic annular projections and is sealingly engaged with the case for liquid pouring so as to prevent liquid escape. Upon rupture of the warranty collar the liquid is poured out by tilting the bottle, whereby the force of the liquid flow pushes the shutoff element out of the seat in which a discharge opening is made, thus letting the liquid pass via the through channels formed in the case by spaces between the ribs. On restoring the upright position of the bottle the shutoff element returns into the original location under its own gravity and chokes the discharge opening making thereby impossible refilling of the bottle (RU 2150417, IPC B 65 D 49/02, publ. 2000).

[0008] The described device has, however, a number of drawbacks affecting its operation. The presence of the moveable valve may bring about skew and jamming, or sticking resulted from pressure-induced temperature drop in the container, which leads to stuck-closed failure of pouring and the necessity of shaking the container to make the valve operate properly.

[0009] Above-indicated drawbacks are eliminated in a tamper-proof closure for bottles comprising a screw cap threadedly engaged on the external sleeve mating by its ribs the internal sleeve and forming thereby through channels, a resilient element with a discharge opening having projections that form an open-top annular cavity accommodating the lower portion of the internal sleeve with a clearance between said bottom portion and the projections of the resilient element (RU Patent no. 2193000, IPC B 65 D 49/02, publ. 20.11.2002). This technical solution is hard to implement, has high material to output ratio and insufficient protection level.

[0010] The closest technical solution to above-described embodiment is a tamper-proof closure for bottles comprising a screw cap threadedly engaged on the external sleeve mating by its ribs the internal sleeve and forming thereby through channels, a resilient element with a discharge opening having projections that form an open-top annular cavity accommodating the lower portion of the internal sleeve with a clearance between said bottom portion and the projections of the resilient element, a metallic case fastened on the screw cap, said cap being made over the contour of the indicator collar, while aforesaid metallic case is formed of two adjacent parts whose edges are rolled into the indicator collar so as to allow one of said edges release when the cap is unscrewed (RU Nº 2225337, IPC B65D 49/02, publ. 1999 - the prototype). The indicated cap is intended for containers described in EP Patent no.1121298 to be closed by pushing top down and open by unscrewing.

[0011] Disadvantages of the prototype are its structural intricacy along with high material-output ratio since manufacture of the elongated case for the external sleeve requires additional expenses, and ensures insufficient tightness between the bottleneck and closure.

[0012] The present invention is aimed at simplification of the container design by creating a relatively cheap for moulding and simple for assembly tamper-proof closure, providing simultaneously high level of protection against unauthorized opening, reduction of material consumption and reliable sealing of the closure and container.

[0013] Above-indicated technical result is achieved in that a combination of a tamper-proof closure and container is proposed in which the container comprises a body and a bottleneck with a lip, said tamper-proof closure comprising essentially a screw cap fastened threadedly on the external sleeve connected via ribs with the internal sleeve and forming thereby through channels, a resilient element with a discharge opening and projections forming an open-top annular cavity accommodating the bottom of the internal sleeve at a clearance between said bottom and projections on the resilient element, a metallic case attached to the screw cap, the latter being made over the contour of the control indicator collar, aforesaid metallic case is formed of two adjacent parts whose edges are rolled into the indicator collar so as to allow one of the edges be released when the cap is unscrewed, wherein the retaining ribs are provided on the end face of the bottleneck lip and spaced at a given pitch, on the side portion of said bottleneck lip an annular recess is made into which the metallic case is rolled, while in the lower part of the external sleeve a protruding ridge is provided with an annular recess into which the metallic case is rolled-in to be fixed in axial direction, in the upper part of the resilient element there is an annular sealing ridge on which end face the retaining axial splines with tapered tops are made at a given pitch spacing so as to be engaged with the ribs on the external sleeve, whereas in the lower part of said resilient element there is an annular projection over which interior surface the denticles are distributed evenly so as to be sealingly engaged with the retaining ribs of the bottleneck lip of said container.

[0014] In addition thereto, in a particular case of the invention embodiment the outside surface of the metallic case and screw cap can be made either smooth or rifled. The interior surface of the screw cap is provided with an annular sealing projection, and compensators are made between the side surface of the cap and the sealing projection.

[0015] The denticles protrude beyond the face end of the annular projection of the resilient element.

[0016] The invention is illustrated by the drawings, where Fig. 1 presents schematically a general view of the tamper-proof closure in cross-section;

Fig 2 is a screw cap;

Fig. 3 presents the external and internal sleeves;

Fig. 4 is the resilient element;

Fig. 5 is view A in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is the container.

[0017] The tamper-proof closure comprises metallic case 1 divided into two parts, screw cap 2 with control indicator collar 3 into which the edges of case 1 are rolled, external sleeve 4, internal sleeve 5 and resilient element 6.

[0018] The outside surface of the top part of case 1 is made either smooth or with rifles 7.

[0019] Screw cap 2 is provided with the internal thread engaged with the external thread of external sleeve 4, the outer surface of screw cap 2 can be made smooth or with rifles 8 to be engaged with rifles 7 on the case to prevent slippage. Cap 2 is attached to external sleeve 4 adjoining via ribs 9 internal sleeve 5 so as to form through channels 10. The interior surface of cap 2 is provided with annular sealing projection 11 and compensators 12 preventing deformation and breakage of the item at closing.

[0020] The lower part of external sleeve 4 is made with ridge 13 provided with annular recess 14 into which metallic case 14 is rolled so as to be fixed in axial direction.

[0021] The lower portion of internal sleeve 5 with a closed top end 15 abuts resilient element 6 with discharge opening 16 and projections 17 and 18 forming open on top annular cavity 19. Said lower portion of internal sleeve 5 is accommodated in annular cavity 19 so that a gap is formed between bottom 20 and projections 17 and 18 of resilient element 6, thus making a hydraulic gate.

[0022] Resilient element 6 is fit with annular sealing ridge 21 over which face retaining axial splines 22 are made being spaced at a given pitch and having tapered tops so as to be engaged with the ribs on external sleeve 2. Resilient element 6 is provided in the lower part with annular projection 23 having on its interior surface retaining denticles 24 that protrude beyond the face surface of annular projection 23 of resilient element 6 furnishing thereby additional means for protecting against deformation at closure. The resilient element is tightly fastened inside the container neck by means of elastic annular projections 25 made in its lower part to prevent liquid escape.

[0023] The container comprises body 26, neck 27 and lip 28. The end surface of lip 28 is provided with retaining ribs 29 engaged with denticles 24 to prevent slippage. The side surface of lip 28 is made with annular recess 30 into which case 1 is rolled at closing.

[0024] The present container has been developed with account of advanced requirements to simple and convenient closures using more economical closing facilities. The body of the container can take different shapes and configurations, be designed to meet modem lines and ensure wide application range.

[0025] The tamper-proof closure functions as follows.

[0026] Rolled-in control indicator collar 3 is released while cap 2 is screwed off. By tilting the bottle the liquid (not shown) passes via discharge opening 16 into annular cavity 19 of the hydraulic gate and further along through channels 10 runs out of the bottle.

[0027] As the bottle restores its upright position the liquid found in through channels 10 leaks into annular cavity 19 of the hydraulic gate and then into the bottle thus creating excess pressure that chokes further liquid flow. The pressure created inside the container by the gate prevents liquid from filling the container.

[0028] The tamper-proof closure assembled from 4 parts and available in several standard height modifications may fit a wide variety of containers. The control indicator collar and hydraulic gate ensure a high level of protection against refilling. The closure is exercised by pushing top-downwards using a closing machine (not shown) after which metallic case 1 is rolled into annular recess 30 of lip 28.

[0029] The container is manufactured by moulding of a preset configuration of the collar according to the invention.

[0030] All parts of the tamper-proof closure are made of ecologically safe materials such as polyethylene, polystyrene and metal using high-capacity automatic injection-moulding machines fit with moulds with a hot runner system and dies.

[0031] During manufacture the side and face surfaces of the case can be covered by coatings or identification means with the help of hot embossing, offset, screen printing or die stamping using white, colour, transparent or metallized lacquers. The coatings can be also sprayed or vacuum-sputtered.

[0032] A pre-production sample of the closure was manufactured at the experimental-engineering Foreign Unitary Industrial Enterprise "BELCAPS" using lathe and milling equipment. The external and internal sleeves were made of polymethyl methacrylate (organic glass), the resilient element was from kaprolon, and for the case the aluminium sheet was employed.

[0033] The proposed embodiment will make it possible to simplify the design of the container and tamper-proof closure, reduce material consumption and raise efficiency of the ready items.

Claims

1. A combination of a tamper-proof closure and container comprising a container with a body (26) and a neck (27) ending in a lip (28), said tamper-proof closure consisting essentially of a screw cap (2) threadedly fixed on an external sleeve (4) engaged via ribs (9) with an internal sleeve (5) thus forming through channels (10) containing also a resilient element (6) with a discharge opening (16) and projections (17) and (18) forming an open-top annular cavity (19) inside which the bottom of the internal sleeve (5) is accommodated so as to form a hydraulic gate, a metallic case (1) being fastened on the screw cap (2) is aligned over the contour of a tamper-indicating collar (3), said metallic case (1) being made of two adjacent parts whose edges are rolled into the tamper-indicating collar (3) so as to release one of said edges at unscrewing of the cap characterized in that there are retaining ribs (29) on top of the lip (28) of the neck (27) of the container, which ribs (29) are spaced apart evenly at a given pitch over the face diameter, whereas the side portion of the neck lip (28) is made with an annular recess (30) which is adjacent to the serrated lip (28) of the bottle and into which the metallic case (1) is rolled aforesaid external sleeve having on its lower part a protruding ridge (13) with an annular recess (14) into which the metallic case (1) is rolled so as to be fixed in axial direction, the upper part of the resilient element (6) ends in a circular sealing ridge (21) over which face retaining splines (22) with tapered tops are provided at a given spacing so as to be engaged with the ribs (9) of the external sleeve (4), while the lower part of the resilient element (6) is made with an annular projection (23) whose inner surface is provided with denticles (24) brought into engagement with the retaining ribs (29) of lip (28) of said container neck (27).

2. A combination of the tamper-proof closure and container as claimed in Claim 1 characterized in that the external surface of the upper part of the metallic case (1) is made smooth or rifled.

3. A combination of the tamper-proof closure and container as claimed in Claim 1 characterized in that the inner surface of the upper part of the screw cap (2) is made with an annular sealing projection (11).

4. A combination of the tamper-proof closure and container as claimed in Claim 1 characterized in that compensators (12) are provided between the side surface and the sealing projection (11) of screw cap (2).

5. A combination of the tamper-proof closure and container as claimed in Claim 1 characterized in that the denticles (24) protrude beyond the face surface (23) of the annular projection of the resilient element (6).

Ansprüche

1. Eine Kombination aus einem Sicherheitsdeckel und einem Behälter, die einen Behälter umfasst, der aus einem Körper (26) und einem mit ringförmigem Kragen (28) endenden Hals (27) besteht, wobei der erwähnte Sicherheitsdeckel wesentlich aus einer Gewindekappe (2) besteht, die mit einer äußeren Buchse (4) durch Gewinde in Eingriff ist, wobei diese Buchse durch Rillen (9) mit einer inneren Buchse (5) so verbindet ist, dass Durchgangskanäle (10) gestaltet sind, und auch ein elastisches Element (6) umfasst, das mit einer Auslaßöffnung (16) und Vorsprüngen (17) und (18) ausgerüstet ist, wobei sie einen von oben geöffneten ringförmigen Hohlraum (19) formieren, der den Boden der inneren Buchse (5) enthält, wodurch ein Wasserschloss formiert ist, ein an der erwähnten Gewindekappe (2) befestigtes metallisches Gehäuse (1) die Kontur des Kontrollanzeigekragens (3) entlang ausgerichtet ist, wobei das erwähnte metallische Gehäuse (1) von zwei benachbarten Teilen zusammengestellt ist, deren Kanten in dem erwähnten Kontrollanzeigekragen (3) so aufgerollt sind, dass eine der erwähnten Kanten freigegeben wird, wenn die Gewindekappe herausgeschraubt ist, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass es festhaltende Rillen (29) auf dem Oberteil vom Kragen (28) des Behältershalses (27) gibt, wobei die erwähnten Rillen (29) mit einer angegebenen Schrittlänge den Durchmesser der Stirnfläche entlang gleichmäßig angeordnet sind, indem der Seitenteil vom Halskragen (28) mit einem ringförmigen Absatz (30) hergestellt ist, der an den verzahnten Kragen (28) der Flasche anliegend und in dem das metallische Gehäuse (1) aufgerollt ist, wobei die äußere Buchse (4) auf ihrem Unterteil einen herausragenden Rücken (13) mit einem ringförmigen Absatz (14) aufweißt, in dem das metallische Gehäuse (1) so aufgerollt ist, dass es in axialer Richtung fixiert wird, wobei der Oberteil des elastischen Elementes (6) in einem kreisförmigen Abdichtungsrücken (21) endet, über dem die Stirnfläche festhaltende Nuten (22) mit zugespitzten Oberteilen auf einem angegebenen Abstand so vorgesehen sind, dass diese mit den Rillen (9) auf der äußeren Buchse (4) in Eingriff kommen können, indem der Unterteil des elastischen Elementes (6) mit einem ringförmigen Vorsprung (23) hergestellt ist, dessen Innenoberfläche mit kleinen Zähnen (24) ausgerüstet ist, die mit den festhaltenden Rillen (29) vom Kragen (28) des erwähnten Behältershalses (27) in Eingriff sind.

2. Eine Kombination aus einem Sicherheitsdeckel und einem Behälter nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Außenoberfläche vom Oberteil des metallischen Gehäuses (1) glatt oder geriffelt gefertigt ist.

3. Eine Kombination aus einem Sicherheitsdeckel und einem Behälter nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Innenoberfläche vom Oberteil der Gewindekappe (2) mit einem ringförmigen Abdichtungsvorsprung (11) hergestellt ist.

4. Eine Kombination aus einem Sicherheitsdeckel und einem Behälter nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass Kompensatoren (12) zwischen der Seitenfläche und dem Abdichtungsvorsprung (11) der Gewindekappe (2) vorgesehen sind.

5. Eine Kombination aus einem Sicherheitsdeckel und einem Behälter nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die kleinen Zähne (24) jenseits der Stirnfläche (23) von dem ringförmigen Vorsprung (6) des elastischen Elementes (6) herausragen.

Revendications

1. Une combinaison d'un couvercle de protection et d'un conteneur comprenant un conteneur constitué d'un corps (26) et d'un goulot (27) qui se termine par un rebord annulaire (28), ledit couvercle de protection étant constitué essentiellement d'un capuchon fileté (2) fixé au moyen d'un filet sur un manchon extérieur (4), engrené avec un manchon intérieur (5) au moyen de nervures (9) de telle manière que des canaux de passage (10) sont formés, comprenant aussi un élément élastique (6) muni d'un trou de vidange (16) et de saillies (17) et (18) qui forment une cavité annulaire ouverte en dessus (19) contenant le fond du manchon intérieur (5) de telle manière qu'une fermeture hydraulique soit formée, une enveloppe métallique (1) laquelle est fixée audit capuchon fileté (2) est alignée suivant le contour d'un collier indicateur de contrôle (3), ladite enveloppe métallique (1) étant fabriquée en deux pièces adjacentes, dont les bords sont enroulés dans ledit collier indicateur de contrôle (3) de telle manière que l'un desdits bords se dégage quand le capuchon est dévissé, caractérisée en ce que sur la partie supérieure du rebord (28) du goulot (27) du conteneur il y a des nervures d'arrêt (29), lesdites nervures (29) étant arrangées équidistantement l'une de l'autre avec un pas donné le long du diamètre de la face, tandis que la partie latérale du rebord (28) du goulot est fabriqué avec une retraite annulaire (30) qui est adjacente au rebord crénelé (28) de la bouteille et dans laquelle est enroulée l'enveloppe métallique (1), ledit manchon extérieur ayant sur sa partie inférieure une crête saillante (13) avec une retraite annulaire (14) dans laquelle est enroulée l'enveloppe métallique (1) afin d'être fixée en direction axiale, la partie supérieure de l'élément élastique (6) terminant dans une crête étanchante circulaire (21) le long de laquelle des cannelures, qui retiennent la face (22) et dont les parties supérieures sont affilées, sont prévues à un pas donné afin d'être engrenées avec les nervures (9) du manchon extérieur (4), tandis que la partie inférieure de l'élément élastique (6) est fabriquée avec une saillie annulaire (23) dont la surface intérieure est fournie avec des petites dents (24) mises en engrenage avec les nervures d'arrêt (29) du rebord (28) dudit goulot (27) du conteneur.

2. Une combinaison d'un couvercle de protection et d'un conteneur selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que la surface extérieure de la partie supérieure de l'enveloppe métallique (1) est faite lisse ou en nervures.

3. Une combinaison d'un couvercle de protection et d'un conteneur selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que la surface intérieure de la partie supérieure du capuchon fileté (2) est fabriquée avec une saillie étanchante annulaire (11).

4. Une combinaison d'un couvercle de protection et d'un conteneur selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que des compensateurs (12) sont prévus entre la surface latérale et la saillie étanchante (11) du capuchon fileté (2).

5. Une combinaison d'un couvercle de protection et d'un conteneur selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que des petites dents (24) saillent au-delà de la surface de la face (23) de la saillie annulaire de l'élément élastique (6).

Drawing