FR2574372A1 - PLASTIC CUPBOARD CONTAINER SURMOUNTED IN A SMOOTH INVIOLABILITY OPENER HAVING A CAP AND METHOD FOR OPENING THE SAME - Google Patents

Abstract

1. A container (1) with a neck (5) composed of plastics material and provided with a cap (12) composed of plastics material, the neck (5) being topped by an inviolability cover (9) and the cap (12) comprising a key (14 + 16) with internal raised areas, said key (14 + 16) fitting said cover (9) when the cap (12) covers the neck (5), and rotation of said cap (12) allowing rupture of the cover (9), characterised by all the following four means : a) the inviolability cover (9) comprises a smooth lateral surface (11) ; b) the plastics material of the cap key (14 + 16) is harder than the plastics material of the cover (9) ; c) the internal raised areas of the cap key (14 + 16) terminate with tapered edges (16) having, in a section perpendicular to the common axis (L) of the cover (9) and of the cap key (14 + 16) an end angle of between 7 and 20 C ; d) at least over a certain height, the successive circles perpendicular to the common axis (L) and passing through the ends (17) of said tapered edges (16) have diameters (DIAM d ) which are from 0.4 to 0.9 mm smaller than the corresponding diameters (DIAM D ) of the lateral surface (11) of the cover (9) when said cover (9) is fitted by said cap key (14 + 16).

Description

CONTAINER WITH PLASTIC GUIDE OVERLAPPED OF AN OPERATOR

  SMOOTH INVIOLABILITY SYSTEM WITH CAP AND METHOD

OPENING

  The invention relates to the field of neck containers and their caps,

  equipped with a tamper-proof closure element.

STATE OF THE KNOWN TECHNIQUE

  The applicant's patent application EP-A-0 119 145 describes a receptacle with a plastic neck, the neck being surmounted by a tamper-evident lid whose base is tearable and whose head comprising reliefs is interlocked with a key with internal reliefs of the cap, a key whose cooperation with said reliefs of the head of the cap allows the rupture of this cap by the rotation of the cap. The casing can be made in force, the cap then remaining prisoner of the key of the cap after its break. The centering of the cap and thus the key during the driving of the cap on the neck is made easier by the presence in the cap of a crown fitting the neck with a small clearance. This centering ring can be the crown of the key of the cap itself when the lid is about the same diameter as the mouth of the neck, or a separate crown when the lid has a smaller diameter because connecting to the edges of the

  the mouth of the neck by a flared skirt injected obliquely.

  Among the various arrangements described by the above document, it is also noted that the base of the broken lid may comprise means for sealing the orifice of the neck, and that the cap and the neck may carry screwing means complementary cooperating for refolding after

rupture of the operculum.

PRESENTATION OF THE PROBLEM

  The solution described by the document EP-A-0 119 145 and its various alternative embodiments answer the problems of the ease of opening of containers with necks surmounted by a tamper-evident seal and their possible subsequent refilling, but has the following constraints

25743'72

  the lateral surface of the lid must have reliefs fitting into the

reliefs of the key of the cap.

  the numbers of the reliefs of the lid and of the key of the cap must be sufficient, and their profiles studied, so that there is no significant problem of indexing when the interlocking of the lid by the key of the cap that must

  occur when putting the cap on the neck.

  These features both cause complications in the manufacturing tool, and the reliefs of the lateral surface of the lid may have other disadvantages, for example concerning handling

and / or aesthetic.

  The applicant has sought a different solution, to avoid the above complications and disadvantages. x

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

  As is known, the container of the invention is a plastic container provided with a cap also made of plastic material, the neck being surmounted by a tearable seal at its base, and the cap having a key to interior reliefs. This key engages the cap when the cap caps the neck, and the rotation of the cap then allows the rupture of the cap. In a new way, the sealing cap has a smooth lateral surface (means a)) and, surprisingly, the cap is broken by rotation of the cap pressed onto the neck by means of the following three additional means: ) the plastic material of the key of the cap is harder than the plastic material of the cap; c) the inner reliefs of the key of the cap end with sharp edges; d) at least over a certain height, the successive circles, perpendicular to the common axis of the container and the cap and passing through the ends of the tapered edges of the reliefs of the key clef of the cap, have smaller diameters

  that the diameters of the lateral surface of the operculum that correspond to them.

  during the nesting of the lid by the key of the cap.

  We then have a tight fitting of the operculum by the reliefs with tapered edges of the key of the cap, and it is found that these sharp edges streak the operculum of less hard plastic material. After rupture of the lid, this one

  remain prisoner of the key of the hood.

  The problem of indexing to obtain the nesting disappears completely in the case of the lids with circular section (s). Manufacturing is simplified

  for the operculum whose lateral surface is smooth.

  The invention can apply to any form of operculum accompanied by a shape of all the tapered edges of the inner reliefs of the key of the cap

  ensuring a certain tightening during the interlocking of the lid by this key.

  In order to have the facility of an isotropic nesting, the lid preferably has a lateral surface of revolution about its axis of symmetry which is usually that of the neck that it caps. The lid has for example a frustoconical or parabolic surface. In the usual way, and this is the case for the examples which follow, the cover has a circular cylindrical lateral surface. Usually, the cap is in one piece, and the neck and the cap are monoblock with the shoulder through which the overmolded head connects to the skirt of the tube. The material couples usable for the cap on the one hand, that is to say usually also for the neck or the head of the tube, and for the key of the cap on the other hand, that is to say usually for the whole cap, are the following: A) - Opercule (head): linear or linear LDPE (low density polyethylene) - Cap key (cap): one of the following plastics - HDPE (high density polyethylene) - PP (polypropylene) thermosetting resins (such as: urea.formol, m61anine-formaldehyde> polycarbonates PS (polystyrenes) subgroup (X) ABS (acrylo * butdene-styrene) - Styrene SAN (styrene-acrylonitrile) MBS ( methacrylate-butadiene-styrene) - Polyester acetal resins B) - HD PE seal (radical or linear); - Key of PP cap or one of the substances of subgroup (X) C) - PP seal; - Key of the cap one of the materials of the subgroup (X) When fitting the cap by the key of the cap, interlocking made by capping the neck of the cap and pressing a little to push it, the "tightening obtained is preferably between 0.4 and 0.9 mm in diameter, and more preferably between 0.5 and 0.7 mm in diameter, at least over a certain height, typically over at least 2 mm. For a cover having a smooth lateral surface of revolution about its axis of symmetry, the successive circles perpendicular to the common axis of the cap and the key of the cap and passing through the ends of the tapered edges of the inner connections of the key of this cap have diameters of 0.4 to 0.9 mm, and preferably 0.5 to 0.7 mm,

  of the lateral surface of the operculum which correspond to them.

  In addition, the sharp edges of the reliefs of the key of the cap are sharp, under the tightening conditions indicated above, for the lateral surface of the lid which is of less hard plastic material. Their cutting power intervenes for the ease of the interlocking as well as for the quality of the streak or notch obtained which conditions the effectiveness of the drive of the cap by rotation of the cap. In the drive of a relief operculum by a key with reliefs interlocking in the reliefs of the operculum, the surfaces of the reliefs involved for the rotational drive are generally limited to narrow areas where there is contact. In contrast, in the drive of the cap of the invention, the small portions of tapered edges inserted into the plastic material of the cap intervene by all of their surfaces for driving in rotation of the cap by the rotation of the cap. This particular efficiency of streaking or notching with deformation in the elastic part of the plastic material of the lid, streaking which occurs from the top to the bottom of the lid during the driving of the cap and therefore of its key, as well as the rigidity of the insertions of the tapered edges related to the peripheral tightening of the mouthpiece by the key, explain the surprising ease of the drive in rotation of the lid by the rotation of the cap with the

  device and according to the method of the invention.

  To obtain a penetration of the tip, by striation or notching by the sharp edges of the reliefs of the key of the cap, easy and of optimal quality for the drive in rotation of the lid, the end angle of these edges Tapered, in section perpendicular to the axis of symmetry of the key and the lid in the nesting position of the container by the cap, is preferably between 7 and 20 'and preferably between 10 and 16'. These conditions can be associated with one or the other of the preferred tightening interlocking conditions, but it is recommended to have at least both a "tightening" of 0.4 and 0.9 mm in diameter and angles

  ends of the tapered edges between 7 and 20 '.

  Finally, in a particular structure, the internal reliefs of the key of the cap are borne by a crown whose end fits easily on the cap, and these inner reliefs gradually widen from their lower end, so that the beginning of the depression of the cap ensures a good centering of the key on the cover and that the beginning of the striation of the lateral surface of this operculum by the tapered edges of the internal reliefs of the key consists of a progressive notching of the upper part of this lateral surface. The progressive enlargement of the internal reliefs of the key of the cap, is preferably carried out on a height at least equal to 2 times the maximum width of said reliefs. In addition, for the good rigidity of the inner reliefs with sharp edges, it is generally preferable to maintain their width in the radial direction rather low and typically between

0.3 and 1 mm.

  The invention also relates to a method for opening a container / neck surmounted by a tamper-evident cap with a smooth lateral surface, in which A) is supplied with a cap of plastic material comprising a key with internal reliefs, the cap capable of covering the neck and its key then fitting said lid, the key of the cap having the following characteristics - this key at least is made of plastic material harder than the plastic material of the neck and the lid (as the condition (b) concerning the device); - Its inner reliefs end with tapered edges whose ends are located, at least over a certain height, on successive circles perpendicular to the axis of the cap (of smaller diameters than the corresponding diameters of the operculum (as conditions (c) and (d) concerning the device) B) the lid is tightened and its lateral surface is streaked by pressing the cap

  on the neck and thus its key on said lid.

  C) the cap is rotated relative to the tube in a direction of rotation or

  in the other direction, until rupture of the operculum, and one discards the cap.

  Preferably, the ends of the tapered edges of the inner reliefs of the key of the cap are located, at least over a certain height - in practice at least 1.5 to 2 mm - on successive circles perpendicular to the axis of the cap diameters less than 0.4 to 0.9 mm to the corresponding diameters of the cap, and said tapered edges have, in section

  perpendicular to the same axis, an end angle between 7 and 20 '.

  Particularly good results are obtained with the various preferential conditions already indicated in the case of the device and concerning in particular the differences between the internal diameters on the ends of the internal tapered edges of the key of the cap and the corresponding diameters of the cap, end angle of these tapered edges; the choice of the respective plastics for the key of the cap. that is to say in general for the one-piece cap, and for the cap, that is to say typically

for the overmolded head of the tube.

EXAMPLES

  The examples and the drawings which illustrate them relate to the current case o, in position of fitting, the neck and its seal on the one hand and the cap and its key on the other hand have a common longitudinal axis. The neck and the lid, as well as the cap then have a symmetry of revolution around

the previous axis.

  FIG. 1 represents a practical example of a container and a cap according to

  the invention, in longitudinal axial section.

  15. FIG. 2 represents the key of the cap of this first example, in quarter-section through a plane perpendicular to the horizontal axis, plane marked I on the

figure 1.

  FIG. 3 represents the lid of the container and the key of the cap of the first example, at the time of engagement of this key, in local section.

longitudinal axis.

  FIG. 4 represents the container and the cap of the first example, the

  cap being depressed, in longitudinal axial section.

  FIG. 5 represents the same container and cap after rupture of

  the operculum, in longitudinal axial section.

  25. Figure 6 shows a second example of container and cap according to

  the invention, the cap being depressed, in longitudinal axial section.

  The container (1) shown in FIG. 1 comprises a skirt (2) with an outer diameter of 33 mm made of polyethylene surmounted by an overmolded head (3) of thickness 0.8 to 1.2 mm in low density polyethylene, head (3). comprising itself above its shoulder (4) a neck (5) of outside diameter 17 mm and height 12 mm carrying a fancy opening (6) with 6 recesses (7) separated by 6 parts in relief (8). ), this orifice (6) having a hollow diameter of 14 mm. The neck (5) and the orifice (6) are surmounted by a tamper-evident cover (9), which comprises at its base a flared skirt (10), and then above a circular cylindrical side surface 11). {"D) equal to 7.5 mm and height 6 mm,

  then finally an end forming a lid (111) of height 2 mm.

  The cap (12) of the container being pressed, is polypropylene, it has an outside diameter of 32 mm and a height of 26 mm. It carries inside an intermediate crown (13) of internal diameter 17.5 mm and height 20 mm intended for the casing of the neck (5), and a circular central ring of height 9 mm (14) bearing on its inner cylindrical surface (15) in diameter

  8.0 mm 12 raised ribs (16) in the form of tapered fins.

  These tapered fins (16) visible in section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (L) in Figure 2 have, according to this section, an end angle (0 {) of 15 '. Their width in the radial direction, constant for all the fins, is 0.55 mm. The diameter (Ad) of the circle perpendicular to the axis (L) passing through the ends (17) of the tapered fins (16) of the key (14 + 16) of the cap (12) is 6.9 mm at the this cut, and this diameter remains constant on 6 to 7 mm of height. When the cap (9) is engaged by the key of the cap (14 + 16), the circles of diameter (<Jd> of this key have therefore 7.5-6.9 - 0.6 mm

  less than the diameter (<D) of the cylindrical lateral surface of the lid (9).

  Figure 3 shows more clearly the beginning of the engagement of the key of the cap (14 + 16) on the operculum (9). The end portion (18) of the crown (14) of the key of the cap is about 1 mm free of tapered fin reliefs (16). The reliefs of the vanes (16) then begin to widen progressively from 0 to 0.55 mm by 1.5 mm. Thanks to the end portion (18) of the crown (14) free of reliefs and thanks to the progressive widening (19) of the reliefs of the fins (16), the engagement of the cauchon key (14 + 16 ) is in all cases easy and progressive and will ensure a good cenrage for the beginning of the streaking of the lid (9) for the fins (16). FIG. 3 shows the extensions (20) of the ends (17) of the fins (16) in broken lines, which cut the lid symmetrically with respect to the axis (L), thanks to these means of centering. It is not necessary for this centering effect that the interior of the key of the cap (14 + 16) begins with a surface portion (18) free of reliefs, but this free portion (18) ensures the removal of the progressive widening (19) of the fins (16) relative to the extreme edge of the crown (14) and thus gives this widening (19) and the fins (16) a protection vis-à-vis the shocks of

handling.

  When continuing the depression of the cap (12) and therefore of its key (14 + 16), the notching or streaking of the lid (9) begins at the upper end (21) of its surface cylindrical side (11). Figure 4 shows the

  cap (12) in the depressed position on the neck (5) and the lid (9).

  From this depressed position, it is sufficient to drive the cap (12) in rotation by maintaining the tubular container (1) with the other hand, in one direction or the other as shown schematically the double arrow (22) of Figure 4. The rupture of the lid (9) is easily obtained with a relative rotation angle of 30 to 40, and the broken lid (9) remains trapped in the key (14 + 16) of the cap (12). ) when it is raised (Figure 5), thus releasing the orifice (6)

of the tube (1).

  With other similar samples, it was observed that one could drive the cap (12) on the cover (9) then remove it and repeat this maneuver more than ten times without observing difficulties, and that the rupture of the cap (9) was then easily obtained by rotation of the cap (12), as previously described. After removing the caps (12), it was observed in the eye that the side surfaces (11) of the covers (9) had fine streaks, more or less apparent, starting at the upper end (21) of these surfaces. lateral sections (11) and descending 2 to 4 mm, the spacing of these

  streaks or stripes corresponding to the spacing of the fins (16).

  It is therefore seen that the opening process of the invention is effective, despite apparent differences in length between the fine streaks caused by the various tapered fins. We also see that these streaks appear thinner than the portions of fins that have cut the side wall of the covers, which probably means that there was insertion of these portions of fins with clamping

  elastic on the part of the plastic of the walls of lids thus streaked.

  The second example of a container (100) and a cap (120) according to the invention (FIG. 6) shows the following particulars: the neck (50) and the intermediate ring (130) of the cap (120) respectively have threads (51). ) and (131) for filling the container (100) after rupture of the lid (90), by screwing the cap on the neck; the lid (90) connected to the edge of the circular orifice (60) of the neck (50) by a thinned zone of weakness (91) successively comprises an Inferior skirt (9) surmounted by a cup (93) and a head (94) having a cylindrical side surface (95); - The cap (120) comprises in its center a key constituted by a ring (140) bearing reliefs shaped tapered fins (160) according to the invention, with gradual entry. The inside diameter on fins (ad) of the key (140 + 160) is 0.4 to 0.9 mm less than the outside diameter (<D) of the lateral surface (95) of the cover (90). The cap (120) and its key (140 + 160) are monobloc and plastic harder than that of the tube head (100). By rotating the cap (120) rotated in one direction or the other according to the arrow (220), the rupture of the lid (90) is achieved by the method and the device "key striante" of the present invention. Then, the skirt (92) ruptured around slightly tapered outer circumference and the cup (93) of the cap (90), which cap which is then captive of the cap (120), allow the sealed sealing of the orifice (60) neck (50), as is known per se from our patent application EP-A-0 119 145 and taken by the

  Claims 4 and 13 of this document. More generally, all

  arrangements which correspond to the characteristic parts of the claims

  3 to 11 and 13-14 of this patent application may be used with

  the operculum and the striatal key of the present invention.

APPLICATIONS

  The device and the method of opening the invention is most often applied to tubular containers having a circular orifice with a diameter of between 15 mm and 15 mm, or else a fancy orifice having a diameter injection circle comprised between 5 and 15 mm. The thicknesses of the zones of weakness

  solders are generally between 0.1 and 0.4 mm.

  These tubular receptacles are typically provided with a cap diameter of between 25 and 40 mm and, as described by EP-A-0 119 145, the opening torque by rupture of the tamper evident seal is then typically between 10 and 90 Nm, and between 10 and 30 Nm in the case of fancy orifices

  surmounted by discontinuously welded seals.

2S74372

  The device and method of the invention are used essentially in the field of food products for liquids, syrups, creams, products in the pasty state or in the state of gums, and for products in a divided state. ; in the field of pharmaceutical, hygienic or cosmetic products; in all previous presentations or consistencies, and in the field of

  chemicals or maintenance.

Claims (10)

  1. A container (1) with a neck (5) of plastic material provided with a cap (12) of plastic, the neck (5) being surmounted by a tamper-evident opercle (9) and the cap (12) comprising a key (14 + 16) with internal reliefs, said key (14 + 16) fitting said lid (9) when the cap (12) caps the neck (5) and the rotation of said cap (12) then allowing the rupture of the operculum (9), characterized by all of the following four means: a) The tamper-evident cover (9) has a smooth lateral surface (11); b) the plastic material of the key of the cap (14 + 16) is harder than the plastic material of the lid (9); c) the inner reliefs of the key of the cap (14 + 16) terminate in sharp edges (16); d) at least over a certain height, the successive circles perpendicular to the common axis (L) of the container (1) and of the cap (12) and passing through the ends (17) of said tapered edges (16) have diameters (<d) smaller than the diameters (<D) of the lateral surface (11) of the lid (9) corresponding to them, when said lid (9) is interlocked by said key of the cap (14 + 16).   2. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that, at least over a certain height, the successive circles perpendicular to the common axis of the lid (9) and the key of the cap (14 + 16) and passing through the ends (17) of the tapered edges (16) of the inner reliefs of the key of the cap have diameters ("d) 0.4 to 0.9 mm smaller than the diameters (<D) of the lateral surface (11) of the cover (9) which correspond to them, during the engagement of said cover (9) by said key of the cap (14 + 16), and in that said efile edges (16) have, in section perpendicular to said axis, an end angle (o) between 7 and 20 '.   3. Container according to claim 2, characterized in that the tapered edges (16) of the inner reliefs of the key of the cap (14 + 16) have, in section] 3 perpendicular to the common axis (L) of the operculum (9) and the key of the cap   (14 + 16), an end angle (o ') of between 10 and 16'.   4. Container according to any one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that   that, at least over a certain height, the successive circles perpendicular to the common axis (L) of the lid (9) and the key of the cap (14 + 16) and passing through the ends (17) of the tapered edges (16) inner reliefs of the key of the cap (14 + 16) have diameters (Od) 0.5 to 0.7 mm smaller than the diameters (OD) of the lateral surface (11) of the cap (9). ) which correspond to them during the nesting of said operculum (9) by said key of the cap (14 + 16).   Container (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized   that the inner reliefs (16) of the key of the cap are borne by a ring (14) whose lower end (18) fits easily on the cover (9), and in that said inner reliefs (16) ) involve an enlargement   progressive (19) over a height at least equal to 2 times their maximum width.   Container (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that   the lid (9) is of low density polyethylene, and in that the key of the cap (14 + 16) is a plastic material of the group consisting of: high density polyethylene, polypropylene, thermosetting resins,   polycarbonates, styrenic materials, acetal resins, polyesters.   Container (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized   the lid (9) is made of high density polyethylene, and in that the key of the cap (14 + 16) is made of a plastic material of the group consisting of: polypropylene, thermosetting resins, polycarbonates, styrenic materials, acetal resins, polyesters.   Container (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized   the lid (9) is made of polypropylene, and in that the key of the cap (14 + 16) is made of a plastic material consisting of: thermosetting resins, polycarbonates, styrenic materials, acetal resins, polyesters.   9. A method of opening a container (1) with a neck (5) made of plastic surmounted by a tamper-evident cover (9) having a lateral surface limse (11), characterized in that it comprises the steps A) is provided a cap (12) of plastic material having a key- with internal reliefs (14 + 16). the cap (12) being able to cover the neck (5) and its key (14 + 16) then fitting said lid (9), said key of the cap (14 + 16) having the following characteristics - this key (14 + 16) to less is plastic material harder than the plastic of the neck (5) and the lid (9); - its inner reliefs end with tapered edges (16) whose ends (17) are located, at least over a certain height, on successive circles perpendicular to the axis of the cap of diameters (<d) weaker   than the corresponding diameters ("D") of the capsule (9).   B) the lid (9) is tightened and its lateral surface (11) is streaked by pressing the   cap on the neck (5) and therefore its key (14 + 16) on said lid (9).   C) the cap (12) is rotated relative to the tube (1) in a direction of rotation (22) or in the other direction, until the lid (9) is broken, and the cap (12).   10. Method according to claim 9, characterized in that the inner reliefs of the key of the cap (14 + 16) terminate in sharp edges (16) whose ends (17) are located, at least over a certain height, on successive circles perpendicular to the axis (L) of the cap of diameters (<D) 0.4 to 0.9 mm lower than the corresponding diameters (ID) of the cover (9), and in that said ridges (16) have, in section perpendicular to said axis (L), a   end angle (D () between 7 and 20 '.