Synthetic top with articulated cap on a ring

Details Synthetic top with articulated cap on a ring Synthetic top with articulated cap on a ring

1999-12-09

2001-09-04

Newhouse, Nathan J. (Department: 3727)

Bottles and jars

Closures

Closure pivoted about receptacle opening

C215S253000, C220S847000, C222S556000, C222S541600

Reexamination Certificate

active

06283317

ABSTRACT:

TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a stopper made of synthetic material having a cap hinged to a band.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This type of stopper is used, for example, on a container such as a bottle intended to be filled with a liquid. Optionally, a pourer is used in order to allow the liquid to be poured out while preventing, at the end of pouring, a drop of liquid from flowing along the bottle. The hinged cap allows the bottle to be opened and closed every time it is used, and without the risk of losing the cap. Often this type of stopper is provided with means allowing evidence of the first time it is opened.
This stopper therefore comprises two parts: a belt and a cap as well as, optionally, a tamper-evident ring connecting the band to the, cap over a large part of the perimeter of the cap. The band surrounds the external upper part of the neck of the bottle and, optionally, even extends above the plane of opening of the bottle. The cap is connected to the band by a hinge and, in the closed position, occludes the pourer. U.S. Pat. No. 4,984,716 shows such a stopper.
Before the cap is opened for the first time, the tamper-evident ring, or frangible connecting straps, connects the cap to the band. After tearing this ring, or breaking the connecting straps, only the hinge forms the link between these two parts. The band is held in place on the neck of the bottle quite poorly. It is difficult to fasten it. The cap helps to hold it in place. However, when the cap is open, or even when it is closed but the tamper-evident ring has been removed, or the connecting straps have been broken, only the hinge allows the band to be held in place. Therefore, in order to hold the stopper in place without the risk of the band slipping along the neck of the bottle when opening the cap, it is known to adapt the neck of the bottle at an annular bead, on which the band will then bear. Such a stopper, mounted on a neck of a bottle adapted to the stopper, is shown in EP-0 685 406.
The main drawback of this solution is that the bottle or the container must be adapted to the stopper. In addition, this adapted bead increases the cost of the bottle as it requires additional material.
The object of the invention is therefore to provide a stopper which is well held on the neck of the container for which it is intended without, however, requiring this neck to be adapted.
For this purpose, the stopper that it provides is a stopper made of synthetic material having a cap hinged to a band, intended for sealing a container, a hinge being provided for allowing the cap to be hinged to the band in the plane of the opening of the container or above the opening, and a bead being provides to allow the snap-fastening of the stopper on a neck of the container.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention, at least one protuberance, projecting towards the interior of the stopper, is made on the band beneath the hinge for articulating the cap to the band, this at least one protuberance being able to bear on a part which is fixed in relation to the container.
This protuberance makes it possible to hold the band in position, especially when opening the cap. This protuberance takes the downwardly directed axial forces, i.e. those directed towards the body of the container, and can bear, for example, on a rim of the neck of the container or on any other part fixed with respect to the container which lies opposite it.
In a stopper according to the invention, the protuberance must be adapted to the surrounding configuration, and it is no longer necessary to shape the neck of the container so that it holds the band of the stopper in place.
In a first embodiment, the protuberance is made on the band near the hinge. Such a protuberance then bears, for example, on the rim of the neck of the container.
In a second embodiment, the protuberance consists of an annular bead made on the internal surface of the band. Such a protuberance then bears, for example, on an annular bead on the neck of the container, serving to hold the container in place when filling the latter.
In the first embodiment, the stopper has a protuberance advantageously extending over approximately half the length of the hinge.
The invention may also apply to a stopper which is equipped with a pourer fitted into the opening of the container. In this case, the protuberance advantageously bears on the pourer.
In one embodiment of the invention, the stopper is provided with means allowing evidence of the cap having been opened for the first time, which means, before first use, connect the cap to the band over a large part of the periphery of the cap.
In any case, the invention will be clearly understood with the aid of the description which follows, with reference to the appended diagrammatic drawing representing, by way of non-limiting examples two embodiments of a stopper according to the invention.


REFERENCES:
patent: 3991904 (1976-11-01), Davis et al.
patent: 4129226 (1978-12-01), Percival
patent: 4749108 (1988-06-01), Dornsbusch
patent: 4984716 (1991-01-01), Beck
patent: 5335802 (1994-08-01), Brach et al.
patent: 5785209 (1998-07-01), Guglielmini
patent: 5810207 (1998-09-01), Hayashida

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