Neck for container and closure system for container

Abstract

A neck for a container made of a cellulose-based material, the neck comprising: a side wall (3) having a substantially tubular shape and having a lower edge (3a) configured to be joined to a respective container (2) and defining a lower passage opening (4a) for the passage of material contained in the container (2), and an upper edge (3b) configured to be joined to the container (2) and defining a lower passage opening (4b) for the passage of the material contained in the container (2); the upper edge defines an upper passage opening (4b) for the passage of said material contained in the container (2); and coupling means (5) configured to be reversibly coupleable to a respective cap (101); wherein the upper opening (4b) defines a channel cross-section (S1) that is smaller than a channel cross-section (S2) of the lower opening (4a).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a neck for a container and a closure system for a container.

[0002] In particular, the present invention relates to a neck for a container such as a bottle, tube or similar product, wherein the neck is configured to be coupled to an associated cap.

[0003] More specifically, the present invention relates to a neck for a container made of a natural, renewable and recyclable material, such as a cellulose-based material or other fiber-based material, which is commonly used in the packaging field, in particular but not exclusively, for the manufacture of many articles currently made of synthetic polymer materials. Cellulose-based materials are advantageously much less polluting and easier to discard than synthetic polymer materials. In addition, an associated closure cap that can be applied to the neck is also made of a natural material, preferably a cellulose-based material. Background Art

[0004] As is well known, the neck of the container has a side wall extending in a generally cylindrical shape, and a passage opening for passing the material contained in the container is provided at the top of the container. The side wall is usually threaded to allow a cap to be screwed onto the neck.

[0005] Alternatively, the cap may also be coupled to the neck by means of pressure and mechanical interference.

[0006] The passage opening of the neck is defined by a generally circular rim coupled to the cap to define a sealing structure adapted to close off the opening and prevent passage of material contained in the container.

[0007] In particular, the sealing structure is formed by the connection between the edge of the neck and a circular protrusion (called a "plug") extending from the inner surface of the cap. In this way, the circular protrusion is located on the inner side of the edge and abuts against the inner side of the edge. Alternatively, the circular protrusion can be wider than the opening of the neck, so that the circular protrusion can be located on the outer side of the edge and contact the outer side of the edge. In addition, there is also such a cap in the prior art, which is provided with two circular and concentric protrusions, which are configured to contact the inner and outer sides of the edge.

[0008] In the case of containers for liquid or pasty products (eg, toothpaste tubes, etc.), the opening of the neck may be particularly narrow in order to contain and control the delivery flow of the material out of the container.

[0009] Therefore, the side wall defining the neck is also made to have very compact dimensions. In this context, Figure 1As better shown in FIG. 1 , in order to facilitate the gripping and tightening / unscrewing operation of the cap "A", the size of the cap is larger relative to the size of the neck "B". Specifically, the cap "A" is made to have: a first inner side wall "A1", whose size depends on the neck "B", on which a thread is formed for cooperating with the thread of the neck "B"; and an outer side wall "A2", which is only suitable for obtaining an outer surface of the cap that is wider and therefore easier to be gripped by the user.

[0010] However, this type of cap (in Figure 1 The main disadvantages of the present invention (better shown in FIG. 1 ) are: first and foremost the structural complexity of the cap itself, which is provided with two side walls "A1, A2", which is detrimental to the production process. Further complications are introduced by the cellulose-based material, which makes this type of complex cap and neck expensive and in some cases not feasible.

[0011] Furthermore, if the user grips the outer sidewall "A2" with too much force, the outer sidewall is easily deformed. In fact, in this case, the inner part of the outer wall "A2" is not supported by the neck "B" of the container and may therefore bend inwardly (ie, toward the inner sidewall "A1").

[0012] There are also containers in the prior art having a neck and a corresponding cap both made of natural materials (eg cellulose based materials), however, the neck and the corresponding cap have design constraints due to the associated molding process and the structural capabilities of the material itself.

[0013] In this context, the circular protrusion ("plug") protruding from the inner wall of the cap is at a distance from the side wall of the cap itself, so that the cap can be accurately formed in the corresponding mold and gives the cap sufficient structural stability. In order to ensure the constraint between the edge of the neck and the circular protrusion, the neck is made with a width of the corresponding side wall slightly greater than the width of the protrusion.

[0014] In other words, in order to ensure that the container is sealed, the neck is dimensioned according to the width of the circular protrusion so as to accurately couple the edge of the neck between the protrusion and the wall of the cap.

[0015] However, it should be noted that in this case the side wall of the neck is at a distance from the side wall of the cap and that, in order to ensure that the cap is screwed onto the neck, a very pronounced and particularly sharp thread is therefore formed.

[0016] In this context, using threads that are too sharp would require a variation in thickness that is not possible with cellulose-based materials, which must have a constant thickness in order to be accurately compressed.

[0017] Furthermore, even molding such a pronounced protrusion may be difficult to achieve with cellulose-based materials, since, given their density, they may be damaged during the step of removing the product (neck or cap) from the mold. Summary of the invention

[0018] In this context, one object of the present invention is to create a neck for a container that overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0019] In particular, a first object of the present invention is to provide a container provided with a neck which can be made of cellulose and which at the same time can be adapted to the structure of the cap.

[0020] More specifically, an object of the present invention is to create a neck made of cellulose that is easy to manufacture in the molding processes of the prior art and that at the same time optimally couples to a corresponding cap.

[0021] Another object of the present invention is to provide a container provided with such a neck, although the neck has a size limitation in the cross section of the passage opening for the passage of the material contained in the container, the size of the neck can be adapted to the size of the cap, thereby simplifying its related structure.

[0022] Furthermore, the invention allows the use of simple and inexpensive geometries to implement the common functions of the system of neck and cap, thereby ensuring inexpensiveness and even achieving an "eco-design" due to the lower weight and therefore lower consumption of materials compared to more complex solutions.

[0023] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a neck for a container, the neck comprising: a side wall having a generally tubular shape and having a lower edge and an upper edge, the lower edge being configured to be coupled to a corresponding container and defining a lower passage opening for passing a material contained in the container, the upper edge defining an upper passage opening for passing said material contained in the container. The neck also has a coupling device configured to be reversibly or irreversibly coupled to a corresponding cap. Advantageously, the upper opening defines a passage cross section that is smaller than the passage cross section of the lower opening.

[0024] In other words, the width of the upper edge is smaller than the width of the lower edge.

[0025] In this way, an upper opening is obtained whose dimensions are smaller than the dimensions of the side walls of the neck.

[0026] In this way, it is even possible to place the plug outside the edge of the neck or only outside the edge of the neck.

[0027] For this purpose, the side wall has a first stretch near the upper edge which tapers relative to a second stretch near the lower edge.

[0028] Advantageously, coupling means, preferably in the form of threads, are formed on the second extension of the outer surface of the side wall and are configured to couple with threads of a corresponding cap.

[0029] Advantageously, the dimensions of the first stretch of the side wall, on which the upper opening is formed, are independent of the dimensions of the second stretch of the supporting thread.

[0030] Furthermore, the neck is advantageously made of a cellulose-based material.

[0031] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a closure system for a container, the closure system comprising the above-mentioned neck and a cap removably engageable with the neck, the cap also advantageously being made of a cellulose-based material.

[0032] Preferably, the cap has a closing wall for closing the upper opening and a side wall extending perpendicularly to the closing wall. The closing wall has an annular protrusion extending from the inner surface of the closing wall facing the neck so as to contact the upper edge and be located inside the upper opening.

[0033] Advantageously, the entire system being made of cellulose-based material also allows great flexibility in manufacturing the upper opening, regardless of the size of the neck and the cap. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] The invention may be better understood and implemented with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show exemplary and non-limiting embodiments of the invention, in which:

[0035] - Figure 1 shows a side cross-sectional view of a neck and associated cap belonging to the prior art described above;

[0036] Figure 2 shows a side cross-sectional view of a neck for a container according to the present invention, and the neck is coupled to a corresponding cap;

[0037] - Figure 3 shows a side cross-sectional view of a neck in a second embodiment of the present invention; and

[0038] - Figure 4a and Figure 4b A side cross-sectional view of a neck according to a third embodiment is shown and the neck is in two respective operating states. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] With reference to the accompanying drawings, reference numeral 1 denotes as a whole a neck for a container 2, which is only partially shown as it is not part of the present invention.

[0040] In fact, the container 2 to which the neck 1 according to the invention is applied may be of any type and made of any material, depending on the product that must be contained (product in solid, semi-solid or liquid form).

[0041] Advantageously, the neck 1 is made entirely of natural material, preferably of a cellulose-based material.

[0042] The neck 1 comprises a side wall 3 having a generally tubular shape and extending around a respective longitudinally extending axis "X".

[0043] The wall 3 , preferably cylindrical and of circular cross section, has a lower edge 3 a and an upper edge 3 b opposite the lower edge 3 a , the lower edge being configured to be joined to the container 2 by means of known coupling techniques.

[0044] The lower edge 3a defines a lower passage opening 4a for passing material (not shown) contained in the container 2. In other words, the lower opening 4a is in fluid communication with the inner compartment of the container 2 for the transport of material from the container 2 towards the inside of the neck 3.

[0045] In contrast, the upper edge 3b defines an upper passage opening 4b for the passage of the material contained in the container.

[0046] In more detail, the upper opening 4b allows the conveyance of material from the inside towards the outside of the wall 3. The upper opening also defines a passage section "S" of a predetermined width, depending on the nature of the material contained in the container 2 and on the shape and dimensions of the container 2 itself.

[0047] Advantageously, as explained in more detail below, the upper opening 4b defines a cross section "S1" having a width that is smaller than the width of the passage cross section "S2" defined by the lower opening 4a.

[0048] In other words, as is clearly shown in the drawings, the width of the upper edge 3b is smaller than the width of the lower edge 3a.

[0049] The neck 1 also comprises coupling means 5 configured to be reversibly coupled to a corresponding cap 101 .

[0050] Advantageously, the coupling means 5 comprise protrusions 6a, 6b, preferably threads, formed on the outer surface of the side wall 3 and configured to couple to the threads 102 of the corresponding cap 101 ( Figure 2 ).

[0051] In the figures, the neck 1 is shown with threads 6a and 6b that are different from each other and can be substituted for each other. In fact, the first thread 6a is formed by shaping the wall 3, which is suitable for defining a concave portion on the inner surface of the wall 3 and a convex portion on the outer surface of the wall 3. In this case, the wall 3 has a constant thickness along its entire extension. In fact, the thread 6a also has a constant thickness.

[0052] In an alternative embodiment, there is a second thread 6b which has no inner recesses but only protrusions on the outer surface of the wall 3. In this case, the wall 3 has a variable thickness at the thread 6b, i.e. the wall thickens in section at this thread. However, both threads 6a, 6b described above make it possible to avoid a thinning of the section of the wall 3, with the advantage of the tightness that can be achieved with the cellulose material, which guarantees a mechanical seal of the entire neck 1.

[0053] The wall 3 also comprises a first stretch 7 close to the upper edge 3b and which tapers relative to a second stretch 8 close to the lower edge 3a.

[0054] In other words, the wall 3 has a varying cross-section, wherein it narrows at a first stretch 7 at the top (close to the upper edge 3b).

[0055] In this case, it should be noted that the thread is situated in the second stretch 8 of the side wall 3 and is therefore close to the lower edge 3 a and the container 2 .

[0056] In more detail, according to Figure 2 In the first embodiment of the invention shown in , both the first and second stretches 7 , 8 are defined by annular portions which are coaxial with the axis “X” and which are connected to each other by a curved stretch 9 .

[0057] In this case, it should be noted that the curved stretch 9 joins the first stretch 7 and the second stretch 8 without a gap, thereby defining a change in the channel cross section from the lower opening 4a with a greater width to the upper opening 4b with a smaller width.

[0058] according to Figure 3 In the second embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 , the first stretching portion 7 comprises: a first portion 7a extending in an annular manner and associated with the above-mentioned curved stretching portion 9; and a second portion 7b extending transversely relative to the first portion 7a and defining the above-mentioned upper edge 3b.

[0059] In other words, in this embodiment, the first stretch has a second portion 7b extending in a planar manner perpendicular to the longitudinal axis "X" and perpendicular to the annular extension of the first portion 7a.

[0060] In this case, the upper edge 3b and the associated opening 4b are realized in the form of a hole formed on the aforementioned second portion 7b of the first stretch 7. Preferably, but without limiting the scope of the invention, the hole is formed axially with respect to the longitudinal axis "X", i.e. at the center of the second portion 7b.

[0061] Advantageously, the opening 4b formed on the second portion 7b may have any passage section "S1" which is also smaller than the section "S2" of the lower opening 4a and whose size depends on the various requirements involved in use.

[0062] according to Figure 4a and Figure 4b In the third embodiment shown in the figure, the first stretching portion 7 includes: a first portion 7a, extending in an annular manner coaxially with the axis "X" and associated with the curved stretching portion 9; a second portion 7b, extending in an annular manner coaxially with the longitudinal axis "X" and defining the above-mentioned upper edge 3b; and a third portion 7c, extending transversely relative to the first portion 7a and the second portion 7b and between the first portion and the second portion.

[0063] More specifically, in this embodiment, the third portion 7c extends in a planar manner perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis "X" and perpendicularly to the annular extension of the first and second portions 7a, 7b.

[0064] In this case, the second portion 7b extends (protrudes) from the planar extension of the third portion 7c to extend above it. In other words, the second portion 7b of the first stretching portion 7 defines a "mouth" protruding from the third portion 7c, the upper opening 4b is formed on the mouth, and the cross-section "S1" of the upper opening is smaller than the cross-section "S2" of the lower opening 4a.

[0065] refer to Figure 4a It should be noted that a blocking wall 10 for blocking the upper opening 4a may also be provided. This wall 10 extends in a planar manner parallel to the extension of the third portion 7c and is configured to be removed by cutting or piercing the wall 10 itself by an appropriate system and is configured to define the upper edge 3b and the associated upper opening 4b.

[0066] Advantageously, the blocking wall 10 can also be arranged in the aforementioned embodiment, that is, arranged in Figure 2 and Figure 3 In those embodiments shown in .

[0067] The invention also relates to a closure system 100 comprising a cap 101 coupleable to a neck 1 according to any of the embodiments described above.

[0068] In fact, although Hat 101 is only Figure 2, but it should be noted that the closure system 100 can be used with any type of neck 1 .

[0069] Specifically, the cap 101 is also preferably made of a cellulose-based material, and has a closing wall 103 adapted to close the upper opening 4 b of the neck 1 , and a side wall 104 extending perpendicularly to the closing wall 103 .

[0070] The side wall 104 has the above-mentioned thread 102 which interacts with the threads 6a, 6b of the neck 1 for screwing the cap 101 onto / off the neck 1 .

[0071] Advantageously, the cap 101 may be provided with at least one interference element for interfering with the closure wall 10 , suitable for cutting and removing the wall 10 during movement (rotation) of the cap 101 relative to the neck 1 .

[0072] Thus, in this case, during a single movement to open the cap 101 itself, the cap 101 also defines the upper edge 3b and the associated opening 4b.

[0073] The closing wall 103 has an annular protrusion 105 which projects from its inner surface facing the neck 1. Advantageously, in the state in which the cap 101 is closed on the neck 1, the annular protrusion 105 is located inside the upper opening 4b and in contact with the upper edge 3b to define a mechanical seal suitable for preventing material from coming out of the container 2.

[0074] Alternatively, the protrusion (105) may even be arranged to be located outside the upper edge (3b), or two concentric protrusions (105) may be provided, which are configured to be in contact with the inner and outer parts of the edge 3b.

[0075] Advantageously, the cap 101 has the above-mentioned protrusion 105 at a distance from the corresponding side wall 104, so as to facilitate the various molding steps of the cellulosic material. In this case, the mechanical seal is still guaranteed thanks to the position of the upper edge 3b, namely on the first stretch 7 which tapers relative to the second stretch 8. In other words, the possibility of reducing the section "S1" of the upper opening 4b relative to the section "S2" of the lower opening 4a makes it possible to also have the first stretch 7 of the wall 3 at a distance from the side wall 104 of the cap 101.

[0076] It should be noted that, advantageously, in this case, the dimensions of the second stretch 8 on which the threads 6a, 6b are formed remain unchanged.

[0077] Furthermore, the invention allows obtaining a neck 1 provided with an upper opening 4b of any size, independently of the size of the thread, the size of the upper opening being determined, if necessary, by the requirements of the corresponding cap.

[0078] In other words, it is possible to produce a neck 1 with particularly wide side walls, suitable for example for coupling to a cap of wider diameter, and at the same time having a tapered first stretch 7 to define a particularly narrow upper opening 4b.

Claims

1. A neck for a container, comprising: a side wall (3) made of a cellulose-based material and having a generally tubular shape, the side wall having a lower edge (3a) and an upper edge (3b), the lower edge being configured to be coupled to a corresponding container (2) and defining a lower passage opening (4a) for passage of material contained in the container (2), the upper edge defining an upper passage opening (4b) for passage of the material contained in the container (2); and A coupling device (5) configured to be reversibly coupled to a corresponding cap (101); The invention is characterized in that a channel cross section (S1) defined by the upper opening (4b) is smaller than a channel cross section (S2) of the lower opening (4a).

2. Neck according to the preceding claim, wherein The width of the upper edge (3b) is smaller than the width of the lower edge (3a).

3. A neck according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The side wall (3) has a first stretched portion (7) near the upper edge (3b), and the first stretched portion is thinner than a second stretched portion (8) near the lower edge (3a).

4. A neck according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The coupling device (5) comprises protrusions (6a, 6b) formed on the outer surface of the side wall (3) and configured to be coupled to a corresponding cap (101).

5. Neck according to the preceding claim, wherein The protrusions (6a, 6b) are threads that can be coupled with threads formed on the cap (101).

6. A neck according to claim 4 when dependent on claim 3, wherein The protrusion (6a, 6b) is located in the second stretched portion (8) of the side wall (3).

7. A neck according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein The side wall (3) further comprises a curved connecting stretching portion (9) connected between the first stretching portion and the second stretching portion (7, 8).

8. The neck according to claim 7, wherein: The first stretching portion (7) comprises: - a first portion (7a) extending in an annular manner coaxially with the longitudinal extension axis (X) of said neck (1) and associated with said curved stretch (9); - a second portion (7b) extending in an annular manner coaxially with said longitudinal axis (X) and defining said upper edge (3b); and - a third portion (7c) extending transversely relative to the first portion and the second portion (7a, 7b) and between the first portion and the second portion (7a, 7b).

9. Neck according to the preceding claim, wherein The third portion (7c) extends in a planar manner perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (X), and wherein the second portion (7b) projects from the planar extension of the third portion (7c).

10. A neck according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The neck further comprises a blocking wall (10) for blocking the upper opening (4b), wherein the blocking wall is configured to be removable and defines the upper edge (3b) and the upper opening (4b).

11. The neck according to claim 7, wherein: The first stretching portion (7) comprises: - a first portion (7a) extending in an annular manner coaxially with the longitudinal extension axis (X) of said neck (1) and associated with said curved stretch (9); and - a second portion (7b) extending transversely to said first portion (7a) and defining said upper edge (3b).

12. Neck according to the preceding claim, wherein The second portion (7b) extends in a planar manner perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (X).

13. A closure system for a container, comprising: A neck (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims; and a cap (101) made of a cellulose-based material and engageable with the neck (1).

14. System according to the preceding claim, wherein The cap (101) has a closing wall (103) for closing the upper opening (3b) and a side wall (104) extending perpendicularly to the closing wall (103); the closing wall (103) has at least one annular protrusion (105), and the at least one annular protrusion protrudes from the inner surface of the closing wall (103) facing the neck (1) so as to contact the upper edge (3b).

15. A system according to any one of claims 13 to 14, wherein: The neck comprises a blocking wall (10) for blocking the upper opening (4b), and wherein the cap (101) comprises at least one interference element for interfering with the blocking wall (10), wherein during the opening of the cap (101) itself by moving relative to the neck (1), the interference element of the cap (101) removes the blocking wall (10) to define the upper edge (3b) and the upper opening (4b).

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