LOCKING DEVICE FOR ATTACHMENT TO THE NECK OF A CONTAINER

Description

technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a closure device which is equipped with a stopper and allows said stopper to be kept attached to the neck of a container, which prevents the stopper from being lost in nature. Technological background

[0002] Document ES1232089U discloses a closure device comprising a lower ring for axial attachment to the neck of a container, a cap with a thread for engaging with a complementary thread on the neck of the container, and a hinge connecting the cap to the lower ring. The lower ring has attachment means for retaining it to the neck of the container. The section of the lower ring connected to the cap by the hinge is not equipped with attachment means, allowing it to pivot between a lowered and an raised position, notably to permit unscrewing the cap. Furthermore, the cap has latching means for engaging with complementary latching means in the lower ring, thereby holding the cap in a tilted, open position.

[0003] This capping device is not entirely satisfactory. Indeed, despite the absence of any means of attachment in the section of the lower ring that is connected to the cap by the joint, manipulating the cap to allow the section of the lower ring that is connected to the cap to pivot towards a raised position when the cap needs to be moved from the open tilted position to the closed position is not easy.

[0004] Document FR3094353 relates to a closure device (1) intended to be fixed to a neck (2) of a container in order to seal an opening (5) of said neck (2), the closure device comprising: a lower ring (3) comprising a first sector (15) intended to be retained axially to the neck (2) and a second sector (16); - a cap (4); and - an articulation device (6) which connects the cap (4) to the second sector (16) of the lower ring (3); - the first sector (15) and the second sector (16) of the lower ring (3) being articulated to each other so that the second sector (16) pivots relative to the first sector (15) from a lowered position to a raised position to allow the cap (4) to move axially away from the neck (2) from the closed position to a released position in which said cap (4) is no longer engaged with the neck (2) of the container;the articulation device (6) being configured to allow the cap (4) to pivot between said released position and an open tilted position in which the cap (4) is clear of the orifice (5) of the neck (2), the second sector of the lower ring having an inner face which has at least one recess. Summary

[0005] One idea behind the invention is to propose a capping device that allows a cap to be kept attached to the neck of the container, which is reliable, easy to make and use.

[0006] According to one embodiment, the invention provides a closure device intended to be fixed to the neck of a container having an opening, a support collar and a fastening flange, the closure device comprising: a lower ring fixed axially to the neck and rotatable on the neck about said axis X, said lower ring having a first sector which has attachment elements projecting radially inwards from the lower ring and intended to be arranged below the attachment collar so as to retain the lower ring axially on the neck of the container and a second sector, the first sector and the second sector of the lower ring being articulated to each other so that the second sector pivots relative to the first sector between a lowered position in which the second sector is arranged below the attachment collar and a raised position in which the second sector is arranged at least partly above the attachment collar, a cap having an upper wall and an external peripheral skirt,the outer peripheral skirt having a helical thread intended to cooperate with a helical thread of the neck so as to allow movement of the cap between a closed position and a released position in which the helical thread of the cap is no longer engaged with the helical thread of the neck; a hinge device which links the cap to the second sector of the lower ring and is configured to allow the cap to pivot between the released position and a tilted open position in which the cap is free from the neck orifice; the second sector of the lower ring having an inner face which has at least one recess, wherein the inner face of the second sector has two recesses which extend respectively from a central area of ​​the second sector to either of the two ends of the second sector.

[0007] Thus, thanks to the presence of such a recess, the thickness of the lower ring is locally reduced in the second sector, which makes it easier to pass on either side of the hook collar, especially when the cap has to be moved from the open tilted position to the closed position.

[0008] According to other advantageous embodiments, such a capping device may have one or more of the following characteristics.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the second sector is devoid of attachment elements.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the attachment elements are protrusions that project radially inwards.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the second sector extends over an angular range between 90 and 180°.

[0012] In one embodiment, the central area of ​​the second sector is devoid of a recess. This allows the second sector to maintain sufficient rigidity in the area of ​​the locking device to ensure reliable operation of said locking device.

[0013] According to one embodiment, at least one recess extends from a lower edge of the second sector to an upper portion of the second sector intended to be positioned opposite the attachment collar when the second sector is in the lowered position.

[0014] According to one embodiment, each recess extends over an angular range greater than 30, advantageously greater than 45° and for example of the order of 60°.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the first sector comprises a front zone which is diametrically opposite to the second sector and two attachment zones in which the attachment elements are positioned and which are respectively located on either side of the front zone between said front zone and the second sector.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the front area of ​​the first sector is devoid of attachment elements.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the hanging elements are exclusively arranged in the two hanging zones.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the front zone of the first sector extends over an angular range between 40 and 150°, and preferably between 90 and 150°.

[0019] According to one embodiment, each of the two attachment zones extends over an angular range between 10 and 90°.

[0020] In one embodiment, the front area of ​​the first sector has a lower height than the two attachment areas of the first sector and that of the second sector. This area is designed to fit between the support collar and the attachment flange during the movement of the second sector between its lowered and released positions, thus allowing radial movement of the lower ring. Furthermore, a recess at the upper edge of the front area of ​​the lower ring, which provides additional radial clearance between the lower ring and the collar, facilitates the passage of a portion of the second sector on either side of the attachment flange.This also makes it easier to use the capping device, especially when the cap needs to be moved from the open tilted position to the closed position, since the pulling forces to be exerted on the lower ring to allow the second sector to move between the lowered and raised positions are less.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the invention also provides an assembly comprising a aforementioned closure device and a container having a neck including an orifice, a support collar and a hook collar arranged axially between the support collar and the hook collar, the hook elements of the two hook zones of the lower ring being arranged below the hook collar so as to axially retain the lower ring on the neck of the container.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the height of the front area of ​​the first sector is less than a distance between the support collar and the hanging collar.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the articulation device comprises two slats connecting the outer peripheral skirt and the second sector, the capping device further comprising a locking device configured to lock the cap when it is in the tilted open position, said locking device comprising a heel which projects axially from the outer peripheral skirt between the two slats of the articulation device and which comprises a lug which projects radially outwards and a projecting portion which projects axially from the second sector of the lower ring between the two slats of the articulation device; The lug and the protruding portion are configured so that, when the cap is in the open tilted position and the second sector of the lower ring is in the lowered position, the protruding portion is clamped between the lug and the retaining collar. Thanks to this arrangement, the locking device ensures a robust hold of the cap in its open tilted position, even at a significant angle. Furthermore, compared to a locking device with a lug configured to abut the neck of the container, the proposed arrangement allows for a reduction in the lug's radial dimension. This is particularly advantageous since a lug with an excessive radial dimension can negatively impact the reliability and efficiency of bottling operations, especially when the capping devices are transported on conveyors before being placed on the containers.

[0024] According to one embodiment, e1 > L - e2 with: L: the length of the slats in an initial state in which the cap is in the closed position; e1: a radial distance between a contact area of ​​the lug intended to come into contact with the protruding portion when the cap is in the open tilted position and an intersection between a straight line passing through the upper ends of the slats and a plane of symmetry (P) of the slats with respect to each other; and e2: a radial distance between a contact area of ​​the protruding portion intended to come into contact with the lug when the cap is in the open tilted position and an intersection between a straight line passing through the lower ends of the slats and the plane of symmetry (P).

[0025] According to one embodiment, e1 > L - e2 + e3 + e4 with: e3: a radial clearance between the lower ring and the neck along a radial direction to the X axis and inscribed in the plane of symmetry P; and e4: a radial clearance between the protruding portion and the attachment collar.

[0026] According to one embodiment, e1 = L - e2 + e3 + e4 + Δ with Δ between 0.05 and 2 mm.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the projecting portion projects beyond a lower limit of the outer peripheral skirt.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the slats and the locking device are configured such that, during the pivoting movement of the cap between the released position and the open tilted position, the slats are subjected to a tensile force that increases up to an intermediate unstable position and then decreases from said intermediate unstable position to the open tilted position.7

[0029] According to one embodiment, the capping device is made from a single piece of molding.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the lower ring is connected to the outer peripheral skirt by frangible bridges.

[0031] According to one embodiment, when the cap is in the tilted open position and the second sector of the lower ring is in the lowered position, the opening angle of the cap is greater than 120°.

[0032] In one embodiment, the outer peripheral skirt has a notched portion, and the elastic fins join said outer peripheral skirt within said notched portion. This arrangement allows for elastic fins of sufficient length while limiting the dimensions of the gaps between the cap and the lower ring, which could allow dust to pass through. Brief description of the figures

[0033] The invention will be better understood, and other objects, details, features and advantages thereof will become more apparent from the following description of several particular embodiments of the invention, given solely by way of illustration and not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings. There figure 1 is a three-quarter rear perspective view of a stopper mounted on the neck of a container. figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a container neck intended to receive the capping device of the figure 1 . There figure 3 is a side view of the closure device mounted on the neck of the container, showing the closure device's stopper in a released position where it is no longer engaged with the neck of the container. figure 4is a perspective view of the closure device mounted on the neck of the container, showing the closure device's stopper in an open, tilted position in which the stopper is free from the neck opening. figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the closure device mounted on the neck of the container, showing the closure device's stopper in an open, tilted position in which the stopper is disengaged from the neck opening. figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the lower ring of the sealing device in a plane orthogonal to the X-axis. figure 7 This is a perspective view from below of the sealing device, illustrating the inner face of the second sector of the lower ring. figure 8 This is a front view of the capping device. figure 9 This is a side view of the capping device. Figure 10 is an enlargement of the figure 1 illustrating the blocking device in detail. figure 11is a schematic cross-sectional representation of the plug and the stopper. figure 12 is a schematic cross-sectional representation of the lower ring and the protruding portion. Description of the implementation methods

[0034] In the description and figures, the X-axis corresponds to the axis of rotation of the stopper 1 of the closure device when it is screwed onto the neck 2 of the container. By convention, the "radial" orientation is directed orthogonally to the X-axis, and the axial orientation is directed parallel to the X-axis. The terms "external" and "internal" are used to define the relative position of one element with respect to another, with reference to the X-axis; an element close to the X-axis is thus described as internal, as opposed to an external element located radially at the periphery.

[0035] The terms "upper" and "lower" are used to define the relative position of one element with respect to another by reference to a position in which the opening 3 of the neck 2 is facing upwards and the stopper 1 is in the closed position on the neck 2 of the container. An element intended to be placed lower is designated as lower, and an element intended to be placed higher is designated as upper. The terms "front" and "rear" are used to define the relative position of one element with respect to another along a diameter perpendicular to the X-axis.

[0036] In relation to figures 1 to 12 An assembly comprising a closure device and a container equipped with a neck 2, shown in the diagram, is described below. figures 1 to 5 .

[0037] As depicted in particular on the figure 2The neck 2 of the container has an upper end in which an opening 3 is provided for pouring the contents of the container. The neck 2 of the container has a support collar 4 that projects radially outwards and a retaining flange 5 that also projects radially outwards and is arranged axially between the support collar 4 and the opening 3. A cylindrical portion is provided axially between the support collar 4 and the opening 3. Furthermore, the neck 2 has, positioned axially between the retaining flange 5 and the opening 3, a helical thread 6 formed of a series of helical ribs, projecting radially outwards from an external surface of the neck 2. The helical thread 6 is intended to cooperate with a complementary helical thread 7, shown in particular in the figure 4, formed of a series of helical ribs which are provided in the stopper 1 of the stoppering device.

[0038] In one embodiment, the helical thread 6 formed in the neck 2 and the helical thread 7 formed in the cap 1 are interrupted. In other words, the adjacent helical ribs are separated by a vent space, allowing the gas inside the container to escape while the cap 1 remains engaged with the neck 2.

[0039] The closure device comprises a lower ring 9 which is retained on the neck 2 of the container, a stopper 1 which is intended to cover the opening 3 of the container so as to seal it, and a hinge device 10, in particular shown in the figure 1 , linking the stopper 1 to the lower ring 9. The stopper 1 is movable between a closed position, shown on the figure 1 and a liberated position, represented on the figure 3 in which the stopper 1 is no longer engaged with the neck 2. The stopper 1 is also capable of being tilted from the released position to the tilted open position, shown in the figures 4 And 5 in which the stopper 1 is disengaged from the opening 3 of the neck 2 so as not to obstruct the emptying of the container's contents. The stopper device also includes a locking device arranged to lock the stopper 1 in the open, tilted position.

[0040] As depicted in particular on the figure 1The cap 1 has an upper wall 13 designed to be positioned substantially orthogonally to the X-axis, opposite the opening 3 of the neck 2 when the cap 1 is in the closed position. The cap 1 also has an external peripheral skirt 14 designed to surround the neck 2 of the container when the cap 1 is in the closed position. The external peripheral skirt 14 extends downwards, perpendicularly to the upper wall 13, from the outer periphery of said upper wall 13. The helical thread 7 is provided on the inner face of the external peripheral skirt 14.

[0041] As depicted in particular on the figure 4The cap 1 has an inner skirt 8, which extends perpendicularly downwards from the upper wall 13 of the cap 1 and is dimensioned to fit inside the orifice 3 of the neck 2. The cap 1 further has an annular lip 15 which extends radially from the upper wall 13 between the inner skirt 8 and the outer peripheral skirt 14. The inner skirt 8 and the annular lip 15 are dimensioned such that, when the cap 1 is in the closed position on the neck 2 of the container, the inner skirt 8 is in contact with the inner face of the neck 2 while the annular lip 15 is in contact with the outer face of the neck 2. Thus, the inner skirt 8 and the annular lip 15 ensure a tight seal.

[0042] Advantageously, the lower ring 9 is, before the first opening of the container, connected to the stopper 1 by frangible bridges 30, visible for example on the figures 7 to 9, designed to break when the stopper 1 is opened. These frangible bridges 30 thus constitute witnesses of inviolability.

[0043] The lower ring 9 is held axially on the neck 2 of the container while being able to rotate relative to it around the X-axis. As shown in the Figures 1 , 3 and 4 , the lower ring 9 has two parts which are articulated to each other, namely a first sector 16 and a second sector 17 by which the lower ring 9 is linked to the cap 1 by means of the articulation device 10.

[0044] As depicted on the figure 3, the second sector 17 is able to pivot upwards relative to the first sector 16, between a lowered position in which at least the major part of the second sector 17 is intended to be disposed below the hook collar 5 and a raised position, in which at least the major part of the second sector 17 is disposed above the hook collar 5. This allows the cap 1 to move upwards relative to the neck 2 of the container, until the helical thread 7 of the cap 1 disengages from the helical thread 6 provided on the neck 2 of the container.In other words, when the cap 1 is unscrewed, the lower ring 9 is driven into rotation about the X axis while the second sector 17 of the lower ring 9 pivots relative to the first sector 16 to the raised position so as to permit an axial movement, upwards of the cap 1, from the closed position, to the released position shown on the . figure 3 When the cap 1 is pivoted from the released position to the open tilted position, the second sector 17 of the lower ring 9 pivots in the opposite direction relative to the first sector 16 and thus returns to the lowered position. Furthermore, the second sector 17 also pivots relative to the first sector 16 from the lowered position to the raised position when the cap 1 is pivoted from the open tilted position to the released position.

[0045] The lower ring 9 is held axially on the neck 2 of the container by means of the retaining collar 5. As shown in the figure 2 The retaining collar 5 has a frustoconical external surface that narrows upwards, i.e., towards the opening 3 of the container. The retaining collar 5 defines, downwards, i.e., in a direction opposite to the opening 3, a shoulder.

[0046] As depicted on the figure 6The first sector 16 of the lower ring 9 includes retaining elements 18 designed to cooperate with the retaining collar 5 formed on the container in order to axially retain the lower ring 9 to the neck 2 of the container. The retaining elements 18 are protrusions that project radially inwards from the first sector 16 of the lower ring 9. Advantageously, the retaining elements 18 have a radial dimension that increases from bottom to top, i.e., towards the upper edge of the lower ring 9. When the closure device is assembled onto the neck 2 of the container, the retaining elements 18 slide against the frustoconical surface of the retaining collar 5 and then lock by elastic return behind the retaining collar 5.

[0047] The first sector 16 of the lower ring 9 has a front zone 19 which is diametrically opposite the second sector 17 of the lower ring 9 and two attachment zones 20, shown on the figure 6These are arranged on either side of the front zone 19 and are each positioned between the front zone 19 and the second sector 17 of the lower ring 9. The latching elements 18 are exclusively located in the two latching zones 20 and 21. Thus, due to the absence of latching elements 18 in the front zone 19 of the first sector 16, there is radial play between the lower ring 9 and the collar 2, which allows the lower ring 9 to move back and forth. This facilitates the passage of a portion of the second sector 17 on either side of the latching collar 5 during the movement of the second sector 17 between the lowered and raised positions. In other words, the tensile forces to be exerted on the lower ring 9 to allow the second sector 17 to pass on either side of the hook collar 5 are less.

[0048] Advantageously, the second sector 17 extends over an angular range between 90 and 150°, and for example on the order of 120°, the front zone of the first sector 16 extends over an angular range between 90 and 150°, for example on the order of 120°, while each of the two attachment zones 20, 21 extends over an angular range between 30 and 90°, for example on the order of 60°.

[0049] As depicted in particular on the figures 8 And 9The front zone 19 of the first sector 16 has a recess 31 formed at the upper edge of the lower ring 9. Thus, the front zone 19 has a height, measured parallel to the X-axis, which is less than that of the lower ring 9, outside the front zone 19, and which is less than the distance between the support collar 4 and the mounting flange 5. This further increases the radial clearance between the lower ring 9 and the collar 2 since, as illustrated in the figure 5 , said step 31 allows the front zone 19 of the first sector 16 to come to be positioned axially between the support collar 4 and the hook collar 5 whereas, in the absence of such a step 31, the front zone would come to rest against the hook collar 5.

[0050] Such an arrangement is also advantageous in that it makes it easier to determine whether the frangible bridges 30 have already been broken by the first opening of the plug 1. Once the frangible bridges 30 have been broken, and consequently the lower ring 9 is connected to the plug 9 only via the hinge 10, the lower ring 9 tilts forward, thus facilitating the observation that the opening has been breached. Furthermore, the lower ring 9 can thus have, outside the forward zone, a height greater than the distance between the support collar 4 and the retaining flange 5. This helps to limit the size of the gaps between the plug 1 and the lower ring 9 that could allow dust to pass through.

[0051] Furthermore, in addition to the notch 31 described above, the second sector 17 of the lower ring 9 also has features that facilitate the passage of part of the second sector 17 on either side of the latching collar 5 during the movement of the second sector 17 between the lowered and raised positions. As shown in the figures 6 And 7 and according to the invention, the second sector 17 of the lower ring has two recesses 32 which are formed in the inner face of said second sector 17. The recesses 32 extend respectively from a central area of ​​the second sector 17 to one and the other of the two ends of said second sector 17.

[0052] Furthermore, the recesses 32 extend from the lower edge of the lower ring to an upper portion of the second sector 17 of the lower ring 9, which is designed to be aligned with the retaining collar 5 when the second sector 17 is in the lowered position. These recesses 32 are intended to locally reduce the thickness of the second sector 17 to facilitate its passage on either side of the retaining collar 5 while maintaining sufficient pull-out resistance.

[0053] The central area of ​​the second sector 17 is, for its part, devoid of a recess, which allows the second sector 17 of the lower ring 9 to retain sufficient rigidity to permit reliable operation of the locking device described later.

[0054] In the embodiment shown, the articulation device 10 comprises two slats 11, 12, notably visible on the Figures 1 And 4, which connect the stopper 1 and more particularly the outer peripheral skirt 14 of the stopper 1 to the lower ring 9, and more particularly to the second sector 17 of the lower ring 9. The lamellae 11, 12 are symmetrical to each other with respect to a plane of symmetry P, shown on the Figures 11 and 12 , which is vertical and passes through the X-axis. The lamellae 11, 12 join the outer peripheral skirt 14 in a notched portion. Similarly, the lamellae 11, 12 advantageously join the second sector 17 of the lower ring 2 in a notched portion. In other words, the lamellae 11, 12 extend substantially above the lower limit of the outer peripheral skirt 9 and extend substantially below the upper limit of the lower ring 3.

[0055] The locking device includes a heel 22, notably visible on the figure 1which is provided in the outer peripheral skirt 14 of the cap 1. The heel 22 projects axially downwards, i.e. in the direction of the lower ring 9, from the outer peripheral skirt 14 of the cap 1. The heel 22 projects between the two lamellae 11, 12. The heel 22 has a lug 23 which extends circumferentially between the two lamellae 11, 12 and which projects radially outwards from the heel 22.

[0056] The locking device also includes a projecting portion 24 which projects axially upwards, i.e. towards the outer peripheral skirt 14 of the plug 1, from the second sector 17 of the lower ring 9. The projecting portion 24 also projects between the two lamellae 11, 12.

[0057] As depicted on the figures 4 And 5The cleat 23 and the protruding portion 24 are arranged such that, when the cap 1 is in the tilted open position, the protruding portion 24 is sandwiched between the cleat 23 and the hook collar 5. In other words, when the cap is in the tilted open position, the cleat 23 and the protruding portion 24 are in contact with each other in an area located in the plane of the hook collar 5 and the protruding portion 24 is also in contact against the hook collar 5.

[0058] As shown respectively on the Figures 11 and 12 , the contact area of ​​the cleat 23 with the projecting portion 24 is located at a radial distance e1 from the intersection between the line passing through the upper ends of the slats 11, 12 and the plane of symmetry P and the contact area of ​​the projecting portion 24 with the cleat 23is placed at a radial distance e2 from the intersection between the line passing through the lower ends of the lamellae 11, 12 and the plane of symmetry P.

[0059] The dimension e1 is such that e1 > L - e2, where L is the length of the slats 11 and 12 in their initial state, when the cap is in the closed position. This ensures that the stopper 23 comes into contact with the protruding portion 24 and that the slats 11 and 12 are under tensile stress when the cap 1 is in the tilted open position.

[0060] Furthermore, e1 > L - e2 + e3 + e4 with e3: the radial clearance between the protruding portion 24 and the retaining collar 5 and e4: the radial clearance between the lower ring 9 and the collar 2 in the front / back direction, i.e. in a radial direction to the axis X and inscribed in the plane of symmetry P. Preferably, e1 = L - e2 + e3 + e4 + Δ with Δ between 0.05 and 2 mm, and determined so that the protruding portion 24 comes into contact against the retaining collar 5 when the cap 1 is in the tilted open position.

[0061] Furthermore, as depicted on the Figure 10When the stopper 1 is in the closed position, the upper edge of the contact surface of the cleat 23 extends axially below the upper end of the slats 11, 12 by a distance d1, the upper edge of the protruding portion 24 extends axially above the lower end of the slats 11, 12 by a distance d2 and the upper edge of the hook collar 5 extends axially above the lower end of the slats 11, 12 by a distance d3. Advantageously, the distance d1 is less than d2 and d3.

[0062] The kinematics of the cap 1 are as follows. During the first unscrewing, the cap 1 leaves the closed position and moves away from the lower ring 9 until it reaches the released position, illustrated in the figure 3The frangible bridges break during this movement. In addition, during this unscrewing movement of the cap 1, the lower ring 9 is driven in rotation around the axis X and the second sector 17 of the lower ring 9 pivots towards the raised position as the cap 1 moves away from the hook collar 5.

[0063] Subsequently, the cap 1 can then be pivoted backwards towards the open tilted position in which the external peripheral skirt 14 extends upwards from the upper wall 13. During the movement of the cap 1 backwards towards its open tilted position, the lug 23 comes to rest against the protruding portion 24 and thus causes the second sector 17 of the lower ring 9 to pivot from the raised position to the lowered position.

[0064] The stretching capabilities of the slats 11, 10, together with the aforementioned characteristics of the locking device, make it possible to create a hard point when the cap 1 is tilted between the released position, shown on the figure 3 , and the open tilted position, shown on the figures 4 And 5 In other words, the slats 11 and 12, as well as the locking device, are configured such that, during the initial part of the movement of the plug 4 from the released position to the open tilted position, the two elastic slats 28 and 29 are subjected, due to the support of the lug 23 on the protruding portion 24, to a tensile force that increases up to an intermediate unstable position and then decreases from said intermediate unstable position to the open tilted position. This allows the plug 1 to be locked in the open tilted position.

[0065] As depicted on the figures 5 and 6, when the second sector 17 of the lower ring 9 is in the lowered position and the cap 1 is in its tilted open position, the cleat 23 is in contact with the protruding portion 24 which is thus sandwiched between said cleat 23 and the hook collar 5.

[0066] Thus, the plug 1 remains in its tilted open position since, due to the aforementioned arrangement, the plug 1 cannot be pivoted to the released position in which the plug 1 is opposite the distribution orifice 3 as long as the second sector 17 of the lower ring 9 remains in the lowered position.

[0067] Advantageously, when the stopper 1 is in its tilted open position and the second sector 17 of the lower ring 9 is in the lowered position, the opening angle of the stopper 1 is greater than 120° and advantageously greater than or equal to 145° and, for example, on the order of 180°. The opening angle corresponds to the salient angular sector formed at the intersection between a plane parallel to the upper wall 13 of the stopper 1 and a horizontal plane.

[0068] To close the cap 1, the user tilts the cap 1 forwards to the released position. During this tilting, the contact between the stop 23 and the protruding portion 24 disappears, which allows the second sector 17 of the lower ring 9 to move to the raised position.

[0069] When the second sector 17 is in the raised position and the cap 1 is in the released position, the cap 1 can then be screwed back onto the neck 2 of the container. During screwing, the lower ring 9 is rotated around the X-axis and the second sector 17 of the lower ring 9 pivots towards the lowered position as the cap 1 approaches the retaining collar 5.

[0070] Advantageously, the entire capping device is molded in one piece from a synthetic material, such as polyethylene, and advantageously high-density polyethylene. Advantageously, the capping device is molded in the configuration of the figure 1 that is to say in a closed position, a position in which it can be directly mounted on the neck 2 of the container.

[0071] Although the invention has been described in connection with several particular embodiments, it is clearly not limited to them. The scope of the invention is defined by the attached claims.

[0072] The use of the verb "comporter", "comprendre" or "include" and its conjugated forms does not exclude the presence of other elements or steps than those stated in a claim.

[0073] In claims, any reference sign in parentheses shall not be interpreted as a limitation of the claim.

Claims

1. Capping device intended to be fixed on a neck (2) of a container comprising an orifice (3), a support collar (4) and a fastening collar (5), the capping device comprising: - a lower ring (9) axially fixed to the neck (2) and rotatably movable on the neck (2) about said axis X, said lower ring (9) comprising a first sector (16) which comprises fastening elements (18) that project radially to the inside of the lower ring (9), and are intended to be disposed below the fastening collar (5), so as to axially retain the lower ring (9) on the neck (2) of the container and a second sector (17), the first sector (16) and the second sector (17) of the lower ring (9) being articulated to one another, such that the second sector (17) pivots with respect to the first sector (16) between a lowered position, in which the second sector (17) is disposed below the fastening collar (5) and a raised position, in which the second sector (17) is disposed at least partially above the fastening collar (5); - a cap (1) comprising an upper wall (13) and an external peripheral skirt (14), the external peripheral skirt (14) having a helical thread (7), intended to engage with a helical thread (6) of the neck (2), so as to enable the movement of the cap (1) between a closing position and a released position, in which the helical thread (7) of the cap (1) is no longer engaged with the helical thread (6) of the neck (2); - an articulation device which links the cap (1) to the second sector (17) of the lower ring (9) and is configured to enable the cap (1) to pivot between the released position and an open tilted position, in which the cap (1) is cleared from the orifice (3) of the neck (2); - the second sector (17) of the lower ring (9) comprising an internal face which has at least one recess (32); characterised in that the internal face of the second sector (17) comprises two recesses (32) which extend respectively from a central zone of the second sector (17) to each of the two ends of the second sector (17).

2. Capping device according to claim 1, wherein the central zone of the second sector (17) has no recess (32).

3. Capping device according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the recesses (32) extend from the lower edge of the second sector (17) to an upper portion of the second sector (17), intended to be positioned facing the fastening collar (5), when the second sector (17) is in the lowered position.

4. Capping device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first sector (16) comprises a front zone (19), which is diametrically opposite the second sector (17) and two fastening zones (20), wherein the fastening elements (18) are positioned, and which are respectively located on either side of the front zone (19) between said front zone (19) and the second sector (17).

5. Capping device according to claim 4, wherein the front zone (19) of the first sector (16) has a height less than that of the two fastening zones (20) of the first sector (16) and than that of the second sector (17) and being capable of and intended to be housed between the support collar (4) and the fastening collar (5) during the movement of the second sector (17) between the lowered position and the released position, so as to enable a radial movement of the lower ring (9).

6. Capping device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the front zone (19) of the first sector (16) extends over an angular range of between 40 and 150°.

7. Assembly comprising a capping device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, and a container comprising a neck (2) comprising an orifice (3), a support collar (4) and a fastening collar (5) axially disposed between the support collar (4) and the fastening collar (5), the fastening elements (18) of the two fastening zones (20) of the lower ring (9) being disposed below the fastening collar (5), so as to axially retain the lower ring (9) on the neck (2) of the container.

8. Assembly according to claim 7, wherein the height of the front zone (19) of the first sector (16) is less than a gap between the support collar (4) and the fastening collar (5).

9. Assembly according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the articulation device comprises two strips (11, 12) connecting the external peripheral skirt (14) and the second sector (17), the capping device further comprising a locking device, configured to lock the cap (1) when it is in the open tilted position, said locking device comprising a stub (22) which axially projects, from the external peripheral skirt (14), between the two strips (11, 12) of the articulation device, and which comprises a cleat (23) which radially projects outwards and a projecting portion (24) which axially projects from the second sector (17) of the lower ring (9), between the two strips (11, 12) of the articulation device; - the cleat (23) and the projecting portion (24) being configured, such that, when the cap (1) is in the open tilted position and the second sector (17) of the lower ring (9) is in the lowered position, the projecting portion (24) is clamped between the cleat (23) and the fastening collar (5).

10. Assembly according to claim 9, wherein e1 > L - e2 with: L: the length of the strips (11, 12) in an initial state in which the cap (1) is in the closing position; e1: a radial distance between a contact zone of the cleat (23), intended to come into contact with the projecting portion (24) when the cap (1) is in the open tilted position and an intersection between a straight line passing through upper ends of the strips (11, 12), and a plane of symmetry (P) of the strips (11, 12) against one another; and e2: a radial distance between a contact zone of the projecting portion (24), intended to come into contact with the cleat (23) when the cap (1) is in the open tilted position and an intersection between a straight line passing through lower ends of the strips (11, 12) and the plane of symmetry (P).

11. Assembly according to claim 10, wherein e1 > L - e2 + e3 + e4 with: e3: a radial clearance between the lower ring (9) and the neck (2) along a radial direction to the axis X and located in the plane of symmetry P; and e4: a radial clearance between the projecting portion (24) and the fastening collar (5).

12. Assembly according to claim 11, wherein e1 = L - e2 + e3 + e4 + Δ with Δ between 0.05 and 2mm.