Hinged capsule provided with an integrity indicator

Abstract

The invention relates to a capsule (14) comprising a cap (18) pivotally attached to a base (16) by means of a hinge (20), and an integrity indicator (38) comprising: - a radial lug (40); - an orifice (48) for housing the lug (40) one contour of which is closed by a tab (50) one end of which is connected by a frangible bridge (52) and the other end of which is connected by a flexible bridge (54), so that during the first opening of the cap (18), a retention face (46) of the lug (40) catches the tab (50) and causes the frangible bridge (52) to break and the tab (50) to pivot around the flexible bridge (54); characterized in that the retention face (46) of the lug (40) extends radially so that the pivoting of the tongue (50) is carried out around a radial axis (C).

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a capsule for a tube having a main axis and comprising a cap pivotally attached to a base by means of a hinge, the capsule being provided with an integrity indicator comprising: a lug projecting radially relative to the main axis carried by a first associated element among the base or the cap; an orifice for housing the lug made in a second associated element among the base or the cap, and of which a contour is closed in an axial direction by a tab, a first end of the tab being connected to the second associated element by a frangible bridge of material and a second end of the tab being connected to the second associated element by a flexible bridge of material, so that when the cap is first opened, a retention face of the lug catches the tab and causes the frangible bridge to break and the tongue to pivot around the flexible bridge. Technical background

[0002] Such closure capsules are generally called "hinged capsules" or "service capsules". They are intended to be attached to containers such as flexible tubes, bottles or tube bottles.

[0003] Hinged caps have a pivoting cap attached to a base by a hinge. Such hinged caps ensure that the cap will not be lost, unlike conventional dispensing heads where the cap, once detached, can be dropped and unintentionally abandoned anywhere.

[0004] Hinged caps also offer the consumer the ability to operate the container with one hand. The user only needs to give a simple thumb push to trigger the cap to open or close.

[0005] However, since opening is easy to achieve, it may be necessary to equip these service capsules with tamper evident indicators to highlight any accidental opening of the cap before first use. Such an tamper evident indicator is also known as a "tamper evident" indicator. Such an tamper evident indicator allows the consumer to determine by simple visual inspection whether the product has already been opened at least once.

[0006] Some tamper-evident devices require that, upon first opening, an element placed appropriately on the capsule be removed to prevent the container from being opened.

[0007] However, the removed element, often made of plastic, must be disposed of by the user. In addition, such an element generally has very small dimensions which do not always allow for easy recycling.

[0008] There are also known integrity indicators in which a frangible element is mounted on the cap. The frangible element is fitted into a complementary housing in the base in which it remains trapped when first opened. Thus, it is no longer necessary to discard this frangible element and it can be recycled at the same time as the rest of the capsule.

[0009] However, such an integrity indicator does not allow a user to easily and quickly identify a first opening since the frangible element is hidden in its housing.

[0010] There are also frangible elements whose one end remains attached to the capsule when broken and which pivot radially outwards from the capsule. Such frangible elements have the advantage of being perfectly visible.

[0011] However, such frangible elements protrude outwards and may hinder the user when gripping the tube.

[0012] There is therefore a need for a service capsule including an integrity indicator which at least partially overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks.

[0013] Documents FR 2 927 887 A1 and JP 2012 232779 A are part of the prior art relevant to this invention. Summary of the invention

[0014] The present invention provides a capsule, for a tube, having a main axis and comprising a cap pivotally attached to a base by means of a hinge, the capsule being provided with an integrity indicator comprising: a lug projecting radially relative to the main axis carried by a first associated element among the base or the cap; an orifice for housing the lug made in a second associated element among the base or the cap, and of which a contour is closed in an axial direction by a tab, a first end of the tab being connected to the second associated element by a frangible bridge of material and a second end of the tab being connected to the second associated element by a flexible bridge of material, so that when the cap is first opened, a retention face of the lug catches the tab and causes the frangible bridge to break and the tongue to pivot around the flexible bridge; the retention face of the lug extends radially so that the pivoting of the tab is carried out around an axis oriented radially relative to the main axis of the capsule, characterized in that the tab is linked to the second element by a stretchable tab which is oriented generally parallel to the main axis.

[0015] According to another characteristic of the capsule produced according to the teachings of the invention, the retention face of the lug is inclined so as to be turned towards the flexible bridge when the cap is closed to promote the pivoting of the tab when the cap is opened.

[0016] According to another characteristic of the capsule produced according to the teachings of the invention, the stretchable tab is interposed in the orifice between the flexible bridge and the lug in the closed position of the cap.

[0017] According to another characteristic of the capsule produced according to the teachings of the invention, the stretchable tab is designed to be plastically stretched under the effect of a tensile force produced by the pivoting of the tab during the first opening of the cap so as to prevent the tab from returning to its original position.

[0018] According to another characteristic of the capsule produced according to the teachings of the invention, the stretchable tab is likely to break after having been stretched during the pivoting of the tab.

[0019] According to another characteristic of the capsule produced according to the teachings of the invention, the stretchable tab still connects the tab with the second element when the cap is fully open.

[0020] According to another characteristic of the capsule produced according to the teachings of the invention, the capsule is produced in a single piece of plastic material.

[0021] According to another characteristic of the capsule produced according to the teachings of the invention, the capsule is made of high-density polyethylene.

[0022] According to another characteristic of the capsule produced according to the teachings of the invention, the first element is formed by an external skirt of the base, while the second element is formed by a peripheral wall of the cap. Brief description of the figures

[0023] Other characteristics, aims and advantages of the invention will emerge from the following description, which is purely illustrative and non-limiting, and which must be read in conjunction with the appended drawings briefly described below. There figure 1 is a perspective view which represents a tube head equipped with a capsule produced according to a first embodiment in which a cap of the capsule occupies an extreme closed position. The figure 2is a view similar to that of the figure 1 in which the capsule cap occupies an extremely open position. The figure 3 is a detail view of a capsule integrity witness of the figure 1 when the cap has been closed once but not yet opened. The figure 4 is a view similar to that of the figure 3 in which the capsule cap began to be opened for the first time. The Figure 5 is a view similar to that of the figure 3 in which the cap was closed after a first opening. The figure 6 is a detail view of a capsule integrity witness of the figure 1 produced according to a second embodiment in which the cap has been closed a first time but not yet opened. The figure 7 is a view similar to that of the figure 6 in which the cap was closed after a first opening. The figure 8is an axial sectional view passing through the main axis of the capsule according to the section plane 8-8 of the figures 3 And 6 which represents the shape of the lug of the integrity indicator for each embodiment. It should be noted that only the second embodiment shown in figures 6 to 8 is a capsule according to the invention. Detailed description of the invention

[0024] For the remainder of the description, elements having an identical structure or similar functions will be designated by the same reference.

[0025] For the remainder of the description, an axial direction will be adopted which corresponds in the figures to that of the main axis “A” of the capsule 14. The axial direction is directed from the bottom, near the base 16, towards the top, near the cap 18.

[0026] For the rest, we will also adopt radial directions directed orthogonally to the axial direction by radiating from the main axis. Finally, we will adopt tangential directions directed orthogonally to the axial and radial directions.

[0027] To the figure 8 , the axial direction is indicated by the arrow “A” and the radial direction is indicated by the arrow “R”.

[0028] We have represented at the figures 1 And 2 a tube head 10 which is connected to the end of a flexible cylindrical skirt 12. The tube head 10 is covered by a hinged capsule 14, also called a service capsule 14, having a main axis “A” which corresponds to the main axis of the tube.

[0029] The capsule 14 comprises a base 16 and a cap 18 attached to this base 16 by means of a hinge 20.

[0030] The cover 18 is thus pivotally mounted on the base 16 by means of the hinge 20 around an axis “B” extending in a tangential direction. The hinge 20 is arranged on the periphery of the base 16 and the cover 18. The cover 18 is more particularly pivotally mounted between an extreme closed position in which it closes the base 16, as shown in figure 1 , and an extreme open position in which it is spaced from the base 16, as shown in figure 2 .

[0031] As shown in the figure 2 , the base 16 comprises an upper plate 22, which extends generally radially and which is provided with a hole 24 for dispensing a product contained in the flexible skirt 12. The base 16 also comprises an axial external skirt 26 which extends downwards from the upper plate 22. The external skirt 26 is here arranged generally in the extension of the flexible skirt 12 of the tube when the capsule 14 is fixed on the head 10.

[0032] The base 16 further comprises fixing elements (not shown) intended to cooperate with corresponding means (not shown) arranged on the head 10 of the tube. These are, for example, fixing means by screwing or by elastic fitting.

[0033] The cover 18 is generally provided with a plate 28 which covers the upper plate 22 of the base 16 and a cylindrical peripheral wall 30. In the closed position, the peripheral wall 30 is located in the axial extension of the external skirt 26 of the base 16.

[0034] The peripheral wall 30 here comprises an overhanging support face 34 diametrically opposite the hinge 20 relative to the main axis “A”.

[0035] This support face 34 allows a user to press his finger axially upwards to pivot the cap 18 towards its extreme open position.

[0036] The peripheral wall 30 here has a cavity 32 located directly below the support face 34 and making it easier to position the user's finger.

[0037] Alternatively, the cavity can be made in the outer skirt of the base.

[0038] The plate 28 of the cover 18 further comprises a sealing means configured to ensure, in association with the dispensing hole 24 of the base 16, sufficient sealing when the cover 18 is in the closed extreme position. Here, the sealing means is a projecting collar 36 whose height and diameter are adapted to fit around the dispensing hole 24 and ensure sealing.

[0039] The capsule 14 is here made in a single piece of plastic material. The capsule 14 is for example made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE). It is preferably made in a single molding operation.

[0040] The capsule 14 is further provided with an integrity indicator 38 allowing a user to visually see whether the cap 18 has already been opened once. figures 3 to 5 a first embodiment.

[0041] The integrity indicator 38 is arranged on one side of the capsule 14. In the non-limiting example shown in figures 1 And 2 , the integrity indicator 38 is arranged substantially diametrically opposite the hinge 20. In a variant not shown, the integrity indicator 38 is arranged near the hinge 20.

[0042] The integrity indicator 38 comprises a lug 40 projecting radially relative to the main axis “A”. The lug 40 is carried by a first associated element among the base 16 or the cap 18.

[0043] In the embodiment shown in the figure 3, the lug 40 is carried by the base 16. The lug 40 extends more particularly radially outwards from the skirt 26 of the base 16.

[0044] In the example shown in figures 3 to 5 , the skirt 26 here has a recess 42, the lug 40 extending radially in this recess 42 so as not to extend substantially in projection relative to the rest of the external skirt 26.

[0045] The lug 40 has a radial end face 44 which has at least one upwardly and inwardly directed slope, as illustrated in figure 8 . In addition, the lug 40 has a retention face 46, here lower, which extends radially. This means that in axial section, the retention face 46 extends perpendicular to the main axis “A”, as shown in figure 8 This retention face 46 is inclined in a tangential direction, from a lower edge 46A to an upper edge 46B.

[0046] The integrity indicator 38 also comprises an orifice 48 made in a second associated element among the base 16 or the cap 18. This orifice 48 is intended to house the lug 40 carried by the first element.

[0047] The second element is here formed by the cap 18. The orifice 48 is formed in the peripheral wall 30 of the cap 18.

[0048] The contour of the orifice 18 is closed in an axial direction by a tab 50. The tab 50 extends in a generally circumferential direction. A first end of the tab 50, in the tangential direction, is connected to the second associated element by a frangible bridge 52 of material. A second end of the tab 50, opposite said first end, is connected to the second associated element by a flexible bridge 54 of material. In this first embodiment, the tab 50 is connected to the cap 18 only by the frangible bridge 52 and by the flexible bridge 54. This position, in which the tab 50 closes the orifice 48, will hereinafter be called the “original position”.

[0049] The orifice 48 is here carried by the cap 18. In the example shown in figures 3 to 5, the peripheral wall 30 of the cap 18 has in its lower edge a notch intended to receive the lug 40 in its closed position. The tongue 50 is here arranged across the notch to close the orifice 48 axially downwards.

[0050] The tab 50 is made in one piece with the cap 18.

[0051] When the cap 18 is first closed on the base 16, the tab 50 is arranged to coincide with the lug 40 so that the tab 50 is radially separated by elastic deformation by contact with the slope of the radial end face 44 of the lug 40. The amplitude of this separation movement is sufficiently small not to cause the breakage of the frangible bridge 52. When the tab 50 has crossed the lug 40, it is elastically returned behind the lug 40, axially opposite the abutment face 46 of the lug 40.

[0052] When the cap 18 is first opened, a user applies an axially upward opening force to the cap 18 with his finger. A contact section of the tab 50, located tangentially between the frangible bridge 52 and the flexible bridge 54, comes into contact with the retention face 46. The retention face 46 extending radially, it axially retains the tab 50 while the cap 18 is pushed axially upward to pivot towards its extreme open position. The tab 50 is thus hooked by the lug 40.

[0053] The frangible bridge 52 has a section that is significantly smaller than the section of the flexible bridge 54 so that the opening force exerted with a finger is sufficient to cause it to break, while the flexible bridge 54 is sufficiently thick not to break.

[0054] The frangible bridge 52 is designed to break as soon as the cap 18 begins to pivot, without being noticeably stretched.

[0055] The frangible bridge 52 extends here in a direction substantially orthogonal to the movement of the cap 18 at the start of the exit pivoting which is here broken by shearing of the material.

[0056] Due to its inclination, the retention face 46 is slightly turned towards the flexible bridge 54. This causes the tab 50 to pivot around a radial axis “C” by deformation of the flexible bridge 54 relative to the cap 18. The flexible bridge 54 is for example in the form of a pinching, in the axial direction, of a portion of the tab 50 located at its second end.

[0057] The pivoting of the tongue 50 continues until the lug 40 can escape from the orifice 48 through the passage created by the spacing between the first end, which has become free, of the tongue 50 and the cap 18 during the pivoting of the tongue 50.

[0058] Advantageously, the flexible bridge 48 deforms at least partly plastically so that the tab 50 is not elastically returned to its original position after the first opening. There thus remains a free gap between the first end of the tab 50 and the cap 18. When the cap 18 is closed, the tab 50 thus opened slides again on the slope of the radial end face 44 of the lug 40 before returning to its place elastically behind the lug 40.

[0059] The tab 50 thus pivoted allows a user to easily see that the capsule 14 has been opened at least once.

[0060] Furthermore, the pivoting of the tab 50 around a radially oriented axis “C” makes it possible to prevent the tab 50 from hindering the user by protruding radially from the capsule 14.

[0061] According to a second embodiment shown in figures 6 And 7 , the integrity witness 38 is provided with means to prevent the tab 50 from returning to its original position.

[0062] Although the integrity indicator 38 produced according to the first embodiment generally operates satisfactorily, it happens that the plastic deformation of the flexible bridge 54 is insufficient to prevent the tab 50 from returning substantially to its original position. It is also possible to voluntarily reposition the tab 50 in its original position by applying to the flexible bridge 54 a constraint in a direction opposite to its pivoting when the cap 18 is opened. A user cannot then easily see that the capsule 14 has already been opened without manipulating the tab 50.

[0063] The integrity witness 38 is similar to that described in the first embodiment.

[0064] The integrity indicator 38 is arranged on one side of the capsule 14. In the non-limiting example shown in figures 6 And 7, the integrity indicator 38 is arranged close to the hinge 20. In a variant not shown, the integrity indicator 38 is arranged substantially diametrically opposite the hinge 20.

[0065] As for the first embodiment, the integrity indicator 38 comprises a lug 40 projecting radially relative to the main axis “A”. The lug 40 is carried by a first associated element among the base 16 or the cap 18.

[0066] In the embodiment shown in figure 6 And 7 , the lug 40 is carried by the base 16. The lug 40 extends more particularly radially outwards from the skirt 26 of the base 16.

[0067] In the example shown in figures 6 And 7 , the skirt 26 here has a recess 42, the lug 40 extending radially in this recess 42 so as not to extend substantially in projection relative to the rest of the external skirt 26.

[0068] The lug 40 has a radial end face 44 which has at least one slope directed upwards and inwards, as shown in figure 8 .

[0069] Furthermore, the lug 40 has a retention face 46, here lower, which extends radially. This means that in axial section, the retention face 46 extends perpendicular to the main axis “A”, as shown in figure 8 This retention face 46 is inclined in a tangential direction, from a lower edge 46A to an upper edge 46B.

[0070] The integrity indicator 38 also comprises an orifice 48 made in a second associated element among the base 16 or the cap 18. This orifice 48 is intended to house the lug 40 carried by the first element.

[0071] The second element is here formed by the cap 18. The orifice 48 is formed in the peripheral wall 30 of the cap 18.

[0072] The contour of the orifice 18 is closed in an axial direction by a tab 50. The tab 50 extends in a generally circumferential direction. A first end of the tab 50, in the tangential direction, is connected to the second associated element by a frangible bridge 52 of material. A second end of the tab 50, opposite said first end, is connected to the second associated element by a flexible bridge 54 of material. This position, in which the tab 50 closes the orifice 48, will hereinafter be called the “original position”.

[0073] The orifice 48 is here made in the cap 18. The tab 50 closes the orifice 48 axially downwards.

[0074] The peripheral wall 30 of the cap 18 here has in its lower edge a notch intended to receive the lug 40 in the closed position. The tongue 50 is here arranged across the notch to close the orifice 48 axially downwards.

[0075] The tab 50 is made in one piece with the cap 18.

[0076] When the cap 18 is first closed on the base 16, the tab 50 is arranged to coincide with the lug 40 so that the tab 50 is radially separated by elastic deformation by contact with the slope of the radial end face 44 of the lug 40. The amplitude of this separation movement is sufficiently small not to cause the breakage of the frangible bridge 52. When the tab 50 has crossed the lug 40, it is elastically returned behind the lug 40, axially opposite the abutment face 46 of the lug 40.

[0077] Unlike the first embodiment, the tab 50 is also connected to the second element, here the cap 18, by a stretchable tab 56. The tab 56 is oriented generally parallel to the main axis “A”.

[0078] The stretchable tab 56 is here interposed in the orifice 48 between the flexible bridge 54 and the lug 40 when the cap 18 occupies its closed position.

[0079] Thus, when the frangible bridge 52 still connects the tab 50 to the rest of the cap 18, the stretchable tab 56 divides the orifice 48 into a first part 48A intended to receive the lug 40 and into a second part 48B.

[0080] The stretchable tab 56 is designed to be plastically stretched under the effect of a tensile force produced by the pivoting of the tab 50 when the cover 18 is first opened. The tensile force is exerted substantially axially so that the stretchable tab 56 is very substantially stretched when the cover 18 is opened. Thus, the stretchable tab 56, once stretched, prevents the tab 50 from returning to its original position.

[0081] When the cap 18 is opened, the stretchable tab 56 is plastically stretched to a length of the order of a millimeter, for example 1 and 10 mm.

[0082] In the example shown in the figure 7 , the stretchable tab 56 is likely to break after being stretched at the end of pivoting of the tab 50. The stretchable tab 56 is then divided into two portions, one portion 56A being directly connected to the cap 18, while the other portion 48B is directly connected to the tab 50. When an attempt is made to pivot the tab 50 to its original position, the two portions 56A, 56B of the stretchable tab 56 touch each other before the tab 50 can return to its original position. This allows a user to see either that the frangible bridge 52 is broken since the end of the tab 50 which carries it is not in contact with the cap 18, or that the two portions 56A, 56B of the stretchable tab 56 overlap very substantially.

[0083] In a variant of the invention not shown, the stretchable tab 56 is designed not to break and to continue to connect the tab 50 with the second element when the cap 18 is fully open. In this case, it is not possible to force the tab 50 back to its original position without ostensibly twisting the stretchable tab 56.

[0084] When the cap 18 is first opened, a user applies an axially upward opening force to the cap 18 with his finger. A contact section of the tab 50, located tangentially between the frangible bridge 52 and the stretchable tab 56, comes into contact with the retention face 46. The retention face 46 extending radially without slope, it axially retains the tab 50 while the rest of the cap 18 is pushed axially upward to pivot towards its extreme open position. The tab 50 is thus hooked by the lug 40.

[0085] The frangible bridge 52 has a section that is significantly smaller than the sections of the flexible bridge 54 and the stretchable tab 56 so that the opening force exerted with a finger is sufficient to cause it to break, while the flexible bridge 54 is thick enough not to break but only to flex. The stretchable tab 56 is also thick enough not to break at the start of the pivoting stroke of the cap 18.

[0086] The frangible bridge 52 is designed to break as soon as the cap 18 begins to pivot, without being noticeably stretched.

[0087] The frangible bridge 52 extends here in a direction substantially orthogonal to the movement of the cap 18 at the start of the exit pivoting which is here broken by shearing of the material.

[0088] Due to its inclination, the retention face 46 is slightly turned towards the flexible bridge 54. This causes the tab 50 to pivot around a radial axis “C” by deformation of the flexible bridge 54 relative to the rest of the cap 18. The flexible bridge 54 is for example in the form of a pinching, in the axial direction, of a portion of the tab 50 located at its second end.

[0089] In this movement, the stretchable leg 56 is subjected to an axial tensile force. The stretchable leg 56 then begins to be plastically stretched.

[0090] The pivoting of the tongue 50 continues until the lug 40 can escape from the orifice 48 through the passage created by the spacing between the first end, which has become free, of the tongue 50 and the remainder of the cap 18 during the pivoting of the tongue 50. If necessary, the stretchable tab 56 can break before the lug 40 escapes from the orifice 48.

[0091] When the cap 18 is closed, the tab 50 thus opened slides again on the slope of the radial end face 44 of the lug 40 before returning to its place elastically behind the lug 40.

Claims

1. A capsule (14), for a tube, having a main axis (A) and comprising a cap (18) pivotally attached to a base (16) by means of a hinge (20), the capsule (14) being equipped with a tamper-evident device (38) comprising: - a lug (40) projecting radially with respect to the main axis (A) carried by a first associated element among the base (16) or the cap (18); - an orifice (48) for housing the lug (40) made in a second associated element among the base (16) or the cap (18), and a contour of which is closed in an axial direction by a tongue (50), a first end of the tongue (50) being connected to the second associated element by a frangible bridge (52) of material and a second end of the tongue (50) being connected to the second associated element by a flexible bridge (54) of material, so that when the cap (18) is opened for the first time, a retention face (46) for retaining the lug (40) hooks onto the tongue (50) and causes the breakage of the frangible bridge (52) and the pivoting of the tongue (50) about the flexible bridge (54); the retention face (46) for retaining the lug (40) extending radially so that the tongue (50) pivots about an axis (C) oriented radially with respect to the main axis (A) of the capsule (14), characterised in that the tongue (50) is connected to the second element by a stretchable tab (56) which is oriented generally parallel to the main axis (A).

2. The capsule (14) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the retention face (46) for retaining the lug (40) is inclined so as to be turned towards the flexible bridge (54) when the cap (18) is closed in order to promote the pivoting of the tongue (50) when the cap (18) is opened.

3. The capsule (14) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the stretchable tab (56) is interposed in the orifice (48) between the flexible bridge (54) and the lug (40) in the closed position of the cap (18).

4. The capsule (14) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the stretchable tab (56) is designed to be stretched plastically under the effect of a tensile force produced by the pivoting of the tongue (50) when the cap (18) is opened for the first time, so as to impede the return of the tongue (50) to its original position.

5. The capsule (14) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the stretchable tab (56) is capable of breaking after being stretched during the pivoting of the tongue (50).

6. The capsule (14) as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the stretchable tab (56) still connects the tongue (50) to the second element when the cap (18) is fully open.

7. The capsule (14) with hinge according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the capsule (14) is made in one-part from a plastic material.

8. The capsule (14) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the capsule is made of high density polyethylene (HDPE).

9. The capsule (14) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first element is formed by an external skirt (26) of the base (16), while the second element is formed by a peripheral wall (30) of the cap (18).

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