Airtight sealing element for containers

Abstract

The present invention relates to a leak-proof closure element for jars, particularly those intended to contain cosmetic products, comprising a closing lid (12) and an annular sealing gasket (13) received in an annular recess in the lid. The lid (12) has an upper discoid portion (14) from which, in its lower position, projects an annular portion (15) intended to be inserted into the opening of the jar. This upper portion (14) has, on the outside of the annular portion (15), an annular peripheral flange (18) having a lower surface (19) intended to be oriented towards the edge of the jar opening.The annular portion (15) of the cover (12) has, between its lower end (23) and the peripheral flange (18), a circumferential groove (22) facing outwards to form, with the peripheral flange (18) and a circumferential rib (24) projecting radially from the lower end (23), the housing for receiving the seal (13). Figure for the abbreviation: Fig 12.

Description

Title of the invention: Airtight sealing element for containers

[0001] The present invention relates to a leak-proof sealing element for containers, in particular for glass jars intended to contain cosmetic products.

[0002] The invention relates more specifically to a closure element comprising a closing lid and a sealing gasket intended to be mounted on said lid to ensure a tight seal with respect to the pot.

[0003] In the prior art, containers for cosmetic products are generally made of glass or plastic.

[0004] Plastic has the advantage of being lightweight and cheap, but it can present problems of chemical incompatibility with certain products and the consumer often associates it with inferior quality products.

[0005] In addition, at the present time when the problem of pollution is becoming increasingly sensitive, there is a growing tendency to want to eliminate, or at least reduce as much as possible, the use of plastic.

[0006] Glass, on the other hand, undoubtedly represents a more "noble" material, which generally does not pose any compatibility problems with the products contained in the jars and which can contribute to consolidating, in the eyes of the consumer, the image of good quality of the product.

[0007] Moreover, glass is a material which, due to its intrinsic rigidity and current production technologies (especially in the case of containers with large diameter openings, such as jars for cosmetic products for example), is particularly subject to significant dimensional tolerances in relation to the nominal design dimensions.

[0008] Consequently, it has always been problematic to produce a container for cosmetic products in which both the jar and the lid are made of glass. The rigidity of the material and the wide dimensional tolerances make it difficult to achieve a satisfactory airtight seal. Generally, this type of container is therefore made with a glass jar, equipped with a threaded opening, and a lid made of a material other than glass (for example, plastic or metal), screwed onto said threaded opening of the jar, possibly with a plastic seal inserted between the jar and the lid.

[0009] There are of course glass containers with glass closure caps, between which is inserted a suitable seal made of plastic or elastomer intended for this purpose, but these are usually bottles, that is to say containers with a high height and a relatively small diameter opening.

[0010] As mentioned above, in containers with a small diameter opening, such as bottles and flasks, dimensional tolerances have less impact on the sealing of the closure than in cosmetic jars.

[0011] In addition, the great height of these containers allows the use of stoppers whose body has a vertical extension of such a nature as to be able to apply seals which are high enough to seal a sufficiently large part of the interface between the internal lateral surface of the neck of the bottle and the external lateral surface of the part of the stopper inserted into the opening of the bottle.

[0012] A well-known and widespread closure of this type is, for example, the so-called Vinolok® system.

[0013] The present invention has as its general object to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks by providing a leak-proof closure element for containers, in particular for glass jars intended to contain cosmetic products, which is capable of guaranteeing an optimal closure offering both a hermetic seal against leakage of the product and a pressure seal if the product is packaged under vacuum, which are essential conditions for high-end cosmetic products such as skin care products.

[0014] The present invention has another object of minimizing the number of materials composing the whole container, thus making it possible for example to make the container and its lid out of glass, with only the sealing gasket in a different material, which represents a clear advantage both for the management of materials and for the disposal of the product at the end of its life.

[0015] Another object of the present invention is to facilitate the separation of these different materials at the time of disposal, in particular the separation of the sealing gasket from the lid.

[0016] Another object of the present invention is to enable the production of airtight glass containers for cosmetic products characterized by a reduced height, so as to make the container particularly pleasant and appreciable from an aesthetic point of view.

[0017] In view of these objectives, it was envisaged to produce, according to the invention, a leak-proof sealing element for jars, in particular those intended to contain cosmetic products, comprising a closing lid and an annular sealing gasket intended to be mounted in an annular receiving recess on the closing lid, said lid having an upper discoidal portion from which, in its lower position, protrudes an annular portion intended, in use, to be inserted inside a side wall of the opening of a jar of which said lid is intended to constitute a leak-proof seal, said upper discoidal portion having, on the outside of the annular portion, an annular peripheral flange having a surface lower part intended, in use, to be turned towards an upper surface of the rim of the pot opening, characterized in that the projecting annular portion of the lid has an outwardly facing circumferential groove, included between the annular peripheral flange and the lower end of said annular portion, the circumferential groove forming, with the lower surface of the peripheral flange and with a circumferential rib projecting radially outwards from said lower end, the housing for receiving the sealing gasket, and in that the annular sealing gasket has, in cross-section, a vertical central portion intended to be received in the circumferential groove of the lid and from which extend, in the upper position, a radial flange, oriented outwards and intended to adhere to at least one segment of the lower surface of the peripheral flange of the lid and, in the lower position,a generally C-shaped part, of which a convex part of the C is turned outwards and the concave part of the C is turned inwards, intended to embrace said circumferential rib by placing one lower end of the latter below the lower end of the annular part projecting from the lid, of which vertical central part project radially outwards at least two elastically deformable fins intended, in use, to adhere tightly to the inner surface of the side wall of the opening of the pot, when the closing element is inserted onto the pot.

[0018] To clarify the explanation of the innovative principles of the present invention and its advantages over the prior art, a possible embodiment applying said principles will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0019] [Fig. 1] represents a cross-sectional view of a closing lid for containers according to the invention, before the application of the sealing gasket.

[0020] [Fig.2] represents an enlarged detail of the cover of [Fig.1], in the area intended to receive the sealing gasket.

[0021] [Fig.3] represents a cross-sectional view of the sealing gasket for the closing element according to the invention.

[0022] [Fig.4] represents an enlarged detail of the cross-sectional view of the sealing joint of [Fig.3],

[0023] [Fig] 5 represents a cross-sectional view of a pot intended to be sealed airtight by the closing element according to the invention.

[0024] [Fig.6] represents an enlarged detail of the pot of [Fig.5], in the area intended for coupling with the closing element according to the invention.

[0025] [Fig.7] represents a view of the underside of the lid of the [Fig.l].

[0026] [Fig.8] represents a top view of the sealing joint of [Fig.3].

[0027] [Fig.9] represents a cross-sectional view of the closure element according to the invention, with the sealing gasket mounted on the lid.

[0028] [Fig. 10] represents an enlarged detail of the closing element of [Fig.9], in the area intended for coupling with the pot of [Fig.5].

[0029] [Fig. 11] represents a cross-sectional view of the closure element according to the invention, inserted in a hermetic manner onto the pot.

[0030] [Fig. 12] represents an enlarged detail of the coupling area between the pot and the closing element according to the invention, under the conditions of [Fig. 11].

[0031] [Fig. 13] represents a cross-sectional view, similar to that of [Fig.3], of the sealing joint according to an alternative embodiment.

[0032] [Fig. 14] represents an enlarged detail of the cross-sectional view of the sealing joint of [Fig. 13],

[0033] [Fig. 15] represents a cross-sectional view of the closure element according to the invention, with the sealing gasket of [Fig.13] mounted on the cover.

[0034] [Fig. 16] represents an enlarged detail of the closing element of [Fig. 15], in the area intended for coupling with the pot of [Fig.5].

[0035] [Fig.17] represents a cross-sectional view of the closing element of [Fig.15], inserted in a sealed manner onto the pot.

[0036] [Fig. 18] represents an enlarged detail of the coupling area between the pot and the closing element, under the conditions of [Fig.17].

[0037] With reference to the figures, a closure element 10 for the airtight sealing of jars 11, typically glass jars for cosmetic products, is illustrated in Figures 9 and 10 with its two components (namely a closure lid 12 and an annular sealing ring 13) assembled together. In Figures 1 and 2 and, respectively, 3 and 4, these two components are shown, on the other hand, separated from each other.

[0038] The lid 12 is preferably also made of glass.

[0039] The lid 12 is essentially made up of an upper discoid part 14, which substantially guarantees the closure of the interior space of the pot 11, from which protrudes in a lower position an annular part 15 intended to be inserted inside the opening of said pot, in a position adjacent to the internal surface 16 of its lateral wall 17, to achieve a mechanical fixing and a hermetic seal (by means of the gasket 13) between the pot and the lid.

[0040] The annular projection 15 has a diameter less than the total diameter of the lid 12, so that the discoidal element 14 of the lid has, outside the annular projection 15, an annular peripheral flange 18 whose lower surface 19 is intended to face an upper surface 20 of the upper edge 21 of the opening of the pot 11.

[0041] The annular projection 15 of the cover 12 is formed such that it presents a a kind of circumferential groove 22 facing outwards, included between the peripheral flange 18 and the lower end 23 of said annular projection 15. More precisely, as can be clearly seen in [Fig.2], the circumferential groove 22 is delimited on its upper part by the lower surface 19 of the peripheral flange 18 and on its lower part by a circumferential rib 24 projecting radially outwards from said lower end 23 of the annular projection 15.

[0042] As will be explained below, the circumferential groove 22 is intended to form, with the lower surface 19 of the peripheral flange 18 and the circumferential rib 24, an annular housing for receiving the sealing gasket 13.

[0043] The annular sealing gasket 13 is advantageously made of an elastomeric composite material and has a diameter that substantially corresponds to that of the annular projection 15 of the cover 12. The term "substantially corresponds" here means that the diameter of the sealing gasket 13 is chosen so that, in conjunction with the elasticity of the material and the partial complementarity of the respective cross-sectional profiles of the gasket and the cover, the sealing gasket 13 can be inserted by adjustment onto the outer surface of the annular projection 15 of the cover without risk of accidental detachment during use. However, the sealing gasket 13 can be removed from the cover relatively easily, by manually applying adequate force, when it is necessary to separate the two constituent elements, for example, for recycling the materials at the end of the product's life.

[0044] As can be clearly seen in [Fig.4], the cross-section of the annular sealing joint 13 has a central vertical part 25, from which extend, in the upper position, a radial flange 26 oriented outwards and, in the lower position, a part 27 generally in the shape of a C, the concave part of the C being turned inwards and the convex part of the C being turned outwards.

[0045] From the central portion 25, at least two elastically deformable fins 28 project radially outwards, designed, in use, to adhere tightly to the inner surface 16 of the side wall 17 of the pot 11, when the closure element 10 is inserted onto the pot. In particular, at least when the seal 13 is at rest, the elastically deformable fins 28 project more radially outwards from the central portion 25 than the convex portion of the lower part C.

[0046] The lower end 29 of the C-shaped part 27 is directed radially towards the inside of the annular joint 13.

[0047] As can be clearly seen in [Fig. 9], and even more clearly in the enlarged [Fig. 10], at rest, the annular sealing gasket 13 is mounted on the closing cover 12 with the inner face 30 of the central part 25 adhering to the bottom of the circumferential groove 22 of the annular projection 15 of the cover, with the face su upper 31 of the radial flange 26 which adheres to at least one segment of the lower surface 19 of the peripheral flange 18 of the cover and with the concave face 32 of the lower C-shaped part 27 which embraces the circumferential rib 24 of the lower end 23 of the annular projection 15 of the cover, by arranging the lower end 29 of the C-shaped part below said lower end 23 of the annular projection 15.

[0048] On [Fig.11] and on the corresponding enlargement shown on [Fig.12], the closing element 10 is shown in the operational state, i.e. hermetically inserted on a pot 11.

[0049] In this state, the upper radial flange 26 of the sealing joint 13 remains interposed between the peripheral flange 18 of the lid 12 and the upper surface 20 of the upper edge 21 of the opening of the pot 11, while the fins 28 are elastically deformed against the internal surface 16 of the side wall 17 of the pot, thus achieving both a hermetic seal against leakage of the product contained in the pot, and a pressure seal if the product is packaged under vacuum.

[0050] In particular, the airtight seal is achieved at least by the upper radial flange 26 of the seal 13, which also prevents any "glass against glass" contact between the lid and the pot, and of course also with the radial fins 28.

[0051] The free ends of the elastically deformable fins 28 define, at rest, a diameter of the sealing joint 13, in this area, which is slightly greater than the internal diameter of the opening of the pot 11 in correspondence with the internal surface 16 of its lateral wall 17.

[0052] More specifically, the inner diameter of the opening of the pot 11 is intermediate between said diameter of the seal 13 defined by the free ends of the radial fins 28 at rest and the diameter of the seal at the base of the fins 28, that is to say in correspondence with the vertical central part 25 of said seal.

[0053] In this way, the insertion of the lid 12 into the opening of the pot 11 causes a deformation of the elastic fins 28 upwards (visible on [Fig. 12], in comparison with [Fig. 10]), so as to ensure a satisfactory pressure seal if the product is packaged under vacuum.

[0054] The upward deformation of the fins 28 caused during the insertion of the sealing closure element 10 onto the pot 11 makes it possible to obtain a sealing contact between them and the internal surface 16 of the side wall 17 of the opening of the pot 11.

[0055] The presence in the sealing gasket 13 of at least two elastically deformable radial fins 28 makes it possible to create a "labyrinth" type sealing gasket between the inside of the pot and the outside. The elastically deformable fins 28 are separated from each other by an air gap 33. In particular, in In the case of a cosmetic product packaged under vacuum, in the air gap 33 between the two fins, circumferentially delimited by the lateral wall 17 of the jar, one can have an intermediate pressure between the internal (vacuum) pressure and the external (atmospheric) pressure.

[0056] According to one embodiment, in the case of a vacuum-packed product, the air gap 33 is intended to be maintained at a pressure intermediate between the pressure inside the container and the external atmospheric pressure. In use, when the airtight sealing element 10 is inserted onto the container 11, a pressure intermediate between the pressure inside the container 11 and the external atmospheric pressure is maintained in the air gap 33.

[0057] Of course, to further improve the performance of the seal with regard to pressure tightness, one could also provide more than two elastically deformable fins 28 projecting radially from the vertical central part 25, even if this requires increasing the height of the cover 12 compared to what is shown in the attached drawings, resulting in a larger overall size.

[0058] The configuration of the sealing element 10 according to the invention, and in particular the specific cross-sectional profile of the sealing gasket 13 which adheres completely to the corresponding receiving housing on the lid 12, with the lower end 29 of the C-shaped part of the gasket which is turned under the lower end 23 of the annular projection 15 of the lid, as well as the friction generated, when inserting the sealing element into the opening of the jar, between the wall of the jar and the at least two elastically deformable fins 28 having the shape, extent and arrangement described above, ensures sufficient sealing and friction to allow, for example, the jar filled with cosmetic product to be lifted by holding it by the lid, without the lid detaching from the jar or the sealing gasket detaching from the lid.

[0059] In order to further improve the sealing characteristics of the lid and especially to increase the friction between the closing element and the pot, an additional fin 34 could be provided, projecting radially outwards and downwards relative to the sealing gasket 13 in correspondence with the convex part of its lower part 27, which is generally C-shaped.

[0060] This possible embodiment of the sealing joint 13 is illustrated in Figures 13 to 18 and its geometric configuration is clearly visible, in particular on the enlargements of Figures 14, 16 and 18.

[0061] When the lid 12 is inserted into the opening of the pot 11, said additional fin 34, projecting radially and downwards, is guided by the wall of the opening of the pot to deform inwards, thanks to the elasticity of the material and the empty space 35 which, at rest, separates it and keeps it radially away from said lower end 29 of part C, so as to guarantee, in use, an additional point of contact and airtight sealing against pressure in relation to said pot.

[0062] Of course, the above description of an embodiment applying the innovative principles of the present invention is given by way of example of these innovative principles and should therefore not be considered as limiting the scope of protection claimed herein.

[0063] By way of example, the elastically deformable fins 28 could be, even at rest, already slightly inclined upwards rather than horizontal, both to facilitate the insertion of the lid into the opening of the pot and to facilitate the deformation by friction which is produced at the insertion of the lid.

[0064] The choice of the elastically deformable material in which the sealing joint 13 is made can also be made according to the specific characteristics of deformability, friction and sealing that one wishes to obtain.

[0065] Finally, the annular seal 13 (and consequently the lid 12) could also be of a non-circular shape, but for example elliptical or polygonal, if the specific shape of the pot required it.

Claims

Demands

1. A leak-proof sealing element (10) for jars, in particular those intended to contain cosmetic products, comprising a closing lid (12) and an annular sealing gasket (13) intended to be mounted in an annular receiving recess on the closing lid (12), said lid (12) having an upper discoid portion (14) from which, in its lower position, protrudes an annular portion (15) intended, in use, to be inserted inside a side wall (17) of the opening of a jar (11) of which said lid (12) is intended to constitute a leak-proof seal, said upper discoid portion (14) having, outside the annular portion (15), an annular peripheral flange (18) having a lower surface (19) intended, in use, to be turned towards an upper surface of the edge of the opening of the jar (11),characterized in that the projecting annular portion (15) of the cover (12) has an outwardly facing circumferential groove (22) situated between the annular peripheral flange (18) and the lower end (23) of said annular portion (15), the circumferential groove (22) forming, with the lower surface (19) of the peripheral flange (18) and with a circumferential rib (24) projecting radially outward from said lower end (23), the housing for receiving the sealing gasket (13), and in that the annular sealing gasket (13) has, in cross-section, a vertical central portion (25) intended to be received in the circumferential groove (22) of the cover (12) and from which extends, in its upper position, an outwardly facing radial flange (26) intended to adhere to at least one segment of the lower surface (19) of the peripheral flange (18) of the cover (12) and, in the lower position,a part (27) generally in the shape of a C, of ​​which a convex part of the C is turned outwards and the concave part of the C is turned inwards, intended to embrace said circumferential rib (24) by arranging a lower end (29) thereof below the lower end (23) of the projecting annular part (15) of the lid (12), of which central vertical part (25) project radially outwards at least two elastically deformable fins (28) intended, in use, to adhere tightly to the inner surface of the side wall (17) of the opening of the pot (11), when the closing element (10) is inserted onto the pot.

2. Sealing element (10) for pots according to claim 1, characterized in that said lower end (29) of the generally C-shaped part (27) is directed radially towards the inside of the annular sealing joint (13).

3. Sealing element (10) for pots according to claim 1, characterized in that, at least in the rest condition of the seal (13), the elastically deformable fins (28) protrude more radially outwards from the vertical central part (25) than the convex part of said part (27) which is generally C-shaped.

4. Airtight sealing element (10) for jars according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least two elastically deformable fins (28) are separated from each other by an air gap (33) which, in use, when the airtight sealing element (10) is inserted on a jar (11), remains circumferentially delimited by the side wall (17) of the opening of the jar in order to maintain in said air gap (33) an intermediate pressure between the pressure inside the jar and the external atmospheric pressure, in the case of a product packaged under vacuum.

5. Sealing element (10) for pots according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises an additional fin (34) projecting radially outwards and downwards from the convex part of said lower part (27) generally in the shape of a C of the sealing joint (13).

6. Sealing element (10) for pots according to claim 5, characterized in that said additional fin (34) is radially separated from the lower end (29) of the generally C-shaped part (27) by a gap (35).

7. Airtight closing element (10) for pots according to claim 1, characterized in that the closing lid (12) is made of glass and the annular sealing gasket (13) is made of an elastomeric composite material.

8. A jar, intended in particular for containing cosmetic products, having an opening with a side wall (17) and a sealing element (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the free ends of the elastically deformable fins (28) of the annular sealing gasket (13) define, at rest, a diameter of the sealing gasket (13), in the area of ​​said fins (28), which is slightly greater than the inner diameter of the opening of the pot (11) in correspondence with the internal surface (16) of its side wall (17), so as to cause, when the sealing closure element (10) is inserted onto the pot (11), a deformation of the fins (28) upwards, allowing a sealing contact to be obtained between them and the internal surface (16) of the side wall (17) of the opening of the pot (11).

9. Pot according to claim 8, characterized in that, when the sealing element (10) is inserted on the pot (11), between the fins (28) projecting radially from the vertical central part (25) of the sealing gasket (13) and the internal surface (16) of the side wall (17) of the opening of the pot, there is an air gap (33) intended to be maintained at an intermediate pressure between the pressure inside the pot and the external atmospheric pressure, in the case of a product packaged under vacuum.

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