Cork

Abstract

A cap comprising a base body is provided, on one of the inner sides thereof, with a thread, a seat in which a seal (5) is at least partially contained, and a cover (6) fitted onto the base body and twist-fastened thereto, which completely conceals the base body from side views and in at least one plan view. Figure for abstract: Fig. 2.

Description

Title of the invention: Stopper FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a stopper.

[0002] In particular, the invention relates to a three-piece, single-material stopper. STATE OF THE ART

[0003] Caps are normally fitted to bottles or jars for cosmetic or medical use, for example those containing creams, makeup products, etc., have the well-known function of hermetically closing the container with which they are coupled and can be used to close said container other times.

[0004] In the contexts in which these containers are marketed and used, the quality of the finish thereof is of maximum importance and it is not acceptable for a container to have visible defects, which would alter the aesthetics thereof.

[0005] However, the need for quality and aesthetic perfection must be combined with issues such as production costs and — especially recently — attention to the environment, especially in terms of recyclability.

[0006] The caps with the highest aesthetic quality currently available on the market are those made with very high quality (and therefore expensive) materials that are either not completely recyclable or difficult to recycle, such as ABS, PET, PET-G, SAN and PS. Summary of the invention

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a stopper which is improved over the prior art.

[0008] Another object of the invention is to provide a cap which is aesthetically flawless despite being manufactured with environmentally friendly materials.

[0009] Another, but not final, object of the invention is to provide a stopper which is less expensive than those currently marketed but which has comparable characteristics.

[0010] This and other objects are achieved by means of a cap comprising a base body provided, on one of its inner sides, with a thread, a seat in which a seal is at least partially contained, and a covering installed on the base body and twist-fastened to it, which completely conceals, in side views and at least in a plan view, the base body, characterized in that the base body, the seal and the coating are made of a single plastic material, preferably a polypropylene-based material, preferably polypropylene.

[0011] According to particular characteristics which can be combined:

[0012] - the basic body is cup-shaped;

[0013] - the base body has, on an outer side surface thereof, at least a groove serving as a vent for air trapped between the base body and the liner during mutual coupling thereof, the groove having a first end opening on a free edge of the base body and a second end opening on an interconnecting edge between said side surface and a top of said base body;

[0014] - said seal is disc-shaped or flat ring-shaped, and is engaged at snap-fitting with said base body;

[0015] - said base body has a ring configuration, and said joint is firmly clamped between said base body and said coating;

[0016] - the seat, in which said seal is contained, is manufactured at a second end free from said side surface and has an annular prominence on which said seal rests;

[0017] - said seat is configured as a pocket and has access for said seal opening onto said lateral surface of said base body;

[0018] - a contact surface between a top of the base body and the coating is defined by an annular support projecting from the base body or by a plurality of ribs projecting from the base body and arranged in a ring pattern;

[0019] - the base body is welded to the coating at the level of said annular support or at the level of said plurality of ribs;

[0020] - the base body has, at least on a portion of said lateral surface, a crown toothed which assists in torsional engagement with the coating by engaging with a smooth surface of the coating or with a corresponding toothed portion of the coating;

[0021] - between the base body and the coating there is an adhesive and / or between the body of base and joint there is an adhesive and / or the base body and the coating are welded together. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0022] Other features and advantages of the invention will become clearer in the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the stopper, illustrated—by way of non-limiting example—in the drawings attached herein, in which:

[0023] [Fig.l] is a diametrical sectional view of the plug according to the present invention;

[0024] [Fig.2] is an exploded perspective view of the cap in [Fig.l];

[0025] [Fig.3] is a perspective view of a portion of the cap in [Fig.l];

[0026] [Fig.4] shows the part shown in [Fig.3] from another perspective;

[0027] [Fig. 5] is a diametrical sectional view of a different embodiment of the cap on [Fig.l];

[0028] [Fig.6] and [Fig.7] are exploded perspective views, taken from different angles, of the cap in [Fig.5];

[0029] [Fig.8] is a diametrical section of a portion of the cap in [Fig.5];

[0030] [Fig.9] is a diametrical section of yet another embodiment of the cap on [Fig.l];

[0031] [Fig. 10] is a sectional view taken along line XX in [Fig.9];

[0032] [Fig. 11] is an enlargement of the circled portion in [Fig.9];

[0033] [Fig. 12] is an exploded perspective view of the cap in [Fig. 9];

[0034] [Fig. 13] is an enlarged view of the part shown in the circle in [Fig. 10]

[0035] [Fig. 14] is a diametrical sectional view of another embodiment of the cap on [Fig.l];

[0036] [Fig. 15] is an exploded perspective view of the cap in [Fig. 14];

[0037] [Fig. 16] is a diametrical sectional view of another embodiment of the cap on [Fig.l];

[0038] [Fig.17] is a side view of a portion of the cap in [Fig.16]; and

[0039] [Fig. 18] is an exploded perspective view of the cap in [Fig. 16]. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0040] With reference to the figures shown, the reference numeral 1 is used to designate, as a whole, a stopper.

[0041] As can be clearly seen in [Fig. 2], the cap 1 according to the present invention comprises a base body 2 provided, on one of the inner sides thereof, with a thread 3, a seat 4 (in practice, manufactured in the base body 2) in which a seal 5 is contained or positioned, and a covering 6 fitted onto the base body 2 and twist-fastened thereto.

[0042] The covering 6 completely hides the base body 2 in the side views and at least in one plan (top-down) view.

[0043] According to one aspect of the invention, the cap 1 is manufactured as three mutually assembled pieces made of a plastic material which is the same for all three.

[0044] For this reason, this stopper can be defined as being of “one material”.

[0045] Preferably the plastic material is a polypropylene-based material, and preferably is in fact polypropylene.

[0046] Alternatively, the plastic material may be a polyethylene-based material, or preferably is in fact polyethylene.

[0047] The technique used to manufacture each of the three parts is preferably injection molding.

[0048] One aspect of the present invention is the concept of creating a threaded base body 2 (with a shape that is rather complicated in terms of the molding process, since it has significant differences in thickness) and covering this base body 2 with a coating 6 (made of the same material) with a more linear shape (therefore having minimal or no differences in thickness and therefore being simpler to mold in order to obtain a better finish).

[0049] In practice, the coating 6 can be manufactured with a roughly uniform profile and thickness, which guarantees (the part visible during use) a roughly perfect external finish, i.e. free from surface depressions or other defects linked to the molding technique.

[0050] Preferably, the covering 6 has a side wall 6B and a top 6A of approximately the same thickness.

[0051] Advantageously, this approximately identical thickness can be between 0.5 mm and 2 mm.

[0052] In addition, the side wall 6B may have a substantially uniform thickness. The maximum thickness and the minimum thickness of the side wall 6B may vary by a ratio of up to 2 at most, but preferably by no more than 1.5.

[0053] The top 6A may also have a substantially uniform thickness. The maximum thickness and minimum thickness of the top 6A may vary by a ratio of up to 2 at most, but preferably not more than 1.5.

[0054] In addition, the top 6A and the side wall 6B may have regions in which the thickness differs, provided that the ratio between the largest and smallest thickness is between 1 and 2, preferably between 1 and 1.5.

[0055] The only (possible) place where there can be a variation in the coating thickness is at the level of the connection zone 40 between the top and the side wall thereof.

[0056] However, the finish of this area can be regulated by maintaining, here too, a thickness which is approximately identical or similar to the wall 6B on the side and above 6A, near said region, by making appropriate connections.

[0057] Zone 40 is the zone in which the connections between the walls 6A and 6B are homogeneous.

[0058] Preferably, the base 2, the covering 6 (and also the seal 5) are made of the same material.

[0059] However, it is possible that the base 2, the coating (and optionally the seal 5) may be made of different materials. In this case, all these materials may relate to the same recycling code, for example code 2 or code 5 according to ASTM D7611.

[0060] Indeed, as is known, injection molding of PP or PE (or PP or PE-based materials) is particularly difficult precisely because of the considerable shrinkage that occurs during the cooling phase before demolding, which generates surface depressions, especially in regions where the thickness of the material differs.

[0061] The provision of a fitted coating 6 on the base body 2 (the part with the greatest differences in thickness and the "functional" part of the cap) eliminates or minimizes aesthetic defects in the cap 1, which can therefore also be marketed in a high-end context, where attention to detail is very high.

[0062] Advantageously, the base body 2 is cup-shaped, as can also be seen in [Fig.4]. Said base body has a top 2C from which a skirt 11 extends, determining a lateral surface 2A of the base body 2.

[0063] The net 3 is manufactured on the skirt 11 in such a way that there are ribs projecting towards a concave part of the base body 2.

[0064] For example, the base body 2, the covering 6 and the seal are fixed to each other with an adhesive.

[0065] The adhesive may be a hot melt adhesive, vinyl glue, cyanoacrylate adhesive or epoxy glue.

[0066] For this purpose, small cavities C1, C2, C3 can be created between the coating 6 and the base body 2, which can contain said adhesive or facilitate the spreading thereof.

[0067] More particularly, a first cavity C1 may be determined by a hollow region R1 provided externally, on the top 2C of the base body, delimited by an annular edge or support 20 (which may be, for example, annular) with which the covering 6 is in direct contact when the covering 6 and the base body 2 are assembled. The support 20 also serves as a travel limit for the assembly.

[0068] Given the configuration described, the annular support 20 protrudes from the base body 2. As can be seen in the figures, the annular support 20 may have a surface which is flat on its top, in the region in contact with the coating 6.

[0069] A second cavity C2 may be determined by a hollow section R2 (for example around the perimeter) provided at an outer edge of the base body 2 and by an inner edge of the covering 6.

[0070] The third cavity C3, i.e. the one containing the adhesive present between the coating 6 and the base body 2, can be determined by hollow sections R3 ( [Fig.4]) manufactured on the inner surface of the base body 2, on top of the latter. Advantageously, said hollow sections C3 can have the shape of a segment (sector of a circle).

[0071] The base body 2 may also have, on at least a portion of said lateral surface 2A, a toothed crown 10 which assists in the torsional coupling with the covering 6, by coupling with a smooth surface of the covering 6.

[0072] The spaces which are determined between the recesses of the toothed crown and the coating can also constitute an outlet or a seat for said adhesive, in order, among other things, to increase the mutual adhesion surface.

[0073] The height of the toothed crown 10 may extend up to approximately one quarter of the height of the skirt 11, but of course, as in the other embodiments described below, the height may be greater; the height of the toothed crown 10 may also reach 9 / 10 of the height of the skirt or even the entire height of the skirt 11.

[0074] The lateral surface 2C of the base body 2 not reached by the crown can form a very effective surface for centering the base body 2 and the coating 6. This is due to the fact that said surface is approximately smooth.

[0075] According to one aspect of the invention, the base body 2 may have, on one of the outer lateral surfaces 2A thereof, at least one groove 7 which serves as an outlet for the air trapped between the base body 2 and the covering 6 during the mutual coupling thereof. In this way, it is possible to effectively prevent the suction effect which occurs during the coupling of the base body 2 with the covering.

[0076] The groove 7 (there are preferably three grooves, more preferably four) may have a first end which opens onto a free edge 2B of the base body 2 and a second end 7B which opens onto an interconnecting edge between said lateral surface 2A and the top 2C of said base body 2.

[0077] For example, the second end of the groove may open at said toothed portion 10 of the base body 2, if this is provided.

[0078] Advantageously, therefore, the groove 7 extends over the entire height of the skirt 11.

[0079] Reference will now be made to the configuration shown in Figures 5 to 8.

[0080] In these figures, as in the others which will be detailed, the same reference numbers used earlier are used to designate parts which are functionally similar to those already illustrated. They will, therefore, not be described again.

[0081] As can be seen, in this configuration, the base 2 and the covering 6 can be mutually coupled by welding (for example by ultrasound or laser).

[0082] For example, on an outer surface of the base body 2, the top 2C facing the covering 6, there may be a plurality of ribs 21 projecting from the base body 2, preferably arranged in a ring ([Fig.6]).

[0083] As said ribs or cusps melt at least partially, this facilitates the welding operation, which may be, for example, ultrasonic welding.

[0084] The seal 5, which can be formed as a flat ring, can be snap-fitted onto the base body 2.

[0085] For this purpose, the base body may have flexible sectors 31, which may be provided with a notch or tooth 31A, which snap-fits the seal 6, cooperating with the seat 4.

[0086] Figures 9 to 12 represent another variant of the invention.

[0087] In this variant, the coupling between the base body 2 and the covering 6 is achieved mechanically.

[0088] Advantageously, the covering 6 may have, at a free end of the side wall thereof (see [Fig.l 1]), at least one first projecting tooth 35 (continuous or discontinuous), which creates a notch or a snap-fit ​​between the covering 6 and the base body 2.

[0089] In order to couple the base body 2 and the covering 6 by torsion, at least one of the parts may have a finely ribbed edge 10A, 10B.

[0090] The two pieces may also each have a finely ribbed edge 10A, 10B, which are mutually engaged.

[0091] The finely ribbed edge 10A of the base body is present on an outer surface of the skirt 11, while the finely ribbed edge 10B of the covering is present on the portion of the side wall 6B facing the base body 2.

[0092] The finely ribbed edge 10B of the liner and the tooth 35 (also of the liner) are manufactured with minimal thickness differences (as described above), so as to minimize or eliminate the shrinkage that occurs during the molding phase; this is intended to prevent the external aesthetics of the liner from being deteriorated, which, as already mentioned, is fundamental.

[0093] The seal 5, moreover, can also be fixed to the base body 2 by snap-fitting.

[0094] Advantageously, therefore, there is a second tooth 36 (continuous or discontinuous) on the base body 2 which, together with the seat 4, locks the seal 5 in the final position thereof.

[0095] In this case, the seal 5 can be a disc.

[0096] It goes without saying that, in this configuration, the seal 5 can also be blocked using a system similar to what has already been described for the previous embodiment (sectors 31 with a flat annular seal).

[0097] Reference will now be made to Figures 14 and 15.

[0098] In this configuration, the base body 2' may have a ring configuration and the seal 5 is clamped between the base body 2' and the covering 6.

[0099] The seat 4 in which said seal 5 is contained may be manufactured at a second free end 2D of said lateral surface 2A and may comprise an annular prominence 4A ([Fig. 14]) on which said seal 5 rests.

[0100] Preferably, the base body 2 has said ribs or cusps 21, which are useful for joining the two components by ultrasonic welding.

[0101] Of course, instead of welding, the base body 2 and the liner 6 can also be fixed using an adhesive, as in the embodiment in [Fig.l]. In this case, the base body will take a slightly different conformation which is easily deduced from this description (for example without the cusps 21), with the adhesive placed only in the cavity corresponding to that designated by C2 in [Fig.l].

[0102] In the configuration of figures 16 to 18, the seat 4 of the base body 2 is configured as a pocket and provides an access 9 for said seal 5 which opens onto said lateral surface 2A of the base body 2.

[0103] Therefore, during assembly, first the seal 5 is inserted into the access 9 (arrow F, from the base body side) and then the liner 6 is fitted onto the base body 2.

[0104] The seal 5 is preferably disc-shaped.

[0105] The base body 2 and the covering 6 can be fixed by ultrasonic welding (and therefore the cusps 21 can be provided, which facilitates the operation) or with an adhesive.

[0106] It should be emphasized that in this configuration, as in the others described, it is also possible to carry out ultrasonic or laser welding (as an alternative to adhesive) even if the cusps 21 are absent, exploiting, for example, the annular support 20.

[0107] Various embodiments of the invention have been described herein, but other embodiments may also be designed using the same innovative concept.

Claims

Claims

1. A cap (1) comprising a base body (2, 2') provided on one of its inner sides with a thread (3), a seat (4) in which a seal (5) is at least partially contained, and a cover (6) installed on the base body (2) and twist-fastened to it, which completely conceals, in side views and at least in a plan view, the base body (2), characterized in that the base body (2), the seal (5) and the cover (6) are made of a single plastic material, preferably a polypropylene-based material, preferably polypropylene.

2. A stopper according to claim 1, wherein the base body (2) is cup-shaped.

3. A cap (1) according to claim 1, wherein the base body (2) has, on an outer side surface thereof (2A), at least one groove (7) serving as a vent for air trapped between the base body (2) and the liner (6) during mutual coupling thereof, the groove (7) having a first end opening onto a free edge (2B) of the base body (2) and a second end (7B) opening onto an interconnecting edge between said side surface (2A) and a top (2C) of said base body (2).

4. A cap according to claim 1, wherein said seal (5) is disc-shaped or flat ring-shaped, and is snap-engaged with said base body (2).

5. A cap according to claim 1, wherein said base body (2') has a ring configuration, and said seal (5) is tightly clamped between said base body (2') and said coating.

6. A cap according to any preceding claim, wherein the seat (4) in which said seal (5) is contained is manufactured at a second free end (2D) of said side surface (2A) and comprises an annular prominence (4A) on which said seal (5) rests.

7. A cap according to claim 1, wherein said seat (4) is configured as a pocket and has an access (9) for said seal (5) opening onto said lateral surface (2A) of said base body (2).

8. A cap according to claim 1, wherein a contact surface between a top (2C) of the base body (2) and the liner (6) is defined by an annular support (20) projecting from the body base (2) or by a plurality of ribs (21) projecting from the base body (2) and arranged in a ring pattern.

9. Cap according to the preceding claim, wherein the base body (2) is welded to the coating (6) at the level of said annular support (20) or at the level of said plurality of ribs (21).

10. A cap according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the base body (2) has, at least on a portion of said lateral surface (2A), a toothed crown (10) which assists in the torsional coupling with the liner (6) by joining with a smooth surface of the liner (6) or with a corresponding toothed portion (10A) of the liner.

11. Cap according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein between the base body (2) and the coating (6) there is an adhesive and / or wherein between the base body and the seal (5) there is an adhesive and / or wherein the base body (2) and the coating (6) are welded together.

Images