CAPPING DEVICE INTENDED TO BE ATTACHED TO THE NECK OF A CONTAINER

Abstract

The invention relates to a capping device comprising: - a lower ring (9) comprising a first sector (16) and a second sector (17) that are articulated to each other such that the second sector (17) pivots with respect to the first sector (16), • a cap (1); - an articulation device that connects the cap (1) to the second sector (17) of the lower ring (9); - the first sector (16) including a front area (19) that is suitable and intended to be housed between the support collar (4) and the engagement flange (5) of the neck (2) of the container during the movement of the second sector (17) between the lowered position and the released position to allow radial movement of the lower ring (9).

Description

The invention relates to a stoppering device that is equipped with a stopper and allows said stopper to be kept attached to the neck of a container, thus preventing the stopper from being lost forever. Technological background Document ES1232089U discloses a stoppering device comprising a lower ring for axial attachment to the neck of a container, a stopper with a thread for engaging a complementary thread on the neck of the container, and a hinge connecting the stopper to the lower ring. The lower ring includes locking means for retaining it to the neck of the container. The section of the lower ring connected to the stopper by the hinge lacks locking means, allowing this section to pivot between a lowered and a raised position, in particular to allow the stopper to be unscrewed. Furthermore, the stopper includes ratchet means for cooperating with complementary ratchet means on the lower ring, thereby holding the stopper in an open, tilted position. This capping device is not entirely satisfactory. Indeed, despite the absence of any locking mechanism on the lower ring section connected to the cap by the hinge, manipulating the cap to allow this section to pivot to a raised position when the cap needs to be moved from the open, tilted position to the closed position is not easy. Brief description of the invention An underlying idea of ​​the invention is to propose a capping device that allows a cap to be held securely to the neck of the container in a way that is reliable, easy to make and easy to use. According to one embodiment, the invention provides a capping device intended to be attached to the neck of a container, comprising an orifice, a support collar, and a fastening flange, including the capping device: - a lower ring axially fixed to the neck and rotatably movable about the neck around said X-axis, said lower ring including a first sector, which includes two engagement zones in which engagement elements project radially into the lower ring and are intended to be disposed below the engagement flange to axially retain the lower ring in the neck of the vessel, and a second sector, the first and second sectors of the lower ring being hinged to each other so that the second sector pivots with respect to the first sector between a lowered position in which the second sector is disposed below the engagement flange and a raised position in which the second sector is disposed at least partially above the engagement flange, • a plug including 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 to allow displacement of the plug between a closed position and a released position in which the helical thread of the plug is no longer engaged with the helical thread of the neck; - an articulation device that connects the plug to the second sector of the lower ring and is configured to allow the plug to pivot between the released position and an open tilted position in which the plug is withdrawn from the neck hole; - including the first sector a front zone that is diametrically opposite to the second sector, the two engagement zones being located respectively on either side of the front zone, between said front zone and the second sector, the front zone of the first sector having a lower height than the two engagement zones of the first sector and that of the second sector, being suitable and intended to be housed between the support collar and the engagement flange during the movement of the second sector between the lowered position and the released position to allow radial movement of the lower ring. Thus, thanks to a recess at the upper edge of the lower ring's front section, which allows for additional radial play between the lower ring and the neck, the movement of part of the second sector across the locking flange is facilitated. This simplifies the use of the capping device, particularly when the cap needs to be moved from the open, angled position to the closed position, as the tensile forces exerted on the lower ring to allow the second sector to move between the lowered and raised positions are reduced. According to other advantageous embodiments, a capping device of this type may have one or more of the following characteristics. According to one embodiment, the second sector lacks fastening elements. According to one embodiment, the front area of ​​the first sector lacks attachment elements. According to one embodiment, the attachment elements are arranged exclusively in the two attachment zones. According to one embodiment, the fastening elements are protrusions that project radially inwards. 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°. According to one embodiment, the second sector extends over an angular range between 90 and 180°. According to one embodiment, each of the two locking zones extends over an angular range between 10 and 90°. According to one embodiment, the second section of the lower ring includes an inner face with at least one recess. Such a recess allows for a local reduction in the thickness of the second section to facilitate its passage from one side of the coupling flange to the other, while maintaining sufficient tear resistance. According to one embodiment, the inner face of the second sector includes two gaps that extend respectively from a central area of ​​the second sector to one and the other of the two ends of the second sector. According to one embodiment, each gap extends over an angular range greater than 30°, advantageously greater than 45° and, for example, on the order of 60°. According to one embodiment, the central area of ​​the second sector is free of gaps. This allows the second sector to retain sufficient rigidity in the area of ​​the locking device to ensure reliable operation of said locking device. According to one embodiment, the at least one gap extends from a lower edge of the second sector to an upper portion of the second sector intended to be placed in front of the engagement flange when the second sector is in the lowered position. According to one embodiment, the invention also provides an assembly that includes the aforementioned capping device and a container that includes a neck comprising an orifice, a support collar, and an axially disposed engagement flange between the support collar and the engagement flange, the engagement elements of the two engagement zones of the lower ring being disposed below the engagement flange to axially retain the lower ring in the neck of the container. According to one embodiment, the height of the front area of ​​the first sector is less than a separation between the support collar and the attachment flange. According to one embodiment, the articulation device includes two sheets that connect the outer peripheral skirt and the second sector. According to one embodiment, the plugging device further includes a locking device configured to lock the plug when it is in the open inclined position, said locking device including a heel projecting axially from the outer peripheral skirt between the two plates of the articulation device and including a stop projecting radially outwards and a projecting portion projecting axially from the second sector of the lower ring between the two plates of the articulation device; • The stop and the protruding portion are configured such that, when the cap is in the open, inclined position and the second section of the lower ring is in the lowered position, the protruding portion is clamped between the stop and the locking flange. Thanks to this arrangement, the locking device ensures a robust locking of the cap in its open, inclined position, even at a large angle. Furthermore, compared to a locking device that includes a stop configured to rest against the neck of the container, the proposed arrangement allows for limiting the radial dimension of the stop. This is particularly advantageous since a stop with an excessively large radial dimension can negatively affect the reliability and performance of bottling operations, particularly those in which the capping devices are transported on conveyors before being placed on the containers. According to one mode of realization, e1 > L-e2, where: L: the length of the plates in an initial state in which the plug is in the closed position; e1: a radial distance between a contact zone of the stop intended to come into contact with the protruding portion when the plug is in the open inclined position and an intersection between a straight line passing through the upper ends of the plates and a plane of symmetry (P) of one of the plates with respect to the other; and e2: a radial distance between a contact zone of the protruding portion intended to come into contact with the stop when the plug is in the open inclined position and an intersection between a straight line passing through the lower ends of the plates and the plane of symmetry (P). According to one realization, e1 > L-e2 + e3 +e4, where: e3: a radial clearance between the lower ring and the neck along a direction radial to the X axis and inscribed in the plane of symmetry P; and e4: a radial clearance between the protruding portion and the engagement flange. According to one embodiment, e1 = L - e2 + e3 + e4 + Δ, where Δ is between 0.05 and 2 mm. According to one embodiment, the protruding portion extends beyond a lower limit of the outer peripheral skirt. According to one embodiment, the blades and the locking device are configured such that, during the pivoting movement of the plug between the released position and the open tilted position, the blades are subjected to a tensile force that increases to an intermediate unstable position and then decreases from that intermediate unstable position to the open tilted position. According to one embodiment, the capping device is molded in one piece. According to one embodiment, the lower ring is connected to the outer peripheral skirt by frangible bridges. According to one embodiment, when the plug is in the open inclined position and the second sector of the lower ring is in the lowered position, the opening angle of the plug is greater than 120°. According to one embodiment, the outer peripheral skirt includes a notched portion, and the elastic sheets are attached to said outer peripheral skirt at said notched portion. This configuration allows for elastic sheets of sufficient length while limiting the dimensions of the gaps between the plug and the lower ring that could allow dust to pass through. Brief description of the figures The invention will be better understood and its other purposes, details, features, and advantages will become clearer in the course of the following description of several particular embodiments of the invention, provided only by way of illustration and not of limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 is a three-quarter rear perspective view of a capping device 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 Figure 1. Figure 3 is a side view of the capping device mounted on the neck of the container and depicts the capping device plug in a released position where it is no longer coupled to the neck of the container. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the capping device mounted on the neck of the container and depicts the capping device plug in an open, tilted position where the plug is removed from the neck hole. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the capping device mounted on the neck of the container and depicts the capping device plug in an open, tilted position where the plug is removed from the neck hole. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the lower ring of the capping device in a plane orthogonal to the X-axis. Figure 7 is a perspective view from below of the plugging device that illuminates the inner face of the second sector of the lower ring. Figure 8 is a front view of the capping device. Figure 9 is a side view of the plugging device. Figure 10 is an enlargement of Figure 1 that illustrates the locking device in detail. Figure 11 is 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 implementation modes In the description and figures, the X-axis corresponds to the axis of rotation of plug 1 of the capping device when it is screwed onto the neck 2 of the container. By convention, radial orientation is directed orthogonally to the X-axis, and 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. Thus, an element close to the X-axis is considered internal, as opposed to an external element located radially on the periphery. The terms upper and lower are used to define the relative position of one element with respect to another, with reference to a position where the hole 3 of neck 2 is facing upwards and the plug 1 is in the closed position in neck 2 of the container. An element intended to be placed lower is called lower, and an element intended to be placed higher is called 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. With reference to Figures 1 to 12, the following describes an assembly comprising a capping device and a container equipped with a neck 2, depicted in Figures 1 to 5. As shown in Figure 2, the neck 2 of the container includes an upper end with an opening 3 for pouring the container's contents. The neck 2 includes a support collar 4 that projects radially outward and a connecting flange 5 that also projects radially outward and is axially positioned between the support collar 4 and the opening 3. A cylindrical portion is axially formed between the support collar 4 and the opening 3. Furthermore, the neck 2 includes, positioned axially between the connecting flange 5 and the opening 3, a helical thread 6 formed by a series of helical ribs that project radially outward from an external surface of the neck 2.The helical thread 6 is intended to cooperate with a complementary helical thread 7, represented, in particular, in Figure 4, formed by a series of helical ribs that have been made in the plug 1 of the capping device. According to one embodiment, the helical thread 6 formed in the neck 2, as well as the helical thread 7 formed in the plug 1, are interrupted. In other words, the adjacent helical ribs are separated by a space that forms a vent and allows, in particular, the evacuation of gas present inside the container while the plug 1 is still fitted into the neck 2. The capping device includes a lower ring 9 retained in the neck 2 of the container, a plug 1 designed to cover the orifice 3 of the container to seal it, and a hinge device 10, shown in particular in Figure 1, which connects the plug 1 to the lower ring 9. The plug 1 is movable between a closed position, shown in Figure 1, and a released position, shown in Figure 3, in which the plug 1 is no longer engaged with the neck 2. The plug 1 is also suitable for tilting from the released position to the open tilted position, shown in Figures 4 and 5, in which the plug 1 is withdrawn from the orifice 3 of the neck 2 so as not to obstruct the pouring of the container's contents. The capping device also includes a locking device arranged to lock the plug 1 in the open tilted position. As shown in Figure 1, the plug 1 includes an upper wall 13 designed to be substantially orthogonal to the X-axis, opposite the orifice 3 of the neck 2 when the plug 1 is in the closed position. The plug 1 further includes an external peripheral skirt 14 designed to surround the neck 2 of the container when the plug 1 is in the closed position. The external peripheral skirt 14 extends downwards, perpendicular to the upper wall 13, from the outer periphery of said upper wall 13. The helical thread 7 is formed on the inner face of the external peripheral skirt 14. As shown in particular in Figure 4, the plug 1 includes an internal skirt 8, which extends perpendicularly downwards from the upper wall 13 of the plug 1 and is sized to fit inside the hole 3 of the neck 2. The plug 1 also includes an annular lip 15 that extends radially from the upper wall 13 between the internal skirt 8 and the external peripheral skirt 14. The internal skirt 8 and the annular lip 15 are sized such that, when the plug 1 is in the closed position in the neck 2 of the container, the internal 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. In this way, the internal skirt 8 and the annular lip 15 ensure a leak-proof seal. Advantageously, the lower ring 9 is, before the container is opened for the first time, connected to the stopper 1 by frangible bridges 30, visible, for example, in figures 7 to 9, intended to break during the opening of the stopper 1. These frangible bridges 30 thus constitute tamper-evident seals. The lower ring 9 is held axially in the neck 2 of the container while being able to rotate with respect to it about the X-axis. As shown in Figures 1, 3 and 4, the lower ring 9 includes two parts that are articulated to each other, namely a first sector 16 and a second sector 17 by which the lower ring 9 is attached to the plug 1 by means of the articulation device 10. As shown in Figure 3, the second sector 17 is suitable to pivot upwards with respect to the first sector 16, between a lowered position in which at least most of the second sector 17 is positioned below the engagement flange 5 and a raised position in which at least most of the second sector 17 is positioned above the engagement flange 5. This allows the plug 1 to move upwards with respect to the neck 2 of the container, until the helical thread 7 of the plug 1 disengages from the helical thread 6 made in the neck 2 of the container.In other words, when plug 1 is unscrewed, the lower ring 9 rotates around the X-axis, while the second sector 17 of the lower ring 9 pivots relative to the first sector 16 to the raised position, allowing axial upward movement of plug 1 from the closed position to the released position, as shown in Figure 3. When plug 1 pivots 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 returns to the lowered position. Conversely, the second sector 17 also pivots relative to the first sector 16 from the lowered position to the raised position when plug 1 pivots from the open tilted position to the released position. The lower ring 9 is held axially in the neck 2 of the vessel by means of the connecting flange 5. As shown in Figure 2, the connecting flange 5 has a truncated conical outer surface that tapers upwards, i.e., towards the orifice 3 of the vessel. The connecting flange 5 defines a downward projection, i.e., in a direction opposite to orifice 3. As shown in Figure 6, the first section 16 of the lower ring 9 includes engagement elements 18 designed to cooperate with the engagement flange 5 formed on the vessel in order to axially retain the lower ring 9 to the neck 2 of the vessel. The engagement elements 18 are protrusions that project radially inward from the first section 16 of the lower ring 9. Advantageously, the engagement elements 18 have a radial dimension that increases from bottom to top, i.e., towards the upper edge of the lower ring 9. During assembly of the plugging device on the neck 2 of the vessel, the engagement elements 18 slide against the truncated conical surface of the engagement flange 5 and are then secured by a spring behind the engagement flange 5. The first sector 16 of the lower ring 9 includes a front section 19 that is diametrically opposite the second sector 17 of the lower ring 9 and two engagement zones 20, shown in Figure 6, which are arranged on either side of the front section 19 and are each positioned between the front section 19 and the second sector 17 of the lower ring 9. The engagement elements 18 are arranged exclusively in the two engagement zones 20, 21. Thus, due to the absence of engagement elements 18 in the front section 19 of the first sector 16, there is radial play between the lower ring 9 and the neck 2 that allows the lower ring 9 to move from front to back and vice versa. This facilitates the movement of a portion of the second sector 17 to either side of the engagement flange 5 during the movement of the second sector 17 between the lowered and raised positions.In other words, the pulling forces that will be exerted on the lower ring 9 to allow the second sector 17 to pass from one side to the other of the coupling flange 5 are less. 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 second 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°. As shown in particular in Figures 8 and 9, the front section 19 of the first sector 16 has a recess 31 at the level of the upper edge of the lower ring 9. Thus, the front section 19 has a height, measured parallel to the X-axis, that is less than that of the lower ring 9 outside the front section 19 and less than the separation between the support collar 4 and the engagement flange 5. This allows for a further increase in the radial clearance between the lower ring 9 and the neck 2, since, as illustrated in Figure 5, this recess 31 allows the front section 19 of the first sector 16 to be positioned axially between the support collar 4 and the engagement flange 5, whereas, in the absence of this recess 31, the front section would rest against the engagement flange 5. This arrangement is also advantageous because it makes it easier to verify whether the frangible bridges 30 have already broken when the plug 1 is first opened. As soon as the frangible bridges 30 have broken, and consequently the lower ring 9 is no longer connected to the plug 9 except by means of the articulation device 10, the lower ring 9 tilts forward, thus facilitating the verification of the tampering. Additionally, the lower ring 9 can thus have, outside the front section, a height greater than the distance between the support collar 4 and the engagement flange 5, which limits the dimensions of the gaps between the plug 1 and the lower ring 9 that could allow dust to enter. Furthermore, as an alternative or complement to the recess 31 described above, the second sector 17 of the lower ring 9 also has particular features that facilitate the passage of a portion of the second sector 17 to one side or the other of the engagement flange 5 during the movement of the second sector 17 between the lowered and raised positions. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the second sector 17 of the lower ring has two openings 32 on its inner face. These openings 32 extend from a central area of ​​the second sector 17 to either end of it. Additionally, the gaps 31 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 intended to face the engagement flange 5 when the second sector 17 is in the lowered position. These gaps 31 are intended to locally reduce the thickness of the second sector 17 to facilitate its passage from one side of the engagement flange 5 to the other while maintaining sufficient tear resistance. As for the central area of ​​the second sector 17, it lacks gaps, which allows the second sector 17 of the lower ring 9 to retain sufficient rigidity to allow reliable operation of the locking device described below. In the embodiment shown, the articulation device 10 includes two plates 11, 12, particularly visible in Figures 1 and 4, which connect the plug 1 and, more particularly, the outer peripheral skirt 14 of the plug 1 to the lower ring 9, and more particularly, to the second sector 17 of the lower ring 9. The plates 11, 12 are symmetrical to each other with respect to a plane of symmetry P, shown in Figures 11 and 12, which is vertical and passes through the X-axis. Plates 11 and 12 are joined to the outer peripheral skirt 14 in a notched portion. Likewise, plates 11 and 12 are advantageously joined to the second sector 17 of the lower ring 2 in a notched portion. In other words, plates 11 and 12 extend substantially above the lower limit of the outer peripheral skirt 9 and substantially below the upper limit of the lower ring 3. The locking device includes a heel 22, particularly visible in Figure 1, which is formed on the outer peripheral skirt 14 of the plug 1. The heel 22 projects axially downwards, i.e., towards the lower ring 9, from the outer peripheral skirt 14 of the plug 1. The heel 22 projects between the two plates 11, 12. The heel 22 includes a stop 23 that extends circumferentially between the two plates 11, 12 and projects radially outwards from the heel 22. The locking device also includes a protruding portion 24 that 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 protruding portion 24 also projects between the two plates 11, 12. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the stop 23 and the protruding portion 24 are arranged such that, when the plug 1 is in the open inclined position, the protruding portion 24 is sandwiched between the stop 23 and the engagement flange 5. In other words, when the plug is in the open inclined position, the stop 23 and the protruding portion 24 are in contact with each other in an area located in the plane of the engagement flange 5, and the protruding portion 24 is also in contact with the engagement flange 5. As shown in Figures 11 and 12, respectively, the contact zone of the stop 23 with the protruding portion 24 is located at a radial distance e1 from the intersection between the line passing through the upper ends of the sheets 11, 12 and the plane of symmetry P, and the contact zone of the protruding portion 24 with the stop 23 is located at a radial distance e2 from the intersection between the line passing through the lower ends of the sheets 11, 12 and the plane of symmetry P. The dimension e1 is such that e1 > L - e2, where L is the length of the plates 11, 12 in the initial state, when the plug is in the closed position. This ensures that the stop 23 makes contact with the protruding portion 24 and that the plates 11, 12 are under tension when the plug 1 is in the open, inclined position. Additionally, e1 > L - e2 + e3 + e4, where e3 is the radial clearance between the protruding portion 24 and the engagement flange 5, and e4 is the radial clearance between the lower ring 9 and the neck 2 in the front / back direction, i.e., in a radial direction to the X-axis and inscribed in the plane of symmetry P. Preferably, e1 = L - e2 + e3 + e4 + Δ, where Δ is between 0.05 and 2 mm, and determined so that the protruding portion 24 comes into contact with the engagement flange 5 when the plug 1 is in the open inclined position. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 10, when the plug 1 is in the closed position, the upper edge of the contact surface of the stop 23 extends axially below the upper end of the plates 11, 12 by a distance d1, the upper edge of the protruding portion 24 extends axially above the lower end of the plates 11, 12 by a distance d2, and the upper edge of the locking flange 5 extends axially above the lower end of the plates 11, 12 by a distance d3. Advantageously, the distance d1 is less than d2 and d3. The kinematics of plug 1 are as follows. During the first unscrewing, plug 1 leaves the closed position and moves away from the lower ring 9 to the released position, illustrated in Figure 3. The frangible bridges break during this movement. Additionally, during this unscrewing movement of plug 1, the lower ring 9 is dragged in rotation about the X-axis, and the second sector 17 of the lower ring 9 pivots to the raised position as plug 1 moves away from the engagement flange 5. Next, plug 1 can pivot backward in the direction of the open tilted position in which the outer peripheral skirt 14 extends upward from the upper wall 13. During the movement of plug 1 backward in the direction of its open tilted position, the stop 23 rests against the projecting portion 24 and thus causes the second sector 17 of the lower ring 9 to pivot from the raised position to the lowered position. The stretching capabilities of the plates 11, 10, along with the previously mentioned characteristics of the locking device, allow for the creation of a hard point during the tilting of the plug 1 between the released position, shown in Figure 3, and the open tilted position, shown in Figures 4 and 5. In other words, the plates 11, 12, as well as the locking device, are configured such that, during the initial part of the plug 4's movement from the released position to the open tilted position, the two elastic plates 28, 29 are subjected to a tensile force, due to the support of the stop 23 on the protruding portion 24. This force increases to an intermediate unstable position and then decreases from that unstable position to the open tilted position. This allows the plug 1 to be locked in the open tilted position. As depicted in Figures 5 and 6, when the second sector 17 of the lower ring 9 is in the lowered position and the plug 1 is in its open inclined position, the stop 23 rests against the protruding portion 24, which is thus sandwiched between the stop 23 and the attachment flange 5. Thus, plug 1 remains in its open inclined position because, due to the arrangement mentioned above, plug 1 cannot be pivoted to the released position in which plug 1 is in front of the distribution hole 3 while the second sector 17 of the lower ring 9 remains in the lowered position. Advantageously, when plug 1 is in its open inclined position and the second sector 17 of the lower ring 9 is in the lowered position, the opening angle of plug 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 projecting angular sector formed at the intersection between a plane parallel to the upper wall 13 of plug 1 and a horizontal plane. To close plug 1 again, the user tilts plug 1 forward to the released position. During this tilting, the contact between the stop 23 and the protruding portion 24 disappears, allowing the second sector 17 of the lower ring 9 to move to the raised position. When the second sector 17 is in the raised position and the plug 1 is in the released position, the plug 1 can then be screwed back onto the neck 2 of the container. During screwing, the lower ring 9 is dragged in rotation about the X-axis and the second sector 17 of the lower ring 9 pivots to the lowered position as the plug 1 approaches the engagement flange 5. Advantageously, the entire capping device is molded in a single piece of synthetic material, such as polyethylene, and advantageously high-density polyethylene. Advantageously, the capping device is molded in the configuration shown in Figure 1, i.e., in a closed position, a position in which it can be mounted directly onto the neck of the container. Although the invention has been described in relation to several particular embodiments, it is quite clear that it is not limited to these in any way and that it comprises all the technical equivalents of the means described, as well as combinations thereof if these fall within the scope of the invention. The use of the verbs "constant de", "comprender" or "incluir" and their conjugated forms does not exclude the presence of other elements or stages other than those mentioned in a claim. In the claims, any reference sign in parentheses shall not be construed as a limitation of the claim.

Claims

1. A plugging device intended to be attached to a neck (2) of a container, including an orifice (3), a support collar (4), and a locking flange (5), the plugging device comprising: - a lower ring (9) axially fixed to the neck (2) and rotatably movable about the neck (2) around said X-axis, said lower ring (9) including a first sector (16) including two locking zones (20) in which locking elements (18) project radially into the lower ring (9) and are intended to be disposed below the locking flange (5) to axially retain the lower ring (9) in 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 each other 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 engagement flange (5) and a raised position in which the second sector (17) is disposed at least partially above the engagement flange (5), • a plug (1) including an upper wall (13) and an external peripheral skirt (14),the outer peripheral skirt (14) having a helical thread (7) intended to cooperate with a helical thread (6) of the neck (2) to allow displacement of the plug (1) between a closed position and a released position in which the helical thread (7) of the plug (1) is no longer engaged with the helical thread of the neck (2); - a pivoting device connecting the plug (1) to the second sector (17) of the lower ring (9) and configured to allow the plug (1) to pivot between the released position and an open inclined position in which the plug (1) is withdrawn from the bore (3) of the neck (2); - the first sector (16) including a front zone (19) that is diametrically opposite the second sector (17), the two engagement zones (20) being situated respectively on either side of the front zone (19), between said front zone (19) and the second sector (17),presenting the front area (19) of the first sector (16) at a lower height than the two engagement areas (20) of the first sector (16) and that of the second sector (17), and being suitable and intended to be housed between the support collar (4) and the engagement flange (5) during the movement of the second sector (17) between the lowered position and the released position to allow radial movement of the lower ring (9).

2. Capping device according to claim 1, wherein the front zone (19) of the first sector (16) extends over an angular range between 40 and 150°.

3. Capping device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second sector (17) of the lower ring (9) includes an inner face having at least one gap (32).

4. Plugging device according to claim 3, wherein the inner face of the second sector (17) includes two holes (32) that extend respectively from a central area of ​​the second sector (17) to one and the other of the two ends of the second sector (17).

5. Plugging device according to claim 3, wherein the central area of ​​the second sector (17) lacks gaps (32).

6. Plugging device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the at least one gap (32) extends from a lower edge of the second sector (17) to an upper portion of the second sector (17) intended to be positioned opposite the engagement flange (5) when the second sector (17) is in the lowered position.

7. Assembly including a capping device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and a container including a neck (2) comprising an orifice (3), a support collar (4) and a locking flange (5) arranged axially between the support collar (4) and the locking flange (5), the locking elements (18) of the two locking zones (20) of the lower ring (9) being arranged below the locking flange (5) to axially retain the lower ring (9) in the neck (2) of the container, the height of the front zone (19) of the first sector (16) being less than a separation between the support collar (4) and the locking flange (5).

8. Assembly according to claim 7, wherein the articulation device includes two plates (11, 12) connecting the outer peripheral skirt (14) and the second sector (17), the capping device further including a locking device configured to lock the cap (1) when in the open inclined position, said locking device including a heel (22) projecting axially from the outer peripheral skirt (14) between the two plates (11, 12) of the articulation device and including a stop (23) projecting radially outwards and a projecting portion (24) projecting axially from the second sector (17) of the lower ring (9) between the two plates (11, 12) of the articulation device;• with the stop (23) and the protruding portion (24) configured in such a way that, when the plug (1) is in the open inclined position and the second sector (17) of the lower ring (9) is in the lowered position, the protruding portion (24) is trapped between the stop (23) and the engagement flange (5).; 9. Assembly according to claim 8, wherein e1 > L - e2, where: L: the length of the sheets (11, 12) in an initial state in which the plug (1) is in the closed position; e1: a radial distance between a contact zone of the stop (23) intended to come into contact with the protruding portion (24) when the plug (1) is in the open inclined position and an intersection between a straight line passing through the upper ends of the sheets (11,12) and a plane of symmetry (P) of one of the sheets (11, 12) with respect to the other; and e2: a radial distance between a contact zone of the protruding portion (24) intended to come into contact with the stop (23) when the plug (1) is in the open inclined position and an intersection between a straight line passing through the lower ends of the sheets (11, 12) and the plane of symmetry (P).

10. Assembly according to claim 9, wherein e1 > L - e2 + e3 + e4, where: e3: a radial clearance between the lower ring (9) and the neck (2) in a direction radial to the X axis and inscribed in the plane of symmetry P; and e4: a radial clearance between the protruding portion (24) and the attachment flange (5).

11. Assembly according to claim 10, wherein e1 = L - e2 + e3 + e4 + Δ, Δ being between 0.05 and 2 mm. SUMMARY The invention relates to a capping device comprising: - a lower ring (9) comprising a first sector (16) and a second sector (17) which are articulated to each other such that the second sector (17) pivots with respect to the first sector (16); - a cap (1); - an articulation device which connects the cap (1) to the second sector (17) of the lower ring (9); - the first sector (16) including a front section (19) which is suitable and intended to be housed between the support collar (4) and the engagement flange (5) of the neck (2) of the container during the movement of the second sector (17) between the lowered and released positions to allow radial movement of the lower ring (9).

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