Closure for a container for liquids

Abstract

A closure, adapted to be applied to a mouth and a neck portion of a container for liquids, comprises: an inner part comprising attaching members for attaching the latter to the neck portion, a cap reversibly connectable to the inner part to close the mouth, a first outer sleeve associated with the cap and a second outer sleeve associated with the inner part and spaced apart from the first outer sleeve. The first and second outer sleeves have respective adjacent edge portions and a retaining zone defined between the edge portions. The closure also comprises an overcap comprising axial fixing elements and rotational fixing elements configured to prevent axial movements and rotational movements of the overcap with respect to the first outer sleeve.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a closure adapted to be applied to a mouth of a container for liquids, for example a bottle for spirits. The invention particularly, but not exclusively, relates to a tamper-evident non-refillable closure.DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART

[0002] It is well known that, particularly in the spirits industry, there is a need to provide closures which ensure that a used container, such as a bottle intended to contain spirits, is not re-filled with a replacement quantity of liquid, since the characteristics and quality of the replacement liquid may differ from the original content.

[0003] One of the main risks is that if the bottle is resealed with a substitute cap or closure, the internal content may have been replaced or tampered, without any evidence of tampering.

[0004] For these reasons, the state of the art has provided anti-refill closures which cannot be removed from the container without an extreme level of effort and with an elevated risk of container breakage, and which at the same time provide evidence of first opening of the container.

[0005] Examples of such closures are shown in documents EP1511677 and EP1313649, where both a anti re-filling mechanism and a tamper-evident features are provided.

[0006] In more detail, an inner part is tightly connected to the bottle, while an outer part has a tamper-evident mechanism which separates two components of the outer part and keeps them spaced apart upon first opening.Prior Art Problems

[0007] Known closures have the advantage of having a practical and effective mechanism that provides anti-refill and tamper-evident features. However, these closures are difficult for people with disabilities to use. In fact, the cap of known closures is difficult to grasp for people with impaired hand movements. This creates a barrier for such people, preventing them from opening the containers.

[0008] However, the size and shape of the cap is determined by standards and technical requirements, such as the minimum force required to open the closure, and cannot be excessively modified.

[0009] In order to partially overcome these problems, the state of the art has provided an overcap that is mounted on a cap and bonded to it by means of an adhesive, e.g., glue. However, the overcap has a weak hold on the cap and, due to the use of the glue, such closures produce an unpleasant odour which may alter the perception of the content of the container. In addition, if a transparent material is used for the overcap, these closures present aesthetic defects that distort and ruin the appearance of the cap underneath.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Therefore, object of the present invention is providing a closure capable of overcoming the aforementioned prior art drawbacks.

[0011] In particular, the object of the present invention is to provide a closure that guarantees a simpler, more effective and more comfortable grasp for the user, thus facilitating the opening of the container.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide a closure that preserves the visual appearance of the closure when transparent materials are used for its external components.

[0013] The technical purposes and objects are substantially fulfilled by a closure that comprises the technical features disclosed in one or more of the accompanying claims.Advantages

[0014] The closure of the present invention makes it possible to simplify the opening of the container by providing an overcap which is effectively and firmly connected to a cap for closing the mouth of the container. The firm and stable connection of the overcap to the rest of the closure allows a stronger and more effective grip for the user, in particular for users with movement impairments.

[0015] Advantageously, the connecting structure of the overcap to the cap allows easy opening of the container with a simple rotational movement, which does not require the removal of any other component of the closure before having access to the content of the container.

[0016] A further advantage of the present invention is that, when transparent material is used for the external components of the closure, and specifically for the overcap of the closure, the visual appearance of the cap is substantially unaltered.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0017] The features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of a possible practical embodiment thereof, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawing, in which:

[0018] FIG. 1 shows a side sectional view of a closure according to the present invention;

[0019] FIG. 2 shows a side sectional view of a component of the closure of FIG. 1;

[0020] FIG. 3 shows a close-up view of a detail of the component FIG. 2;

[0021] FIG. 4 shows a bottom perspective view of the component of FIG. 2;

[0022] FIG. 5 shows a top perspective view of the component of FIGS. 2 and 4.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] With particular reference to the accompanying figures, 1 refers to a closure adapted to be applied to a mouth and a neck portion of a container for liquids, not shown, e.g., a glass bottle for containing liquids, for example spirits.

[0024] The closure 1 comprises an inner part 2 that comprises attaching members 20 configured to attach the inner part 2 to the neck portion of the container. Optionally, the attaching members may comprise threaded elements configured to engage with counter-threaded elements of the container. Alternatively, as shown for example in FIG. 1, the attaching members 20 comprise projecting elements 20a configured to engage with a lip portion of the neck portion of the container.

[0025] The closure 1 also comprises a cap 3 configured to reversibly attach to the inner part 2 to close the mouth of the container.

[0026] According to the preferred embodiment, shown for example in FIG. 1, the inner part 2 comprises an inner sleeve 21 adapted to lie substantially concentrically with respect to the mouth of the container. The inner sleeve 21 defines an internal cavity 21a adapted to receive the neck portion of the container. In more detail, the attachment members 20 radially protrudes from the inner sleeve 21 towards the internal cavity 21a.

[0027] According to the preferred embodiment, the closure 1 also comprises a pouring part 22 connected to the inner sleeve 21 and configured to dispense the liquid inside the container. Preferably, the pouring part 22 comprises a valve seat body 23, which is configured to be received withing the neck portion of the container, and a valve member 24 configured to seal the valve seat body 23.

[0028] According to an aspect of the invention, the inner part 2 and the cap 3 are made of plastic material. For example, the cap 3, the inner sleeve 21 and the valve seat body 23 of the inner part 2 are made of polyethylene, while the valve member 24 is made of crystal polystyrene.

[0029] The closure 1 of the present invention also comprises a first outer sleeve 4 associated with the cap 3 and having an outer surface 4a. Preferably, the first outer sleeve 4 is connected to the cap 3 by means of an interference fit.

[0030] The closure 1 comprises a second outer sleeve 5 associated with the inner part 2. Preferably, the second outer sleeve 5 is connected to the inner part 2, and particularly to an outer surface of the inner sleeve 21, by means of an interference fit.

[0031] The second outer sleeve 5 is spaced apart from the first outer sleeve 4 along a longitudinal direction X-X. The first outer sleeve 4 has a free edge portion 6, the second outer sleeve 5 also has a free edge portion 7 which is adjacent to the edge portion 6 of the first outer sleeve 4, such that a retaining zone 8 is define between the adjacent edge portions 6, 7 of the first and second outer sleeves 4, 5.

[0032] The closure 1 also comprises an overcap 9, shown for example in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, that comprises a top wall 10 and a first side wall 11 projecting from the top wall 10 along the longitudinal direction X-X. Preferably, the first side wall 11 has a tubular shape, such that the overcap 9 comprises an internal cavity 9a delimited by the first side wall 11.

[0033] The overcap 9 is configured to be mounted on the outer surface 4a of the first outer sleeve 4. In more detail, the first side wall 11 is configured to surround and engage with the outer surface 4a of the first outer sleeve 4.

[0034] According to the preferred aspect, the overcap 9 is configured to be grasped by a user for removing the closure 1 from the container for opening and closing functions. Advantageously, it allows a more comfortable grasp for the user, and particularly for user with disabilities.

[0035] According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the overcap 9 comprises a second side wall 12, which projects from the top wall 10 along the longitudinal direction X-X and which is radially spaced from the first side wall 11. In more detail, the second side wall 12 concentrically surrounds the first side wall 11 and is configured to be grasped by a user.

[0036] Preferably, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the top wall 10 comprises a depression 13 radially arranged between the first and second side walls 11, 12.

[0037] It is worth noting that the second side wall 12 can be spaced from the first side wall 11 of several millimetres, up to few centimetres. In this way, it is possible to further increase the size of the closure 1 in order to guarantee a stronger and more effective grip of the user with motion impairments or disabilities.

[0038] According to the invention, the overcap 9 comprises fixing members 14 configured to fix the overcap 9 to the first outer sleeve 4.

[0039] The fixing members 14 comprise axial fixing elements 15 configured to be retained within the retaining zone 8 to prevent axial movements of the overcap 9 with respect to the first outer sleeve 4 along the longitudinal direction X-X.

[0040] The fixing members 14 also comprise rotational fixing elements 16 configured to fix the first side wall 11 over the first outer sleeve 4 to prevent rotational movements of the overcap 9 with respect to the first outer sleeve 4 around a longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal direction X-X.

[0041] In this way, the overcap 9 is firmly attached to the first outer sleeve 4 and, consequently, to the cap 3. Preferably, the cap 3 is thus configured to move integrally with the overcap 9 when the overcap 9 is removed from the container.

[0042] It is worth noting that when a transparent material is used for the overcap 9, the visual appearance of the cap 3 underneath is substantially unaltered, since no adhesive materials are required in order to achieve a firm hold between the overcap 9 and the cap 3, which may cause distortion and defects.

[0043] According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, shown for example in FIGS. 2 and 4, the axial fixing elements 15 comprise one or more horizontal protrusions 17 radially protruding inwardly from the first side wall 11, and particularly towards the internal cavity 9a of the overcap 9. The horizontal protrusions 17 are configured to engage with the respective edge portion 6 of the first outer sleeve 4. In more detail, the horizontal protrusions 17 are configured to be placed in contact with the edge portion 6 of the first outer sleeve 4.

[0044] Preferably, the horizontal protrusions 17 comprise first ribs 17a extending along a circumferential direction C-C, which are separated from each other along the circumferential direction C-C.

[0045] Still preferably, the retaining zone 8 comprises at least one gap between the edge portion 6 of the first outer sleeve 4 and the edge portion 7 of the second outer sleeve 5 adapted to receive and retain the first ribs 17a.

[0046] According to an aspect, the first and second outer sleeves 4, 5, and particularly the edge portions 6, 7 of the first and second outer sleeves 4, 5, are connected to each other by means of one or more frangible portions, not shown, configured to break upon first opening of the closure.

[0047] According to the same aspect, the frangible portions are arranged at the retaining zone 8, and the gap is formed within the frangible portion or, alternatively, between two adjacent frangible portions.

[0048] According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, shown for example in FIGS. 2 and 4, the rotational fixing elements 16 comprise one or more vertical protrusions 18 radially protruding inwardly from the first side wall 11, and particularly towards the internal cavity 9a of the overcap 9. The vertical protrusions 18 are configured to engage with the external surface 4a of the first outer sleeve 4.

[0049] Preferably, the vertical protrusions 18 comprise second ribs 18a extending along the longitudinal direction X-X. The second ribs 18a are spaced from each other along the circumferential direction C-C.

[0050] According to a preferred embodiment, the number of vertical ribs 18a of the overcap 9 is comprised between 2 and 30, preferably between 10 and 20, more preferably equal to fourteen ribs 18a.

[0051] Preferably, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, each vertical protrusion 18 has a first part 18′, closer to the top wall 10, with a first radial extent, and a second part 18″, farther from the top wall 10 with respect to the first part 18′ along the longitudinal direction X-X, with a second radial extent smaller than the first radial extent.

[0052] It is to be noted that the first part 18′ of each vertical protrusion 18 is configured to tightly fit with the outer surface 4a of the first outer sleeve 4.

[0053] In more detail, at least the first part 18′ of each vertical protrusion 18 is configured to at least partially penetrate the first outer sleeve 4 when the overcap 9 is mounted thereon.

[0054] It is worth noting that the difference in the radial extent allows an easy centring of the overcap 9 over the first outer sleeve 4 during the mounting process of the closure 1 due to the reduced radial extent of the second part 18″. After a first insertion of the first outer sleeve 4 within the overcap 9, the increased radial extent of the first part 18′ allows for a stably and firm connection of the overcap 9 to the first outer sleeve 4.

[0055] Preferably, the first and second parts 18′, 18″ are connected by means of a blunt portion 18″′. Advantageously, the blunt portion 18″′ allows an easier slide penetration of the vertical protrusions 18 within the first outer sleeve 4. In addition, it has also the advantageous effect of allowing an easier removal of the overcap 9 from the mould during the manufacturing process.

[0056] According to a preferred aspect, the first and second outer sleeves 4, 5 are made of metallic material, preferably of aluminium.

[0057] According to the same aspect, at least the fixing members 14 of the overcap 9, and preferably the whole overcap 9, are made of plastic material, preferably polycarbonate. Optionally, the overcap 9 is made of transparent plastic material.

[0058] It should be noted that the higher hardness of the polycarbonate allows an effective and optimized penetration of the vertical protrusions 18 within the first outer sleeve 4, which is softer and is configured to plastically deform under the action of the vertical protrusions 18.

[0059] According to an aspect, shown for example in FIG. 4, the overcap 9 comprises a gap 9b arranged between the first and second side walls 11, 12.

[0060] Preferably, the first side wall 11 of the overcap 9 comprises an inner surface 11a, configured to face the outer surface 4a of the first outer sleeve 4, and an opposite outer surface 11b, preferably facing the second side wall 12.

[0061] Finally, according to the embodiment of FIG. 4, the outer surface 11b of the first side wall 11 comprises a plurality of supplementary vertical protrusions 19 projecting outwardly from the outer surface 11b, within the gap 9b, particularly towards the second wall 12.

[0062] The supplementary vertical protrusions 19 preferably comprise third ribs 19a extending along the longitudinal direction X-X and circumferentially spaced from each other.

[0063] Preferably, each second rib 18a is radially aligned with a respective third rib 19a. More preferably, the third ribs 19a are configured to be radially superimposed to the second ribs 18. In this way, when the overcap 9 is of a transparent material, the plastic deformation of the first outer sleeve 4 due to the vertical protrusions 18 is covered by the supplementary vertical protrusions 19.

[0064] Still preferably, the third ribs 19a are twice or three times the second ribs 18a.

Claims

1. A closure adapted to be applied to a mouth and neck portion of a container for liquid, the closure comprising:an inner part comprising attaching members for attaching the inner part to the neck portion of the container,a cap configured to reversibly attach to the inner part to close the mouth of the container,a first outer sleeve associated with the cap and having an outer surface,a second outer sleeve associated with the inner part and spaced apart from the first outer sleeve along a longitudinal direction, the first and second outer sleeves having respective adjacent edge portions and a retaining zone defined between the edge portions;an overcap comprising a top wall and a first side wall projecting from the top wall along the longitudinal direction, the overcap being configured to be mounted on the outer surface of the first outer sleeve; wherein the overcap comprises fixing members configured to fix the overcap to the first outer sleeve, the fixing members comprising:axial fixing elements configured to be retained within the retaining zone to prevent axial movements of the overcap with respect to the first outer sleeve, androtational fixing elements configured to fix the first side wall over the first outer sleeve to prevent rotational movements of the overcap with respect to the first outer sleeve.

2. The closure according to claim 1, wherein the overcap is configured to be grasped by a user for removing the closure from the container, the cap being configured to move integrally with the overcap.

3. The closure according to claim 1, wherein the axial fixing elements comprise one or more horizontal protrusions radially protruding inwardly from the first side wall and configured to engage with the respective edge portion of the first outer sleeve.

4. The closure according to claim 3, wherein the horizontal protrusions comprise first ribs extending along a circumferential direction, the retaining zone comprising at least one gap between edge portions of the first and second outer sleeves adapted to receive and retain the first ribs.

5. The closure according to claim 1, wherein the rotational fixing elements comprise one or more vertical protrusions radially protruding inwardly from the first side wall and configured to engage with the external surface of the first outer sleeve.

6. The closure according to claim 5, wherein the vertical protrusions comprise second ribs extending along the longitudinal direction and spaced from each other along a circumferential direction.

7. The closure according to claim 5, wherein each vertical protrusion has a first part having a first radial extent and a second part having a second radial extent along the longitudinal direction, the second radial extent being smaller than the first radial extent, the first part being closer to the top wall with respect to the second part.

8. The closure according to claim 7, wherein at least the first part of each vertical protrusion is configured to at least partially penetrate the first outer sleeve when the overcap is mounted thereon.

9. The closure according to claim 1, wherein:the inner part is made of plastic material;the first and second outer sleeves are made of metallic material; andat least the fixing members of the overcap are made of plastic material.

10. The closure according to claim 1, wherein the overcap comprises a second side wall projecting from the top wall and radially spaced from the first side wall, the second side wall concentrically surrounding the first side wall and being configured to be grasped by a user.

11. The closure according to claim 10, wherein the top wall comprises a depression radially arranged between the first and second side walls.

12. The closure according to claim 1, wherein the inner part comprises an inner sleeve adapted to lie substantially concentrically with respect to the mouth, the attaching members radially projecting inwardly from the inner sleeve, and a pouring part connected to the inner sleeve and configured to dispense the liquid inside the container.

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