Safety cap able to be attached to a bottle provided with a closure stopper

Abstract

The invention proposes a safety cap (50) able to be attached to a bottle (10) comprising an upper axial neck (12) of tubular shape having at least one outer radial ring (18) and a stopper (14), for closing the bottle (10), arranged above this ring (18) and attached to the neck (12), in order to prevent unintentional or accidental opening of the closure stopper (14), the safety cap (50) comprising a body delimiting a housing able to receive the ring (18) and the closure stopper (14), characterized in that the body (54) of the cap (50) is made in one piece, and in that the housing is radially open and is dimensioned to allow the safety cap (50) to be mounted on the bottle (10) by lateral insertion of the upper neck (12) into the housing (52) and attachment thereof by elastic clamping of the upper neck (12) in the housing (52).

Description

Safety cap suitable for attachment to a bottle fitted with a closing cap Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a safety cap capable of being fixed to a bottle comprising an upper axial neck of tubular shape comprising at least one external radial ring and a bottle closure cap. Technical background of the invention [2]The invention relates to bottles comprising an upper axial neck of tubular shape comprising at least one outer radial ring and a bottle closure cap arranged above this ring. [3]The invention relates in particular to so-called closing caps "captive" items remaining attached to the bottle after their first opening in order to constitute a "whole" during the use of the bottle and its contents as well as a globally unique waste. [4]Such an example of a closure cap is for example described and shown in document EP3305680B1. [5]Depending on the use of the bottle and the care taken, for example, in closing it, some users may have experienced untimely, involuntary or accidental opening of the closing cap. [6]In order to overcome such risks and disadvantages, it has already been proposed in the state of the art to use a safety cap comprising a body of which a lower wall element and an upper wall element delimit a housing capable of receiving the ring and the closing cap to prevent the involuntary or accidental opening of the closing cap. [7]All known solutions (See for example document US20150302232A1) use a cap possibly made in a single piece, but comprising at least two parts articulated with respect to each other and means of mechanical attachment or locking of one part with the other. [8]The invention aims to propose a simple, inexpensive and reusable solution allowing the consumer to remedy such risks and disadvantages, in particular not requiring any intervention or manipulation of the means for locking or unlocking the cap on the stopper. Summary of the invention [9]The invention provides a safety cap suitable for being fixed to a bottle comprising an upper axial neck of tubular shape comprising at least one outer radial ring and a bottle closure cap arranged above this ring and fixed to the neck, to prevent the involuntary or accidental opening of the closure cap, the safety cap comprising a body of which a lower wall element and an upper wall element axially delimit a housing suitable for receiving the ring and the closure cap, characterized in that the body of the cap is made in a single, one-piece part, and in that the housing is radially open and is sized to allow the safety cap to be mounted on the bottle by lateral insertion of the upper neck into the housing and its fixing by elastic clamping of the upper neck in the housing.

[0010] The invention thus makes it possible to have a safety cap whose installation and fixing, or removal, are ensured by a simple fitting maneuver by elastic deformation, without having to use particular means such as attachment or mechanical locking.

[0011] According to other features of the safety cap: - the housing is axially sized to allow its fixing by elastic clamping of the upper neck in the housing; - the housing is radially sized to allow its fixing by elastic clamping of the upper neck in the housing; - the lower wall element of the body is a semi-annular element each of whose two opposite ends is extended by an arm, and the distance separating the free ends of the two arms defines an insertion inlet whose width is less than the internal diameter of the semi-annular element; - the body has an internal radial groove which is open radially to receive a complementary external radial collar belonging to the closing cap; - the inner radial groove is a semi-annular groove, each of the two opposite ends of which is extended by a groove section for guiding the introduction of the collar into the groove; - the body has a top bottom plate; - the inner radial groove is delimited axially upwards by a portion of the inner face of the upper bottom plate; - the body comprises a flange capable of receiving a fastening element, such as for example a lace or a shackle; - the safety cap is made by molding in plastic in one piece with its body in one part.

[0012] The invention also proposes an assembly comprising: - a bottle comprising an upper axial neck of tubular shape comprising at least one external radial ring; - a bottle closure cap arranged above this ring and fixed to the neck; - and a safety cap fixed on the bottle to prevent involuntary or accidental opening of the closing cap, characterized in that the safety cap is produced according to the invention.

[0013] According to another characteristic of the assembly, the closure cap comprises a lower part comprising means for its retention on the neck above the ring, and an upper part connected to the lower part by a hinge allowing it to occupy a position for closing the bottle in which it is superimposed on the lower part. Brief description of the Figures

[0014] [Fig. 1] - Figure 1 is a partial sectional view through an axial plane passing through the articulation hinge of an exemplary embodiment of an upper end part of a bottle whose neck is equipped with a closing cap in two articulated parts and which is shown in the closed position;

[0015] [Fig. 2] - Figure 2 is a perspective view of the closure cap of Figure 1 which is shown in the closed position;

[0016] [Fig. 3] - Fig. 3 is another perspective view of the closure cap of Fig. 2 shown in the open position and mounted on the upper end neck of the bottle;

[0017] [Fig. 4] - Figure 4 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a safety cap according to the invention capable of cooperating with the upper neck and the closing cap which are shown in Figures 1 and 3;

[0018] [Fig. 5] - Figure 5 is a sectional view along plane 5-5 of Figure 4;

[0019] [Fig. 6] - Figure 6 is a sectional view along plane 6-6 of Figure 4;

[0020] [Fig. 7] - Figure 7 is a sectional view through a horizontal plane orthogonal to axis A1 illustrating the lower part of the body of the safety cap;

[0021] [Fig. 8] - Figure 8 is a detailed sectional view through a vertical axial plane illustrating in particular the upper bottom plate of the safety cap;

[0022] [Fig. 9] - Figure 9 is a side view illustrating a first stage of the installation of the safety cap on the upper end part of the bottle whose upper neck is equipped with the closing cap in the closed position;

[0023] [Fig. 10] - Fig. 10 is a front view illustrating the safety cap mounted on the upper end portion of the bottle;

[0024] [Fig. 11] - Figure 11 is a top view of the safety cap mounted on the upper end portion of the bottle. Detailed Description of Figures

[0025] For the description of the invention and the understanding of the claims, the vertical, longitudinal and transverse orientations according to the reference V, L, T indicated in the figures, the longitudinal L and transverse T axes of which extend in a horizontal plane, will be adopted without limitation.

[0026] In the following description, identical, similar or analogous elements will be designated by the same reference numbers.

[0027] Figures 1, 3 and 9 show the upper end part 10 of a bottle which is of generally axial tubular shape with axis A1 (oriented in the figures in the vertical orientation and corresponding to the vertical orientation of the bottle resting by its base on a horizontal plane) of substantially constant section with external diameter Dext and internal diameter Dint.

[0028] This upper part 10 comprises an upper neck 12 which is delimited axially downwards by a radially outer ring 18 and upwards by a free end upper edge 20.

[0029] The radially outer ring 18 has an annular shoulder 22 oriented axially downwards.

[0030] By way of non-limiting example, the upper neck 12 here comprises an intermediate radially outer ring 26.

[0031] Below the radially outer ring 18, the upper part 10 of the bottle extends axially downwards by a lower axial section 24.

[0032] The upper neck 12 is here equipped with a closing cap 14 which is arranged axially above the radially outer ring 18.

[0033] In a known manner, and as illustrated in document EP3305680B1, the closing cap 14 comprises two articulated parts, one part of which lower part or base 30 and an upper part 32 forming a stopper or cover and which can be removed and replaced several times to pour all or part of the contents of the bottle.

[0034] The lower part 30 is here in the form of a ring which is arranged above the radially outer ring 18 and which is retained on the upper neck 12 by the intermediate radially outer ring 26.

[0035] The upper part 32 of the closing cap 14 comprises a ring 34 which, in the closed position, is superimposed on the lower part 30 to which it is connected by a thinned articulation 36 to be able to pivot around a transverse axis A2.

[0036] As can be seen in Figure 2, to ensure the attachment of the upper part 32 to the lower part 30 of the closing cap 14, a flap 36 is provided with a notch which cooperates with the outer intermediate ring 26 in the closed position.

[0037] The upper part 32 comprises a flat upper plate 40 which, at its periphery, is extended by an external radial collar 42.

[0038] The safety cap 50 according to the invention, which is illustrated in particular in the figures, will now be described, in cooperation with the upper end part 10 of the bottle and with the closing cap 14.

[0039] The function of the safety cap 50, when secured to the bottle as shown in Figures 10 and 11, is to prevent any inadvertent or accidental opening of the closure cap 14.

[0040] For this purpose, the safety cap 50 comprises an internal housing 52 which is capable of receiving the upper end portion 10 of the bottle with the radially outer ring 18 above which the closing cap 14 is arranged in the closed position.

[0041] The closure cap 14 is kept in the closed position by housing the stack formed by the radially outer ring 18 and by the closed closure cap 14 between two opposite wall elements, respectively a lower wall element 56 and an upper wall element 58 belonging to the safety cap 50.

[0042] This principle of retaining the closing cap 14 by a safety cap according to the invention is applicable whatever the design of the closing cap arranged above a radially outer ring 18, the latter being an element which is found present in an almost general manner, whatever the design and type of the bottle.

[0043] In particular, whatever the design of the means for retaining the lower part of the closing cap 14 on the upper neck, above the radially outer ring 18, the principle of implementing a safety cap according to the invention consists of making the lower wall element 56 cooperate with the radially outer ring 18, and nota.

[0044] In particular with its downwardly oriented annular shoulder 22 which appears in the form of an available clear surface.

[0045] The principle is also applicable when the lower part of the closing cap is mounted screwed onto the upper neck above the radially outer ring 18, as well as when the lower part is retained by fitting between the two radially outer rings 18 and 26 and when the upper part opens and closes by screwing onto the upper neck while remaining connected, or not, to the lower part when it is in the open position.

[0046] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the safety cap 50 consists of a single-part body 54 which, at its lower part, comprises a semi-annular stirrup 60 whose semi-annular transverse upper wall 56 here constitutes the lower wall element which axially delimits the housing 52 downwards.

[0047] Each free end 62 of the semi-annular stirrup 60 is extended by an arm 64 of greater width in such a way that, as can be seen in Figure 7, the distance D2 separating the opposite internal faces 66 facing each other of the two arms 64 is less than the internal diameter D1 of the semi-annular stirrup 60. The internal diameter D1 is substantially equal to the external diameter Dext of the upper neck 12.

[0048] Thus, the two arms 64, which are elastically deformable, constitute a radial insertion inlet of the lower section 24 of the upper neck 12 into the stirrup 60.

[0049] Crossing the arms 64 constitutes a step called elastically tight mounting of the safety cap 50 on the upper neck 12.

[0050] In this same embodiment, the body 54 comprises an upper bottom plate 68 here in the form of a half-disc which is delimited downwards by an internal wall 58 which constitutes the upper wall element which vertically delimits the housing 52 upwards.

[0051] Beyond its diameter limit 72, the upper bottom plate 68 is extended by a thicker end portion 74 whose internal wall 76 is inclined downwards to constitute an insertion ramp.

[0052] To receive the peripheral collar 42 of the upper part 32 of the closing cap 14, the body 54 here comprises a radially internal semi-annular groove 80 which extends the plane of the internal wall 58.

[0053] To facilitate the guiding and introduction of the peripheral collar 42 into the inner radial groove 80, and of the plate 40 under the plate 68, at each of its two ends, the semi-annular inner radial groove 80 is extended by a section of guide grooves 84.

[0054] In addition, and as can be seen in particular in figures 4, 5 and 11, at its upper part, the safety cap 50 comprises a flange 90 which is made in a single piece with the body 54 in the form of a half-ring which allows its user to avoid losing the safety cap 50 when he is not using it and to have it easily available.

[0055] Indeed, the flange 90 allows a lace or a strap, or a shackle to be passed through it so as to connect the safety cap 50 for example to a container such as a bag.

[0056] By way of non-limiting example, the safety cap 50 is made in a single piece with its body 54 made in a single part by molding in plastic material.

[0057] The mounting of the safety cap 50 in the safety position on the upper part of a bottle whose upper neck 10 is equipped with a closing cap 14 in the closed position is illustrated with reference to figures 9 to 11.

[0058] As can be seen in Figure 9, the safety cap 50 is put in place by positioning the body 54, with its lateral opening, laterally with respect to the closing cap 14 and, initially, by introducing the lower section 24 of the upper neck 12 between the arms 64 and by positioning the peripheral collar 42 of the upper part 32 of the closing cap 14 in the guide grooves 84.

[0059] Considering Figure 9, the assembly continues by fitting the closing cap 14 by elastic deformation, moving the latter from right to left in such a way that, on the one hand, the lower section 24 is housed inside the stirrup 60 and in such a way that the upper plate 40, after having run along the ramp 76, is housed under the internal wall 58 of the upper bottom plate 68 with the corresponding portion of the peripheral collar 42 received in the internal radial groove 80.

[0060] The assembly thus produced is an elastically tightened assembly which ensures that the safety cap 50 is held in place in its functional position.

[0061] The elastic clamping or elastic interlocking effect is achieved in different functional areas, some of which have been described previously.

[0062] The dimensions of the safety cap 50 and in particular of its housing 52, formed in the body 54, with the various functional parts of the latter are such that its fixing in the functional position is ensured by elastic clamping of the upper neck 12 with its radially outer ring 18 axially and / or radially.

[0063] To use the bottle again by opening it, it is sufficient to extract the safety cap 50 by acting again by elastic deformation of the body 54 in order to be able to freely access the closing cap 14 again.

[0064] Thanks to the one-piece, single-piece design of the body 54, the safety cap 50 offers high reliability of use, high impact resistance, and almost unlimited possibilities of repeated use, without fear of breakage of articulated and / or hinge-forming parts.

[0065] The safety cap according to the invention can be marketed or distributed for promotional purposes, for example with a batch of bottles.

Claims

Claims

1. Safety cap (50) suitable for being fixed to a bottle (10) having an upper axial neck (12) of tubular shape comprising at least one outer radial ring (18) and a cap (14) for closing the bottle (10) arranged above this ring (18) and fixed to the neck (12), to prevent the involuntary or accidental opening of the closing cap (14), the safety cap (50) comprising a body (54) of which a lower wall element (56) and an upper wall element (58) axially delimit a housing (52) suitable for receiving the ring (18) and the closing cap (14), characterized in that the body (54) of the cap (50) is made in a single part,and in that the housing (52) is radially open and is sized to allow the safety cap (50) to be mounted on the bottle (10) by lateral insertion of the upper neck (12) into the housing (52) and its fixing by elastic clamping of the upper neck (12) in the housing (52).,

2. Safety cap (50) according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing (52) is axially dimensioned to allow its fixing by elastic clamping of the upper neck (12) in the housing (52).

3. Safety cap (50) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the housing (52) is dimensioned radially to allow its fixing by elastic clamping of the upper neck (12) in the housing (52).

4. Safety cap (50) according to claim one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lower wall element (56, 60) of the body (54) is a semi-annular element each of the two opposite ends (62) of which is extended by an arm (64), and in that the distance (D2) separating the free ends of the two arms (64) defines an insertion inlet whose width (D2) is less than the internal diameter (D1) of the semi-annular element.

5. Safety cap (50) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the body (54) comprises an inner radial groove (80) which is radially open to receive a complementary outer radial collar (42) belonging to the closing cap (14).

6. Safety cap (50) according to claim 5, characterized in that the inner radial groove (80) is a semi-annular groove of which each of the two opposite ends (82) is extended by a groove section (84) for guiding the introduction of the outer radial collar (42) into the inner radial groove (80).

7. Safety cap (50) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the body (54) comprises an upper bottom plate (68).

8. Safety cap (50) according to the preceding claim taken in combination with one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that the inner radial groove (80) is delimited axially upwards by a portion of the internal face (58) of the upper bottom plate (68).

9. Safety cap (50) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the body (54) comprises a flange (90) capable of receiving a fastening element, such as for example a lace or a shackle.

10. Safety cap (50) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the safety cap is made by molding in plastic in one piece with its body in one part.

11. Set comprising: - a bottle (10) comprising an upper axial neck (12) of tubular shape comprising at least one external radial ring (18); - a cap (14) for closing the bottle (10) arranged above this ring (18) and fixed on the neck (12); - and a safety cap (50) fixed on the bottle (10) to prevent involuntary or accidental opening of the closing cap (14), characterized in that the safety cap (50) is produced according to any one of the preceding claims.

12. Assembly according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the closure cap (14) comprises a lower part (30) comprising means for its retention on the neck (12) above said ring (18), and an upper part (32) connected to the lower part by an articulation (36) allowing it to occupy a position for closing the bottle (10) in which it is superimposed on the lower part (30).

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