Closure with evidence of first opening

Abstract

The present invention relates to a closure with evidence of opening, intended to be installed in the mouth of a container, preferably a bottle, such that the closure not only prevents the container from being refilled in a fraudulent manner, but its appearance and outer configuration also show evidence of it having been opened at least once. The evidence mechanisms are not only more secure than those known in the prior art, they are also obtained with fewer parts and allow several security mechanisms simultaneously to combat both attempted fraudulent opening and copying.

Description

[0001] CLOSURE WITH EVIDENCE OF FIRST OPENING

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention is a closure with evidence of opening intended to be installed on the mouth of a container, preferably a bottle, in such a way that not only is the container prevented from being fraudulently refilled, but its appearance and external configuration also show when it has been opened at least once.

[0005] Evidence mechanisms are not only more secure than those known in the state of the art, but they are also achieved with a smaller number of parts and simultaneously support several security mechanisms to combat both fraudulent opening attempts and copying.

[0006] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0007] One of the most intensively developed technical fields is that of security mechanisms for packaging with high-value contents, particularly liquor bottles or other beverages whose high value encourages the use of fraudulent techniques. Although the most commonly used container is the bottle, the generic term "container" will be used throughout this description.

[0008] Fraudulent techniques are designed to allow customers to be offered a refilled container with a lower-value liquid, but which appears to be the original. This way, the customer pays for a product that supposedly has a higher value than what they actually receive.

[0009] This is achieved by the fraudster either by refilling the container, violating the security mechanisms of the container closure in such a way that after refilling, it is not evident that it has been tampered with, or by replacing the entire closure with another that appears to resemble the original. In the case of fraudulently refilling an already empty original container, the fraudster starts with a container that has already been originally opened. A first security mechanism consists of providing means so that this first opening modifies the appearance of the closure in such a way that the customer realizes that the container with the closure has already been opened and is not in its original manufactured configuration. Only by receiving a container with an unopened closure can we be sure that the contents are the original.

[0010] There are closures designed to demonstrate the first opening, specifically those developed by the applicant himself, where there is a first closure configuration before the first opening and a second closure configuration after the second opening. The success of this solution is that the transition from the first configuration to the second configuration is irreversible.

[0011] Specific irreversibility mechanisms already known are those based on the breaking of temporary bonds, such as tear-off strips, temporary bonding posts, or others based on lines of weakness. These mechanisms also allow the user to experience stresses indicative of the existence of such temporary bonds, and if they are already broken or released, the reduction in stress is an indicator to the user that the closure has been tampered with.

[0012] Other known mechanisms modify the exterior appearance in this transition from a first configuration to a second configuration. Irreversible mechanisms are known in which the cap that establishes the closure, before the first opening, is threaded to a first position where the closure is fully closed. In the first opening, the cap overcomes certain elements that, while allowing the cap to pass through for its exit, do not allow the reverse, allowing the cap to only screw on, closing the container to a position other than the complete or original one. In this way, the cap is placed in a higher vertical position, and this change in position indicates a change in appearance, indicating that the closure has already been opened.

[0013] The term "vertical" has been used. The usual orientation of a container such as a bottle is such that the cap unscrews and screws in an axial direction relative to the thread, and this axial direction is oriented vertically according to the direction of gravity. These relative terms of position (vertical, horizontal) should be interpreted as in the axial direction (vertical direction) according to the thread on the container's mouth.

[0014] While there are satisfactory solutions that are evident upon first opening, in light of the latest fraudulent techniques, a design is proposed that not only increases security against fraudulent opening but also reduces the number of parts required for its construction and also allows for the inclusion of visual and tactile security mechanisms that make copying difficult, which would allow, among other fraudulent actions, replacing the closure with a non-original one after having also fraudulently refilled the container.

[0015] DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] A first aspect of the invention is a closure with first-opening evidence, which is installed on the mouth of a container and in particular on the mouth of a bottle. This closure comprises the following elements: a pourer with external thread, where the pourer comprises at least one peripheral region configured to be visually accessible after the first opening; a cap with internal thread, where the cap is configured to screw onto the external thread of the pourer in an axial direction, and where before the first opening and according to the axial direction, the cap extends through three sectors: i. an upper sector, which comprises the internal thread, configured to allow the cap to be gripped and opened by turning,

[0017] / / . a lower section configured as a skirt and adapted to be fixed at least in the axial direction to the spillway,

[0018] / / / . an intermediate sector comprising a perimeter band extending between a first end and a second end characterized in that the perimeter band is temporarily joined by a first line of weakening to the upper sector, is temporarily joined by a second line of weakening to the lower sector, comprises a gripping element at the first end to allow the gripping and subsequent tearing by traction of the first line of weakening and the second line of weakening, where the perimeter band is positioned along the axial direction, at least in part, superimposed on the perimeter region of the spillway and configured to be visually accessible after the first opening.

[0019] One of the advantages of this first aspect of the invention is the use of only two essential parts: the spout and what will be called a cap, which, in a single part, includes several elements, which will be distinguished below. Although there are several parts with different functions, as it is a single part, it is manufactured, according to a preferred example, by plastic molding in a single operation, drastically reducing manufacturing costs.

[0020] The pourer is a part that is hidden by the stopper until the stopper is removed. Originally, the stopper covers the pourer so that it is not visually accessible before the first opening. In a preferred example, the pourer is a part that fits over the neck of the bottle, and it is on the pourer that the stopper remains fixed during the manufacturing process; that is, in a position prior to the first opening.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the pourer includes an additional part, a chassis, which serves as an interface with the neck of the bottle. The chassis is preferably made of a material with greater flexibility than the pourer material and serves to establish a seal between the pourer and the mouth of the container.

[0022] Similarly, according to a preferred example, the pourer also includes a single or double valve, to prevent fraudulent refilling of the interior of the container.

[0023] Turning now to the first inventive aspect, the pourer comprises a perimeter region configured to be visually accessible after the first opening. That is, it is not visually accessible before the first opening, but after the first opening, this region is visually accessible and therefore observable by the user. The user, upon seeing this region that is not accessible before the first opening, is informed that the closure has already been opened at least once. Therefore, if they purchase the container with the closure as original, they may reject it because they know it has been tampered with.

[0024] This perimeter region does not have to extend around the entire perimeter, although it is advisable since the first opening is evident from any observation direction when there is visual access to this region.

[0025] Specific ways to enhance this visibility include including colors that are distinctive from the rest of the device, including text that becomes legible after the first opening, or a combination of both solutions, where not only is a different color displayed, but the text now appears prominent.

[0026] The stopper is the part that changes configuration between a first state and a second state. The first state before the first opening and the second state after the first opening.

[0027] The cap has an axial direction, which is the direction in which it moves, regardless of rotation, during screwing and unscrewing operations. It has an internal thread adapted to fit onto an external thread of the pourer. When the cap closes the pourer, a tight seal is established that prevents liquid from escaping from the container.

[0028] In the first state, the plug comprises three sectors connected by lines of weakness. A line of weakness is a temporary mechanical bond, continuous or discontinuous, distributed along a path. Examples of lines of weakness are channels that reduce the thickness of a wall along a path, allowing it to break along this weakened area under stress. Another example is the use of frangible bridges. These are small links between the parts to be joined, distributed along a path. A stress exceeding the breaking strength separates the two parts previously connected by the frangible bridges.

[0029] The three sectors of the cap are distributed along the axial direction, with the lower sector being closest to the container when the closure is installed on said container, the upper sector being furthest from the container, and the intermediate sector, in the form of a perimeter band, located in an intermediate position also along the axial direction, between the upper sector and the lower sector.

[0030] The upper section includes the thread and is therefore the part that allows access to the container to be opened and closed, ensuring a tight seal even after the first opening.

[0031] The lower section is adapted to be fixed at least axially to the pourer. Preferably, the fixation also includes a rotational lock. That is, this lower section establishes a permanent connection with the pourer both before and after the first opening. This permanent connection ensures, before the first opening, the entire stopper is secured securely, preventing any tearing or breakage.

[0032] The intermediate sector is located, according to the axial direction, between the lower sector and the upper sector and is formed by a perimeter band delimited from the other sectors by a line of weakness.

[0033] The connection to the upper sector is via a first weakening line, and the connection to the lower sector is via a second weakening line. Preferably, both weakening lines extend around the perimeter and are parallel.

[0034] Furthermore, this perimeter band that forms the intermediate sector is interrupted so that it has a first end and a second end. The first end has a gripping element that allows the user to grasp it and, by pulling on it, cause the first and second lines of weakness to progressively break until the band forming the intermediate sector becomes independent of both the upper and lower sectors. This band, once removed, is now discarded.

[0035] Once the band forming the intermediate section is removed, the upper section serves as a closing cap for the pouring spout, allowing it to be unscrewed to dispense the liquid stored in the container and then screwed back on to reseal.

[0036] The lower section remains attached to the bottom of the spillway and spaced apart from the first section. In a preferred embodiment applicable to any of the examples described, the spillway is attached to the lower section by a skirt section that nestles one inside the other, reinforcing the rigidity of the assembly.

[0037] The distance between the upper and lower sections allows visual access to everything located between these two elements and, in particular, the configuration of the spout and the stopper is such that what remains visually accessible is the perimeter region of the spout, configured to be visually accessible after the first opening.

[0038] This section can no longer be covered because the intermediate section has lost the ties that held it in place, covering the perimeter of the spillway, designed to be visually accessible after the first opening. This means that not only is the first opening evident, but it is irreversible.

[0039] According to an exemplary embodiment applicable to any of the examples described, the closure comprises a chassis configured to be partially inserted into the neck of a container in its lower part and to be inserted into the interior of the pourer in its upper part.

[0040] The presence of a chassis has been described above as an example. This element is mechanically inserted between the spout and the neck of the container, preferably the container's mouth, and allows the spout's tightness to be established when the closure is operationally installed on the container's mouth.

[0041] Preferably, the chassis material is more flexible or at least elastically deformable under an external force, allowing it to hug the spout and also a wall of the neck or, more particularly, the mouth of the container to ensure a tight seal. This allows the spout material to be rigid, less elastically deformable than the chassis, ensuring a rigid closure and therefore unable to deform without breaking. If it were to deform, the deformed configuration could lead to ways of breaching the closure's security mechanisms, at least those that provide evidence of first opening and, subsidiarily, the mechanisms that prevent fraudulent refilling of the container. According to an exemplary embodiment applicable to any of the examples described, the upper section comprises a cylindrical section adapted to establish a seal with the interior of the spout.

[0042] The pourer comprises a pouring surface through which the liquid stored in the container is poured. When the upper section is threaded onto the pourer, the screwing motion, in addition to rotation, is axial and moves (descending according to the convention described at the beginning) in the direction of the container to establish a seal. The seal is established, according to this embodiment, through a cylindrical section that exerts pressure against the internal walls of the pourer, preferably on or near the pouring surface.

[0043] According to an embodiment applicable to any of the examples described, the upper sector comprises a cavity in its outer surface configured to at least partially house the gripping element.

[0044] The gripping element is located at the first end of the intermediate sector. Since in the preferred examples the intermediate sector establishes continuity at least on the outer surface between the upper and lower sectors, the presence of a cavity housing this gripping element ensures that the gripping element also maintains the continuity of the outer surface. Surface continuity is defined as not appearing noticeably raised from the rest of the surface.

[0045] That is, it may have reliefs, which are indentations and protrusions, for example to ensure the user's grip, but these indentations and protrusions do not stand out noticeably since they affect the texture of the surface and are not as thick as the gripping element.

[0046] The cavity, according to other preferred examples and applicable to any of the examples described, establishes a separation space with the gripping element, which makes it possible for the user, when pressing on the gripping element, to deform it and make it easier to remove the gripping element from its housing in order to grasp it and pull it, breaking the lines of weakness.

[0047] The cavity, according to other preferred embodiments and applicable to any of the examples described, comprises an area that, after the intermediate section is removed, goes from being at least partially covered by the gripping element to being visually accessible. This additional area also helps demonstrate a change in appearance, where, for example, it is possible to add other visual elements that emphasize that the closure has been opened for the first time.

[0048] According to an embodiment applicable to any of the examples described, between the lower sector and the pourer there are means of retention when rotating between them.

[0049] According to the first aspect of the invention, there is axial retention between the lower section and the pouring spout. According to this embodiment, there is additional rotational retention, which causes both bodies to behave mechanically as a single body, combining the rigidity of the pouring spout with the rigidity provided by the lower section.

[0050] According to an embodiment applicable to any of the examples described, the upper sector comprises two separate, essentially cylindrical sections: an inner cylindrical section and an outer cylindrical section, the inner thread located on the inner surface of the inner cylindrical section and the outer cylindrical section being configured to allow the cap to be gripped and opened by turning.

[0051] The term "essentially cylindrical" should be interpreted as meaning that the element or part thus characterized is formed by a body of revolution whose shape is generated by the rotation of a directing line. The preferred example of this characteristic is a body of revolution formed by the rotation of a straight line. A cylinder or a cone are figures covered by this interpretation. Also according to the preferred example, cylindrical sections are formed by cylinders where the directing line is a straight line parallel to the axis of rotation, the axial axis, or with a slight inclination that results in a small taper, for example, to facilitate extraction from injection molds when the part is made of molded plastic.

[0052] When separated, any pressure exerted by external forces against the outer cylindrical section will cause some deformation that is not transmitted to the inner cylindrical section or is highly cushioned, preventing these deformations from compromising the coupling established by the thread.

[0053] Additionally, according to an embodiment applicable to the previously described example, in addition to separating the inner cylindrical section, it is distanced along the radial direction from the outer cylindrical section.

[0054] The user has access to the outer cylindrical section, while the cap thread is located on the inner surface of the inner cylindrical section. This configuration protects the thread, making it even more inaccessible. Any attempt to insert a tamper-evident element will tend to lodge between the two sections, the inner cylindrical section and the outer cylindrical section, preventing access to the thread.

[0055] According to a preferred example, it is this distance between the inner cylindrical section and the outer cylindrical section that also generates the cavity in which the gripping element is housed.

[0056] According to an embodiment applicable to either of the two previously described examples related to the existence of an inner cylindrical section and an outer cylindrical section, the inner cylindrical section and the outer cylindrical section are joined to the upper part of the upper sector of the cap.

[0057] The connection of the cylindrical sections at the top allows the sections to maintain their mechanical independence along their length, providing the advantages described above. The upper part of the cap offers the greatest rigidity. This connection is completely inaccessible to the user and is not only the starting point for the most mechanically significant strength elements, but also ensures the tightness of the closure.

[0058] In one embodiment, one of the inner cylindrical section and the outer cylindrical section is provided with stops to control the deformation that the outer cylindrical section may undergo towards the inner cylindrical section.

[0059] The radial dimension of these stops determines to what extent it will be transmitted to a user that the outer cylindrical section deforms inwards when the cap is manipulated to open or close the container, while at the same time preserving the inner cylindrical section from deforming in the event that the outer cylindrical section were to be deformed outwards.

[0060] According to an embodiment applicable to any of the examples described, the pourer comprises axial and anti-rotation clamping means configured to establish clamping and retention with the container after being coupled.

[0061] According to this embodiment, the pourer is an internal part of the cap and establishes the connection between the cap and the neck of the bottle. When the neck of the bottle has projections intended to be used for securing by the installation of closures, the pourer includes securing means that rest on them. These axial and anti-rotation securing means are preferably configured to establish insertion securing, making this insertion irreversible. They preferably include guiding means during insertion that guide the orientation and final position of the pourer so that they anchor properly in cooperation with the means provided by the neck of the bottle. This securing is established when the closure is installed on the bottle in operational mode, preferably with a insertion installation.

[0062] According to an embodiment applicable to any of the described examples that incorporate a chassis, said chassis comprises a non-return valve.

[0063] According to an embodiment applicable to any of the examples described, the pourer comprises a perimeter flange that rests on the inside of the plug in a position below the second line of weakness and proximal to it.

[0064] According to this embodiment, axial retention between the pourer and the cap is established at this location. Other locations where support is established, according to other embodiments, are points on a lower skirt of the pourer and on the upper part, where the seal is established. Additionally, the pouring surface ends in a pouring rim that rests on equally distributed internal projections on the cap, ensuring that there is no excessive pressure on other parts that ensure the seal.

[0065] According to an exemplary embodiment applicable to any of the examples described, the intermediate sector is spaced from at least the perimeter region of the chute. This spacing means that, after the initial opening, when the intermediate sector has been removed, it cannot establish not only a temporary or fixed connection with the closure elements, but it cannot even provide support. If it had a support, it would be possible to reposition the intermediate sector to fraudulently attempt to show its original appearance. The spacing eliminates any support or positional reference for this purpose.

[0066] According to an embodiment applicable to any of the examples described, at least the lower sector is attached to the pourer, preferably to a skirt located at the bottom of the pourer.

[0067] The detailed description will describe various connecting elements between the spillway skirt and the lower section, each of them as an independent solution that can be applied individually or in combination with the others.

[0068] A second aspect of the invention is a container comprising a bottle neck closed by a closure according to any of the preceding claims.

[0069] DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0070] These and other features and advantages of the invention will become more clearly apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment, given solely as an illustrative and non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying figures.

[0071] Figure 1 This figure shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of the invention before being installed in a container and also with the configuration corresponding to the state before the first opening.

[0072] Figure 2 This figure shows a perspective view from below of the same first embodiment to allow partial visual access to its interior. Figure 3 This figure shows an elevation view from a point that allows observing the gripping element of the intermediate section of the cap, of the same first embodiment. This figure shows arrows and reference lines from the sectional view of the following figure.

[0073] Figure 4 This figure shows a sectional view along a section identified in the previous figure. The section allows an observation of the internal structure of the closure, as well as the elements it comprises.

[0074] Figure 5 This figure shows a bottom view of the plug, that is, from below, according to a second embodiment of the invention.

[0075] Figure 6 This figure shows both the spout and the cap according to the first embodiment of the invention, but separately and in a perspective view from below. This view, with the parts separated, allows details located in the areas where the cap covers the spout.

[0076] Figures 7 and 8 These figures show in elevation and perspective respectively the closure according to the first embodiment after the first opening with the first section of the cap unscrewed and with the band and gripping element that form the intermediate section removed to show various security areas that are now visually accessible, evidencing the first opening.

[0077] Figures 9 and 10 These figures show, respectively, the closure according to the first embodiment, in elevation and section, with the upper portion of the cap screwed back on after the initial opening. These views show the closure's configuration in the second state, after the initial opening.

[0078] DETAILED EXPOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention, according to the first inventive aspect, is a closure with evidence of first opening configured to adopt a first state that corresponds to a configuration prior to the first opening and a second state that corresponds to a configuration adopted after the first opening and that is not only different from the configuration in the first state, but this second configuration visually shows that the closure has already been opened.

[0079] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a first exemplary embodiment of the first aspect of the invention is described where the closure is shown in perspective from an elevated viewpoint and a lower viewpoint.

[0080] In this description, as previously indicated, the terms "upper" and "lower" will be used. These terms should be interpreted as meaning that the lower part is where the container is located and the upper part is where the closure is located, depending on the direction established by the action of gravity when the closed container is in operation and resting on a horizontal surface. In this way, the axial direction of the neck of the container and the closure installed on said neck of the container are oriented vertically. However, in containers that can be designed obliquely, the axial direction of the neck of the container and the closure will be established by the relative terms "upper," "lower," or other equivalent and similar terms.

[0081] From the outside, the closure according to this exemplary embodiment only shows a single part, leaving the remaining parts hidden inside. However, other exemplary embodiments could modify non-essential parts to allow some interior or additional parts to be seen. However, one of the advantages of this configuration is the reduction in the number of parts compared to other known solutions, which also increases the level of security related to fraudulent manipulation to avoid revealing that the closure has already been opened.

[0082] In figures 1 and 2 the visible part is the cap (2) which is formed by three sectors, an upper sector (2.1) which in this embodiment shows a fine groove on its outer surface. The fine groove increases the grip capacity of the user when screwing and unscrewing this upper sector (2.1) on a pourer (1) which in these figures is not visible and which will be described later. This upper sector (2.1) is the one that establishes the hermetic seal not only before the first opening but also in subsequent closures with the use of the container and closure.

[0083] The same figures show a lower section (2.3) configured as a cylindrical skirt located at the bottom of the closure. This skirt covers a large part of the internal elements intended to establish the connection between the closure and the neck of the container where the closure is attached in operational mode.

[0084] Between the upper sector (2.1) and the lower sector (2.3) there is an intermediate sector (2.2) which is linked to the upper sector (2.1) by means of a first weakening line (L1) and to the lower sector (2.3) by means of a second weakening line (L2).

[0085] In this example, the two lines of weakness (L1, L2) are configured by an alignment of cuts with breakable bridges between them. This solution allows for easy tearing by the user.

[0086] Continuing with the description of the intermediate sector (2.2), this sector is mainly formed by a perimeter band (2.2.1) that surrounds the closure and that has two ends (2.2.1a, 2.2.1b), a first end (2.2.1a) and a second end (2.2.1b) opposite the first end (2.2.1a). In this embodiment example the ends (2.2.1a, 2.2.1b) are not mechanically connected. At the first end (2.2.1a) there is an extension that increases its area upwards, configuring a grip element (2.2.2).

[0087] The gripping element (2.2.2) shows in this example a fine groove that increases the gripping capacity of the user. In figures 1 and 2 it can be seen that before the first opening the gripping element (2.2.2) is not cantilevered, but the base constituted by the second line (L2) of weakness keeps the gripping element (2.2.2) held in its original position before the first opening without preventing the user from forcing its removal by breaking both the first line of weakness (L1) and the second line of weakness (L2).

[0088] In this embodiment, the base of the gripping element (2.2.2) formed by the extension of the perimeter band (2.2.1) includes an indication with the word "open" and an arrow so that the user knows where to apply a traction force that favors the tearing of the two lines of weakness (LI, L2) and to be able to remove the intermediate sector (2.2).

[0089] Figure 3 shows an elevation of the closure also before the first opening where in this view the gripping element (2.2.2) is clearly shown extending the perimeter band (2.2.1) as well as the mechanical independence that exists between the second end (2.2.1b) and any part of the first end (2.2.1a) including the gripping element (2.2.2) or its lower base configured as an extension of the perimeter band (2.2.1).

[0090] Figure 3 also shows cutting arrows identifying the cutting plane of the section shown in Figure 4.

[0091] This section of figure 4 shows the pourer (1) which is initially housed inside the plug (2).

[0092] The pourer (1) incorporates in its upper part a pouring body configured in the form of a conduit for the exit of the liquid stored in the container oriented according to the axial direction (X-X'), with a pouring surface (1.4) located on the internal face just before reaching the pouring edge (1.4.1). It is on the pouring surface (1.4) where a cylindrical section (2.1.2) rests, which emerges downwards, in the axial direction (X-X'), from the internal surface of the upper sector (2.1), achieving the tightness of the closure between the stopper (2) and the pourer (1). The pouring surface (1.4) is configured with a slight conicity so that a wedging of the cylindrical section (2.1.2) is generated.

[0093] In order to prevent the cylindrical section (2.1.2) from entering excessively, the internal surface of the upper sector (2.1) of the stopper (2) comprises a plurality of support projections (2.1.3) distributed along a circumference and configured to rest on the pouring edge (1.4.1). When the closure is in the first state before the first opening, this situation is limited since axial forces on the stopper (2), for example, exerted from top to bottom, or the threaded entry of the stopper (2) when it is initially manufactured to be installed in an operative manner, are transmitted from the upper sector (2.1) to the lower sector (2.3) by means of the intermediate sector (2.2). The intermediate sector (2.2) delimits the axial position (X-X') of the upper sector (2.1) with respect to the pourer (1). However, after the first opening, the intermediate sector (2.2) disappears and the threading of the upper sector (2.1) must be limited. They are the support projections (2.1.3) those who fulfill this function.

[0094] This thread is established between the upper sector (2.1), where there is an internal thread (2.1.1), and the pourer (1) which has an external thread (1.1) configured to screw one into the other.

[0095] Continuing with the section seen in Figure 3, several links can be observed between the pourer (1) and the plug (2). A first link is the internal thread (2.1.1) of the upper sector (2.1) that screws onto the external thread (1.1) of the pourer (1). A second link is established between a skirt (1.5) of the pourer (1) and the lower sector (2.3) of the plug (2) where the skirt (1.5) is housed within the lower sector (2.3) with a tight fit.

[0096] In the case of the first embodiment, this connection includes both a permanent friction force due to the tight fit between the two surfaces and the presence of windows (1.5.1) in the skirt (1.5) through which internal projections (2.3.1) of the lower sector (2.3) enter. Both the windows (1.5.1) of the skirt (1.5) and the internal projections (2.3.1) are shown more clearly in Figure 5, since this figure shows the pourer (1) and the stopper (2) from a lower position.

[0097] The invention contemplates alternative embodiments of the closure, not shown, which provide the aforementioned tight fit between the stopper and the pourer, but in combination with retaining elements that do not require windows in the skirt and cooperating internal projections on the stopper, as will be described later.

[0098] Continuing with the section shown in figure 4, the upper sector (2.1) has two cylindrical walls, spaced apart from each other, which we identify as the inner cylindrical section (2.1.a) and the outer cylindrical section (2.1. b). The outer cylindrical section (2.1. b) is the one that has, for example, the fine groove on its outer surface that improves grip. Although the user exerts significant external pressure, this pressure is not transmitted directly to the inner thread (2.1.1) located on the inner surface of the inner cylindrical section (2.1.a), thus, for example, preventing a malicious user from causing deformations that affect the threaded joint.

[0099] Figure 5 shows a bottom view of a cap according to a second embodiment of a closure according to the invention. Figure 5 serves to illustrate a feature of the cap that may, if desired, be included in the cap of a closure according to the invention, for example, in the cap of the closure according to the first embodiment. In view of this, the same reference numerals are used in Figure 5 to designate parts in common with the cap of said first embodiment.

[0100] In the embodiment of figure 5, in order to make the cap more robust when it is handled to open or close the container, a series of stops (2.1.4) have been provided in the space that separates the facing faces of the inner cylindrical section (2.1.a) and the outer cylindrical section (2.1. b) to control the deformation that the latter may suffer inwards but preserving the shape of the inner cylindrical section (2.1.a), and its associated internal thread (2.1.1), in the event that the outer cylindrical section (2.1. b) were to be deformed outwards. Without these stops (2.1.4), the cap could transmit a sensation that it is too soft to the user, suggesting a false sensation of insecurity when turning on the cap.

[0101] In the specific example of Figure 5, the stops (2.1.4) are implemented in the form of projections formed on the inner cylindrical section (2.1.a) that project, substantially radially, in the direction of the outer cylindrical section (2.1. b). However, in another embodiment not shown, this arrangement can be reversed, and the projections can be formed on the outer cylindrical section (2.1. b) and project towards the inner cylindrical section (2.1.a).

[0102] In the specific example in Figure 5, the projections are angular and regularly spaced where they are formed, although it is worth noting the absence of projections coinciding with the gripping element (2.2.2).

[0103] In any case, whether in the first or second embodiment of the closure, any cavity that allows passage from the outside to the inside, for example through the spaces left by the separated parts such as the gripping element (2.2.2) and the rest of the outer surface of the upper sector (2.1) does not directly lead to areas where there is direct interaction between the pourer (1) and the stopper (2) but to this space of distance between the inner cylindrical section (2.1.a) and the outer cylindrical section (2.1. b), making it difficult to use tools that attempt to perform improper manipulation.

[0104] Continuing with what is shown in Figure 4, it can be seen in this one that the intermediate sector (2.2) verifies, according to this embodiment, several configuration conditions. The first is that according to the axial direction (X-X') it coincides with a perimeter region (1.2) of the pourer (1) intended to be visually accessible when the intermediate sector (2.2) is removed after the first opening. This perimeter region (1.2) causes a change in the visual appearance that shows the first opening.

[0105] Another configuration feature of this example is that the intermediate sector (2.2) is distanced from the perimeter region (1.2) along the radial direction, that is, a direction perpendicular to the axial direction (X-X'), so that, after the intermediate section (2.2) is removed because the temporary mechanical links formed by the first line of weakening (L1) and the second line of weakening (L2) no longer exist, then it is not possible to place this intermediate sector (2.2) in its original position since it does not even find support in the perimeter region (1.2). That is, it is not possible to fraudulently reconfigure the configuration according to the first state prior to the first opening.

[0106] According to this embodiment, the interior of the pourer (1) has a chassis (3). In this case, the chassis is made of an elastically deformable material, which ensures a tight seal between the mouth of the neck of the container and the pourer (1) even if the mouth of the neck of the container has irregularities.

[0107] In turn, also in this embodiment, the passage of the liquid through the chassis (3) must pass through a non-return valve (4) that prevents a malicious user from attempting to fraudulently refill the container.

[0108] Descending along the axial direction, this embodiment example also includes a retention element between the pourer (1) and the lower sector (2.3) of the cap (2), it is the presence of a peripheral axial retention step (2.3.2) located in the internal part of the lower sector (2.3) near the lower edge, and which allows the lower edge of the pourer (1) to provide support, avoiding relative axial sliding between the two pieces (1, 2).

[0109] The axial retention perimeter step (2.3.2) shows a coined configuration that allows the installation of the pourer inside the stopper by axial insertion after the separate manufacture of one piece and the other (1, 2).

[0110] With respect to an alternative embodiment mentioned above, it is contemplated to provide the stopper with at least one other retention element analogous to the axial retention perimeter step (2.3.2) in another part of the lower sector (2.3) of the stopper (2), to be held in a corresponding recess provided for this purpose in the pourer (1). It is of particular interest to provide the closure with this added retention element in that variant of the closure that does not have windows in the skirt of the pourer and associated cooperating internal projections on the stopper.

[0111] In any case, with the provision of several mutual fixing elements, at least the lower sector (2.3) and the pourer (1) are joined and behave mechanically as a single body.

[0112] To facilitate the installation of the closure on the neck of the container, the lower skirt (1.5) of the pourer (1) has a plurality of insertion and anti-rotation guides (1.5.2) with an arrowhead-shaped configuration with a rounded tip. These insertion and anti-rotation guides (1.5.2) are, in this embodiment, equidistributed inside the inner wall of the pourer (1) and are configured to interact with projections on the neck of the container provided for this purpose.

[0113] In the pourer (1), the passage from the lower skirt (1.5) to the upper part where both the external thread (1.1) and the perimeter region (1.2) that shows the first opening are located, there is a step that gives rise to a perimeter flange (1.3) that serves as a barrier to the space that, once the first opening has occurred, is easily accessible to the user, avoiding any improper manipulation of the interior of the pourer (1) through this area.

[0114] Figures 7 and 8 show the closure after having carried out the first opening, first removing the intermediate sector (2.2) by pulling the gripping element (2.2.2) until breaking all the breakable elements such as the weakening lines (LI, L2), and then unscrewing the upper sector (2.3) which is shown in a higher position.

[0115] With this representation, both in elevation and in perspective, it can be seen that, by removing the gripping element (2.2.2), both the cavity (2.1.3) that previously housed the gripping element and the perimeter region (1.2) of the pourer (1) are now visually accessible. In this embodiment, the surfaces that are now visually accessible have been used to add texts or visual elements that clearly show a change in appearance and leave no doubt that there has been a first opening.

[0116] Figure 9 shows the closure configuration when the upper section (2.3) has been rethreaded. It can be seen how both the cavity (2.1.3) and the perimeter region (1.2) are now uncovered, modifying the external appearance. According to an example applicable to any of the examples described, these parts, now visually accessible, are in a different color. According to a specific way of achieving this color, it is through the color of the internal parts visible through a pourer (1) made of a transparent material.

[0117] Figure 10 shows the same section shown in Figure 4, except that now the intermediate sector (2.2) is not only missing, but cannot be replaced. The configuration of both the pourer (1) and the plug (2) are such that in this second configuration the internal elements remain protected and are not accessible from the outside, maintaining their effectiveness in preventing, for example, fraudulent refilling.

[0118] The configuration shown in figure 10 is an irreversible configuration since the second sector (2.2) does not have any element that allows not only to have a union with the previous pieces again, but it also does not have a support area that allows this piece to be placed in the original position even if it is not joined.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Closure with evidence of first opening comprising: a pourer (1) with external thread (1.1) where the pourer (1) comprises at least one perimeter region (1.2) configured to be visually accessible after the first opening; a cap (2) with internal thread (2.1.1), where the cap (2) is configured to screw into the external thread (1.1) of the pourer (1) along an axial direction (X-X'), and where before the first opening and according to the axial direction (X-X') the cap (2) extends through three sectors: i. an upper sector (2.1), comprising the internal thread (2.1.1), configured to allow the grip and opening of the cap (2) by turning, ii. a lower sector (2.3) configured as a skirt and adapted to be fixed at least along the axial direction (X-X') to the pourer (1), iii. an intermediate sector (2.2) comprising a perimeter band (2.2.1) extending between a first end (2.2.1a) and a second end (2.2.1b) characterized in that the perimeter band (2.2.1) is temporarily connected by a first line of weakening (Ll) to the upper sector (2.1), is temporarily connected by a second line of weakening (L2) to the lower sector (2.3), comprises a gripping element (2.2.2) at the first end (2.2.1a) to allow the gripping and subsequent tearing by pulling of the first line of weakening (Ll) and of the second line of weakening (L2), where the perimeter band (2.2.1) is positioned along the axial direction (X-X'), at least in part, superimposed on the perimeter region (1.2) of the spillway (1) and configured to be visually accessible after the first opening. 2.- Closure according to the preceding claim, comprising a chassis (3) configured to be partially inserted into the neck of a container in its lower part and to be inserted inside the pourer (1) in its upper part. 3.- Closure according to any of the previous claims, wherein the upper sector (2.1) comprises a cylindrical section (2.1.2) adapted to establish a seal with the interior of the pourer (1). 4.- Closure according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the upper sector (2.1) comprises a cavity (2.1.3) on its outer surface configured to at least partially house the gripping element (2.2.2). 5.- Closure according to any of the previous claims, where between the lower sector (2.3) and the pourer (1) there are means of retention when rotating (2.3.1) between both. 6.- Closure according to any of the previous claims, wherein the upper sector (2.1) comprises two separate essentially cylindrical sections: an inner cylindrical section (2.1.a) and an outer cylindrical section (2.

1. b), the inner thread (2.1.1) located on the inner surface of the inner cylindrical section (2.1.a) and the outer cylindrical section (2.

1. b) being configured to allow the grip and opening of the cap (2) by turning. 7.- Closure according to the previous claim, where the inner cylindrical section (2.1.a) is spaced in the radial direction from the outer cylindrical section (2.

1. b). 8.- Closure according to any of claims 6 or 7, wherein the inner cylindrical section (2.1.a) and the outer cylindrical section (2. lb) are both attached to the upper part of the upper sector (2.1) of the cap (2). 9.- Closure according to any of claims 6 to 8, wherein one of the inner cylindrical section (2.1.a) and the outer cylindrical section (2. lb) is provided with stops (2.1.4) to control the deformation that the outer cylindrical section (2. lb) may suffer towards the inner cylindrical section (2.1.a). 10.- Closure according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the pourer (1) comprises axial and anti-rotation clamping means (1.5.2) configured to establish clamping and retention with the container after being coupled. 11.- Closure according to any of claims 2 to 10, wherein the chassis (3) additionally comprises a non-return valve (4).

12. Closure according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the pourer (1) comprises a perimeter flange (1.3) that rests on the inside of the plug (2) in a position below the second line of weakness (L2) and close to it.

132. Closure according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the intermediate sector (2.2) is spaced apart from at least the perimeter region (1.2) of the pourer (1). 14.- Closure according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least the lower sector (2.3) is attached to the pourer (1), preferably to a skirt (1.5) located in the lower part of the pourer (1). 15.- Container comprising a bottle neck closed by a closure according to any of the preceding claims.

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