Security closure device for a beverage bottle, in particular for an alcoholic beverage bottle

Abstract

A security closure device (1) for a beverage bottle, in particular an alcoholic beverage bottle, comprises a monolithic hollow piece (2) made of polymer material and extending substantially along an axis (X) and comprising a sleeve element (5), which extends between a lower end (3) and an upper end (4) axially opposite to each other and has a lateral wall (8) about the axis (X); and a cup body (6), positioned at the upper end (4) and provided with an internal thread (31) to engage, in use, an external thread of the bottle; the cup body (6) extends from a radially inner perimetric edge (12) of the lateral wall (8) of the sleeve element (5) toward the upper end (4) and is located inside an end portion (7) of the sleeve element (5) that also extends from the edge (12) and terminates at the upper end (4) with a free annular end edge (22); the cup body (6) is arranged radially inside the end portion (7), which defines a cover wall (27) radially surrounding on the outside the cup body (6) and separated therefrom by an annular gap (24).

Description

[0001] SECURITY CLOSURE DEVICE FOR A BEVERAGE BOTTLE , IN PARTICULAR

[0002] FOR AN ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE BOTTLE

[0003] Cross-Reference to Related Applications

[0004] This Patent Application claims priority from Italian Patent Application No . 102024000008152 filed on April 11 , 2024 , the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference .

[0005] Technical Field

[0006] The present invention relates to a security closure device for a beverage bottle , in particular for an alcoholic beverage bottle .

[0007] Background Art

[0008] There is the need to provide beverage bottles , in particular of liquors and the like, with closure devices which, in addition to a traditional function of closing / opening the bottle to dispense the contents , also ful fil a security function, allowing the first opening of the bottle to be unequivocally revealed, as a guarantee of the authenticity of the content .

[0009] One type of known device that ful fils this security function comprises a hood cap, provided with inner thread mating with an outer thread formed on the bottle and connected, through a weakened portion, to a sleeve that is angularly and axially held to the bottle . The first opening of the bottle causes the weakened portion to break : the sleeve remains fixed on the bottle , while the hood cap can be unscrewed and screwed on again in the next use .

[0010] A problem of devices of this type is that they are relatively complicated to produce and, above all , di f ficult to mount , as not only is it necessary to fit the cap / sleeve assembly on the bottle with an axial movement , but also to rotate this assembly angularly, to suitably arrange the threads of the cap with respect to those of the bottle and allow it to be screwed on . In fact , i f the threads on the cap overlap those on the bottle during the axial mounting movement , this causes deformation and potential breakage or, in any case , subsequent mal function of the device .

[0011] A possible solution to the problem is provided by the closure device disclosed in the international patent application WO2014045267A1 , which can be mounted on the bottle with a simple axial movement and snap locking, without requiring prior orientation with respect to the bottle ; the device consists of a monolithic piece comprising a cap portion and a sleeve portion j oined through a weakened portion; the cap portion has a double wall so that , i f the threads are overlapped during mounting, the inner lateral wall can elastically deform and its deformation is masked by the outer lateral wall .

[0012] However, not even this device is completely satis factory, above all in terms of ease of manufacture and mounting and of ef ficient positioning on the bottle . In particular, during mounting of the device , the neck of the bottle can get blocked against the inner lateral wall of the cap portion .

[0013] An obj ect of the present invention is to provide a device that solves the above-mentioned problems of the prior art ; in particular, an obj ect of the invention is to provide a device that , besides being completely ef ficient in the function of closing and ensuring evidence of the first opening, is simple and reliable to use and relatively simple and inexpensive to produce and mount .

[0014] Summary

[0015] The present invention thus relates to a security closure device for a beverage bottle , in particular for an alcoholic beverage bottle , as defined in its essential terms , in the appended claim 1 and, in its preferred additional features , in the dependent claims .

[0016] The device in accordance with the invention is simple and reliable to use and relatively simple and inexpensive to produce and mount , as well as fully ef ficient in the closing function and in the security function .

[0017] In particular, mounting of the device on a bottle is simple and fully reliable .

[0018] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019] The invention is described in detail in the following nonlimiting example of embodiment , with reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings , wherein :

[0020] - Fig . 1 is a schematic perspective view of a security closure device in accordance with the invention;

[0021] - Fig . 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the device of Fig . 1 .

[0022] Description of Embodiments

[0023] Figs . 1 and 2 indicate as a whole with the reference number 1 a security closure device for a beverage bottle, for example a bottle of liquor or another alcoholic beverage .

[0024] The device 1 comprises a monolithic hollow piece 2 made of polymer material (plastic ) , substantially tubular and extending substantially along an axis X between two ends 3 , 4 axially opposite to each other and precisely, with reference to the normal position of use of the device 1 mounted on a bottle , a lower end 3 and an upper end 4 .

[0025] The piece 2 comprises a sleeve element 5 , extending between the ends 3 , 4 ; and a cup body 6 , positioned inside an end portion 7 of the sleeve element 5 at the end 4 .

[0026] The sleeve element 5 extends along and about the axis X and has a lateral wall 8 extending about the axis X from the end 3 to the end 4 and is substantially cylindrical ; optionally, the lateral wall 8 is slightly tapered toward the end 4 .

[0027] The lateral wall 8 has an inner lateral surface 9 facing the axis X .

[0028] The sleeve element 5 is provided with an annular lip 11 proj ecting from the inner lateral surface 9 toward the axis X and toward the end 3 ; the lip 11 is preferably inclined ( convergent ) toward the axis X and toward the end 3 .

[0029] The lateral wall 8 has a radially inner perimetric edge 12 that is circumferentially continuous about the axis X, proj ecting radially from the inner lateral surface 9 toward the axis X and defining a continuous radially annular shoulder 13 about the axis X .

[0030] The edge 12 and the shoulder 13 are axially positioned above the lip 11 along the axis X .

[0031] The lateral wal l 8 has a series of longitudinal ribs 14 proj ecting from the inner lateral surface 9 toward the axis X and angularly spaced from one another about the axis X ; the ribs 14 extend longitudinally from the edge 12 toward the end 3 and radially toward the axis X .

[0032] Preferably, the ribs 14 have a tapered shape from the edge 12 toward the end 3 . For example , the ribs 14 have a substantially triangular shape . In this way, the ribs 14 define a lead-in chamfer to facilitate insertion of the neck of the bottle .

[0033] The sleeve element 5 further comprises a breaking zone 15 , defined by an annular band 16 of the lateral wall 8 delimited by a pair of circumferential breaking lines 17 ; the band 16 is provided with a tab 18 grippable by a user and has one or more radial through slits 19 formed in the lateral wall 8 .

[0034] The breaking zone 15 is located axially between the ribs 14 and the lip 11 and in a position closer to the end 3 than to the end 4 . The breaking zone 15 is axially spaced from the end portion 7 , so that the end portion 7 remains solidly j oined to the cup body 6 after the breaking zone 15 is broken to allow rotation of the cup body 6 with respect to the bottle .

[0035] Advantageously, the band 16 has a radially inner annular proj ection 20 , for example circumferentially continuous , which defines an axial coupling element shaped to engage a corresponding shoulder formed on the neck of the bottle on which the device 1 is mounted .

[0036] The end portion 7 extends from the edge 12 to the end 4 and terminates at the end 4 with a free annular end edge 22 .

[0037] The cup body 6 is coaxial to the sleeve element 5 and is arranged radially inside the end portion 7 .

[0038] In particular, the cup body 6 proj ects from the edge 12 toward the end 4 inside the end portion 7 , thereby surrounding the outside of the cup body 6 .

[0039] The cup body 6 has an inner lateral wall 23 facing the end portion 7 and separated therefrom by an annular gap 24 ; and an end wall 25 , perpendicular to the axis X and located at the end 4 .

[0040] Preferably, the gap 24 is tapered, i . e . , it gets thinner, toward the edge 12 ; therefore , the gap 24 has a thickness ( radial distance between the inner lateral wall 23 of the cup body 6 and the end portion 7 ) decreasing from the upper end 3 to the edge 12 . The inner lateral wall 23 of the cup body 6 is joined to the edge 12 by a root edge 26 circumferentially continuous about the axis X and extends from the edge 12 to the end 4, where the end wall 25 is located.

[0041] The end portion 7 defines a cover wall 27 radially surrounding on the outside the inner lateral wall 23 of the cup body 6.

[0042] Advantageously, the cover wall 27 is a flexible wall, which is shaped and / or has a thickness so as to be deformable, precisely to bend radially and preferably elastically, as a result of radial stresses.

[0043] In particular, the end portion 7 is joined to the edge 12 by an annular joining edge 28 circumferentially continuous about the axis X, adjacent to the root edge 26 of the cup body 6 and radially external with respect thereto; the joining edge 28 defines a flexible hinge, preferably an elastic hinge, that allows the end portion 7 (i.e., the cover wall 27) to bend radially keeping the end portion 7 and the cup body 6 joined.

[0044] The inner lateral wall 23 is provided with an internal thread 31, shaped so as to engage a corresponding thread on a neck of a bottle for which the device 1 is intended.

[0045] Preferably, the thread 31 has a plurality of starts, i.e., it comprises a plurality of threads angularly spaced from one another .

[0046] The cup body 6 is also provided with a central sealing collar 32, projecting from an internal face 33 of the end wall 25 toward the end 4 and coaxial with the lateral wall 23; the collar 32 is positioned radially inside the lateral wall 23 and comprises a pair of radial sealing lips 34, projecting radially outward and axially spaced from one another along the axis X .

[0047] The collar 32 is shaped so as to be inserted, when the device 1 is mounted on a bottle , inside the neck of the bottle , so that the sealing lips 34 radially contact an inner lateral surface of the neck of the bottle , ensuring sealed fluid-tight closure of the bottle .

[0048] To mount the device 1 on a bottle , an axial movement of the piece 2 on the neck of the bottle is suf ficient ; the device 1 couples to the neck of the bottle and the thread 31 engages the corresponding thread on the bottle . The neck of the bottle is guided by the ribs 14 and does not encounter sharp edges or axial obstructions during insertion .

[0049] A predetermined orientation of the device 1 with respect to the bottle is not necessary : i f the thread 31 is arranged so that it is overlapping the thread on the bottle , the inner lateral wall 23 of the cup body 6 deforms elastically inside the gap 24 ; the deformation of the lateral wall 23 is not visible from the outside , being masked by the cover wall 27 , and thus does not compromise the appearance or the overall functionality of the device 1 ; during subsequent first use , rotation of the cup body 6 causes the thread 31 to correctly engage the thread on the bottle . I f instead the thread 31 is correctly positioned during mounting, mounting of the device 1 on the bottle takes place without deformation of the lateral wall 23 .

[0050] The first time the device 1 is opened, the breaking zone 15 ruptures , removing the band 16 ; the cup body 6 is thus free to rotate to open / close the bottle : the cup body 6 remains j oined to the end portion 7 , which rotates together with the cup body 6 when the cup body 6 rotates with respect to the bottle to open / close the bottle . Finally, it is understood that modi fications and variations can be made to the device described and illustrated herein, without departing from the scope of the appended claims .

Claims

CLAIMS1. Security closure device (1) for a beverage bottle (2) , in particular for an alcoholic beverage bottle, comprising a monolithic hollow piece (2) made of polymer material and extending substantially along an axis (X) and comprising: a sleeve element (5) , which extends between a lower end (3) and an upper end (4) axially opposite to each other and has a lateral wall (8) about the axis (X) ; and a cup body (6) , positioned at the upper end (4) and provided with an internal thread (31) for engaging, in use, an external thread of the bottle; characterized in that the cup body (6) extends from a radially inner perimetric edge (12) of the lateral wall (8) of the sleeve element (5) toward the upper end (4) and is located inside an end portion (7) of the sleeve element (5) that also extends from the edge (12) and terminates at the upper end (4) with a free annular end edge (22) ; the cup body (6) being arranged radially inside the end portion (7) , which defines a cover wall (27) radially surrounding on the outside the cup body (6) and separated therefrom by an annular gap (24) .

2. A closure device according to claim 1, wherein the edge (12) is circumferentially continuous about the axis (X) and the cup body (6) and the end portion (7) are joined at the edge (12) by means of a root edge (26) and, respectively, a joining edge (28) , which are adjacent to each other and are both circumferentially continuous about the axis (X) .

3. A closure device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the edge (12) solidly joins the cup body (6) to the end portion (7) so that, in use, the end portion (7) rotates together with the cup body (6) when the cup body (6) rotates with respect to the bottle to open / close the bottle.

4. A closure device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the gap (24) is tapered and gets thinnertoward the edge (12) .

5. A closure device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover wall (27) is a flexible wall, which is shaped and / or dimensioned so as to be deformable, precisely to bend radially and preferably elastically, as a result of radial stresses.

6. A closure device according to claim 5, wherein the end portion (7) is joined to the edge (12) by an annular joining edge (28) , which defines a flexible hinge, preferably an elastic hinge, that allows the end portion (7) to bend radially .

7. A closure device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the lateral wall (8) of the sleeve element (5) has a series of longitudinal ribs (14) projecting from an inner lateral surface (9) of the lateral wall (8) toward the axis (X) and angularly spaced from one another about the axis (X) ; the ribs (14) extending longitudinally from the edge (12) toward the lower end (3) and radially toward the axis (X) and having a tapered shape from the edge (12) toward the lower end (3) , having for example a substantially triangular shape.

8. A closure device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sleeve element (5) comprises a breaking zone (15) , defined by an annular band (16) of the lateral wall (8) delimited by a pair of circumferential breaking lines (17) and provided with a tab (18) grippable by a user and with one or more radial through slits (19) formed in the lateral wall (8) ; and wherein the breaking zone (15) is located axially closer to the lower end (3) than to the upper end (4) , and axially spaced from the end portion (7) , so that the end portion (7) remains solidly joined to the cup body (6) after the breaking zone (15) is broken to allow rotation of the cup body (6) with respect to the bottle.

9. A closure device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cup body (6) has an inner lateral wall (23) facing the end portion (7) and separated therefrom by the annular gap (24) ; and an end wall (25) , perpendicular to the axis (X) and located at the upper end (4) ; and wherein the cup body (6) is provided with a central sealing collar (32) , projecting from an internal face (33) of the end wall (25) toward the lower end (4) and is coaxial with said inner lateral wall (23) ; the collar (32) comprising a pair of radial sealing lips (34) , projecting radially outward and axially spaced from one another along the axis (X) .

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