CN1313328C - Sealing device and method for producing the same, container equipped with the device and method for sealing the container with the device - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (100) consists of a stopper (121) which closes the neck (101) of the container and an inner sealing membrane (122) which can be glued or sealed to the edge (113) of the neck. It still includes: a sealing disc (121) forming the blocking element or being connected thereto in terms of movement, to which the inner sealing membrane is fixed and which protrudes radially outside the neck (101), and an annular element (124) having an internal thread (341) which can be coupled to the external thread (111) of the neck (101), said element being provided with a stop (344) which extends from an edge (345) in an axial direction (X-X') and which is capable of exerting a thrust force (F) on the disc (121) in a direction in which the disc is spaced apart from the neck (101)₃)。

Description

Sealing device and method for producing the same, container equipped with the device and method for sealing the container with the device

technical field

The invention relates to a sealing device and a container equipped with such a device. The invention also relates to a method for producing such a device and a method of sealing a container by means of such a device.

Background technique

In the field of packaging food products, it is known to equip bottles made of extruded or blown plastic material with a peelable inner seal welded by induction heating on the edge of the neck of the bottle. When using the contents of such a bottle for the first time, the inner seal must be peeled off by hand and thrown away. This peeling operation is delicate and may not be perfect, especially when performed by children or elderly people who have lost dexterity in their fingers. In addition, this operation requires the user to go to the trash can to throw away the sealing film, unless he/she leaves the latter on the table.

From CH-A-556274 it is known to equip a stopper with an internal rib holding a disc with aluminum foil in place. In order to fit the disk into the blocking element, the blocking element must be temporarily deformed. As a result, deformation of the disc in the opposite direction can cause it to be unintentionally withdrawn from the stopper, especially when opening the bottle for the first time. In addition, when the disc is placed in the stopper, there is a risk of damaging its peripheral edge, which would negatively affect the sealing effect obtained. Therefore this device cannot be considered reliable.

The devices known from US-A-5346082, US-A-4473163 and US-A-5984124 are likewise (unreliable).

Contents of the invention

A more specific object of the present invention is to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a new sealing arrangement comprising an inner sealing membrane welded to the (container) neck before the container is used for the first time, wherein It is not necessary to peel off the inner sealing film by hand in order to access the contents of the container, and the function of the sealing device is reliable.

In this spirit, the present invention relates to a sealing device for sealing a container having a threaded neck, the device comprising a stopper adapted to close the neck, a stopper adapted to be glued or sealed to the neck an inner sealing film on the edge of the inner sealing film, a sealing disc on which the inner sealing film is fixed, and which protrudes radially beyond the neck; A threaded internally threaded annular member equipped with at least one protrusion/stop extending in the direction of the disc and adapted to be spaced apart from the disc relative to the neck A pushing force is applied to the disc in the direction of . The device is characterized in that said projection extends substantially in an axial direction from the edge of the ring.

According to the present invention, due to the protruding portion, proper manipulation of the ring can exert a local thrust sufficient to cause the disk to leave the neck, so that the inner membrane fastened to the disk can separated with respect to the neck. In this way, the tedious operation of peeling off the inner sealing film by hand, which is necessary in the prior art, can be avoided. If desired, a detachment of the inner seal relative to the neck can be indicated by an acoustic signal, for example of the "tick" type. The particular orientation of the projection in the axial direction makes it possible to effectively act on the disc.

The invention also relates to a container, such as a bottle made of plastic material, equipped with a sealing device as described above. Such a container is easier to handle than known devices, especially when used for the first time.

The invention also relates to a method for producing the above-mentioned device, more particularly to a method for carrying out the steps of:

a) making a ring with an internal thread adapted to cooperate with the external thread of the neck;

b) making a sealing disc;

It is characterized in that the method comprises the following steps:

c) providing relief elements on the outer radial surface of the ring;

d) providing on the ring member at least one protrusion extending substantially in an axial direction from an edge of the ring member;

e) making a cap suitable for covering the neck and the ring screwed on the neck;

f) providing relief elements on the inner radial surface of the cover;

g) introducing the sealing disc into the cap;

h) introducing the ring into the cover by orienting the protruding portion towards the disc and locking the disc in the cover with the ring such that the outer radial surfaces of the ring respectively combined with the concave-convex elements on the inner radial surface of the cover.

Advantageously, steps c) and d) are carried out simultaneously with step a) of molding said ring.

Similarly, step f) is advantageously carried out simultaneously with step e) of molding the cover.

According to an advantageous aspect of the invention, during steps a) to f), the ring, the cover, the disc and the protrusion are dimensioned and positioned so that the protrusion is adapted to make the disc The shape is removed from the neck while the device is unscrewed relative to the neck.

Finally, the invention relates to a method of sealing containers using a device manufactured according to the method described above, wherein after positioning the device on the neck, for example by heat sealing an inner sealing film supported by the disc The disc is fixed on the neck.

Description of drawings

The invention can be easily understood and its further advantages seen more clearly from the following description, given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, of two forms of embodiment of a container and of a closure according to the invention. in:

Figure 1 is a partially cutaway perspective view of the neck of a bottle equipped with a sealing device according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the sealing device of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 is an axial half-sectional view of the neck of a bottle equipped with the sealing device of FIGS. 1 and 2 .

Figure 4 is an axial sectional view of a sealing device according to a second form of embodiment of the invention mounted on the neck of a bottle.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 1 of the device of Figure 4, with the bottle neck also cut away. IV-IV represents the cross section of FIG. 4 .

Detailed ways

The bottle B shown in Figures 1 and 3 comprises a neck 101 having an external thread 111 and a portion 112 whose outer surface 114 is adapted to snugly receive an inner sealing film 122 formed by The aluminum matrix composite constitutes and belongs to a sealing device 102 . The inner sealing film is bonded substantially over its entire surface to a disc 121 whose outer peripheral edge 321 protrudes radially beyond the outer radial surface 115 of the neck 101, the disc The diameter D ₁₂₁ of the piece 121 is greater than the diameter D ₁₁₅ of the surface 115 .

A ring 124 is screwed onto the neck 101 and for this purpose has an internal thread 341 adapted to cooperate with the thread 111 . The ring has three projections 344 , 344 ′, 344 ″ extending substantially parallel to the central axis X- Extends in the direction of X'. As can be seen from the following description, the protruding portion 344 is limited by a surface 344a substantially parallel to the axis XX' and an inclined surface 344b forming a bevel. Other protruding portions have substantially the same shape The protrusions are regularly distributed over the edge 345 .

A cover 125 made in one piece of plastic material is mounted on the neck 101 around the ring 124 . The bottom 351 of the cover is parallel to the disc 121 and extends in a side edge 352 around the ring 124 . In fact, the disc 121 is arranged near the inner surface 353 of the bottom 351, and the two circular ribs 351a and 351b can exert a local force _F2 on the disc 121 to make the inner sealing membrane 122 rest against it. on the edge 113 of the neck 101 .

In addition, the side edge 352 has a series of teeth 354 formed on its inner radial surface 355 that are configured and positioned to engage the teeth 346 formed on the outer radial surface 347 of the ring 124. join together. In this way, the rotation of (between) the elements 124 and 125 about the axis XX' is fixed (i.e. against relative rotation).

The skirt/cover 125 also has a return 356 for engaging an annular groove 348 formed in the surface 347 so that the elements 124 and 125 are (between) parallel to the axis XX' The translational movement of is also fixed (i.e. cannot be translated relative to each other).

An anti-counterfeiting ring (tamper-proof ring) is made of a part 349 of the ring 124, which is connected to the main part of the ring 124 by a split zone 349a and locked by a circular flange 116 on the neck 101.

The inner sealing film 122 is glued to the edge 112 until the bottle B is used for the first time.

When an unscrewing force is applied to the cover 125 , the cover 125 entrains the ring 124 due to the engagement of the teeth 346 and 354 . Since the connection between the elements 121 and 122 is permanent, the result is that the projections 344, 344', 344" are moved in the direction of the edge 321 of the disc 121 and then applied on this edge sufficient to make A thrust _F3 separates the inner membrane 121 from the surface 114. The sloped nature of the surface 344b and its equivalent give the force _F3 a progressive character as the ring 124 rotates.

The thrust or splitting force F ₃ is concentrated near the edge 321 of the disc 121 , which increases the efficiency of the thrust or splitting force.

Regardless of the force with which the ring 124 is secured to the neck 101, the disc 121 always maintains a planar configuration.

In particular, since it is possible to position the disk 121 equipped with the inner envelope 122 before introducing the ring 124 itself into the cover 125, the disk 121 can be positioned against the bottom 351 of the cover 125 without deformation. .

When the disc is subjected to a local force _F3 exerted by the protrusions 344, 344', 344", the disc may bend during the temporary separation of the inner envelope 122 from the neck 101. For this purpose, the ring The space between 124 and cover 125 for receiving edge 321 must be wide enough, the fact that assembly 124-125 is made in two parts makes it possible to form such space without difficulty during the respective molding operations of these parts, Of course this would not necessarily be the case if such an assembly were molded in a single operation.Alternatively, parts 124 and 125 could be made in different colours, which would allow the user to immediately identify the type of seal he/she has to operate.

When the bottle B is resealed, it is sufficient to retighten the ring 124, as a result, the disk ₁₂₁ leans against the disk 121 by transmitting a new force F between the ribs 351a and 351b and the disk 121. On portion 112 of neck 101 .

In other words, the device 102 can easily be used as a conventional stopper without an inner seal, while at the same time ensuring a completely hermetically closed container as long as the device 102 has not at least previously been withdrawn from the container for which it is used.

The sealing device 102 can be manufactured by molding the ring 124 on the one hand and the cover 125 on the other hand in their configuration shown in FIG. 2 . During these molding operations, the protrusions 344, 344', 344" and the teeth 346 of the ring 124, and the teeth 354 of the cover 125 can be formed.

In addition, the sealing disc 121 is manufactured by molding, and the inner sealing film 122 is bonded to the disc.

The sealing disc is then introduced into the cover so that the disc 121 comes into position immediately adjacent the inner surface 353 of the bottom 351 and abuts against the ribs 351a and 351b. The disc is placed in a position such that the inner sealing membrane 122 is on the surface of the disc 121 opposite the bottom 351 .

The ring 124 is then positioned in the cover 125 with the teeth 346 and 354 engaged and the projections 344, 344' and 344" facing the disc, which makes the bottom 351 and the projections 344, 344' and 344" to lock the disc and inner membrane.

It should be noted that this form of embodiment of the device 102 does not position the disc 121 by deforming it, unlike the method of manufacturing the device known for example from CH-A-556274.

In the second form of embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 5 and 6, elements that are the same as those of the first embodiment have the same reference numerals.

The bottle B of this embodiment comprises a neck 101 with an external thread 111 on which a ring 124 with a thread 341 engages.

This ring has a plurality of projections, only one of which is marked 344 visible in FIGS. Extending in the direction of the central axis XX'.

The geometry of this ring 124 is slightly different from that of the first example, but its function is the same.

In particular, the ring has a toothing 346 adapted to cooperate with the inner toothing 354 of the lateral edge 352 of the cover 125 so as to be driven by the cover to rotate about the axis XX', which makes the ring 124 opposite The bottom of the bottle B moves so that the protruding portion 344 and its equivalent abut against the peripheral edge 321 of the disk 121 and allow the ring to engage with an inclined portion 112 of the neck 101. separate.

As mentioned above, the disc 121 may be placed against the bottom 351 of the cover 125 before the ring 124 is introduced into the cover.

The ring 124 has an outer radial flange 348 adapted to be received in an inner shoulder 358 of the side edge 352, which ensures effective positioning of the elements 124 and 125 relative to each other. It should be noted that when bottle B is closed, the protruding portion 344 is spaced from the disk 121 by a non-zero distance d, which avoids local deformation of the edge 321 caused by the protruding portion 344 and its equivalent.

Assembly of the device 102 of this form of embodiment can be carried out using a method similar to that described with reference to the first embodiment.

Regardless of the form of embodiment envisaged, the mode of fitting the disc 121 in the cover 125 avoids the risk of damage to this disc, which would negatively affect the tightness of the seal obtained. This is important in situations where sterile sealing is often required.

The invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment, which may be varied. In particular, the technical features of the two embodiments shown can be combined together.

Claims (12)

1. sealing arrangement (102) that is used to encapsulate container with a thread neck part, this device comprises:

-one is suitable for sealing the obstruction piece (125) of described neck (101),

-one is suitable for bonded or is sealed in interior envelope film (122) on the edge of described neck,

The sealing dish (121) that-one described interior envelope film (122) is fixed thereon, this dish extends radially outside the described neck (101),

-one has an annular element that is suitable for the negative thread (341) that combines with the outside thread (111) of described neck, described annular element is equipped with at least one outshot (344,344 ', 344 "), and this outshot is extending on the direction of described dish (121) and be suitable for applying a thrust (F on the direction that described dish separates with respect to described neck on described dish ₃),

It is characterized in that described outshot (344,344 ', 344 ") extends at an axial direction (X-X ') substantially from the edge (345) of described annular element (124).

2. according to the sealing arrangement (102) of claim 1, it is characterized in that, described obstruction piece is one to be suitable for covering the lid (125) of described neck (101), described dish (121) be arranged on described lid bottom (351) near inside face (353) and remain on the appropriate location by described annular element (124), this annular element itself fixes and can not relatively rotate with an annular lateral margin (352) of described lid.

3. according to the sealing arrangement (102) of claim 2, it is characterized in that described annular element (124) has and is suitable for the relief elements that engages with the relief elements that goes up the respective shapes that forms in the inner radial surface (355) of described lateral margin (352) on its exterior radial surface (347).

4. according to the sealing arrangement (102) of claim 1, it is characterized in that, and described outshot (344,344 ', 344 ") form an inclined-plane (344b), the feasible rotation along with described annular element in this inclined-plane can apply described power (F progressively ₃).

5. the container that is used for receiving fluids is equipped with according to a sealing arrangement (102) of one of aforementioned claim.

6. according to the container of claim 5, it is characterized in that described container is the bottle of being made by plastic material (B).

7. be used to produce a kind of method of sealing arrangement, the sealing device is used to have the container of a thread neck part, and wherein the step of Zhi Hanging comprises:

A) make one and have an annular element (124) that is suitable for the negative thread (341) that combines with the outside thread (111) of described neck (101);

B) make a sealing dish (121);

It is characterized in that this method comprises the following steps:

C) on the exterior radial surface (347) of described annular element, relief elements is set;

D) at least one outshot that extends at an axial direction (X-X ') substantially from the edge (345) of described annular element (344,344 ', 344 ") is set on described annular element;

E) make one and be suitable for the lid (125) that covers described neck (101) and be spun on the described annular element (124) on the described neck;

F) on the inner radial surface (355) of described lid, relief elements is set;

G) described sealing dish (121) is introduced in the described lid;

H) described annular element (124) is introduced in the described lid (125), by making described outshot (344,344 ', 344 ") towards described dish and described dish is locked in the described lid, make on the exterior radial surface (347) that lays respectively at this annular element and the relief elements on the inner radial surface (355) of this lid combines with described annular element.

8. according to the method for claim 7, it is characterized in that step c) and d) carry out simultaneously with the step a) of molded described annular element (124).

9. according to the method for one of claim 7 or 8, it is characterized in that the step e) of step f) and molded described lid (125) is carried out simultaneously.

10. according to the method for one of claim 7 or 8, it is characterized in that, arrive f in step a)) during, make this annular element (124), this lid (125), this dish (121) and this outshot (344,344 ', 344 ") form required size and location, thereby described outshot is suitable for making described dish and described neck portion from (F ₃), described device (102) is outwarded winding with respect to this neck (101) simultaneously.

11. the method that the sealing arrangement that use is made according to one of claim 7 or 8 comes airtight container, it is characterized in that, it is included in after described device (102) has been positioned on the described neck, and described dish (121) is fixed on step on the described neck (101).

12. the method according to the airtight container of claim 11 is characterized in that, the step that described dish (121) is fixed on the described neck (101) is to be realized by the interior envelope film (122) that described dish supports by heat-sealing one on described neck.

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