CN1826271A - Closure with an optical tamper indicator for alcoholic beverage bottles - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a closure with an optical tamper indicator for containers for fluids. The closure comprises: a cap (10) having a top wall (11) and a tubular skirt (13) provided with an internal thread (14), a first collar (16, 24) provided on the top wall (11) of the cap, a second collar (17, 27) which extends towards the top wall (11) of the cap, the second collar (17, 27) being substantially parallel to the inner surface of the tubular skirt (13) and to the first collar (16, 24) but spaced radially from the skirt (13) by an annular space (20) and from the first collar (16, 24) by a radial space (18), at least one first element (21, 31) positioned in the annular space (20), at least one second element (22, 26) positioned in the radial space (18) provided with means (22c, 26a) for connection to the neck (1) of the container, preventing axial movements, means (19, 23, 17c) positioned between the first element (21, 31) and the second element (22, 26) in order to bring about the appearance of a visible sign meaning open on a portion of the tubular skirt (13) of the cap, indicating the first opening of the closure.

Description

Closures with optical counterfeit indicators for bottles of alcoholic beverages

technical field

The present invention relates to a closure with an optical tamper indicator for a fluid container, in particular a closure with an optical tamper indicator for an alcoholic beverage bottle provided with An opening defined by the free end of a neck extending axially from the body portion of the bottle in the direction of the longitudinal axis and having an outer surface, said closure comprising:

a cap having a top wall disposed transversely along said longitudinal axis;

a tubular sleeve (skirt) connected to the edge of the top wall, and the tubular sleeve extends axially along the outer surface of the neck to the main part of the bottle, the tubular sleeve is provided with and is arranged on internal threads engaged by external threads on the outer surface of the neck;

Means for opening and closing the interior of the bottle as a result of screwing and unscrewing the cap are provided on the top wall of the cap.

Background technique

As is known, especially in bottles for alcoholic beverages of good quality, the problem of providing evidence of tampered closures of the bottles is largely experienced, especially in mass distribution sales There can be problems in departments where these bottles are displayed on racks set up in poorly guarded premises, where it cannot be ruled out that potential customers may open the bottles and not purchase them It puts it back on the shelf and walks away.

No doubt a subsequent customer who is not properly aware of this will risk purchasing a bottle whose closure has been opened and then fraudulently reclosed, leaving the bottle on its original shelf.

Various technical solutions have been devised to avoid these risks and to ensure that the product purchased by the customer is always intact; these solutions are mainly based on the use of seals, which are provided on closures or caps, and Once the closure of the bottle has been opened for the first time, the seal will not remain intact, thereby proving to the purchaser that the closure has been opened once.

Solutions have likewise been proposed in which the condition of the previous opening is indicated by a device that changes its own optical condition when the closure is subjected to the mechanical action that occurs when the closure is opened for the first time .

An example of such a device is described in document WO 02/090204 A1.

According to the solution described in the aforementioned document, the closure has a housing in which a capsule containing a first chemical reagent and a substrate containing a second chemical reagent are arranged. ). The first reactant contained in the capsule has a first color and is visible through the top wall of the cap, wherein the top wall of the cap is given a suitable transparency. When the closure is opened for the first time, the axial movement of a part of the cap causes the structural elements of the closure to move, which causes the capsule to compress and then rupture and subsequently release the first reactant. Said first reactant reacts with a second reactant contained in the substrate causing an irreversible color change which serves as a signal that a first opening has occurred and which is visible from the outside of the closure , thereby warning buyers.

The solution disclosed in the above-mentioned document has the disadvantage that although it makes the earlier opening condition of the closure visible through the top wall of the cap, this is not easily visible to a buyer, This is especially true if the bottles are placed on a high shelf in a display unit.

Furthermore, since the reagents from the capsule reach the reagents of the substrate only by gravity, any opening operation of the bottle placed upside down will impair the achievement of the desired effect.

Finally, the closure structure described in WO 01/090204 does not ensure that, if the closure is removed axially from the neck of the bottle, the capsules are damaged and release the first reagent. Relative movement between the elements will still occur, with the result that the closure will be reused.

Other similar solutions are also described in WO99/24329, US-A-5,265,744 and US-A-4,480,760. In particular, the closure described in US-A-5,265,744 has been used in such a way that the earlier opening condition of the closure can also be seen from the side, but the technical solution of the idea consists in the provision of A plurality of small holes, and use the light beam emitted by the lantern to facilitate the detection of the optical condition of the damageable capsule arranged in the closure through the above-mentioned small holes.

However, a technical solution of this type can be used by a salesperson to check which bottles on a shelf have been opened, which is certainly not suitable for normal potential buyers.

Contents of the invention

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a closure having a light indicator for indicating that it has been opened once, wherein the marking indicating that it has been opened is passed through the side wall of the cap on the side wall of the cap. One or more positions are laterally visible and the marking is visible even if the closure is axially removed from the neck of the bottle by the attempted force or the closure of an upside-down bottle is opened by the attempted force of.

This object is achieved with a closure of the type indicated in the preamble and characterized in the appended claims.

Description of drawings

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to some preferred embodiments, which are illustrated by way of non-limiting examples in the accompanying drawings, as follows:

Figure 1 shows, in partial longitudinal section, a first embodiment of a closure according to the invention mounted on the neck of a bottle in an undamaged state before opening for the first time;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view along line II-II of Fig. 1;

Figure 3 shows the state in which the closure of Figure 1 exists after opening for the first time;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view along line IV-IV of Fig. 3;

Figure 5 shows the closure of Figure 1, wherein the closure is opened and completely removed from the neck of the bottle;

Figures 6 and 7 show a first method of indicating said closed and open states, with reference to the closure shown in Figure 1;

Figures 8 and 9 show a second method of indicating said closed and open states, with reference to the closure shown in Figure 1;

Figures 10 and 11 show a third method of indicating said closed and open states, with reference to the closure shown in Figure 1;

Figures 12 and 13 show a fourth method of indicating said closed and open states, with reference to the closure shown in Figure 1;

Figure 14 shows, in partial longitudinal section, a second embodiment of the closure of the present invention mounted on the neck of a bottle in an intact state before first opening;

Fig. 15 is a sectional view along line XV-XV of Fig. 14;

Figure 16 shows the state in which the closure of Figure 14 exists after opening for the first time;

Fig. 17 is a sectional view along line XVII-XVII of Fig. 16; and

Figure 18 shows the closure of Figure 14 with the closure opened and completely removed from the neck of the bottle.

Detailed ways

Referring to the above-mentioned figures, the neck of the bottle is indicated by 1 and the body of the bottle is indicated by 2 . Said neck 1 extends longitudinally from said body part 2 along a longitudinal axis X-X and has an outer surface 3 . The free end 4 of the neck 1 defines an opening 5 and has an annular step 6 on the outside.

The outer surface 3 of said neck 1 has a thread 7 midway between the free end 4 and the body part 2 . Said thread 7 may be formed directly on its own surface, or, as in the embodiment shown in the figures, may be supported by a tubular sleeve 8 mounted on the neck 1 and firmly fixed thereto by conventional means, This conventional device, indicated at 9, prevents axial and tilting movement.

Said closure comprises a cap generally indicated by the numeral 10, composed of a top wall 11 having a peripheral edge 12 and arranged transversely with respect to said longitudinal axis X-X, and a tubular sleeve 13. Said sleeve 13 extends axially from the peripheral edge 12 of said wall 11 along the outer surface 3 of said neck 1 substantially to the area where said neck 1 extends from the main part 2 of the bottle.

The tubular sleeve 13 of said cap 10 comprises two parts, respectively indicated with 13a and 13b, a first part of which is near the top wall 11 and a second part 13b near the main part 2 of the bottle.

These two parts 13a and 13b may represent two distinct parts of the tubular sleeve 13, for example, they may be axially fixed to each other at the connection line 13c using conventional chemical or ultrasonic welding, or two regions of one tubular sleeve Can be constructed as a single whole.

A part 13a of said sleeve 13 is generally made of a plastic material which, in a manner which will become clear from the description below, characterizes said wall being fully or at least partially transparent.

On the other hand, said portion 13b is determined to be made of a plastic material, preferably opaque. This part 13 b has, on its inner surface facing the neck 1 , a thread 14 which engages with the thread 7 associated with said neck 1 .

The top wall 11 of the cap 10 has a conventional stopper, generally indicated at 15, facing the opening 5 of the neck, when a part 13b of the sleeve 13 is screwed onto the neck 1 so that the cap In the closed position, the stopper serves to close said opening 5 and thus the bottle in a leak-free manner. The closure may also include conventional valve means which allow liquid to flow out but not flow in, although such means are not illustrated here.

According to the invention, said closure comprises a first collar 16 arranged on the top wall 11 of said cap 10 and fixed radially at the axial level to the inner surface of said tubular sleeve 13 The second collar 17, wherein the first collar 16 extends axially towards the opening 5 of the neck 1, and the second collar 17 basically faces the free end 4 of the neck 1, and faces the top wall 11 of the cap 10 extend.

The second collar 17 is substantially parallel to the inner surface of the tubular sleeve 13 and the first collar 16, and it terminates at an end 17a opposite to the end 16a of the first collar. The two ends are positioned at substantially the same axial horizontal position along the axis X-X.

According to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 13, the first collar 16 is radially spaced from the second collar 17 by a radial gap 18, and the respective ends 16a and 17a are radially connected to each other so as to form an opening 19, these The openings 19 extend along an arc of the circumference and are distributed around the circular periphery of the closure. The second collar 17 is radially spaced from the inner surface of the tubular sleeve 13 of the cap so as to form an annular gap 20 . The annular first element 21 shown in the exemplary embodiment is accommodated in the annular gap 20 . The first element 21 can optionally be formed in such a way that at least one circular sector partially occupies the annular gap 20 . Said element 21 has an axial length which is smaller than that of the annular gap 20 which, as can be seen from the figures, extends from the top wall 11 of the cap 10 to the junction 17b, said collar 17 The connection to said tubular sleeve 13 is via this joint 17b. Said annular gap 20 and its function with respect to the axial length of said element 21 will become more apparent from later parts of this description.

The second element 22 is arranged concentrically with the annular element 21 at a position, and in the first embodiment of the present invention, the second element 22 is in the form of a plurality of circular sectors, wherein the plurality of circular sectors Zones are distributed around the circumference of said closure and fitted respectively in respective openings 19 present between collars 16 and 17 . Said element 22 is connected to the element 21 by respective radial bridges 23 positioned in the region of the ends 22a and 21a facing the top wall 11 of the cap 10, and by means of a Flange 22c at end 22b, each element 22 is connected to step 6 on the edge of neck 1 .

From the foregoing it is clear that any axial movement of each element 22 towards the top wall 11 of the cap can be prevented since the radially connected bridges 23 It is also positioned against the top wall 11 of the cap. The portion 17c of the end 17a of the collar 17 adjacent the opening 19 is preferably tapered for reasons that will become clear from later in the description. Furthermore, the second collar 17 has an annular edge 17d intended to cooperate with the opposite flange 21b of the ring element 21 .

When the closure is opened for the first time, this may represent an attempt to damage and fraudulently open the bottle such that the cap 10 is tilted to unscrew the tubular sleeve 13 from the lower thread 7 attached to the neck of the bottle and The subsequent axial movement of the sleeve. Collars 16 and 17 likewise move axially together with sleeve 13 , while elements 21 and 22 connected to each other via radial bridges 23 remain undamaged by this axial movement. The element 21 becomes accommodated in the gap 20 , while the opening 19 slides alternately with the connecting bridge 23 over the element 22 fixed on the neck 1 of the bottle.

When especially but not necessarily the sharpened edges 17c come into contact with the radial bridges 23 , the continued axial movement of the tubular sleeve 13 leads to the destruction of these bridges and the subsequent separation of the elements 21 and 22 . In particular, the element 21 remains housed in the lowered region 20a of the gap 20 and does not leave this gap, since the axial engagement has already taken place between the flange 21b and the annular edge 17d. Thus, if the cap 10 is subsequently screwed on, the element 21 remains stationary in the position it existed immediately after the first opening, engaging the edge 17d, without returning to its original position close to the top wall 11 .

For example, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, the inscription "OPEN" ("open") is associated with the collar 16 on the wall of the collar 16 radially facing the outer side of the closure, so this inscription is Made to be visible once opening has taken place, while element 21 is still anchored in said area 20a. Of course, part 13a of tubular sleeve 13 must be made of transparent material, at least in the area radially facing said marking "OPEN" ("open").

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 , the marking "CLOSED" ("closed") can likewise be added or used on the radially outer wall of the collar 17 as an alternative to the aforementioned technical solution. This marking is visible when the closure is completely intact, but when the closure is opened it is covered by element 21 which remains anchored in area 20a, thus indicating that the closure has been opened.

Symbols or special colors can be used as an alternative to the marking, or a combination of the above marking methods can be used.

Furthermore, as shown schematically in FIGS. 10 and 11 , the element 21 may be provided with the marking "OPEN" ("open"), which is reproduced on the radially outwardly facing side wall of this element 21 . When the closure is completely intact, the area of the part 13a of the tubular sleeve of the cap facing the element 21 is made of opaque material or covered, while the lower part is made transparent.

After the first opening, movement of the cap 10 causes the element 21 to be positioned in front of the transparent area of the sleeve 13a and thus causes the indicia "OPEN" to appear.

As shown in Figures 12 and 13, the sign "OPEN" ("open") can be formed on the element 21 by perforation, and can be made visible by a contrasting color arranged on the lower wall of the collar 17, at this time due to The first time the closure is opened, the element 21 is positioned in said gap 20 .

As can be seen from the foregoing description and illustration analysis, according to the embodiment of the invention shown in 1, 2 and 3, said elements 21 and 22 together with opening 19 and radial bridge 23 form the main part of the device, while This means is used to cause a visible marking meaning "open" to appear on at least a part of the tubular sleeve 13 of the cap.

In particular, it can be seen that even in the event of an attempt to apply a force by axially moving said sleeve 13, the structure of the closure according to the invention still causes damage to the bridges 23 due to their contact with the second sleeve 13. Engagement of the sharpened edge 17c of the ring 17 also causes the element 21 in the region 20a to move, so that the marking indicating the earlier opening state of the closure becomes visible.

Referring to Figures 14-18, it can be seen that the present invention can also be implemented in a different embodiment in which the common structural parts are the same as those used in the first embodiment with reference to Figures 1-13 reference signs to indicate.

According to this second embodiment, the closure comprises a first collar 24 protruding from the top wall 11 of the cap 10 and facing the body part of said bottle. The collar is provided with grooves 25 distributed around the circumference and extending along an arc of the circumference.

Corresponding elements 26 formed in the shape of an arc of the circumference are fitted in the groove 25 and extend axially, terminating at respective curved flanges 26a which engage axially with the annular step 6 of the neck 1 .

At an axial end remote from the end with the flange 26a, each element 26 has a cam surface 26b facing radially towards the outside of the cap.

A corresponding counter-element 27 is also present in the form of a circumferential arc and has a cam surface 27a complementary to the surface 26b, facing each arc-shaped element 26 respectively. Each arcuate element 27 preferably does not necessarily have to have an axial rib 27 b formed on the surface radially facing the corresponding element 26 . Each element 27 is also flexibly connected at end 27 c by conventional hinge means 28 to a bracket 29 projecting radially from the inner surface of sleeve 13 .

Each arcuate element 27 is likewise provided with a step 27d on its surface radially facing the portion 13a of the sleeve 13 , preferably but not necessarily extending over the entire arcuate width of the element 27 .

For example, a tubular element 31 made of a material that changes its color when subjected to compression is housed in an annular gap 30 formed between the portion 13 a of the tubular sleeve 13 and each arcuate element 27 .

Alternatively, this tubular element 31 may also consist only of an arcuate portion arranged radially in front of the element 27 .

According to the structure described above, when the cap 10 is opened for the first time, the axial movement of the tubular sleeve 13 will also cause the axial movement of the arcuate element 27 and the tubular element 31, wherein the tubular element 31 is pushed by the step 27d , and until axial movement of element 27 toward portion 13a of sleeve 13 is produced by engagement between opposing cam surfaces 26a and 27a.

This latter axial movement compresses the element 31 and subsequently changes its original color.

Assuming that the portion 13a of the tubular sleeve 13 is transparent, and that the original color of the element 31 indicates a completely intact closure, the color resulting from the change is used as a sign indicating the "OPEN" ("open") state.

Optionally, the tubular element 31 can be formed in such a way that a color change occurs only in relation to a predetermined area due to compression, so that the inscription "OPEN" ("open") or the same alphabetical indicium can be The places involved in these areas appear.

Still referring to the second embodiment of the invention, it is pointed out that in any event an attempt to move said tubular sleeve 13 axially will result in radial crushing of elements 27 and 31, thereby causing the indication "OPEN" (" Open") status marks appear.

Insofar as any dimensions and materials may be used, provided they are suitable for the purpose indicated, the invention as described above is defined by the appended claims.

Claims (10)

1. A closure with an optical counterfeit indicator, the closure for a fluid container, in particular for an alcoholic beverage bottle provided with an opening (5) defined by the free end of the neck (1) , and the neck (1) extends axially from the body portion (2) of the bottle along the longitudinal axis (X-X) and has an outer surface, said closure comprising: A cap (10) having a top wall (11) and a tubular sleeve (13) connected to an edge (12) of said top wall (11), wherein said top wall (11) is along said longitudinal axis (X-X ) is arranged transversely, and the tubular sleeve (13) extends axially to the body part of the bottle along the outer surface of the neck (1), and the tubular sleeve (13) is provided with and arranged on the The external thread (7) on the outer surface of the neck (1) engages the internal thread (14), the top wall (11) of the cap is likewise provided with means (15) for opening and closing the inside of the bottle, wherein opening and closing are the result of screwing and unscrewing the cap, It is characterized by: - a first collar (16, 24) extending axially towards the opening (5) of the neck (1) is provided on the top wall (11) of the cap, A second collar (17, 27) substantially facing the free end of the neck (1) is secured radially to the inner surface of said tubular sleeve (13) at an axial level and towards the The top wall (11) extends, the second collar (17, 27) is substantially parallel to the inner surface of the tubular sleeve (13) and the first collar (16, 24), but parallel to the sleeve ( 13) An annular gap (20) is radially spaced, and a radial gap (18) is spaced from the first collar (16, 24), the first collar (16, 24) and the second collar (17, 27) ) respectively terminate at opposite ends positioned substantially at the same axial level, At least one first element (21, 31) is positioned in the annular gap (20) between said second collar (17, 27) and the inner surface of said cap's tubular sleeve (13), At least one second element (22, 26) is positioned in the radial gap (18) between said first collar (16, 24) and second collar (17, 27), said second element ( 22, 26) extending axially and provided with means (22c, 26a) for connection with said neck (1), which prevent axial movement, said at least one first element (21, 31) and at least a second element (22, 26) radially aligned with each other, Means (19, 23, 17c) are positioned between said at least one first element (21, 31) and at least one second element (22, 26) in order for a visible sign meaning "open" to appear on the On at least a part of the tubular sleeve (13) of the cap, thereby indicating that the first opening of the closure has occurred as a result of unscrewing the cap. 2. The closure with optical counterfeit indicator according to claim 1, characterized in that the tubular sleeve (13) of the cap (10) is comprised on the edge of the top wall (11) of the cap (12) a first part (13a) near the body part (2) of said bottle and a second part (13b) near said bottle body part (2), said first part (13a) and second part (13b) being axially connected together, to form a single integral part. 3. Closure with optical counterfeit indicator according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that at least a first part (13a) of the tubular sleeve of the cap (10) is at least partially made of a transparent material. 4. A closure with an optical counterfeit indicator according to claims 1-3, characterized in that the means for causing a visible indicium meaning "open" to appear indicating the first opening of the closure The device that has occurred comprises at least one breakable bridge (23) radially connecting said at least one first element (21) to said at least one second element (22) and at least one corresponding cutting element. on the pointed edge (17c) formed on a part of the free end of said second collar (17), since said cap (10) is unscrewed when said closure is first opened ), said bridge (23) is cut by said sharpened edge (17c), which causes said at least one second element (22) to move axially from the first position to one of said marks "open " Visible position, in this first position said sign meaning "open" is not visible. 5. A closure with an optical counterfeit indicator according to claim 4, characterized in that it comprises means for constraining said at least one first element (21) in the position at which said marking becomes visible device (21b, 17d). 6. A closure with an optical counterfeit indicator according to claim 5, characterized in that said means for constraining said at least one first element (21) in a position where said marking becomes visible comprises a flange (21b) and an annular rim (17d), wherein said flange (21b) protrudes radially from said element (21) and faces the second collar (17) and the top wall (11 ), while said annular edge (17d) is formed on said second collar (17) and faces said element (21), said flange (21b) axially engages said edge (17d). 7. The closure with optical counterfeit indicator according to claims 1-6, characterized in that said visible marking meaning "open" is associated with the outer peripheral surface of said first collar (16), so Said markings can be observed radially from the outside of the first part of the tubular sleeve (13) of said cap (10) through corresponding radially and axially aligned regions, wherein said regions are made of transparent material into. 8. Closure with optical counterfeit indicator according to claims 1-6, characterized in that said visible marking meaning "open" is associated with the peripheral surface of said at least one first element (21 ), And through the corresponding transparent area of the tubular sleeve (13) of the cap (10) that is radially and axially aligned with the element is visible, when the element (21) is in its second position . 9. A closure with an optical counterfeit indicator according to claims 1-3, wherein said means causes a visible indicia meaning "open" to appear to indicate the first opening of said closure The device that has occurred comprises a substance capable of changing its optical properties and is included in said at least one first element (31), a cam surface (26b) formed on said at least one second element (26 ), said cam surface (26b) faces a complementary cam surface (27a) formed at the free end of said second collar (27), due to the first opening of said closure The relative axial movement of the cam surfaces (26b, 27a) produced by the unscrewing of the cap (10), the complementary cam surfaces (27a) are radially flexible and radially toward the The inner surface of the tubular sleeve (13) of the cap (10) expands, so that the at least one first element (31) is forced to change its optical characteristics, which are passed through the tubular sleeve of the cap ( 13) The aligned transparent area can be seen. 10. A closure with an optical counterfeit indicator according to claim 9, characterized in that said at least one first element (31) comprises a substance which changes its color when subjected to compression, said The final color is used as a visible mark that means "open".

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