ES1322541U - ADJUSTABLE CAP - Google Patents

Abstract

Adjustable plug that has a geometry in which a lower area can be seen intended to be introduced into the neck of the container to be covered and an upper area intended to protrude, at least partially, from the same, characterized in that it is made of flexible material and in that both the upper area (2) and the lower area (3) have an inverted truncated cone shape and are joined by the smaller base of the upper area and the larger base of the lower area, where the angle of inclination of the generatrix of the upper area is greater than that of the lower area, forming a waist (5) that gives continuity to the sides of the plug and because the plug comprises an interior recess open to the smaller base of the lower area. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

DESCRIPTION

ADJUSTABLE CAP

The invention, as its name suggests, relates to an adjustable cap suitable for sealing container mouths, even with certain size variations. This is especially useful for sealing containers such as glass, porcelain, or other clay bottles, which can experience dimensional variations during the production process, especially during the firing or cooling stages. The mass production of devices comprising a container whose dimensions may vary requires, among other things, universal sealing solutions that guarantee a perfect fit even with the dimensional variations inherent in production processes.

The recommended cap achieves an optimal seal even though there may be slight variations in the container openings due to production processes.

This is achieved by combining a truncated cone shape with different inclinations, a flexible material, and a recess in the bottom of the cap, which increases its deformation capacity and prevents pressure buildup inside the container.

The industry sector to which it applies is fluid packaging.

BACKGROUND

Cork has traditionally been used to seal containers for liquids such as wine bottles, oil decanters, and essence bottles, among others. Cork stoppers, which allow some breathability, often have a truncated cone shape. This, combined with cork's flexibility, makes them useful for opening and closing a container with relative ease.

However, cork poses several problems that, when it comes to mass production, must be avoided. Being a natural material, its density may not be uniform throughout the production, which is especially critical if the goal is to seal out highly volatile substances, since cork's porosity, which is well-suited to wine aging, can allow volatile substances to escape or unintentionally allow oxygen to enter.

Furthermore, cork handling, which can be simple for simple geometries, becomes complicated and expensive if specific machining is required.

All of this, coupled with environmental restrictions that could limit production, has led to a search for solutions in other materials such as plastics, silicones, and polypropylene, among others.

The object of this invention is a cap suitable for fitting over the mouth of a container, such as a bottle or a jar, among others, while accommodating the gaps that may arise during the manufacturing process. This cap must also be simple to manufacture using a mold, facilitating the repeated opening and closing of the container without compromising its sealing capacity. Furthermore, it must offer a tight seal not only to liquids but also to gases, as it could be used to close containers with volatile substances. Finally, since it must be able to seal mouths with certain dimensional variations, the part of the cap inserted may not be the same in all cases, so its geometry must avoid increasing the internal pressure of the container so as not to affect the contents.

Among the patent literature, the following plugs have been found to be closest in the state of the art.

Chinese patent CN203047731 relates to a wedge-shaped stopper consisting of a stopper and an inner rod. The stopper comprises internal threads for the rod and threads on the hollow inner wall of the stopper that mate with each other to allow the inner rod to be screwed into a cavity in the stopper or to allow the inner rod to be unscrewed from the stopper cavity. Elastic shear rings are arranged parallel to each other on the stopper. This patent does not provide a simple solution for closing a container, as it comprises several parts that screw together.

Patent US4098422 refers to a cap specially prepared for containers that must contain pressurized beverages, such as cava or carbonated beverages, among others. This cap comprises a hollow cylindrical body with a series of channels inside it to provide flexibility so it can be inserted into the neck of the bottle or container and, once inside, expand to remain firmly fixed against the interior walls of said neck. Furthermore, the outer part of the cap has a thickened edge with a skirt suitable for mounting on the rim of the bottle's mouth. This cap, although it shares the fact of having a recess at its lower base, does not act in the same way nor does it have geometric similarities.

To solve the problem of having a plug that is adjustable to different diameters and clearances, easy to manufacture, that guarantees sealing even when used with volatile liquids and that does not compromise the internal pressure of the container, the invention described below has been arrived at.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The single-body cap integrates two distinct geometries: a lower and upper zone, both in an inverted truncated cone shape. The smaller base of the upper zone and the larger base of the lower zone have the same diameter, and the upper and lower zones are joined by their respective bases. The lower zone refers to the narrower zone, which is intended to fit into the neck of the container, and the upper zone refers to a wider zone that, at least partially, will remain outside the neck of the bottle once the cap is inserted.

The angle of inclination of the generatrix of the upper zone is greater than that of the lower zone, so the lower part is more elongated and the upper part is more flattened.

As a result of the difference in the angles of inclination of the generatrix of one zone and the other, a waistline forms at the point where the two meet. This waistline can have a sharp, sharp, or smooth angle. The waistline provides continuity to the sides of the plug, meaning there are no protruding elements that could act as a barrier or stop.

This simplicity makes it easy to manufacture by mold, especially its demolding.

The lower area is higher than the upper area and, in a preferred implementation, the height ratio of both is 2/1.

The lower area has an internal recess open to its free base. This recess preferably reaches a height less than half the height of the lower area.

The drain opens to the free lower base of the lower area and is connected to the interior of the container in such a way that the occupation of the interior area of the container is minimized, avoiding pressure variations that could affect the contents of that container.

The cap is made of a plastic material such as silicone, low-density polyethylene, rubber, or any other flexible material. The hollowing process weakens the lower part of the cap, making it more flexible for easier insertion into the neck of the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIGURE 1 shows the plug (1) in which an upper zone (2) and a lower zone (3) are differentiated, as well as the waist (5) that is formed at the junction of both.

FIGURE 2 shows the plug from a bottom perspective such that the opening (4) can be seen open towards the free base of the lower area.

FIGURE 3 shows the plug in section, showing the drain (4).

DESCRIPTION OF A WAY OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The plug (1) has two distinct geometries, a lower zone (2) and an upper zone (3). Both geometries have an inverted truncated cone shape, with the smaller base of the upper zone equal to the larger base of the lower zone, these two bases being joined together to generate a single piece with a recess (4) open at the free base of its lower zone.

The angle of inclination of the generatrix of the lower zone (2) is smaller than the angle of inclination of the generatrix of the upper zone, so that lower zone is more elongated than the upper zone, such that lower zone is suitable for insertion into the neck of a container.

For ease of use, the lower area is higher than the upper area, with the ratio being 2/1. Therefore, of the total height of the cap, 2/3 would be the height of the lower area and 1/3 the height of the upper area.

In ideal use, the bottom of the cap will be inserted into the neck of the container until it is completely filled. Since the cap is made of flexible material, it can be completely wrapped against the inner walls of the neck of the container, ensuring a seal.

This flexibility is provided by two factors: the material of the cap, which in one possible embodiment is low-density polyethylene to which expanders can be added, and the hollowing (4) which facilitates the deformation of the cap. Furthermore, the elongated truncated cone geometry of the lower area facilitates the insertion of the cap by generating a wide friction zone with the internal walls of the neck of the container and optimises the force exerted by the user.

If the neck of the container has an internal section larger than the maximum section of the lower part of the stopper, the upper part could still be partially inserted into that neck.

In this way, the stopper, thanks to its geometry, can accommodate the small size differences and gaps that may occur in the mouths and necks of containers due to their production processes.

If it is still not possible to plug the mouth of the container, a larger plug must be used.

The plug has a recess (4) in its lower area, this recess being open at the free base of the lower area.

This recess has a height of % of the height of the lower area, although there may be different sizes depending on the type of material, type of container, proportions between the areas of the plug or other reasons.

Claims (4)

1. - ADJUSTABLE CAP that has a geometry in which a lower area can be seen that is intended to be introduced into the neck of the container to be covered and an upper area that is intended to protrude, at least partially, from the same, characterized by being made of flexible material and by both the upper area (2) and the lower area (3) having an inverted truncated cone shape and are joined by the smaller base of the upper area and the larger base of the lower area, where the angle of inclination of the generatrix of the upper area is greater than that of the lower area, forming a waist (5) that provides continuity to the sides of the cap and by the cap comprising an interior opening open to the smaller base of the lower area. 2. - ADJUSTABLE CAP according to claim 1, characterized in that the height of the lower area is 2/3 of the total height of the cap. 3. - ADJUSTABLE PLUG according to claim 1, characterized in that the recess has a depth of 1/4 of the height of the lower area. 4.- ADJUSTABLE CAP according to claim 1, characterized in that the cap is made of low-density polyethylene.