RU2388673C2 - Plug with indicator of unauthorised opening - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: transport, package.

SUBSTANCE: proposed container plug comprises first part including inner and outer elements and second part wherein outer element displaces relative to inner element from first position whereat outer element adjoins said second part into second position whereat free gap is formed and inner and outer element are arranged to be unavoidably locked in second position so that outer element can not move in first position to stop said gap. Note here that proposed plug comprises appliances to inhibit displacement of inner element relative to second part unless outer element reaches second position. Invention covers combination of container with plug that comprises unauthorised opening indicator.

EFFECT: new plug deign with unauthorised opening indicator.

10 cl, 25 dwg

Description

The present invention generally relates to a closure for a container, namely, a closure with a device capable of indicating that this stopper has already been opened at least once.

Recently, there has been a growing demand for capping systems with an indication of unauthorized opening, which clearly indicate to the consumer whether the container was opened by someone earlier in order, for example, to replace its contents with a product that does not correspond to the original one. Although it is relatively easy to manufacture some types of tamper evident devices, it is much more difficult to manufacture an tamper-evident tool that could not be bypassed without violating the tamper-evident system, or if it had been violated, it would then be impossible to return to the previous a pristine condition that indicates that no one has opened the package before.

Particularly successful seems to be the method of providing a notification of an unauthorized opening, which consists in using a system in which the closure is initially located in one position, but once removed, it can only be returned to the second position, which visually clearly differs from the first position. For example, US Pat. No. 5,738,231 describes a closure, where one part is moved during the opening process so that after opening it cannot return to its original position due to an obstacle in the form of a protrusion on the neck of the container. As a result, this closure plug can only return to a position in which it will be displaced axially relative to its original position. WO 02096771 describes a closure having a first portion with internal and external elements, as well as a second portion. Initially, one section of the inner element of the first section extends below the level of the external element and is firmly held in this position by the section of the second part, which is designed so that it has a smaller circle. When the first part is removed, this section of the inner element is pulled out from under the zone with a reduced circumference to the second part of this cork. After extraction, the inner element of the first part and the zone with a reduced circle on the second part retain their original parameters, so if this first part is activated again, its inner element can no longer pass under the zone with a reduced circle. Accordingly, a gap is formed between the outer element of the first part and the second part, since this section of the inner element, which was initially blocked in the position under the second part, is now blocked in the position above the reduced circumference zone.

In both of the aforementioned documents related to the prior art, a gap is formed as a result of gripping the obstruction element. The problem with such systems is that the obstruction element is easily accessible and can be removed, for example cut off, to create the appearance of the pristine integrity of the closure.

The present invention aims to solve the above problem.

According to one aspect, the present invention provides a stopper with an anti-tamper device, the stopper comprising: a first part containing internal and external elements and a second part where the external element moves relative to the internal element from the first position in which this external element is directly adjacent to the second part of the cork, to the second position, in which a free gap is formed between them, and where these internal and external elements are irreversibly block They are positioned in the second position so that the outer element cannot return back to the first position to close the gap formed, characterized in that the closure plug includes means for preventing the inner element from moving relative to the second part of the plug until the outer plug element reaches second position.

Thus, the present invention is not based on such a structural position in which the locking element is locked to form a gap. Therefore, it becomes impossible to hide the traces of unauthorized opening of the container by simply removing this locking element, for example by cutting.

These means of prevention may include friction elements located between the first and second parts of the plug.

These friction elements can be represented by two rows of ratchet teeth. Such ratchet teeth are easily made from plastic materials.

The second part of the cork may be attached to the container, and the first part may contain a cap. In some industries, for example, in the production of alcohol products, closures are required that contain a cap in the first part and a cuff attached to the container in the second part.

The second part of the cork may be on the container in a constantly fixed position. This measure does not allow the second part of the cork to move up to close the gap.

The second part of the cork can be made in such a way that it engages with a device located on the container that prevents it from returning to its original position. This adaptation is carried out because in some industries, namely in the production of alcohol products, additional measures are required to prevent unauthorized access. And devices that prevent returning to their original position fulfill this requirement, thereby preventing re-filling of containers, regardless of other measures taken to prevent unauthorized access.

The first part may include ratchet teeth for locking the internal and external elements in the second position. The use of ratchet teeth is a simple and effective way to permanently lock together the internal and external elements together.

In another aspect, the present invention provides in combination a container and a stopper with an anti-tamper device, comprising: a first part containing internal and external elements, and a second part, where this second part is attached to the container, and the first part is a removable top cap, this external element of the first part moves relative to the internal element from the first position in which this external element is directly adjacent to the second part, to the second position, at A gap is formed between them, an empty gap free of obstacles, after which the first section becomes removable, and the internal and external elements are prepared to be irreversibly locked in the second position so that the external element cannot move back to the first position to close the gap when the first part is returned to the place, characterized in that to prevent the movement of the inner element relative to the second part of the cork until the outer element has reached the second position, the offer gayutsya special means to prevent this movement.

This combination may additionally include a device attached to the container, preventing the return to its original position, while the second part of the cork is made in such a way as to engage with this device.

The present invention will now be described in more detail by way of example with reference to the following drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a detail side view of a closure plug made in accordance with the present invention;

Figa-2F - views of the casting part of the tube;

Figa-3F - types of internal ratchet element;

Figa-4F - types of external ratchet element;

5 is a cross-sectional view of the closure plug assembly shown in the first position;

6 is a cross section of the cork of figure 5, shown in the second position;

7 is a cross section of the casting part of the cork with the removed internal and external ratchet teeth;

Fig. 8A is a side view of the closure plug of Fig. 1 shown in the assembled and closed position;

Fig. 8B is a side view of the cork of Fig. 8C after the initial opening and removal of the lid; and

Fig. 8C is a side view of the closure cap of Fig. 8B when the lid has been replaced.

1 shows a closure generally indicated at 10. This closure 10 includes: an external ratchet element 30, an internal ratchet element 40, an additional gasket 50 and a pouring portion 60. The closure 10 is intended to form part of the closure system when inserted into the aluminum shell 20 and is located on the neck of the bottle 80 with a sealing washer 70.

2A-2F show in more detail the pouring portion 60. This pouring portion 60 includes a base member 61 that is substantially cylindrical in shape and approximately equal in diameter to the neck of the corresponding container on which this closure can be mounted. The base element 61 has an upper surface 62. On this upper surface 62 is a cylinder 63, which has a smaller diameter and a screw thread 65. The combined part, consisting of a base element 61 and a cylinder 63 of a smaller diameter, has a channel passing through this part so that the contents the container could be emptied when the closure is open. On the outer wall of the smaller cylinder 63 are two rows of ratchet teeth 64.

3A-3F show in more detail the inner ratchet member 40. This ratchet member 40 has a cylindrical body 41. This cylindrical body 41 is open at one end, but is covered by an upper plate 42 at the other end. The ratchet teeth 43 are made on the inner surface of the open end of the housing 41. In addition, a screw thread 44 is made on the outer surface of the housing 41. A ledge 45 is located between the outer surface on which the thread 44 is located and the inner surface on which the ratchet teeth 43 are located. The purpose of this step 45 will be explained below. On the outer surface of the housing 41, at the end opposite the open end, two rows of ratchet teeth 46 are also made. And finally, on the inner surface of the housing 41, another screw thread 47 is made, which is axially above the ratchet teeth 43.

4A-4F show in more detail the external ratchet element 30. This external ratchet element 30 has a cylindrical housing 31 through which the channel 32 passes. On the inner surface of the upper end of the housing 31 there is one row of ratchet teeth 33. On the lower end and on the inner the surface of the housing 31 has a thread 34. And finally, the housing 31 at its lower end has a ring 35 that narrows the channel 32.

FIG. 5 shows a cross-section of a complete closure 10 including a pouring portion 60, an internal ratchet member 40, and an external ratchet member 30. This closure 10 is shown in combination with a container neck 80. The spout portion 60 is held in place on the container by means of a sealing washer 70, which is inserted into the neck 80.

The closure 10 is shown in the original unopened position. This is indicated by the fact that the ring 35 of the external ratchet element 30 is flush with the upper surface 62 of the pouring part 60.

Figure 5 shows the interaction between the various ratchet teeth and the screw thread of the pouring part 60 and the ratchet elements 30, 40.

6 shows another cross-section of the closure 10. However, in this drawing, the closure is partially open, as indicated by the gap "G" between the upper surface 62 and the ring 35.

The partially open state shown in FIG. 6 is achieved when the external ratchet member 30 is rotated relative to the pouring portion 60. This rotational movement causes the thread 34 related to the external ratchet member 30 to rise along the thread 44 related to the internal ratchet member 40 The ratchet teeth 33 and 46 do not prevent this relative rotation, since they are designed so that when they rotate with this opening, they do not interlock, but simply slide together, as is characteristic of ratchet teeth byam.

Conversely, when the closure opens, the ratchet teeth 64 and 43 engage. This ensures that the inner ratchet element 40 and the spout portion 60 do not initially rotate relative to each other.

As shown in FIG. 6, there is a feature in that the ring 35 is raised upward from the upper surface 62, thereby creating a gap “G”, the axial movement of the ring 35 is limited by a step 45 located on the lower side of the inner ratchet member 40. When this position is reached, the outer ratchet element 30 can no longer rotate relative to the inner ratchet element 40.

Accordingly, the continued rotation of the external ratchet element 30 relative to the pouring portion 60 overcomes the mutual engagement of the ratchet teeth 64, 43 and thus allows the pouring part 60 to be unscrewed from the internal ratchet element 40. This is achieved by the interaction of the threads 65 and 47. Ultimately, the combination of the internal and external ratchet elements 40, 30 will be freed from the pouring part 60, so that the contents of the container can be poured through the channel in the pouring part 60.

7 shows the pouring portion 60 and the neck of the container 80 in a position freed from the internal and external ratchet elements 40, 30.

When it is required to close the container, the inner and outer ratchet elements 40, 30 are superimposed on the pouring part 60 and rotate in the direction normally locked for locking so that thread 65 and thread 47 can interact with each other. The ratchet teeth 64, 43 are designed so that when they rotate relative to each other in this locking direction, they do not engage with each other, but simply slide over each other.

The combination of internal and external ratchet elements 40, 30 can only rotate to the limit shown in Fig.6. This is because the lower side of the ratchet teeth 43 on the inner ratchet element 40 will abut against the upper surface 62 of the pouring portion 60, thus preventing any further relative axial movement. Moreover, the ratchet teeth 46, 33 interact with each other when the external ratchet element 30 rotates in the locking direction. This action prevents any relative rotation of the internal and external ratchet elements 40, 30. This interaction between the ratchet teeth 46 and 33 is also performed to prevent the external ratchet element 30 from rotating in the locking direction, even if the closure 10 is barely ajar.

After the first opening of the closure 10, a gap “G” is formed between the lower side of the ring 35 and the upper surface 62. This gap cannot be closed again, since this, as described above, is prevented by the location of the ratchet teeth. This gap remains even if the inner and outer ratchet elements 40, 30 are removed from the pouring portion 60 and then re-engaged, since the ratchet teeth 46, 33 prevent the relative rotation of the inner and outer ratchet elements 40, 30.

Moreover, although this is not shown in the drawings, the upper end of the external ratchet element 30 can be sealed so that no tools can reach any opposing ratchet teeth 46, 33. And in addition, thanks to the wall 31 of the cylindrical body, the opposing ratchet teeth 46, 33 are unattainable for manipulations from the bottom without damaging the external ratchet element 30.

Therefore, the combination of these features prevents the "re-installation" of the cork plug with the elimination of the gap "G", and, accordingly, this capping tool significantly exceeds in this aspect the corresponding products of the prior art.

On figa-8C shows the closure 10 in combination with a metal shell 20 ROPP (roll on pilfer proof), which acts as a kind of casing.

The shell 20 is divided into three main parts: the upper part 21, the middle part 22 and the lower part 23. These three parts are separated by two lines of brittle bridges 24, 25. The upper part 21 is attached to the external ratchet element 30 using known means so that to open the closure you need to take this upper part 21 by hand and turn. As the outer ratchet element 30 rotates and axially moves away from the pouring portion 60, the first brittle bridge line 24 is broken. Such a gap serves as evidence of the opening of the closure. In this case, the gap "G" formed at the opening of the closure, as mentioned above, will be visible as the gap between the upper part 21 and the middle part 22, as shown in figs. The upper part 21 also acts as an indication of tampering, since it includes an external ratchet element 30 and, therefore, an internal ratchet element 40, while it is attached to the external ratchet element 30 in ways such as crimping or gluing. Accordingly, access to the opposing ratchet teeth 46, 33 is even more difficult, so that re-installation of the closure in its original position is virtually impossible without visible damage to the upper shell 21.

The middle and lower parts 22, 23 make it impossible to remove the pouring part 60 from the neck 80 of the container. This removal is not possible, since the lower part 23 is crimped on the neck 80, as shown under the reference numeral 26. The external ratchet element 30 is attached to the upper part 21 by crimping, as shown under the reference position 28. In addition, the middle part 22 is attached with crimping to the base element 61 of the pouring part 60, as shown under reference number 27. Thus, if the pouring part is removed from the container neck 80, the bottom line 25 of the brittle bridges will be broken, thus acting as an indication nktsionirovannogo autopsy.

FIG. 8B shows a side view of one embodiment of an ROPP closure, where the upper part together with the internal ratchet member 40 and the external ratchet member 30 are removed, exposing the pouring portion 60. The pouring portion 60 is attached to the container 80 using the lower portion 23 and the middle portion 22 ROPP by crimping on it. Although in this text crimping is a means of fixedly attaching 10 parts of the sheath 21, 22, 23 to the closure plug, other methods, such as gluing or welding, can of course be used for this purpose.

On figa-3F you can see another design feature of the internal ratchet element 40. It consists in the fact that two rows of ratchet teeth are made on the belt 48, which is attached to the rest of the internal ratchet element using narrow strips 49. Two rows of teeth tightly abut against respective teeth 33 on the inner surface of the outer ratchet member 30. However, the girdle 48 has a slightly smaller circumference than the channel circumference of the outer ratchet member. This gives the belt 48 some flexibility, which will be discussed below. The slats 49 are spaced around the circumference of the inner ratchet element 40, and as a result, “windows” 49A are formed between them. This design provides even greater flexibility to the girdle 48 and allows it to change its circular shape when the closure plug is opened for the first time. This allows the ratchet teeth 46, 33 to slide over each other, as described above. This flexibility is necessary because the two rows of ratchet teeth 46 and 33 are so arranged that they fit very tightly together. Such close contact is a guarantee that the external ratchet element 30 cannot be rotated relative to the internal ratchet element 40 in the locking direction, since this relative rotation would eliminate the gap “G” and, therefore, would eliminate the evidence that the closure has already been opened.

Although this design is shown in this text, it should be understood that other options are possible that allow the ratchet teeth to slide along one another. And the number of ratchet teeth 46 may also differ from the two rows described above.

In another embodiment, the outer surface of the lower end of the inner ratchet member 40 (i.e., the part that has the ratchet teeth 43 on its inner surface) may have a bright color. This will once again help to make sure that there is a gap “G”, since it is this surface that is visible after the first opening of the cork.

Although the closure made according to the present invention has been described above in combination with a metal ROPP, it is also possible to combine this closure with other types of materials. This closure may also be attached to the corresponding container in other ways, such as gluing or welding. Moreover, since the main combination of the internal and external ratchet elements and the pouring part of the cork is leakproof due to its own properties, this combination can be used without any other forms of the outer shell.

And finally, although ratchet teeth 64, 46 are proposed in this text as the friction means necessary to ensure the proper functioning of the closure, other means can be used for this purpose. For example, preference may be given to roughened surfaces to provide sufficient friction to jointly "lock" the pouring portion 60 and the inner ratchet member 40 upon initial opening when the outer ratchet member 30 rotates relative to the inner ratchet member 40, but at the same time provide insufficient friction to prevent rotation of the inner ratchet element 40 and the pouring part of the plug 60 relative to each other after the gap "G" has been formed, and at a constant The external ratchet element 30.

Other materials that may be used here are materials such as VELCRO (RTM) or adhesive.

Claims (10)

1. A closure (10) with an indication of unauthorized opening intended for the container (80), while this closure contains:
the first part, including internal (40) and external (30) elements, and
the second part (60), where the outer element (30) moves relative to the inner element (40) from the first position, in which the outer element (30) is directly adjacent to the second part (60), in the second position, in which a free gap is formed between them (G), and where the inner (40) and outer (30) elements are made in such a way that they are irreversibly locked in this second position so that the outer element (30) cannot move back to the first position to close the gap (G) characterized in that the closure is incl. Means to prevent the movement of the inner element (40) relative to the second part (60) until the outer element (30) reaches the second position. 2. The closure according to claim 1, in which the means for preventing movement includes friction elements located between the first and second parts. 3. A closure (10) according to claim 2, in which the friction elements are represented by two rows of ratchet teeth (64, 33). 4. The closure (10) according to claim 1, in which the second part (60) is designed to be attached to the container (80), and the first part contains a cap. 5. The closure (10) according to claim 1, in which the second part (60) when used has a permanently fixed position on the container. 6. The closure (10) according to claim 1, in which the second part (60) is made so as to engage with the device located on the container, preventing the return to its original position. 7. The closure (10) according to claim 1, in which the first part includes a ratchet element (46, 33) for locking the internal (40) and external (30) elements in the second position. 8. The combination of the closure (10) according to any one of the preceding paragraphs and the shell (20) in which this closure is placed. 9. The combination of the container (80) with a closure (10) with an indication of unauthorized opening, while the closure (10) contains:
the first part, including internal (40) and external (30) elements, and
the second part (60), where this second part (60) is attached to the container (80), and the first part is a removable upper cap, while the outer element (30) of the first part is movable relative to the inner element (40) from the first position, in which the outer element (30) is directly adjacent to the second part (60), to the second position, in which an empty gap (G) is formed between them, after which the first part is removable, and the inner (40) and external (30 ) the elements are made in such a way that he and irreversibly locked in this second position so that the outer element (30) cannot move back to the first position to close the gap (G) when the first part is removed, characterized in that means are provided to prevent the movement of the inner element (40) with respect to the second part (60) until the outer element (30) reaches the second position. 10. The combination according to claim 9, which further includes a device attached to the container, preventing the return to its original position, while the second part (60) is designed to engage with this device.

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