BR112013025927B1 - CLOSING TO A CONTAINER, CONTAINER AND CONTAINER UNIT - Google Patents

Abstract

summary patent of invention: "container closure with a spout and a lid". the present invention relates to a closure (10) for a container that has an interior where a product can be stored and that has an opening for the interior of the container, said closure (10) comprising a base (100), this base (100) comprising a skirt (120) for extending said container in said opening, a base platform (160), and a nozzle (180) projecting over said base platform (160) to define an opening discharge (182), wherein said base platform (160) has a partially curved outer or upper plane, said upper or outer plane and / or an edge (150) between the skirt (120) on the base platform (160 ) having at least two elevation regions, and at least two depression regions extending between said at least two elevation regions. the invention still relates to a container with such a closure.

Description

Descriptive Report of the Invention Patent for CLOSING TO A CONTAINER, CONTAINER AND CONTAINER UNIT.

[001] The present invention relates in general to product packaging, in particular the packaging of fluid and similar products. The present invention, in particular, relates to a closure for a container as well as a container or parts or subunits of a container with such a closure.

[002] Many different types of packaging or containers are available for packaging non-solid products of the type that are capable of flowing, such as fluid or fluidized materials, including liquids, pastes, powders and the like, whose substances are collectively and generically referred to here as fluids.

[003] Some packages also include a self-selling dispensing valve, which allows a selected amount of fluid to be discharged from the package, and then reseals to close the package.

[004] Of particular importance are bottle closures, which contain drinks, especially PET bottles, which are often used to sell drinks, sports drinks, etc.

[005] It is an objective of the present invention to improve such closure, especially for bottles, in which drinks are sold, and it is especially an objective of the invention to improve ease of use, including the tactile sensation of the user when drinking from a bottle or container with such closure.

[006] This objective is solved by a closure according to claim 1 and a container with such closure according to claim 14. Claims 2 to 13 refer to specifically advantageous embodiments of the closure system according to claim 1 .

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2/14 [007] The present invention provides a closure for a container that has an interior where a product, especially a fluid, can be stored and that has an opening for the interior of the container.

[008] According to the invention, said closure comprises a base, while said base comprises a skirt for extending said container into said opening of the container, a base platform, and a nozzle projecting over said platform base to define a discharge opening.

[009] The base platform is at least partially curved and defines a partially curved outer or upper plane. The plane, being curved extends essentially in a horizontal direction, that is, in a normal direction or perpendicular to a vertical direction, which is also the direction of discharge or distribution.

[0010] Often, closures have an essentially circular cross section, as typically the bottle openings are circular or tube-like, while closures are, in frequent cases, fixed to the container by threading, while the bottles have an external thread and the closure has an internal thread, typically on the inner side of the skirt.

[0011] According to the invention, the curved external or upper plane of the platform has, at its periphery, at least two elevation regions and at least two depression regions, extending between said at least two elevations.

[0012] An elevation region means that the periphery of the platform is, in a vertical direction or a z direction, larger than in surrounding areas on its periphery, while a depression region means that the periphery of the platform is smaller in a vertical direction or a z direction than the surrounding area or region.

[0013] Alternatively or in addition, typically, however in

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In addition, the edge between the skirt and the base platform is at least partially curved and comprises at least two elevation regions and at least two depression regions extending between said at least two elevation regions. The peripheral edge between the platform and the base skirt, which extends around the vertical direction or z direction, is therefore in the form of a wave. The platform extends from this edge between the platform and the skirt radially inward and towards the spout.

[0014] This contour of the platform and / or edge between the platform and the base skirt has the advantage that the external shape of the platform and / or the edge between the platform and the base skirt is adapted to the shape of the mouth and / or lips of the user, who is drinking from said closure, which, therefore, improves the tactile sensation of the user and therefore improves the ease of use when drinking.

[0015] The user when drinking inserts the spout in his mouth, while his lips are surrounding or closing the spout essentially on all sides. With the specific external contour of the base platform, the lips are also typically in close contact with the platform in all positions around the periphery, without, however, exerting uneven pressure on the lips while drinking, as is the case with base platforms typically flat in prior art closures.

[0016] Additionally, also the seal between the lips and closures, especially lips and platform, can be increased, which is especially important for bottles being used during sports, for example, when the user is playing sports like riding a bicycle or running, where the person's body is in constant motion and coordination of bottle movement is more difficult.

[0017] The closure according to the invention, therefore improves

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4/14 the manipulation and especially the tactile sensation of the user when drinking from such closure. In addition, the optical appearance of such a closure is also improved.

[0018] The closure according to the present invention can be manufactured and supplied separately from the container, and is typically fixed in a container later by means of respective fixation, typically the closure is threaded into a container, while the closure typically has threads internal, supplied on an inner side of the skirt.

[0019] However, the closure can also be part of the container itself, or it can be fixed releasably or not releasably in the container or part of the container.

[0020] According to a preferred embodiment, said plane of said base platform and / or said edge between said skirt and said base platform comprises at least one point of maximum elevation and at least one point of minimum elevation being, in a vertical direction or z direction, deflected by a distance a, where said distance a is depending on the circumferential length u of the closure, where distance a follows the following formula:

u * 10 ^-1 >a> u * 10 ^-3 [0021] The distance a is measured in a z direction or a vertical direction, which is typically essentially a direction of discharge through the opening of the closure, and is therefore preferably determined to be arranged such that it is especially suitable for creating an external shape of the closure, which is better adapted to form the user's lips in order to improve the user's tactile sensation when drinking.

[0022] According to an additional preferred mode, the closing platform comprises two maximum elevation points, which are, in a peripheral direction, deflected by 180 ° or almost

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5/14

180 °, preferably offset by 180 ° ± 10 ° and more preferably by 180 ° ± 5 °.

[0023] The maximum elevation points can in fact be maximum, single elevation points, like the maximum of a curve, but the maximum elevation points can be extended, for example, the elevation can be constantly high for a certain peripheral extent preferably, however, by at most an angle of 10 ° or 5 ° in a peripheral direction.

[0024] Preferably, the height of the maximum elevation points is identical, and this is true for the points of maximum depression, while the height is measured in a z direction or a vertical direction or essentially in a direction of discharge through the opening closing.

[0025] According to a specifically preferred modality, the closure has a platform that comprises two points of maximum elevation being positioned on an x axis being normal to a vertical direction or a z direction (or z axis), or being normal to the direction of discharge, while the platform comprises two points of maximum depression, positioned on a y-axis being normal to said x-axis and being normal to said vertical or z-direction (z-axis). From a side view, the platform therefore essentially shows a waveform, with two maximum elevations arranged along an x-axis and therefore deviated 180 ° and with two maximum depressions (or minimum elevations) arranged on an y-axis , being deviated 90 ° from the x axis.

[0026] Preferably, the contour of this plane and / or the edge is continuous, without discontinuous steps or gradients.

[0027] This specific shape is especially suitable for adopting the shape of the mouth and lips of a user drinking from this closure, placing the spout in his mouth and between his lips,

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6/14 so that your lips come into contact with the closing platform.

[0028] Preferably, the platform extends completely around the nozzle, while, however, the radial extension of the platform around the nozzle can vary, also depending on the shape of the nozzle and the cross-sectional shape of the closure.

[0029] Furthermore, the transition from the platform to the tip is also preferably curved and continuous. In a modality, in principle, it is possible that the nozzle essentially extends, in some peripheral regions, completely outside, that is, in the closing skirt, so that the radial extension of the platform, in its peripheral region, is minimized or even zero, so that the platform is stopped and does not extend completely around the nozzle. The nozzle may, in its smaller area, also form part of the platform, especially in the case where there is a continuous transition from the nozzle to the platform.

[0030] Preferably, the nozzle is in the form of a dome, and preferably the dome has an essentially circular cross section, especially axially symmetrical to the z axis or vertical direction.

[0031] The nozzle is especially a dome-shaped nozzle defines an opening, typically an opening with a circular cross section, the vertical or z axis typically extends in a direction of discharge through the opening of the nozzle and typically exactly through the middle nozzle and / or opening, as the nozzle is centrally arranged. The vertical or z-axis also typically extends parallel to a skirt essentially of the cylindrical or tube type of the base.

[0032] However, in another modality, the nozzle, being preferably dome-shaped, may also have an essentially oval cross-section or another cross-section, deviating from a

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7/14 circular cross section.

[0033] The definition and arrangement of the vertical or z axis is, however, not influenced, and the definition and arrangement of the vertical or z axis can be applied in all modalities covered by this invention.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment, the dome-shaped nozzle cross section is extended or elongated in the x direction, therefore in the direction in which the maximum elevation points or regions are also arranged, as this is especially advantageous for the tactile sensation of the user and adapts especially much better to the contours of the user's mouth and lips.

[0035] Preferably, the nozzle is a separate element, being inserted into and / or fixed on the base, and often the nozzle is also made from a different material from the base material.

[0036] However, it is also possible that the nozzle is an integral element of the closure and consists of the same material. Especially, depending on the application and manufacturing process, the specialist can choose one or the other realization.

[0037] According to a preferred embodiment, the closure comprises a movable lid between a closed position, which closes the discharge opening, and an open position. Preferably, such a cover is fixed to said base by an articulated structure.

[0038] Such a lid has the advantage that the discharge opening could be safely closed when the lid is in its closed position, while the lid can be easily opened and rotated around the hinge, so that the lid goes into position opened on one side of the base, to allow the user to place the bottle and the closure for his mouth and drink.

[0039] Preferably, the angular position of the articulation structure is in the vicinity of an elevation, preferably, therefore in

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8/14 a position where the x-axis cuts or crosses the skirt, when the user could typically hold the bottle so that the cap or cap element is tilted when opened, so that the cap does not disturb the user when drinking. By arranging the articulation structure essentially in a location where the x axis cuts the skirt of the base, automatically the elevations and depressions and the shape of the plane of the base platform and / or the edge between the platform and the skirt are arranged so to better fit the external contours of the user's mouth and / or lips.

[0040] Preferably, the cover has a peripheral skirt defining a peripheral termination surface adapted to contact or confront the base platform, when the cover is in its closed position. This has the advantage that the cover skirt also essentially covers a larger or complete area of the closure platform, covering the spout when the cover is in its closed position.

[0041] In one of the preferred embodiments, the platform defines a peripheral shoulder on an external side, recessed below the corresponding main part of the platform, while preferably, the recessed shoulder confronts the peripheral termination surface of the cap skirt, when the cap is in its closed position. This has an additional advantage that there is also a sealing effect between the outer skirt of the cover on the one hand and the base on the other. In addition, the optical appearance of the closure is improved, especially when the lid is in its closed position.

[0042] The present invention also relates to a container or container unit with a closure as described above, and is therefore completely referred to in the above mentioned explanations of closure.

[0043] Typically the closure and the container are manufactured and supplied separately, and the closure is fixed on the container, for example.

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9/14 example, by threading the container, but also other means of fixation, such as solder, glue, etc. They are possible without any restrictions.

[0044] Numerous other advantages and aspects of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, from the claims and from the accompanying drawings.

[0045] Fig. 1 schematically shows a side view of an embodiment of the closure according to the present invention, with the lid being in its closed position;

[0046] Fig. 2 schematically shows a front view of the modality shown in Fig. 1, with the lid being in its closed position;

[0047] Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the closure of the present invention with its lid being in the open position;

[0048] Fig. 4 schematically shows a front view of an embodiment of the closure according to the invention, with its lid in the open position;

[0049] Fig. 5 shows a cross section of the closure mode according to the present invention along an x-z plane, with the lid in its open position; and [0050] Fig. 6 shows the external shape and contour of a closure skirt according to a modality of the present invention over the complete circumference from 0 ° to 360 °, as if it were cut in one position and shown over its complete longitudinal or circumferential extension.

[0051] Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a closure 10 of the present invention having a base 100 with a skirt 120 having a peripheral wall 122 and a lid 200, being fixed to the base by a

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10/14 hinge element 300, while the lid 200 is in its closed position.

[0052] The skirt 120 and the peripheral wall 122 of the base 100 have an essentially circular cross section (in a plane parallel to an xy plane or perpendicular to the vertical or z axis), so that the closure can be fixed in a container ( not shown) having a tubular or circular opening, like standard bottles.

[0053] An inviolable element 140 is attached to the base, the specific provisions of these inviolable elements are known to the skilled person.

[0054] The lid 200 has a skirt 220, which extends, in its closed position, downwards such that the peripheral end surfaces of the lid 222 contact or confront the outer contour of the platform 140 of the base 100 or the edge 150 between the exit 120 and platform 160.

[0055] Additionally, the lid 200 comprises a tip or protuberance 240, which is arranged on a front side of the lid 200, so that the user can open the lid and rotate it around the hinge means from its closed position shown in Fig. 1, for the open position, see, for example, Fig. 3.

[0056] Fig. 2 shows the modality shown in Fig. 1, however in a front view, however many of the elements, as explained with respect to Fig. 1, are also visible in Fig. 2. In order to avoid repetition, therefore, is completely referred to the description in Fig. 1.

[0057] In addition to Fig. 2, another tamper evident element 400 is shown. This additional tamper evident element indicates whether the lid was opened once or not. The tamper-evident element 400 is in the form of an anchor and is attached to the cap 200, while the predetermined breaking points 420 are provided in the connection between the anchor and the

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11/14 cover 200.

[0058] The tamper-proof element of the anchor type 400 is arranged in a pocket 180 within the base 100, while the outer edges 440 of the tamper-evident element of the anchor type are arranged such that by pulling the lid 200 upwards, and thus the anchor, that is, when opening the lid, these outer elements 440 contact the stops provided in pocket 180, so that the anchor element may not move out of pocket 180, so that the predetermined breaking points 420 will break. The inviolable anchor-type element 400 will then move downwards and fall deeper into the pocket 180n of the base 100, clearly indicating to the user that the lid has already been opened at least once.

[0059] The side and front view of the closure method of the present invention shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 clearly show the outline of the outer or upper plane at least partially curved of the platform and the edge 150 between the skirt or skirt walls 122 and platform 160 of the base 100, see also Fig. 3, and also the outer contour of the peripheral termination surface 222 of the cover 200, which corresponds to the shape of the outer platform 160 in its outer peripheral position and the edge 150. A Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 clearly show the contour waveform, with a maximum elevation 152 on the front side, see Fig. 2 and Fig. 1 on the left side, and on the rear side of the closure, that is, in the area of the articulation, see Fig. 1 on the right side. Furthermore, clearly the two depressions 154 can be seen on the left and right side of the closure, see Fig. 2 left and right and Fig. 1 in the middle, here only the depression on the left side is visible.

[0060] This modality, therefore, only comprises two depression areas 154 and two elevation areas 152 and two points of maximum elevation 154 and two points of maximum depression 152 to

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12/14 of the together, each being deflected in the peripheral direction by 180 °, while each point of maximum elevation is deflected by 90 ° from the next maximum depression point.

[0061] Fig. 3 shows a method of closing the present invention with a lid 200 being in its open position. It must be noted that Fig. 3 shows the closure before its first closure, therefore with the inviolable element of anchor type 400 still attached to the lid and before, for the first time, inserted in the pocket 180 of the base.

[0062] In the peripheral view of Fig. 3, the platform 160 with its curved surface and the edge 150 between the skirt 120 and the platform 160, are already explained with respect to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, it is clearly visible, as well such as the dome-shaped spout 180, extending upwards from the curved plane of platform 160 and comprising opening 182, which opens an access into the closure and the container, in which the closure is spun (the container is not shown in Figs.).

[0063] Fig. 3 shows especially well the continuously curved plane of platform 160, with two depression areas 154, on the left and right side, and the two elevation areas 152 on the front side, where pocket 180 is arranged, and on the rear side, where the joint is arranged.

[0064] In Fig. 3, as well as in Fig. 2, the z axis is indicated, being the vertical axis, while an x axis is normal to the z axis and extends from the front side to the rear side of the closure, that is, from the middle of the pocket to the middle of the joint. In this respect, it is also referred to Fig. 5, which shows a cross section through a closure method according to the invention, while the cross section is made in the x-z plane.

[0065] Fig. 4 shows a front view of an embodiment of the closure of the present invention, which shows again very well

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13/14 the contours of the dome-shaped spout 180 and the platform 160 and the edge 150, with their two depressions 154 on the side, in Fig. 4 on the left and right, essentially in the area of a y-axis. However, only an elevation 152 is visible, that is, one on the front side, one on the rear side is covered by the 180 dome shaped nozzle.

[0066] It must be noted that in Fig. 4, parts of the lid are still visible above the platform 160.

[0067] As can be seen in Fig. 4, platform 160 defines a peripheral shoulder on the external side, recessed below the corresponding main part 162 of the platform. This recessed shoulder 164 confronts the peripheral terminating surface 222 of the lid skirt 220, when the lid 200 is closed, and this leads to an additional sealing effect between the lid 200 and the base 100, when the lid 200 is in position closed.

[0068] Fig. 5 shows a cross section through a closure method according to the present invention, while the cross section is along the x-z plane.

[0069] Fig. 5 shows the dome shape of the spout quite well

180 with the opening 182 provided therein. The lid 200, shown in its open position, has a tubular extension 280 inside it that fits into opening 182 of opening 180 and thereby closes opening 182 when the lid is in its closed position.

[0070] The elevations and also the two maximum elevation points 152 are arranged in the x-z plane, therefore on the front and rear side of the closure, which, however, is shown in Fig. 5 on the left and right side. The cross section of Fig. 5 through the x-z axis, therefore passes directly over these two points of maximum elevation 152.

[0071] Base 100 is provided with internal threads 24 on its skirt wall 122 and threads 124 allow the closure to be

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14/14 threaded in a container, having corresponding external threads. [0072] Fig. 6 shows a skirt of a closure according to an embodiment of the invention in an open rolled view over the complete circumference from 0 ° to 360 °. Of course, the skirt does not exist in this form, however the drawing clearly illustrates the outline of a closure according to the present invention on its circumference. [0073] In Fig. 6, clearly two points of maximum elevation 154, offset in a peripheral direction by 180 ° are visible, while each point of maximum elevation 154 is displaced by 90 ° from the next maximum depression point 154, each point 90 ° deviated from the next point (a maximum depression point 152 is shown twice in this Fig., That is, in the same 0 ° and 360 ° position).

[0074] The distance a in a vertical direction or z direction between a point of maximum depression 152 and a point of maximum elevation 154 is, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, dependent on the circumference or length of the circumference u of the skirt, that is, the measured length of the position from 0 ° to 360 °, a complete length of a circumference.

[0075] The distance a, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, is determined according to the following formula:

u * 10 ^-1 >a> u * 10 ^-3 [0076] with a closure having a diameter of for example 28 mm, a minimum value of a would be in the area of about 0.09 mm and a maximum value would be about 8.8 mm.

[0077] It is clear to the expert that several amendments can be made in the modality, without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the attached claims, and any aspects described in connection with the modalities or the general description may be important to carry out the invention, either alone or any combination thereof.

Claims (15)

1. Closure (10) for a container which has an interior where a product can be stored and which has an opening for the interior of the container, said closure (10) comprising a base (100), said base (100) comprising : a skirt (120) for extending from said container in said opening, a base platform (160), and a nozzle (180) projecting upwards from said base platform (160) to define an opening discharge (182), characterized by the fact that said nozzle is dome-shaped and in which said base platform (160) extends completely around the nozzle in a peripheral direction and has a partially curved external or upper plane, said curved external or upper plane of the platform having, on its periphery, two elevation regions (152) and two depression regions (154), extending between said at least two elevation regions (152). 2. Closure (10) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that in addition an edge (150) between said skirt (120) and said base platform (160) is at least partially curved, having two regions elevation (152) and two depression regions (154) extending between said two elevation regions (152). 3. Closure (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the fact that said plane of said base platform (160) and / or said edge (150) between said skirt (120) and the said base platform (160) comprises at least one point of maximum elevation and at least one point of minimum elevation being, in a vertical direction or z direction, deflected by a distance a, in which the Petition 870190124862, of 11/28/2019, p. 18/25 2/3 said distance a is depending on the circumferential length u of the closure, where the distance a follows the following formula: u * 10 ^-1 >a> u * 10 ^-3 4. Closure (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said plane of said base platform (160) and / or said edge (150) between said skirt (120) and said base platform (160) comprise two points of maximum elevation (152), being deflected by 180 °, in a peripheral direction. 5. Closure (10), according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said plane of said base platform (160) and / or said edge (150) between said skirt (120) and the said base platform (160) comprises two points of maximum depression (154), being deflected by 180 °, in a peripheral direction. 6. Closure (10), according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said plane of said base platform (160) and / or said edge (150) between said skirt (120) and the said base platform (160) comprises two points of maximum elevation (152) positioned in an xz plane, with an x axis being normal to a vertical z direction, and comprising two points of maximum depression (154) positioned in an yz plane, said y axis being normal to said x axis and normal to said vertical z direction. 7. Closure (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said nozzle (180) is a separate element, inserted in said base (100). 8. Closure (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that it still comprises a lid (200) movable between a closed position, which closes Petition 870190124862, of 11/28/2019, p. 19/25 3/3 cha the discharge opening (182), and an open position. 9. Closure (10), according to claim 8, characterized by the fact that said cover (200) is fixed on said base (100) by an articulated structure (300). 10. Closure (10), according to claim 8 or 9, characterized by the fact that said articulation structure (300) is arranged, in a peripheral direction, in close proximity to an elevation region or a maximum elevation point (152). 11. Closure (10) according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that said cover (200) has a peripheral skirt (220) defining a peripheral termination surface (222) adapted to contact or confront the base platform (160), when the cover (200) is in its closed position. 12. Closure (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the base platform (160) defines a peripheral shoulder (164) on the outer side, lowered below the corresponding main part (162) of the platform base (160). 13. Closure (10) according to claim 12, characterized in that the recessed shoulder (164) confronts the peripheral terminating surface (222) of the cover skirt (220), when the cover (200) is closed . 14. Container characterized by the fact that it has a closure (10) as defined in any one of claims 1 to 13. 15. Container unit characterized by the fact that it has a closure (10) as defined in any of claims 1 to 13.