EP4147985B1 - Device for storing a liquid comprising a container and a plug remaining securely attached to the container - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the invention is that of liquid containers.

More specifically, the invention relates to a device for storing a liquid comprising a container and a cap remaining attached to the container.

The invention finds particular applications in the field of plastic bottles adapted to future standards, in particular European standards, linked to waste management and their reduction. These standards will require having caps attached to the container in order to prevent the caps from being lost and ending up in nature rather than being recycled with the container.

STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE

It is known from the prior art techniques of caps secured to a container, in particular to the neck of a bottle, where the neck of the bottle used to extract the liquid contained in the bottle is formed.

For example, there are articulated cap techniques with a ring attached to the neck of the bottle.

These techniques have the major disadvantage of making the bottle difficult to handle, or even unpleasant for a user, because the cork remaining close to the neck can hinder the user when, for example, trying to drink from the neck of the bottle. .

These same techniques can also have the disadvantage of causing splashing when the cap is initially opened, when the liquid level in the bottle is at its highest. Indeed, opening the cap requires a force in the neck axis which can cause unexpected movement of the container and oscillation of the surface of the liquid contained.

It is also known techniques for integral sports type caps, comprising an orifice formed through a boss formed projecting at the level of the cap and a sliding part in the orifice making it possible to close or open the orifice.

However, these techniques are designed in particular to allow the user to drink at the level of the orifice of the boss and not to allow the contents of the bottle to be quickly poured out.

In addition, these techniques are generally complex to implement because they generally have several moving parts to assemble, and are therefore more expensive to manufacture.

There are also techniques for integral, rotating caps, such as those described for example in US4613063 , describing a device according to the preamble of claim 1.

None of the current systems makes it possible to simultaneously meet all the required needs, namely to offer a cork technique attached to a bottle, which allows the contents of the bottle to be easily poured, without disturbing a user wishing to drink directly from the neck of the bottle. the bottle and without causing a splash when first opening the bottle.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention aims to remedy all or part of the disadvantages of the state of the art cited above.

• un contenant muni d'un col à l'intérieur duquel est formé un goulot, et
• un bouchon comprenant un couvercle configuré pour obturer ledit goulot de manière étanche et une jupe recouvrant au moins en partie une bague dudit col.

To this end, the invention relates to a device for storing a liquid according to claim 1, comprising:

• a container provided with a neck inside which a neck is formed, and
• a cap comprising a cover configured to seal said neck in a watertight manner and a skirt covering at least partly a ring of said neck.

Such a container corresponds for example to a bottle comprising a flared part and a narrower part called the neck in which the neck is formed allowing a liquid to be inserted or extracted inside the container.

Traditionally, the end of the neck of plastic bottles has a ring having a helical helix cooperating with a thread formed inside the skirt of the cap. The ring is made by injecting a plastic material into a mold, the body of the bottle then being traditionally obtained by blowing the plastic material into a suitable mold.

It should be noted that the shoulders formed between the flared part and the neck of a bottle are more or less formed depending on the bottle configurations, or sometimes difficult to distinguish, particularly when the diameter of the flared part and the diameter of the neck are close or even equal.

Furthermore, the cap of the present storage device cooperates in rotation with the ring of said neck between a position of closing of said neck and a position, called opening, leaving said neck at least partly open, the ring having a stop limiting the movement of a complementary stop presented by the plug.

Thus, the cork which is rotating relative to the neck cannot be extracted from the neck of the bottle without damage or application of significant force. The cap then remaining advantageously attached to the container can be recycled with it.

The stop and the complementary stop can be of different shapes depending on the connection between the plug and the ring.

In the case of a non-sliding pivot connection between the plug and the ring, the stop can only be of the axial type in the direction of the axis of rotation of the plug relative to the ring, for example forming a groove in which the complementary stop of the cap, such as a lug, is inserted.

In the case of a helical connection between the plug and the ring, the axial stress is imposed by the helical connection which is generally formed by threads cooperating with each other, placed respectively inside the skirt and outside of the ring. The stop is then configured to limit the rotation of the plug relative to the ring by a defined angle which can be for example a quarter turn or a half turn, by limiting the travel of the complementary stop.

The stop and the complementary stop are generally configured in relief, that is to say hollow or bumpy, so that one of the two comes into contact or supports the other.

It should be noted that the stop of the container is distinct from the stop formed by the open end of the ring on which the internal face of the lid rests in the closed position to ensure the sealing of the neck.

According to the invention, the periphery of the neck ring comprises a circular part, collinear with a circle of radius R, and a part, called truncated, corresponding to a truncation of said circle on an angle α.

In addition, the cover of the cap is generally circular with a truncated part, the skirt of the cap having an opening or a plate that can be articulated along the truncated part.

Thus, the partially truncated cap compared to a circular cap can rotate with the neck ring. It should be noted that in the case of the presence of an articulating plate, the articulating plate must be open to allow the rotation of the cap.

Furthermore, the rotation of the truncated cap allows the neck to be left free in the open position, even if the cap remains attached to the neck ring.

It should be noted that the truncated part is, for example, elongated in shape. However, the truncated part can be of any shape.

Preferably, the periphery of the neck is at every point equidistant from the periphery of the neck.

In other words, the collar ring is generally of constant thickness.

In particular embodiments of the invention, the articulable plate comprises a tenon cooperating with a boss presented by the collar ring.

Thus, better sealing can be achieved in the closed position by applying, through the cooperation between the tenon and the boss, an additional stress in the axial direction of the neck. The axial direction corresponds to the axis of rotation of the plug relative to the ring.

In particular embodiments of the invention, when the angle α is greater than or equal to π/2, the stop and the complementary stop are configured such that the rotation between the shutter position and the position of opening is less than π-α.

This maximum rotation prevents the cap from becoming separated from the collar ring during rotation, by restricting the contact between the skirt and the ring to a minimum surface required to maintain the connection between the cap and the ring.

It should be noted that when the angle α is less than π/2, the connection between the ring and the plug is maintained regardless of the angle of rotation between the closed position and the opening position.

In particular embodiments of the invention, the complementary stop is a lug projecting from the internal face of the skirt, the stop being presented by the exterior surface of the neck.

In particular embodiments of the invention, a groove of depth ε is formed outside the ring of the neck of the container, the lug of the sliding plug in said groove, the bottom of the groove comprising a circular part, collinear with a circle of radius R-ε, or even a slender part, called truncated, corresponding to a truncation of said circle of radius R-ε on a lower angle β to α.

The groove makes it possible to narrow the minimum contact diameter of the connection between the plug and the ring and consequently to increase the possible angle of rotation of the plug relative to the ring.

It should be noted that the groove also acts as a stop in the axial direction for the lug.

Preferably, when the angle β is greater than or equal to π/2, the stop and the lug which acts as a complementary stop are configured such that the rotation between the shutter position and the open position is less to π-β.

It should be noted that when the angle β is less than π/2, or even zero in the absence of truncation, the pivot connection between the plug and the ring is preserved.

It should also be noted that one end of the groove can be configured to form the stop associated with the opening position of the neck.

In particular embodiments of the invention, the lug corresponds to at least part of a crown or a helix formed inside the skirt of the cap.

Thus, the contact surface between the lug and the groove is large.

The crown can for example be formed at the open edge of the skirt of the cap, by curving the open edge of the skirt towards the inside of the cap.

It should be noted that the crown or propeller type pin can be discontinuous.

In other particular embodiments of the invention, the complementary stop is a lug projecting from the internal face of the cover, so as to be inserted into the neck and to abut on a wall of the neck in the open position.

The configuration of the projecting lug can make it possible to maintain the connection between the plug and the ring. For this purpose, the lug is preferably positioned at a distance from the skirt substantially equal, preferably slightly less, to the thickness of the ring in order to provide radial stress to the plug.

In particular embodiments of the invention, the ring of the circular neck comprises a peripheral groove, circular or helical, forming a stop for a pin, of the crown or propeller type, the pin forming a complementary stop projecting from the internal face of the skirt of the cap.

In particular embodiments of the invention, the cap cooperates with the neck by a helical connection.

This is a classic connection between a plastic bottle and its cap. However, the cap remains attached here via the stop and the complementary stop configured to come to bear on one another in the open configuration.

In particular embodiments of the invention, the cap cooperates with the neck by a non-slip pivot connection.

The stop is formed for example by a circular groove surrounding the neck, the cap comprising a ring or a series of lugs, forming a complementary stop projecting inside the cap, intended to be inserted into the groove. The ring, also called crown, or the series of lugs is configured to constrain the movements of the stopper in translation along the axis of rotation. In addition, the depth of the ring or lugs is determined to prevent the plug from being easily removed from the neck.

It should be noted that the non-slip pivot connection is currently uncommon on plastic bottles where a helical connection between the cap and the container is preferred.

In particular embodiments of the invention, the cap has a relief on its internal face, the relief matching the periphery of the neck.

This relief makes it possible in particular to ensure sealing between the cap and the neck, in particular for storing sparkling drinks.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'un exemple de mode de réalisation particulier du dispositif de stockage selon l'invention, comprenant un agrandissement centré sur la bague du contenant du dispositif de stockage ;
• la figure 2 est une vue de dessus du goulot du contenant du dispositif de stockage de la figure 1, dans lequel le bouchon est dans une position d'ouverture du goulot ;
• la figure 3 est une vue en perspective de la bague du contenant du dispositif de stockage de la figure 1 comprenant une alternative au bouchon de la figure 2 ;
• la figure 4 est une vue de dessus du goulot du contenant du dispositif de stockage de la figure 1, comprenant une bague alternative, dans lequel le bouchon est dans une position d'ouverture du goulot ;
• la figure 5 est une vue en coupe de la bague de la figure 4, la coupe étant centrée sur la gorge de la bague ;
• la figure 6 est une vue en perspective de la bague du contenant du dispositif de stockage de la figure 1 comprenant une alternative au bouchon de la figure 2 ;
• la figure 7 est une vue en coupe du col du contenant du dispositif de stockage de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 8 est une vue en coupe d'une alternative à la bague de la figure 7 ;
• la figure 9 est une vue en coupe d'une autre alternative à la bague de la figure 7.

Other advantages, aims and particular characteristics of the present invention will emerge from the following non-limiting description of at least one particular embodiment of the devices which are the subject of the present invention, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

• there figure 1 is a perspective view of an example of a particular embodiment of the storage device according to the invention, comprising an enlargement centered on the ring of the container of the storage device;
• there figure 2 is a top view of the neck of the container of the storage device of the figure 1 , in which the cap is in a neck opening position;
• there Figure 3 is a perspective view of the ring of the container of the storage device of the figure 1 including an alternative to the cap of the figure 2 ;
• there Figure 4 is a top view of the neck of the container of the storage device of the figure 1 , comprising an alternative ring, in which the cap is in a neck opening position;
• there Figure 5 is a sectional view of the ring of the Figure 4 , the cut being centered on the groove of the ring;
• there Figure 6 is a perspective view of the ring of the container of the storage device of the figure 1 including an alternative to the cap of the figure 2 ;
• there Figure 7 is a sectional view of the neck of the container of the storage device of the figure 1 ;
• there figure 8 is a sectional view of an alternative to the ring of the figure 7 ;
• there Figure 9 is a sectional view of another alternative to the ring of the figure 7 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present description is given on a non-limiting basis, each characteristic of an embodiment being able to be combined with any other characteristic of any other embodiment in an advantageous manner.

We note, from now on, that the figures are not to scale.

Example of a particular embodiment

There figure 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a liquid storage device 100 according to the invention. The storage device 100 comprises a container 110, here a bottle, provided with a neck 120 to the interior of which is formed a neck 130. The bottle can be of any shape, cylindrical in any section, or like that illustrated in figure 1 , truncated in all or part of the height of the bottle. An example of a truncated bottle and associated technical advantages is described in French patent application no. FR2105998 .

The neck 120 comprises a ring 125 surrounding the neck 130 and cooperating with a cap 140 in order to make the container 110 liquid-tight, or even gas-tight when the liquid is of the sparkling type. The ring 125 here takes the truncated shape of the neck 120.

It should be emphasized that the thickness of the ring 125 being generally constant in the present non-limiting example of the invention, the periphery of the neck 130 is also of generally circular shape with a truncated edge 131, like the ring 125 and the neck 120.

The cap 140 comprising a cover 145 and a skirt 160 partly covering the ring 125 of the neck 120, cooperates in rotation with the ring 125 around an axis of rotation 121, for example via a helical connection or non-slip pivot type. The movement of the plug 140 is here limited by means of a lug 155 formed for example inside the skirt 160 of the plug 140, the lug 155 coming into contact with a stop 150 presented by the ring 125. In other words, the lug 155 which is a complementary stop, comes to rest on the stop 150. Thus, the plug 140 remains integral with the ring 125 by moving between a closing position of the neck 130 which is entirely covered by the cover 145 and an opening position of the neck 130 which is at least partly left free to allow the liquid to be introduced into or extracted from the container 110.

In the present non-limiting example of the invention, the cap 140 also has a generally cylindrical shape, having a truncated edge 141 in order to leave the neck 130 partly uncovered in the open position. In addition, the truncated shape of the plug 140 also allows the plug 140 to have a homogeneous shape with the ring 125. Indeed, in this position, the shape of the plug 140 being in continuity with the shape of the ring 125, the cap 140 has few or no points protruding from the shape of the neck 120 and likely to be caught by an external element.

As illustrated on the figure 2 which is a top view of the neck 120 with the cap 140 in the open position of the neck 130, the periphery of the ring 125 is partly collinear with a circle of radius R. The opening position corresponds in the present example to a rotation of the plug 140 by a quarter of a turn relative to the closing position of the neck 130.

The angle of truncation of the circle of radius R, corresponding to the arc of a circle truncated by the linear part 121 of the periphery of the ring 125 is subsequently denoted α.

It should be noted that depending on the shape configurations of the plug 140 and the ring 125, the rotation between the shutter position and the opening position can be constrained by a maximum angle. Indeed, when the truncation angle α is greater than π/2, the angle θ of rotation of the plug 140 relative to the ring 125 of the neck 120 between the closed position and the opening position is at maximum equal to π-α. Beyond this angle of π-α, the connection between the plug 125 and the neck 120 is no longer ensured without the presence of a complementary connecting element, because the so-called contact angle ϕ corresponds to the zone of contact between the plug 125 and the neck 120, is less than π. Lug 155 (not shown on the figure 2 ) and the stop 150 (not shown on the figure 2 ) are thus configured such that the maximum of the angle θ of rotation is less than π-α.

It should be emphasized that when the truncation angle α is less than π/2, the contact angle ϕ is greater than π whatever the rotation angle θ.

It should also be emphasized that the truncation angle α is preferably less than π for questions of mechanical connection between the plug 140 and the ring 125 and opening of the neck 130.

In order to allow the plug 140 to rotate through an angle greater than π-α relative to the ring 125, a complementary connecting element can advantageously be added.

Such a connecting element may for example be a lug 250 projecting inside the cover 145, so as to form a U in which the edge of the ring 125 slides, as illustrated in Figure 3 . The U fit is configured to hold the connection between the plug 140 and the ring 125 in place. When the neck 130 is a truncated circle as in the present example, the lug 250 also abuts on the truncated edge 131 of the neck 130. It should be emphasized that the lug 155 inside the skirt 160 of the cap 140 and the stop 150 presented by the ring 125 can be omitted in this configuration.

Alternatively or in addition, the complementary connecting element is configured via cooperation between a groove 260 of depth ε, formed on the exterior surface of the ring 125 of the neck 120, and the lug 155 which slides in the groove 260, as illustrated in figure 4 which is a top view and figure 5 which is a sectional view centered on the groove 260. It should be emphasized that the figure 5 is illustrated with a circular groove 260 in order to simplify the understanding of the illustration. Alternatively, the groove 260 can be made in the shape of a helix in order to allow a helical connection between the plug 140 and the ring 125.

The lug 155 is here formed along the entire length of the curved edge 142 of the skirt 160, in order to obtain greater contact with the groove 260.

The depth ε of the groove 260 makes it possible to increase the contact angle ϕ by reducing the minimum contact diameter of the connection between the plug 140 and the ring 125, to a circle of diameter R-ε.

The circle of diameter R-ε also includes a truncated edge when:
$$\epsilon <R\left(1-\cos \left(\frac{\alpha }{2}\right)\right)$$

To the extent that the angle α is greater than or equal to π/2, the circle of diameter R-ε thus includes a truncated edge when the depth ε is less than 0.3*R.

• si β est supérieur ou égal à π/2 : lorsque l'angle θ de rotation est inférieur à π-β, soit un angle supérieur à π-α,
• si β est inférieur à π/2 : quel que soit l'angle θ de rotation.

Considering β, the angle of truncation of the circle of diameter R-ε by the linear edge 121 of the neck 120, the pivot connection is maintained under the following conditions:

• if β is greater than or equal to π/2: when the angle θ of rotation is less than π-β, i.e. an angle greater than π-α,
• if β is less than π/2: whatever the angle θ of rotation.

Angle β can be related to angle α by the following relationship:
$$\cos \left(\frac{\beta }{2}\right)=\frac{R}{R-\epsilon }\cos \left(\frac{\alpha }{2}\right)$$

, la gorge 260 peut être avantageusement configurée avec une profondeur ε supérieur à 0,37*R, par exemple égale à 0,4*R, afin d'obtenir un angle β inférieur à π/2, permettant ainsi au bouchon 140 de tourner avantageusement d'un angle quelconque, par exemple d'un quart de tour ou d'un demi-tour, par rapport à la bague 125.For example, when the angle α is equal to $\pi /\sqrt{2}$

, the groove 260 can advantageously be configured with a depth ε greater than 0.37*R, for example equal to 0.4*R, in order to obtain an angle β less than π/2, thus allowing the plug 140 to advantageously turn by any angle, for example a quarter turn or a half turn, relative to the ring 125.

It should be emphasized that opening a half-turn modulo 2π is generally preferred in order to obtain optimal opening of the neck 130.

An optimum for the torque (α, ε) can be calculated in order to maximize the flow rate in the opening position of the neck 130, the flow rate being a function of the maximum opening angle θ of the neck 130, of the pressure loss at the level of the internal section of the neck at the level of the groove 260, and the pressure loss linked to the height of the cover 145 relative to the neck 130.

It should be emphasized that the height of the cover 145 relative to the neck 130 is linked to the type of connection chosen between the cap 140 and the ring 125. It may be a fixed height and zero in the context of a connection non-sliding pivot or of variable height in the case of a helical connection.

The lug 155 sliding in the groove 260 advantageously corresponds to at least part of a crown in the case of a non-sliding pivot connection or of a helix formed inside the skirt 160 of the plug 140 in the case of a helical connection. The lug 155 can be independently continuous or discontinuous.

In order to allow the rotation of the cap 140, the straight edge 141 of the skirt 160 is either removed for example at the time of manufacture or during the first use of the cap 140 thus forming an opening, or configured in order to articulate in relation to to the cover 145 or to the skirt 160 of the cap 140, thus forming an articulable plate.

In the present figure, the straight edge 141 corresponds to a tongue articulated relative to the curved edge 142 of the skirt 160, taking a cylindrical shape.

Alternatively, as illustrated in Figure 6 , the right edge 141 corresponds to a tongue articulated relative to the cover 145.

A tenon 315 formed inside the tongue 310 can improve the sealing of the storage device 100 in the closed position, by cooperating with a boss 316 presented by the neck 120. The cooperation of the tenon 315 with the boss 316 makes it possible to provide a constraint along the axis of rotation 121.

The plug 140 can be in non-sliding pivot connection with the ring 125, as illustrated in cross-section. Figure 7 . The lug 155 finding itself constrained along the axis of rotation 121 by the stop 150 formed by a wall of a circular groove 410 configured at the periphery of the ring 125 of the neck 120.

Alternatively, as shown in section in figure 8 , the plug 140 can cooperate with the ring 125 via a helical connection, formed by two complementary screw threads, one formed inside the plug 140 and the other on the periphery of the neck 120. the lug 155 then being configured to come into contact with the stop 150 which here projects from the ring 125 of the neck 120. It should be emphasized that the positions of the lug 155 and the stop 150 are configured at predetermined points complementary screw threads in order to limit the stroke of the helical connection and prevent the plug 140 from being easily extracted from the neck 120, while respecting the maximum admissible angle of rotation to maintain the helical connection.

In the case of the presence of a complementary groove-type connecting element, the helical connection can be ensured solely by the connection between the groove 260 and the lug 155. The stop 150 can then be configured as an end of the groove 260, as shown in Figure 9 which is a sectional view of the ring 125 with the cap 140 in the open position. It should be emphasized that thanks to the helical connection, additional space for liquid flow is obtained. This additional space corresponding to a distance of the plug 140 from the end of the neck 130, has a height h.

In any case, as illustrated in figure 8 , the seal between the cap 140 and the neck 130 can be improved by adding a relief 550 on the internal face of the cap 140, facing the neck 130. The relief 550 is configured to match the periphery of the neck 130 by entering partly inside the neck 130. In other words, the cap 140 has a relief imprint of the periphery of the neck 130.

The height of the relief 550 is configured to allow rotation of the plug 140 relative to the ring 125, the plug 140 generally being configured by the use of a plastic type material to deform slightly elastically.

Claims (9)

1. A device (100; 300) for storing a liquid, comprising:

   • a container (110; 310) with a neck (120; 320) inside which a spout (130; 330) is formed, and

   • a stopper (140; 340) comprising a cover (145; 350) configured to close off said spout and a skirt (160) at least partially covering a ring (125; 325) of said neck, the stopper cooperating in rotation with the ring of said neck between a position sealably closing off said spout and a position, called the open position, leaving said spout at least partially open, the ring having a stop (150; 131; 370) limiting the displacement of a complementary stop (155; 250; 360) of the stopper, in which device the periphery of the ring of the neck comprises a circular part, collinear with a circle of radius R, and a part, called the truncated part, corresponding to a truncation of said circle over an angle α, and

   characterized in that the cover of the stopper is generally circular with a truncated part, the skirt of the stopper comprising an opening or a flat which can be articulated along the truncated part.
2. The device for storing a liquid according to the preceding claim, wherein the articulated plate comprises a tenon (315) cooperating with a boss (316) of the ring of the neck.
3. The device for storing a liquid according to the preceding claim, wherein when the angle α is greater than or equal to π/2, the stop and the complementary stop are configured such that the rotation between the closed off position and the open position is less than π-α.
4. The device for storing a liquid according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the complementary stop is a lug projecting from the inner face of the skirt, the stop belonging to the outer surface of the neck.
5. The device for storing a liquid according to the preceding claim, wherein a groove of depth ε is formed on the outside of the ring of the container neck, the lug of the stopper sliding in said groove, the bottom of the groove comprising a circular part, collinear with a circle of radius R-ε, and an elongate part, referred to as truncated, corresponding to a truncation of said circle of radius R-ε over an angle β of less than α.
6. The device for storing a liquid according to the preceding claim, wherein when the angle β is greater than or equal to π/2, the stop and the lug are configured such that the rotation between the closed off position and the open position is less than π-β.
7. The device for storing a liquid according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the lug corresponds to at least part of a crown or helix formed within the skirt of the stopper.
8. The device for storing a liquid according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the complementary stop is a lug (250) projecting from the inner face of the lid, so as to be inserted into the spout and to abut a wall (131) of the spout in the open position.
9. The device for storing a liquid according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the stopper comprises a relief (550) on its inner face, the relief matching the periphery of the spout.

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