Tamper proof closure for containers of liquids

Abstract

A tamper-proof closure element made of plastic material for containers ( 1 ) of drinks comprises a main body ( 2 ) with circular-cylindrical shape, circular-cone frustum shape, defined by an upper surface ( 3 ) and a lower annular coating ( 4 ) in a single body to enclose an end portion of the container ( 1 ), and a lateral portion provided with a pair of weakening and/or breakage lines ( 9 a , 9 b ) extending from the free edge ( 4 a ) of the annular coating ( 4 ) for a length of a value (C); this pair of lines ( 9 a , 9 b ) are mutually separated, in correspondence with their final segment situated far from the free edge ( 4 a ), by a value (A) and, in correspondence with the free edge ( 4 a ), by a value (B); these three values (A, B, C) are mutually computed at least as a function of the diameters (D, D 1 ) and of the height (H) of the neck ( 6 ) of the container ( 1 ) and of the pressure present or able to be generated inside the container ( 1 ), in such a way as to allow, subsequently to the initial opening separation, through related manual grip means ( 10 ), of the main body ( 2 ) from the neck ( 6 ) and causing a partial or total breakage of the weakening and/or breakage lines ( 9 a , 9 b ), the re-closure of the container ( 1 ) with the compensation of the pressure of the pressure present or able to be generated within the container itself ( 1 ).

1 . A tamper-proof closure element made of plastic material for containers ( 1 ) of drinks comprises a main body ( 2 ) with circular-cylindrical shape, i.e. circular-cone frustum shape, defined by an upper surface ( 3 ) and a l ( 4 ) in a single body to enclose an end portion of the container ( 1 ), comprising a mouth ( 5 ) for the outflow of said drink and defined by the neck ( 6 ) of said container ( 1 ); said annular coating ( 4 ) presenting, along its own inner surface, a tooth ( 7 ) defining an undercut for the stable coupling with a corresponding annular rib ( 8 ) presented by said neck ( 6 ) of the container ( 1 ), said closure element being characterised in that it comprises a lateral portion provided with a pair of weakening and/or breakage lines ( 9   a ,  9   b  ) extending from the free edge ( 4   a  ) of said annular coating ( 4 ) for a length of a value (C); said pair of weakening and/or breakage lines ( 9   a ,  9   b  ) being mutually separated, in correspondence with their final segment situated far from the free edge ( 4   a  ), by a value (A) and, in correspondence with the free edge ( 4   a  ), by a value (B); said three values (A, B, C) being mutually computed at least as a function of the diameters A), D 1 ) and of the height (H) of the neck ( 6 ) of said container ( 1 ) and of the pressure present or able to be generated inside the container ( 1 ), in such a way as to allow, subsequently to the initial opening separation, through manual grip means ( 10 ) associated with said annular coating ( 4 ), of said closure element from said neck ( 6 ) and causing a partial or total breakage of the weakening and/or breakage lines ( 9   a ,  9   b  ), the re-closure of said container ( 1 ) with the compensation of the pressure present or able to be generated within the container itself.  
     
     
         2 . A closure element as claimed in  claim 1 , characterised in that said pair of weakening and/or breakage lines ( 9   a ,  9   b  ) are obtained on said annular coating ( 4 ) to form a substantially trapezoid configuration.  
     
     
         3 . A closure element as claimed in  claim 1 , characterised in that said value (A) is greater than said value (B).  
     
     
         4 . A closure element as claimed in  claim 1 , characterised in that said value (A) is smaller than said value (B).  
     
     
         5 . A closure element as claimed in  claims 1  to  3 , characterised in that each said weakening and/or breakage line ( 9   a ,  9   b  ) is composed by a first rectilinear segment (S 1 ) and a second segment (S 2 ) inclined relative to the first and joined together without any interruptions.  
     
     
         6 . A closure element as claimed in  claim 5 , characterised in that each said first rectilinear segment (S 1 ) is obtained in proximity to the free edge ( 4   a  ) and the second segment (S 2 ) is inclined away from the corresponding second segment (S 2 ) of the other said weakening and/or breakage line ( 9   a ,  9   b  ) to define a diverging angle profile with maximum distancing in correspondence with said farther away segment from said free edge ( 4   a  ).  
     
     
         7 . A closure element as claimed in claims  1  through  3 , characterised in that said value (C) is greater than said value (B).  
     
     
         8 . A closure element as claimed in claims  1  through  3  and from  5  to  6 , characterised in that said value (A) is greater than said value (C).  
     
     
         9 . A closure element as claimed in claims  1  through  3 , characterised in that said manual grip means ( 10 ) comprise and extension ( 11 ) of said annular coating ( 4 ) beyond said free edge ( 4   a  ), lying between said pair of weakening and/or breakage lines ( 9   a ,  9   b  ), able to allow, in correspondence with its lifting away from said neck ( 6 ) of the container ( 1 ), an opening of the container ( 1 ) with the breakage of said weakening and/or breakage lines ( 9   a ,  9   b  ).  
     
     
         10 . A closure element as claimed in  claim 9 , characterised in that it comprises a first weakening obtained from a first undercut ( 12 ) obtained on the outer surface of said main body ( 2 ) in correspondence with the junction area between said upper surface ( 3 ) and said annular coating ( 4 ) in such a way as to define a hinge point able to facilitate the opening operation of said container ( 1 ).  
     
     
         11 . A closure element as claimed in  claim 9 , characterised in that it comprises a second weakening obtained from a second undercut ( 13 ) obtained on the inner surface of said main body ( 2 ), in contact with said neck ( 6 ) of the container ( 1 ), in correspondence with the junction area between said upper surface ( 3 ) and said annular coating ( 4 ) in such a way as to define a second hinge point able to facilitate the opening operation of said container ( 1 ).  
     
     
         12 . A closure element as claimed in  claim 9 , characterised in that it comprises a first and a second weakening achieved by a related first and second undercut ( 12 ,  13 ) obtained, respectively, the first, on the outer surface of said main body ( 2 ) in correspondence with the junction area between said upper surface ( 3 ) and said annular coating ( 4 ), and the second on the inner surface of said main body ( 2 ), in contact with said neck ( 6 ) of the container ( 1 ), in correspondence with the junction area between said upper surface ( 3 ) and said annular coating ( 4 ) in such a way as to define related first and second hinge points able to facilitate the opening operation of said container ( 1 ).  
     
     
         13 . A closure element as claimed in claims  9  through  12 , characterised in that said first and second undercut ( 12 ,  13 ) are obtained in the area of said main body ( 2 ) lying between said pair of weakening and/or breakage lines ( 9   a ,  9   b  ).  
     
     
         14 . A closure element as claimed in claims  1 ,  2  and  4 , characterised in that said opening means ( 10 ) comprise an extension ( 14 ) of said annular coating ( 4 ) beyond said free edge ( 4   a  ) and lying between said pair of weakening and/or breakage lines ( 9   a ,  9   b  ); said extension ( 14 ) being provided with at least a pair of hinge points ( 15 ,  16 ), distanced from each other, and with cam means ( 17 ), defined by the inner profile of said extension ( 14 ), in contact and acting with said neck ( 6 ) of the container ( 1 ) able to allow said opening of the container ( 1 ), by lifting said extension ( 14 ) away from said neck ( 6 ), or pressing on the same extension ( 14 ) against said neck ( 6 ) of the container ( 1 ).  
     
     
         15 . A closure element as claimed in  claim 14 , characterised in that said first hinge point ( 15 ) is defined by a first undercut ( 18 ) obtained on the outer surface of said main body ( 2 ) in correspondence with the junction area between said upper surface ( 3 ) and said annular coating ( 4 ).  
     
     
         16 . A closure element as claimed in claims  14  and  15 , characterised in that said second hinge point ( 16 ) is obtained by the partial separation of said extension ( 14 ) from said annular coating ( 4 ) in the area proximate to said free edge ( 4 ), beyond an annular tooth ( 7 ) for holding said main body ( 2 ) on said neck ( 6 ), and in such a way as to define a single manually operated lever.  
     
     
         17 . A closure element as claimed in claims  14  through  16 , characterised in that said single lever ( 14 ) is provided with a substantially concave inner profile ( 19 ), defining said cam means ( 17 ), and able to allow, in correspondence with a pressure on said lever ( 14 ), a rotation of the lever towards said neck ( 6 ) with related thrust both on said free edge ( 4   a  ), and on the portion of said annular tooth ( 7 ) lying between said weakening and/or breakage lines ( 9   a ,  9   b  ), from the interior, in such a way as to allow a movement away of the free edge ( 4   a  ) itself from said neck ( 6 ) with related opening of said container ( 1 ).  
     
     
         18 . A closure element as claimed in  claim 1 , characterised in that it comprises means ( 20 ) for holding said main closure body ( 1 ), situated in proximity with said neck ( 6 ), and able to allow to maintain the main body ( 2 ) itself secured to said container ( 1 ) also subsequently to said opening phase of the container ( 1 ) obtained through said opening means ( 10 ).  
     
     
         19 . A closure element as claimed in  claim 18 , characterised in that said holding means ( 20 ) comprise a holding ring ( 21 ) positioned below said main closure body ( 2 ), and provided with at least a pair ofjunctions  22 ,  23  joining with the free edge ( 4   a  ) of said main body ( 2 ) and a hinge point ( 24 ) obtained diametrically opposite from the area presenting said opening means ( 10 ) in such a way as to allow, in correspondence with said opening phase, a breakage of said junctions ( 22 ,  23 ) and a rotation of said main body ( 2 ) about said hinge point ( 24 ).  
     
     
         20 . A closure element as claimed in  claim 19 , characterised in that said hinge point ( 24 ) comprises at least a folding tab associated to said free edge ( 4   a  ) and to said holding ring ( 21 ).