Closure Device, Receptacle Provided With a Closure Device of This Type and Method for Closing a Receptacle

Abstract

This device ( 1 ) comprises a largely tubular base ( 3 ), which is adapted for being joined to the outer face of the neck ( 21 ) and which internally delimits a through hole ( 323 ) provided for opening into the receptacle, and a cap ( 4 ) that is provided as a single piece with the base ( 3 ) by at least one articulation strip of the cap that enables the cap to be displaced relative to the base between closed position and an open position. In order to limit the infiltration of a sterilizing liquid into the device when sterilizing the latter while having a device that is simple to mold and assemble, a flow vent ( 6 ) is provided for being placed and hermetically immobilized in the hole ( 323 ) of the base ( 3 ), this vent keeping the contact zones ( 613, 661, 663 ) tight with the cap ( 4 ) in a closed position and being lengthened, on the side to be turned toward the receptacle, by a sealing lip ( 64 ) that rests against the inner face of the neck when the base is joined to the outer face of the neck.

1 - 20 . (canceled)  
   
   
       21 . A closure device for closing a receptacle that is provided with a neck, the device comprising: a generally tubular base that is adapted to be secured to the outside face of the neck and that internally defines a bore for opening out into the receptacle; and a cap that is made integrally with the base via at least one hinge strip for pivoting the cap relative to the base between a closed position and an open position, the device being characterized in that it further comprises a flow chimney that is adapted to be fitted and held hermetically in the bore of the base, that forms zones of leaktight contact with the cap in the closed position, and that, on its side facing the receptacle, is extended by a sealing lip that is adapted to bear against the inside face of the neck when the base is secured to the outside face of the neck.  
   
   
       22 . A device according to  claim 21 , characterized in that the chimney is provided with an outer peripheral flange for interposing between the base and the neck of the receptacle when the base is secured to the receptacle, the outer peripheral end of the flange forming a flexible sealing lip for sealing against a portion of the inside face of the base.  
   
   
       23 . A device according to  claim 21 , characterized in that, when the chimney is fitted in the base, at least one portion of the inside face of the base co-operates, by complementary shapes, with a leaktight-contact zone carried by the outside face of the chimney, so as to close, in leaktight manner, an empty space defined between the chimney and the base.  
   
   
       24 . A device according to  claim 21 , characterized in that, when the cap is in the closed position, inner portions of the cap co-operate, by complementary shapes, with leaktight-contact zones carried by portions of the outside face, and possibly by a portion of the inside face, of the chimney, so as to close, in leaktight manner, an empty space defined between the cap and the chimney.  
   
   
       25 . A device according to  claim 21 , characterized in that, on the side remote from the receptacle, the chimney forms a tubular spout for extracting liquid or the like contained in the receptacle, and in that the cap includes a wall that covers and closes the spout in leaktight manner when the cap is in the closed position.  
   
   
       26 . A device according to  claim 25 , characterized in that at least one bearing skirt that bears in leaktight manner against a corresponding portion of the inside face and/or of the outside face of the spout projects from said wall of the cap.  
   
   
       27 . A device according to  claim 25 , characterized in that the spout is internally provided with a closure member that can be peeled or torn off.  
   
   
       28 . A device according to  claim 25 , characterized in that the spout is provided with a lip that projects into the spout from the inside face of the spout, and that is adapted to be deformed elastically by the cap, while said cap is being assembled, between a non-deformed state, in which the lip extends generally in a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the chimney, and a deformed state, in which the lip forms a peripheral sealing line against the cap.  
   
   
       29 . A device according to  claim 21 , characterized in that, the chimney and the cap carry respective retainer means for retaining the cap in its closed position, in particular by complementary shapes, and in that the retainer means are situated on the chimney and on the cap in zones that are distinct from the zones that provide leaktight contact between the chimney and the cap.  
   
   
       30 . A device according to  claim 21 , characterized in that the cap includes a side wall that surrounds the chimney when the cap is in the closed position, and in that the outside face of the side wall includes, in its periphery, a concave zone that is situated at the hinge strip(s).  
   
   
       31 . A device according to  claim 21 , characterized in that the preferred deformation zone of the or each strip, that defines a pivot axis for pivoting the cap relative to the base, is situated closer to the junction zone between the strip and the cap than to the junction zone between the strip and the base.  
   
   
       32 . A device according to  claim 21 , characterized in that the cap is provided with an outer stub that is situated, on the periphery of the cap, at the hinge strip(s), and that is shaped to bear and to slide against the base while the cap is passing from its closed position to its open position.  
   
   
       33 . A device according to  claim 32 , characterized in that the base defines a housing for receiving and locking the stub when the cap is in its open position.  
   
   
       34 . A device according to  claim 21 , characterized in that it includes indicator means for indicating first-use of the device, said indicator means comprising at least one elongate tab that extends longitudinally along a substantially peripheral direction of the base before the cap is opened for the first time, a first end of the tab being connected in hinged manner to an element from amongst the base and the cap, while the second end of the tab is connected to the other element via at least one breakable bridge.  
   
   
       35 . A device according to  claim 34 , characterized in that the indicator means comprise two of said tabs that are joined together at their second ends so as to form a loop that is deformable between a generally flat configuration ( FIG. 8 ) and a more curved configuration ( FIG. 13 ) when the cap is opened for the first time.  
   
   
       36 . A device according to  claim 34 , characterized in that, between its first and second ends, the or each tab is provided with at least one additional breakable bridge that is adapted to break before the end bridge of the tab when the cap is opened for the first time.  
   
   
       37 . A device according to  claim 34 , characterized in that the base is pierced by at least one cavity passing radially right through the base, and opening out axially on the edge of the base facing the cap when said cap is in the closed position, and in that the or each tab is housed in the or one of the cavities.  
   
   
       38 . A device according to  claim 37 , characterized in that, facing the or each cavity, the chimney presents a color that is different from the color of the tab(s).  
   
   
       39 . A receptacle provided with a neck, the receptacle being characterized in that it is fitted with a closure device according to  claim 21 .  
   
   
       40 . A method of closing a receptacle provided with a neck, the method being characterized in that it comprises the following steps: 
 molding firstly a generally tubular base that is adapted to be secured around the neck, that internally defines a bore for opening out into the receptacle, and that is made integrally with a cap via at least one hinge strip for pivoting the cap relative to the base between a closed position and an open position, the cap being molded in the closed position;    molding secondly a flow chimney that is adapted to be fitted and held hermetically in the bore of the base, that forms zones of leaktight contact with the cap in the closed position, and that, on the side facing the receptacle, is extended by a sealing lip that is adapted to bear against the inside face of the neck, the chimney being molded separately from the base and the cap;    fitting the chimney and preventing it from moving, in at least one direction, inside the bore of the base;    applying a disinfectant to the outside and to the inside of the assembly comprising the chimney, the base, and the cap, then rinsing the assembly; and    securing the base to the outside face of the neck of the receptacle, causing the lip to bear in leaktight manner against the inside face of the neck.