Bottle Closure and Security Device in the Form of a Metal Screw Stopper With Prolonged Ring and Overlying Decorated Plastic Capsule

Abstract

The device serves for closing bottles having an externally threaded circular mouth, and comprises a metal screw stopper ( 14 ) with ring of prolonged type, and a capsule ( 26 ) or tubular element ( 26 A) of heat-shrinkable plastic. The capsule ( 26 ) or tubular element ( 26 A) covers not only at least substantially the entire lateral surface of the actual screw stopper ( 16 ), but also at least the upper part of the prolonged ring ( 20 ). The capsule ( 26 ) or tubular element ( 26 A) is fixed to the metal stopper ( 14 ) with prolonged ring both in correspondence with the actual screw stopper ( 16 ) and in correspondence with the prolonged ring ( 20 ), so that a trace thereof remains when the capsule ( 26 ) or the tubular element ( 26 A) is removed. In addition to constituting a guarantee against tampering, the outer surface of the capsule ( 26 ) or tubular element ( 26 A) can present required colorations and/or writings and/or brand names and/or designs and or reliefs, at a cost decidedly lower than if these latter were formed directly on the metal stopper ( 14 ).

1 . A closure device for bottles having an externally threaded circular mouth, and comprising:
 a metal screw stopper ( 14 ) with ring of prolonged type;   a capsule ( 26 ) or tubular element ( 26 A) of heat-shrinkable plastic;   characterised in that the capsule ( 26 ) or tubular element ( 26 A) covers not only at least substantially the entire lateral surface of the actual screw stopper ( 16 ), but also at least the upper part of the prolonged ring ( 20 ), and that the capsule ( 26 ) or tubular element ( 26 A) is fixed to the metal stopper ( 14 ) with prolonged ring both in correspondence with the actual screw stopper ( 16 ) and in correspondence with the prolonged ring ( 20 ), so that a trace thereof remains when the capsule ( 26 ) or the tubular element ( 26 A) is removed.   
   
   
       2 . A closure device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the fixing between the capsule ( 26 ) or tubular element ( 26 A) and the metal stopper ( 14 ) is obtained by using a suitable glue. 
   
   
       3 . A closure device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the outer surface of the capsule ( 26 ) or tubular element ( 26 A) presents required colorations and/or writings and/or brand names and/or designs and or reliefs. 
   
   
       4 . A closure device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the capsule ( 26 ) comprises a skirt ( 32 ) and an endpiece ( 28 ) which upperly closes the skirt ( 32 ). 
   
   
       5 . A closure device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the capsule comprises only a skirt ( 32 ). 
   
   
       6 . A closure device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the capsule ( 26 ) or the tubular element ( 26 A), after being heat-shrunk, is slightly withdrawn from the lower edge of the prolonged ring ( 20 ). 
   
   
       7 . A closure device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the capsule ( 26 ) or the tubular element ( 26 A), after being heat-shrunk, passes beyond the lower edge of the prolonged ring ( 20 ). 
   
   
       8 . A closure device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the capsule ( 26 ) or the tubular element ( 26 A) is provided with means which facilitate its tearing. 
   
   
       9 . A closure device as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the means which facilitate tearing of the capsule ( 26 ) or of the tubular element ( 26 A) comprise a tear-off tab. 
   
   
       10 . A closure device as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the means which facilitate tearing of the capsule ( 26 ) or of the tubular element ( 26 A) comprise at least one region in which the capsule ( 26 ) or the tubular element ( 26 A) is weakened, in order to tear on unscrewing the actual stopper ( 16 ). 
   
   
       11 . A closure device as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the at least one weakened region is obtained by providing one or more series of through perforations in the capsule ( 26 ) or in the tubular element ( 26 A).