Bottle closure with means for evidencing a first use

Abstract

The present invention relates to a closure for bottles with means for evidencing a first use when it is in nominal conditions, i.e., fitted on the mouth of the bottle. The closure contains at least one spout ( 5 ), a plug ( 6 ) of the spout and a cap ( 3 ). The present invention allows evidencing the first opening of the closure due to the internal configuration of the closure changing. This change modifies the internal configuration and allows one or more visual changes in the device. The change in the internal configuration is based on modifying the position of an annular band ( 7 ) arranged between the plug and cap.

1 . A bottle closure with means for evidencing a first use in nominal conditions wherein this closure extends along a longitudinal axis X-X′ corresponding to the axis of the mouth of the bottle when the closure is in an operative position on said mouth and comprises the following components:
 a spout ( 5 ) with a seat ( 5 . 2 ) configured for being coupled on the mouth of the bottle, a pouring mouth ( 5 . 3 ) at the end opposite the seat ( 5 . 2 ) according to axis X-X′, and an outer thread ( 5 . 1 ); 
 a plug ( 6 ) configured for plugging the pouring mouth ( 5 . 3 ) of the spout ( 5 ) by means of the entrance into said pouring mouth ( 5 . 3 ) according to axis X-X′, and comprising at least one outer projection ( 6 . 1 ) protruding according to the radial direction; 
 a cap ( 3 ) with an inner thread ( 3 . 1 ) configured for being screwed onto the outer thread ( 5 . 1 ) of the spout ( 5 ) such that screwing and unscrewing the cap ( 3 ) gives rise to at least one axial displacement of said cap ( 3 ) according to the direction of axis X-X′ with respect to the spout ( 5 ), and it comprises a first inner projection ( 3 . 2 ) configured for abutting with the outer projection ( 6 . 1 ) of the plug ( 6 ) in the displacement corresponding to unscrewing such that axial displacement of the cap ( 3 ) according to the direction of axis X-X′ during the unscrewing thereof imposes axial displacement of the plug ( 6 ) and the exit thereof from the pouring mouth ( 5 . 3 ) of the spout ( 5 ), 
 
       characterized in that it additionally comprises an elastically deformable annular band ( 7 ), and in that the plug ( 6 ) comprises both a first perimetral seat ( 6 . 2 ) and a housing ( 6 . 3 ), both adapted to receive said annular band ( 7 ), wherein:
 the first perimetral seat ( 6 . 2 ) is configured for housing the annular band ( 7 ) by housing the annular band ( 7 ) in the perimetral seat ( 6 . 2 ) under stress in the configuration of the closure prior to the first opening; 
 said perimetral seat ( 6 . 2 ) allows axial displacement of the annular band ( 7 ) according to direction X-X′ along a segment after which the annular band ( 7 ) is housed in the housing ( 6 . 3 ), under less stress, evidencing the first opening; 
 
       and wherein the cap ( 3 ) comprises a second inner projection ( 3 . 3 ) configured for abutting with the annular band ( 7 ) such that axial displacement of the cap ( 3 ) according to the direction of axis X-X′ during the unscrewing thereof in the first opening imposes axial displacement of the annular band ( 7 ) from the perimetral seat ( 6 . 2 ) of the plug ( 6 ) to the housing ( 6 . 3 ). 
     
     
         2 . The closure according to  claim 1 , wherein the annular band ( 7 ) is a ring having an open, circular configuration. 
     
     
         3 . The closure according to  claim 1 , wherein the annular band ( 7 ) has a height according to the direction of axis X-X′ such that once housed in the housing ( 6 . 3 ), it prevents the cap ( 3 ) during closure thereof from reaching the position according to the axial direction of axis X-X′ adopted before the first opening by mechanical interference. 
     
     
         4 . The closure according to  claim 1 , wherein the perimetral seat ( 6 . 2 ) of the annular band ( 7 ) is a segment having a cylindrical outer surface. 
     
     
         5 . The closure according to  claim 1 , wherein the housing ( 6 . 3 ) of the annular band ( 7 ) is formed by a plurality of radial ribs ( 6 . 4 ) distributed such that they are circumferentially arranged in the plug ( 6 ) and having a step ( 6 . 4 . 1 ) in each rib ( 6 . 4 ) located on the side farthest from the center and adapted to receive at least part of the inner face of the annular band ( 7 ), keeping said annular band ( 7 ) under stress that is less than the stress of said annular band ( 7 ) when it is located in the perimetral seat ( 6 . 2 ). 
     
     
         6 . The closure according to  claim 1 , wherein the annular band ( 7 ) is visually accessible from the outside to evidence the first opening depending on if said annular band ( 7 ) is located in the perimetral seat ( 6 . 2 ) or it if is located in the housing ( 6 . 3 ). 
     
     
         7 . The closure according to  claim 1 , wherein the cap ( 3 ) is open on the face where the housing of the annular band ( 7 ) is located. 
     
     
         8 . The closure according to  claim 7 , wherein the cap ( 3 ) is covered by a capsule ( 1 ,  2 ). 
     
     
         9 . The closure according to  claim 1  or  8 , wherein the capsule ( 1 ) or the upper portion of the cap ( 3 ) has one or more windows ( 1 . 2 ) on the face corresponding to the housing of the annular band ( 7 ) to allow visual access to said annular band ( 7 ). 
     
     
         10 . The closure according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the cap ( 3 ) comprises adjacent to its edge opposite the surface corresponding to the housing of the annular band ( 7 ) a sealing ring ( 4 ),   the sealing ring ( 4 ) is axially integral with the spout ( 5 ),   
       wherein in the first opening axial displacement of the cap ( 3 ) causes the separation thereof from the sealing ring ( 4 ). 
     
     
         11 . The closure according to  claim 10 , wherein there is a breakable connection between the cap ( 3 ) and sealing ring ( 4 ) that breaks in the first opening. 
     
     
         12 . The closure according to  claim 9  or  10 , wherein
 the sealing ring ( 4 ) comprises a notch ( 4 . 1 ); 
 the capsule ( 1 , 2 ) comprises an upper portion ( 1 ) and a lower portion ( 2 ) separated by a perimetral cut made in the notch ( 4 . 1 ) of the sealing ring ( 4 ); and, 
 
       wherein the lower portion ( 2 ) of the capsule makes the sealing ring ( 4 ) integral with the spout ( 5 ); and the notched portion of the upper portion ( 1 ) which is housed in the notch ( 4 . 1 ) is released therefrom after the first opening, leaving the sealing ring ( 4 ) visually accessible.