EP2443042A1

EP2443042A1 - Anti-drip device for a bottle

Info

Publication number: EP2443042A1
Application number: EP10734266A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Patrice Marsollier
Original assignee: PRESTICORC
Current assignee: PRESTICORC
Priority date: 2009-06-19
Filing date: 2010-06-17
Publication date: 2012-04-25
Also published as: FR2946960A1; US8875914B2; FR2946960B1; WO2010146317A1; CL2011003219A1; US20120097633A1

Abstract

The anti-drip device for a bottle according to the invention is provided in the form of a circumferential lip (12) that projects toward the outside. Said circumferential lip (12) has a triangular cross-section, the thickness of which decreases down to an outer tip (12'), said lip (12) being delimited by a top side (13) and by a bottom side (14) that form an angle (a) of between 5° and 35° therebetween (advantageously of between 25° and 35°). Said projecting circumferential lip (12) has a length (I) advantageously of between 0.1 and 0.8 mm. Said lip can be provided at the top end of the apron (2) of a fitting cap. In an alternative embodiment, said lip (12) can be produced in one piece at the neck of the bottle. Such a lip (12) structure makes it possible, when serving, to effectively prevent the formation of drops flowing along the outer surface of the bottle.

Description

ANTI-DROP DEVICE FOR BOTTLE

The present invention relates to anti-droplet devices for bottle, adapted to avoid or at least limit the formation of drops that flow along the body of the bottle, on the outer side, after service. After serving a glass, it is common that one or more drops of the conditioned liquid flows from the neck, along the bottle, which is not aesthetic and which can lead to soiling of the bottles. hands of the operator and / or the support on which the bottle is then placed (table, tablecloth ...).

Different devices have been devised to suppress or seek to limit this phenomenon.

Some of them consist of rings with absorbent material, which is positioned around the neck of the bottle. But these structures are often unsightly; they require an operation or maneuver positioning and withdrawal around the neck.

In addition, even if they are relatively simple, they are still a source of additional costs.

Another solution, proposed for example in the document GB-754 582, consists in associating with the neck of the bottle a small peripheral lip, here of square or rectangular section, which projects outwardly.

But, in use, this peripheral lip structure is not very effective and therefore not completely satisfactory.

Seeking to remedy this drawback, the Applicant has shown that a modification of the structure of the peripheral lip mentioned above makes it possible to very substantially improve the effectiveness of the desired anti-drip function.

For this, the bottle anti-drip device according to the present invention is in the form of a peripheral lip with triangular section whose thickness decreases to an outer tip, this lip being delimited by an upper side and by a lower side forming between them an angle of between 5 and 45 °, and more preferably between 25 and 35 °.

Such a peripheral lip structure almost systematically prevents the formation of drops flowing along the bottle after the service.

The upper side of this peripheral lip is advantageously in the form of a plane ring.

According to yet another feature, the outer protruding length of this peripheral lip is advantageously between 0.1 and 0.8 mm (preferably close to 0.5 or 0.6 mm). According to a particular embodiment, this anti-drip device is provided at the level of the circular upper edge of a tubular skirt forming a bottle-type cap.

This cap can be obtained in one piece by molding plastic material (for example high density polyethylene).

Preferably, the upper side of the peripheral lip extends in the plane of the circular upper edge of the cap skirt.

According to yet another particularity, the circular upper end of the skirt is associated with a closure structure, said circular upper end of the skirt and said closure structure being interconnected by means arranged to facilitate their separation (these connecting means consist of advantageously in a plurality of attachment studs obtained in one piece).

The closure structure can thus be removed very easily, manually or with the aid of a tool, to obtain a clean and aesthetic top end cap crown (in particular a geometrically perfect upper edge, coaxial with the neck of the bottle ).

According to a particular embodiment, the closure structure is in the form of a circular pellet which is provided with two lateral slots defining, between them, a pull tab for its separation from the skirt. In an alternative embodiment, the closure structure comprises a one-piece plug, extending coaxially with the skirt, in the tubular volume defined by the latter.

According to yet another feature, the inner face of the cap skirt comprises means for locking it on a circular ring which is arranged at the neck of the bottle, at a distance from the end of the neck. These locking means advantageously consist, on the one hand, in a lower circular shoulder, intended to be positioned against the lower circular edge of the bottle ring, and on the other hand, in an upper circular shoulder, or in a plurality of monobloc pads distributed on the same circular line, intended (s) to come to be positioned against the upper circular edge of said bottle ring. In this case, from said lower shoulder, the upper part of the cap skirt advantageously extends upwards with a substantially constant diameter, to allow the formation of an annular space between said skirt and the part of the bottle. look, above the top ring border.

The invention also relates to the bottle comprising a body ending in a neck and a neck, comprising an anti-drip device as defined above. According to a first embodiment, the peripheral lip is made in one piece at the neck of the bottle, its upper side extending in the plane of the opening of said neck.

According to another embodiment, the bottle is equipped with a cap-type fitting whose upper end edge is equipped with the peripheral lip structured according to the present invention.

The upper edge of the cap skirt, provided with the peripheral lip, is then advantageously positioned at a distance from the neck of the bottle, to optimize the obtaining of the desired anti-drop structure. In a preferred embodiment, the bottle comprises a one-piece circular ring formed at its neck, at a distance from its neck, which ring is delimited by an upper circular border and a lower circular border; the associated attached cap comprises a closure structure, and the means provided on said cap to facilitate the separation between the skirt and said closure structure are arranged to form the upper skirt edge between said upper circular edge of the ring and the upper end of the neck of the bottle (for example at a distance under the plane of the neck of the bottle of between 1 and 4 mm).

The invention will be further illustrated, without being limited in any way, by the following description of two particular embodiments, given solely by way of example and shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a bottle cap according to the invention, shown in isolation;

- Figure 2 is a side view of the cap shown in Figure 1;

- Figure 3 is a sectional view along the sectional plane 3-3 of Figure 2; - Figure 4 is a sectional view showing the cap of Figures 1 to 3 positioned on the neck of a bottle with cap;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the bottle neck illustrated in FIG. 4, after removal of the cap closure structure and the stopper;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the bottle neck illustrated in FIG. 5; - Figure 7 shows an alternative embodiment of the anti-drip device according to the invention, in the form of monobloc lip formed at the neck of a bottle.

The cap 1 (or capsule) illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 consists of a tubular skirt

2 whose lower end 3 is delimited by a circular edge 4 and whose circular upper end 5 is closed by a pellet 6. This closure pellet 6 has a generally circular shape and extends in a plane which is perpendicular to the axis 7 of the skirt 2. The skirt 2 and the pellet 6 are made in one piece by molding a plastic material, for example high density polyethylene.

The average thickness of the skirt 2 may be of the order of 0.8 mm; on its side, the closure pad 6 has an average thickness of the order of 1 mm. Such thicknesses make it possible to impart good resistance to the cap 1 in order to facilitate, in particular, fitting by fitting onto the neck of the bottle intended to be fitted.

The tubular skirt 2 and the closure pad 6 are connected by suitable means to facilitate their separation, in particular to allow easy removal of the tablet 6 and to obtain a circular upper end 5 of skirt 2 in the form of edge 8 sharp and geometrically well defined.

For this, in the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the upper edge 8 of the skirt 2 and the peripheral edge 9 of the chip 6 are secured by a plurality of one-piece attachment pads 10 (for example in numbers between 3 and 12, advantageously between 4 and 8). The connection zone 11 between the skirt 2 and the pellet 6 consists of a circular line which extends perpendicularly to the axis 7 of the skirt 2 and which is located at or just below the lower face 6 'of the pastille 6.

As detailed in FIG. 3, the upper edge 8 of the skirt 2 comprises a small outwardly projecting peripheral lip 12, which is structured to limit or even prevent the formation of drops when, after the service the equipped bottle.

This one-piece lip 12 extends over the entire periphery of the circular upper edge 8 of the skirt 2; it has a triangular section whose base is integral with the skirt 2 and whose thickness decreases progressively to the outer tip 12 '. This triangular section is constant over the entire periphery of the lip 12. The upper side 13 of the lip 12 is flat and extends in the extension of the circular upper edge 8 of the skirt 2, and in the plane of this last (perpendicular to the axis 7). Its lower side 14, which connects the tip 12 'to the skirt 2 is planar or substantially plane; it extends in a reentrant manner from top to bottom, at an angle α relative to the plane of the upper side 13, between 5 and 45 ° (preferably between 5 and 40 °, more preferably between 25 and 35 ° , and more preferably of the order of 30 °).

On the other hand, the length I of the circular lip 12, starting from the outer face of the skirt 2, is between 0.1 and 0.8 mm, preferably close to 0.5 or 0.6 mm.

As will be seen below, the circular edge 8 of the skirt 2 is adapted here to position so, once the cap 1 placed on the neck of the bottle, not to be in direct contact with the outer face of the neck.

The positioning of the attachment pads 10 is also adapted to not disturb the anti-drip function of the upper edge 8 with its lip 12; especially for this, they are preferably formed on the inner side of the edge 8 (as can be seen in Figure 3).

FIGS. 1 and 2 show the presence of two lateral slits 15 on the side of the closure pellet 6, which define, between them, a gripping tongue 16. The lateral slits 15 may have a length of the order from 2 to 4 mm. The number and size of the attachment studs 10 are adapted to ensure good connection between the skirt 2 and the chip 6, while allowing the removal of the latter, by tearing, with a limited traction force.

The upper face of the tablet 6 can receive a logo or other information. It is advantageously adapted to form a backing area of a tax stamp (for example by pad printing).

On the other hand, the inner face of the cap skirt 2 comprises means adapted to ensure its effective locking on the neck of a bottle equipped with a circular ring arranged at a distance from its neck. Such ring bottles are conventionally used in particular for the packaging of wine.

These locking means, visible in FIG. 3, consist, on the one hand, in a lower circular shoulder 18, and, on the other hand, in a plurality of monoblock pads 19 distributed on the same circular line extending parallel to said circular shoulder 18, and which is located between the latter and the upper edge 8 of the skirt 2. The distance between the shoulder 18 of the pads 19 corresponds to the width of the bottle ring. For example, between 3 and 8 one-piece blocks 19 can be provided (in FIG. 3 only one of these pads is visible). In an alternative embodiment, the pads 19 may be replaced by an upper circular shoulder.

In FIG. 3, it can be seen that the skirt portion 2 which extends above the shoulder 18 has a constant or substantially constant diameter up to the upper edge 8.

FIG. 4 illustrates the positioning of the cap 1 on a bottle whose neck Ç_ ends with a neck G and which is equipped, at a distance from the upper face of said neck G, with a monoblock ring B. After conditioning the liquid and capping by means of a plug D, the positioning of the cap 1 is made by press fitting by means of appropriate tools.

At the end of press fit, the shoulder 18 is positioned against the lower circular edge of the ring B and the pads 19 (or the circular substitution shoulder) are positioned against the upper circular edge of the ring B. The cap 1 is thus properly locked on the neck C of the bottle. As can be seen in the detail of FIG. 4, the upper edge 8 of the skirt 2, integral with the pellet 6 by the attachment studs 10, lies between the upper circular edge of the ring B and the plane top of the neck G (this edge 8 equipped with the lip device 12 may advantageously be located between 1 and 4 mm under the upper plane of the neck G).

In addition, this upper edge 8 of skirt 2 is positioned at a distance from the neck G (to optimize the desired "anti-drop" function). On the detail of Figure 4, it is noted that this edge 8 is located opposite the rounded chamfer E of the bottle neck G, and that it is separated from the latter by an annular space H. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated , this space JH extends to the upper circular edge of the bottle ring B. For this, as specified above, the wall portion 2 'of the skirt 2 facing the bottle ring B extends upwardly by an upper portion 2 "of the same diameter, or substantially the same diameter (then that the diameter facing the outer face of the neck G is less than the outer diameter of the ring B).

To open the bottle thus equipped, simply grab the tab 16 and apply traction upwards, in order to tear the closure pad 6 by breaking the attachment studs 10. It can then remove the plug D by means of a classic corkscrew.

A bottle is obtained as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the neck C of which is equipped with a tubular skirt 2, with a circular upper edge 8 equipped with a protruding peripheral lip 12.

This skirt edge 8 associated with the lip 12 provides the "anti-drop" function described above, which effectively prevents the formation of drops flowing along the outer face of the bottle, when the latter is raised. after the service.

According to an alternative embodiment, the inner face of the skirt upper part 2 can be pressed against the bottle (the space H described above is then eliminated or minimized). Such capsule / bottle cap is easy to manufacture and position; it has a pleasing aesthetic both before and after removal of its closure pad and it offers in addition an appreciable "anti-gout" function.

Alternatively, the simple pellet 6 can be replaced by a closure structure fitted to a one-piece cap, so as to obtain a complete one-piece cap / cap assembly equipped with a peripheral skirt with "anti-drop" function.

Still as an alternative, the closure structure 6 can be purely and simply suppressed to obtain a cap consisting solely of a tubular skirt whose upper edge is equipped with a peripheral anti-drop lip projecting.

In another embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, the anti-drop lip 12 is made in one piece at the end of the neck M of the neck F of a bottle A.

This bottle A is made by molding plastic material, for example PET (polyethylene terephthalate). The outer face of its neck F has a one-piece thread 20 formed on a cylindrical portion 21 for receiving a screw cap (not shown).

This cylindrical portion 21 is extended by a cylindrical end portion 22, of smaller diameter, from the free end of which extends the anti-drop lip 12, projecting outwards (formed at the level of neck M) -

This anti-drip lip 12 has a structure and dimensions identical to those described above in relation to FIGS. 1 to 6. It extends around the entire periphery of the neck M and its section is triangular, composed on one side 13 and a lower side 14 which extend in planes forming between them an angle of between 5 and 45 ° (preferably between 5 and 40 °, still preferably between 25 and 35 ° and preferably from the order of 30 °); the length I of this lip 12, starting from the outer face of the cylindrical portion 22, is between 0.1 and 0.8 mm (preferably of the order of 0.5 - 0.6 mm).

The upper side 13 of the lip 12 extends in the plane of the opening of the neck M, perpendicular to the axis 23 of the neck M. The difference in diameter between the cylindrical portions 21 and 22 of the neck F of the bottle

A is adapted to the length I of the lip 12, so as not to hinder the establishment and removal of the screw cap.

Again, such a lip 12 virtually avoids the formation of drops flowing along the bottle, after service.

Claims

- CLAIMS -

1.- anti-drip device for bottle, in the form of peripheral lip (12) extending outwardly outwardly, characterized in that said peripheral lip (12) has a triangular section whose thickness decreases to an outer tip (12 '), said lip (12) being delimited by an upper side (13) and a lower side (14) forming between them an angle (a) between 5 and 45 °.

2. Anti-drip device according to claim 1, characterized in that the angle (a) formed between the upper side (13) and the lower side (12) is between 25 and 35 °.

3. Anti-drip device according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the upper side (13) of the peripheral lip (12) is in the form of a flat ring.

4. An anti-drip device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the outer projecting length (I) of the peripheral lip (12) is between 0.1 and 0.8 mm.

5. Bottle-type cap, comprising a tubular skirt (2) whose one end (3), said lower end, is delimited by a circular peripheral edge (4), and whose other end ( 5), said upper end, is also delimited by a circular peripheral edge (8), characterized in that it comprises a peripheral device in the form of a peripheral lip (12) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, provided in level of said circular upper edge (8).

6. The cap of claim 5, characterized in that the upper side (13) of said peripheral lip (12) extends in the plane of the upper circular edge (8) of the skirt (2).

7. Headgear according to any one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that the upper circular end (8) of skirt (2) is associated with a closure structure (6), said upper circular end (8) skirt (2) and said closure structure (6) being connected by means (10) arranged to facilitate their separation.

8. A cap according to claim 7, characterized in that the means for facilitating the separation between the skirt (2) and the closure structure (6) consist of a plurality of one-piece attachment pads (10).

9. A cap according to any one of claims 7 or 8, characterized in that the closure structure (6) is in the form of circular pellet, which pellet (6) is provided with two lateral slots (15) defining between them a pull tab (16) for its separation from said skirt (2).

10. The cap according to any one of claims 7 or 8, characterized in that its closure structure comprises a one-piece cap, extending coaxially with the skirt (2), in the tubular volume defined by the latter.

11 .- Headgear according to any one of claims 5 to 10, characterized in that the inner face of the skirt (2) comprises means (18, 19) to ensure its locking on a circular ring (B) which is arranged at the neck (CJ of the bottle, away from the end of the neck (G).

12. A cap according to claim 1 1, characterized in that said locking means consist, on the one hand, of a lower circular shoulder (18) intended to be positioned against the lower circular edge of the ring of bottle (B), and secondly, an upper circular shoulder, or a plurality of monobloc studs (19) distributed on the same circular line, intended to be positioned against the upper circular edge of said ring of bottle (B).

13. Bottle comprising a body ending in a neck (C, F) and a neck (G, M), characterized in that it comprises a peripheral lip-shaped anti-drip device (12) according to one any of claims 1 to 4.

14. Bottle according to claim 13, characterized in that said peripheral lip (12) is made in one piece at its neck (M), its upper side (13) extending in the plane of the opening of said neck ( M).

15.- Bottle according to claim 13, characterized in that it comprises a cap-type fitting (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 12, reported on its neck (C).

16.- Bottle according to claim 15, characterized in that the upper edge (8) of the skirt (2) of its insert is positioned at a distance (H) from its neck (G).

17.- bottle according to any one of claims 15 or 16, which bottle comprises a one-piece circular ring (B) formed at its neck (C), at a distance from its neck (G), which ring (B) is delimited by an upper circular border and a lower circular border, said cap (1) having a closure structure (6), and the means (10) provided on said cap (1) to facilitate the separation between the skirt (2) and said closure structure (6) being arranged to form the upper skirt edge between said upper circular edge of the ring (B) and the upper end of the neck (G).