EP2504249B1 - Closure with line of weakness - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a cap for a container neck.

The invention relates, in general, to plugs comprising a skirt which surrounds the neck of a container and a lower part of which, when it is considered that this neck extends vertically with its upwardly directed mouth, is intended to to remain around the neck after the first opening of the cap, possibly in the form of a tamper-evident band. The remainder of the skirt, that is to say its upper part, is provided removable relative to the neck, while being initially connected to the lower non-removable portion of the skirt by a weakening line capable of being broken when the cap is first opened. The weakening line serves as a witness of this first opening, for the attention of users. In practice, this kind of weakening lines is made by cutting or molding. An example of this type of weakening line plug is provided by WO-A-99/58411 .

In the context of the present invention, the nature of the removable connection between the upper skirt portion and the container neck is indifferent, so that the invention also aims, for example, the so-called "snap" caps, it that is to say the plugs able to be clipped around the neck, that the caps screwed.

For plugs of relatively large diameters, the realization of the abovementioned line of weakness by a succession of breakable bridges can be satisfactory, in the sense that, firstly, when the user opens the plug for the first time, feels rather well by his hand the breaking of the bridges provided in large numbers around the skirt and, secondly, after this first opening and replacing the cap to close the neck, it is possible to observe the broken state bridges, which is proof that the cap has already been opened. On the other hand, when smaller diameter plugs are involved, such frangible bridges are necessarily fewer and / or smaller, so that they provide a largely insufficient indication of first opening, both in terms of sensation that they provide at the first opening, that their appearance after opening and filling. Moreover, the dimensioning of such frangible bridges is the result of a compromise difficult to find between, on the one hand, the breaking strength that they must guarantee during the initial installation of the plug around the neck and, of on the other hand, their ease of rupture during the first opening of the cap. This compromise is critical for screwed caps.

This being recalled, GB-A-2,116,155 , which may be regarded as the state of the art closest to the stopper defined in the appended claim 1, discloses a cap whose skirt includes both a removable part, able to be screwed and unscrewed around a container neck, and a non-removable portion, adapted to be held permanently around this container neck by being rotatably connected to this neck for complementarity of forms. The removable skirt portion and the non-removable skirt portion are, before the first opening of the cap, connected by a weakening line which breaks during this first opening. The non-removable skirt portion is provided with two weakening segments which are diametrically opposed to each other: between the line of weakness and each of these weakening segments is defined a strand which extends along the periphery of the skirt and whose current portion is non-breakably bonded to the removable skirt portion while each of the peripheral ends of each strand is connected to the non-removable skirt portion by a frangible bridge. At the first opening of the plug, each breakable bridge resists breaking while the line of weakness is already broken, then breaks essentially by shearing by the unscrewing of the removable skirt portion vis-à-vis the non-removable skirt portion, fixedly retained in rotation. The cap of GB-A-2,116,155 provides a clear indication as to its first opening, but requires to apply a very important torque staring to shear the peripheral ends of each of the aforementioned strands, this shear to induce, by camming, an axial descent of the part of non-removable skirt along the container neck in the direction opposite to the end of this neck.

The object of the present invention is to improve the performance of the control means of the first opening of a plug.

For this purpose, the invention relates to a cap for a container neck, as defined in claim 1.

One of the basic ideas of the invention is to seek, by means of arrangements that are easy to implement and advantageously resistant to the initial placement of the stopper around the container neck, to cause, without undue effort, the part of the user, one or more local plastic deformations around the skirt during the first opening of the cap. This or these plastic deformations have the advantage of being irreversible, which leaves visible traces around the skirt, easily identifiable by the user.

In this spirit, according to a first embodiment, the invention provides, on the one hand, to maintain a first "traditional" weakening line, with the difference that it is associated with one or more more resistant frangible bridges. at the break that the remainder of this line and, secondly, to achieve at least a second line of weakening, less extensive than the first following the periphery of the skirt, so that this second line is designated here by the "weakening segment" expression: this or each weakening segment is located, when it is considered that the axis of the skirt is vertical with its non-removable part directed downwards, vertically above, as well as laterally on either side of one or more of the above-mentioned frangible bridges. When opening the plug according to the invention for the first time, the weakening line, in a first phase, breaks while the aforementioned frangible bridge or bridges resist without being able to be driven upwards by the part of removable skirt due to the retention of the non-removable skirt portion around the neck of the container. The upward movement of the removable skirt portion, under the action of the user, causes the plastic deformation of the strand interposed between the line of weakening and the weakening segment, more precisely the deformation of at least one the two lateral arms of this strand, arranged on either side of the associated frangible bridge, by relative distance of the edges of the weakening segment. By continuing the upward movement of the removable skirt portion, the opening of the stopper passes into a second phase, in which the frangible bridge or bridges in turn break, thus making it possible to completely disengage this portion of the removable skirt. to the non-removable skirt portion retained around the neck. Subsequently, if the cap is closed, that is to say if the removable skirt portion is repositioned around the container neck in its initial position before the first opening, it is impossible to reposition as in the origin or the strands because of their irreversible plastic deformation. This or these strands are found at least partially projecting vis-à-vis the rest of the skirt, which provides a clear indication, so easy and quick to observe for the user.

According to a second embodiment, the invention provides, on the one hand, to maintain a first "traditional" weakening line, with the difference that, at the axial level of this weakening line, the skirt includes one or a plurality of non-breakable portions, which will not break during the breaking of the line of weakness and, secondly, to achieve at least a second weakening line, less extensive than the first following the periphery of the skirt so that this second line is referred to herein as the "weakening segment". According to the invention, this or each weakening segment is located, when it is considered that the axis of the skirt is vertical, vertically above the or one of the aforementioned non-frangible skirt portions, in s' extending laterally on either side of this non-breakable skirt portion. In this way, the strand of material, located vertically between the line of weakness and the weakening segment, has a running portion which extends along the aforementioned non-breakable skirt portion, while the peripheral ends of this strand are frangibly connected, by two ad hoc opposed bridges, to the removable skirt portion, wherein the weakening segment is delimited. When the plug according to the invention is opened for the first time, the weakening line, in a first phase, breaks while, at the same time, the aforementioned frangible bridges are sized. to resist, while each undergoing a plastic deformation stress related to the relative drive between the removable skirt portion and the non-removable skirt portion retained around the neck. During this first phase, the current portion of the aforementioned strand remains firmly attached to the non-removable skirt portion, wherein the weakening segment is not delimited, thanks to the non-breakable skirt portion mentioned above. By continuing the relative spacing between the removable and non-removable skirt portions, the opening of the stopper passes into a second phase in which the frangible bridges located at the peripheral ends of the strand in turn break, thus making it possible to completely disengage the portion skirt removable vis-à-vis the non-removable skirt portion retained around the neck. At the same time, the current portion of the strand imparts a crenellated shape to the non-removable skirt portion, to which this current portion is non-frangibly bonded. Subsequently, if the cap is closed, that is to say if the removable skirt portion is repositioned around the container neck in a position close to its initial position before the first opening, it is impossible to reposition as originally the strand or strands due to the irreversible plastic deformation of their peripheral ends: these peripheral ends are found at least partially protruding vis-à-vis the rest of the skirt, which provides a clear indication, so easy and quick to observe for the user. In addition, during filling, the presence of the deformed strand ends prevents the crenellated form mentioned above to be found strictly in vertical coincidence with the or one of the weakening segments, so that it becomes impossible to reposition in a joined manner the parts of skirts removable and non-removable. Furthermore, the fact that, before the first opening of the cap according to the invention, the strand or strands are non-frangibly bonded over their entire running portion to the non-removable skirt portion, wherein the corresponding weakening segment n is not delimited, provides the weakening line and the weakening segment satisfactory overall strength, used during the manipulation of the plug before its first opening, especially when it is placed around the neck of the container. Thus, the plug according to the invention can be handled reliably and efficiently before its first opening, and then provide, during this first opening, an indication open, without increasing the opening effort to be applied by the user.

The clear opening indication provided by the invention is of major interest when the non-removable portion of the skirt remains completely immobile with respect to the neck after breaking any connection with the removable skirt portion. This is particularly the case for plugs whose non-removable skirt portion has a large axial dimension, inducing immobilization interference with the neck.

In practice, the weakening line and the weakening segment of the plug according to the invention can be made both by cutting and by molding. In both cases, the realization of the weakening segment is simple and fast, in particular when the removable skirt portion has a non-negligible axial dimension. Moreover, in the case of a die-cutting embodiment, it is possible to quickly and easily switch from making existing plugs with a single line of weakness to making plugs according to the invention, by adding or removing the adjustments necessary for the realization of the weakening segment, thus offering a great flexibility of production of different plugs.

Advantageous features of the plug according to the invention, taken individually or in any technically possible combination, are specified in the dependent claims 2 to 16.

• le figure 1 est une vue schématique en élévation d'un premier mode de réalisation d'un bouchon conforme à l'invention, illustrant ce bouchon mis en place autour d'un col de récipient et avant sa première ouverture ;
• la figure 2 est une coupe longitudinale du bouchon de la figure 1 avant sa première ouverture, les moitiés gauche et droite de ces figures illustrant ce bouchon respectivement avant et après sa mise en place autour du col de récipient ;
• les figures 3 et 4 sont des coupes respectivement selon les plans III-III et IV-IV de la figure 2, illustrant le bouchon avant sa mise en place autour du col de récipient ;
• les figures 5 à 8 sont des vues à plus grande échelle du détail encadré V sur la figure 1, les figures 5 à 7 illustrant trois états successifs de la première ouverture du bouchon tandis que la figure 8 illustre le rebouchage du bouchon ;
• les figures 9 à 11 sont des vues analogues au détail encadré V sur la figure 1, illustrant respectivement trois variantes de réalisation du bouchon conforme à l'invention ;
• la figure 12 est une vue schématique en élévation d'un second mode de réalisation du bouchon conforme à l'invention, illustrant ce bouchon mis en place autour d'un col de récipient et avant sa première ouverture ;
• la figure 13 est une coupe longitudinale du bouchon de la figure 12 avant sa première ouverture, les moitiés gauche et droite de ces figures illustrant ce bouchon respectivement avant et après sa mise en place autour du col de récipient ;
• les figures 14 et 15 sont des coupes respectivement selon les plans XIV-XIV et XV-XV de la figure 13, illustrant le bouchon avant sa mise en place autour du col de récipient ; et
• les figures 16 à 19 sont des vues à plus grande échelle du détail encadré XVI sur la figure 12, les figures 16 à 18 illustrant trois états successifs de la première ouverture du bouchon tandis que la figure 19 illustre le rebouchage du bouchon.

The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of example and with reference to the drawings in which:

• the figure 1 is a schematic elevational view of a first embodiment of a plug according to the invention, illustrating this plug placed around a container neck and before its first opening;
• the figure 2 is a longitudinal section of the cap of the figure 1 before its first opening, the left and right halves of these figures illustrating this cap respectively before and after its introduction around the container neck;
• the Figures 3 and 4 are sections respectively according to plans III-III and IV-IV of the figure 2 illustrating the stopper before being placed around the container neck;
• the Figures 5 to 8 are larger scale views of detail box V on the figure 1 , the Figures 5 to 7 illustrating three successive states of the first opening of the plug while the figure 8 illustrates the plugging of the plug;
• the Figures 9 to 11 are views similar to detail box V on the figure 1 , respectively illustrating three variants of embodiment of the plug according to the invention;
• the figure 12 is a schematic elevational view of a second embodiment of the plug according to the invention, illustrating the plug placed around a container neck and before its first opening;
• the figure 13 is a longitudinal section of the cap of the figure 12 before its first opening, the left and right halves of these figures illustrating this cap respectively before and after its introduction around the container neck;
• the Figures 14 and 15 are sections respectively according to plans XIV-XIV and XV-XV of the figure 13 illustrating the stopper before being placed around the container neck; and
• the Figures 16 to 19 are larger-scale views of detail box XVI on the figure 12 , the Figures 16 to 18 illustrating three successive states of the first opening of the plug while the figure 19 illustrates the plugging of the plug.

On the Figures 1 to 8 is shown a plug 1 adapted to be removably attached to a neck 2 of a container. The plug 1 considered here by way of illustration is a plug fixed on the neck by screwing. In practice, the neck 2 is integral with the rest of the container, especially when the latter is a glass or plastic bottle as shown on the drawing. figure 1 , or adapted to be permanently attached to a wall of the container, at an opening through this wall.

The plug 1 and the neck 2 have respective generally tubular shapes, whose central longitudinal axes are substantially coincident, under the reference XX, when the cap is screwed onto the neck. For convenience, the rest of the description is oriented by considering that the terms "superior" and "high" correspond to a direction generally parallel to the axis XX and from the body of the container to its neck 2, that is to say a direction directed towards the upper part of the figures 1 , 2 and 5 , while the terms "lower" and "lower" correspond to an opposite direction.

The neck 2 comprises a generally cylindrical body 4 with a circular base of axis XX. At its upper end, this body 4 defines a rim 3 at which the liquid in the container is intended to be poured. As shown in the right part of the figure 4 , on the outer face of the body 4, the neck 2 comprises, successively from its rim 3, a thread 5 and a boss 6, which both extend radially outwardly from the body.

The plug 1, considered screwed on the neck 2, is open at its lower end and closed at its upper end by a bottom wall 10, at the outer periphery of which extends axially downwardly a tubular skirt 12 centered on the XX axis and circular base.

The cap here advantageously comprises a lip 14 which extends axially downwards from the bottom wall 10, centrally on the axis XX, inside the outer skirt 12. When the cap is screwed onto the neck 2, the bottom wall 10 extends above and across this neck, while the skirt 12 externally surrounds the body 4 and the lip 14 is pressed sealingly against the inner face of the body. As variants not shown, other arrangements to seal the closure of the neck 2 by the plug 1 are conceivable, for example using a reported seal.

The skirt 12 is provided with an internal thread 16 which extends radially inwardly of the main wall of the skirt, in a manner complementary to the thread 5 of the neck 2. The cooperation of the threads 5 and 16 makes it possible to screw and unscrew the skirt 12 around the collar.

Advantageously, to facilitate the drive by the user of the skirt 12 around the X-X axis, the outer face of this skirt may be provided with elongated ribs 18 which extend parallel to the axis X-X. These ribs 18 allow the user to grip more easily the plug 1. Of course, other embodiments, not shown, are possible to facilitate the handling of the plug 1 by the user.

During the first unscrewing of the plug 1, the skirt 12 is adapted to separate into two distinct parts, namely an upper portion 12 ₁ , integral with the bottom wall 10, and a lower portion 12 ₂ initially connected to the part upper 12 ₁ at a peripheral weakening line 20 located axially in the part current of the skirt. The portion of skirt 12 ₁ is intended to be completely disengaged from the neck 2, so that this portion 12 ₁ internally carries the screw thread 16 and externally the ribs 18. The skirt portion 12 ₂ is, for its part, to remain around the neck 2. To this end, this portion 12 ₂ is internally provided with rods 22 which extend radially inwardly projecting from the inner surface of the skirt 12 and which are situated generally in the same perpendicular plane to the axis XX, being distributed over the entire periphery of the skirt. When the cap is assembled at the neck 2, these vanes extend axially below the boss 6 and are adapted, when the cap is raised for the first time, to abut axially against this boss.

As clearly visible on the figure 3 , the attenuation line 20 is, in the embodiment considered here, in the form of a peripheral slot 24, which is inscribed generally in a plane perpendicular to the axis XX and which crosses radially through and through the wall of the skirt 12. The slot 24 does not extend over the entire periphery of the skirt but, on the contrary, is interrupted by a frangible bridge 26 connecting, before rupture, the skirt portions 12 ₁ and 12 ₂ . Thus, this frangible bridge 26 is located, along the axis XX, at the same level as the weakening line 20. This frangible bridge 26 extends around the axis XX, on an angle α ₂₆ which, in practice , is worth a few degrees.

The skirt 12 further comprises a peripheral weakening segment 28 distinct from the weakening line 20. As clearly visible on the figure 4 , this attenuation segment 28 is, in the exemplary embodiment considered here, in the form of a peripheral slot 30 which is inscribed in a plane perpendicular to the axis XX and which crosses through the wall from side to side of the removable skirt portion 12 ₁ .

In this way, as shown on figures 1 and 2 a strand of material 32, consisting of a peripheral fragment of the wall of the skirt 12 and belonging to the removable skirt portion 12 ₁ , is interposed in the direction of the axis XX between the weakening line 20 and the weakening segment 28.

As clearly visible on figures 1 and 2 , the attenuation segment 28 is dimensioned and positioned specifically with respect to the breakable bridge 26. More precisely, the weakening segment 28 extends, around the axis XX, on an angle β _{28 of} which the value is greater, preferably strictly greater than that of the angle α ₂₆ of the frangible bridge 26. In addition, the angular positioning, around the axis XX, of the weakening segment 28 is provided so that its two peripheral ends 28A and 28B are located, along the periphery of the skirt 12, at least perpendicular to the vertical ends of the frangible bridge 26, or preferably on either side of the frangible bridge 26.

In this way, as noted on figures 1 and 2 , the strand 32 includes a running portion 32 ₁ connected, over its entire peripheral dimension, to the non-removable skirt portion 12 ₂ by the breakable bridge 26, and two lateral arms 32 ₂ and 32 ₃ which are respectively disjoint, both of the non-removable skirt portion 12 ₂ , due to the slot 24, and the remainder of the removable skirt portion 12 ₁ due to the slot 30, except at the peripheral ends 32A and 32B of the strand 32, which are integral with the rest of the skirt portion 12 ₁ non-breakable manner.

In addition, in order to obtain a non-homogeneous behavior of the strand 32, in particular between its lateral arms 32 ₂ and 32 ₃ , along the periphery of the skirt 12, for reasons explained below, the frangible bridge 26 and the 28 are not centered on each other, but, on the contrary, the frangible bridge 26 is situated, along the periphery of the skirt, closer to the end 28A than to the end 28B of the This means that the peripheral dimension of the lateral arm 32 ₂ is strictly smaller than that of the lateral arm 32 ₃ of the strand 32.

When the user first opens the cap 1 by rotating the skirt portion 12 ₁ about the axis XX to unscrew it from the neck 2, the skirt portion 12 ₂ is retained, in the direction of the XX axis, around this neck by the boss 6 while the skirt portion 12 ₁ is spaced from the skirt portion 12 ₂ upwards. To do this, the weakening line 20 and the weakening segment 28 are solicited jointly, as shown progressively on the Figures 5 to 7 .

More specifically, during a first phase of opening illustrated by the Figures 5 and 6 , the edges of the slot 24 move away from each other in the direction of the axis XX while the breakable bridge 26 resists breaking, so that this bridge immobilizes relative to the skirt portion 12 ₂ , the current portion 32 ₁ of the strand 32. At the same time, the lateral arms 32 ₂ and 32 ₃ of this strand deform along their length, thanks to the free relative spacing of the edges of the slot 24 as well as that of the edges of the slot 30. The lateral arms 32 ₂ and 32 ₃ of the strand 32 thus extend over their entire length relative to the remainder of the skirt portion 12 ₁ and relative to the skirt portion 12 ₂ : these arms 32 ₂ and 32 ₃ are then plastically deformed, progressively passing from a substantially horizontal extended configuration to an extended configuration inclined relative to the horizontal, as clearly visible by comparison of the figures 1 , 5 and 6 .

In addition, due to the difference in length between the arms 32 ₂ and 32 ₃ , the shorter arm 32 ₂ undergoes a higher strain stress density than the longer arm 32 ₃ , leading to a greater plastic deformation for the arm 32 ₂ . In particular, as shown on the figure 6 , the cross section of the arm 32 ₂ tends to decrease, by stretching the material.

Continuing unscrewing of the skirt portion 12 ₁ , the first opening phase ends in favor of a second opening phase, during which the frangible bridge 26 breaks, as shown in FIG. figure 7 . The skirt portions 12 ₁ and 12 ₂ are then completely separated from one another and the unscrewing of the skirt portion 12 ₁ can be continued until complete disengagement of the threads 5 and 16.

In practice, it will be noted that the rupture of the frangible bridge 26 may as well leave intact the current portion 32 ₁ of the strand 32, as shown in FIG. figure 7 , that lead to the breakage of this current portion 32 ₁ , thus totally separating the lateral arms 32 ₂ and 32 ₃ from one another.

Subsequently, in the event that the removable skirt portion 12 ₁ is put back in place around the neck 2, by screwing thoroughly around this neck, the appearance of the cap is that shown on the figure 8 even if the skirt portions 12 ₁ and 12 ₂ are substantially substantially joined, as they were before the first opening of the cap 1, it is impossible to reposition the strand 32 in its original configuration, due to its plastic deformation, in particular the plastic deformation of its arms 32 ₂ and 32 ₃ , especially its shortest arm 32 ₂ . As a result, a significant portion of the strand 32 hangs in the void, protruding from the outer face of the skirt 12. Advantageously, a portion of the body 4 of the container neck 2 is directly observable through the space that initially occupied the arms 32 ₂ and 32 ₃ , in particular the arm 32 ₂ : by choosing contrasting colors for the skirt 12 and the body 4 of the collar 2, there is a better visual indication that the stopper 1 has already been opened a first time.

To manufacture the plug 1, in particular of plastic material, it is possible to use either a molding and cutting process, or an exclusively molding process. In the first case, after molding of the skirt 12, cutting blades are used to perform, preferably concomitantly, the weakening line 20 and the weakening segment 28, driving with respect to each other. the skirt 12 and these cutting blades in rotation about the axis XX. In the second case, particularly with the use of molding drawers, the skirt 12 is molded by integrating the presence of the weakening line 20 and the weakening segment 28.

On the Figures 9 to 11 three variants of embodiment of the plug 1, respectively referenced 100, 200 and 300 are represented. The plugs 100, 200 and 300 are distinguished from the plug 1 only by the positioning and / or the profile of their weakening segments, respectively referenced 128. , 228 and 328. The components of the plugs 100, 200 and 300, which are identical to those of the plug 1, have the same alphanumeric references.

As shown on the figure 9 , the weakening segment 128 is centered, along the periphery of the skirt 12, on the breakable bridge 26. In other words, this frangible bridge 26 is located, along the periphery of the skirt, substantially in the middle of the weakening segment 128 The lateral arms 132 ₂ and 132 ₃ of the strand 132 interposed between the weakening line 20 and the weakening segment 128 then have the same peripheral dimension.

In this case, the plastic deformations undergone by the arms 132 ₂ and 132 ₃ are homogeneous along the periphery of the skirt 12.

On the Figures 10 and 11 the weakening segments 228 and 328 do not extend rectilinearly along the periphery of the skirt 12, such as the weakening segments 28 and 128, but the weakening segment 228 forms a V-shaped pattern pointing towards the weakening line 20 and the weakening segment 328 extends in a curved manner, bulging towards the weakening line 20. In this way, the lateral arms 232 ₂ and 232 ₃ , 332 ₂ and 332 ₃ of each strand 232, 332 interposed between the weakening line 20 and, respectively, the weakening segment 228 and the weakening segment 328, have a thickness, in the direction of the axis XX, smaller at their end. peripheral turned towards the frangible bridge 26 at their peripheral end integral with the rest of the removable skirt portion 12 ₁ . At the first opening of the plugs 200 and 300, the plastic deformation of the strands 232 and 332 is thus more marked, by stretching their material, near the frangible bridge 26.

• la ligne d'affaiblissement 20 peut inclure plusieurs ponts frangibles 26, respectivement associés à des segments d'affaiblissement 28, 128, 228 ou 328, notamment en étant répartis de manière sensiblement uniforme autour de la jupe 12 ;
• plutôt que d'être ininterrompue suivant la périphérie de la jupe 12, la fente 24 de la ligne d'assouplissement 20 peut être interrompue par un ou plusieurs pontets frangibles, reliant l'une à l'autre les parties de jupe 12₁ et 12₂ avant la première ouverture du bouchon, étant précisé que ce ou ces pontets frangibles additionnels présentent une résistance à la rupture significativement moindre que celle du ou des ponts frangibles 26, de manière à se rompre, notamment par cisaillement, dès le début de la première phase d'ouverture des bouchons, avant la rupture du ou des ponts frangibles 26 qui, eux, travaillent essentiellement en traction-compression ; de tels pontets frangibles permettent de renforcer la résistance d'ensemble de la ligne d'affaiblissement 20 lors du démoulage et de l'assemblage du bouchon autour du col du récipient ;

• de la même façon, plutôt que d'être ininterrompue suivant la périphérie de la jupe 12, la fente 30 du segment d'affaiblissement 28 peut être interrompue par un ou plusieurs pontets frangibles reliant le brin 32 au reste de la partie de jupe amovible 12₁ avant la première ouverture du bouchon ; de tels pontets frangibles permettent de renforcer la résistance d'ensemble du segment d'affaiblissement 28 lors du démoulage et de l'assemblage du bouchon autour du col de récipient ;
• on rappelle que la fixation amovible du bouchon 1, 100, 200 ou 300 sur le col du récipient 2 peut être prévue autrement que par vissage, notamment par clipsage, la partie de jupe 12₁ étant alors pourvue intérieurement d'une bande de clipsage, éventuellement fragmentée en plusieurs clips distincts, à même d'être mise en prise avec un bord extérieur saillant, prévu à l'extrémité supérieure du col ; et/ou
• la retenue à demeure de la partie de jupe 12₂ autour du col 2 peut être obtenue par d'autres formes de réalisation que les palettes 22.

Various arrangements and variants of the plugs 1, 100, 200 and 300, as well as the methods for manufacturing them, as described above, are also possible. As examples:

• the weakening line 20 may include several frangible bridges 26, respectively associated with weakening segments 28, 128, 228 or 328, in particular being distributed substantially uniformly around the skirt 12;
• rather than being uninterrupted along the periphery of the skirt 12, the slit 24 of the softening line 20 may be interrupted by one or more frangible bridges, connecting the skirt portions 12 ₁ and 12 to one another ₂ before the first opening of the plug, it being specified that this or these additional frangible bridges have a significantly lower breaking strength than that of the frangible bridges 26, so as to break, in particular by shear, from the beginning of the first phase of opening of the plugs, before breaking the frangible bridge or bridges 26 which, themselves, work essentially in tension-compression; such frangible bridges allow to enhance the overall strength of the line of weakness 20 during demolding and assembly of the plug around the neck of the container;

• similarly, rather than being uninterrupted along the periphery of the skirt 12, the slit 30 of the weakening segment 28 may be interrupted by one or more frangible bridges connecting the strand 32 to the remainder of the removable skirt portion 12 ₁ before the first opening of the cap; such frangible bridges can enhance the overall strength of the weakening segment 28 during demolding and assembly of the cap around the container neck;
• it is recalled that the removable attachment of the plug 1, 100, 200 or 300 on the neck of the container 2 may be provided otherwise than by screwing, in particular by clipping, the skirt portion 12 ₁ then being internally provided with a clipping band, optionally fragmented into several distinct clips, capable of being engaged with a projecting outer edge, provided at the upper end of the neck; and or
• the indwelling restraint of the skirt portion 12 ₂ around the collar 2 can be obtained by other embodiments than the pallets 22.

On the Figures 12 to 20 is shown a plug 1000 adapted to be removably attached to a neck 2 of a container. The plug 1000 considered here by way of illustration is a plug fixed on the neck by screwing. In practice, the neck 2 is integral with the rest of the container, especially when the latter is a glass or plastic bottle as shown on the drawing. figure 12 , or adapted to be permanently attached to a wall of the container, at an opening through this wall.

The plug 1000 and the neck 2 have respective generally tubular shapes, whose central longitudinal axes are substantially coincident, under the reference XX, when the cap is screwed onto the neck. For convenience, the following description is oriented by considering that the terms "upper" and "top" correspond to a direction generally parallel to the axis XX and from the body of the container to its neck 2, that is to say say a direction directed towards the upper part of figures 12 , 13 and 16 , while the terms "lower" and "lower" correspond to an opposite direction.

The neck 2 comprises a generally cylindrical body 4 with a circular base of axis XX. At its upper end, this body 4 defines a rim 3 at which the liquid in the container is intended to be poured. As shown in the right part of the figure 15 on the outer face of the body 4, the collar 2 comprises, successively from its rim 3, a thread 5 and a boss 6, both of which extend radially outwardly from the body.

The plug 1000, considered screwed onto the neck 2, is open at its lower end and closed at its upper end by a bottom wall 1010, at the outer periphery of which extends axially downwardly a tubular skirt 1012 centered on the XX axis and circular base.

The plug here advantageously comprises a lip 1014 which extends axially downwards from the bottom wall 1010, centrally on the axis XX, inside the outer skirt 1012. When the cap is screwed onto the neck 2, the bottom wall 1010 extends above and across the neck, while the skirt 1012 externally surrounds the body 4 and the lip 1014 is pressed sealingly against the inner face of the body. As variants not shown, other arrangements to seal the closure of the neck 2 by the plug 1000 are possible, for example using a reported seal.

The skirt 1012 is provided with an internal thread 1016 which extends radially inwardly of the main wall of the skirt, complementary to the thread 5 of the neck 2. The cooperation of the threads 5 and 1016 makes it possible to screw and unscrew the skirt 1012 around the collar.

Advantageously, to facilitate the user's drive of the skirt 1012 around the X-X axis, the outer face of this skirt may be provided with elongate ribs 1018 which extend parallel to the X-X axis. These ribs 1018 allow the user to grip more easily the stopper 1000. Of course, other embodiments, not shown, are possible to facilitate the grip of the stopper 1000 by the user.

During the first unscrewing of the cap 1000, the skirt 1012 is adapted to separate into two distinct parts, namely an upper part 1012 ₁ , integral with the bottom wall 1010, and a lower part 1012 ₂ initially connected to the part upper 1012 ₁ at a weakening peripheral line 1020 located axially in the current portion of the skirt. The skirt portion 1012 ₁ is intended to be completely disengaged from the neck 2, so that this portion 1012 ₁ internally carries the screw thread 1016 and externally the ribs 1018. The skirt portion 1012 ₂ is, for its part, intended to remain around the neck 2. To this end, this portion 1012 ₂ is internally provided with rods 1022 which extend radially inwardly projecting from the inner surface of the skirt 1012 and which are situated generally in the same perpendicular plane to the axis XX, being distributed over the entire periphery of the skirt. When the plug is assembled at the neck 2, these rods extend axially below the boss 6 and are adapted, when the cap is raised for the first time, to abut axially against this boss.

As clearly visible on the figure 14 , the weakening line 1020 is, in the exemplary embodiment considered here, in the form of a peripheral slot 1024, which is inscribed generally in a plane perpendicular to the axis XX and which crosses radially through and through the wall of the skirt 1012. The slot 1024 extends over a large periphery of the skirt, but not on its totality: a non-breakable peripheral portion 1025 of the skirt 1012 interrupts the slot 1024 along the periphery of the skirt. In practice, this portion of non-breakable skirt 1025 has the same structure, in particular the same thickness, as the rest of the skirt 1012, at the axial level of which the slot 1024 is made. The portion of non-breakable skirt 1025 extends, around the axis XX, on an angle α ₁₀₂₅ which, in practice, is worth a few degrees.

Advantageously, as in the embodiment considered in the figures, the slot 1024 is interrupted by several frangible bridges 1026 connecting the skirt portions 1012 ₁ and 1012 _{2 to each other} before the first opening of the cap. These frangible bridges 1026 are distributed substantially evenly along the slot 1024, following the periphery of the skirt 1012.

The skirt 1012 further comprises a peripheral weakening segment 1028 distinct from the weakening line 1020. As clearly visible on the figure 15 , this weakening segment 1028 is, in the exemplary embodiment considered here, in the form of a peripheral slot 1030 which is inscribed in a plane perpendicular to the axis XX and which crosses through the wall from one side to the other of the removable skirt portion 1012 ₁ .

In this way, as shown on figures 12 and 13 , a strand 1032 consisting of an elongate peripheral fragment of the wall of the skirt 1012 and substantially belonging to the non-removable skirt portion 1012 ₂ , is interposed in the direction of the axis XX between the weakening line 1020 and the weakening segment 1028.

As clearly visible on figures 12 and 13 the weakening segment 1028 is sized and positioned specifically with respect to the non-breakable skirt portion 1025 located axially of the weakening line 1020. More specifically, the weakening segment 1028 is extends, about the axis XX, on an angle β ₁₀₂₈ whose value is greater, preferably strictly greater than that of the angle α ₁₀₂₅ of the non-breakable skirt portion 1025. In addition, the angular positioning, around of the axis XX, the weakening segment 1028 is provided so that its two peripheral ends 1028A and 1028B are located, along the periphery of the skirt 1012, to less vertical plumb with the peripheral ends of the non-breakable skirt portion 1025, or preferably on either side of this non-breakable skirt portion 1025.

In this way, as noted on figures 12 and 13 , the strand 1032 includes a running portion 1032 ₁ connected, over its entire peripheral dimension, to the non-removable skirt portion 1012 ₂ by the non-breakable skirt portion 1025, being integral, without interruption of the skirt wall 1012, with this non-removable skirt portion 1012 ₂ . In addition, the strand 1032 includes two opposite peripheral ends 1032 ₂ and 1032 ₃ which, on the one hand, along the periphery of the skirt 1012, are connected to the removable skirt portion 1012 ₁ by respective frangible bridges 1034, and which on the other hand, in the direction of the axis XX, are respectively disjoined, at the same time, from the remainder of the removable skirt portion 1012 ₁ , due to the slit 1030, and from the remainder of the non skirt portion removable 1012 ₂ because of the slot 1024.

The aforementioned frangible bridges 1034 are designed, with adequate sizing, to have a breaking strength strictly greater than that of frangible bridges 1026, as explained in detail below. In addition, to obtain a homogeneous behavior of the strand 1032 along the periphery of the skirt 1012, in particular for its ends 1032 ₂ and 1032 ₃ , the weakening segment 1028 and the non-breakable skirt portion 1025 are centered on one another. other around the XX axis. That is to say that the peripheral ends 1032 ₂ and 1032 ₃ of the strand 1032 have respective peripheral dimensions equal to each other.

When the user first opens the stopper 1000 by rotating the skirt portion 1012 ₁ about the axis XX to unscrew it from the neck 2, the skirt portion 1012 ₂ is retained, in the direction of the XX axis, the boss 6 while the skirt portion 1012 ₁ is spaced from the skirt portion 1012 ₂ upwards. To do this, the weakening line 1020 and the weakening segment 1028 are solicited jointly, as shown progressively on the Figures 16 to 18 .

More specifically, during a first phase of opening illustrated by the Figures 16 and 17 the edges of the slot 1024 move apart from each other in the direction of the axis XX, inducing the breaking of the frangible bridges 1026, while at the same time the non-breakable skirt portion 1025 resists at break so that this portion of non-breakable skirt 1025 immobilizes, relative to the non-removable skirt portion 1012 ₂ , the running portion 1032 ₁ of the strand 1032. As a result, insofar as the edges of the slit 1024 deviate from each other and the edges of the slot 1030 also move away from each other, the peripheral ends 1032 ₂ and 1032 ₃ of the strand 1032 plastically deform, passing gradually from their initial configuration to a plastically stretched configuration, as clearly visible by comparing figures 12 , 16 and 17 . In other words, the frangible bridges 1034, connecting the ends of strand 1032 ₂ and 1032 ₃ to the removable skirt portion 1012 ₁ , undergo stresses of plastic deformation, without breaking. In particular, as shown on the figure 17 the cross section of the bridges 1034 tends to decrease by stretching the material.

Thus, it is understood that, during this first opening phase, the frangible bridges 1026 are broken while the frangible bridges 1034 deform plastically without breaking. This is due in particular to the fact that, during the unscrewing of the skirt portion 1012 ₁ , the stresses applied to these bridges 1026 and to these bridges 1034 are not essentially of the same nature: the bridges 1026 are essentially constrained shear, which, in view of their design, quickly leads to breakage when sufficient torque is applied between the removable skirt portion 1012 ₁ and non removable 1012 ₂ , while the bridges 1034 work essentially in tension- compression, which, in view of their design, leads to their progressive plastic deformation as and skirt portions 1012 ₁ and 1012 ₂ move away from each other in the direction of the axis XX . For the user, the effort required for the progressive plastic deformation of the bridges 1034 is limited, even negligible, compared to the overall force that it must produce to rotate the removable skirt portion 1012 ₁ . This is all the more the case when, advantageously, the peripheral dimension of the ends 1032 ₂ and 1032 ₃ of the strand 1032 is limited compared to that of the whole of the strand 1032. According to a corresponding advantageous dimensioning, the peripheral extent of each strand end 1032 ₂ , 1032 ₃ is less than 10% of the total peripheral extent of the strand 1032, which is to say that the peripheral extent of the non-breakable skirt portion 1025 is at least 80% of the extent device of the weakening segment 1028.

The fact that the bridges 104 are designed to work in tension-compression and thus resist breaking more than the bridges 1026 working in shear, presents another interest: indeed, during the handling of the stopper 1000 before its first opening, in particular during its manufacture, as well as during its initial placement, in particular by screwing, around the container neck 2, the bridges 1034 reinforce the breaking strength of the weakening line 1020, which increases the mechanical resistance of all of this line of weakening and the weakening segment 1028, thus avoiding that line and this segment begin to break, which would alter their performance of subsequent indication of the first opening of the plug. In particular, the bridges 1034 make it possible, in a way, to protect the integrity of the frangible bridges 1026 during the manufacture and the initial installation of the plug 1000.

Continuing unscrewing of the removable skirt portion 1012 ₁ , the first opening phase ends in favor of a second opening phase, during which the bridges 1034 break, as shown in FIG. figure 18 . The skirt portions 1012 ₁ and 1012 ₂ are then completely separated from one another and the unscrewing of the skirt portion 1012 ₁ can be continued until the threads 5 and 1016 are fully disengaged. by means of adequate sizing of the threads 5 and 1016, the latter can be completely disengaged from each other without the bridges 1034 still being completely broken: in this case, the bridges 1034 can be used to the manner of hinges for tilting the skirt portion 1012 ₁ relative to the skirt portion 1012 ₂ , it being understood that, in view of their frangible nature, the bridges 1034 are then easily broken by hand by the user, particularly in view of resealing the neck 2, repositioning by screwing the skirt portion 1012 ₁ around this neck.

Subsequently, in the event that the removable skirt portion 1012 ₁ is put back in place around the neck 2, by screwing thoroughly around this neck, the appearance of the plug 1000 is that shown on the figure 19 it is impossible to reposition the strand 1032 in its original configuration, due to the plastic deformation of its peripheral ends 1032 ₂ and 1032 ₃ . As a result, part of the strand 1032 then hangs in the void, protruding from the outer face of the skirt 1012. Moreover, having regard to the crenellated shape of the non-removable skirt portion 1012 ₂ , related to the permanent presence of the current portion 1032 ₁ of the strand 1032, the skirt portions 1012 ₁ and 1012 ₂ can no longer be placed in a substantially contiguous manner, as they were before the first opening of the stopper 1000, in particular because of the interposition of one or both deformed ends 1032 ₂ and 1032 ₃ of the strand 1032, as shown in FIG. figure 19 .

Advantageously, a portion of the body 4 of the neck 2 is then directly observable, on the one hand, directly above the weakening segment 1028, and on the other hand, between the skirt portions 1012 ₁ and 1012 _{2 that are} not joined. : by choosing contrasting colors for the skirt 1012 and the body 4 of the neck 2, there is a better visual indication that the plug 1000 has already been opened a first time.

In order to manufacture the stopper 1000, in particular made of plastic material, it is possible to use either a molding and then a cutting process, or an exclusively molding process. In the first case, after molding of the skirt 1012, cutting blades are used to perform, preferably concomitantly, the weakening line 1020, with the frangible bridges 1026, and the weakening segment 1028, driving the one with respect to the other the skirt 1012 and these cutting blades in rotation around the XX axis. In the second case, with the use of molding drawers, the skirt 1012 is molded by integrating the presence of the weakening line 1020 and the weakening segment 28.

• plusieurs portions de jupe non frangibles 1025 peuvent être prévues au niveau axial de la ligne d'affaiblissement 1020, en étant réparties de manière sensiblement uniforme autour de la jupe 1012 et en étant respectivement associées à autant de segments d'affaiblissement 1028 ;
• plutôt que d'être interrompue suivant la périphérie de la jupe 1012 par les pontets frangibles 1026, la fente 1024 de la ligne d'affaiblissement 1020 peut être ininterrompue ;
• à l'inverse, plutôt que d'être ininterrompue suivant la périphérie de la jupe 1012, la fente 1030 du segment d'affaiblissement 1028 peut être interrompue par un ou plusieurs pontets frangibles reliant la partie courante 1032₁ du brin 1032 au reste de la partie de jupe amovible 1012₁ avant la première ouverture du bouchon 1000 ; de tels pontets frangibles permettent de renforcer la résistance d'ensemble du segment d'affaiblissement 1028 lors du démoulage et de l'assemblage du bouchon autour du col de récipient 2 ;
• comme expliqué plus haut, le mode de réalisation de l'invention correspondant au bouchon 1000, présente un intérêt tout particulier pour les bouchons vissés ; toutefois, l'invention peut être appliquée à des bouchons présentant d'autres types de fixation amovible sur le col de récipient 2, tels qu'une fixation par clipsage, la partie de jupe 1012₁ étant alors pourvue intérieurement d'une bande de clipsage, éventuellement fragmentée en plusieurs clips distincts, à même d'être mise en prise avec un bord extérieur saillant, prévu à l'extrémité supérieure du col ; et/ou
• la retenue à demeure de la partie de jupe 1012₂ autour du col 2 peut être obtenue par d'autres formes de réalisation que les joncs 1022.

Various arrangements and variants of the stopper 1000, as well as the methods for manufacturing it, as described above, are also possible. As examples:

• a plurality of non-breakable skirt portions 1025 may be provided axially of the weakening line 1020, being substantially uniformly distributed about the skirt 1012 and respectively associated with as many weakening segments 1028;
• rather than being interrupted along the periphery of the skirt 1012 by the frangible bridges 1026, the slot 1024 of the weakening line 1020 can be uninterrupted;
• conversely, rather than being uninterrupted along the periphery of the skirt 1012, the slit 1030 of the weakening segment 1028 can be interrupted by one or more frangible bridges connecting the current portion 1032 ₁ of the strand 1032 to the remainder of the removable skirt portion 1012 ₁ before the first opening of the stopper 1000; such frangible bridges can enhance the overall strength of the weakening segment 1028 during demolding and assembly of the cap around the container neck 2;
• as explained above, the embodiment of the invention corresponding to the stopper 1000, is of particular interest for screw caps; however, the invention can be applied to plugs having other types of removable attachment to the container neck 2, such as clipping fastening, the skirt portion 1012 ₁ being then internally provided with a clipping band , possibly fragmented into several distinct clips, able to be engaged with a projecting outer edge, provided at the upper end of the neck; and or
• the permanent restraint of the skirt portion 1012 ₂ around the collar 2 can be obtained by other embodiments than the rods 1022.

Claims (16)

1. A lid (1; 100; 200; 300; 1000) for a container neck (2),
   including a tubular skirt (12; 1012) capable of surrounding the neck and provided both with a peripheral break line (20; 1020), which is adapted to be broken during the first opening of the lid and which, before this first opening, connects along the direction of the axis (X-X) of the skirt, a non-removable portion (12₂; 1012₂) of the skirt, provided with means (22; 1022) for permanently retaining around the neck, and a removable portion (12₁; 1012₁) of the skirt, provided with means (16; 1016) for removable attachment to the neck, and at least one break segment (28; 128; 228; 328; 1028), which is delimited distinctly from the break line (20; 1020) so as to form, between the break line and the break segment along the direction of the axis (X-X) of the skirt, a strand (32; 132; 232; 332; 1032) extending along the periphery of the skirt,
   characterized in that said break segment (28; 128; 228; 328; 1028) is delimited in the removable skirt portion (12₁; 1012₁) and in that either each of both peripheral ends (32A, 32B) of said strand (32; 1032) is bound in a non-breakable way to the removable skirt portion (12₁) while the running portion (32₁) of said strand is connected to the non-removable skirt portion (12₂) through a breakable bridge (26), or the running portion (1032₁) of said strand (1032) is bound in a non-breakable way to the non-removable skirt portion (1012₂) while each of both peripheral ends (1032₁, 1032₂) of said strand is connected to the removable skirt portion (1012₁) through a breakable bridge (1034), the breakable bridge (26; 1034) being, in both cases, adapted, during the first opening of the lid, for successively resisting to failure while the break line is already broken, and for then breaking after plastic deformation of the strand and for thus separating the removable and non-removable skirt portions from each other.
2. The lid according to claim 1, characterized in that the breakable bridge (26: 1034) is further adapted for reinforcing the resistance to failure of the break line (20; 1020) during handlings of the lid (1; 1000) before its first opening, notably during its placement around the container neck (2).
3. The lid according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that each of both peripheral ends (28A, 28B; 1028A, 1028B) of the break segment (28; 1028) is located, along the periphery of the skirt (12; 1012), outside the peripheral portion of the skirt, in which the running portion (32₁; 1032₁) of the strand (32; 1032) is, either breakably or non-breakably, connected to the non-removable skirt portion (12₂; 1012₂).
4. The lid according to claim 3, characterized in that the peripheral extent of the peripheral portion of the skirt (12; 1012), in which the running portion (32₁; 1032₁) of the strand (32; 1032) is, either breakably or non-breakably, bound to the non-removable skirt portion (12₂; 1012₂), has the value of at least 80% of the peripheral extent of the break segment (28; 1028).
5. The lid according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in the case when the breakable bridge (26) is provided between the running portion (32₁) of the strand (32) and the non-removable skirt portion (12₂), the breakable bridge (26) is located, along the periphery of the skirt (12), closer to one (28A) of both peripheral ends (28A, 28B) of the break segment (28) than to the other peripheral end (28B).
6. The lid according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, in the case when the breakable bridge (26) is provided between the running portion (32₁) of the strand (32) and the non-removable skirt portion (12₂), the breakable bridge (26) is located, along the periphery of the skirt (12), substantially in the middle of the break segment (128; 228; 328).
7. The lid according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in the case when the breakable bridge (26) is provided between the running portion (32₁) of the strand (32) and the non-removable skirt portion (12₂), the breakable bridge (26) is located at the same axial level as the break line (20).
8. The lid according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the break line (20; 1020) includes breakable small bridges (1026), which are distributed along the periphery of the skirt (12; 1012), which, after the first opening of the lid (1; 1000), connect the removable (12₁; 1012₁) and non-removable (12₂; 1012₂) skirt portions to each other, and which, during the first opening of the lid, are adapted to be all broken before the breaking of the breakable bridge (26; 1034).
9. The lid according to claim 8, characterized in that the means for removable attachment to the neck (2) comprise a threading (16; 1016) for screwing-unscrewing around this neck, and in that when this threading is screwed on for the first time, for placement of the lid (1; 1000) and unscrewed for the first opening of the lid, around the neck, the breakable bridge (26; 1034) is designed to essentially operate in traction-compression while the breakable small bridges (1026) are designed so as to essentially operate with shearing.
10. The lid according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by several break segments (28; 1028) which are distributed along the periphery of the skirt (12; 1012).
11. The lid according to any of claims 1 to 9, characterized by a single break line (20; 1020) and by a single break segment (28; 1028).
12. The lid according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the permanently retaining means (22; 1022) are adapted to axially abutting against a boss (6) of the neck (2) during the first opening of the lid (1; 100; 200; 300; 1000).
13. The lid according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one break segment (28; 128; 1028) extends rectilinearly along the periphery of the skirt (12; 1012).
14. The lid according to any of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that said at least one break segment (228) forms, along the periphery of the skirt (12) a V pattern pointing towards the break line (20).
15. The lid according to any of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the break segment (328) is curved along the periphery of the skirt (12), while being convex towards the break line (20).
16. The lid according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the or each break segment (28; 128; 228; 328; 1028) is located, along the direction of the axis (X-X), between the break line (20; 1020) and means (18) for gripping the outer face of the removable skirt portion (12₁-1 1012₁).

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