Aseptic cap for containers with evidence of first opening

An aseptic cap for containers with evidence of first opening includes a protective cover positioned on a pouring element and produced as a single piece, which has an upper and a lower part connected by frangible bridges facing edges of the upper and the lower parts of the cover, and by a hinge arrangement. The pouring element includes a cylindrical element formed by two sections having different diameters separated by a step defined by a radial annular extension, which protrudes from the lower cylindrical part of the cover and is at least partially inserted in the upper part of the cover. The upper part of the cover has, in its interior, an appendix or flap which extends to rest above the annular extension, to become folded when the cap is mounted, and which is arranged straight downwardly to be abutted above the annular extension after the first opening.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an aseptic cap for containers with evidence of first opening.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Closing caps that are relatively simplified may be positioned on containers or recipients for beverages and other liquid products, such as drinks with vitamin supplements, water with additives in general, juices, tea. These caps, called “flip top”, generally essentially comprise a protective cover and an internal central pouring element.

The protective cover extends into a base collar which is positioned on the threaded part of the mouth of the container and is produced in a single piece, whereas the pouring element is arranged inside the cap, and kept blocked therein, ready to be also positioned with respect to the mouth of the container.

In general, these closure caps of a container must be constructed in such a way that, when placed on a container filled with their contents, they must not allow any opening or tampering of their contents.

They must, in fact, be such that, once opened for the first time, they can no longer be closed so as to appear to be untouched and never used before. All this is to ensure that the internal product is that inserted by the filling company and absolutely original. Furthermore, they must also be relatively simple to open, favoring the use of the beverage by the consumer.

Furthermore, as already mentioned, it must be possible to verify with extreme immediacy and simplicity, by observing the container provided with this kind of cap, that said container is intact, i.e. that a first opening has not already been effected, providing ample reassurance to the consumer of the product.

These problems and requests first of all create the necessity of providing a cap whose protective cover can be positioned very easily on the mouth of the container, once filled, and at the same time can also guarantee the prevention of opening and subsequent reclosing which does not show that the first opening has been effected. Once the cap has been positioned, it should not be possible to open it for any reason whatsoever without said opening being revealed and evident. In short, the cap must have an irreversible opening.

Secondly, this type of cap must be able to be positioned on the container with an optimal seal in its closed position when the container that receives it and on which it is positioned is ready for sale.

There are many examples of these caps to be positioned on a screw neck of a container, but most of them have great construction complexity and a certain number of constituent parts which make them complex. The presence of more than two parts consequently leads to assembly costs and the need for having more molds available with an increase in costs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The objective of the present invention is therefore to find an adequate and different solution to the various problems revealed and indicated above.

A further objective of the invention is to provide a cap which is capable of guaranteeing evidence of any type of tampering with respect to its positioning in the filling phase with the original contents.

Yet another objective of the invention is to provide an aseptic cap for containers with evidence of first opening, which is simple and inexpensive and particularly simple to use and operate.

The above-mentioned objectives are achieved by an aseptic cap for containers with evidence of first opening produced as described hereinafter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

With general reference to the figures, these show by way of non-limiting example, an embodiment of an aseptic cap for containers with evidence of first opening, indicated as a whole with11.

The aseptic cap11is arranged for closing a container, in particular on a screw neck (not shown), and comprises an external protective cover12and an internal pouring element13. This type of cap, as already mentioned, is of the kind known as “flip top”.

The protective cover12is produced in a single piece, for example by molding, and completely envelops the internal pouring element13.

More specifically, the cover12is substantially in the form of an inverted cup and consists of an upper part14and a lower part16connected by means of a series of frangible bridges17, produced in correspondence with facing edges of the upper part14and the lower part16of the cover12.

The upper part14is also articulately connected to the lower part16. In the example, the upper part14is shaped like an inverted bowl and is connected to the lower part16in a perimetric section facing the two parts14,16through a hinge arrangement15. The hinge arrangement15can consist, for example, of one or more adjacent bridges. The lower part16in the example is cylindrical in shape and is internally provided with a threading37, at least in a section of the internal surface. Said threading37is provided for coupling with a complementary threading which is provided on the external part of the mouth of a container or recipient (not shown) on which the aseptic cap11is arranged.

The lower cylindrical part16of the cover12, at its lower free end, provides a ring18, connected to it by means of a series of frangible bridges19. Said ring18, along its internal diameter, provides a plurality of teeth20having a stable positioning on a perimetric cord protruding radially towards the outside of the mouth of the container or recipient (not shown) on which the aseptic cap11, according to the present invention, is arranged.

The inner pouring element13is a cylindrical element composed of two sections having different diameters separated by a step: a lower section with a larger diameter21and an upper section with a smaller diameter22. The two sections21,22are connected by a central annular extension23arranged on a plane perpendicular to an axis X of the two sections21,22of the cylindrical element in a radial direction in the cylindrical element to form said step.

The central annular extension23is arranged protruding from the lower cylindrical part16of the cover12and is at least partially inserted in the upper part14of the cover12. In this way the series of frangible bridges17, produced in correspondence with the two facing edges of the upper part14and lower part16of the cover12, are arranged externally with respect to the lower section having a larger diameter21of the cylindrical element which forms the pouring element13.

A lower end of the lower section21with a larger diameter has an annular flange24protruding radially outwardly with respect to said section21. Said flange24is abutted inside the lower part15of the cover12before the internal threading37beneath an annular undercut241formed at the end of the threading37. Furthermore, the pouring element13extends, almost adjacent and concentric inside the annular flange24, into a smaller cylindrical terminal portion25suitable for being inserted inside the mouth of the container or recipient on which the aseptic cap11is arranged.

This cylindrical terminal portion25is externally provided with an annular molding26, protruding radially outwardly, which causes the forced positioning of the cap11inside the mouth of the container. This positioning is assisted by an edge27produced in an intermediate portion of the cover12. This edge27is annular and is perpendicular to the axis X and receives the annular flange24of the pouring element13in abutment. Said annular edge27forms a step in an intermediate area of the cover12where the pouring element13is permanently housed, as its annular flange24is positioned there in abutment. The positioning of the pouring element13is thus effected against the internal wall of the lower part16of the cover12where its internal threading37ends.

At the upper end of the pouring element13in correspondence with the end of the upper section22having a smaller diameter, an annular flap28is provided facing inwardly. A first tubular extension29is positioned inside and against said annular flap28which forms part of and extends downwardly from an upper wall30of the cover12. A second tubular extension31, having a larger diameter than the first extension29, extends from the upper part30of the cover12, coaxial with said first tubular extension29and also facing the same direction as the first tubular extension29. The two tubular extensions29and31are positioned inside and astride of the upper end of the pouring element13, even if it does not provide for said annular flap28facing inwardly, and they completely seal a passage32inside the pouring element13produced for discharging the contents of the container or recipient on which the aseptic cap11is arranged.

As previously described, the upper part14of the cover12provides the upper wall30and a shaped side jacket which comprises the above-mentioned hinge arrangement15for connection to the lower cylindrical part16. A push-button33is positioned in an area opposite the hinge arrangement15, which can be pressed towards the inside of the cap.

When pressed, the push-button33causes the deformation (or even breakage) of a film34of the cover arranged above the push-button33as far as the upper wall30of the cover. This film34insulates the pouring element13from the outside and is sealed against the outer part of the pouring element13. The provision of the film34creates a complete seal with respect to the washing liquid and rinsing water, when the cap is produced and intact and as described in more detail hereunder.

FIGS. 1 and 4with the cap closed, as positioned on the container, show, in addition to what is indicated above, that the upper part14of the cover12provides in the example, in its interior, a pair of appendices or flaps35which extend towards the pouring element13, symmetrically on opposite parts of the cap (only one is shown in the figures and only one can be provided in a simplified embodiment of the cap). More specifically, in this example illustrated, said pair of appendices or flaps35extends to rest above the central annular extension23provided between the two sections21,22of the pouring element13, bending in the production step of the cap when it is ready for use and for application on a container. These appendices or flaps35, however, are arranged straight downwardly, abutting above the central annular extension23when the first opening of the upper part14of the cover12has been effected with respect to the lower cylindrical part15and the pouring element13and an attempt has been made to close the cover12on the pouring element13. This arrangement, illustrated inFIGS. 5 and 6, shows how the presence of said appendices or flaps35directed downwardly, which are abutted above the underlying central annular extension23, not only prevents a complete reclosure of the cover12, but also reveals the first opening of the cover12with respect to the pouring element13. In a closed position, in fact, and not opened for the first time, the upper part14of the cover12faces the lower part16and the two parts14and16are thus kept in contact with each other by the series of bridges17.FIG. 10shows the presence of the appendices35inside the cover12, more clearly.

The arrangement of the two parts14and16is different when a first opening of the cap11has been effected with rotation of the upper part14with respect to the lower part16around the hinge arrangement15, consisting of various bridges.

In order to do this, the user acts on an opening flap36, protruding in an upper area of the upper part14of the cover, for example close to the push-button33.

This thrust on the opening flap36causes the breakage of the series of bridges17provided between the upper part14and the lower part16of the cover12, which keep them closed facing each other. In this way, the upper part14of the cover12is rotated around the hinge arrangement15, consisting of various bridges, with respect to the lower part16. There is therefore free access to the pouring element13with the possibility of pouring the beverage contained in the container.

The followingFIGS. 5 and 6show how the upper part14and the lower part16of the cover12remain apart, clearly showing that the cap11has been opened and therefore is no longer as it was produced and taken from the packaging with the original contents of the container.

FIG. 6, in fact, shows how one of the bridges17has been broken and its small facing portions17′ can be seen on the two facing edges of the upper part14and lower part16of the cover12.

It can also be very clearly noted how the free end of the flap35is abutted on the annular flange24of the pouring element13, as shown, preventing any possibility of closure between the two parts of the cover12of the cap11.

This alerts and warns the user, as it can thus be seen that a first opening of the cap has already been made. And consequently, for example, the contents of the container may have been replaced or in any case the original contents may have tampered.

The cap can therefore no longer be reclosed even by forcing and is therefore always open.

As has been seen, the functioning of this type of cap according to the invention is extremely simple and immediate.

It should be pointed out that the cap of the present invention, when in a closed position, thanks to its characteristics, creates a perfect sealing assembly, guaranteeing the integrity of the products especially when the filling phase is made under aseptic conditions in specific plants. Its simple structure allows easy control of the correct implementation of the molding and assembly phases.

In particular, it has been said that the protective cover12of the present “flip top” cap is molded in a single piece and completely envelops the inner pouring element13on which it is sealed. It has also been said, in fact, that the construction of the single-piece cap12seal-envelops the underlying pouring element13.

This arrangement can be very clearly seen on observing the figures.

It has been said, in fact, that the above-mentioned internal film34is provided above the push-button33, which also forms part of the cover when produced in a single piece which also envelops the pouring element13in that point, causing inaccessibility to the same pouring element13on the part of washing and sterilization liquid with the cap as molded.

This inaccessibility to the pouring element13is also achieved by the presence of the first tubular extension29and the second tubular extension31, having a larger diameter than the first extension29, which are inserted in the passage32provided in the pouring element13, closing it with a perfect seal with respect to the outside.

Furthermore, the two facing edges of the upper part14and lower part16of the cover12which are arranged outside the lower section having a larger diameter21of the pouring element13also prevent access to the washing liquid.

In this way, a chamber50inside the cover is created on the cap as produced and not opened, which makes the same pouring element13inaccessible on the part of washing and sterilizing liquid with the cap as molded.

Furthermore, the pouring element13, when assembled inside the cover12, creates a perfect seal with respect to the container on which the cap11is arranged. The provision of the annular flange24, in fact, protruding radially outwardly with respect to the lower section21having a larger diameter of the pouring element13and also that of the annular undercut241formed inside the cover at the end of the threading37also creates an optimal seal.

All of this allows the cap to be washed when its two parts have been mounted with a suitable washing liquid, such as hydrogen peroxide vapor, making it sterile and above all preventing said washing liquid from being deposited in its interior.

Consequently, on the one hand the cap is sterile, and on the other, no residues of washing liquid are deposited in the cap which would then pollute the contents with which the container or recipient on which said cap must be positioned, is filled.

It has thus been seen that a cap according to the present invention achieves the objectives previously indicated.

The cap is particularly simple in structure and does not require complicated arrangements of parts, as it is composed of only two parts, i.e. cover and pouring element, which can be easily placed on the mouth of the container or recipient.

Thanks to the arrangement of the flaps or elements that prevent reclosure, said cap guarantees evidence of first opening.

The objective mentioned in the preamble of the description has thus been achieved.

The protection scope of the present invention is defined by the enclosed claims.