CAP FOR A BOTTLE

Abstract: The invention relates to a cap (3) for a bottle (1), the cap comprises a cap-shaped element (4) falling loosely around the neck (2) of the bottle, and a centring element (12) which is suitable for insertion into the neck of the bottle.

Description: _ _ Title: Cap for a bottle. The invention relates to a cap for a bottle having a part tapering towards the open end and forming the neck, which part bounds the pouring opening of the bottle, comprising a cap-shaped element which falls loosely around the free neck end of the bottle, and holding means inside the cap-shaped element in its top wall, which holding means interact with the free neck end when the cap is placed on the bottle, and centring means for making it easier to place the cap on a bottle. Such a cap is known, for example from EP-A-0,308,289. The cap in this case is provided on the inside of the cap-shaped element with wings which lie opposite each other and run over virtually the full height of the cap-shaped element, and the shape of which is adapted to the outer contour of the bottle neck on which the cap is to be placed. These wings also enclose an annular holding edge fixed inside the cap- shaped element at the top side thereof, which edge is inserted into the free end of the bottle neck and interacts in a sealing manner therewith when the cap is placed on a bottle. The cap-shaped element is also provided with locking elements at the free bottom edge, in order to allow the cap to be fixed to the bottle. The cap-shaped element of EP-A- 0,308,289 has a free bottom edge which is intended for connecting to a wider part of the bottle. However, this edge could end at a distance from the bottle as well, such as known from fig. 2 of FR-A-2 6θ4 151. The known centring elements are necessary for fitting the cap on the bottle by mechanical means. The products in this case are generally of plastics and are mainly bottles manufactured by means of a blow-moulding process, and caps produced by injection-moulding. As a result of the blow-moulding process, certain measurement and shape inaccuracies are unavoidable. The situation is further aggravated by the fact that the average material thickness for the bottle is constantly decreasing, due to the constant pressure for a saving in material. This consequently produces a great variation in the position of the opening of bottles which are aligned by their bottoms. Since the holding means must be well centred relative to said opening, in order to place the cap reliably on a bottle, it is necessary to centre the cap for each bottle individually. In this case it is preferable to fit the centring means in the cap itself. The known cap with centring means has various disadvantages. For example, at least two centring elements lying opposite each other are always needed, which means that, on account of their relatively large dimensions the material consumption is relatively high. It can also give rise to so-called shrinkage cavities on the outer surface of the cap, which can lead to an unattractive appearance, particularly when the surface is very smooth and shiny. Such a positioning of the centring elements also means that only a relatively small deviation of the free neck end relative to the mean position, can be accommodated. Greater dimensions would be permissible if these centring elements were to be made so that they move further apart towards the free end. However, in that case such a cap can no longer be produced by injection-moulding. The object of the invention is to eliminate the disadvantages of the known cap in an efficient way. To this end, a cap of the type mentioned in the introduction is provided, the centring means of which comprise a centring element which is surrounded by said holding means, which centring element projects past the holding means and is ' suitable for insertion into the neck of a bottle. With such a centring device, which is guided through the inside of the free end of the bottle neck, it is even possible to place a cap by mechanical means on a bottle in the case of which the opening is out of line by approximately half the diameter. Relatively little material is needed for such a centring element. This centring element is now also situated at a place in the cap where the occurrence of so-called shrinkage cavities is often less detrimental. Furthermore, the occurrence of shrinkage cavities at such position could more easily be avoided. The centring element preferably has a pointed free end, such that the centring element can be provided with a wide root section allowing for enhanced dimensional rigidity. The element can for instance be shaped as a pointed cylindrical body. However, a tiny, needle shaped centring element, consequently with a substantially constant cross- section, could be applicated as well. The centring element according to a preferred embodiment comprises one or more intersecting plate-shaped lips, having a reduced width towards the free end. Such a shape of the centring element can easily be achieved by injection-moulding. According to another embodiment, the centring element is essentially closely enclosed by a holding means which is intended for insertion into a bottle neck. This ensures optimum guidance and centring of the cap. This holding means, which is generally used in the form of a raised annular edge for interacting in a sealing manner with the free end of the bottle neck, is supported in order to prevent it from bulging. If the centring element divides the space enclosed by the bottle neck into different compartments, it is preferable that there should be one or more throughflow channels at the base of the centring element, for producing a liquid communication between one or more of said compartments. It is preferable here that if the cap-shaped element is provided with, for example, a delivery channel which can be shut off, said delivery channel should open out laterally into such a throughflow channel. This makes it impossible for the contents of the bottle to remain behind in one or more of the compartments during emptying of the bottle while the cap is left on the bottle. This cap design according to the present invention is excellently suited for production by injection-moulding, with the cap- shaped element, holding means and centring elements being made integral. The invention will be explained in greater detail below with reference to a non-limiting example of an embodiment shown in the figures, in which: Fig. 1 shows in perspective view a cap according to the present invention and a partially shown bottle, in the fitted position at a distance from each other, the cap being partially cut away for the sake of clarity; Fig. 2 shows a view in cross-section along the line II-II of Fig. 1, with the parts assembled. With reference to the figures, a bottle 1 with a narrowed neck 2 is shown. This bottle is shown schematically by means of dashed and dotted lines in Fig. 2. A cap 3 according to the present invention is fitted on said bottle 1. The cap-shaped element 4 of the cap 3 in this case falls loosely around the narrowed neck 2 of the bottle 1 and with its free bottom edge connects to the wider part of the bottle 1. Inside the cap-shaped element 4, at its top side, are two concentrically situated, annular holding edges 5. 6. The holding edge 5 here grips with hook elements 7 behind an edge 8 at the outside of the neck 2, with the result that the cap 3 is fixed to the bottle 1. The holding edge 6 projects into the neck 2 and interacts therewith in a sealing manner. A delivery channel 9 is also fitted in the cap-shaped element 4. In the position shown in Fig. 2 this delivery channel 9 is shut off by the cover 10, which can be flapped away about hinge point 11, for opening the delivery channel 9- A centring element 12 according to the present invention also projects into the free end of the neck 2. It is enclosed by the two holding edges . 6 ancl projects past them. The centring element 12 comprises two plate-shaped parts placed at right angles to each other, and having a pointed free end. Throughflow channels 15 are fitted at the base of these plate-shaped parts 13, 14. These throughflow channels 15 place the four compartments bounded by the centring element 12 in liquid communication with each other. The delivery channel 9 opens out laterally into these throughflow channels 15. Partly on account of this, the cap according to the present invention can be manufactured easily by injection-moulding. The presence of the relatively long centring element 12 prevents caps stacked on top of each other from nesting accidentally. Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments discussed. For example, the centring element 12 can comprise fewer or more plate-shaped parts 13. 14. Another shape of the centring element is also conceivable, such as a hollow cone, of which the base is, for example, integral with the holding edge 6. In addition, the cap 3 can, of course, also be designed without delivery channel 9« The number of holding edges can also differ from the two shown, and other conventional holding means can be used. For the purpose of fixing the cap on the bottle, the centring element could be provided with an outer thread at its root-section, for instance like the thread 6 as shown in fig. 1 of US-A-3927803. Such tread could be engageable with an inner thread at the neck of the bottle. The invention is therefore defined more by the appended claims.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Cap for a bottle, having a part tapering towards the open end and forming the neck, which part bounds the pouring opening of the bottle, comprising a cap-shaped element which falls loosely around the free neck end of the bottle, and holding means (5, 6) inside the cap- shaped element in its top wall, which holding means interact with the free neck end when the cap is placed on the bottle, and centring means for making it easier to place the cap on a bottle, characterised in that the centring means comprise a centring element (12) which is surrounded by said holding means, which centring element projects past said holding means (5, 6) and is suitable for insertion into the neck (2) of a bottle. 2. Cap according to claim 1, characterised in that the centring element (12) has a pointed free end. 3. Cap according to Claim 2, in which the centring element (12) comprises one or more intersecting plate-shaped lips (13, 14), having a reduced width towards the free end. 4. Cap according to one of the preceding claims, in which the centring element (12) is essentially closely enclosed by holding means (6) which are intended for insertion into a bottle neck (2). 5 * Cap according to one of the preceding claims, in which the centring element (12) divides the space enclosed by the holding means (5, 6) into different compartments, and in which there are one or more throughflow channels (15) at the base of the centring element, for producing a liquid communication between one or more of said compartments. 6. Cap according to Claim 5, in which the cap-shaped element (4) is provided with a preferably closable delivery channel, which delivery channel (9) opens out laterally in the abovementioned at least one throughflow channel (15) • 7- Cap according to one of the preceding claims, in which the cap-shaped element (4), the abovementioned holding means (5, 6) and the centring element (12) are made integral.

Inventors: VAN SCHAIK HERMANUS PETRUS, VAN SCHAIK, HERMANUS, PETRUS
Applicants: PHAFF BV, PHAFF B.V.
Application year: 1993
Main classification: B65D41
IPC codes: B65D41, B65D47