Patent Description:
In particular, the present invention concerns the field of manufacture of closing devices, or caps, suited to be used for closing said containers, such as bottles or tubes.

It is known that the dispensing systems of the prior art comprise various types of caps that are applied to bottles or tubes, such as shampoo, body wash, toothpaste containers and the like.

According to the prior art, the caps for such containers are made of plastic and consist of two parts: a main body suited to be connected to the container and a second movable part in the form of a lid. The two parts are advantageously hinged to each other, and the lid is typically rotated with respect to the main body. The two parts are preferably made integrally defining a single body, preferably obtained by means of moulding techniques.

The main body of the cap is associated with an open end area, or neck, of the container and is provided with a dispensing hole that is closed and/or opened by moving/rotating the lid.

Normally the main body of the cap is applied by pressure or by screwing it to the open end area of the container.

In the closed position, the lid faces and completely covers the upper surface of the main body.

However, the solution of the prior art has some drawbacks.

One drawback of the known technique is constituted by the amount of material used to make the two parts that comprise the cap.

This has a negative impact on the cost of the raw material used for the production of the cap and therefore on the weight and/or production costs.

The main object of the present invention is therefore to solve, or at least partially overcome, the aforementioned drawback that characterizes the solutions known in the prior art.

In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a cap that makes it possible to reduce the use of raw material and thus limit the weight and/or production cost of the cap itself.

Dispensing systems according to the prior art are described in <CIT> and <CIT>.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, the subject of the same is a closing device for containers, comprising:.

wherein the device comprises a through opening made between said outer face and said inner face of said lid so that in said closed position of said lid with respect to said main body at least one portion of said outer face of said main body is visible.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, said at least one portion of said outer face of the main body and the outer face of the lid are shaped so as to form a continuous or substantially continuous surface.

By continuous or substantially continuous surface, it is preferably intended that passing from the outer face of the lid to the outer face of the main body the surface is level or, in other words, there is no unevenness.

In a preferred embodiment, said at least one portion of said outer face of said main body is defined by an area protruding from the outer face of the main body, said protruding area being suited to fit into the through opening of the lid when the lid is in said closed position with respect to the main body.

Preferably, the area protruding from the outer face of the main body and the outer face of said lid are shaped so as to form a continuous or substantially continuous surface.

By continuous or substantially continuous surface, it is preferably intended that passing from the outer face of the lid to the outer face of the main body defined by the protruding area the surface is level or, in other words, there is no unevenness.

Preferably, the thickness of the main body defined between the inner face and the outer face is constant, or substantially constant.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the protruding area of the main body and the through opening of the lid have a matching shape such that the shape of the protruding area coincides with the through opening of the lid.

In a preferred embodiment, said hinge area and the through opening of the main body are positioned on opposite sides with respect to a central axis passing through the device.

Preferably, the main body is made of a transparent material.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, said at least one portion of the outer face of the main body is made of a transparent material.

Preferably, the main body and the lid are made in respectively different colors. In a preferred embodiment, the closing means comprise a reference element suited to fit into the through opening of the main body.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the through opening of the lid is shaped in such a way that the lid, in its open position, defines an eyelet suited to allow the device to be coupled with a coupling element.

In a preferred embodiment, the lid comprises further coupling means to allow the coupling of the device with a coupling element.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the main body comprises at least one further through opening, in addition to the through opening intended for the passage of the product coming from the container, made between the outer face and the inner face of the main body.

Preferably, the closing device of the invention comprises means for connection to the container.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the subject of the same is an assembly comprising a container and a closing device associated with said container, wherein the closing device is made as described above.

In a preferred embodiment, at least one portion of a surface of the container directly faces a corresponding portion of the inner face of the lid without the interposition of the main body when the closing device is in its closed position.

Further advantages, objects, and characteristics as well as embodiments of the present invention are defined in the claims and will be clarified below by means of the following description, in which reference is made to the attached drawings; in the drawings, the same reference numbers are used to identify corresponding or equivalent characteristics and/or component parts of the present invention. In particular, in the drawings:.

Although the present invention is described below with reference to its embodiments shown in the drawings, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below and represented in the drawings.

On the contrary, the embodiments described herein and shown in the drawings clarify some aspects of the present invention, the purpose of which is defined by the claims.

The present invention has proved to be particularly advantageous when applied to closing devices for containers suitable for containing products in a fluid form such as, for example, body care products like shampoos, body washes, toothpastes, or cosmetic products like cosmetic creams and similar products. More preferably, the present invention has proved to be particularly advantageous when applied to closing devices made of plastic and obtained by means of moulding techniques. It should be noted, however, that the present invention is not limited to such a use. On the contrary, the present invention can be conveniently used for any application requiring the use of closing devices for containers suited to contain an easily dispensable fluid product such as, for example, deodorants, depilatory creams, or containers for pharmaceutical or veterinary products, or containers for cooking products such as mayonnaise, sauces, or even containers for adhesives and the like.

A first embodiment of a closing device <NUM>, hereinafter simply referred to also as a cap and carried out according to the present invention, is described below with reference to Figures from <NUM> to <NUM>; in the figures, similar or equivalent characteristics and/or component parts are identified by the same reference numbers.

<FIG> shows the closing device <NUM> according to the embodiment of the present invention applied to a container <NUM> to form an assembly <NUM>. In this figure, the closing device <NUM> is in its closed configuration, that is, closed.

<FIG> shows the same closing device <NUM> applied to the container <NUM> in its open configuration.

The container <NUM> shown in the figures is a substantially cylindrical container for containing, for example, a body wash.

The container <NUM> is preferably made of a plastic material.

Plastics usable for this purpose preferably consist of polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PELLD, PELD, PEMD, PEHD), and other materials known as ABL, PBL, PCR, soft touch resin.

In variant embodiments, however, the container may have another shape and/or be made of materials different from those indicated and/or described with reference to the preferred embodiments. The container may also be used for dispensing other types of products, for example preferably products in a fluid form, such as body care products like shampoos, toothpastes, or cosmetic products, such as cosmetic creams and the like.

The container <NUM> has a head surface 4a, or neck portion at the upper end, where there is an opening, not visible in the figures, for filling and dispensing the product. In the illustrated embodiment, the neck portion 4a preferably has a cylindrical shape. However, in variant embodiments said neck portion 4a may have any other shape.

The closing device <NUM> is advantageously applied to the container <NUM> through suitable connection means <NUM>, for example by screwing, as is better described below.

However, in variant embodiments the cap may be associated with the container differently, for example through a snap connection or equivalent connection means.

For this purpose, the neck portion 4a of the upper end of the container <NUM> is provided with respective connection means suited to enable the coupling of the cap <NUM> and not shown in the figures.

The cap <NUM>, clearly visible in Figures from <NUM> to <NUM>, comprises a main body <NUM> and a lid <NUM> hinged to the main body <NUM>.

The main body <NUM> can be connected to the container <NUM>, preferably to the neck portion 4a of the container <NUM> as indicated above.

The main body <NUM> has an inner face <NUM>, better visible in <FIG>, and an outer face <NUM> opposite the inner face <NUM>. The inner face <NUM> is suited to be arranged towards the container <NUM> when the cap <NUM> is connected to the container <NUM>.

The main body <NUM> preferably comprises also a through opening <NUM> between the outer face <NUM> and the inner face <NUM> for the passage of the product coming from the container <NUM>.

The main body <NUM> is also preferably provided with connection means <NUM> for connection to the container, more preferably with connection means for connection to the neck portion 4a of the container <NUM>.

The connection means <NUM> are preferably defined by a neck portion <NUM> of the main body <NUM> extending towards the container <NUM> from its inner face <NUM>.

Preferably, the neck portion <NUM> has a cylindrical shape. However, in variant embodiments, said neck portion <NUM> may have different shapes.

The connection means <NUM> preferably allow the cap <NUM> to be connected to the container <NUM> by screwing. The connection means <NUM> preferably comprise a nut thread portion <NUM> made internally at the level of the neck portion <NUM>. The neck portion 4a of the container <NUM> is advantageously provided with a corresponding threaded portion made on the neck portion 4a of the container <NUM>.

In variant embodiments, the connection means may be of a different type, for example by providing for the creation of suitable undercut engagement areas in the neck portion of the cap and the container.

As regards the lid <NUM>, it is hinged to the main body <NUM> at the level of a hinge area <NUM>.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the main body <NUM> and the lid <NUM> are made so that they are integral with each other. Preferably, the main body <NUM> and the lid <NUM> are made so that they are integral with each other through a plastic material injection moulding process.

Plastics usable for this purpose are preferably constituted by polypropylene (PP) and/or polyethylene (PELLD, PELD, PEMD, and PEHD).

Thanks to this configuration of the main body <NUM> and the lid <NUM>, the lid <NUM> can be moved, rotated in this case, in order to be arranged in a closed position, as for example shown in <FIG>, <FIG> or <FIG>, and in at least one open position with respect to said main body <NUM>, for example as shown in <FIG>, <FIG> or <FIG>.

The lid <NUM> preferably comprises an inner face <NUM> facing towards the main body <NUM> and an outer face <NUM> opposite the inner face <NUM>. The inner face <NUM> faces towards the main body <NUM> when the lid <NUM> is in its closed position.

The lid <NUM> preferably comprises closing means <NUM> suited to close the through opening <NUM> of the main body <NUM> when the main body <NUM> is in the closed position. The closing means <NUM> preferably comprise a reference element <NUM> suited to intercept the through opening <NUM> when the main body <NUM> is in the closed position and preferably to be inserted into the through opening <NUM>.

Preferably, the shape of the lid <NUM> substantially matches the shape of the main body <NUM> in such a way that, in the closed position, the lid <NUM> is precisely superimposed to the main body <NUM> and covers it completely.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the lid <NUM> comprises a through opening <NUM> made between its outer face <NUM> and its inner face <NUM>.

According to an advantageous aspect of the present invention, the through opening <NUM> is shaped in such a way that in the closed position of the lid <NUM> with respect to the main body <NUM> at least one portion <NUM> of the outer face <NUM> of the main body <NUM> is visible.

Advantageously, the creation of said through opening <NUM> makes it possible to reduce the use of raw material for the production of the lid <NUM>, and therefore of the cap <NUM>, with the consequent reduction of its weight and/or production costs. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, as shown for example in Figures from <NUM> to <NUM>, said at least one portion <NUM> of the outer face <NUM> of the main body <NUM> is defined by an area that protrudes from the same outer face <NUM> of the main body <NUM>, as visible in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>. Said protruding area <NUM> is preferably suited to be inserted into the through opening <NUM> of the lid <NUM> when the lid <NUM> is in the closed position with respect to the main body <NUM>, as shown in <FIG> and in the sectional view of <FIG>.

Preferably, the protruding area <NUM> of the main body <NUM> and the through opening <NUM> of the lid <NUM> have a matching shape, in such a way that the shape of the protruding area <NUM> coincides, or substantially coincides, with the shape of the through opening <NUM> of the lid <NUM>. According to the preferred embodiment shown in Figures from <NUM> to <NUM>, the shape of the protruding area <NUM> is substantially elliptical. Clearly, in variant embodiments, some of which are also illustrated below, said shape may be different.

Advantageously, by ensuring that the protruding area <NUM> of the main body <NUM> matches, or substantially matches the through opening <NUM> of the lid <NUM>, the desired stability of the lid <NUM> in its closed position over the main body <NUM> is obtained and/or maintained.

According to an advantageous aspect of the present invention, said at least one portion <NUM> of the outer face <NUM> of the main body <NUM> and the outer face <NUM> of the lid <NUM> are shaped in such a way as to form a continuous or substantially continuous surface. This can be appreciated in particular in <FIG>, where it can be seen that passing from the outer face <NUM> of the lid <NUM> to the outer face <NUM> of the main body <NUM> defined by the protruding area <NUM> the surface is level or, in other words, there is no unevenness.

Advantageously, the creation of said continuous, or substantially continuous, surface firstly provides a unique characteristic of continuity and overall aesthetic uniformity to the cap.

Furthermore, preferably, the lack of different levels on the surface minimizes possible areas where dust/dirt could accumulate on the cap.

According to another advantageous aspect of the invention, the thickness SP of the main body <NUM> defined between its inner face <NUM> and outer face <NUM> remains constant, or substantially constant, throughout its length, in particular also at the level of the protruding area <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. In other words, the protruding area <NUM> does not constitute an area of added material of the main body <NUM> but rather a "displacement" of material that allows the thickness of said main body <NUM> to be kept constant.

Furthermore, advantageously, the total thickness ST of the cap <NUM> intended as the thickness between the inner face <NUM> of the main body <NUM> and the outer face <NUM> of the lid <NUM> preferably has a first thickness ST1 while the total thickness ST2 of the cap <NUM> at the level of the through opening <NUM> is the same thickness SP as that of the protruding area <NUM>.

The total thickness ST2 of the cap <NUM> at the level of the through opening <NUM> is therefore smaller than the total thickness ST1 of the cap <NUM> outside the through opening <NUM>.

Advantageously, the thickness and therefore the material and/or weight of the cap according to the new solution is reduced compared to the total thickness of the caps of the known type, which is substantially constant throughout the length of the main body and the lid (given that the thickness is constituted everywhere by the sum of the thicknesses of the main body and the lid since it has no through opening).

According to another aspect of the invention, the lid <NUM> and the main body <NUM> are integral with each other, in such a way that the hinge area <NUM> and the through opening <NUM> of the main body <NUM> are positioned on opposite sides with respect to a central axis X passing through the cap <NUM>. Accordingly, preferably, the hinge area <NUM> and the reference element <NUM> are also positioned on opposite sides with respect to the central axis X passing through the cap <NUM>.

Advantageously, the gripping area <NUM> of the lid <NUM> where the lid <NUM> is pushed by the user to open the cap <NUM>, which is on the opposite side with respect to the hinge area <NUM>, is located in proximity to the through opening <NUM> and the reference element <NUM>, so that during the pushing phase, when the lid <NUM> is pushed to open the cap <NUM>, the mechanical deformations to which the lid <NUM> itself is subjected are limited as much as possible. In fact, the point of application of the opening force at the level of the gripping area <NUM> is close to the resistant area constituted by the reference element <NUM> inserted in the through opening <NUM> by interference.

In a preferred embodiment, at least the main body <NUM> is made of a transparent material. In this way, it is possible to see the inside of the container <NUM> through the through opening <NUM> of the lid <NUM> and the transparent portion <NUM>, or protruding area <NUM>, of the main body <NUM>. The through opening <NUM> of the lid <NUM> and the transparent portion <NUM> define a sort of porthole that allows the contents of the container <NUM> to be inspected to evaluate, for example, the residual amount of product.

In a preferred variant embodiment, not all of the main body <NUM> is transparent but only its portion <NUM>, or protruding area <NUM>, in any case preferably and advantageously obtaining said porthole effect.

Moreover, in a preferred embodiment, the main body <NUM> and the lid <NUM> are made in different colours. Advantageously, it is possible to obtain an attractive aesthetic effect from the colour contrast between the colour of the main body <NUM> visible from the opening <NUM> of the lid <NUM> and the colour of the lid <NUM> itself.

According to a further advantageous aspect of the invention, the through opening <NUM> of the lid <NUM> is shaped to substantially define an eyelet in which at least one coupling area <NUM> is identified which is suited to enable the coupling of the cap <NUM>, in its open position, with a coupling element G, or hook G (see <FIG>).

Advantageously, when the cap <NUM> is open, the assembly <NUM> consisting of the container <NUM> and the cap <NUM> can be conveniently hung on the hook G simply by opening the lid <NUM>. This operation can, for example, be particularly useful during the use of the assembly <NUM> when repeated dispensing of the product contained in it is expected or to facilitate the temporary positioning of the assembly <NUM> before it is definitively closed, for example during a shower in which the product of the assembly <NUM> consists of a body wash or a shampoo and the assembly can be hung on a special hook G present in the shower. The handling of the assembly <NUM> during its use is therefore facilitated.

Preferably, the coupling area <NUM> consists of at least one intermediate surface <NUM> joining the outer face <NUM> and the inner face <NUM> of the through opening <NUM> of the lid <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

According to another advantageous aspect, the main body <NUM> comprises at least one through opening 15a, 15b, in addition to the through opening <NUM> intended for the passage of the product coming from the container <NUM>, made between the outer face <NUM> and the inner face <NUM> of the main body <NUM>, as shown in the variant embodiment of <FIG>.

Advantageously, the amount of material used for producing the main body <NUM>, and therefore the material used for producing the cap <NUM>, is reduced compared to the caps known in the art.

Said further through opening of the main body <NUM>, as illustrated for example in <FIG> for the first embodiment of the cap <NUM>, can be made in any of the embodiments illustrated and described below (an example is shown with reference to <FIG>).

Figures from <NUM> to <NUM> show a first variant embodiment of the cap <NUM> of the invention.

Characteristics and/or component parts corresponding or equivalent to those of the previously described embodiment are identified by the same reference numbers, and the same is true for the different variant embodiments shown and described below, where characteristics and/or component parts corresponding or equivalent to those of the previously described embodiment are identified by the same reference numbers.

The first variant embodiment differs from the embodiment described with reference to Figures from <NUM> to <NUM> mainly due to the different shape and size of the through opening <NUM> of the lid <NUM> and of the corresponding protruding area <NUM> of the main body <NUM>, which are substantially circular instead of elliptical.

The same applies to the second variant embodiment of the cap <NUM> shown in Figures from <NUM> to <NUM>.

Figures from <NUM> to <NUM> show a third variant embodiment of the cap <NUM> of the invention.

Said variant embodiment differs from the embodiment described with reference to Figures from <NUM> to <NUM> due to the different shape and size of the through opening <NUM> of the lid <NUM> and of the corresponding protruding area <NUM> of the main body <NUM> as well as due to the different shape of the neck portion <NUM> of the main body <NUM>, which has an elliptical rather than a cylindrical shape.

Figures from <NUM> to <NUM> show a fourth variant embodiment of the cap <NUM> of the invention.

Said variant embodiment differs from the embodiment described with reference to Figures from <NUM> to <NUM> due to the different shape and size of the through opening <NUM> of the lid <NUM> and of the corresponding protruding area <NUM> of the main body <NUM>, which are substantially rectangular/square, as well as due to the different shape of the neck portion <NUM>, which also has a square/rectangular shape.

Figures from <NUM> to <NUM> show a fifth variant embodiment of the cap <NUM> of the invention.

Said variant embodiment differs from the embodiment described with reference to Figures from <NUM> to <NUM> due to the different shape and size of the through opening <NUM> of the lid <NUM> and of the corresponding protruding area <NUM> of the main body <NUM>, due to the different shape of the neck portion <NUM>, which has an elliptical shape, as well as due to the fact that the lid <NUM> has a reduced size with respect to the underlying main body <NUM> in such a way that, in the closed position, lateral portions 16a, 16b of the outer surface <NUM> of the main body <NUM> remain visible.

Figures from <NUM> to <NUM> show a sixth variant embodiment of the cap <NUM> of the invention.

Said variant embodiment shows a further characteristic of the present invention, which is that the lid <NUM> is equipped with coupling means <NUM> to provide a further area suitable for coupling the cap <NUM>, and the assembly comprising the container, with a possible hook G.

The coupling means <NUM> preferably comprise a curved surface portion <NUM> that extends peripherally from the lid <NUM>.

The embodiment of the cap <NUM> illustrated in Figures from <NUM> to <NUM> substantially corresponds to the cap <NUM> shown in Figures from <NUM> to <NUM>, provided with said coupling means <NUM>. It should be noted that any of the embodiments according to the present invention may be equipped with said further coupling means <NUM>. Furthermore, in variant embodiments, the coupling means, which in this embodiment are constituted by the curved surface <NUM>, may have any other shape suitable for the purpose.

Figures from <NUM> to <NUM> show a seventh variant embodiment of the cap <NUM> of the invention.

Said variant embodiment differs from the embodiment described with reference to Figures from <NUM> to <NUM> due to the different shape and size of the through opening <NUM> of the lid <NUM> as well as due to the fact that the upper face <NUM> of the main body <NUM> is flat, that is, without any protruding area.

Figures from <NUM> to <NUM> show an eighth variant embodiment of the cap <NUM> of the invention.

Said variant embodiment differs from the embodiment described with reference to Figures from <NUM> to <NUM> due to the fact that the upper face <NUM> of the main body <NUM> is flat, that is, without any protruding area, as well as due to the fact that the lid <NUM> has <NUM> openings 50a-50d, each substantially in the shape of a sector, and due to the fact that the through opening <NUM> of the main body <NUM> and the reference element <NUM> of the lid <NUM> are positioned centrally and preferably along the central axis X of the cap <NUM>.

Figures from <NUM> to <NUM> show a ninth variant embodiment of the cap <NUM> of the invention.

Said variant embodiment differs from the embodiment described with reference to Figures from <NUM> to <NUM> mainly due to the fact that the size of the main body <NUM> is smaller than the size of the lid <NUM>.

In the closed position, the lid <NUM> is superimposed to the main body <NUM>, completely covering it, and the lid <NUM> extends beyond the extension of the underlying main body <NUM>.

In addition to the above, therefore, in the closed position of the cap <NUM> at least one portion of the upper surface 4b of the container <NUM> directly faces a corresponding portion 34a of the inner face <NUM> of the lid <NUM> without the interposition of the main body <NUM>. Said portion 34a is indicated in the assembly <NUM> of <FIG> and substantially corresponds to the surface 34a of the inner face <NUM> external to the dashed area (which substantially corresponds to the outer perimeter of the main body <NUM>).

Figures from <NUM> to <NUM> show a tenth variant embodiment of the cap <NUM> of the invention.

Said variant embodiment differs from the embodiment described with reference to Figures from <NUM> to <NUM> first of all due to the different shape and size of the through opening <NUM> of the lid <NUM> and of the corresponding protruding area <NUM> of the main body <NUM> (an annulus sector instead of an elliptical shape). The size of the main body <NUM> is still smaller than the size of the lid <NUM>. Compared to the embodiment described with reference to Figures from <NUM> to <NUM>, the difference in size between the lid <NUM> and the main body <NUM> is smaller.

<FIG> shows a variant embodiment of the cap <NUM> of the invention described with reference to Figures from <NUM> to <NUM>, in which the main body <NUM> comprises at least one through opening 15a, 15b, in addition to the through opening <NUM> intended for the passage of the product coming from the container <NUM>, made between the outer face <NUM> and the inner face <NUM> of the main body <NUM>.

Therefore, it is clear from the description provided above that the closing device that is the subject of the invention makes it possible to achieve the established objects, and in particular makes it possible to reduce the amount of material needed for its production as well as its weight and/or production costs compared to the devices known in the art.

Claim 1:
Closing device (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>) for a container (<NUM>), comprising:
- a main body (<NUM>) suited to be connected to said container (<NUM>), said main body (<NUM>) having an inner face (<NUM>) suited to be arranged towards said container (<NUM>) when said device (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>) is connected to said container (<NUM>) and an outer face (<NUM>) opposite said inner face (<NUM>), wherein said main body (<NUM>) comprises a through opening (<NUM>) created between said outer face (<NUM>) and said inner face (<NUM>) for the passage of a product coming from said container (<NUM>);
- a lid (<NUM>) hinged to said main body (<NUM>) at the level of a hinge area (<NUM>), said lid (<NUM>) being suited to be arranged in a closed position and in at least one open position with respect to said main body (<NUM>), said lid (<NUM>) having an inner face (<NUM>) facing towards said main body (<NUM>), in said closed position, and an outer face (<NUM>) opposite said inner face (<NUM>), said lid (<NUM>) comprising closing means (<NUM>) suited to close said through opening (<NUM>) of said main body (<NUM>) in said closed position, said main body (<NUM>) and said lid (<NUM>) being made so that they are integral with each other;
characterized in that it comprises a through opening (<NUM>) created between said outer face (<NUM>) and said inner face (<NUM>) of said lid (<NUM>) in such a way that in said closed position of said lid (<NUM>) with respect to said main body (<NUM>) at least one portion (<NUM>) of said outer face (<NUM>) of said main body (<NUM>) is visible.