Patent Description:
Closures for containers comprising a neck terminating with an opening are known in the art.

<CIT> discloses in <FIG> a closure for a container comprising a neck terminating with an opening and having a finish at the opening, said closure comprising:.

<CIT> discloses a closure comprising a cap and an overcap. In particular, the cap comprises a closing member adapted to be coupled to the neck of the container to removably close the opening of the neck. The overcap comprises a seat and the closing member of the cap is partially constrained in such seat so that the cap will be fixed to the overcap.

<CIT> discloses a closure comprising a cap and a skirt made of heat-shrinkable material. The cap is partially inserted in the opening of the neck of the container, with the skirt surrounding the neck of the container and the cap. Once the skirt is heated, it adheres to the neck and the cap, thereby maintaining the cap inside the neck of the container. In addition, a check on the integrity of the skirt will confirm whether a first opening of the container has occurred.

Nevertheless, such prior art closures may be more or less easily tampered.

The fixing element of the container as disclosed in <CIT> may be made of a deformable material that can be removed by bending, or of a flexible material that can be removed by being slid past the edge of the container.

The closure as disclosed in <CIT> has no "tamper evident" system, i.e. a system providing evidence of whether first opening of the container has occurred.

On the other hand, in the closure as disclosed in <CIT>, the skirt of heat-shrinkable material can be easily removed and applied again after replacing the beverage initially held in the container. As a result, a simple check on the integrity of the skirt does not ensure that no tamper has occurred.

Therefore, the technical purpose of the present invention is to provide a closure for a container that can obviate the drawbacks of the prior art.

In particular, an object of the present invention is to provide a closure that can provide evidence of whether first opening of the container has occurred.

Also, an object of the present invention is to provide a closure that cannot be easily altered.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a closure that can avoid leakage of the beverage in the container during transport of such container.

The aforementioned technical purpose and objects are fulfilled by a closure that comprises the technical features as disclosed in one or more of t\he accompanying claims.

A preferred embodiment of the invention can provide a closure that provides visual evidence of whether first opening of the container has occurred while also being not easily tampered.

Such preferred embodiment of the invention can also ensure liquid tightness when the closure is applied to a container, thus preventing the beverage from leaking out of the opening of the neck of the container during transport of such container.

Further features and advantages of the present invention will result more clearly from the illustrative, non-limiting description of a preferred, non-exclusive embodiment of a closure for a container as shown in the annexed drawings, in which:.

Particularly referring to the accompanying figures, there is shown a closure for a container (not shown) comprising a neck <NUM> terminating with an opening <NUM> and having a finish <NUM> at the opening <NUM>. The opening <NUM> of the neck <NUM> is delimited by a perimetral edge <NUM>. The container is well-known to the skilled person and will not be further described herein.

The closure comprises a closure body comprising a cap <NUM> and an overcap <NUM>.

The cap <NUM> comprises a closing member <NUM> adapted to be coupled to the neck <NUM> of the container to removably close the opening <NUM> of the neck <NUM>. As further explained below, the closing member <NUM> seals the opening <NUM> of the neck <NUM>, thereby preventing leakage of beverages held in the container.

Preferably, the closing member <NUM> extends between a base <NUM> and an opposite top <NUM> in a longitudinal direction X-X. Still preferably, the closing member <NUM> comprises a perimetral wall <NUM> extending between the base <NUM> and the top <NUM> of the closing member <NUM>. In other words, the perimetral wall <NUM> of the closing member <NUM> connects the base <NUM> and the top <NUM> of the closing member <NUM>.

The overcap <NUM> comprises a seat <NUM>.

Preferably, the seat <NUM> extends between an insertion opening <NUM> delimited by an edge <NUM> of the overcap <NUM> and an opposite upper surface <NUM> in the longitudinal direction X-X. In addition, a connecting surface <NUM> connects the insertion opening <NUM> to the upper surface <NUM>.

Also preferably, the overcap <NUM> comprises a first body <NUM> and a second body <NUM> joined together to define the seat <NUM>.

The closing member <NUM> of the cap <NUM> is at least partially arranged in the seat <NUM> to be constrained within the seat <NUM>. Preferably, the top <NUM> of the closing member <NUM> faces the upper surface <NUM> of the seat <NUM> of the overcap <NUM>.

Still preferably, the closing member <NUM> of the cap <NUM> has a coupling portion <NUM> and an insert portion <NUM>. The base <NUM> of the closing member <NUM> is defined on the coupling portion <NUM> of the closing member <NUM>, whereas the top <NUM> of the closing member <NUM> is defined on the insert portion <NUM> of the closing member <NUM>. The coupling portion <NUM> can be coupled to the neck <NUM> of the container, whereas the insert portion <NUM> is arranged in the seat <NUM> of the overcap <NUM>. Preferably, the insert portion <NUM> is shaped to mate the seat <NUM> of the overcap <NUM>.

In addition, the closure comprises a skirt <NUM> made of heat-shrinkable material. Preferably, such skirt <NUM> is defined by a membrane made of a heat-shrinkable material. The skilled person will appreciate that a membrane made of a heat-shrinkable material is configured to shrink to about <NUM>% its respective initial size, which will allow it to adhere to the object around which it has been wrapped.

The skirt <NUM> comprises a first portion <NUM> configured to surround and be stably fixed to an outer surface <NUM> of the neck <NUM> of the container. Since the skirt <NUM> is made of a heat-shrinkable material, as heat is applied to the skirt <NUM> after the first portion <NUM> of the skirt <NUM> has been arranged around the neck <NUM> of the container, the first portion <NUM> firmly adheres to the outer surface <NUM> of the neck <NUM>.

In addition, the skirt <NUM> comprises a second portion <NUM> attached to the closure body. Therefore, the second portion <NUM> of the skirt <NUM> has an inner zone <NUM> attached to the closure body and an outer zone <NUM>, which is exposed when the closure is applied to the container.

Finally, the skirt <NUM> comprises an intermediate portion <NUM> interposed between the first <NUM> and the second <NUM> portions. The intermediate portion <NUM> of the skirt <NUM> connects the outer zone <NUM> of the second portion <NUM> of the skirt <NUM> to the first portion <NUM> of the skirt <NUM>.

As a result, when the closure is applied to the container, the first portion <NUM> of the skirt <NUM>, the intermediate portion <NUM> of the skirt <NUM> and the outer zone <NUM> of the second portion <NUM> of the skirt <NUM> are exposed, i.e. visible to a user, whereas the inner zone <NUM> of the second portion <NUM> of the skirt <NUM> is not visible.

It should be noted that, since the first portion <NUM> of the skirt <NUM> is exposed when the closure is applied to the neck <NUM> of the container, one or more graphic indicia representing, for example, the producer of the beverage in the container may be provided in such first portion <NUM>.

In one aspect, the intermediate portion <NUM> comprises a frangible portion <NUM> which is configured to break upon first opening of the container. Therefore, a user may hold the overcap <NUM> and pull it in the longitudinal direction X-X away from the neck <NUM> and/or impart a rotation to the overcap <NUM> about the longitudinal direction X-X, to cause the frangible portion <NUM> to break and allow removal of the cap <NUM> and the overcap <NUM> from the neck <NUM> of the container.

Even after the cap <NUM> and the overcap <NUM> have been removed, at least the first portion <NUM> of the skirt <NUM> remains stably fixed to the neck <NUM> of the container.

It should be noted that a check on the integrity of the frangible portion <NUM> will provide evidence of whether first opening of the container has occurred. Also, since the second portion <NUM> of the skirt <NUM> is attached to the closure body, such second portion <NUM> will be hardly removed from the skirt <NUM> and replaced. This is because, should a counterfeiter even remove the closure from the container to replace the beverage contained therein, thereby tampering the container, the inner zone <NUM> of the second portion <NUM> of the skirt <NUM> would be still attached to the closure body. In addition, should the counterfeiter be even able to also remove the inner zone <NUM> of the second portion <NUM> of the skirt <NUM>, he would find it difficult to apply a new skirt <NUM> without producing evidence that opening of the container occurred, at a first glance on the closure.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first portion <NUM> of the skirt <NUM> is configured to be arranged below the finish <NUM> of the neck <NUM> of the container.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the second portion <NUM> is attached to the cap <NUM> or the overcap <NUM>. Preferably, the second portion <NUM> is at least partly constrained between the overcap <NUM> and the cap.

Still according to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the overcap <NUM> has a first fixation surface <NUM> having a first zone 32a delimiting the seat <NUM>. When the closure is applied to the container, the first fixation surface <NUM> faces the neck <NUM> of the container.

Preferably, the first zone 32a of the first fixation surface <NUM> correspond to the connecting surface <NUM> and the upper surface <NUM> of the seat <NUM>.

The second fixation surface <NUM> also has a second zone 32b contiguous to the first zone 32a and defined on the edge <NUM> of the overcap <NUM>.

Still according to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the cap <NUM> has a second fixation surface <NUM>.

The second portion <NUM> of the skirt <NUM> is at least partially constrained between the first fixation surface <NUM> and the second fixation surface <NUM>. Preferably, the inner zone <NUM> of the second portion <NUM> of the skirt <NUM> is constrained between the first fixation surface <NUM> and the second fixation surface <NUM>. Furthermore, the second portion <NUM> of the skirt <NUM> is constrained at least partially between the edge <NUM> of the overcap <NUM> and a corresponding abutment element <NUM>, <NUM>. Preferably, the inner zone <NUM> is at least partially constrained between the edge <NUM> and the corresponding abutment element <NUM>, <NUM>.

According to a first embodiment of the invention, the second fixation surface <NUM> is defined on the closing member <NUM> of the cap <NUM>. Preferably, the second fixation surface <NUM> is defined on the insert portion <NUM> of the closing member <NUM>. More preferably, the fixation surface <NUM> is defined on the insert portion <NUM> at the perimetral wall <NUM> of the closing member <NUM>.

The closing member <NUM> of the cap <NUM> is at least partly constrained inside the seat <NUM> with the second fixation surface <NUM> facing the first zone 32a of the first fixation surface <NUM>.

According to this first embodiment of the invention, the second portion <NUM> of the skirt <NUM> is at least partly constrained in the seat <NUM> between the first zone 32a of the first fixation surface <NUM> and the second fixation surface <NUM>.

Preferably, according to this first embodiment of the invention, the second portion <NUM> of the skirt <NUM> is at least partly constrained in the seat <NUM> between the connecting surface <NUM> and the second fixation surface <NUM> defined on the insert portion <NUM> at the perimetral wall <NUM> of the closing member <NUM>. In other words, according to this first embodiment, the inner zone <NUM> of the second portion <NUM> of the skirt <NUM> is constrained between the connecting surface <NUM> of the seat <NUM> and the perimetral wall <NUM> of the closing member <NUM> and, at the same time, when the closure is applied to the container, the inner zone <NUM> of the second portion <NUM> of the skirt <NUM> is partially constrained between the second zone 32b of the first connecting surface <NUM> and the perimetral edge <NUM> of the neck <NUM> of the container. More in detail, the inner zone <NUM> of the second portion <NUM> of the skirt <NUM> is constrained between the edge <NUM> of the overcap <NUM> and the corresponding abutment element <NUM>, <NUM>. In the first embodiment, the corresponding abutment element <NUM>, <NUM> is defined by the perimetral edge <NUM> of the neck <NUM> of the container.

According to a second embodiment of the invention, which is alternative to the first embodiment, the cap <NUM> comprises a ring element <NUM>. The closing member <NUM> of the cap <NUM> is arranged inside the ring element <NUM>.

Preferably, the ring element <NUM> at least partially faces the edge <NUM> of the overcap <NUM>.

Still preferably, when the closure is applied to the container, the ring element <NUM> is arranged at least partially at the perimetral edge <NUM> of the neck <NUM> of the container.

According to this second embodiment of the invention, the second fixation surface <NUM> is defined on the ring element <NUM>.

Preferably, according to this second embodiment of the invention, the second portion <NUM> of the skirt <NUM> is at least partly constrained in between the second zone 32b of the first fixation surface <NUM> and the second fixation surface <NUM> defined on the ring element <NUM>. In other words, according to this second embodiment of the invention, the inner zone <NUM> of the second portion <NUM> of the skirt <NUM> is constrained between the edge <NUM> of the overcap <NUM> and the corresponding abutment element <NUM>, <NUM>. In the second embodiment, the corresponding abutment element <NUM>, <NUM> is defined by the ring element <NUM>.

According to an alternative embodiment, not shown, the closure comprises attachment members adapted to reversibly attach the closing member <NUM> of the cap <NUM> to the neck <NUM> of the container. Preferably, the attachment members are associated with the closing member <NUM> of the cap <NUM>. More preferably, the attachment members are associated with the coupling portion <NUM> of the closing member <NUM>.

Still preferably, the attachment members comprise a first thread associated with the closing member <NUM> of the cap <NUM>. The first thread can be engaged with a second thread associated with the neck <NUM> of the container to reversibly connect the closing member <NUM> of the cap <NUM> to the neck <NUM> of the container.

In a further aspect, the closing member <NUM> of the cap <NUM> has a cylindrical shape and is adapted to engage within a section of the neck <NUM> through the opening <NUM> to reversibly close the opening <NUM> of the neck <NUM>. In other words, by assuming that the closing member <NUM> of the cap <NUM> is formed as a cylinder, the coupling portion <NUM> of the closing member <NUM> is meant to have a substantially cylindrical shape, whereas the insert portion <NUM> may have any shape as long as it mates the seat <NUM> of the overcap <NUM>. The coupling portion <NUM> of the substantially cylindrical closing member <NUM> engages by interference fit with an inner surface <NUM> of the neck <NUM> of the container.

According to a further aspect, the closing member <NUM> comprises a through channel <NUM> between a bottom opening <NUM> located at the base <NUM> of the closing member <NUM> and a top opening <NUM> located at a distance from the bottom opening <NUM> in the longitudinal direction X-X. Preferably, the through channel <NUM> extends in the longitudinal direction X-X.

The through channel <NUM> is in fluid communication with the interior of the container when the closure is applied to the neck <NUM> of the container.

Such closure comprises a one-way valve <NUM> located at the top opening <NUM> of the through channel <NUM> and configured to allow gases to flow out from the interior of the container through the top opening <NUM>.

The one-way valve <NUM> is actuated as a result of a pressure increase inside the container, thereby affording control of the pressure level inside the container. Advantageously, upon excessive pressure increase inside the container, the one-way valve <NUM> prevents the pressure inside the container from acting on the closure and leading, for example, to a deformation of the skirt <NUM>. A deformation of the skirt <NUM> might cause a loss of liquid tightness in the closure, thereby leading to leakage of drops of beverage during transport of the container.

Preferably, the one-way valve <NUM> is configured to prevent gases from flowing into the container through the top opening <NUM> of the through channel <NUM>. Advantageously, the closure prevents gases from flowing into the container, which may lead to deterioration of the properties of the beverage held in the container, and thus maintains the organoleptic properties of the beverage.

With the through channel <NUM> and the one-way valve <NUM>, as closure may be provided which ensures effective maintenance of liquid tightness when this closure is applied to a container.

Preferably, the top opening <NUM> is formed on the insert portion <NUM> of the closing member <NUM>.

According to a first embodiment of the through channel <NUM>, the top opening <NUM> is formed in the perimetral wall <NUM> of the closing member <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A closure for a container comprising a neck (<NUM>) terminating with an opening (<NUM>) and having a finish (<NUM>) at the opening (<NUM>), said closure comprising:
- a closure body comprising a cap (<NUM>) and an overcap (<NUM>);
- a skirt (<NUM>) made of heat-shrinkable material;
wherein:
- the cap (<NUM>) comprises a closing member (<NUM>) adapted to be coupled to the neck (<NUM>) of the container to removably close the opening (<NUM>) of the neck (<NUM>),
- the overcap (<NUM>) comprises a seat (<NUM>), the closing member (<NUM>) of the cap (<NUM>) being at least partly arranged in said seat (<NUM>) to be locked inside said seat (<NUM>),
- said seat (<NUM>) has an insertion opening (<NUM>) defined by an edge (<NUM>) of the overcap (<NUM>),
- said skirt (<NUM>) comprises a first portion (<NUM>) configured to surround and be stably fixed to an outer surface (<NUM>) of the neck (<NUM>) of the container, a second portion (<NUM>) attached to the closure body and an intermediate portion (<NUM>) interposed between the first portion (<NUM>) and the second portion (<NUM>), said intermediate portion (<NUM>) comprising a breakable portion (<NUM>) which is configured to break upon first opening of the container,
- the second portion (<NUM>) is attached to the cap (<NUM>) or the overcap (<NUM>), the second portion (<NUM>) of the skirt (<NUM>) being constrained at least partially between the edge (<NUM>) of the overcap (<NUM>) and a corresponding abutment element (<NUM>, <NUM>); characterized in that the abutment element (<NUM>, <NUM>) is defined by a perimetral edge (<NUM>) of the neck (<NUM>) of the container or by a ring element (<NUM>).