Patent Description:
In the context of bottling of high quality and valued beverages, closure elements having anti-tampering means are used. In particular, a known closure element comprises a transponder, such as an RFID tag (sometimes also called IC tag), which is modified in its structure when opened.

An RFID tag generally comprises a chip and an antenna, as well as sometimes a piece of control loop separately connected to the chip. When opening the closure member, either the antenna can be interrupted so that the chip cannot be read out any more, or the piece of loop can be interrupted to thus change the state of the chip. In particular, the interruption of the antenna or loop is effected by rotating the closure member with the tag with respect to the neck of the bottle/neck label).

If, in the unopened state, the chip is interrogated by bringing a reading device (for example in a mobile phone) close to the antenna, the transponder in the RFID tag communicates its unopened state. If the transponder is interrogated after the piece of loop has been interrupted upon opening the closure, it communicates that the closure member has been opened. If the antenna has been interrupted, readout is no longer possible, and the user should be wary.

An example of the prior art can be seen in document <CIT> Al.

According to the state of the art, the antenna or the control loop is interrupted by using a cutting means or the like.

Therefore, if the RFID tag or a part thereof is damaged, readout is affected, and the consumer can recognize that the closure member has been removed or that an attempt to manipulate the closure member should be considered.

In the industry, it is particularly desired to provide high-value beverages such as wine and spirits with closures like the above. However, closure members like the above are complicated in manufacturing and in assembling onto the bottle or container.

Indeed, the antenna or the control loop to be interrupted is to be arranged between the closure element and the bottle neck such that the opening of the closure element determines the interruption.

In other cases, the closure element comprises two portions rotatably coupled and the RFID tag is placed between the portions, such as an inner cap fitted onto a container mouth, an outer cap fitted onto the inner cap and an IC tag therebetween. The IC tag may comprise a resin film that includes an IC chip, an antenna and an unsealing detector circuit. Either the outer cap or the inner cap may comprise one or more cutters for interrupting the unsealing detector circuit. Upon opening, the inner and outer caps are rotated with respect to each other so that the antenna or the unsealing detector circuit is interrupted by means of cutters. The unsealing detector circuit may either be arranged between the top walls or the side walls of the inner and outer cap, respectively. In either case, the disadvantac placement of the unsealing detector circuit and the cutter(s) needs to be very precise to guarantee fault-free operation so that the configuration of the closure element is rather complex and expensive.

Indeed, in the first case, the cutters are essential to obtain the interruption of the relevant circuit parts of the RFID tag and, to that end, the cutters have to be correctly aligned with them. As for the second case, the correct positioning of the unsealing detector circuit between the lateral walls of the inner and outer caps is extremely complicated and needs particular care when assembling the closure element.

In addition, it is to be noted that an RFID chip can also store additional information about the container's contents or the container history, such as best before dates, information related to brand, product history, product information, tax information etc., which may be of interest to the user even after the bottle has been opened. Such additional information can be read out by a receiver. However, in a case where the antenna or the entire chip are damaged or broken, such additional information cannot be read anymore by the receiver.

It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide a closure element which is easy to be manufactured and assembled.

The subject-matter of claim <NUM> provides a closure element with features for addressing this object. Further preferred embodiments are mentioned in the dependent outlined in the following description.

According to the invention, the chip of the transponder is attached to the top wall of the inner cap member or the top wall of the outer cap member and at least a portion of the control loop is attached to the other of the top wall of the outer cap member and the top wall of the inner cap member, respectively. In such a way, a relative rotation of the outer cap member and the inner cap member determines a torsion or shear force to act on the control loop to break it.

An advantage of the closure element of the invention is that the transponder can be easily and quickly arranged between the top walls of the outer cap member and those of the inner cap member. The top walls face each other in a substantially parallel configuration. Therefore, it is possible to take advantage of the relative rotation of the walls to determine a torsion which breaks the portion of the control loop.

Another advantage of the closure element of the invention is that the break of the control loop is performed only by means of said torsion and it does not need any further specific means, such as a cutter or the like which would need to be aligned. Therefore, the design of the outer cap member and/or that of the inner cap member can be simplified.

In addition, it is to be noted that, in an opened configuration, both the chip and the antenna of the transponder are operative. Therefore, the closure element according to the present invention can provide the additional information contained in the RFID chip even when the closure element is opened.

Advantageously, the closure element according to another aspect of the invention further comprises a substrate on which the transponder is housed. In this case, the substrate comprises a first portion, housing the RFID chip and the antenna, and a second portion, housing said portion of the control loop. The first portion is folded onto the second portion. This solution allows preparing the chip, the antenna and the control loop of the transponder in advance in a folded configuration and arranging it between the top walls of the inner and outer cap members. Therefore, the assembly of the closure element is simplified and speeded.

Advantageously, in the closure element according to another aspect of the invention, the first portion of the substrate is attached to one of the top wall of the inner cap member and the top wall of the outer cap member and the second portion of the substrate is attached to the other of the top wall of the inner cap member and the top wall of the outer cap member. Due to this feature, the connection of the portions of the substrate with the top walls of the outer and inner cap member is simplified.

Advantageously, in the closure element according to another aspect of the invention, the first portion of the substrate is attached to the top wall of the outer cap member and the second portion of the substrate is attached to the top wall of the inner cap member. This configuration allows increasing the effectiveness of the torsion determined by the rotation of the outer cap member with reference to the inner cap member. Therefore, the reliability of the closure element of the present invention is increased.

Advantageously, the closure element accordi aspect of the invention comprises anti-rotation means arranged between the substrate and the top wall of the outer cap member and the top wall of the inner cap member. This allows preventing unwanted slipping of the substrate housing the transponder with reference to the outer and/or inner cap member. In particular, the anti-rotation means allows the relative rotation of the first and second portions of the substrate to efficiently determine the break of the control loop portion. Therefore, the reliability of the closure element of the present invention is increased.

Advantageously, in the closure element according to another aspect of the invention, the anti-rotation means comprises ribs protruding from the first portion and/or the second portion of the substrate and housed in corresponding recesses on the top wall of the outer cap member and/or on the top wall of the inner cap member, respectively. Since the anti-rotation means comprises ribs to be coupled with corresponding recesses, the mechanical coupling between the portions of the substrate and the top walls of the outer and inner cap member is performed in an effective and easy way.

Advantageously, in the closure element according to another aspect of the invention, the anti-rotation means comprises a plurality of first ribs protruding from the first portion of the substrate and housed in corresponding first recesses in the outer cap member and a plurality of second ribs protruding from the second portion of the substrate and housed in corresponding second recesses in the inner cap member. This allows an efficient transmission of the movement between the first portion of the substrate and the outer cap member, and also between the second portion of the substrate and the inner cap member. Therefore, the relative rotation walls is efficiently transmitted to both respective portions of the substrate to promote a corresponding relative rotation thereof.

Advantageously, in the closure element according to another aspect of the invention, the first ribs and the second ribs are straight ribs radially disposed around a centre of the first portion and second portion of the substrate. This technical feature allows an efficient transmission of the torsion from the top walls of the outer and inner cap members to the portions of the substrate and the manufacturing of the anti-rotation means is maintained simple and quick.

Advantageously, in the closure element according to another aspect of the invention, the anti-rotation means comprises centring features projecting from the top wall of the outer cap member and the top wall of the inner cap member, respectively; wherein the first portion and the second portion of the substrate present corresponding holes counter-shaped with reference to the centring features; the holes being shaped such that they comprise at least a non-circular portion. This solution provides an alternative way to impede the relative rotation between each top wall and the corresponding portion of the substrate. In addition, this allows a good centring of the support with reference to the outer and inner cap members.

Advantageously, the closure element according to another aspect of the invention further comprises a coupling means between the first portion and the second portion of the substrate to maintain the relative position of the first portion and the second portion in a folded configuration.

This configuration allows an easy and quick co portions of the substrate. In addition, the coupling means allows the portions of the substrate to easily and stably maintain their reciprocal position when folded so that assembly of the substrate with the outer and inner cap member is simplified.

Advantageously, in the closure element, according to this aspect of the invention, the coupling means comprises a first hole provided on the first portion of the substrate, a second hole provided on the second portion of the substrate and a collar protruding from the second hole, the collar being fitted around the first hole in the first portion of the substrate in the folded configuration. This configuration provides an easy solution to stably maintain the relative position of the portions of the substrate. In addition, it allows coupling the first and second portions of the substrate while folding them onto one another.

Advantageously, in the closure element according to another aspect of the invention the inner cap member presents a groove arranged between the top wall and the side wall of the inner cap member, the groove facing the outer cap member; the outer cap member comprising a tooth arranged between the top wall and the side wall of the outer cap member; the tooth being slidingly housed in the groove; wherein the groove extends only in part along the circumferential extension of the inner cap member. This allows the outer cap member to rotate around the inner cap member to determine a relative rotation of the portions of the substrate in such a way to obtain the torsion necessary to break the portion of the control loop. In addition, when the tooth reaches the end of the groove, the rotation of the outer cap member determines t the inner cap member in order to unscrew the closure element.

The invention may be better understood with reference to the following specification disclosed in a preferred embodiment thereof and taken in conjunction with the following accompanying drawings in which:.

The description and the accompanying drawings are to be construed by ways of example and not of limitation.

Embodiments of the invention will be described in further detail in the following. Modifications of certain individual features in this context can be combined with other features, thereby providing additional embodiments.

<FIG> shows a closure element <NUM> comprising an outer cap member <NUM> and an inner cap member <NUM> coupled with the outer cap member <NUM>. The inner cap member <NUM> is to be coupled with a mouth of a container <NUM> in a rotatably fixed manner. In this regard, the inner cup portion <NUM> comprises a screw portion <NUM> for coupling with the mouth of the container <NUM>.

The outer cap member <NUM> comprises a top wall <NUM>, preferably of circular shape, and a side wall <NUM>, preferably of cylindrical shape, extending from an edge of the top wall <NUM>.

The inner cap member <NUM> comprises a top wall <NUM>, preferably of circular shape, and a side wall <NUM>, preferably of cylindrical shape, extending from an edge of the top wall <NUM>.

The screw portion <NUM> is realised on the inside of the side wall <NUM> of the inner cap member <NUM>.

The outer cap member <NUM> is rotatably coupled to the inner cap member <NUM> in such a way that the outer cap member <NUM> can rotate with reference to the inner cap member <NUM> for a first part of its movement and then, after the outer cap member <NUM> engages the inner cap member <NUM>, both the outer cap member <NUM> and the inner cap member <NUM> rotate together in a second part of the movement to unscrew the closure element <NUM>.

In this regard, with reference to <FIG>, the inner cap member <NUM> presents at least a groove <NUM> arranged between the top wall <NUM> and the side wall <NUM> thereof. The groove <NUM> extends only in part along the circumferential extension of the inner cap member <NUM>. Preferably, the inner cap member <NUM> presents a plurality of grooves <NUM>, each having the same length. They may also be evenly angularly spaced, i.e. arranged in equal intervals around the circumference of the inner cap member <NUM>.

The grooves <NUM> face the outer cap member <NUM>. In the embodiment of <FIG>, the grooves <NUM> face a junction zone between the top wall <NUM> and the side wall <NUM> of the outer cap member <NUM>.

The outer cap member <NUM> comprises at least a tooth <NUM> arranged between the top wall <NUM> and the side wall <NUM> thereof. Preferably, the outer cap member <NUM> comprises a plurality of teeth <NUM> which are evenly angularly spaced.

Each tooth <NUM> is housed in a corresponding groove <NUM> in such a way that it can slide along the groove <NUM>. When the teeth <NUM> reach the ends of the respective grooves <NUM>, the outer cap member <NUM> engages the inner cap member <NUM> and the outer cap member <NUM> transmits the rotation movement to member <NUM> to unscrew the closure element <NUM> and open the container <NUM>.

As already stated, the torsion or shear force breaking the portion 43a of the control loop <NUM> is carried out during the relative rotation of the outer cap member <NUM> with respect to the inner cap member <NUM>. In other words, during a first step the portion 43a of the control loop <NUM> is broken and, during a second step following the first one, the outer cap member <NUM> engages the inner cap member <NUM> to open the closure element <NUM>.

According to the invention, the closure element <NUM> further comprises a transponder <NUM> housed between the inner cap member <NUM> and the outer cap member <NUM>. In detail, the transponder <NUM> is arranged between the top wall <NUM> of the outer cap member <NUM> and the top wall <NUM> of the inner cap member <NUM>.

The transponder <NUM> can be active or passive. According to the preferred embodiment, the transponder is of the passive type. Preferably, the transponder <NUM> is an RFID tag. More preferably, the transponder <NUM> is an NFC ("near field communication") tag. An NFC tag is based on high frequency (HF)-RFID technology but operates only on very short ranges (of the order of a few centimetres).

The transponder <NUM> comprises a chip <NUM> and an antenna <NUM>. In addition, the transponder <NUM> also comprises a control loop <NUM> connected with the chip <NUM>.

According to the invention, the chip <NUM> of the transponder is attached to one of the top wall <NUM> of the inner cap member <NUM> and the top wall <NUM> of the outer cap member <NUM> portion 43a of the control loop <NUM> is attached to the other of the top wall <NUM> of the inner cap member <NUM> and the top wall <NUM> of the outer cap member <NUM>.

In this way, a relative rotation of the outer cap member <NUM> and the inner cap member <NUM> determines a torsion or shear force to act on the control loop <NUM> to break it. With more detail, the cited relative rotation determines the separation of the portion 43a of the control loop <NUM> from the rest of the control loop <NUM>.

The separation of the portion 43a of the control loop <NUM> from the rest of the control loop <NUM> causes a modification in the information readable in the transponder <NUM> through a reader. Therefore, once the portion 43a of the control loop <NUM> is separated from the rest of the control loop <NUM>, an open status of the closure element <NUM> of the present invention can be detected.

According to a preferred embodiment, the closure element <NUM> comprises a substrate <NUM> on which the transponder <NUM> is housed.

The substrate <NUM> is of flat shape. The substrate <NUM> comprises a first portion <NUM> and a second portion <NUM> connected to the first portion <NUM>. In addition, the substrate <NUM> comprises a hinge portion <NUM> to connect the first portion <NUM> and the second portion <NUM>.

The first portion <NUM> houses the chip <NUM> and the antenna <NUM> of the RFID. In addition, the first portion <NUM> houses a part of the control loop <NUM>. More in detail, the fi houses only part of the control loop <NUM>.

The second portion <NUM> houses the portion 43a of the control loop <NUM> to be separated. In detail, the second portion <NUM> houses only the portion 43a of the control loop <NUM> to be separated.

The first portion <NUM> is folded onto the second portion <NUM> in such a way that, in the folded configuration, the first portion <NUM> overlaps, preferably completely overlaps the second portion <NUM>. The first portion <NUM> is folded onto the second portion <NUM> around the hinge portion <NUM>. Therefore, the hinge portion <NUM> defines a fold line.

As a consequence, the portion 43a of the control loop <NUM> to be separated is folded to overlap the rest of the control loop <NUM>.

The substrate <NUM> can be made of any suitable material able to be easily folded. For example, the substrate can be made of paper or plastic film.

The first portion <NUM> of the substrate <NUM> is attached to one of the top wall <NUM> of the inner cap member <NUM> and the top wall <NUM> of the outer cap member <NUM>. The second portion <NUM> of the substrate <NUM> is attached to the other of the top wall <NUM> of the inner cap member <NUM> and the top wall <NUM> of the outer cap member <NUM>.

In this way, a relative rotation of the outer cap member <NUM> with reference to the inner cap member <NUM> determines a corresponding relative rotation between the first portion <NUM> and the second portion <NUM> of the substr consequence, a torsion or shear force occurs between the portion 43a of the control loop <NUM> and the rest of the control loop <NUM> which causes the breakage and separation of the portion 43a from the rest of the control loop <NUM>. The control loop <NUM> is thus interrupted and this alters the state of the RFID chip <NUM> to which it is connected.

The control loop <NUM> passes across the hinge portion <NUM>. Preferably, the hinge portion <NUM> defines a weakened portion in which the breakage of the substrate <NUM> is facilitated when the substrate <NUM> is exposed to torsion or shear force. The weakened portion of the substrate <NUM> can be defined by one or more of a tear line, a reduced thickness portion and a reduced width portion (such as one or more indentations).

The substrate <NUM> can be of any shape. Preferably, the substrate <NUM> in the folded configuration is counter-shaped with reference to the shape of the top wall <NUM> of the outer cap member <NUM> and of the top wall <NUM> of the inner cap member <NUM>.

In the described embodiment, the substrate <NUM> in the folded configuration is substantially of round shape. More in detail, the substrate <NUM> in the folded configuration, in a plan view, presents a circular-shaped portion and a straight-shaped portion at the hinge portion <NUM>.

The first portion <NUM> and the second portion <NUM> have the same shape. The hinge portion <NUM> is placed at a medium point at the straight-shaped portions.

With reference to the preferred embodiment, th <NUM> of the substrate <NUM> is attached to the top wall <NUM> of the outer cap member <NUM> and the second portion <NUM> of the substrate <NUM> is attached to the top wall <NUM> of the inner cap member <NUM>.

For example, each of the first portion <NUM> and the second portion <NUM> is attached to the corresponding top walls <NUM>, <NUM> of the outer cap member <NUM> and inner cap member <NUM>, respectively, by means of adhesive layers.

With reference to a preferred embodiment, the closure element <NUM> further comprises anti-rotation means arranged between the substrate <NUM> and the top wall <NUM> of the outer cap member <NUM> and the top wall <NUM> of the inner cap member <NUM>.

The anti-rotation means allows the relative rotation between the top walls <NUM>, <NUM> of the outer cap member <NUM> and inner cap member <NUM> to be reliably transmitted to the first portion <NUM> and the second portion <NUM> of the substrate <NUM> so that they are also rotated with respect to one another.

In detail, the anti-rotation means comprises ribs <NUM>, 61a, 61b protruding from the first portion <NUM> and/or the second portion <NUM> of the substrate <NUM> and is housed in corresponding recesses (not shown) on the top wall <NUM> of the outer cap member <NUM> and/or on the top wall <NUM> of the inner cap member <NUM>, respectively.

When the ribs <NUM>, 61a, 61b are arranged within the corresponding recesses, a relative rotation between the top walls <NUM>, <NUM> of the outer and inner cap members <NUM>, <NUM> and the first and second portions <NUM>, <NUM> of the substrate <NUM> is impeded.

Therefore, the relative rotation of the top walls <NUM>, <NUM> of the outer and inner cap members <NUM>, <NUM> is transmitted to the first and second portions <NUM>, <NUM> of the substrate <NUM>.

In the preferred embodiment, the anti-rotation means comprises a plurality of first ribs 61a protruding from the first portion <NUM> of the substrate <NUM> and housed in corresponding first recesses (not shown) in the top wall <NUM> of the outer cap member <NUM>. In addition, the anti-rotation means <NUM> comprises a plurality of second ribs 61b protruding from the second portion <NUM> of the substrate <NUM> and housed in corresponding second recesses (not shown) in the top wall <NUM> of the inner cap member <NUM>.

Preferably, the first ribs 61a and the second ribs 61b are straight ribs radially disposed around a centre of the first portion <NUM> and second portion <NUM> of the substrate <NUM>. This provides a uniform transfer of the torque from the top walls <NUM>, <NUM> to the first and second portions <NUM>, <NUM>.

In addition, the first ribs 61a and the second ribs 61b are disposed evenly angularly spaced from each other.

The ribs <NUM>, 61a, 61b project from respective surfaces of the first and second portions <NUM>, <NUM> which are opposite to corresponding surfaces housing the chip <NUM>, the antenna <NUM> and the control loop <NUM> of the RFID chip <NUM>.

The closure element <NUM> further comprises coupling means <NUM> between the first portion <NUM> and the second portion <NUM> of the substrate <NUM> to maintain the relative position of the first portion <NUM> and the second portion <NUM> configuration.

In detail, with reference to <FIG>, the coupling means <NUM> comprises a first hole <NUM> provided on the first portion <NUM> of the substrate <NUM>, a second hole <NUM> provided on the second portion <NUM> of the substrate <NUM> and a collar <NUM> protruding from the second hole <NUM>. When the support <NUM> is folded in the folded configuration, the collar <NUM> is fitted around the first hole <NUM> and the first portion <NUM> and the second portion <NUM> of the substrate <NUM> are stably coupled together.

The collar <NUM> is counter-shaped with reference to the second hole <NUM> in order to be fitted thereon.

According to the described embodiment, the first hole <NUM>, the second hole <NUM> and the collar <NUM> are circular-shaped in a plan view. In addition, in the folded configuration, the first hole <NUM>, the second hole <NUM> and the collar <NUM> are coaxially arranged with reference to a centre of the substrate <NUM>.

With particular reference to <FIG>, the collar <NUM> presents a frusto-conical shape. In other words, the collar <NUM> protrudes from the second hole <NUM> edge moving away from the centre of substrate <NUM>. In this way, in a region immediately external to the collar <NUM>, a seat for housing the edge of the first hole <NUM> is defined, when the collar <NUM> is inserted into the first hole <NUM>.

The closure element <NUM> comprises a cap liner <NUM> which is coupled to the inner cap member <NUM> to provide a seal between the closure element <NUM> and the container <NUM> mouth.

In detail, the cap liner <NUM> is coupled to the i <NUM> by means of a coupling protrusion <NUM> protruding from a surface of the top wall <NUM> opposite to a surface connected with the substrate <NUM>.

According to an alternative embodiment (see <FIG>), the anti-rotation means <NUM> comprises a centring feature <NUM> projecting from the top wall <NUM> of the outer cap member <NUM>. In addition, the anti-rotation means <NUM> comprises a further centring feature <NUM> projecting from the top wall <NUM> of the outer cap member <NUM>.

The first portion <NUM> of the substrate <NUM> presents a corresponding centring hole <NUM> counter-shaped with reference to the centring feature <NUM>.

In the same way, the second portion <NUM> of the substrate <NUM> presents a corresponding further centring hole <NUM> counter-shaped with reference to the further centring feature <NUM>.

The substrate <NUM> is coupled to the outer cap member <NUM> in such a way that the centring feature <NUM> fits into the centring hole <NUM>. Analogously, the substrate <NUM> is coupled to the inner cap member <NUM> in such a way that the further centring feature <NUM> fits into in the centring hole <NUM>.

The centring hole <NUM> and the further centring hole <NUM> are shaped such that they comprise at least a non-circular portion. This prevents undesired rotations of the first and second portions <NUM>, <NUM> with respect to the corresponding top walls <NUM>, <NUM>.

As can be seen in <FIG>, the centring hole <NUM> that it comprises a circular portion and a straight portion.

The further centring hole <NUM> is shaped such that it comprises two semi-circular portions and two straight portions alternately disposed.

The centring feature <NUM> develops along a partially circular, open path. The further centring feature <NUM> develops along a closed path having two semi-circular portions and two straight portions parallel to each other and connected to the semi-circular portions.

According to another alternative embodiment (see <FIG>), the anti-rotation means comprises a disk <NUM> arranged on the surface of the first portion <NUM> of the substrate <NUM> facing the top wall <NUM> of the outer cap member <NUM>. For example, the disk <NUM> may be attached to the cited surface by means of an adhesive layer.

The disk <NUM> presents a plurality of radial recesses <NUM> evenly distributed along a circumferential direction. The recesses <NUM> fit with corresponding ribs (not shown) protruding from the top wall <NUM> of the outer cap member <NUM>.

The anti-rotation means may also comprise a further disk (not shown) arranged between the second portion <NUM> of the substrate <NUM> and the top wall <NUM> of the inner cap member <NUM>.

Claim 1:
Closure element (<NUM>) for closing a container (<NUM>), comprising:
- an inner cap member (<NUM>) to be coupled with a mouth of the container (<NUM>); wherein the inner cap member (<NUM>) has a top wall (<NUM>) and a side wall (<NUM>) extending from an edge of the top wall (<NUM>);
- an outer cap member (<NUM>) rotatably coupled to the inner cap member (<NUM>); wherein the outer cap member (<NUM>) has a top wall (<NUM>) and a side wall (<NUM>) extending from an edge of the top wall (<NUM>);
- a transponder (<NUM>) housed between the inner cap member (<NUM>) and the outer cap member (<NUM>); the transponder (<NUM>) comprising a chip (<NUM>), an antenna (<NUM>) and a control loop (<NUM>);
characterised in that
the chip (<NUM>) is attached to one of the top wall (<NUM>) of the inner cap member (<NUM>) and the top wall (<NUM>) of the outer cap member (<NUM>) and at least a portion (43a) of the control loop (<NUM>) is attached to the other of the top wall (<NUM>) of the inner cap member (<NUM>) and the top wall (<NUM>) of the outer cap member (<NUM>), in such a way that a relative rotation of the outer cap member (<NUM>) and the inner cap member (<NUM>) determines a torsion or shear force to act on the control loop (<NUM>) to break it.