EP1973794B1 - Composite stopper cap - Google Patents

Abstract

Composite stopper cap includes: a) a metal cap having a crimp region and a means of easy initial opening, b) a plastics insert joined to a top part of the metal cap, the insert having a sealing head and an internally threaded skirt, and c) at least one first outer component assembled to the metal cap, the first outer component having at least one peripheral hand grip part. The cap is also includes a second outer component assembled to a metal connecting skirt in such a way as to cover and conceal the lower part of the metal cap.

Description

The invention relates to the field of capping capsules intended to seal containers, typically bottles, intended to contain an alcoholic beverage, typically alcohols, aperitifs, digestive. The invention relates more particularly to the field of composite closure caps, so called because they are provided with means complementary to the basic means of a "standard" closure cap, said base means including means for fixing the neck and sealing means. The invention more specifically relates to the field of screw closure caps comprising a threaded insert or a threaded element cooperating with a threaded neck of a container.

We already know by the French patent FR 2 802 181 a composite corking cap in the name of Pechiney Emballage Alimentaire, prior name of plaintiff. This capsule, which comprises a plastic insert with a seal, a threaded skirt and a metal wall covering the insert, also comprises a means of giving weight and / or volume to the part of the capsule located above the seal forming its sealing means.

The document US-B1-6 403 173 discloses a composite closure capsule having a plastic insert but also an outer part assembled to said capsule.

The present invention aims, as besides the capping capsules according to the French patent FR 2,802,181 to offer the manufacturer of alcohol, spirits and other liqueurs the means to renew the packaging of these products, notably by means of a new capsule fulfilling the basic technical functions of the known capsules, but also offering opportunities to renew the product in other aspects, by providing new features. The present invention is aimed primarily at bringing to the problems posed in the French patent FR 2 802 181 a solution other than that disclosed in this patent, in order to have a broader offer for sale. She is also intended to provide a plurality of variants capable of solving the problems posed. Indeed, given the importance of brands in the trading of alcohol, spirits and other liqueurs, each brand wishes to have a capsule specific to its brand, so as to further increase its distinctive character.

In addition, the present invention aims to give the capsules a particular visual appearance that differentiates them from traditional corking capsules.

1. a) une capsule métallique dotée d'une tête métallique et d'une jupe métallique, de hauteur axiale H_C < H et de diamètre moyen D_M, comprenant une zone de sertissage de ladite capsule métallique typiquement autour dudit goulot de la bouteille ou autour d'une pièce destinée à être fixée sur ledit goulot, et un moyen de première ouverture facile de ladite capsule de bouchage composite, une partie basse de ladite jupe métallique restant solidaire dudit goulot lorsque ladite capsule de bouchage composite est dévissée lors d'une première ouverture dudit goulot,
2. b) un insert en matière plastique solidaire d'une partie supérieure de ladite capsule métallique, ledit insert comprenant une tête et une jupe filetée intérieurement de hauteur axiale H_I < H_C.
3. c) au moins une première pièce extérieure assemblée à ladite capsule métallique, ladite première pièce extérieure présentant au moins une partie périphérique de préhension manuelle de diamètre moyen D_P > D_M, de manière à ce que, quand ladite capsule de bouchage composite obture ledit goulot, une rotation manuelle de ladite pièce extérieure entraîne celle de ladite capsule métallique et celle dudit insert, permettant ainsi le dévissage de ladite capsule de bouchage composite et l'ouverture dudit goulot,

caractérisée en ce qu'elle comprend également une seconde pièce extérieure assemblée à ladite jupe métallique de manière à recouvrir et à masquer la partie basse de ladite capsule métallique.According to the invention, the composite closure cap intended to close the neck of a bottle to contain a liquid, typically an alcoholic beverage, said neck comprising a counter-glass ring and an external thread, said composite closure cap having a height H in an axial direction and comprising:

1. a) a metal capsule having a metal head and a metal skirt, of axial height H _C <H and of mean diameter D _M , comprising a crimping zone of said metal capsule typically around said neck of the bottle or around a part intended to be fixed on said neck, and a means of easy first opening of said composite closure cap, a lower part of said metal skirt remaining integral with said neck when said composite closure cap is unscrewed during a first opening of said neck,
2. b) a plastic insert secured to an upper portion of said metal cap, said insert comprising a head and an internally threaded skirt of axial height H _I <H _C.
3. c) at least a first outer part assembled to said metal cap, said first outer part having at least one manual gripping peripheral portion of average diameter D _P > D _M , so that when said composite closure cap closes said neck, a manual rotation of said outer part causes that of said metal capsule and that of said insert, thus allowing the unscrewing said composite closure cap and opening said neck,

characterized in that it also comprises a second outer piece joined to said metal skirt so as to cover and mask the lower part of said metal cap.

The capsules according to the invention completely renew the image of traditional corking capsules. They offer, with said first and second outer parts, two complementary supports of any type of decoration, which offers immense possibilities to differentiate these capsules from traditional capsules, by incorporating presentation elements or decor generally reserved for the packaging of luxury.

Said composite closure cap comprises a metal cap, a piece which is also called a "shell", composed of a head and a metal skirt. The metal skirt has a zone, typically annular, crimping the shell around the lower shoulder of the counter-glass ring or crimping around an intermediate piece which is fixed on the neck, as the lower part, referenced 81 and represented in figure 7 , an infillability device.

According to the invention, said composite closure cap comprises a second outer piece joined to the metal skirt of the shell, so as to cover and mask the lower part of said metal skirt, said second piece typically having on its outer surface a pattern of decoration. Said second outer part may form a cylindrical tubular piece of diameter D _S between D _P and D _M , the inner diameter of said cylindrical tubular piece being typically close to D _M.

Said second outer part can also cooperate with the lower part of the metal skirt of the shell, so that said second outer piece remains axially secured to said lower portion during said first opening of said neck.

Said outer part may be a fixed part, secured axially to the metal skirt of the shell, for example at its lower part, typically by means of a layer of adhesive, its axial height Hs being at least equal to 0.5 times the height H _B of the lower part of the skirt of the shell, so as to cover most of said lower part while allowing the capping operation. This fixed part is arranged in such a way that it leaves free access to a crimping zone, typically annular, of said metal skirt.

Said outer part may also be a moving part, which moves axially and which has, relative to said metal skirt, two predetermined stable positions, thanks to a positioning means. These two positions are a low position, in which said movable part leaves free access a typically annular crimping zone of the metal skirt of the shell, and a high position, in which said movable part, raised axially in the direction of said first outer part after crimping, mask at least the area set with said metal skirt. When in the up position, said movable part cooperates with the lower part of the metal skirt of the shell so as to remain attached to said neck after unscrewing the composite closure cap.

The positioning means used for the second movable outer part may comprise the axial cooperation of axial locking means carried by said moving part, and axial locking means carried by said metal skirt. This positioning means may comprise or form a reversible latching means so as to ensure a reversible passage from one position, high or low, to the other position, respectively low or high. This positioning means is designed in such a way that even when the second outer part is in the high position, unscrewing of said composite closure cap can be performed, said second outer part remaining integral with the neck, by means of the axial locking means for the high position. Furthermore, the axial locking means used for said lower position allows said second outer piece to remain attached to the metal skirt of the shell when the capsule is not yet crimped on the neck. Advantageously, said positioning means is designed such that said second outer part, after having been kept in a low position to facilitate access of the crimping tools to the crimping zone of the metal skirt of the shell, is placed in position. high and kept locked in this high position, so as to prevent access to the crimped area.

According to the invention, said second outer part may be made of a material chosen from plastics, metals and metallized plastics. Advantageously, it may comprise at least one transparent zone, typically a transparent upper part, so as to reveal the line of weakness or said line of bridges, and thus to make visible said first opening of said neck.

Advantageously, the capsule according to the invention comprises at least a first outer part assembled to said metal cap by a connecting means, said first outer part having at least one manual gripping peripheral portion of average diameter D _P > D _M , with a D _P / D _M ratio typically ranging from 1.1 to 1.5, said average diameter D _P being that of an axial surface, said envelope surface, surrounding said first outer part, so that when said capsule of composite closure closes said neck, a manual rotation of said outer part causes that of said metal capsule and that of said insert, thus allowing the unscrewing of said composite closure cap and the opening of said neck.

Advantageously, said first outer part is made of a material chosen from: a metal, a plastic, a glass, a ceramic, a refractory material, a composite material, a natural material, a compressed or sintered material, or a combination of one or several of these materials, it can be a massive piece formed using a shaping mold or by machining and / or removal of material, said solid piece comprising or forming a cavity adapted to house said upper portion of said metal capsule. It may also be a non-massive piece formed from a starting material in strip or foil, typically metallic formed by stamping or embossing. Advantageously, said first outer part forms or comprises means for weighing said composite closure cap.

• être allongée suivant une direction principale;
• comprendre une pluralité de N évidements axiaux ou rainures axiales, avec N allant de 3 à 18, typiquement distants angulairement de 360°/N;
• comprendre une pluralité de N' évidements annulaires ou gorges annulaires, avec N' allant typiquement de 1 à 10, typiquement équidistants selon ladite direction axiale.

The peripheral portion of said first outer part may have an envelope surface of revolution. But it can also, to facilitate manual gripping and rotation of the composite closure cap:

• lie in a main direction;
• comprising a plurality of N axial recesses or axial grooves, with N ranging from 3 to 18, typically angularly spaced 360 ° / N;
• comprising a plurality of N 'annular recesses or annular grooves, with N' typically ranging from 1 to 10, typically equidistant in said axial direction.

Typically, said insert is made integral with said metal cap using a layer of an adhesive material but it can also be made integral with said metal cap by heat-sealing the threaded skirt of said insert on the metal skirt of said metal cap, at least said metal skirt of said metal capsule being lined internally with an inner layer of a varnish or a thermoplastic material selected according to said plastic material of said insert and adapted to be heat sealed to said insert. Advantageously, said inner layer of said metal capsule comprises, in the divided state, said plastic material of said insert, so as to allow said heat-sealing of said insert in said metal capsule

Typically, said first outer part is secured to said metal cap with a layer of an adhesive material.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the upper part of said metal skirt comprises a plurality of radial orifices, so that said insert and said first outer part can be secured by heat-sealing through said plurality of radial orifices, while or part of said insert and said first outer part being of a chemical nature chosen to allow said heat sealing.

Said plastic insert advantageously comprises a seal forming an insert, secured to said insert and intended to seal said neck. When the neck of the bottle must be provided with a pouring device or a non-refill device, said insert is advantageously secured to a shutter. The insert comprises for example a plastic head which comprises at least one annular lip which cooperates with said seal or said shutter, so as to seal said neck.

In another embodiment, the metal skirt of the shell comprises an axial abutment shoulder for said first outer part, typically for a lower end of said first outer part, said shoulder dividing said metal skirt into an upper part of smaller diameter and a lower part of larger diameter.

In a large number of variants of the invention, said first outer part has a lower end which is connected tangentially to the metal skirt of the shell, so that said lower end and said metal skirt are connected without discontinuity by having typically the same diameter.

The composite closure cap according to the invention may comprise a device, called "pouring device", intended to facilitate the flow of said liquid, said pouring device comprising a flexible annular lip, and being capable of being removably secured to said capsule composite closure, typically through a rubbing contact with an axial projection of said insert, and an inner skirt adapted to cooperate with the interior of said neck, typically with at least one circular fin, so as to be secured to said neck sealingly .

The composite closure cap according to the invention may also comprise a device, called "non-refill device", intended to prevent any fraudulent filling of said bottle by said neck, said refill device being provided with reversible connection means to said composite closure cap, so that the refill device is attached to the neck during the capping operation and remains attached to said neck when the composite closure cap is unscrewed. In a particular mode, this device can be fixed directly irreversibly on the glass ring. In this case, the external thread of the neck is not on the glass ring but in the upper part of this filling device irreversibly fixed to the neck, the latter having a screw thread complementary to that of the insert threaded.

All the figures relate to the invention. Unless otherwise indicated, all the figures are axial sections in the axial direction (10) of the capsule composite (1). In these figures, some parts of the capsule (1) have not been hatched for reasons of clarity.

The Figures 1a and 1b illustrate a first variant of the composite capsule according to the invention, in which variant the tubular piece (6 ') is a fixed piece (60) secured, fixedly, to the lower part (34) of the metallic skirt (31) of the metal capsule (3), so as to leave free an annular zone (36) crimping. The figure 1 a represents the capsule (1) placed on the neck (2) before crimping the capsule. The figure 1b represents the capsule (1) after crimping, said skirt (31) then comprising a crimped annular zone (36) formed by a radial compression of a crimping wheel, said compression having been represented by a radial arrow on the figure 1 b.

The Figures 2a to 3d illustrate another variant, wherein the tubular piece (6 ') is a movable piece (61) secured axially movably to the lower portion (34) of the metal skirt (31) of the metal cap (3). The figure 2a is a view of the capsule (1), the tubular piece (6 ') being in the so-called "high" position. The figure 2b represents the capsule (1) of the figure 2a placed on the neck (2) crimp. The Figure 2c represents the capsule (1) of the figure 2b after crimping the metal skirt (31) and forming an annular zone (36), after having moved downward to said "low" position said tubular piece (6 '), so as to expose said annular zone of crimping (36). The figure 2d represents the capsule (1) of the Figure 2c after raising upwards to the so-called high position of said tubular piece (6 '), so that the upper part of the movable tubular piece (6', 61) masks the crimped annular zone (36 '). The figure 3a represents the capsule (1) crimped at the neck (2) as at the figure 2d , before a first opening by unscrewing the upper part (19) of the capsule (1), said unscrewing being represented by an arrow placed above the capsule (1). The figure 3b represents the upper part (19) separated by unscrewing, while the figure 3c represents the lower part (19 ') remaining integral with the neck (2). The figure 3d , analogous to the figure 3b , represents another variant of capsule in which the line of weakness (330) is not masked by the lower end (55) of said first outer part (5) but by the upper end (62) of said second outer part (6).

The figure 4 is a side view of a neck (2) on which has been crimped a capsule (1) of the same type as that shown on the Figures 2a to 3d said second outer piece (6), shown in a raised position, comprising an upper portion (63), typically transparent so as to allow visual inspection of said line of weakness (330), said upper portion comprising two ribs (630); ) facilitating a possible manual gripping of said second outer part (6).

The figure 5 illustrates the case of a capsule of the same type as those shown on the Figures 2a to 3d and 4 , comprising a pouring device (9), temporarily secured to said insert (4) by means of an axial projection (45) for hooking comprising a plurality of hooking lugs, said pouring device (9) comprising at its upper part an annular lip flexible (90) and an inner skirt (91) adapted to enter the neck (2) and to be forcefully assembled to said neck (2), sealingly, thanks to a plurality of fins (910), the height of which radial is such that the radial distance from their ends relative to the axis is greater than the internal diameter of the neck. These fins are here represented schematically, "entering" into the neck glass and not inclined upwards.

In the Figures 6a to 6c , the pouring device (9) is a pouring device (9 ') comprising an infusible means comprising an inner cage (92) adapted to accommodate a .bille (94) intended to rest on a lower circular lip (93) when said capsule (1) is in a vertical position, so as to close the central orifice delimited by said circular lip (93), but to let the contents of the bottle when the latter is sufficiently inclined.

As in the case of the pourer (9) of the figure 5 , its skirt (91) comprises at its upper end an outer radial projection forming an axial stop (911) of said spout against the rim (22) of the neck (2). The figure 6a is a left half-section of the capsule crimped on the neck (2). The figure 6b is a sectional view of the pouring device (9 '). The Figure 6c is a side view of the pouring device (9 ').

The Figures 7a and 7b illustrate the case of another capsule (1), always of the same type as those of Figures 2a to 3c , 4, 5 and 6a to 6c , comprising a refill device (8). The figure 7a represents, on its left half-part, a side view similar to the figure 4 , and on its half-right portion an axial sectional view of said capsule (1) provided with said unconfillable device (8). The figure 7b represents the capsule snapped to the neck (2). The Figure 7c illustrates the sealed closure of the neck (2) by radial compression of the periphery (70) of the seal (7), thanks to a radial compression ring (46) formed inside the skirt (41, 41 ') of said insert (4).

The Figures 8a and 8b illustrate other methods in which said outer part (5) is a non-solid part (5 "), that is to say an internally recessed part.The non-solid part (6") comprises a lower part of smaller diameter , with a lower end (55) coming to connect tangentially to the metal skirt (31). On the figure 8b the metal cap (3) is a metal cap (3 '), the metal skirt (31) of which comprises a shoulder (310) forming an axial stop for said outer piece (5, 5 "), typically for a lower end (55). ) of said outer piece (5, 5 ").

The Figures 9b to 9e are top views of various shape variants of said first outer part (5). The figure 9a represents in section, the upper part of the composite capsule. On the figure 9b the first outer part (5) is round and has a circular outer section. On the Figure 9c , the the peripheral part of the first outer part has, in a transverse plane perpendicular to the axial direction, a section delimited by a closed curve C, the polar coordinate representation of which indicates that each point of said curve C is at a distance R = f ( θ) which varies with said angular direction θ so that said peripheral portion does not have an envelope surface of revolution with respect to said axial direction. In this case, the first exterior part illustrated in the Figure 9c has a principal direction in a longitudinal plane comprising said axial direction. Its peripheral portion has, in a transverse plane perpendicular to the axial direction, a section delimited by an elliptical contour whose major axis corresponds to said main direction. The Figures 9d and 9e are variants of the figure 9b wherein said first outer skirt (52) comprises a plurality of axial grooves (53), as illustrated in the figure 9d , or axial ribs (53 ') as illustrated on the figure 9e .

EXAMPLES OF REALIZATION

The examples can be summarized in the following table: No. Example No. Figures Metal capsule 3, 3 ' 1st outer part 5, 5 ', 5 " Insert 4, 4 '(Sealing) 2nd external part 6, 60, 61 Attachment of the hull to the neck Fixing the 2nd outer part at the neck 1 1a, 1b Al 3 Polyolefin PET, ABS, PC, PS 5, 5 ' Polyolefin PET, ABS, PC, PS (Joint 7) Polyolefin PET, ABS, PC, PS Fixed 60 Ring setting 36 ' Heat Seal Adhesive 2 2a-2d 3a-3c ° " " Polyolefin Mobile 61 PET, ABS, PC, PS Ring setting 36 ' Mechanical tightening 3 5 Analogous example 2 with pouring device (9) incorporated Lip sealing (470) acting on the flexible annular lip (90) of the pourer (9) which is pressed against the rim (22) Clipping in throat 4 6a-6c Analogous to example 3, with another pouring device (9 ') Same 5 7a, 7c Analogous example 3 with built-in filling device (8) Sealing by radial compression ring (46) acting on attached seal (7) Same

Plastic moldings were made of PP or PE. These same pieces of PA or PET have also been manufactured. We also used second outer piece (6) of the metal tube portions embossed surface embossed.

• soit de manière fixe pour les rendre solidaires, notamment en rotation, par exemple lorsqu'il s'agit de la capsule métallique (3), de l'insert (4) et de ladite première pièce extérieure (5), qui peuvent être solidarisés notamment par des couches adhésives.
• soit par emmanchement ou encliquetage axial des pièces, lorsqu'il s'agit en particulier de ladite seconde pièce extérieure (6).

According to the type of capsule (1), the various parts of said capsule (1) have been assembled, either as indicated in the description, or in a manner that is self-evident, namely:

• either in a fixed manner to make them integral, in particular in rotation, for example when it comes to the metal capsule (3), the insert (4) and the said first outer part (5), which can be joined together in particular by adhesive layers.
• either by fitting or axial clipping of the parts, especially when it is said second outer part (6).

According to the type of decoration, said first (5) and second (6) outer parts have been decorated either before assembly or after assembly, once said capsule (1) formed.

Here we describe in more detail Example 3 illustrated in figure 5 , knowing that this capsule comprises common features of the invention, which can be detailed and / or referenced in other figures.

The composite closure cap 1 of this example comprises a pouring device 9 comprising in its upper part a flexible annular lip 90 and an inner skirt 91 adapted to enter the neck 2 and be force-fitted to said neck, in a sealed manner, thanks to a plurality of fins 910.

The composite closure cap 1 comprises a metal cap (or "shell") 3 provided with a metal skirt 31 comprising a crimping area (36) of said metal cap around the neck, (the figure 5 illustrates the skirt 31 crimped at 36 ' on the shoulder 210 of the counter-ring 21) and a line of weakening 330, used as a means of easy first opening of said composite closure cap.

The composite closure cap 1 comprises an insert 4 made of plastic, integral with an upper portion 32 of the shell 3, said insert comprising a sealing head 40 and an internally threaded skirt 41 ', here particularly thin, of axial height H _I <Hc.

The composite closure cap 1 comprises a first outer part 5, assembled to the metal cap 3, having a manual gripping peripheral portion 50 of average diameter D _P > D _M , so that when said composite closure cap closes said neck, a manual rotation of said outer part causes that of said metal capsule and that of said insert, thus allowing the unscrewing of said composite closure cap and the opening of said neck,

The composite closure cap 1 comprises a second outer piece 6 assembled to the metal skirt 31 so as to cover and mask the lower part 35 of said metal cap. This second outer part 6 is a movable part 61, which moves axially and which has, relative to the metal skirt 31, two predetermined stable positions: a low position in which the movable part 61 leaves free access to the crimping zone annular of the metal skirt of the shell, and a high position in which said movable part 61, raised axially in the direction of the first outer part 5 after crimping, masks at least the crimped area 36 ' of said metal skirt. The movable part 61 in the high position, co-operates with the lower part 35 of the metallic skirt 31 of the shell 3 so as to remain fixed to the neck 2 after unscrewing of said composite stopper cap 1.

The positioning means 18 used for the second movable outer part 61 uses the axial cooperation of axial locking means 64 and 631 carried by said moving part, and axial locking means 311 and 312 carried by the metal skirt 31. This means of positioning could form a reversible latching means so as to ensure a reversible passage from one position, high or low, to the other position, respectively low or high. But here, the positioning means 18 is designed so that said second movable outer part 61, after being kept in the low position to facilitate access of the crimping tools on the crimp zone of the metal skirt of the shell, is placed in the high position and kept locked in this high position, so as to prevent access to the crimped zone 36 '.

As illustrated on the figure 5 , the second outer part 61 is held in the raised position by the cooperation of the axial locking means 64 and 311. It is held in the low position by the cooperation of the axial locking means 631 and 312. This axial locking means used to the low position allows said second outer part 61 to remain attached to the metal skirt 31 of the shell 3 when the capsule is not yet crimped on the neck. The figure 5 shows that the metal skirt 31 carries, just below the crimping zone 36 or crimped zone 36 ', a first annular ring 37 whose two slopes 311 and 312 act as latching means, the first slope 311 serving, in the high position, an irreversible snap-on abutment to a lip 64 of the movable part 61 and the second 312 serving, in the lower position, a reversible snap-in abutment to the reentrant oblique wall 631 of the upper end of said moving part 61.

Unscrewing of the composite closure cap can be performed, the first outer part 5 remaining integral with the upper part 32 of the shell 3 and the second outer part 61 remaining integral with the lower part 35 of the metal skirt 31, itself secured to the counter ring 21 on which it is crimped.

The second outer part 61 is made of polyolefin, typically a polypropylene. It has not been opacified (metallization, lacquering, installation of a decor, etc ...) in its upper part 63, so that it is transparent and it is possible to see the weakening line 330 when said second movable outer part 61 is in the up position. In a variant, to improve the transparency of the upper part 63, the second outer part 61 is crystal polystyrene. The upper part 63 is provided with annular ribs 630 which facilitate the manual gripping of the second outer part 61.

The second outer piece 61 must slide a distance large enough to reach its low position, so as to leave access to the crimping zone wide enough so that the knobs or other crimping tools can reach the shoulder 210 of the counter. ring 21 without disturbing the other parts of the capsule. This distance is typically between 5 and 15 mm. As can be seen on the Figure 2c , the low position may correspond to the arrival at the abutment of the lower end 611 of the second outer part 61 on the neck 2 of the bottle, which is conical at this point. In this case, the second external part 61, which has the shape of a cylindrical sleeve, should have a typical inner diameter greater than 1 mm relative to the diameter of the lower part 35 of the metallic skirt 31. Advantageously, said metal skirt 31 is provided with a second annular ring 38, of radial height typically equal to 0.5 mm, which allows the second outer part 61 to slide along the axis 10 while remaining centered.

The composite capping capsule of this example 3 ( figure 5 ) comprises a pouring device 9 intended to facilitate the flow of the liquid, which comprises a flexible annular lip 90, and which is adapted to be detachably secured to the composite closure cap 1, by means of the insert 4, by contact rubbing on the axial projection 45 of the shutter 47 integral with the insert 4. This device pourer 9 also includes an inner skirt 91 adapted to cooperate with the interior of the neck 2, with at least one circular fin 910, so as to be secured to the neck 2 sealingly. The fins 910 are shown schematically here, "tucked" into the glass and not inclined upwards.

Also found on the capsule of Example 4 ( Figures 6a to 6c ) a pouring device 9 ' also acting as a refill device. It is also provided with a flexible annular lip 90 and which can be secured with the insert 4. It also comprises an inner skirt 91 which cooperates with the inside of the neck 2 by means of several circular fins 910, deformed by the introduction of the device into the interior of the neck ( Fig. 6a ).

The sealing is ensured by the action of the annular lip 470 of the shutter 47 which causes the plating of the flexible annular lip 90 on the rim 22 of the neck.

The composite closure capsules of Examples 4 and 5 (Figures 6 and 7) have fillers 8 and 9 '.

• le dispositif 8 comprend une partie filetée qui permet de le visser sur l'insert 4 (dans ce cas, le vissage de la capsule de bouchage composite ne se fait plus sur la bague de verrerie: le filet extérieur 20' du goulot appartient au dispositif 8 fixé de façon irréversible au goulot).
• le dispositif 9' qui a également une fonction de dispositif verseur comme dans l'exemple 3 est relié à l'insert 4 par le biais d'un contact frottant sur une projection axiale 45 de l'obturateur 47 solidaire de l'insert 4.

The non-refillable devices 8 and 9 ' are intended to prevent any fraudulent filling of the bottle by the neck 2. They are secured to the composite closure cap 1:

• the device 8 comprises a threaded part which makes it possible to screw it on the insert 4 (in this case, the screwing of the composite closure cap is no longer done on the glass ring: the external thread 20 ' of the neck belongs to the device 8 irreversibly attached to the neck).
• the device 9 'which also has a pouring device function as in example 3 is connected to the insert 4 by means of a rubbing contact on an axial projection 45 of the shutter 47 secured to the insert 4.

These devices are attached to the neck 2 during the capping operation and remain attached to said neck when said composite closure cap 1 is unscrewed.

1. a) une pièce dite supérieure 80 comprenant une bague filetée 800 apte à coopérer avec la jupe filetée 41 de l'insert 4;
2. b) une pièce dite inférieure 81 comprenant une jupe d'accrochage 810 apte à coopérer avec la contre-bague de verrerie 21, et une paroi intérieure formant une cage 811 comprenant un orifice inférieur 812,
3. c) un élément mobile 82, ici une bille 820, apte se déplacer dans ladite cage et à obturer, par gravité, ledit orifice inférieur 812 quand ladite capsule de bouchage composite 1 est en position verticale, de manière à former un moyen anti-retour.

The non-refillable device 8 of Example 5 comprises:

1. a) a so-called upper part 80 comprising a threaded ring 800 adapted to cooperate with the threaded skirt 41 of the insert 4;
2. b) a so-called lower part 81 comprising an attachment skirt 810 able to cooperate with the glass counter-ring 21, and an inner wall forming a cage 811 comprising a lower orifice 812 ,
3. c) a movable element 82, here a ball 820, able to move in said cage and to seal, by gravity, said lower orifice 812 when said composite closure cap 1 is in a vertical position, so as to form a non-return means .

1. a) ladite pièce supérieure 80 comprend une grille supérieure 801,
2. b) ladite pièce inférieure 81 comprend une voûte 813 dotée d'orifices latéraux permettant le passage du liquide,

In said non-refill device 8:

1. a) said upper part 80 comprises an upper grid 801,
2. b) said lower part 81 comprises a vault 813 provided with lateral orifices allowing the passage of the liquid,

Said non-refill device 8 also comprises a protection piece 83, typically a metal plate portion 83 ', which is housed between the upper grid 801 and the vault 813, so as to form an obstacle to any attempt to reach and move said movable member 82 (the ball 820), while allowing a normal flow of liquid out of said bottle.

LIST OF REFERENCES

Composite capping capsule 1 Axial direction 10 Means of assembly of 1 and 2 11.11 ' Easy way of first opening 12 Positioning means 61 18 Upper part of 1 separated by unscrewing 19 Lower part of 1 solidary of 2 19 ' Neck of a bottle 2 Thread outside of 2 20.20 ' Against-ring 21 Lower shoulder 210 Drinking 22 Metal capsule or shell three Metallic head 30 Metal skirt 31 shoulder 310 Axial locking means of 6, 6 '(high position). 311 Axial locking means of b, 6 '(low position). 312 Upper part of 3 or 31 32 Intermediate part of 3 or 31 33 Line of weakening 330 Bottom of 3 or 31 34 Low portion of 31, 31% of 210 35 Crimping area of 31, 34 36 Area set with 31, 34 36 ' First ring ring 37 Second ring ring 38 Plastic insert 4 Head 40 Internally threaded skirt 41 Thin skirt threaded internally 41 ' Axial projection of attachment of 8 or 9 45 Radial compression ring 46 Shutter 47 Annular lip of 47 470 First external room 5 Massive piece 5 ' Non massive piece 5 " Peripheral part 50 Outer head 51 First outer skirt 52 Axial groove 53 Radial groove 53 ' Main extension direction of 50 54 Bottom end 55 Second outer room 6 Cylindrical tubular piece 6 ' Fixed room 60 Moving part 61 lower end of 61 611 Upper end of 6 62 Transparent upper part 63 Axial locking means (64) 64 Seal 7 Outside edge 70 Irreplaceability device 8 Superior room 80 Threaded ring 800 Top grid 801 Lower part 81 Suspender skirt 810 Cage 811 Bottom hole 812 Vault of 81 813 Side vents 814 Mobile element 82 Ball 820 Protection piece 83 Metal plate 83 ' Pouring device 9 Pouring device and refillable 9 ' Flexible annular lip 90 Inner skirt 91 Waterproof mounting flange 910 Axial stopper 911 Inner cage 92 Bottom lip 93 Ball 94

Claims (25)

1. Composite stopper cap (1) for sealing the neck (2) of a bottle, said neck (2) comprising a glass ring (21) and an external screw thread (20), said composite stopper cap (1) being of height H in an axial direction (10) and comprising:

   a) a metal cap (3) provided with a metal head (30) and with a metal skirt (31), of axial height Hc < H and with average diameter D_M, comprising a crimping zone (36) of said metal cap and an means of first easy opening (12) said composite stopper cap (1), a bottom part (35) of said metal skirt (31) remaining interdependent with said neck (2) when said composite stopper cap (1) is unscrewed when said neck (2) is opened for the first time.

   b) a plastic insert (4) interdependent with a top part (32) of said metal cap (3), said insert comprising a head (40) and an internally threaded skirt (41) of axial height Hi < Hc.

   c) at least one first external part (5) assembled onto said metal cap (3), said first external part (5) having at least a peripheral part (50) for manual gripping of average diameter D_P > D_M, so that, when said composite stopper cap (1) seals said neck (2), manual rotation of said external part (5) causes said metal cap (3) and said insert (4) to rotate also, thereby allowing said composite stopper cap (1) to be unscrewed and said neck (2) to be opened, characterized in that it also comprises a second external part (6) assembled to the metal skirt (31) so as to cover and to mask the bottom part (35) of said metal cap.
2. A composite stopper cap (1) according to claim 1, in which said second external part (6) forms a cylindrical tubular part (6') with an external diameter Ds ranging between D_P and D_M , its internal diameter being typically close to D_M.
3. A composite stopper cap according to claims1 or 2, in which said second external part (6) works in conjunction with said bottom part (35) of said metal skirt (31), so that said second external part (6) remains axially interdependent with said bottom part (35) when said neck (2) is opened for the first time,
4. A composite stopper cap according to any of claims 1 to 3 in which said second external part (6, 6') is fixed at the low part (34) of metal cap (3), its axial height Hs being at least equal to 0.5 times the height H_B of said bottom part (35), so as to cover most of said bottom part (35) while allowing the capping operation to take place, said external part being a fixed part (60) leaving free access to said crimping zone (36) of said metal skirt (31).
5. A composite stopper cap according to any of claims 1 to 3 in which said second external part (6, 6') is a moving part (61) which moves axially and which has, in relation to said metal skirt (31), two predetermined stable positions, via a means of positioning (18), with a so-called low position in which said moving part leaves free access to said crimping zone (36) of said metal skirt (31), and with a so-called high position in which said moving part (61), raised axially towards said first external part (5) after crimping, masks at least the crimped zone (36 ') of said metal skirt (31), said moving part (61), in high position, working in conjunction with said bottom part (35) so as to remain interdependent with said neck (2) after said composite stopper cap (1) is unscrewed.
6. A composite stopper cap according to claim 5 in which said means of positioning (18) comprises the axial co-operation of means of axial blocking (64, 631) borne by said moving part (61), and of means of axial blocking (311, 312) borne by said metal skirt (31).
7. A composite stopper cap according to claims 5 or 6 in which said means of positioning (18) includes or forms a reversible snap-on means so as to allow reversible movement from a high or low position, to the other, respectively low or high position.
8. A composite stopper cap according to any of claims 5 to 7 in which said metal skirt (31) has, just below the crimping zone (36) or the crimped zone (36)', a first snap ring (37) whose two slopes (311) and (312) act as snap-on means g, the first slope (311) being used in top position, as a reversible snap-on stop for a lip (64) of said moving part (61), and the second slope (312) being used, in bottom position, as a reversible snap-on stop for the inward turning oblique wall (631) of the top end of said moving part (61).
9. A composite stopper cap according to any of claims 5 to 8 in which said metal skirt (31) is provided with a second snap ring (38), of radial height typically 0.5 mm, which allows the second external part (61) to slide along the axis (10) while remaining centered.
10. A composite stopper cap according to any of claims 1 to 9 in which said second external part (6, 6') is made from a material chosen from: plastics, metals, metallized plastics.
11. A composite stopper cap according to any of claims 1 to 10 in which said second external part (6, 6') comprises at least one transparent zone, typically a transparent upper part (63), so as to allow said line of weakening or said line of bridges (330) appear , and thereby making said first opening of said neck (2) visible.
12. A composite stopper cap according to any of claims 1 to 11 in which said metal skirt (31) comprises a lower part (34) designed to be crimped under a lower shoulder (210) of said ring (21) during an operation known as capping and an intermediate part (33) comprising at least one line of weakening (330), so as to form said means of first easy opening (12), a break in said line of weakening (330) making it possible to detect said first opening of said neck (2).
13. A composite stopper cap according to any of claims 1 to 12 in which said first external part (5) comprises a first external skirt (52) forming said manual gripping peripheral part (50) and an outer head (51) positioned above said metal head (30) and of diameter no greater than D_M.
14. A composite stopper cap according to any of claims 1 to 13 in which said first external part (5) forms or comprises a means of weighing down said composite stopper cap (1).
15. A composite stopper cap according to any of claims 1 to 14 in which said peripheral part (50) of said first external part (5) has an envelope surface of revolution.
16. A composite stopper cap according to any of claims 1 to 15 in which said peripheral part (50) has a main direction (54) in a longitudinal plane comprising said axial direction (10), so as to facilitate manual gripping and rotation of said composite stopper cap (1).
17. A composite stopper cap according to any of claims 1 to 16 in which said insert (4) is made interdependent with said metal cap (3) by heat sealing of the threaded skirt (41) of said insert (4) to the metal skirt (31) of said metal cap (3), at least said metal skirt (31) of said metal cap (3) being covered on the inside by an internal layer of varnish or a selected thermoplastic material depending on said plastic of said insert (4) and able to be heat sealed to said insert (4).
18. A composite stopper cap according to claim 17, in which said interior layer of said metal cap (3) comprises, in divided state, said plastic of said insert (4), so as to allow said heat sealing of said insert (4) into said metal cap (3).
19. A composite stopper cap according to any of claims 1 to 18 in which said upper part (32) of said metal skirt (31) comprises a plurality of radial openings, and in which said insert (4) and said first external part (5, 5', 5") are made interdependent by heat sealing through said plurality of radial openings, whole or part of said insert (4) and the first external part (5, 5',5") being of a chemical nature such as to allow said heat sealing.
20. A composite stopper cap according to any of claims 1 to 19 in which said insert (4) made of plastic comprises a head (40) provided with a ring-shaped lip (46, 470).
21. A composite stopper cap according to claim 20 in which said head of said insert (4) made of plastic comprises a seal (7), said ring-shaped lip (46) being used as a radial compression ring for the edge of said seal, so as to ensure that said neck is tightly closed.
22. A composite stopper cap according to claim 20 in which said head of said insert (4) made of plastic comprises an obturator (47) provided with said ring-shaped lip (470).
23. A composite stopper cap according to any of claims 1 to 22 in which said metal skirt (31) comprises a shoulder (310) forming an axial stop for said first external part (5, 5', 5"), typically for a lower end (55) of said first external part (5, 5', 5"), said shoulder (310) dividing said metal skirt (31) into an upper part of smaller diameter and a lower part of larger diameter.
24. A composite stopper cap according to any of claims 1 to 23 in which said first external part (5) has a lower end (55) which is connected tangentially to said metal skirt (31), so that said lower end (55) and said metal skirt (31) are connected without discontinuity by having typically the same diameter.
25. A composite stopper cap according to any of claims 1 to 24 comprising an anti-refilling device (8) designed to prevent any fraudulent refilling of said bottle by said neck (2), said device (8) being made removeably interdependent with said composite stopper cap (1) so that said device (8) is fixed to said neck (2) during the capping operation and remains fixed to said neck when said composite stopper cap (1) is unscrewed.

Images