FR2821064A1 - Container such as bottle or jar has cap or lid fitted with packing ring comprising core with support(s) for seal(s) - Google Patents

Abstract

The container is closed by a cap or lid with a packing ring (2) between, the ring comprising a core (6) with one or more supports (7) for seal(s) (5). The core of the ring has an inner projection (14) to engage with a groove round the cap or lid, a lateral surface (15) to prevent glass to glass contact, and a centering surface (18). The core is in the form of a ring (8) surmounted by a crown (9), and the seal is annular in shape, made by bi-injection or over-injection with the core.

Description

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 The invention relates to a packaging, such as a bottle, jar or other similar container, and to a seal for said packaging.

le transport d'objets, de produits, de matériaux ou toutes substances quelconques. Un secteur particulièrement intéressant concerne la réalisation de tels conditionnements en verre. The invention will very particularly find its application in the field of the manufacture of the devices to be contained for the storage or

the transport of objects, products, materials or any other substances. A particularly interesting sector concerns the production of such glass packaging.

 In addition, it will find its use in various fields where it is necessary to store any products or any substances under vacuum or partial vacuum. One of the main, non-limiting applications resides in the food sector for constituting, for example, glass jars intended for preserves.

 It has been known for a long time in the food sector to produce preserves by means of packaging such as bottles, jars or other similar containers generally consisting of a container of suitable shape and a lid hinged together and locked by a closure system.

 Furthermore, between the container and the lid, there is generally a seal whose function is twofold. On the one hand, it provides a first function when making the preserves proper and, on the other hand, a second function when the preserve has been started for its subsequent conservation.

 The seals that are currently found on the market are made from an elastic material so that the seal can deform locally and best fit the walls of the container and of the cover so as to ensure maximum sealing. These known flexible structure joints are particularly well suited to packaging, especially in jars in which it is not uncommon to see forces of the order of 50 kg applied to said joint, the forces being caused by vacuum inside the packaging volume in relation to the ambient air.

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 However, these known seals also have various drawbacks, and in particular, the mechanization of the mounting of these seals on a package is made very difficult due to the flexible structure of these seals, which means that in practice the mounting and installation are done manually.

 In addition, during the sterilization phase of the packaging, the pressure inside the packaging can drop very markedly below atmospheric pressure, and if the seal is not positioned precisely, it can be sucked inside the packaging. , which requires the repackaging of the contents of the packaging.

 Another drawback is that on the one hand the size and dimensions of this type of seal extend far beyond the actual sealing zones, and that on the other hand this type of seal is produced from materials whose production and production costs are relatively high.

 The object of the present invention is to provide packaging, such as a bottle, jar or other similar container which overcomes these various drawbacks and in particular allows mechanization and / or easier handling of the mounting of these seals.

 Another object of the present invention is to provide packaging making it possible to limit the use of relatively high cost and production materials only at the level of the sealing zones proper.

 Another object of the present invention is to provide a packaging having, thanks to its seal, an opening facilitated for the operator.

 Another object of the present invention is to provide a seal designed for said packaging which allows production of the industrial seal as well as mechanization of the mounting of said seal on the packaging.

 Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear during the description which follows, which is given for information only and which has not

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 not to limit it.

 The invention relates to a packaging, such as a bottle, jar or other similar container, comprising at least one container and a cover between which a seal is disposed, characterized in that said seal comprises at least one flexible sealing element and one core comprising means for supporting said at least one sealing element.

 Furthermore, the invention also relates to a seal, which will in particular find its application for a packaging as defined above, characterized in that it comprises at least one sealing element and a core comprising means for supporting said at least a sealing element.

- la figure 4 illustre, une première vue en coupe, selon l'axe IVIV, du joint selon l'exemple de réalisation de la figure 1, placé entre le couvercle et le contenant du conditionnement - la figure 5 représente une autre vue en coupe, selon l'axe VV, du joint selon l'exemple de réalisation de la figure 1, placé entre le couvercle et le contenant, ledit joint intégrant une languette d'ouverture, - la figure 6 illustre, en vue de coupe, un second exemple de réalisation du joint, placé entre le couvercle et le contenant. The present invention will be better understood on reading the following description, accompanied by the accompanying drawings which form an integral part thereof and among which: - Figure 1 illustrates an example of embodiment of the seal according to the invention, - Figure 2 illustrates the core of the seal according to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 illustrates the sealing element of the seal according to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1,

- Figure 4 illustrates, a first sectional view, along the IVIV axis, of the seal according to the embodiment of Figure 1, placed between the cover and the packaging container - Figure 5 shows another sectional view , along the axis VV, of the seal according to the embodiment of Figure 1, placed between the cover and the container, said seal incorporating an opening tab, - Figure 6 illustrates, in sectional view, a second example of embodiment of the seal, placed between the cover and the container.

 The invention relates to a packaging, such as a bottle, jar or other similar container, as well as a seal for such packaging.

 More specifically, according to the invention, said packaging is

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 intended to contain a product or any substance whatsoever under vacuum or partial vacuum to, for example, store said product or substance.

 A first use of such packaging in the food sector will make it possible to apply the invention to household and industrial articles for preservation.

 However, the invention could be used in any other field where it is necessary to keep a product, object, material or any substance under vacuum or partial vacuum for its transport or its storage.

 According to the invention, the packaging 1 comprises a seal 2 disposed between a cover 3 and a container 4. Said seal 2 comprises at least one sealing element 5 and a core 6 comprising support means 7 for said at least one element d sealing 5.

 Referring more particularly to FIG. 2 which illustrates said core 6, it can be seen that the latter is in the form of a ring 8 surmounted by a crown 9. Said crown 9 comprises a flange 27 extending over part of its circumference.

 Said support means 7 are constituted on the one hand by a face 10, in particular substantially parallel to the joint plane of the packaging, of said ring 9 cooperating to hold said sealing element 5 in place with the edge of said ring, and on the other hand by the face 11, in particular parallel to the said face 10, of the said ring cooperating with the ring 8.

 Referring more particularly to FIG. 3, illustrating an embodiment of the sealing element 5, it can be seen that this element is in the form of a superimposed double ring 12, 12 ′ linked together by a tongue 13 secured to the outer surface of said rings 12,12 '.

 According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, said sealing element 5 is in the form of a simple ring, the seal then preferably comprising at least two sealing elements.

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 FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the seal 2, in which the ring 12, placed at the level of said face 10 of the crown 9 is held in particular by the rim of said crown. The second ring 12 ′, placed at the level of the face 11 of said crown, is maintained thanks to the cooperation between said face 11 and said ring 8.

 According to the invention, said seal 2 can be obtained by injection of the core 6 on which said at least one sealing element 5 is over-injected.

 Naturally, a person skilled in the art will be able to apply all of his knowledge in terms of pressing or injection molding for the formation of said seal 2. For example, according to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, seal 2 may be obtained by making the core 6 by injection and said at least one sealing element 5 by bi-injection in the same mold.

 According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the seal 2 is obtained by producing said core 6 by injection onto which is stuck said at least one sealing element 5 obtained itself by injection.

de s'accoupler avec le couvercle 3 et/ou le contenant 4 dudit conditionnement 1. In the two embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6, said core 6 comprises cooperation means 26 allowing the joint 2

to mate with the cover 3 and / or the container 4 of said packaging 1.

 In these two embodiments, said cooperation means 26 cooperate with a groove or constriction 16 formed on the periphery of the cover 3. Said cooperation means 26 comprise in particular a projection 14 supplemented if necessary by a lateral part 15.

 Said projection 14 is composed of one or more elements distributed for example in staggered rows at the level of the interior wall of said ring 8.

 Said lateral part 15 consists of a rim of said ring 8, extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to that of said ring 8.

 Said projection 14 cooperates with said groove or constricts 16

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 formed on the periphery of said cover 3, and said lateral part 15 cooperates with one end 17 of said cover 3, the cooperation of these different elements making it possible to snap said seal 2 onto said cover 3.

 The latching is done by exerting a pressure on the seal in the direction of the cover, which has the effect of latching said projection 14 in the groove or constriction 16 and of placing said lateral part 15 against the end 17 of cover 3.

 At this level, it is interesting to note that another advantage of the invention lies in the fact that it is possible to store covers 3 when they are associated with seals 2 by stacking them. In fact, said lateral part 15 which covers said end 17 advantageously prevents any glass / glass contact between two superimposed covers. Previously, the covers could not be stacked on top of each other without risking these glass / glass shocks which could create chippings on said covers.

 According to the invention, said core 6 also comprises centering means 18 for guiding said cover 3 on said container 4 when the packaging 1 is closed. These means 18 are constituted in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5 by the ring 8 whose shape is re-entrant allowing easy centering of the cover on said container.

 It is also interesting to note that this ring 8 also makes it possible to avoid glass / glass contacts this time between said cover 3 and said container 4.

 According to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 6, said centering means 18 consist of said ring 8 associated with a skirt 19 which surrounds said crown 9 and extends in a direction substantially parallel to that of said ring 8.

 According to the invention, said core 6 is preferably made from a thermoplastic material such as for example polypropylene. Depending on the destination of the packaging, the core may be made of a plastic of a grade suitable for food contact and resistant to

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 expected sterilization temperatures for the foodstuffs that this packaging will contain.

 According to the invention, the core will preferably be made of a rigid or semi-rigid material.

 According to the invention, said at least one sealing element is advantageously made of an elastomer, for example of the EPDM type. As for said core 6, the physical and chemical characteristics of said at least one sealing element 5 will be adapted to the conditions of use of the packaging 1.

 In addition, the materials making up said core 6 and said at least one sealing element 5 will be chosen so that the adhesion between the core and said at least one sealing element is facilitated.

 According to the invention, the shapes and dimensions of said seal 2 are adapted to be compatible with the majority of packaging such as jars or other similar containers already present in commerce.

 When said seal 2 is fixed to said cover 3, said cover 3 is placed as it appears in FIGS. 4 to 6 on said container 4.

 According to the view in FIG. 4, it can be seen that the positioning of said cover 3 on said container 4 is facilitated by said centering means 18 enabling said cover 3 to be guided along the internal wall of said container 4.

 When closing, said at least one sealing element 5 seals said packaging 1.

 In Figure 5, there is shown a sectional view, along the axis VV, of said seal 2 and at said tongue 13. At this tongue 13, said core 6, in this case the crown 9, comprises a recess or piercing 20.

 Said recess or piercing 20 is placed coaxially opposite a closed channel 21 formed in said at least one sealing element 5. Said recess or piercing 20 and said closed channel 21 are created so as to allow the opening of said packaging 1 by

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 severing or tearing of said at least one sealing element 5 at the level of channel 21.

 During the tearing or sectioning of the element 5, said channel is closed and allows via said recess or piercing the communication between the interior of the container and the exterior. This communication makes it possible to balance the internal pressure in the container 4 and the external pressure and makes it possible to open the said packaging 1.

 One can refer to patent EP-0.323. 315 which describes in particular different embodiments of said closed channel 21 as well as of said tongue 13.

 It should be noted here that the core 6, in particular its crown 9, participates in the reinforcement necessary to avoid the total crushing of the seal 2 and the obturation of the vent pipe taking into account the pressure differential between l outside and inside the packaging.

 According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, said recess or piercing 20 made in said core 6 is closed by a cover, placed opposite said recess or piercing 20, which can be removed in particular by cutting or tearing it , so as to allow communication between the interior and exterior of said packaging 1.

 Figure 6 illustrates a second embodiment of the invention which may constitute a variant of the embodiment described in Figures 1 to 5. In this case, said core 6 comprises fixing means 22 cooperating with a groove or constricted 23 formed on the outer surface of said container 4. This cooperation allowing the fixing of said seal 2 on said container 4.

qui permettent d'assurer la fermeture du conditionnement 1 notamment pendant la phase de stérilisation. These fastening means 22 could if necessary advantageously replace the additional mechanical devices

which allow the closure of the packaging 1 in particular during the sterilization phase.

 Said fixing means 22 may be constituted by a skirt 19 at the level of which a projection 24 is formed which cooperates with said

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 throat or constriction 23.

 According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, said fixing means 22 are constituted by at least two claws fastened to said core 6 on the one hand and coming to be fixed along said groove or constricted 23.

 In the embodiment of FIG. 6, said fixing means 22 also include a weakened part 25, said weakened part 25 breaking or deforming during the separation between said fixing means 22 and said groove or constricted 23 of the container 4 so as to serve as an indicator of the opening of the packaging.

 Naturally, other embodiments within the reach of ordinary skill in the art could have been envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the claims below.

Claims (16)

 CLAIMS 1. Packaging (1), such as a bottle, jar or other similar container, comprising at least one container (4) and a cover (3) between which is a seal (2), characterized in that said seal ( 2) comprises at least one sealing element (5) and a core (6) comprising support means (7) of said at least one sealing element (5).  2. Packaging (1) according to claim 1, wherein said core (6) comprises cooperation means (26) for coupling with the cover (3) and / or the container (4) of said packaging (1) .  3. Packaging (1) according to claim 2, wherein said cooperation means (26) comprise a projection (14) cooperating with a groove or constriction (16) formed in said cover (3) can be completed by a side part (15) cooperating with one end (17) of said cover (3), so as to allow the latching of said seal (2) on said cover (3).  4. Packaging (1) according to claim 3, wherein said lateral part (15) covers said end (17) so as to prevent glass / glass contacts when closing the packaging and when stacking covers ( 3) associated with seals (2) 5. Packaging (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which said core (6) comprises centering means (18) on said container (4) when said packaging (1) is closed.  6. Packaging (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said core (6) is in the form of a ring (8) surmounted by a crown (9).  7. Packaging (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least (1) sealing element (5) is in the form of a ring.  8. Packaging (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which said at least (1) element <Desc / Clms Page number 11>  sealing (5) is in the form of a superimposed double ring (12) connected by a tongue (13) secured to the outer surface of said rings (12).  9. Packaging (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said core (6) is made from a thermoplastic material such as polypropylene.  10. Packaging (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least (1) sealing element (5) is made from an elastomer such as EPDM.  11. Packaging (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which said core (6) is produced by injection and said at least one sealing element (5) by bi-injection or by over-injection.  12. Packaging (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which said core (6) comprises a recess or piercing (20) placed opposite either of a closed channel (21) formed in said at least one sealing element (5) or a cover, so as to allow the opening of the packaging (1) either by cutting or tearing or of said at least one sealing element (5) at the level of said closed channel (21) or by removing said cover.  13. Packaging (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said core (16) comprises fixing means (22) cooperating with a groove or constriction (23) formed on the outer surface of said container (4) so as to fix said seal (2) on said container (4).  14. Packaging (1) according to claim 13, wherein said fixing means (22) consist of a skirt (19) having a projection (24) or by at least two claws.  15. Packaging (1) according to any one of claims 13 or 14 in which said fixing means (22) comprise a weakened part (25) breaking or deforming during the separation between said fixing means (22) and said throat or constriction (23) <Desc / Clms Page number 12>  so as to serve as an indicator of the opening of the packaging (1).  16. Packaging (1), comprising a seal (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 15.