Cap for closing containers

• US 7,784,645 B2
• Filed: 06/25/2007
• Issued: 08/31/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Aptar Italia Spa (AptarGroup Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Emsar SpA (AptarGroup Incorporated)
• Inventors: Carta, Lamberto
• Primary Examiner(s): NGO, LIEN M
• Application Number:
  US12/306,864
• Publication Number:
  US 20090277930A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,163 Days
• Field of Search: 222/153.01, 222/153.09, 222/153.1, 222/153.11, 215/330, 215/331, 215/263, 215/276, 215295-395
• US Class Current: 222/153.01
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/0027 Means for neutralising the actuation of the sprayer pump locking means B05B11/1059; Means for preventing access to the sprayer actuation means
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/1047 the pump being preassembled as an independent unit before being mounted on the container
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 50/062 the closure removal inhibiting means being a displaceable ring
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 55/02 Locking devices; Means for discouraging or indicating unauthorised opening or removal of closure B65D41/32 takes precedence; protective covers for bottles B65D23/08; protective cap-like outer covers for bottle or jar closures B65D41/62; pressure-applying means B65D45/00; closures with means for discouraging unauthorised opening or removal of closures B65D50/00

Abstract

A cap for closing containers includes a dispenser placed in connection with the interior of a container for dispensing a fluid contained in the container, a first sleeve integral with the dispenser and able to be screwed on the neck of the container to make the dispenser integral with the container. The cap further includes a second sleeve coaxial and surrounding the first sleeve and coupling elements active between the first and the second sleeve to couple mechanically the second sleeve to the first sleeve during a rotation of the second sleeve (7) in a first direction and to uncouple the second sleeve from the first sleeve during a rotation of the second sleeve in a second direction, opposite to the first. A covering element encompasses the dispenser and can be uncoupled from the cap coordinating a sequence of operations on the cap.

Claims

1. A cap for closing containers comprising:

a dispenser placed in connection with the interior of a recipient to dispense a fluid contained in the container;

a first sleeve integral with the dispenser and able to be screwed on the neck of the container to make the dispenser integral with the container;

a second sleeve coaxial to and encompassing the first sleeve and coupling means active between the first sleeve and the second sleeve to couple the second sleeve mechanically to the first sleeve during a rotation of the second sleeve in a first direction and uncouple the second sleeve from the first sleeve during a rotation of the second sleeve in a second direction opposite to the first direction;

a covering element for said dispenser comprising retaining means for retaining said covering element on said dispenser wherein said retaining means comprise a third sleeve that is coaxial and longitudinally fastened to the first two sleeves;

said third sleeve comprising an annular shoulder to abut and retain at least one appendage of said covering element.

2. A cap as claimed in claim 1, wherein said coupling means comprise a plurality of fins positioned on the first sleeve which develop tangentially away from the first sleeve towards the second sleeve and a plurality of projections positioned on the second sleeve and facing said fins to retain said fins during the rotation of the second sleeve in said first direction and to release said fins during the rotation of the second sleeve in said second direction.

3. A cap as claimed in claim 2, wherein said fins comprise a first portion directly fastened to an outer surface of the first sleeve and a second portion that develops away from said outer surface of the first sleeve;

said second portion developing away from the first sleeve along a direction forming an acute angle with the outer surface of the sleeve, to slide on the projections of the second sleeve during the rotation of the second sleeve in the second direction and to intercept and interfere with the projections of the second sleeve during the rotation of said second sleeve in the first direction.

4. A cap as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second sleeve completely surrounds said first sleeve presenting a greater longitudinal development than the longitudinal development of the first sleeve.

5. A cap as claimed in claim 1 comprising means for releasing said covering element to disengage said appendage of the covering element from the annular shoulder of the third sleeve.

6. A cap as claimed in claim 5 wherein said annular shoulder comprises at least one opening for the passage of said appendage of the covering element;

said third sleeve being rotatable coaxially to said covering element to align said opening to said appendage.

7. A cap as claimed in claim 6 wherein said covering element comprises at least one rib at each appendage, to indicate the position of each appendage.

8. A cap as claimed in claim 6 wherein said appendages are three, equidistant at 120°

from each other;

said opening being three, equidistant at 120°

from each other.

9. A cap as claimed in claim 6 wherein said third sleeve comprises a first portion for engagement with said second sleeve and a second control portion, integral with the first sleeve, to control its rotation.

10. A cap as claimed in claim 9 wherein said first portion of the third sleeve has an outer surface comprising a succession of circumferential recesses and projections facing a corresponding succession of projections and recessions positioned on an inner surface of the second sleeve, to fasten longitudinally the third sleeve to the second sleeve.

11. A cap as claimed in claim 10 wherein said successions of circumferential projections and recesses develop perpendicularly to an axis of rotation of the third sleeve, to make the third sleeve relative to the second sleeve.

12. A cap as claimed in claim 9 wherein said second portion of the third sleeve comprises a knurled area which can be gripped by a user to rotate the third sleeve.

13. A cap as claimed in claim 6 comprising a seal integral with the covering element removable as a result of a first opening of the covering element.

14. A cap as claimed in claim 13 wherein said seal comprises a plurality of spokes integral with the covering element and at least one appendage insertable in said opening of the annular shoulder of the third sleeve;

said spokes breaking as a result of the first opening of the covering element to release the covering element.

15. A cap as claimed in claim 6 wherein said third sleeve comprises a guiding portion for the reinsertion of the covering element;

said guiding portion being radially internal relative to said annular shoulder.

16. A cap as claimed in claim 1 wherein the cap is axial-symmetrical.

17. A cap as claimed in claim 1 comprising a seal integral with the covering element removable as a result of a first opening of the covering element.

18. A cap for closing containers comprising:

a dispenser placed in connection with the interior of a recipient to dispense a fluid contained in the container;

a first sleeve integral with the dispenser and able to be screwed on the neck of the container to make the dispenser integral with the container;

a second sleeve coaxial to and encompassing the first sleeve and coupling means active between the first sleeve and the second sleeve to couple the second sleeve mechanically to the first sleeve during a rotation of the second sleeve in a first direction and uncouple the second sleeve from the first sleeve during a rotation of the second sleeve in a second direction opposite to the first direction; and

a covering element for said dispenser and a seal integral with the covering element removable as a result of a first opening of the covering element.