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Title:
SAFETY DEVICE FOR BOTTLE CAPS
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2018/163222
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
A safety device for bottle caps comprises an internal member (1), comprising a frame (10), a central stem (11) with a hole (15) for the lock and at least two flexible tabs (12) comprising a tooth (13) suitable for cooperating with a seat (S) provided on the neck of a bottle (B); the safety device comprises an external member (2) that defines a compartment (V) wherein the internal member (1) is slidingly inserted.

Inventors:
BARCHIESI GIOVANNI (IT)
CARNUCCIO PIETRO (IT)
Application Number:
PCT/IT2018/000035
Publication Date:
September 13, 2018
Filing Date:
March 09, 2018
Export Citation:
Click for automatic bibliography generation   Help
Assignee:
BARCHIESI GIOVANNI (IT)
International Classes:
B65D55/02; A61J1/18; B65D55/14; E05B73/00
Foreign References:
US20120151975A12012-06-21
US20050017865A12005-01-27
FR532688A1922-02-09
US20170050778A12017-02-23
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
BALDI, Claudio (IT)
Download PDF:
Claims:
Claims

1 ) Safety device for bottles; said safety device comprising:

an internal member (1 ) comprising a frame (10) provided with a first side that is suitable for being directed towards a bottle (B), and a second side that is suitable for being directed towards the opposite side with respect to said first side; said frame (10) comprises a central stem (1 1 ) that protrudes from said first side of the frame (10) and comprises at least two tabs (12) that protrude from the second side of the frame (10); each tab (12) is provided with a free end comprising a tooth (13) that is suitable for cooperating with a seat (S) provided on the neck of a bottle (B); said central stem (1 1) comprises a free end (14);

an external member (2), comprising a cylindrical lateral wall (21 ) and an upper wall (22); said cylindrical lateral wall (21 ) and said upper wall (22) define a compartment (V) wherein said internal member (1 ) is slidingiy inserted; said upper wall (22) comprises a central hole (23) wherein said central stem (11 ) is slidingiy inserted; said external member (2) is provided with an opening that gives access to the compartment (V), through which the tabs (12) slide inside the compartment (V); said tabs (12) are in a diverged position when they are outside said compartment (V) and in a contracted position when they are inside the compartment (V); characterized in that

the central stem (1 1 ) of the frame (10) of the internal member comprises a hole (15) for a lock, and

the tabs (12) that protrude from the second side of the frame (10) of the internal member are flexible;

said tabs (12) are pushed by the cylindrical lateral wall (21 ) of the external member (2) in contracted position, when they are inside the compartment (V) of said external member (2); said free end of the central stem (11 ) and the hole (15) are outside the compartment (V) when the tabs (12) are inside the compartment (V).

2) The safety device of claim 1 , comprising: - guide means (31 , 32) that are suitable for guiding said internal member (1 ) when said internal member (1 ) slides inside the compartment (V) of the external member (2);

- detection means (41 , 42) that are suitable for being actuated when said internal member (1 ) slides inside the compartment (V) of the external member (2).

3) The safety device of the preceding claim, wherein said guide means (31 , 32) drive the central stem (1 1) into rotation when said central stem (1 1) slides inside the compartment.

4) The safety device of claim 2, wherein said guide means (31 , 32) comprise:

- a rib (31 ) provided on the central stem (1 1 );

- a seat (32) provided on the hole (23) of the external member (2); said rib (31 ) being slidingly housed inside said seat (32).

5) The safety device of claim 4, wherein said rib (31 ) is inclined in such way as to guide the central stem (11 ) into roto-translations.

6) The safety device of any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein said detection means (41 , 42) consist in a first ring (41 ) that is revolvingly disposed between the internal member (1 ) and the external member (2); the safety device comprises unidirectional means (51 , 52) in order to drive said ring (41 ) into rotation when the central stem (1 ) slides in one direction inside the compartment (V) and to stop the ring (41 ) when said central stem (1 ) slides in the opposite direction.

7) The safety device of claim 6, wherein said unidirectional means (51 , 52) consist in:

- a set of flexible strikers (51 ) disposed along the perimeter of the ring (41 );

- at least one tooth (52) provided in the interior of the cylindrical lateral wall (21 ) of the external member (2); said tooth (52) is provided with an inclined side against which each of said flexible strikers (51 ) can slide and bend, and with a stop side against which said flexible striker (51) is engaged and stopped. 8) The safety device of claim 6 or 7, wherein the first ring (41 ) of said detection means (41 , 42) comprises:

- inclined strikers (53) suitable for cooperating with a tooth (52) that is integral with the external member (2); the rib (31 ) provided on the central stem (1 1 ) is rectilinear; each inclined striker (53) comprises a flexible shelf (54) that protrudes outwards and is suitable for rubbing against the internal surface of the external member (2);

- a knurling (Z) on the internal side that is suitable for cooperating with a surface of the internal member (1 ).

9) The safety device of claim 8, when depending on claim 7, wherein said detection means (41 , 42) comprise at least one second ring (42) provided along its perimeter with strikers (51 , 53) in a different number compared to the number of the strikers (51 , 53) of the first ring (41 ); the strikers (51 , 53) of said second ring (42) likewise cooperating with said tooth (52).

10) The safety device of any one of claims 6 to 9 comprising means (7) suitable for making said internal member (1 ) integral with the detection means (41 , 42) during the sliding movement, and not during the rotational movement.

1 1 ) The safety device of any one of the preceding claims, comprising:

- a wall-anchoring bar (A) that is provided with a first end suitable for being fixed to a wall, and a second end whereon the internal member (1 ) is fixed;

- fixing means, preferably a screw (A1 ) used to fix said internal member (1 ) to said second free end of the wall-anchoring bar.

12) Bottle (B) comprising a neck provided with a perimeter flange under the threaded opening of the bottle (B); bottle (B) comprising a safety device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said flange consists in the seat (S) that cooperates with said tabs (12) when the latter are in contracted position.

Description:
Description SAFETY DEVICE FOR BOTTLE CAPS

The present patent application for industrial invention relates to a safety device for caps of bottles and vessels in general, which is used to guarantee the integrity of the contents of the bottle whereon it is applied.

Said safety device is mainly, but not exclusively, suitable for being applied on bottles that contain water or beverages in general, liquid contents or compounds for health, medical treatment or food purposes, and/or liquids or liquid compounds that are potentially harmful in terms of health, medical treatment or food.

The present invention is the result of the critical observation of the prior art. Consumers often need to prevent, discourage and/or be informed about the fact that the contents of bottles-vessels have been accessed, especially in case of frequent use and regardless of the market value, also after the first opening, that is to say after breaking the traditional packaging seal.

Such a need may be originated from the fear that contents of considerable value may be stolen by third parties, including partially, or from the fear of an improper or in any case unauthorized use, for example, by children or patients, or from the fear that flammable, toxic, or poisoning substances, medications or substances that are potentially harmful for the human health may be introduced inside the bottle.

Moreover, the need for safety may frequently refer to bottles-vessels that contain innocuous or low value substances, such as for example water, because of suspected tampering, contamination or sophistication actions for criminal or evil purposes, given the absence of protection systems that are valid after the first opening of the bottle or vessel.

The aforementioned problem may be encountered every time an open bottle-vessel is left unattended, even for a few seconds, in a public or private place that can be accessed or used by other individuals, such as hospitals, communities, restaurants, discos, offices, workplaces, dressing rooms, university apartments, trains, etc.

The legitimate concern of a possible tampering of the contents or, more frequently, of an anti-hygienic behavior by third parties while the bottle-vessel is left unattended may lead consumers to abandon or discard the bottle-vessel before it is finished, thus wasting the remaining contents.

Another need for consumers is to prevent any damage to their health, as well as to the health of family members, caused by the accidental or fraudulent failure to respect the correct dosage of medications,

The overdose or underdose of medications is a rather common problem in case of self-administration by patients with contingent or chronic mnemonic difficulties or in case of discontinuity or shifts in the home care of children or non self-sufficient elderly individuals.

US2012/151975 discloses a locking system suitable for being mounted on a vessel and comprising a locking cap suitable for being fitted to the vessel.

US2005/017865 discloses an electronic security device suitable for being installed on a bottle neck and configured in such was as to be removed from said bottle only by means of a key.

FR532688 discloses a security device suitable for being installed in a vessel in such way as to prevent unauthorized individuals from accessing the contents of the vessel. In particular, said security device is suitable for being installed in a lid of a vehicle fuel tank in order to prevent said lid from being tampered.

US2017/050778 discloses a cap that is suitable for being installed in a bottle in order to close said bottle hermetically.

The purpose of the present invention is to disclose a reusable safety device for bottles that provides an alternate solution to the ones of the prior art, which is capable of proving that the vessel has been opened after it was originally packed or after it was stored by the user in a dedicated place after use.

Another purpose of the present invention is to disclose a safety device for bottles that, in addition to be locked with an ordinary lock, is capable of informing the user about the number of times that said device has been removed from its closing position.

An additional purpose of the present invention is to disclose a safety device for bottles that can be easily fixed on any wall or surface in order to prevent the accidental fall of the vessel whereon it is applied.

The safety device for bottles according to the invention comprises:

- an internal member, comprising a frame provided with a first side that is suitable for being directed towards a bottle, and a second side that is suitable for being directed towards the opposite side with respect to said first side; said frame comprises a central stem that protrudes from said first side of the frame and comprises at least two flexible tabs that protrude from the second side of the frame; each flexible tab is provided with a free end comprising a tooth that is suitable for cooperating with a seat provided on the neck of a bottle; said central stem comprises a free end wherein a hole is provided for attaching a lock;

- an external member that is configured as an overturned cup,, comprising a cylindrical lateral wall and an upper wall; said cylindrical lateral wall and said upper wall define a compartment wherein said internal member is slidingly inserted; said upper wall has a central hole wherein said central stem is slidingly inserted; said external member is provided with an opening that gives access the compartment, through which the flexible tabs slide inside the compartment; said flexible tabs are in a diverged position when they are outside said compartment, and in a contracted position when they are inside the compartment; said flexible tabs are pushed by the cylindrical lateral wall in contracted position when they are inside the compartment; said free end of the central stem and the hole are outside the compartment when the flexible tabs are inside the compartment.

For the sake of clarity, the description of the device according to the invention continues with reference to the attached drawings, which have a merely illustrative, not limiting value, wherein: - Fig. 1 is a sectional side view of the neck of a bottle provided with the device of the invention in non-operating position;

- Fig. 2 is the same as Fig. 1 , but with the device in operating position;

- Fig. 3 is an exploded axonometric view of the device according to the invention, seen from above;

- Fig. 4 is an exploded axonometric view of the device of the invention, seen from below, wherein the parts of the device are partially omitted;

- Fig. 5 is an exploded axonometric view of the device according to the invention according to a second embodiment, seen from above;

- Fig. 6 is an exploded axonometric view of the device of Fig. 5, seen from below, wherein the parts of the device are partially omitted;

- Figs. 7 and 8 are a view of the parts of Fig. 6 in assembled condition; in Fig. 7 the device is in non-operating position, whereas in Fig.

8 the device is in operating position;

- Fig. 9 is a sectional view of the device of Fig. 10 along the plane

IX-IX;

- Fig. 10 is a side view of the device of Figs. 5 to 9, in non-operating condition, cut with a vertical plane passing through the longitudinal axis of the central stem;

- Fig. 11 is an exploded axonometric view of the device according to the invention according to a third embodiment;

- Figs. 12 to 14 are views of the device of the invention according to a fourth embodiment.

With reference to Figs. 1 to 4, the safety device for bottles according to the invention comprises an internal member (1 ), comprising a frame (10) provided with a first side that is suitable for being directed towards a bottle (B), and a second side that is suitable for being directed towards the opposite side with respect to said first side, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Said frame (10) comprises a central stem (1 1 ) that protrudes from said first side of the frame (10) and comprises a set of equally spaced, identical flexible tabs (12) that protrude from the second side of the frame (10).

With reference to Fig. 2, each flexible tab (12) is provided with a free end comprising a tooth (13) that is suitable for cooperating with a seat (S) provided on the neck of a bottle (B); in particular, said seat (S) consists in the perimeter flange that is commonly situated under the threaded opening of a traditional bottle (B).

Said central stem (1 1 ) comprises a free end (14) wherein a hole (15) is provided for attaching a lock.

Moreover, the safety device for bottles according to the invention comprises an external member (2) that is configured as an overturned cup, comprising a cylindrical lateral wall (21 ) and an upper wall (22); said cylindrical lateral wall (21 ) and said upper wall (22) define a compartment (V) wherein said internal member (1 ) is slidingly inserted,

With reference to Figs. 3 and 4, said upper wall (22) has a central hole (23) wherein said central stem (1 1 ) is slidingly inserted.

It must be noted that said external member (2) is provided with an opening that gives access to the compartment (V), through which the flexible tabs (12) slide inside the compartment (V).

With reference to Fig. 2, said flexible tabs (12) are in a diverged position when they are outside said compartment (V) and in a contracted position when they are inside the compartment (V), as shown in Fig. 1.

Said flexible tabs (12) go from the diverged position to the contracted position after coming in contact with the cylindrical lateral wall (21 ) of the external member (2).

With reference to Fig. 1 , said free end of the central stem (1 1 ) and the hole (15) are disposed outside the compartment (V) when the flexible tabs (12) are inside the compartment (V) and a lock can be inserted in the hole (15) to prevent the flexible tabs (12) from returning to the diverged position.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the device of the invention also comprises: - guide means (31 .32, 32) that are suitable for guiding said internal member (1 ) when said internal member (1 ) slides inside the compartment (V) of the external member (2);

- detection means (41 , 42) that are suitable for being actuated when said internal member (1 ) slides inside the compartment (V) of the external member (2).

Said guide means (31 ,32) drive the central stem (1 1 ) into rotation when said central stem (1 1 ) slides inside the compartment (V) and said detection means (41 ,42) are independently moved following to the roto-translation of the internal member (1 ).

According to an embodiment shown in Figs. 5 to 10, said guide means (31 , 32) comprise:

- a rib (31 ) provided on the central stem (1 1 );

- a seat (32) provided on the hole (23) of the external member (2); said rib (31 ) being slidingly housed inside said seat (32).

With reference to Fig. 5, said rib (31 ) is inclined in such way as to guide the central stem (1 1 ) into roto-translations.

Figs. 5 to 10 show said detection means (41 , 42) that, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, consist in a first ring (41 ) revolvingly disposed between the internal member (1 ) and the external member (2).

With reference to Fig. 9, the safety device comprises unidirectional means (51 , 52) in order to drive said ring (41 ) into rotation when the central stem (1 ) slides in one direction inside the compartment (V) and to stop the ring (41 ) when said central stem (1 ) slides in the opposite direction.

Said unidirectional means (51 , 52) consist in:

- a set of flexible strikers (51 ) disposed along the perimeter of the ring

(41 );

- at least one tooth (52) provided in the interior of the cylindrical lateral wall (21 ) of the external member (2); said tooth (52) is provided with an inclined side against which each of said flexible strikers (51) can slide and bend, and with a stop side against which said flexible striker (51 ) is engaged and stopped. According to a preferred advantageous embodiment, which is shown in Figs. 5 to 10, said detection means (41 , 42) comprise a second ring (42) provided along its perimeter with flexible strikers (51 ) in a different number compared to the number of flexible strikers (51 ) of the first ring (41 ).

The operation of the second ring is identical to the operation of the first ring and also the flexible strikers (51 ) of said second ring (42) cooperate with said tooth (52); each ring is provided with a set of equally spaced numbers, symbols or letters in a number equal to the number of said flexible strikers, so that each up-down travel of the internal member (1 ) corresponds to a movement of a flexible striker (51 ) and to a movement of the number provided on the outside of the ring (41 , 42); the number of flexible strikers (51 ) of the first ring being higher than the number of flexible strikers (51 ) of the second ring (and therefore also higher than the numbers), the numeric combinations originated by the numbers of the first ring (41 ) aligned with the numbers of the second ring (42) can be increased, in such a way as to increase the capability of the device to count the number of times that the internal member (1 ) is pressed downwards in order to have access to the contents of the bottle.

With reference to Figs. 5 and 6, the internal member comprises means (7) that are suitable for making said internal member (1) integral with the detection means (41 , 42) during the sliding movement, and not during the rotational movement; said means (7) consist in small notches that protrude radially from the frame (10); said notches (7) are also shown in Fig. 10.

Another purpose of the present invention is a bottle (B) comprising a neck provided with a perimeter flange under the threaded opening of the bottle (B); said bottle (B) comprises a safety device as described and claimed in the present patent application and wherein said flange consists in the seat (S) that cooperates with said flexible tabs (12) when the latter are in contracted position. Considering that said device is mainly, but not exclusively, suitable for protecting products with low value and frequent use, inexpensiveness and practicality of use are the main purposes of the present invention.

Therefore, according to one of its embodiments, the device is only composed of two members that can be made of plastic material, but not exclusively, and injection-molded without requiring any complicated, expensive undercut operation. The lower number of parts and the absence of undercut operations make the device extremely inexpensive, easy to mold and assemble. In addition to guaranteeing the highest simplification and productive convenience possible, the fact that no lock or similar item is provided in the present invention allows final users to choose the most convenient lock according to their taste and needs, and most of all, to reuse an old lock.

Another peculiarity of the present invention is represented by the presence and the position of the bend-curvature of the tabs of the frame. Such a fact results in several advantages: firstly, it permits to eliminate the undercut operations that are needed to obtain very protruding teeth during the injection-molding step, in order to make the device compatible with the largest possible range of perimeter flanges provided on bottle necks.

The curvature maximizes the elastic properties of the material, in such a way that, in contracted position with blocked device, the tabs can extend autonomously, returning to the diverged position they were given during the molding process, and making the extraction of the device of the invention easier, also in case of especially protruding perimeter flanges. Another advantage of the curvature is the possibility to remove the device without necessarily having to extract the frame from the cup completely. Moreover, the internal member (1 ) and the external member (2) are coupled during every step of normal use because of an enlarged head (1 1 a) provided on the top of the central stem (1 1 ). This determines a very easy and practical use. Moreover, a spring or an equivalent means (not shown in the attached figures) can be inserted between said internal member (1 ) and said external member (2) to further facilitate the opening or the closing of the device.

Going back to the safety issue, it is known that all types of locks, either with a key, a combination, etc. are not an insurmountable obstacle. So, determined individuals provided with the necessary skills and tools, which are extremely easy to find in the Internet age, may discreetly infringe said safety system without leaving any trace. Therefore, some consumers may feel the need for a higher safety level.

In view of the above, according to a second embodiment, the device of the invention basically has the same advantages and features as the first embodiment, with the addition of another functionality, that is to say a special counter that is actuated by the normal opening or closing of the device of the invention in order to provide information on the access to the bottle when it is left unattended, and visually inform the user about the tampering of its contents.

The peculiarity of the device consists in the combination of two or more counters with different capabilities, that is to say in the use of two or more rings that rotate in a different way. In view of the above, the number of possible combinations is much higher than in traditional counters, according to the rule of the lowest common multiple, converting the device into an effective, reusable alternative solution with respect to the traditional "tamper evident" systems. If, for example, only two rings were to be used, respectively with 30 and 31 flexible strikers (51 ), the possible combinations would be 930, that is to say it would be necessary to open and close the device 930 times before bringing the signaling device back to the starting position.

By adding a third ring with 29 flexible strikers (51 ), the number of combinations is increased to 26,970. It can be understood that such a safety system would discourage even the most motivated individuals from discreetly tampering the device, at least in a short period of time, it being more convenient to take the bottle or remove the cap (T).

Moreover, because of such a protection method, it is no longer necessary to use the lock to protect innocuous drinks or drinks with low value, such as beverages and water. In these cases the avoidance of the lock, while maintaining a high safety level, is an evident advantage in terms of practicality for consumers, who will simply need to memorize, including by taking a photograph, the last combination displayed on the device before leaving the bottle unattended.

Moreover, because of the presence of the detection means (41 , 42), the device can be advantageously used as dosing device or reminder for medications. In such a case, it is possible to add a manual calendar (not shown) composed of three or more concentric numbered rings that are disposed and rotated around the cup or of adhesive strips with the same function in order to memorize, for example, the date of last use.

Another peculiarity of the invention is represented by the cavity of the central stem (11 ) and by the hole (15) provided in upper position thereon. In view of the above, the device of the invention, and consequently the bottle whereon it is applied, can be fixed with a simple self-tapping screw on any wall, piece of furniture, shelf or surface. When it is required by the weight of the vessel, a simple metal reinforcement can be used and inserted in the central stem (11 ).

According to another embodiment, which is not shown in the attached figures, the device of the invention comprises a seal fixed to the external member (2) on the first side suitable for being directed towards a bottle (B); because of the provision of said seal, it is no longer necessary to close the bottle with a cap (T) because according to this embodiment the device is capable of acting as an ordinary cap (T), said seal being compressed against the opening of the bottle as soon as the device is disposed in closed position.

With reference to Fig. 1 1 , the device of the invention according to a third embodiment comprises detection means (41 , 42) that consist in two rings, each of them comprising:

- inclined strikers (53) suitable for cooperating with a tooth (52) that is integral with the external member (2); - a knurling (Z) on the internal side that is suitable for cooperating with a surface of the internal member (1 ).

According to this embodiment, the rib (31 ) provided on the central stem (1 1 ) is rectilinear; according to the operation mode of said inclined strikers (53), the inclined surface of said inclined strikers (53) intercepts said tooth (52), which in turn makes the ring rotate by one movement (which is equal to the width of said inclined striker).

Each inclined striker (53) comprises a flexible shelf (54) that protrudes outwards and is suitable for rubbing against the internal surface of the external member (2).

Moreover, consumers may need to secure bottles and vessels in general in a stable way, especially if they are made of glass and/or they contain valuable substances, and/or flammable, corrosive, toxic or in any case dangerous substances in order to prevent said bottles or vessels from falling and breaking accidentally.

Such a need is especially felt in some fields, for example in supermarkets, shops, wine companies, industries, warehouses and in all those places where bottles are stored without any special device or simply disposed on shelves, open displays or the like. In case of a violent earthquake, which is not capable of causing severe damage to the building, the economic damage and the risks caused by the fall and the breakage of the bottles-vessels when not suitably secured may be considerable. Other fields in which this problem is encountered are the means of transportation, which are subject to shocks and shakes, the domestic settings and all settings that are accessible to or attended by children.

In view of the above, a fourth embodiment of the device of the invention has been devised, as shown in Figs. 12 to 14, which comprises a wall-anchoring bar (A) that is provided with a first end suitable for being fixed to the wall, and a second end whereon the internal member (1 ) is fixed, whereon the external member (2) can slide freely.

According to this embodiment, the internal member (1 ) is fixed to said second free end of the wall-anchoring bar by means of a screw (A1), as shown in Fig. 12.