Title of Invention

BOTTLE CLOSURE

Abstract Closure for a bottle comprising an inner cap of plastics material having an end wall (9) and a tubular skirt (10) which is provided with an internal thread (12) which engages a corresponding thread (5) provided on the neck of the bottle; an outer cap (14) of sheet metal which covers the said inner cap and which is fixed to the neck of the bottle by fixing means (22), wherein at least one circular weakening line (19) is provided in the said sheet metal outer cap (14); the said outer cap (14) has a tubular shape and is provided with an annular enlargement (24) forming an inner annular channel (25) delimited by corresponding axial end stops (26, 27); said channel (25) faces the tubular skirt (10) of the inner cap which is provided with an annular thickening (28) extending radially and axially wherein the said thickening (28) is delimited by corresponding axial end stops (29, 30) and is force-fitted into the said channel (25).
Full Text

DESCRIPTION Title: "BOTTLE CLOSURE"
The present invention relates to a closure for bottles, particularly for a bottle provided with* an opening delimited by the free end of a neck which extends axially from the body of the bottle along a longitudinal axis (X-X) and which is provided with an outer surface having a thread positioned near the opening and with at least one annular stop on the neck of the bottle, positioned between the thread and the body of the bottle, the said closure comprising a inner cap of plastics material with an end wall transverse to the said longitudinal axis, a tubular skirt connected to the rim of the said end wall and extending axially along the said outer surface of the neck towards the said body of the bottle, the said tubular skirt being provided with an internal thread which engages with the said thread provided on the outer surface of the neck, and a outer cap of sheet metal which covers the said inner cap and which is fixed to the neck of the bottle by fixing means which engage with the said annular stop of the neck, at least one circular weakening line being provided in the said sheet metal outer cap, positioned axially immediately above the said means for fixing the outer cap to the neck of the bottle and being provided with an annular enlargement extending radially towards the outside of the outer cap and axially over a portion of predetermined length with the formation of an inner annular channel delimited by corresponding axial end stops and facing the tubular skirt of the inner cap. Closures for bottles of the type specified above are known. The document WO 94/20237 illustrates an example of practical embodiment of such a closure, which however has the drawback of requiring a particularly high thickness of the skirt of the threaded inner cap element inserted into the metal outer cap, since its adhesion to the inner walls of the metal outer cap is achieved principally by a marked radial

elastic deformation of the skirt and its subsequent release after its axial insertion into the tubular outer cap, to which it adheres by pressure.
This makes it difficult and uneconomical to provide a closure having the characteristics described in WO 94/20237 for use on bottles having standard mouths, with aperture diameters and thread sizes in accordance with UNI 9574, for example, because the high thickness of the skirt of the inner cap required to enable it to be press-fitted into the tubular outer cap would not be compatible with the dimensions of the intermediate spaces available between the thread and the metal outer cap. In order to provide a closure of the type specified above which is suitable for fitting on bottles with standard mouths, solutions have been proposed in which the thickness of the skirt of the inner cap is reduced as far as possible, while remaining compatible with the structural requirement of allowing the formation of an internal thread to engage with the external thread of the bottle neck, the sheet metal outer cap is made without any annular thickening with the formation of an internal channel, and the inner cap is joined to the tubular metal outer cap by the interposition of an adhesive. An example of a closure of the type indicated above, suitable for bottles with standard mouths, is illustrated in EP-A-1,254,059.
However, this closure has the fundamental drawback of not providing a secure and sufficiently strong joint between the plastics inner cap and the overlying metal outer cap, and therefore, especially at the time of initial opening in which a relatively high force has to be exerted to break the weakened securing area of the outer cap, the outer cap slides on the inner cap skirt, making it difficult to open the bottle. Furthermore, the use of adhesive in the formation of the structure of the outer cap for bottles containing beverages is considered inadvisable in terms of hygiene and environmental protection.

Finally, the structure of the inner cap formed according to EP-A-1,254,0595 which
necessarily has a very thin skirt, does not provide satisfactory mechanical behaviour
of the closure, because it is subject to possible breakage both during the axial fitting
of the closure on to the bottle neck, at the time of capping, and subsequently in the
course of unscrewing and screwing for closing the bottle.
The object of the present invention is essentially to provide a closure, particularly but
not exclusively suitable for bottles with standard mouths, according to UNI 9574 for
example, which is free of the drawbacks encountered in closures according to the
prior art.
A further object of the invention is to provide a closure which, when in position on
the bottle neck, imparts to this neck the typical shape of the neck of a wine bottle,
with the presence of a significant annular rim projecting radially and located around
the neck opening or immediately below it.
These objects are achieved by the closure according to the invention which is
characterized according to Claim 1 below.
The invention will now be described more fully with reference to some examples of
its practical embodiment, provided solely for guidance and without restrictive intent,
and illustrated -In the attached drawings, in which:
- Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of the closure according to the invention fitted on a bottle neck in the closed position, half in section and half in side view;
- Figure 2 shows the portion of the outer cap and inner cap of the closure of Figure 1, separated from the bottle neck, half in section and half in side view;
- Figure 3 shows the bottle neck with the attached tubular portion of the sheet metal outer cap of the closure of Figure 1, half in section and half in side view;
- Figure 4 shows a perspective view, in partial section, of the sheet metal outer cap

only;
- Figure 5 shows a perspective view, in partial section, of the inner cap only, in a first embodiment;
- Figure 6 shows a perspective view, partially in section, of the seal for the inner cap of the preceding figure;
- Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the bottle neck, partially in longitudinal section;
- Figure 8 shows a second embodiment of the closure according to the invention fitted on a bottle neck in the closed position, half in section and half in side view;
- Figure 9 shows a perspective view, partially in section, of the inner cap only, in a second embodiment, used in the closure of Figure 8;
- Figure 10 shows a closure according to one of the embodiments of Figure..1..or
Figure 8, with the modified closed upper end of the outer cap.
With reference to the aforesaid figures, it will be observed that the number 1 indicates the part of the body of the bottle which is joined to the neck 2. The latter, particularly in the case of a conventional standard wine bottle, normally made from glass, is joined to the body of the bottle by a long and slender joining part and has an aperture 3, in the proximity of which a conventional thread 5 is formed on the outer surface 4. The whole mouth of the bottle is formed, for example, according to UNI 9574.
Below the thread 5, in the direction of the body 1 of the bottle, the neck 2 has a substantially cylindrical region 6 followed by an annular stop 7. With reference to the first embodiment of Figures 1 to 7, it will be seen that an inner cap 8 of plastics material is placed on the opening 3, this inner cap consisting of an end wall 9, transverse to the axis X-X of the bottle neck 2, and a tubular skirt 10 which extends

axially from the rim 11 of the wall 9. A thread 12, engaged by screwing with the
thread 5 of the neck, is formed on the inner surface of the tubular skirt 10.
A conventional disc seal 13 is positioned against the end wall 9 and is interposed
between the wall 9 and the free rim of the opening 3 to form a watertight seal.
According to the invention, the closure comprises a tubular outer cap, indicated as a
whole by 14, made from sheet metal and closed at the upper end 15, which is
superimposed on the wall 9 of the inner cap and is open at the lower end 16 which is
positioned substantially in the junction region 17 between the body 1 of the bottle
and the neck 2.
In the region 18 which radially faces the substantially cylindrical region 6, the
tubular outer cap 14 is provided with at least one conventional weakening line 19
. consisting of breakable links 20 and circumferential cuts 21.
In the area below the weakening line 19, the said tubular outer cap 14, when fitted on
the bottle neck, has an annular rib 22 which is inserted into the channel 23 below the
stop 7 oftheneck3.
The rib 22 is formed in a conventional way by rolling when the outer cap 14 is fitted
on the bottle neck, at the time of the capping of the bottle.
In the region which faces the skirt 10 of the inner cap 8, as shown more clearly in
Figure 4, the outer cap 14 has an annular enlargement which extends radially with
respect to the axis X-X for a specified distance and forms an inner channel 25 which
extends axially between two axial end stops indicated by 26 and 27, separated by a
specified distance.
The radial and axial dimensions of the annular channel 25, and the corresponding
dimensions of the enlargement 24 which forms it, can be selected so as to give the
bottle neck in--the proximity of the opening the typical configuration of a bottle of

fine wine.
Similarly, the skirt 10 of the inner cap 8 is provided with an annular thickening 28
which extends radially over a distance substantially matching the radial extension of
the channel 25. The said annular thickening 28 also extends axially between two
axial end stops 29 and 30 separated from each other by a distance which matches the
distance between the axial stops 26 and 27 of the channel 25.
Consequently, the thickening 28 of the channel 10 of the inner cap can be housed in
the channel 25 with a degree of force.
The insertion is carried out during the assembly of the closure, by applying radial
elastic compression to the skirt 10 and rapidly inserting the inner cap axially into the
tubular outer cap 14.
The axial insertion is facilitated by the presence of a taper 31 formed in the proximity
of the rim 11 of the inner cap 8. As soon as it has passed the stop 27 of the channel
25, the skirt 10 can expand radially and its annular thickening 28 is inserted into the
channel 25, occupying it with a specified degree of force which ensures its adhesion
to the inner wall of the channel 25.
The axial stops 29 and 30 of the annular thickening 28 bear on the corresponding
axial stops 26 and 27 of the channel 25, thus ensuring the stability of the axial joint
between the outer cap 14 and the inner cap 8.
In an alternative method of fabrication, the inner cap 8 can be formed directly inside
the outer cap 14 by injecting the plastics material in the molten state and by using
suitable moulds.
The axial stops 29 and 30 of the thickening 28 and the corresponding axial stops 26
and 27 of the channel 25 form first means of interference which impede the axial
movement of Lie said inner cap 8 and outer cap 14 with respect to each other.

The interference between the inner cap 8 and the sheet metal outer cap 14, designed to impede the movements of the outer and inner cap with respect to each other, is increased by the provision of second means of interference.
In a preferred embodiment, these means consist of a coat 25a of varnish or lacquer having a composition such that the facing surfaces are welded together when heat is applied.
If the inner cap 8 is formed by moulding directly inside the outer cap 14, the heat required for the welding is supplied by the said material which is in the molten state. The coat 25a of varnish or lacquer is deposited on the sheet metal of the outer cap 14 in such a way that it is located at least on the surface of the annular channel 24 facing the thickening 28 of the skirt 10 of the inner cap.
However, the coat 25a of varnish or lacquer can alternatively be deposited in such a way that it is located between the end wall 9 of the inner cap and the closed end wall 15 of the outer cap 14, thus causing these walls to be welded together, or, if the varnish or lacquer is also present on the surface of the annular channel 25, between all the outer surfaces of the inner cap and the opposing inner surface of the outer cap. In another possible variant, the coat 25a of varnish or lacquer, consisting of material suitable for welding, can be replaced with a coat 25b of what is known as opaque material, having a high coefficient of surface friction.
According to another aspect of the invention, illustrated in Figures 8 and 9, the second means of interference designed to impede the angular movement of the inner cap 8 and the sheet metal outer cap 14 with respect to each other are formed in a structural way by the provision of a plurality of axial ribs 32, alternating with axial grooves 33, formed on the outer surface of the thickening 28, and of axial projections indicated by 34 formed in the axial extension of the channel 25.

The projections 34 can be fitted into the grooves 33 and form a secure joint between
the parts.
As shown in Figure 8, the axial projections 34 can also consist of one or more axial
portions of wording formed in relief towards the inside of the channel 25.
Alternatively, the projections 34 can also consist of edges of cuts passing through the
thickness of the sheet metal of the outer cap, bent towards the inside of the channel
25.
With reference to Figure 10, it will be seen that, in one variant embodiment, the
annular thicking 24 and therefore the corresponding annular channel 25 extend
axially from the closed upper end of the outer cap 14.
In this variant embodiment, while all the characteristics described in relation to the
other, embodiments of the invention remain the same, it can be seen that the axial
stop 26 of the channel 25 coincides with the said closed upper end 15 of the outer
cap, and has the same functions as those described previously.
Because of the axial and angular interference between the inner cap 8 and the outer
cap 14 formed as described above, there is no risk that the outer cap will slide
angularly on the underlying inner cap when the closure is opened, and therefore the
efficient breaking of the weakening line 19 and consequent opening of the closure is
ensured.
The dimensions and materials may be chosen at will according to requirements,
without departure from the scope of the invention as described above and as claimed
below.






Claims
1. Closure for bottles, particularly for a bottle provided with an opening (3) delimited by the free end of a neck (2) which extends axially from the body (1) of the bottle along a longitudinal axis (X-X) and which is provided with an outer surface (4) having a thread (5) positioned near the opening (3) and with at least one annular stop (7) on the neck of the bottle, positioned between the thread (5) and the body (1) of the bottle, the said closure comprising an inner cap of plastics material with an end wall (9) transverse to the said longitudinal axis, a tubular skirt (10) connected to the rim of the said end wall and extending axially along the said outer surface (4) of the neck towards the said body of the bottle, the said tubular skirt (10) being provided with an internal thread (12) which engages with the said thread (5) provided on the outer surface of the neck, and an outer cap (14) of sheet metal which covers the said inner cap and which is fixed to the neck of the bottle by fixing means (22) which engage with the said annular stop (7) of the neck, at least one circular weakening line (19) being provided in the said sheet metal outer cap (14), positioned axially immediately above the said means (22) for fixing the outer cap to the neck of the bottle, the said outer cap (14) having a tubular shape and being provided with an annular enlargement (24) extending radially towards the outside of the outer cap and axially over a portion of predetermined length with the formation of an inner annular channel (25) delimited by corresponding axial end stops (26, 27) and facing the tubular skirt p0) of the inner cap, characterized in that the said tubular skirt (10) of the inner cap is provided with an annular thickening (28) extending radially and axially, the said thickening (28) being delimited by corresponding axial end stops (29, 30) and being force-fitted into the said channel (25).
2. Closure according to Claim 1, characterized in that the said channel (25) extends

axially over a distance at least substantially equal to that over which the said internal thread (12) of the skirt (10) of the inner cap extends.
3. Closure according to Claim 1, characterized in that the said channel (25) extends axially from the close upper end (15) of the sheet metal outer cap (14).
4. Closure according to Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the said thickening (28) of the tubular skirt (10) of the inner cap has a radial extension and an axial extension which substantially match the internal dimensions of the said channel (25) formed by the said thickening (24) of the outer cap.
5. Closure according to Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises first means of interference designed to impede axial movements and second means of interference to impede angular movements of the sheet metal outer cap (14) and the inner cap (8) with respect to each other.
6. Closure according to Claim 5, characterized in that the said first means of interference designed to impede angular movements of the sheet metal outer cap (14) and the inner cap (8) with respect to each other are positioned at least between the said thickening (28) and the inner surface of the said annular channel (25).
7. Closure according to Claim 5, characterized in that the said first means of interference designed to impede angular movements of the sheet metal outer cap (14) and the inner cap (8) with respect to each other are positioned at least between the closed upper end (15) of the outer cap (14) and the end wall 9 of the inner cap (8).
8. Closure according to Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the said first and said second means of interference consist of a coat (25a) of varnish or lacquer consisting of a material which causes the facing surfaces to be welded together when heat is applied.
9. Closure according to Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the said first and said

second means of interference consist of a coat (25b) of material having a high coefficient of surface friction.
10. Closure according to Claim 5, characterized in that the said second means of interference are positioned between the said annular thickening (28) of the skirt of the inner cap and the said annular channel (25) of the outer cap (14), and comprise at least one plurality of axial ribs (32) alternating with axial grooves (33) formed in the said thickeninto (28) of the tubular skirt (10) of the inner cap.
11. Closure according to Claims 5 and 10, characterized in that the said second means of interference include axial projections (34) formed in the axial extension of the said channel (25) of the outer cap and projecting radially towards the inside of the channel, the said axial projections (34) being made to engage with the said axial grooves (33) provided in the thickening (28) of the skirt of the inner cap.
12. Closure according to Claim 11, characterized in that the said second means of interference formed in the axial extension of the said channel of the outer cap and extending radially towards the inside of this channel include projections which form part of wording,incised on the outside of the corresponding axial extension of the said enlargement of the outer cap.
13. Closure according to Claims 11 and 12, characterized in that the said projections formed in the axial extension of the said channel are formed by bending towards the inside of the channel at least one of the edges of each of a number of cuts made through the thickness of the sheet metal of the outer cap.
14. Closure according to Claim 5, characterized in that the said first means of interference which impede the axial movements of the said inner cap (8) and the said metal outer cap (14) with respect to each other consist of the axial end stops (26, 27) delimiting the said channel (25) of the enlargement of the outer cap engaging with

the corresponding axial end stops (29, 30) of the said thickening (28) of the skirt of the inner cap.
Dated this 21 day of February 2007

Documents:

749-CHENP-2007 AMENDED CLAIMS 18-02-2013.pdf

749-CHENP-2007 CORRESPONDENCE OTHERS 25-02-2013.pdf

749-CHENP-2007 EXAMINATION REPORT REPLY RECEIVED 17-10-2012.pdf

749-CHENP-2007 EXAMINATION REPORT REPLY RECEIVED 18-02-2013.pdf

749-CHENP-2007 FORM-3 18-02-2013.pdf

749-CHENP-2007 OTHER PATENT DOCUMENT 18-02-2013.pdf

749-CHENP-2007 OTHERS 18-02-2013.pdf

749-CHENP-2007 POWER OF ATTORNEY 25-02-2013.pdf

749-CHENP-2007 POWER OF ATTORNEY 18-02-2013.pdf

749-chenp-2007-abstract.pdf

749-chenp-2007-claims.pdf

749-chenp-2007-correspondnece-others.pdf

749-chenp-2007-description(complete).pdf

749-chenp-2007-drawings.pdf

749-chenp-2007-form 1.pdf

749-chenp-2007-form 26.pdf

749-chenp-2007-form 3.pdf

749-chenp-2007-form 5.pdf

749-chenp-2007-pct.pdf


Patent Number 256597
Indian Patent Application Number 749/CHENP/2007
PG Journal Number 28/2013
Publication Date 12-Jul-2013
Grant Date 05-Jul-2013
Date of Filing 21-Feb-2007
Name of Patentee GUALA CLOSURES S.P.A.
Applicant Address VIA SAN GIOVANNI BOSCO 53/55, 15100 ALESSANDRIA AL, ITALY
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 BATTEGAZZORE, PIERO VIA GALILEO GALILEI, 74, I-15100 ALESSANDRIA, ITALY
PCT International Classification Number B65D 41/04
PCT International Application Number PCT/IB04/04264
PCT International Filing date 2004-12-23
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 MI2004A001485 2004-07-22 Italy