JP7706774B2 - Capping device intended to be fixed to the neck of a container and an assembly comprising a container and a capping device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an assembly comprising a container and a capping device that has a stopper and that allows the stopper to be kept fixed on the neck of the container, thereby preventing complete loss of the stopper.

Patent document ES1232089U discloses a capping device comprising a lower ring intended to be axially fixed on the neck of a container and a cap including a thread intended to be attached to an additional thread formed on the gland of the container and a joint for joining the cap to the lower ring. The lower ring includes attachment means intended to hold the lower ring on the gland of the container. The portion on which the attachment means are present spans 25-75% of the diameter of the lower ring. A portion of the lower ring connected to the stopper by a hinge device is free of attachment means, which allows it to rotate between a lowered position and a raised position, in particular to unscrew the stopper. The cap also includes ratchet means intended to cooperate with complementary ratchet means formed on the lower ring, which allows the cap to be held in a tilted open position.

This capping device is not good enough. In particular, it may exhibit insufficient resistance to pressure, making the cap susceptible to inadvertent opening due to excessive pressure within the container, particularly if intended to store carbonated beverages.

Also, despite the absence of any attachment means to the portion of the lower ring connected to the cap by the joint, the cap cannot be easily manipulated to rotate the portion of the lower ring connected to the cap to a raised position when the cap must be moved from a tilted open position to a closed position.
US Patent Application Publication No. 2011/297682 discloses a container with an anti-lost and anti-idle rotation cap that prevents the cap from being soiled and improves convenience and usability. The container includes a cap having a cap body, an indicator ring, and a number of bridges, and a container body having a screw-type fastener, a ring locking step, and an indicator ring seat. The cap body and the indicator ring are integrally connected to each other at a predetermined portion via a coupling part so that they do not separate from each other. Wedges and wedge holes are provided on the cap body and the indicator ring, or on the cap body and the container body, so that the cap body is locked to the indicator ring or the container body when the cap is opened to be adjacent to the coupling part.

The basic concept of the present invention is to propose a capping device that is reliable, easy to manufacture and use, and that allows a cap to be held attached to the neck of a container.

According to one embodiment, the invention provides a capping device intended to be attached to the neck of a container comprising an orifice, the capping device comprising:
A cap including a top wall and a peripheral skirt, the peripheral skirt comprising:
unscrewing the cap on the neck about the X axis to move the cap from a closed position in which the top wall closes the hole in the neck and the peripheral skirt surrounds the neck, toward an open position in which the cap is removed from the neck;
a cap having a helical thread formed by a series of ribs intended to cooperate with a helical thread formed on the neck to allow the cap to be threaded onto the neck and to move the cap from an open position to a closed position;
a lower ring axially secured to the neck and rotatably movable about the neck along the X axis;
a hinge device joining the cap to the lower ring, the hinge device including two plates connecting the peripheral skirt and the lower ring and arranged to rotate the cap between a released position and a tilted open position in which the cap is disengaged from the neck hole;
It further includes a locking device configured to lock the cap in the tilted open position, such locking device including a heel formed on the peripheral skirt between the two plates and configured to abut the neck of the container when the cap is in the tilted open position, the heel having an inner surface formed with at least one rib of a row of helical threads.

This allows the capping device to have a greater pressure resistance.

According to other advantageous embodiments, a capping device of this type may have one or more of the following features:

According to one embodiment, the lower ring comprises a first sector with a coupling element protruding radially into the lower ring and intended to be placed below the coupling collar to axially hold the lower ring on the neck of the container, and a second sector, the first sector and the second sector of the lower ring being hinged to each other such that the second sector rotates relative to the first sector between a lowered position, in which the second sector is intended to be located below the locking collar, and a raised position, in which the second sector is intended to be located at least partially above the locking collar.

According to one embodiment, the first sector of the lower ring includes a front region radially opposite the second sector and two coupling regions each located between the front region of the first sector and the second sector, and the coupling elements are located only in the two coupling regions, allowing radial movement of the lower ring and facilitating passage of a portion of the second sector on both sides of the coupling collar as the second sector moves between the lowered and raised positions. In this way, the pulling force applied to the lower ring to move the second sector between the lowered and raised positions is reduced, facilitating use of the capping device.

According to one embodiment, the coupling element is a protrusion that projects radially inward.

In some embodiments, the second sector extends over an angular range of 90° to 150°.

In some embodiments, the front of the second sector extends over an angular range of 90° to 150°.

In some embodiments, each of the two attachment regions extends over an angular range of 30° to 90°.

According to one embodiment, the hinge device extends over a first angular interval bisected by the Pb bisecting plane, and the two hinge regions span symmetrical angular portions with respect to the Pb bisecting plane.

According to one embodiment, the hinge device extends over a first angular interval bisected by the Pb bisecting plane, and a helical thread formed on the peripheral skirt of the cap extends around the X-axis along a first direction and has a lower end and an upper end, the lower end of the helical thread being disposed in a second angular interval defined between the Pb bisecting plane and a radial plane located 160° from the Pb bisecting plane along a second direction opposite the first direction. This facilitates coupling of the cap to the neck as the cap moves from a tilted open position to a closed position.

According to one embodiment, the invention also relates to an assembly comprising a container with a neck including a drain hole, a coupling collar and a helical thread, and a capping device as described above, in which the lower ring is axially fixed to the neck and moves in rotation about the X-axis on the neck.

In accordance with an embodiment, the capping device also includes a locking device configured to lock the cap in the tilted open position, the locking device including a stop projecting radially outward from the cap and configured to abut the mounting collar of the neck as the cap moves from the tilted open position to a released position for use in the second sector, and to apply a tensile force having a radially outwardly directed component and an axially upwardly directed component to assist movement of the second sector between the lowered and raised positions. This further facilitates use of the capping device, particularly when the cap needs to be moved from the tilted open position to a closed position.

According to one embodiment, the stop is configured such that as the cap moves from the release position to the tilted open position, the stop abuts against an upper end of the second sector of the lower ring, moving the second sector from a raised position to a lowered position. This also facilitates use of the capping device.

According to an embodiment, the locking device also includes an axially extending heel formed on the peripheral skirt of the cap, the heel being configured to abut a helical rib of the helical thread formed on the neck of the container as the cap moves from the tilted open position to the released position and to apply a tensile force having a radially outwardly directed component and an axially upwardly directed component to the second sector to assist the movement of the second sector from the lowered position to the raised position, again facilitating use of the capping device.

In some embodiments, the hinge device includes two blades and the heel is formed between the two blades.

In some embodiments, the stopper protrudes radially outward from the heel.

The invention will be better understood and other objects, details and advantages will become apparent from the following description of some specific embodiments of the invention, given by way of example only and not by way of limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

2 is a perspective view of the capping device as seen obliquely from the front. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a container neck intended to receive the capping device of FIG. 1; 1 is a side view of a capping device attached to the neck of a container, showing the cap of the capping device in an open position not engaged with the neck of the container. 1 is a perspective view of a capping device attached to the neck of a container, showing the cap of the capping device in a tilted open position with the cap removed from the orifice of the neck. FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the capping device. FIG. 2 is another side perspective view of the capping device. FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the capping device. FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the capping device. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a capping device attached to the neck of a container, showing the cap of the capping device in a tilted open position with the cap removed from the orifice of the neck. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a capping device attached to the neck of a container, showing the cap of the capping device in an intermediate position between the released position and the tilted open position. 1 is a perspective view of a capping device attached to the neck of a container, showing the cap of the capping device in a tilted open position.

In the description and drawings, axis X corresponds to the axis of rotation when cap 1 of the capping device is screwed onto neck 2 of the container. By convention, a "radial" orientation is oriented perpendicular to axis X, and an axial orientation is oriented parallel to axis X. The terms "external" and "internal" are used to define the relative position of one element with respect to another element with reference to the X axis, with elements closer to axis X being classified as internal with respect to the external elements located radially on the periphery.

The terms "top" and "bottom" are used to define the relative position of one element with respect to another element, with the orifice 3 of the neck 2 facing upwards and the cap 1 in its closed position on the neck 2 of the container, the element intended to be placed lower being referred to as bottom and the element intended to be placed higher being referred to as top. The terms "front" and "back" are used to define the relative position of one element with respect to another element along a diameter perpendicular to the axis X.

With reference to Figures 1 to 10, an assembly comprising a capping device as shown in particular in Figure 1 and a container with a neck portion 2 as shown in particular in Figure 2 will be described below.

As shown in FIG. 2, the neck 2 of the container has an upper end formed with an orifice 3 that allows the contents of the container to be poured out. The neck 2 of the container includes a support collar 4 that projects radially outward and an engagement collar 5 that projects radially outward and is axially disposed between the support collar 4 and the orifice 3. A cylindrical portion is formed axially between the support collar 4 and the orifice 3. Meanwhile, the neck 2 includes a helical thread 6 that is axially disposed between the engagement collar 5 and the orifice 3 and that projects radially outward from the outer surface of the neck 2, and is formed by a series of helical ribs. The helical thread 6 is intended to cooperate with a complementary helical thread 7 that is formed by a series of helical ribs formed on the cap 1 of the capping device.

According to one embodiment, the helical thread 6 formed on the neck 2 and the helical thread 7 formed on the cap 1 are interrupted. In other words, adjacent helical ribs are separated by a space that forms a vent and in particular allows the escape of gas present in the container while the cap 1 is attached to the neck 2. The capping device comprises a lower ring 9 that is held on the neck 2 of the container, a cap 1 intended to cover the orifice 3 of the container in order to seal it, a hinge device 10 that joins the cap 1 with the lower ring 9, and a locking device arranged to lock the cap 1 in the tilted open position shown in Figures 4, 9 and 11. In the tilted open position, the cap 1 is removed from the orifice 3 of the container and the pouring of the contents of the container is not hindered.

As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the hinge device 10 extends over an angular range S1 that is bisected by a vertical bisecting plane Pb.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the cap 1 includes a top wall 13 intended to be positioned substantially perpendicular to the axis X, opposite the orifice 3 of the neck 2, when said cap 1 is in the closed position. The cap 1 further includes a peripheral skirt 14 intended to surround the neck 2 of the container when the cap 1 is in the closed position. The peripheral skirt 14 extends downwards from the periphery of said top wall 13, perpendicular to said top wall 13.

The peripheral skirt 14 has on its inner surface a helical thread 7 formed by a series of helical ribs extending in a first rotational direction around the axis X, as shown in Figs. 2 and 5-7. The helical thread 7 is intended to cooperate with a helical thread 6 formed on the outer surface of the neck 2. In this way, the cap 1 can be screwed onto the neck 2 to close the container and unscrewed from the neck 2 to open it. The cap 1 can thus be moved between an open position and a closed position, as shown in Fig. 3. In said open position, the cap 1 is not engaged with the neck 2. It can therefore be tilted towards a tilted open position, as represented in Figs. 4, 9 and 11, in which the cap 1 is removed from the orifice 3 of the neck 2 so as not to prevent the pouring of the contents of the container.

As shown particularly in FIG. 9, the cap 1 also includes an inner skirt 8 that extends vertically downward from the top wall 13 of the cap 1 and is dimensioned to be inserted into the orifice 3 of the neck 2. The cap 1 also includes an annular lip 15 that extends radially from the top wall 13 between the inner skirt 8 and the peripheral skirt 14. The inner skirt 8 and the annular lip 15 are dimensioned such that, when the cap 1 is in the closed position, the inner skirt 8 abuts the inner surface of the neck 2 and the annular lip 15 abuts the outer surface of the neck 2 at the container neck 2. In this manner, the inner skirt 8 and the annular lip 15 can ensure a tight closure.

Advantageously, before the container is first opened, the lower ring 9 is connected to the cap 1 by several frangible bridges, not visible in the figure, which are intended to break when the cap 1 is opened. These frangible bridges therefore constitute a tamper-evident seal.

The lower ring 9 is axially held on the neck 2 of the container while being rotatable relative to the neck 2 of the container about an axis X. As shown in FIG. 3, the lower ring 9 includes two parts joined together: a first part 16 and a second part 17 connected to the cap 1 by a hinge device 10.

According to one embodiment, the lower ring 9 includes two constriction regions, i.e. its radial thickness is smaller than the radial thickness of the lower ring 9 outside said constriction regions. The two constriction regions define a first portion 16 and a second portion 17. The constriction regions thus form a pivot that allows the second portion 17 to be coupled to the first portion 16.

According to another embodiment, the lower ring 9 does not have a constriction region defining the first and second portions 16, 17.

The second part 17 can be rotated upwards relative to the first part 16 between a lowered position, in which the second part 17 is intended to be located below the engagement collar 5, and an elevated position, in which the second part 17 is located at least partially above the engagement collar 5. This allows the cap 1 to move upwards relative to the neck 2 of the container until the helical thread 7 of the cap 1 is disengaged from the helical thread 6 formed on the neck 2 of the container. In other words, when unscrewing the cap 1, the second part 17 of the lower ring 9 rotates to an elevated position relative to the first part 16 while the lower ring 9 is driven in rotation about the axis X, allowing an axial movement that lifts the cap 1 from the closed position to the released position represented in FIG. 3. When the cap 1 rotates from the released position to the tilted open position, the second part 17 of the lower ring 9 rotates in the opposite direction relative to the first part 16 and then returns to the lowered position. On the other hand, as will be described in detail later, the second part 17 also rotates from a lowered position to a raised position relative to the first part 16 when the cap 1 rotates from the tilted open position to the released position.

The lower ring 9 is axially held on the neck 2 of the container by an engagement collar 5, which is particularly shown in Figs. 5-7. The engagement collar 5 presents a frustoconical outer surface tapering upwards, i.e. in the direction of the orifice 3 of the container. The engagement collar 5 defines a protrusion downwards, i.e. in the direction opposite the orifice 3. The first part 16 of the lower ring 9 includes an engagement element 18 which cooperates with the engagement collar 5 formed on the container to axially hold the lower ring 9 on the neck 2 of the container. The engagement element 18 is a protrusion projecting radially inwards from the first part 16 of the lower ring 9, which is particularly shown in Figs. 5 and 6. The retention element 18 has a radial dimension which increases from bottom to top, i.e. in the direction of the upper edge of the lower ring 9. When assembling the capping device on the neck 2 of the container, the engagement element 18 slides over the frustoconical surface of the engagement collar 5 and is then locked behind the engagement collar 5 by elastic return.

5 and 6, the first part 16 of the lower ring 9 includes a front region 19 radially opposite the second part 17 of the lower ring 9, and two engagement regions 20, 21 arranged on both sides of the front region 19, each of which is arranged between the front region 19 and the second part 17 of the lower ring 9. The engagement elements 18 are arranged only in the two engagement regions 20, 21. Thus, due to the absence of the engagement elements 18 in the front region of the first part 16, there is a radial space between the lower ring 9 and the neck 2 that allows the lower ring 9 to move from the front to the rear and vice versa. The radial gap between the lower ring 9 and the neck 2 in the front/rear direction is, for example, 0.5 to 1 mm. This makes it easier for a part of the second part 17 to pass on both sides of the engagement collar 5 when the second part 17 moves between the lowered position and the raised position. In other words, the tensile force applied to the lower ring 9 to pass the second part 17 on both sides of the engagement collar 5 is reduced.

Advantageously, the second part 17 extends over an angular range of approximately 90-150°, for example approximately 120°, the front region of the second part 16 extends over an angular range of 90-150°, for example approximately 120°, and each of the two engagement regions 20, 21 extends over an angular range comprised between 30 and 90°, for example approximately 60°.

On the other hand, the bisecting plane Pb bisects the second portion 17 and separates the front portion of the second portion 17. Therefore, the angular ranges corresponding to the two engagement regions 20, 21 are symmetrical with respect to each other with respect to the bisecting plane Pb.

The hinge device 10 is configured to allow the cap 1 to rotate between a released position, shown in FIG. 3, in which the circumferential skirt 14 extends downward from the top wall 13 of the cap 1, and a tilted open position, represented in FIGS. 4, 9, and 11, in which the circumferential skirt 14 extends upward from the top wall 13 of the cap 1. In the illustrated embodiment, the hinge device 10 includes two foils 11, 12, particularly shown in FIG. 4, by which the cap 1, specifically the circumferential skirt 14 of the cap 1, is joined to the lower ring 9, specifically the second portion 17 of the lower ring 9. The two foils 11, 12 are symmetrical with respect to the bisecting plane Pb.

The locking device includes a heel 22 formed on the peripheral skirt 14 of the cap 1, as shown in particular in FIG. 1. The heel 22 is arranged between the two foils 11, 12. The lower end of the heel 22 is advantageously located at the same height as the lower end of the peripheral skirt 14. The heel 22 extends circumferentially about the axis X and includes a stop 23 projecting radially outward from the heel 22.

When the cap 1 moves from the release position towards the tilted open position, the stop 23 abuts against the upper end of the second part 17 of the lower ring 9, which helps to return the second part 17 towards the lowered position.

On the other hand, when the cap 1 moves from the tilted open position to the release position, the stop 23 initially abuts against the engagement collar 5 as shown in FIG. 10, exerting a tensile force on the second part 17 of the lower ring 9 having a component directed radially outward and a component directed axially upward. This allows the lower ring 9 to move from front to rear, pressing the front region 19 of the first part 16 of the lower ring 9 against the neck 2 of the container to encourage the movement of the second part 17 towards the raised position. This can also assist the movement of the second part 17 between the lowered and raised positions.

Then, as shown in FIG. 10, when the cap 1 moves from the tilted open position to the released position, the outer surface of the heel 22 enters a second stage and abuts against the upper surface of the helical rib of the helical thread portion 6 formed on the neck 2 of the container, thereby exerting a tensile force on the second portion 17 having a radially outward component and an upward component, which can move the second portion 17 toward the raised position.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 11, the lower end 24 of the helical thread 7 formed on the inner surface of the peripheral skirt 14, i.e., the beginning of the helical thread 7, is arranged along a second direction opposite to the first rotation direction, i.e., in the angular range S2 defined between the radial plane Pr located at 160° from the bisecting plane Pb in the direction of rotation of the helical thread 7 about the axis X, and the bisecting plane Pb. Thus, the cap 1 is easily attached to the neck 2 of the container, since the lower front part 25 of the peripheral skirt 14 does not have the helical thread 7. This arrangement is particularly advantageous when the cap 1 can be in a slightly rearward position when it comes into contact with the neck 2 of the container. This is especially true when the engagement element 18 is absent in the front region 19 of the first part 16 and the lower ring 9 can move radially from front to rear relative to the neck 2 of the container.

Advantageously, the lower end of the helical thread 7 is disposed in an angular range defined between two radial planes located at 90° and 160°, respectively, from the bisecting plane Pb along a second rotational direction opposite to the direction of the helical thread 7 of the cap 1.

On the other hand, as shown diagrammatically in Figures 8, 9 and 10, at least one of the series of ribs of the helical thread 7 is formed on the inner surface of the heel 22. In other words, at least one of the ribs of the helical thread 7 is formed between the two foils 11, 12 of the hinge device 10. The presence of said rib formed on the heel 22 increases the resistance of the helical thread 7 to pressure, preventing the cap 1 from being unintentionally opened by excessive pressure on the container, especially when the container is intended to hold a carbonated beverage.

The kinematics of the cap 1 are as follows: When initially unscrewing, the cap 1 moves away from the closed position and away from the lower ring 9 to the released position shown in FIG. 3. In the course of this movement, the frangible bridge breaks. Also, during this movement of unscrewing the cap 1, the lower ring 9 is driven in rotation about the axis X, and the second portion 17 of the lower ring 9 rotates towards the raised position at the same time that the cap 1 moves away from the engagement collar 5.

The cap 1 can then be rotated back toward the tilted open position in which the peripheral skirt 14 extends upward from the top wall 13. As the cap 1 is rotated back toward the tilted open position, the stop 23 abuts against the upper end of the second portion 17 of the lower ring 9, thereby rotating the second portion 17 of the lower ring 9 from the raised position to the lowered position.

9, when the second part 17 of the lower ring 9 is in the lowered position and the cap 1 is in the tilted open position, the stop 23 is supported against the engagement collar 5. In this way, the stop 23 abuts against the engagement collar 5, so that the cap 1 cannot rotate toward the release position facing the dispensing orifice 3 while the second part 17 of the lower ring 9 remains in the lowered position, and the cap 1 remains in the tilted open position. This makes it possible to increase the minimum opening angle of the cap 1. Thus, advantageously, when the cap 1 is in the tilted open position and the second part 17 of the lower ring 9 is in the lowered position, the opening angle of the cap 1 is greater than 120°, advantageously greater than 145°, for example about 180°. The opening angle corresponds to a protruding angle formed at the intersection of a plane parallel to the upper wall 13 of the cap 1 and a horizontal plane.

To close the cap 1 again, the user tilts the cap 1 forward to the release position. During this tilting, the stop 23 abuts against the engagement collar 5 and exerts a tensile force on the second part 17 of the lower ring 9 with a radially outwardly directed component that allows the lower ring 9 to move from front to rear, and an axially upwardly directed component that allows the second part 17 of the lower ring 9 to assist in moving to the raised position. The outer surface of the heel 22 also abuts against the helical rib of the helical thread 6, which also encourages the second part 17 of the lower ring 9 to move to the raised position.

When the second part 17 is in the raised position and the cap 1 is in the released position, the cap 1 can be screwed back onto the neck 2 of the container. During screwing, the lower ring 9 is driven in rotation about the axis X, and the second part 17 of the lower ring 9 rotates towards the lowered position as the cap 1 approaches the engagement collar 5.

Advantageously, the entire capping device is moulded in one piece from a synthetic material, for example polyethylene, advantageously high density polyethylene. Advantageously, the capping device is moulded in the configuration of Figure 1, i.e. in the closed position, which is the position in which the capping device can be attached directly to the neck 2 of the container.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to various specific embodiments, it is understood that the invention is not limited thereto, and that the invention encompasses all technical equivalents of the described means and combinations thereof, which fall within the framework of the invention as defined by the claims.

The use of the verbs "comprise", "comprise", or "include" and their conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those established in a claim.

In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim.
The claims as originally filed in this application are set forth below.
[1]
A capping device intended to be attached to a neck (2) of a container including a hole (3), comprising:
A cap (1) comprising a top wall (13) and a peripheral skirt (14), said peripheral skirt (14) comprising:
unscrewing the cap (1) from the neck (2) around the axis X to move the cap (1) from a closed position in which the top wall (13) closes the neck hole (3) and the peripheral skirt (14) surrounds the neck (2) towards a release position in which the cap (1) is removed from the neck (2);
Threading the cap (1) onto the neck (2) and moving the cap (1) from the open position to the closed position.
a cap (1) having a helical thread (7) formed by a series of ribs intended to cooperate with a helical thread (6) formed on said neck (2) to enable
a lower ring (9) axially fixed to the neck (2) and rotatable around the neck (2) along the X-axis;
a hinge device connecting the cap (1) to the lower ring (9), the hinge device including two plates (11, 12) connecting the peripheral skirt (14) and the lower ring (9) and arranged to rotate the cap (1) between the released position and a tilted open position in which the cap (1) is out of the neck hole (2);
Including,
A capping device further comprising a locking device configured to lock the cap (1) in the tilted open position, the locking device comprising a bead (22) formed on the circumferential skirt (14) between the two seats (11, 12) and configured to abut against the neck (2) of the container when the cap (1) is in the tilted open position, the bead (22) having an inner surface on which at least one rib of the row of helical threads (7) is formed.
[2]
1. The capping device according to claim 1, wherein the lower ring (9) comprises a first sector (16) with a coupling element (18) protruding radially into the lower ring (9) and intended to be positioned below the coupling collar (5) to axially hold the lower ring (9) on the neck (2) of the container, and a second sector (17), wherein the first sector (16) and the second sector (17) of the lower ring (9) are hinged to each other such that the second sector (17) can rotate relative to the first sector (16) between a lowered position in which the second sector (17) is intended to be located below the locking collar (5) and a raised position in which the second sector (17) is intended to be located at least partially above the locking collar (5).
[3]
The capping device described in [2], wherein the first sector (16) of the lower ring (9) includes a front region (19) radially opposite the second sector (17) and two connecting regions (20, 21) each arranged between the front region (19) of the first sector (16) and the second sector (17), and the connecting portion (18) is arranged only in the two connecting regions (20, 21) and enables radial movement of the lower ring (9) and can facilitate passage of a portion of the second sector (17) on both sides of the connecting collar (5) when the second sector (17) moves between the lowered position and the raised position.
[4]
The capping device according to claim 3, wherein the coupling element (18) is a protrusion protruding radially inward.
[5]
The capping device according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the hinge device (10) extends over a first angular interval bisected by a Pb bisecting plane, and the helical thread portion (7) formed on the outer peripheral skirt (14) of the cap (1) extends around an X-axis along a first direction and has a lower end and an upper end, and the lower end of the helical thread portion (7) is disposed in a second angular interval defined between the Pb bisecting plane and a radial plane located 160° from the Pb bisecting plane along a second direction opposite to the first direction.
[6]
An assembly comprising a container having a neck (2) including a drain hole (3), a coupling collar (5) and a helical thread (6), and the capping device according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein the lower ring (9) is axially fixed to the neck (2) and moves in rotation around the neck (2) along the X-axis.
[7]
The capping device also includes a locking device configured to lock the cap (1) in the tilted open position, the locking device including a stop (23) protruding radially outward from the cap (1) and configured to abut against the collar (5) of the neck (2) when the cap (1) moves from the tilted open position to the released position, and to apply a tensile force having a component directed radially outward and a component directed axially upward to the second sector (17) in order to assist the movement of the second sector (17) between the lowered position and the raised position.
[8]
The assembly according to claim 7, wherein the stop (23) is configured such that when the cap (1) moves from the released position to the tilted open position, the stop (23) abuts against an upper end of the second sector (17) of the lower ring (9) and moves the second sector (17) from the raised position to the lowered position.
[9]
The assembly according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the locking device also includes an axially extending bead (22) formed on the peripheral skirt (14) of the cap (1), the bead (22) being configured to abut a helical rib of the helical thread (6) formed on the neck (2) of the container when the cap (1) moves from the tilted open position to the released position and to apply a traction force having a component directed radially outward and a component directed axially upward to the second sector (17) to assist the movement of the second sector (17) from the lowered position to the raised position.
[10]
The assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the hinge device (10) includes two plates (11, 12), and the bead (22) is formed between the two plates (11, 12).
[11]
The assembly according to claim 9, wherein the stopper (23) protrudes radially outward from the bead (22).

Claims (8)

A capping device intended to be attached to a neck (2) of a container including a hole (3), comprising:
A cap (1) comprising a top wall (13) and a peripheral skirt (14), said peripheral skirt (14) comprising:
unscrewing the cap (1) from the neck (2) around the X-axis to move the cap (1) from a closed position in which the top wall (13) closes the neck hole (3) and the peripheral skirt (14) surrounds the neck (2) towards a released position in which the cap (1) is removed from the neck (2);
a cap (1) having a helical thread (7) formed by a series of ribs intended to cooperate with a helical thread (6) formed on said neck (2) to allow said cap (1) to be screwed onto said neck (2) and to move said cap (1) from said open position to said closed position;
a lower ring (9) axially fixed to the neck (2) and rotatable around the neck (2) along the X-axis;
a hinge device connecting the cap (1) to the lower ring (9), the hinge device including two plates (11, 12) connecting the peripheral skirt (14) and the lower ring (9) and arranged to rotate the cap (1) between the released position and a tilted open position in which the cap (1) is out of the neck hole (2);
Including,
a locking device configured to lock the cap (1) in the tilted open position, the locking device comprising a heel (22) formed on the circumferential skirt (14) between the two plates (11, 12) and configured to abut against the neck (2) of the container when the cap (1) is in the tilted open position, the heel (22) having an inner surface on which at least one rib of the row of helical threads (7) is formed;
The heel (22) extends circumferentially about the X-axis and includes a stopper (23) protruding radially outward from the heel (22). The capping device according to claim 1, wherein the lower ring (9) comprises a first sector (16) with a coupling element (18) protruding radially into the lower ring (9) and intended to be placed under a locking collar (5) to axially hold the lower ring (9) on the neck (2) of the container, and a second sector (17), the first sector (16) and the second sector (17) of the lower ring (9) being hinged to each other such that the second sector (17) can rotate relative to the first sector (16) between a lowered position in which the second sector (17) is intended to be located under the locking collar (5) and a raised position in which the second sector (17) is intended to be located at least partially above the locking collar (5). 3. The capping device according to claim 2, wherein the first sector (16) of the lower ring (9) comprises a front region (19) radially opposite the second sector (17) and two coupling regions (20, 21) each arranged between the front region (19) of the first sector (16) and the second sector (17), and the coupling element (18) is arranged only in the two coupling regions (20, 21) and is capable of allowing a radial movement of the lower ring (9) and facilitating the passage of a part of the second sector (17) on both sides of the locking collar (5) when the second sector (17) moves between the lowered position and the raised position. The capping device according to claim 3, wherein the coupling element (18) is a protrusion that protrudes radially inward. 5. The capping device according to claim 1, wherein the hinge device (10) extends over a first angular interval bisected by a Pb bisecting plane, and the helical thread (7) formed on the peripheral skirt (14) of the cap (1) extends around the X-axis along a first direction and has a lower end and an upper end, the lower end of the helical thread (7) being disposed in a second angular interval defined between the Pb bisecting plane and a radial plane that is 160° from the Pb bisecting plane along a second direction opposite to the first direction. An assembly comprising a container having a neck (2) including a discharge hole (3) and a helical thread (6) and a capping device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the lower ring (9) is axially fixed to the neck (2) and moves in rotation around the neck (2) along the X-axis. 3. An assembly comprising a container with a neck (2) including a drain hole (3) and a helical thread (6) and a capping device according to claim 2, wherein the lower ring (9) is axially fixed to the neck (2) and moves in rotation around the neck (2) along the X-axis,
The capping device also includes a locking device configured to lock the cap (1) in the tilted open position, the locking device including a stop (23) protruding radially outward from the cap (1) and configured to abut against the collar (5) of the neck (2) when the cap (1) moves from the tilted open position to the released position, and to apply a tensile force having a component directed radially outward and a component directed axially upward to the second sector (17) in order to assist the movement of the second sector (17) between the lowered position and the raised position. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the stop (23) is configured such that when the cap (1) moves from the release position to the tilted open position, the stop (23) abuts against an upper end of the second sector (17) of the lower ring (9) and moves the second sector (17) from the raised position to the lowered position.

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