Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B27/00—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin
  • B32B27/32—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin comprising polyolefins
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B27/00—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin
  • B32B27/06—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin as the main or only constituent of a layer, which is next to another layer of the same or of a different material
  • B32B27/08—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin as the main or only constituent of a layer, which is next to another layer of the same or of a different material of synthetic resin
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B27/00—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin
  • B32B27/30—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin comprising vinyl (co)polymers; comprising acrylic (co)polymers
  • B32B27/306—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin comprising vinyl (co)polymers; comprising acrylic (co)polymers comprising vinyl acetate or vinyl alcohol (co)polymers
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B7/00—Layered products characterised by the relation between layers; Layered products characterised by the relative orientation of features between layers, or by the relative values of a measurable parameter between layers, i.e. products comprising layers having different physical, chemical or physicochemical properties; Layered products characterised by the interconnection of layers
  • B32B7/04—Interconnection of layers
  • B32B7/12—Interconnection of layers using interposed adhesives or interposed materials with bonding properties
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D41/00—Caps, e.g. crown caps or crown seals, i.e. members having parts arranged for engagement with the external periphery of a neck or wall defining a pouring opening or discharge aperture; Protective cap-like covers for closure members, e.g. decorative covers of metal foil or paper
  • B65D41/02—Caps or cap-like covers without lines of weakness, tearing strips, tags, or like opening or removal devices
  • B65D41/04—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers secured by rotation
  • B65D41/0435—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers secured by rotation with separate sealing elements
  • B65D41/045—Discs
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D41/00—Caps, e.g. crown caps or crown seals, i.e. members having parts arranged for engagement with the external periphery of a neck or wall defining a pouring opening or discharge aperture; Protective cap-like covers for closure members, e.g. decorative covers of metal foil or paper
  • B65D41/32—Caps or cap-like covers with lines of weakness, tearing-strips, tags, or like opening or removal devices, e.g. to facilitate formation of pouring openings
  • B65D41/34—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers provided with tamper elements formed in, or attached to, the closure skirt
  • B65D41/3442—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers provided with tamper elements formed in, or attached to, the closure skirt with rigid bead or projections formed on the tamper element and coacting with bead or projections on the container
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B2250/00—Layers arrangement
  • B32B2250/24—All layers being polymeric
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B2307/00—Properties of the layers or laminate
  • B32B2307/70—Other properties
  • B32B2307/724—Permeability to gases, adsorption
  • B32B2307/7242—Non-permeable
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B2323/00—Polyalkenes
  • B32B2323/04—Polyethylene
  • B32B2323/046—LDPE, i.e. low density polyethylene
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B2329/00—Polyvinylalcohols, polyvinylethers, polyvinylaldehydes, polyvinylketones or polyvinylketals
  • B32B2329/04—Polyvinylalcohol
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B2331/00—Polyvinylesters
  • B32B2331/04—Polymers of vinyl acetate, e.g. PVA
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B2435/00—Closures, end caps, stoppers
  • B32B2435/02—Closures, end caps, stoppers for containers
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B2581/00—Seals; Sealing equipment; Gaskets
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
  • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
  • Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
  • Y10T428/13—Hollow or container type article [e.g., tube, vase, etc.]
  • Y10T428/1352—Polymer or resin containing [i.e., natural or synthetic]

Definitions

• Multilayer seal, stopper or container neck comprising such a seal, and methods of making it
• the invention relates to a composite seal suitable for being placed in a stopper or on a container neck, a stopper comprising such a seal, a neck comprising such a seal and an assembly comprising a stopper, a container and such a seal, the container being empty or at least partially filled with a certain content.
• the invention also relates to a method of plugging a container with a stopper provided with such a seal, and a method of making and sealing a neck provided with such a thermoformed seal.
• the invention applies more particularly to the case of containers intended to contain carbonated drinks, the seal according to the invention ensuring liquid tightness and gas impermeability between the inside and the outside of the container closed by the said cap.
• Such seals are already known, which generally comprise a middle layer made of a material having gas barrier properties, as well as additional, outer layers, disposed on either side of the middle layer, intended in particular to impart a some flexibility at the joint.
• the gas barrier properties of the middle layer of the seal placed in a stopper make it possible to seal the containers so that there is no entry of oxygen inside the container, nor exit of carbon dioxide from the container, in the case of carbonated drinks for example.
• the material of which the middle layer is made is very porous and easily absorbs water. However, this material loses its gas barrier properties when it has absorbed water.
• seals of the prior art sensitive to humidity, can undergo a degradation of their gas barrier properties, and no longer play their role when they are placed in a cap on a container neck.
• Patent FR 2 704 805 issued by the applicant, describes a seal as previously described, which can also optionally include two intermediate layers, each placed between the middle layer and an outer layer.
• the intermediate layers are made of polypropylene or polypropylene elastomer. They have a high modulus of rigidity, between 1300 and 2200 MPa, and a relatively small thickness, between 10 and 50 ⁇ m.
• this joint structure does not provide an effective barrier against humidity, for the protection of the middle layer. Consequently, the conservation of the gas barrier properties of the joint is not guaranteed.
• this seal is relatively rigid, and therefore does not give complete satisfaction with regard to mechanical sealing.
• US Pat. No. 6,139,931 describes several embodiments of a seal comprising a middle layer having gas barrier properties.
• the seal further comprises: - outer layers of high quality polyolefin resin, suitable for contact with food. These outer, solid layers are in particular intended to prevent the entry of moisture into the joint, which could affect the gas barrier properties of the middle layer;
• intermediate layers each placed between the middle layer and an outer layer, made of a polyolefin resin.
• These intermediate layers are preferably made of recycled material, or of poor quality, this in order to reduce the cost of producing the joint.
• the outer layers of the joint are subjected to attacks which can damage them and thus affect their integrity.
• the seal can also be damaged, even unintentionally, by the user.
• the protection of the middle layer against humidity is no longer ensured.
• the protection against humidity of the middle layer is not optimal when the protective layers are arranged at a distance from said middle layer, on either side of the joint.
• the joint comprises, in addition to the middle layer, only the intermediate layers, but not the outer layers.
• the intermediate layers are made of a high-quality polyolefin resin, suitable for contact with food.
• the joint comprises, in addition to the middle layer, only the outer layers, but not the intermediate layers.
• the invention aims to solve these problems.
• the invention also aims to provide a simple method of fitting a plug comprising such a seal on a container neck or a plug on a container neck provided with such a seal.
• the invention relates to a composite seal suitable for being placed on a container neck or in a cap comprising an annular skirt provided with an internal thread intended to cooperate with the external thread of a container neck for screw cap mounting on said neck, said seal comprising on the one hand a middle layer made of a plastic material with gas barrier effect and on the other hand a first and a second outer layer comprising each a polyolefin resin, and arranged on either side of said middle layer.
• the joint also comprises, between the middle layer and each of the outer layers, an intermediate layer of polyethylene, with a thickness of between 80 and 150 ⁇ m, said intermediate layers being intended to protect the middle layer from humidity and thus to prevent degradation of the gas barrier properties of said middle layer.
• the thickness of the intermediate layers is thus large enough for said layers to provide an excellent barrier to water.
• the use of polyethylene increases protection against humidity.
• the protective layers of the middle layer being inside the joint, they are not subjected to external aggressions and therefore retain their integrity and their function.
• the intermediate layers are made of low or medium density polyethylene, and can have a thickness close to 115 ⁇ m.
• the polyethylene making up the intermediate layers can have a stiffness modulus of between 250 and 500 MPa.
• the seal has a certain flexibility, and therefore provides an efficient mechanical seal.
• the middle layer may consist of an EVOH sheet and its thickness between 35 and 65 ⁇ m.
• the first outer layer can be made of EVA comprising between 7 and 15% of VA, and its thickness can be between 90 and 160 ⁇ m.
• This EVA content gives the first outer layer good flexibility. This layer does not therefore have to be very thick for the seal to be compressible. Consequently, this seal makes it possible to obtain a very good seal, while having a reduced thickness, and therefore a lower cost than the seals of the prior art.
• the second outer layer may comprise polyethylene or EVA, as well as an oxygen-absorbing compound comprising sodium ascorbate and / or sodium sulfite.
• the thickness of the second outer layer can be between 130 and 230 ⁇ m. This thickness is less than that generally chosen in the prior art, for reasons related to the manufacturing process and to the presence of two layers of different materials on this side of the middle layer. Of course, this structure is not detrimental to the performance of the seal.
• the invention relates to a plug comprising on the one hand a transverse end wall and on the other hand an annular skirt projecting substantially perpendicularly from said transverse wall and comprising an internal thread intended to cooperate with the thread outer of a container neck for screw mounting the cap on said neck, the cap further comprising a substantially discoidal seal as previously described, said seal being placed inside the cap, substantially perpendicular to the axis of said plug, and being intended to ensure sealing against liquids and impermeability to gases between the interior and the exterior of the container closed by said plug.
• the seal is placed inside the cap so that the first outer layer is located opposite the transverse end wall.
• the seal is substantially planar and is located near the transverse wall.
• the seal is thermoformed, so that it has a shape complementary on the one hand to that of the container neck with which the stopper is intended to be associated and on the other hand to that of the inner face from the transverse end wall of the plug, the said seal being located, before the fitting of the plug on the container neck, towards the free end of the skirt opposite the transverse wall and, after the fitting of the cap on the container neck, near the transverse wall.
• the stopper may also include a tamper-evident band comprising means for holding the seal before the stopper is placed on the container neck.
• the stopper comprises a substantially annular lip projecting from the transverse wall in the same direction as the skirt, said lip being intended to cooperate with the internal face of the neck of the container, the seal being thermoformed so as to present a recess forming a housing adapted to receive said lip.
• the stopper may also have a lug projecting substantially radially from the annular skirt towards the axis of the stopper, the said lug being located towards the end part of the skirt linked to the transverse wall of the stopper, the lip being slightly diverging externally in cone from its base towards its free end, so that, after the cap is placed on the container neck, the seal is placed between the transverse wall of the cap and the lug, the divergence of the lip ensuring the maintaining the seal at the bottom of the cap.
• the invention relates to a container neck or a container having a neck, the said neck being provided with an external thread intended to cooperate with the internal thread of a plug, and comprising a substantially discoidal seal such as previously described, said seal covering the neck opening and being thermoformed, so that it has a shape complementary on the one hand to that of the container neck and on the other hand to that of the inner face of the transverse wall end of the cap intended to be associated with the neck.
• the seal is placed on the neck so that the second outer layer is located opposite the inside of the neck.
• the invention relates to an assembly comprising a plug, a container and such a seal.
• the seal When the stopper is screwed onto the neck, the seal is compressed, towards its peripheral zone, between the rim of the neck of the container and the transverse end wall of the stopper, so as to ensure liquid tightness and impermeability to gas between the inside and the outside of the container.
• the invention relates to methods of plugging a neck with a plug provided with a seal or methods of plugging a neck provided with a seal using a plug.
• FIG. 1 is a greatly enlarged cross section of a sheet of composite material constituting a joint according to the invention
• FIG. 2 is a partial radial sectional view of a plug having a seal made from the sheet of Figure 1, according to a first variant of a first embodiment
• FIG. 3 is a partial radial sectional view of a plug having a seal made from the sheet of Figure 1, according to a second variant of a first embodiment
• FIG. 4 is a radial sectional view of the cap of Figure 2, mounted on a container neck, in the fully screwed position, before first opening;
• FIG. 5 is a partial radial sectional view of a stopper comprising a thermoformed seal produced from the sheet of Figure 1, according to a second embodiment
• FIG. 6 is a partial radial sectional view of the cap of Figure 5, provided with a seal, when mounting the cap on the neck of a container;
• FIG. 7 is a partial radial sectional view of a container neck provided with a thermoformed seal, according to a third embodiment of the invention.
• - Figure 8 is a partial radial sectional view of a cap - neck - seal assembly, obtained after fitting the cap of Figure 5 on a container neck, or after placing a cap on the neck of Figure 7;
• - Figure 9 is a partial radial sectional view of the plug of Figure 8 after unscrewing.
• Figure 1 shows in cross section a sheet 1 of composite material comprising several juxtaposed layers.
• the sheet 1 firstly comprises a middle layer 2, made of a plastic material with a gas barrier effect.
• the middle layer 2 can for example consist of a sheet of EVOH (ethyl vinyl alcohol copolymer), with a thickness of between 35 and 65 ⁇ m, in particular 50 ⁇ m, the EVOH having a modulus of rigidity of between 1500 and 2500 MPa, for example 2000 MPa.
• EVOH ethyl vinyl alcohol copolymer
• the sheet 1 then comprises two intermediate layers 3, 4, arranged on either side of the middle layer 2 and linked to said intermediate layer 2 by a layer of adhesive 5, 6.
• Each of the two intermediate layers 3, 4 is made of low or medium density polyethylene, with a stiffness modulus of between 250 and 500 MPa.
• the thickness of each of the two intermediate layers 3, 4 is between 80 and 150 ⁇ m, in particular close to 115 ⁇ m.
• the sheet 1 finally comprises two outer layers 7, 8, each linked to one of the intermediate layers 3, 4.
• the materials making up the outer layers 7, 8 have a modulus of rigidity of between 50 and 100 MPa.
• a first outer layer 7 is made of EVA comprising between 7 and 15% of VA (vinyl acetate), in particular 9.4% of VA.
• the thickness of the first outer layer 7 is between 90 and 160 ⁇ m. It can for example be of the order of 125 ⁇ m.
• a second outer layer 8 comprises a polyolefin, polyethylene or EVA, as well as an oxygen-absorbing compound, such as a mixture of sodium ascorbate and sodium sulfite.
• the thickness of the second outer layer 8 is between 130 and 230 ⁇ m, and in particular close to 180 ⁇ m.
• sheet 1 is carried out by coextrusion.
• the middle and middle layers are assembled by gluing.
• a seal 9 generally in the form of a disc, is then cut from the sheet 1, for example using a punch of the desired diameter, the said seal 9 being able to be placed in a stopper intended to close a container, or on a container neck.
• a plug 10 comprising such a seal 9, according to a first embodiment of the invention, is described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4.
• the plug 10, of axis 11, is for example made of plastic.
• the plug 10 firstly comprises a transverse end wall 12, from which protrudes an annular skirt 13, substantially perpendicular to said transverse end wall 12.
• the annular skirt 13 has, on its inner face 14, a thread 15, for mounting by screwing the plug 10 on the neck of a container, the said neck comprising an external thread complementary to the thread 15 of the plug 10, as will be described later.
• the skirt 13 further comprises a knurling 16 on its outer face 17, this knurling 16 being intended to facilitate the screwing and unscrewing of the plug 10 by a user, by offering a better grip and by limiting the sliding of the fingers of the user on the outer face 17 of the skirt 13.
• the plug 10 then comprises a tamper-evident band 18, connected to the free end portion 19 of the annular skirt 13 by frangible bridges 20 or a line of lower resistance.
• the tamper-evident band 18 has an annular hooking projection 18a, projecting substantially radially towards the axis 11 of the plug 10, and intended to cooperate with an external projection of a container neck to prevent the tamper-evident band 18 is not released from said pass.
• the plug 10 also includes a seal 9, substantially discoidal, cut from the sheet 1 previously described.
• the diameter of the seal 9 is substantially equal to the inside diameter of the skirt 13 of the plug 10.
• the seal 9 is placed at the bottom of the plug 10, near the transverse end wall 12. When it is placed at the bottom of the plug 10, the seal 9 is substantially flat, or slightly curved, the concavity being for example directed towards the free end part 19 of the annular skirt 13, as illustrated in the figures.
• the seal 9 is held at the bottom of the plug 10 by the thread 15 of the inner face 14 of the annular skirt 13.
• the seal 9 is held at the bottom of the plug 10 by notches 21 projecting radially from the annular skirt 13 towards the axis 11 of the plug 10, the said notches 21 being located towards the end part 22 of the skirt 13 linked to the transverse wall 12 of the plug 10 so that the seal 9 can be placed between the said notches 21 and the transverse wall 12.
• the seal 9 is kept at a distance from the transverse wall 12 of the plug 10 by a projection 23, situated on the inner face 14 of the skirt 13, towards the end part 22 of the skirt 13 linked to the transverse wall 12.
• the seal 9 is placed inside the plug 10 so that the first outer layer 7 is located opposite the transverse end wall 12.
• FIG. 4 represents a neck 24 of container 25 on which a plug 10 having a seal 9 is mounted by screwing.
• the neck 24 is substantially cylindrical, of axis 26, has an annular rim 27 and defines an opening 28.
• the neck 24 has, on its outer face 29, a thread 30 complementary to the internal thread 15 of the plug 10, as well as a seat 31.
• the neck 24 also has an annular projection 29a, projecting substantially radially from the outer face 29, towards outside of said pass 24.
• the annular projection 29a of the neck 24 forms a stop for the annular hooking projection 18a of the plug 10, and prevents the axial movement of the tamper-evident band 18 towards the outside of the container 25, so as to prevent the tamper-evident band 18 from escaping from the neck 24 - before or after first use.
• the seal 9 covers the opening 28 of the neck 24, the peripheral zone 32 of said seal 9 being in contact with the flange 27 of the neck 24.
• the peripheral zone 32 of the seal 9 is thus compressed between the rim 27 of the neck 24 of the container 25 and the transverse wall 12 of the plug 10, so that a good seal is ensured between the inside and the outside of the closed container 25 through plug 10.
• the middle layer 2 of the seal 9 acts as a gas barrier.
• gas in particular of oxygen
• outlet of gas in particular of carbon dioxide
• the middle layer 2 is thus protected on the one hand from the humidity of the ambient air, outside the container 25, and on the other hand from contact with the content - for example liquid - of the container 25.
• the second outer layer 8, located towards the inside of the container 25, makes it possible to absorb the oxygen contained in the container 25, between the level of the content of the said container 25 and the rim 27 of the neck 24, preserving even better, this fact, the qualities of the contents of the container 25.
• the seal 9 according to the invention therefore guarantees very good conservation of the content of the container 25, and this for a long storage time.
• FIG. 5 shows a plug 10 provided with a seal 9, according to a second embodiment of the invention, before mounting on a container neck.
• the stopper 10 is generally similar to the stopper of FIG. 2, and is intended to be associated with a container neck 25 similar to the neck of FIG. 4.
• the plug 10 further comprises a substantially annular lip 33, projecting from the transverse wall 12 of the plug 10 in the same direction as the skirt 13.
• the lip 33 is intended to cooperate with the internal face 34 of the neck 24 of the container 25, at the end of sealing.
• the lip 33 is slightly diverging externally in a truncated cone from its base towards, from its free end 35.
• the plug 10 comprises a lug 36 projecting substantially radially from the annular skirt 13 towards the axis 11 of the plug 10, the said lug 36 being located towards the end part 22 of the skirt 13 linked to the transverse wall 12 of the plug. 10.
• lug 36 The role of lug 36 will be described later.
• the plug 10 also includes a seal 9, substantially discoidal, cut from the sheet 1 previously described.
• the seal 9 is placed inside the plug 10 and is located, before the first mounting of the plug 10 on the neck 24 of the container 25, towards the free end 19 of the skirt 13 of the plug 10, or towards the strip d tamper-evident 18, as illustrated in FIG. 5.
• the tamper-evident band 18 comprises a substantially annular bead 18b, located near the hooking projection 18a, towards the transverse wall 12 of the plug 10.
• a space 37 is thus formed towards the tamper-evident band between the attachment projection 18a and the bead 18b, this space 37 being able to receive part of the seal 9 in order to ensure its retention in the plug 10 before the first mounting of the plug. 10 on the neck 24 of container 25.
• the seal 9 has a particular shape, obtained for example by thermoforming, this shape being complementary both to that of the neck 24 of container 25 with which the cap 10 is intended to be associated, and that of the inner face 38 of the wall transverse 12 of the plug 10.
• a central portion 39 substantially planar and parallel to the transverse wall 12 of the plug 10; a recess 40 situated substantially in line with the lip 33, formed by moving away from the transverse wall 12 and having, in radial section, the general shape of a U, the bottom 41 of which is substantially parallel to the transverse wall 12, said recess forming a housing 42 capable of receiving said lip 33, as described below; - A peripheral zone 32 located substantially in the same plane as the central part 39;
• the diameter of the thermoformed joint 9 is substantially equal to the inside diameter of the skirt 13 or of the tamper-evident band 18 of the plug 10.
• the seal 9 is placed inside the plug 10 so that the first outer layer 7 is located opposite the transverse end wall 12.
• the rim 27 of the neck 24 comes into contact with the peripheral zone 32 of the seal 9.
• the plug 10 is given an axial movement directed towards the interior of the container 25 , then a helical movement, so that the thread 15 of the plug 10 and the thread 30 of the neck 24 come into mutual engagement. Consequently, the seal 9 is moved axially by the rim 27 of the neck 24, towards the transverse wall 12 of the plug 10, the end 43 of the seal being disengaged from the space 37 in which it was initially held.
• This embodiment makes it possible, due to the position of the seal 9 towards the tamper-evident band 18, to limit the introduction of oxygen into the container 25 via the plug 10 during the fitting of said plug 10 on the neck 24, thus making any nitrogen blanketing performed before mounting the plug 10 more efficient.
• FIG. 9 represents such a plug 10, after being placed on a neck 24 and unscrewing.
• FIG. 7 illustrates a third embodiment of the invention.
• a container neck 25, similar to the neck in FIG. 4, is intended to receive a plug 10, similar to the plug in FIG. 5, but without a seal.
• the neck 24 is provided with a seal 9, substantially disc-shaped, cut from the sheet 1 previously described, the axis of the seal 9 and the axis 26 of the neck 24 being substantially coincident.
• the seal 9 is placed on the neck 24 so as to completely cover the opening 28 of the said neck 24, the diameter of the seal 9 therefore having to be sufficiently large.
• the seal 9 is placed on the neck 24 so that the second outer layer 8 is located opposite the inside of the neck 24.
• the seal 9 is thermoformed, so that it has a shape complementary both to that of the neck 24 of the container 25 with which it covers the opening 28, and that of the inner face 38 of the transverse wall 12 of the plug 10 intended to be associated with said collar 24.
• the gasket 9 has a shape identical to that of FIG. 5, namely a central part 39 which is substantially planar, a recess 40 situated behind, towards the interior of the container 25, relative to the rim 27 of the neck 24 - forming a housing 42 intended to receive the lip 33 of the plug 10 - an area of said recess 40 being substantially tangent to the inner face 34 of the neck 24, a peripheral area 32 resting on the rim 27 of the neck 24, and one end 43 protruding outside the neck 24.
• the diameter of the thermoformed joint 9 is slightly greater than the outside diameter of the neck 24, and substantially equal to the inside diameter of the skirt 13 of the plug 10 intended to cooperate with said neck 24.
• the seal 9, previously thermoformed is placed on the neck 24 so that the shapes of the seal 9 and the neck 24 cooperate.
• a substantially flat seal 9 is placed on the neck 24 so as to cover the opening 28, said seal 9 then being shaped by thermoforming to give it the desired shape.
• cleaning of the neck 24 is then possible, the seal 9 making it possible to ensure the necessary tightness.
• the plug 10 can then be put in place by screwing onto the neck 24.
• the cap 10 - neck 24 - seal 9 assembly thus formed is similar to that obtained with the second embodiment, and is shown in FIG. 8.
• peripheral zone 32 of the seal 9 is then compressed between the rim 27 of the neck 24 of the container 25 and the transverse wall of the stopper, and a zone of the recess 40 of the seal 9 is compressed between the lip 33 and the inner face 34 of the neck 24 , so that a good seal is ensured between the inside and the outside of the container 25 closed by the plug 10.
• the end 43 of the seal 9 is located between the transverse wall 12 and the lug 36.
• the seal allows:
• the quality of the content of the container 25 is therefore preserved, even after several months of storage.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Closures For Containers (AREA)

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