WO2004039689A1

WO2004039689A1 - A cover-removal indicator and a method for production of the indicator

Info

Publication number: WO2004039689A1
Application number: PCT/NO2003/000362
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kjetil Naesje
Original assignee: Smartseal As
Priority date: 2002-10-29
Filing date: 2003-10-29
Publication date: 2004-05-13
Also published as: AU2003275743A1

Abstract

An indicator device for indicating removal of a protective cover (82) from a drinking opening of a drinking container (2), and a method for production of the indicator device. The indicator device consists of a male connector (90) and a female connector (91) arranged to interlock, the cover (82) being provided with one indicator connecting part (90, 91), while the drinking container (2) or a cap (6) connected thereto being provided with the other connecting part (91, 90). The parts (90, 91) interlock before first-time removal of the cover (82). After first-time removal of the cover (82), this assembling is difficult to repeat for a user, whereby separated connecting parts (90, 91) indicate previous removal of the protective cover (82).

Description

A COVER-REMOVAL INDICATOR AND A METHOD FOR PRODUCTION OF THE INDICATOR

This invention relates to an indicator device that indicates previous removal of a protective cover from a drinking opening of, or in connection with, a drinking container. The drinking opening may be present in the drinking container itself or in an associated part connected to the outlet opening of the drinking container. The associated part may be, for example, a bottle cap with or without an incorporated opening mechanism. The invention also relates to a method for production of the cover-removal indicator. The method and the indicator device may be used in connection with various kinds of drinking containers, for example cartons or bags with drinking openings, jugs and tubes.

Prior Art and Disadvantages of Prior Art

According to prior art, several types of protective devices that indicate previous opening of a drinking container or removal of a cover of a drinking spout, are known. For example, devices requiring one or more parts of the protective cover to be torn off, will be impractical, both because they require complex moulding processes, and because they require extra processing, for example cutting, after moulding. Some of these devices also require that particularly soft types of plastics be used to ensure easy tear-off at first-time use. Many soft plastics are somewhat more expensive than ordinary plastics, and softeners for these must be approved for use together with foodstuffs. The following US patents provide examples of such devices:

4,418,828 4,640,427 4,746,035 4,993,570 5,105,960 5,588,562 5,465,876 5,456,374 5,662,247.

All these devices require that at least parts of the protective cover be torn off or into pieces at first-time use.

Objects of the Invention

The object of the invention is to remedy the above-mentioned disadvantages of prior art.

More specifically, the object is to provide an indicator device that indicates previous removal of a protective cover from a drinking opening in, or in connection with, a drinking container. The object is also to provide a method for production of the indicator device.

A further object of the invention is to provide the noted indicator function without having to tear off or significantly deform the protective cover. Achieving the Objects

The objects are achieved through features disclosed in the following description and in subsequent claims.

A drinking opening being connected to a drinking container is provided with a connector object for a protective cover. The connector object may be the drinking container itself or a cap connected to the drinking opening. According to the invention, the protective cover and the connector object are connected by means of an indicator connecting device before removing the cover first-time from the connector object and said drinking opening. The indicator connecting device consists of at least one pair of complementary connecting parts being arranged to mutually interlock before first-time removal of the cover. Thereby, a male connector and a female connector, for example a tongue and a groove, are used for the connection. For each pair of such connecting parts, the connector object and the cover are each provided with a connecting part, the two connecting parts mating complementarily when assembled. The connecting parts are assembled during production.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the connector object consists of a cap, for example a bottle cap.

In order to connect the connector object and the protective cover after first-time removal of the cover, the connector object and the cover may also be provided with a primary connecting device consisting also of complementary connecting parts arranged to interlock when assembled. In order to provide said indicator device, different methods may be utilized to connect the connector object and the protective cover.

One method consists in squeezing the protective cover prior to being assembled with the connector object, the connecting part of the cover thereby assuming a temporarily reduced diameter, after which the connecting part of the cover is fitted into a complementary connecting part associated with the connector object. In this connection it may be convenient to provide the protective cover with weakenings or corrugations facilitating said squeezing of the cover.

A second method consists in expanding the protective cover prior to being assembled with the connector object, the connecting part of the cover thereby assuming a temporarily increased diameter. Then the connecting part of the cover is ' fitted around the complementary connecting part of the connector object.

A third method consists in subjecting the protective cover and its at least one connecting part to a temporary and partly powerful pressure difference, for example by supplying pressurized air. The resulting pressure force changes the diameter of the connecting part, either by expansion or contraction, and moves this part into engagement with the complementary connecting part of the connector object. Each complementary male connector and female connector thus may be assembled without being destroyed in the assembling process.

In the following, several non-limiting exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described. Short Description of the Figures

The exemplary embodiments are depicted through the following figures, of which:

Figure la is a perspective drawing of a bottle cap assembled with a detachable protective cover by means of an indicator connecting device according to the invention, in which the present method has been utilized to assemble the cap and cover prior to first-time use;

Figure lb is a front view showing a cross-section through the bottle cap according to Figure 1;

Figure lc shows a section of Figure lb, in which the complementary connecting parts of the cap and the cover are shown interlocked;

Figure 2 is a front view showing a cross-section through a second embodiment of a bottle cap assembled with a detachable protective cover by means of an indicator connecting device according to the invention, in which the present invention has been utilized to assemble the cap and cover prior to first-time use;

Figure 2a and Figure 2b show sections of peripheral details of the protective cover according to Figure 2 , in which Figure 2a shows the cover connected to the cap, whereas Figure 2b shows the cover disconnected from the cap after first-time use; Figure 3a is a front view displaying a partial cross-section through a third embodiment of a bottle cap assembled with a detachable protective cover by means of an indicator connecting device according to the invention, in which the present method has been utilized to assemble the cap and the cover, and in which the complementary indicator connecting parts of the cap and the cover are shown interlocked prior to first-time use;

Figure 3b shows the indicator connecting parts according to Figure 3a disconnected after first-time use, but in which the cover is shown attached to the cap by means of a primary connecting device located at the drinking spout of the cap;

Figure 3c is a perspective drawing of the device according to Figure 3a, in which the protective cover is shown untouched before first-time use;

Figures 4a-14c are front views showing cross-sections and sectional details of further bottle caps assembled with detachable protective covers by means of indicator connecting devices according to the invention, in which the present method has been utilized to assemble the cap and the cover.

The figures are schematic and may be somewhat distorted regarding shape and relative dimensions. In the following, like details of the figures mainly will be referred to by the same reference numerals. Exemplary Embodiments of the Invention

Components shown in the exemplary embodiments also may be used in further combinations other than those shown herein. All variants of the present protective cover also may be used on different cap variants and drinking containers.

Correspondingly, all variants of complementary connecting parts may be used between different types of drinking container caps, or the drinking container itself, and a possible valve device for the drinking container or its cap.

Figures la-lc show a first embodiment according to the invention. A bottle cap 6 having a drinking spout 70 is provided with a protective device in the form of a protective cover 82 that covers a lid 68 connected to the cap 6. The lid 68 contains a valve device for controlling the outflow of fluid from an associated drinking container, but the valve device does not concern the invention itself, hence is not described in any further detail herein. As a part of the indicator connecting device, a peripheral circumferential rim of the protective cover 82 is terminated as a pointed rim, which constitutes the indicator male connector 90 of the device, cf. Figure lc. The pointed circumferential rim 90 is shown in engagement with a complementary indicator female connector 91 represented by a ring-shaped groove formed in the lid 68. The cover 82 and the lid 68 are also connected by means of a primary connecting device in the region of the outlet opening of the drinking spout 70, said device consisting of complementary connecting parts in the form of a primary male connector 84 and a primary female connector 99. In this example, the primary male connector 84 consists of a ring-shaped, external rim of a collar 5 on the inside of the cover 82. The primary female connector 99 consists of a ring- shaped groove formed on the inside of an internal drinking sleeve 71 in the lid 68. The rim 84 fits complementarily into the groove 99, cf. Figure lb.

Figures 2, 2a and 2b show a second embodiment according to the invention. Figure 2a and Figure 2b show sectional details of the protective cover 82 and the lid 68 for the cap 6. In this embodiment, the circumferential rim of the cover 82 is arranged as an indicator female connector 91 in the form of a groove, whereas the indicator male connector 90 consists of a complementary ring-shaped tongue formed in the lid 68. Prior to first-time removal of the cover 82, the lid 68 and the cover 82 are connected via the groove 91 and the tongue 90, cf. Figure 2a. After tear-off, the cover 82 will rest on the outside of the tongue 90 in the lid 68, cf. Figure 2b, which indicates previous removal of the cover 82 and opening of an associated drinking container. This embodiment also is provided with a primary connecting device in the region of the outlet opening of a flange-shaped drinking spout 70, at which the lid 68 and the cover 82 are detachably connected. Here, the primary female connector 99 consists of a ring- shaped groove at the base of the outward-projecting flange 72 of the drinking spout 70, whereas the primary male connector 84 consist of a ring-shaped, projecting rim on the inside of a cover housing 73 enclosing the drinking spout 70. Having removed the cover 82 from the lid 68, these are connected via the primary connecting device only.

Figure 3a shows a third embodiment according to the invention. Here, the open end of the protective cover 82 is provided with an external indicator male connector 90 in the form of an outward-projecting, ring-shaped key rim fitting complementarily together with an indicator female connector 91 in the form of a ring-shaped key way internally in a peripheral collar 7 of the cap 6. Here, the cap 6 is shown connected to a bottle 2. Before connecting the cover 82 and the cap 6, the key rim 90 is placed inside of and directly opposite the key way 91, but at a short distance from the key way 91, thus still separating the connecting parts 90, 91. In this position, and according to the present method, pressure is applied, hence applying a compressive force, to the inside of the cover 82 and in immediate proximity of its key rim 90. Thereby, the key rim 90 is expanded radially outwards into engagement with the key way 91 of the collar 7. Assembling the parts 90, 91 thus is carried out at the smallest possible risk of introducing deformations of the key rim 90. Figure 3b shows the indicator connecting parts 90, 91 disconnected after first-time removal of the cover 82, in which the key rim 90 is positioned outside the key way 91 of the cap collar 7. In this position, it is very difficult to connect the parts 90, 91 without deforming them. In this embodiment also, the cover 82 and the drinking spout 70 of the cap 6 are connected by means of a primary connecting device consisting of complementary connecting parts 84, 99. At its outlet opening, the drinking spout 70 is formed with an internal primary female connector 99 in the form of a ring-shaped groove, whereas the protective cover 82 is provided with an internal primary male connector 84 in the form of a ring- shaped collar 5 with a projecting rim 84 fitting complementarily into the groove 99. During normal replacing of the protective cover 82 after first-time removal, the rim 84 will temporarily and fixedly engage the groove 99. Figure 3c shows the protective cover 82 placed in a sealed position on the cap 6. Figures 4, 5, 6, 13 and 14 represent further embodiments according to the invention. Figures 4a, 5a, 6a, 13a and 14a show part sections through the cap 6 before first-time removal of the protective cover 82 from the cap 6, in which the indicator connecting parts 90, 91 are interlocked. Figures 4b, 5b, 6b, 13b and 14b show the position of the cover 82 after first-time removal thereof, in which the indicator connecting parts 90, 91 are disconnected. Figures 4c, 5c, 6c, 13c and 14c show sectional details of the indicator connecting device in its indicator position after first-time removal of the protective cover 82.

The embodiment according to figures 4a, 4b and 4c resembles the embodiment according to figures 3a and 3b. The embodiment according to Figure 4, however, is provided with another type of primary connecting device. At its outlet opening, the drinking spout 70 is formed with a primary female connector 99 in the form of an external, axially extended groove. The groove 99 fit together with a primary male connection 84 in the form of an inward-projecting rim in a ring-shaped collar 5 on the inside of the cover 82.

Except for the protective cover 82 being provided with axially extending, external ribs 69 being thin and easily deformable, the embodiment according to figures 5a, 5b and 5c is identical to the previous embodiment. The purpose of the ribs 69 is to reveal, due to said deformation, attempts of reintroducing the protective cover 82 into its original, unopened position. In the event of using, for example, a hose clip or pinching tongs to squeeze together the cover 82 and its indicator male connector 90 in order to place it over the complementary indicator female connector 91 of the cap 6, one or more ribs 69 will be damaged. To avoid this effect when assembling the connecting parts 90, 91 in a factory, an adapted tool provided with defined openings for the ribs 69 may be used, thus not squeezing the ribs 69 together when assembling the parts 90, 91.

The embodiment according to figures 6a, 6b and 6c resembles the previous embodiments as regards their indicator connecting device. However, the embodiment lacks a primary connecting device placed at the outlet opening of the spout 70. In this embodiment, the primary male connector 84 consists of an axially extending, ring-shaped catch rim projecting out from below or in the immediate proximity of the above-mentioned indicator key rim 90 (cf. Figure 3). In addition to the indicator key way 91 of the cap collar 7, the collar 7 is also provided with an internal catch groove 99 forming the primary female connector of the embodiment. After first-time opening, the catch rim 84 engages the catch groove 99 of the collar 7, thus allowing the protective cover 82 to be temporarily attached to the cap 6 after first-time removal of the cover 82.

Figure 7 shows a plan view of a protective cover 82 provided with external ribs 69 and one or more wholly or partly through-going, radial openings 3 segmenting all or parts of the circumference of the protective cover 82, hence its peripheral indicator connecting part 90. This cover shape reduces the force required to fit and remove the cover 82 the first time. The protective cover 82 may also be arranged without ribs 69.

Figures 8a and 8b show another embodiment, the primary connecting device and indicator connecting device of which resemble the corresponding devices shown in Figure 6. In this exemplary embodiment, the primary female connector 99 consists of a ring-shaped groove formed in, and on the bottom side of, its ring-shaped indicator key rim 90 at the open end of the protective cover 82. Due to this shape, the indicator key rim 90 has an external and ring-shaped lip rim 8. In this embodiment, the open end of the cap collar 7 is terminated as a pointed rim, which constitutes the primary male connector 84. After first-time removal of the cover 82, the groove 99 will be in engagement with the pointed cap collar rim 84, the lip rim 8 thereby lying on the outside of the collar 7 and preventing connection of the connecting parts 90, 91 of the indicator device.

In the embodiment according to figures 9a and 9b, the indicator male connector 90 consists of a ring-shaped, outward-projecting and inclined lip rim at the open end of the protective cover 82. The lip rim 90 fits complementarily into a ring-shaped key way 91 internally in the cap collar 7, the key way 91 constituting the indicator female connector. In this embodiment also, the primary male connector 84 consists of a pointed cap collar rim, as in the previous embodiment. The primary female connector 99 consists of a ring-shaped groove formed at the base of said lip rim 90. After first-time removal of the cover 82, the groove 99 will be in engagement with the pointed rim 84 of the cap collar 7, the lip rim 90 thus lying on the outside of the collar 7. The lip rim 90 constitutes a weakening of the cover 82, this reducing the force required to remove the cover 82 the first- time. However, this removal force will be large, rendering reintroduction of the cover 82 into the key way 90 difficult for the user if not using special tools. Figures 10a and 10b show an embodiment in which the cap collar 7 is formed of a material that yields completely or partially when loaded, and which yields when loaded after first-time removal of the protective cover 82.

Figures 11a and lib show a further embodiment according to the invention. In this example, the open end of the protective cover 82 is provided with an internal indicator male connector in the form of an inward-projecting ring- shaped key rim 90 fitting complementarily together with an indicator female connector in the form of a ring-shaped key way 91 at the base of the drinking spout 70. The indicator key way 91 is defined between an external, ring-shaped bevel rim 92 and the base of the drinking spout 70. The primary female connector 99 consists of a ring-shaped groove defined between said bevel rim 92 and an outward-projecting ring 93 formed on the. outside of the drinking spout 70 at a somewhat- larger distance from its base than that of the bevel rim 92. After first-time removal of the protective cover 82, the key rim 90 will temporarily and fixedly engage the primary groove 99 when connecting the protective cover 82 to the drinking spout 70. This prevents the cover 82 from being brought back into its original, unopened position. In this embodiment, said key rim operates as both an indicator male connector 90 and a primary male connector 84.

Figures 12a and 12b show the same embodiment as that of figures 11a and lib, but here the protective cover 82 is provided with an outer grip flange 71 for a suitable fitting tool. When the fitting tool is used to widen the flange 71, the indicator key rim 90 is separated from its complementary indicator key way 91 without being damaged. Figures 13a and 13b show an alternative embodiment according to the invention. Here, an axial mid-portion of the drinking spout 70 is provided with an external, ring-shaped bevel rim 94 forming, at its lower base, an indicator female coupling 91 in the form of a ring-shaped groove. Simultaneously, an axial mid-portion of the protective cover 82 is provided with an indicator male connector 90 in the form of an internal, ring-shaped bevelled flap extending into said groove 91 of the drinking spout 70 before first-time removal of the cover 82. By making the flap 91 somewhat protrusive (as shown) and resilient, the resulting spring effect may be used both during assembling of the indicator connecting parts 90, 91, in which pressurized air is supplied to the inside of the drinking spout 70 via its outlet opening, and for moving the flap 91 radially inwards after first-time removal of the cover 82. When attempts are made to reintroduce the cover 82 into its original, unopened position, the flap 91 will engage the outside of the bevel rim 94 and be prevented from bypassing it. Thereby, an opening 95 is created between the open end of the cover 82 and the end surface of the cap 6, cf. Figure 13b. The opening 95 constitute an indicator of previous removal of the cover 82. The primary connecting device of the embodiment consists of a primary male connector 84 in the form of an inward-projecting key rim at the open end of the cover 82, whereas the primary female connector 99 consists of a ring-shaped groove at the base of an outward- projecting ring 93 formed on the outside of the drinking spout 70 and proximate to its base.

Figures 14a, 14b and 14c show a further embodiment according to the invention. In this example, the indicator male connector 90 consists of a ring-shaped, external rim of a collar 5 located on the inside of the cover 82. The indicator female connector 91 consists of a ring-shaped groove at the lower base of an internal, ring-shaped bevel rim 96 formed at the outlet opening of the drinking spout 70. According to the present method, the connecting parts 90, 91 preferably are assembled by means of pressurized air applied to the outside of the drinking spout 70 and at its outlet opening, or, alternatively, by means of a suction force applied to the inside of the drinking spout 70. Under such a pressure influence, the indicator connecting parts 90, 91 engage one another. After first-time removal of the cover 82, the collar rim 90 will engage the bevel rim 96 and be prevented from bypassing it, rendering difficult to reassemble the parts 90, 91. Figure 14c shows the collar rim 90 when deformed and folded up on the outside of the bevel rim 96 after an attempt to push the cover 82 back onto the outside of the drinking spout 70. In this position, the cover 82 and the drinking spout 70 are connected by means of the same primary connecting device shown in figures 13a and 13b. Thereby, said opening 95 is created between the open end of the cover 82 and the end surface of the cap 6, cf. figure 14b.

Claims

C l a i m s

A method for production of an indicator device that indicates previous removal of a protective cover (82) from a drinking opening associated with a drinking container (2), the indicator device including at least one pair of complementary indicator connecting parts in the form of a male connector (90) and a female connector (91) arranged to mutually interlock, c h ar a c t e r i z e d i n :

- providing the protective cover (82) with one of the indicator connecting parts (90, 91) of the at least one pair; while

- providing a connector object connected to said drinking opening with the other one of the indicator connecting parts (91, 90) of the at least one pair; and

- moving, during assembling, at least one of the parts (90, 91) of the at least one pair into engagement with the other complementary part (91, 90) of the at least one pair; and

- carrying out said assembling before first-time removal of the cover (82), said assembling being difficult to repeat after first-time removal of the cover (82), whereby separated connecting parts (90, 91) indicate previous removal of the cover (82).

The method according to claim 1, c h ar ac t er i z e d i n squeezing together, during assembling, the one indicator connecting part (90, 91) into engagement with the other complementary part (91, 90). The method according to claim 1, c h ar ac ter i z e d i n expanding, during assembling, the one indicator connecting part (90, 91) into engagement with the other complementary part (91, 90).

The method according to claim 2 or 3, c h ar ac t e r i z e d in subjecting one indicator connecting part (90, 91) to a pressure difference that moves it into engagement with the other complementary part (91, 90).

An indicator device for indicating previous removal of a protective cover (82) from a drinking opening associated with a drinking container (2), the indicator device including at least one pair of complementary indicator connecting parts in the form of a male connector (90) and a female connector (91) arranged to mutually interlock, c h ar ac ter i z ed in that the protective cover (82) is provided with one of the indicator connecting parts (90, 91) of the at least one pair, while a connector object connected to said drinking opening is provided with the other one of the indicator connecting parts (91, 90) of the at least one pair, and that the parts (90, 91) of the at least one pair are interlocked before first-time removal of the cover (82), said assembling being difficult to repeat after first-time removal of the cover (82), whereby separated connecting parts (90, 91) indicate previous removal of the cover (82).

The indicator device according to claim 5, c ha r ac t e r i z e d in that the connector object is the drinking container (2). The indicator device according to claim 5, c h ar ac te r i z ed i n that the connector object is a cap (6).

The indicator device according to claim 7, c h ar ac t er i z ed i n that the connector object is a drinking spout (70) for the cap (6).

The indicator device according to claim 5, c h ar ac t e r i z ed i n that the connector object is a lid (68) connected to a cap (6) associated with the outlet opening of the drinking container (2).

The indicator device according to claim 5, c h ar ac te r i z ed i n that the protective cover (82) is provided with at least one wholly or partly through-going opening (3) segmenting all or parts of the circumference of the protective cover (82).

The indicator device according to claim 5, c h ar ac t er i z ed i n that the protective cover (82) is provided with at least one axially extending, external rib (69) being deformable, rib deformation that indicates a previous attempt to reintroduce the protective cover (82) into its original, unopened position prior to first- time removal thereof.

The indicator device according to claim 5, c h ar ac t er i z ed in that the protective cover (82) and said connector object are provided with a primary connecting device, which includes a pair of complementary primary connecting parts in the form of a male connector (84) and a female connector (99) being arranged to mutually interlock after first-time removal of the cover (82), the cover (82) being provided with one of the primary connecting parts (84, 99) of the pair, while the connector object being provided with the other primary connecting part (99, 84).