Stopper Device for a Container, a Container Fitted with Such a Device, and a Method of Fabricating Such a Device

Abstract

This stopper device ( 3 ) for a container (B) comprises a sealing disk ( 2 ) suitable for being sealed, adhesively bonded, or blocked against the end edge ( 12 ) of the neck ( 1 ) of the container (B), while projecting radially outwards from the neck. The device also comprises a stopper ( 4 ) suitable for being mounted on the neck ( 1 ) and provided with an internal portion in relief enabling a thrust force to be exerted on the sealing disk ( 2 ) urging the disk ( 2 ) away from the neck ( 1 ). The internal portion in relief is formed by a tongue ( 412 ) formed integrally with the stopper ( 4 ) and folded towards the end wall ( 413 ) of the stopper, in a configuration that is generally frustoconical and that converges (α) towards said end wall ( 413 ).

1 - 9 . (canceled) 
   
   
       10 . A stopper device ( 3 ) for a container (B) provided with a neck ( 1 ), the device comprising:
 a sealing disk ( 2 ) suitable for being sealed, adhesively bonded, or blocked against the end edge ( 12 ,  13 ,  17 ,  18 ) of the neck, so as to project radially outwards from the neck;   a stopper ( 4 ) suitable for being mounted on the neck and provided with an internal portion in relief suitable for exerting a thrust force (F 4 ) on the sealing disk urging the disk away from the neck   wherein the internal portion in relief of the stopper is formed by a tongue ( 412 ) formed integrally with the stopper and folded (F 3 ) towards the end wall ( 413 ) of the stopper, in a generally frustoconical configuration that converges (α) towards the end wall of the stopper.   
   
   
       11 . A device according to  claim 10 , wherein the tongue is connected to the stopper via a deformable portion ( 4121 ). 
   
   
       12 . A device according to  claim 11 , wherein the deformable portion ( 4121 ) has a thickness (e 4121 ) less than the thickness (e 4122 ) of the tongue in the vicinity of its free edge ( 4122 ) via which it can exert the thrust force (F 4 ) on the disk ( 2 ). 
   
   
       13 . A device according to  claim 10 , wherein the free edge ( 4122 ) of the tongue, remote from its portions ( 4121 ) connecting it to an inside face ( 415 ) of the stopper ( 4 ), is provided with privileged zones ( 4123 ) for thrusting against the disk ( 2 ). 
   
   
       14 . A device according to  claim 10 , wherein the stopper ( 4 ) is provided with a tamperproofing band ( 42 ) connected to a main portion ( 41 ) of the stopper via at least one breakable zone ( 43 ), said band being suitable, on first removal of the stopper, for coming to bear against a portion ( 422 ) forming an abutment against a blocking portion in relief ( 15 ) formed on the outside of the neck ( 1 ), and in that, prior to first removal of the stopper, the distance (d 2 ) between the abutment-forming portion ( 422 ) and the blocking portion in relief ( 15 ) is less than the minimum axial distance (d 1 ) between the folded tongue ( 412 ) and the sealing disk ( 2 ), such that on first removal of the stopper, the tamperproofing band ( 42 ) comes into contact against the blocking portion in relief ( 15 ) before the tongue ( 412 ) exerts the thrust force (F 4 ). 
   
   
       15 . A container, in particular a bottle (B) made of plastics material, fitted with a stopper device ( 3 ) according to  claim 10 . 
   
   
       16 . A method of fabricating a stopper device ( 3 ) for a container (B) provided with a neck ( 1 ), the device comprising:
 a sealing disk ( 2 ) suitable for being sealed, adhesively bonded, or blocked against the end edge ( 12 ,  13 ,  17 ,  18 ) of the neck, so as to project radially outwards from the neck;   a stopper ( 4 ) suitable for being mounted on the neck and provided with an internal portion in relief suitable for exerting a thrust force (F 4 ) on the sealing disk urging the disk away from the neck,   wherein the method comprises the steps consisting in:
 a)—molding the stopper with a generally frustoconical inside tongue ( 412 ) that converges away from the end wall ( 413 ) of the stopper; 
 b)—installing (F 1 ) the sealing disk in the vicinity of the end wall of the stopper; 
 c)—folding (F 3 ) the tongue towards the end wall of the stopper so that it takes up a generally frustoconical configuration converging (a) towards the end wall. 
   
   
   
       17 . A method according to  claim 16 , wherein steps b) and c) are simultaneous, the tongue ( 412 ) being folded (F 3 ) by the sealing disk ( 2 ) while it is being installed or by a member ( 100 ) for moving the sealing disk towards the end wall ( 413 ) of the stopper ( 4 ). 
   
   
       18 . A method according to  claim 16 , wherein step c) precedes step b), the tongue being deformed elastically and radially (F 3 ) towards an inside face ( 415 ) of the stopper ( 4 ) in order to enable the sealing disk to be installed during step b).