Hinged stopper

Abstract

The present invention includes a plastic stopper, comprising a closure shell with a top roof and a tamper band to be secured on a bottle neck. The plastic stopper also includes a weakness line with bridges separably linked a bottom edge of the closure shell and a top edge of the tamper band and at least two hinges, the two hinges pivotably link the bottom edge of the closure shell and the top edge of the tamper band. At least one gap is located between the two hinges, the gap having a shape with a middle area. At least one tongue extends outwardly and laterally from the roof, the tongue being located over the middle area of the gap. The stopper includes knurls distributed around a peripheral wall of the closure shell and has the at least one tongue shaped alike one of the knurls.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A plastic stopper, comprising
 a closure shell with a top roof and a tamper band to be secured on a bottle neck;   a weakness line with bridges, the bridges separably link a bottom edge of the closure shell and a top edge of the tamper band;   at least two hinges, the two hinges pivotably link the bottom edge of the closure shell and the top edge of the tamper band;   at least one gap located between the two hinges, the gap having a shape with a middle area;   at least one tongue that extends outwardly and laterally from the roof, the tongue being located over the middle area of the gap; and   knurls distributed around a peripheral wall of the closure shell;   
       wherein the tongue is shaped alike one of the knurls. 
     
     
         2 . Plastic stopper according to  claim 1 , wherein the gap has an inverted “U” shape. 
     
     
         3 . Plastic stopper according to  claim 1 , wherein the gap has a “U” shape. 
     
     
         4 . Plastic stopper according to  claim 1 , wherein the gap has an “H” shape. 
     
     
         5 . Plastic stopper according to  claim 1 , wherein the gap has a double “I” shape. 
     
     
         6 . Plastic stopper according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one tongue has approximately a same width as the knurls. 
     
     
         7 . Plastic stopper according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one tongue has almost a same thickness as the knurls. 
     
     
         8 . Plastic stopper according to  claim 1 , wherein the middle area comprises at least one portion of the knurls. 
     
     
         9 . Plastic stopper according to  claim 8 , wherein the portion is continuous. 
     
     
         10 . Plastic stopper according to  claim 8 , wherein the middle area comprises multiple portions wherein each of the portions is continuous. 
     
     
         11 . Plastic stopper according to  claim 8 , wherein the portion is interrupted. 
     
     
         12 . Plastic stopper according to  claim 1 , further comprising three tongues, the tongues being shaped alike the knurls.