HK1146026B - Closing system for containers of the bottle and/or jar type - Google Patents

Description

Closure system for containers of the bottle and/or can type

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a system for closing containers of the bottle and/or can type, which is at the same time a dispenser of active formula placed in an airtight space in its interior, by means of specially designed means so as to be able to empty the active formula towards the liquid or content of the bottle when it is desired to make a mixture.

Such a closing system is equipped with an airtight tubular space designed to contain the active formula inside it and at the same time a movable push-cut carrier that is mechanically moved by an external puller to cut the seal of said tubular space and push the active formula towards the inside of the bottle or jar containing the liquid inside it, thus allowing the formula to be mixed with the content of the bottle when required.

Closure systems of this type are now used in the food sector for the addition of elements such as vitamins or minerals, a process known as fortification (fortification), in which their ingredients need to be stored separately from the contents of the container in order to protect them hermetically from moisture, light, thus increasing their useful life and improving their effectiveness.

Similarly, these closed systems, which allow the addition of substances, are used in the medical and/or pharmacological field, allowing the mixing of active formulations (for example probiotics) when required in order to avoid rapid degradation of the final mixture; in both cases, it is desirable to release the particular additive contained hermetically just prior to use and/or consumption of the contents of the container, allowing the mixing and subsequent release of the already mixed product without the need to remove the system of sealed bottles or cans.

Background

At present, different alternatives of systems allowing the release of solid or gaseous additives towards the interior of the container connected thereto can be found.

Sealing systems are known in the art having a chamber for storing an additive, which additive is released towards the interior of the container by vertically pressing a part of the system, thus allowing perforation and/or pressurization of the seal closing said chamber.

In applications US 2007/0023381 and WO2008/061766 we see a system having inside it a closed chamber or volume with an upper wall formed by a flexible membrane and a bottom formed by a collapsible layer which breaks when pressure is applied on the membrane, thus releasing the additive to the inside of the container. In these cases, the additive is limited to a liquid or solid state form that allows for the transmission of user-applied mechanical pressure to break the seal.

One limiting factor that can be observed in the aforementioned cited documents is that after the additive has been released into the interior of the container, the closure system must be completely removed in order to consume or use the contents.

Another unsolved problem is the process of internal seal rupture, which, when performed under pressure, does not allow control of the cutting process and indeed proves that part of the sealing membrane can fall into the internal liquid of the bottle.

One property of the present invention is that it does not require removal of the closure system in order to use the product of the container or to consume the liquid after mixing the liquid.

On the other hand, due to the shape of the internal push-cut carrier, the additive is not limited to a solid or liquid form that exerts pressure and breaks the seal, but it allows to indiscriminately release substances in powder, liquid or solid form and to be able to control the cutting process as a whole, so that waste from the seal does not fall inside the bottle.

In application WO 02/074647, a closure device of the "push and pull" type is seen, having a slider surrounded by a ring, which in its lower position allows to pierce the membrane (which is a seal normally applied in the bottle or container by induction) and to press it downwards, so as to subsequently release the liquid contained in the container or bottle towards the outside.

In the above case, the main difference with the closing system of the present application is that the devices of the prior art are designed to be placed on a bottle already having a cap (seal provided by induction) on its upper part, and that the devices of the prior art do not allow and are not designed to dispense the formulation or active ingredient towards the inside of the bottle as is the case with the invention presented in the present application. In the present invention, the closure system is arranged to allow keeping the additive hermetically isolated without the need for sealing the bottle.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is to protect a closure system for a bottle, can or similar type of container, wherein said system has a configuration that allows to add or release additives or active elements by mechanical means towards the inside of the container to which the closure system is connected. Such a substance may be in a solid state (in the form of a tablet or powder, granular or another form) or a liquid (liquid, gel or the like).

In this case, the additive is kept hermetically isolated from the outside during storage of the additive and during release of the additive.

This system has a structure formed by four parts: a lid, an actuator or extractor, the basic body of the system and the movable push-pull carrier. These parts are interlocked to form a single unit of the closure system.

Drawings

FIG. 1.1: a bottom view of the cover 1 is shown.

FIG. 1.2: a cross-sectional view of the cap 1 is shown.

FIG. 1.3: a side view of the cover 1 is shown.

FIG. 2.1: a bottom view of the actuator or puller 2 of the system is shown.

FIG. 2.2: a cross-sectional view of the actuator or puller 2 of the system is shown.

FIG. 2.3: a side view of the actuator or extractor 2 of the system is shown.

FIG. 3.1: a top view of the basic body 3 of the system is shown.

FIG. 3.2: a side view of the basic body 3 of the system is shown.

FIG. 3.3: a cross-sectional view of the basic body 3 of the system is shown.

FIG. 3.4: a bottom view of the basic body 3 of the system is shown.

FIG. 4.1: a top view of the push cut carrier 4 is shown.

FIG. 4.2: a cross-sectional view of the push cut carrier 4 is shown.

FIG. 4.3: a side view of the push cut carrier 4 is shown.

FIG. 5: the closure system is shown in an exploded view.

FIG. 6: showing the closure system assembled in the closed position.

FIG. 7: the closure system is shown in the discharge position.

FIG. 8: the closure system is shown in an open position.

Detailed Description

The accompanying drawings, which correspond to the best mode contemplated for carrying out the invention, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to provide a better understanding of the system and its components sought to be protected.

Fig. 1.1 to 1.3 show a lid 1 or cover comprising a body, preferably round and elongated, closed at its upper part and open at its lower part, the lid comprising:

-a grooved safety belt 1.a connected in its lower open border;

-a protrusion 1.b formed in the profile of the inner surface of the elongated body at the upper part;

and a sealing tongue element 1.c, circularly arranged in the upper part of the lid, which extends towards the inside of said lid.

Fig. 2.1 to 2.3 show an actuator or extractor 2 of the system, which comprises a slide with a vertical perforation of the passage form (passant) and is formed by:

an outer circular wall 2.a having a shoulder 2.b in the periphery of its upper boundary;

an inner surface 2.c, which surrounds a central perforation with a conical shape, which is in cylindrical form in its lower part and terminates in a cross-shaped cutting and pushing element 2 e;

a ring or protrusion 2.d in the outer wall, which ring or protrusion is circularly arranged towards the free space existing between the outer wall and the inner conical surface.

In fig. 3.1 to 3.4, the basic body 3 of the system can be seen, which consists of:

a spout 3.a having a central conical perforation 3.b in its lower surface and a peripheral projection 3.c in the upper end of this spout;

a tongue-shaped ring 3.d connected at its inner edge to the nozzle and at its outer edge to the tab;

the tabs (flaps) 3.e are internally threaded, which engage the external thread of the container to which the system is connected;

a central compartment or tubular space 3.f within the flap, which is connected to the nozzle 3.a by a conical perforation 3.b, which is open at the lower part, which tubular space 3.f is surrounded by a wall 3.g which has a protrusion on its inner side 3.h in its middle part;

a membrane hermetically sealing the central compartment 3.f at the lower part 3.i and at the upper part 3. j.

Fig. 4.1 to 4.3 show a push cut carrier 4 comprising an inner movable compartment storing an additive to be released and being formed by:

a cylindrical side wall with an upper seal 4.a with perforations 4. b;

these side walls have a projecting shoulder 4.c at the height of said upper closure 4. a;

-a rib 4.d provided on the outer surface of the seal;

the lower end of the cylindrical side wall has a slanted cutter 4.e and a sharp shear knife (guillotine) shaped finishing piece.

Fig. 5 shows the components of the current closure system in an exploded fashion and in a configuration in which they are assembled together for use.

FIG. 6 shows the same system, but with the four component parts of the system assembled together and in the closed position, as it would remain connected to the container; this view shows a push cut carrier 4 containing the additive to be released and being within a central compartment 3.f of the basic body 3 of the system and being hermetically isolated by a membrane 3.i, 3.j sealing said compartment.

Fig. 7 shows the system in the discharge position, and the actuator 2 has been lowered pushing on the carrier which has partially cut the lower seal and released the additive towards the interior of the container.

Fig. 8 shows the closure system in an open position, that is to say the additive has been released towards the interior of the container and the extractor 2 is raised again, putting the exterior and interior of the container into communication. In this position, the mixed contents within the container may be used.

The closure system of the present invention is attached to a bottle container or the like by engaging the threads of the tabs 3.e with external threads on the container.

In its closed position, that is to say when the system has not been manipulated yet, the cover 1 engages in the region of its safety band 1.a to the ring 3.d of the base body.

In this position, the outer wall 2.a of the actuator 2 rests on the mouthpiece 3.a of the basic body, producing contact between the shoulder 2.b of its periphery and the inner projection 1.b of the cover, and engagement of its outer ring 2.d with the upper projection 3.c of the mouthpiece of the basic body. The contact between said parts forms a closed volume between the cap 1, the basic body 3 and the actuator 2, which forms an obstacle to the passage of air or contaminants to the part where the additive is stored.

The central perforation of the actuator 2 remains closed preventing the passage of air or moisture towards the inside thereof, since the tongue of the seal 1.c of the lid remains in contact with the entire contour of the inner surface 2.c of the actuator, forming an additional isolated volume.

In this same closed position of the system, the carrier 4 is located within the central compartment 3.f of the basic body and is hermetically isolated by the upper and lower membranes 3i, 3. j.

One form for making said airtight membrane is to use an aluminium sheet covered with an epoxy resin material and sealed on the surface of the central compartment 3.f by a pressure and thermal process which allows the aluminium sheet to be connected to the basic body of the system. The sealing membrane that may be used to implement such a closure system is not limited to that described above, and other materials or other sealing systems may be used.

When it is desired to dispense an additive into a bottle, the cap 1 must be removed, which will cause the safety band 1.a to become detached, to which the basic body 3 of the system will remain connected.

Subsequently, the actuator 2 is pushed by the user towards the inside of the container, causing its lower cross-shaped part 2e to break up the membrane of the upper seal 3.j, thus introducing the actuator itself into the central compartment 3.f, where it pushes in turn the movable carrier 4.

When the carrier 4 is pushed and displaced downwards, its shear-knife-shaped lower border 4.e partially cuts the membrane of the lower seal 3.i, thus allowing the additive to be released towards the interior of the container; the projecting shoulder 4.c of the carrier is prevented from advancing by the inner projection 3.h of the central compartment and remains engaged there, thus preventing the sealing membrane 3.i from being completely cut and falling into the container with the additive. Then, mixing of the additive initially contained in the liquid in the bottle may be performed. At the same time, the lower conical part of the actuator perfectly seals the space through which it penetrates the tubular space, thus allowing to shake the additive and mix it with the liquid in the container without allowing the liquid to leak or splash towards the outside.

In order to be able to use the mixture or the final content of the container, the actuator must be pulled back to its original position, whereby liquid will flow through the perforations 4.b in the upper closure 4.a of the carrier towards the central perforation of the actuator. This proves that removal of the closure system is not necessary in order to be able to drink or use the mixture produced in the container.

The material of the system is a rigid material, preferably but not limited to a plastic material is used in its manufacture.

Claims (7)

1. Closure system for a container of the bottle and/or can type, which allows to dispense an additive held in airtight isolation towards the interior of said container, wherein the system is formed with a lid (1) comprising an elongated body closed at its upper part and open at its lower part, and comprising:

-a grooved safety belt (1.a) connected to the lower open border of the cover;

-a protrusion (1.b) formed in the contour of the inner surface of the elongated body at the upper part of the cover;

-and a sealing element (1.c) in the form of a tongue, circularly arranged in the upper part of the lid, extending towards the inside of the lid;

the closing system is characterized in that it has an actuator (2) comprising a vertical central perforated slide in the form of a passage and formed with the following parts:

-a circular outer wall (2.a) having a shoulder (2.b) in the periphery of its upper boundary;

-an inner surface (2.c) surrounding a conical central perforation, the inner surface having a cylindrical shape in its lower part and terminating in a cross-shaped cutting and pushing element (2 e);

-a ring (2.d) in the outer wall, which ring is arranged circularly along a free space existing between the outer wall and the inner surface;

as a third component of the closure system, there is a basic body (3) of the system, comprising:

-a nozzle (3.a) having a central conical perforation (3.b) in its lower surface and a peripheral protrusion (3.c) in the upper end of this nozzle;

-a ring (3.d) in the shape of a tongue, connected at its inner edge to the nozzle and at its outer edge to a tab;

-a tab (3.e) internally threaded, the thread of which engages with the external thread of the container to which the system is connected;

-a central compartment (3.f) within the flap, which is connected to the spout (3.a) by a conical perforation (3.b) and is open at its lower part, which central compartment (3.f) is surrounded by a wall (3.g) having a protrusion (3.h) in its interior in its middle part;

-a membrane hermetically sealing the central compartment (3.f) at a lower portion (3.i) and an upper portion (3.j) thereof;

and wherein the last component of the closure system comprises a push-cut carrier (4) comprising an internal, movable compartment storing the additive to be released and formed with:

-a cylindrical side wall with an upper closure (4.a) having a perforation (4. b);

-said side wall has a protruding shoulder (4.c) at the height of said upper closure (4. a);

-a groove (4.d) provided on the outer surface of the upper closure;

-a lower end of a cylindrical side wall with an inclined cutter (4.e) and a sharp end acting as a shearing cutter.

2. The closure system of claim 1,

the membrane closing the central compartment (3.f) comprises an aluminium sheet covered with an epoxy resin material and is integrated and sealed on the surface of the central compartment (3.f) by a process using pressure and heat.

3. The closure system of claim 1,

the materials used to manufacture the components of the system include rigid materials.

4. The closure system of claim 1,

in its closed position, when the peripheral shoulder (2.b) of the actuator contacts the projection (1.b) of the lid, a plurality of isolated volumes are defined between the lid (1), the base body (3) and the actuator (2), as well as the volume resulting from the engagement of the ring (2.d) of the actuator with the peripheral projection (3.c) of the nozzle of the base body, and the volume of the central perforation of the actuator resulting from the sealing of the inner surface of the actuator against the sealing element (1.c) of the lid, all of the aforementioned volumes forming a barrier against the passage of air or contaminants to the portion of the stored additive.

5. The closure system of claim 1,

the protrusion (3.h) of the central compartment is arranged in a middle region of the central compartment such that the protruding shoulder (4.c) of the push cut carrier engages with the protrusion of the central compartment, blocking the movement of the push cut carrier (4) when the push cut carrier dispenses the additive, thereby preventing the lower membrane of the central compartment from being completely cut.

6. The closure system of claim 1, wherein the body is circular.

7. A closure system in accordance with claim 3 wherein the rigid material is plastic.