WO1989000959A1

WO1989000959A1 - Device for preserving a substance to be mixed later with the contents of a necked container

Info

Publication number: WO1989000959A1
Application number: PCT/EP1988/000670
Authority: WO
Inventors: Louis Lavie
Original assignee: Dridrinks N.V.
Priority date: 1987-07-28
Filing date: 1988-07-21
Publication date: 1989-02-09
Also published as: AU2077788A; CN1030896A; ES2007538A6

Abstract

A stopper-reservoir (1) comprises a part (2) forming a reservoir and a sleeve (4) fitting onto the neck (13) of a container. The reservoir (2) communicates with the interior of the sleeve (4) through a passage (3). When the stopper is not in use, this communication is closed off by an air-tight seal (7). When the stopper-reservoir (1) is fitted onto the threaded neck (13) of the container, the free end (17) of the neck severs the central part of the seal and establishes the communication between the reservoir (2) and the neck (13) of the container. The seal (7) is formed in one piece with a seal holder (18) designed to be permanently attached to the stopper (1) and provided with means (27) for fitting it onto the neck (13) of the container to ensure that the stopper fits onto the container.

Description

Device for preserving a substance intended to be subsequently mixed with the content of a neck container

The present invention aims to provide a device making it possible to keep, away from air and from any contact with the outside, in a sealed tank, a substance intended to be subsequently mixed with the content of a container capable of , too, be hermetically closed until it is desired to carry out the mixing, the mixing operation then being carried out automatically due to the adaptation of this reservoir to this container, in a leaktight manner in relation to the atmosphere. There is currently no known device satisfying all of these conditions.

The device according to the present invention, which provides the solution to the problem thus posed, is in accordance with claim 1. The appended drawing represents, by way of examples, several embodiments of the device according to the invention - Figure 1 is an axial sectional view of the first embodiment, before the mixture is formed.

Figure 2 is a cross section along 2-2 of fig. 1.

Figure 3 is an axial sectional view showing the parts at the time of mixing.

Figures 4 and 5 are two views in axial section of two constituent parts of the second embodiment. Figure 6 is an axial sectional view of the two parts according to fig. 4 and 5 assembled and fixed on a container.

Figure 7 and 8 are views similar to Figs. 1 and 2, relating to a third embodiment.

Figure 9 is a view similar to FIG. 6, relating to this third embodiment.

Figure 10 and 11 are views similar to Figs. 4 and 5, and relating to a fourth embodiment.

Figure 12 is a view similar to FIG. .6 and relating to this fourth embodiment. Figure 13 is an axial sectional view of the reservoir cap of a fifth embodiment.

Figure 14 is a side view of the gate holder of this fifth embodiment. Figure 15 is an axial sectional view of this seal holder.

Figure 16 is an axial sectional view of the reservoir cap according to fig. 13 and the seal holder according to fig. 14 and 15, after assembly and fixing on a container

10 threaded neck.

Figure 17 illustrates, also by way of example, the use of the embodiment according to fig. 1 to 3 in a special case.

The device shown in figs. 1 to 3 includes a

15 cap 1 which may be made of plastic or metal, for example aluminum, and which is formed by a reservoir body 2 open at 3 and having a sleeve 4 coaxial with the reservoir body 2 and the opening 3. This sleeve 4 is internally threaded at 5, to allow the screw to be screwed

20 cap 1 on the neck of a container, a bottle for example, which can itself be made of any suitable material.

The opening 3 is surrounded by a part 6 forming a circular flange against which is fixed, by welding or

25 by gluing for example, a cover 7. This cover takes a circular central part 8 extending externally by a cylindrical part 9, directed downwards in FIG. 1, a cylindrical part which itself extends at its lower part by an anti-collar

30 flat area 10. It is by this flange 10 that the cover 7 is tightly fixed on the flange 6 of the tank body 2. Radial stiffening ribs 11 are formed in the central part 8 of the cover 7 , when making the latter.

-'- 'The tank 2 is intended to contain a substance which must be kept away from air and in ﬂ uence from the outside until the moment when want it mix, sheltered from air and outside influences, with the contents of a container which can also be closed tightly until the mixing is carried out. This substance can be solid, powdery ^~ or grainy, or liquid. It may be, for example, a self-carbonating product used to make a lemonade, by mixing with water contained in a container to which the reservoir cap 1 is adapted.

For mechanically resistant closing, it is

¹⁰ provided at 12, near the free end of the sleeve 4, a peripheral circular groove for fixing, on this end, a capping of known type.

In Figure 3, we see the reservoir cap 1 screwed onto the neck 13 of a container not shown, such as a

^ ^~ bottle for example, which is threaded externally at 14. The free end (upper in Figure 3) of this neck is thinned, as seen in 15, and has in 16 an annular stop intended to come to bear on part 10 of the cover, pressing it against the flange 6. The distance 0 between the surface of the stop 16 and the end 17 of the neck is such that part 15 of the latter meets the circular part 8 of the the cover a little before the reservoir cap 1 is screwed fully onto the neck, that is to say a little before the stop 16 meets the flange 10 of the cover. Thus, it is ensured that this end 17 of the neck circularly shears the cover 7 just before the stop 16 comes to stop the screwing of the plug 1 on the neck 13. The stop 16, once the screwing is done, comes to press the flange 10 against the flange 6, thus ensuring 0 the seal vis-à-vis the outside, the tank 2. and the inside of the container whose neck is seen at 13. The central part 8 of the cover 7 is shown cisail¬ lated over most of its periphery, in a manner ensuring communication between the tank 2 and the neck 5 13. Therefore, the contents of the tank 2 can mix with the contents of the container by passing through neck 13. If the substance in tank 2 is a product self-gasifying in contact with water, the pressure produced by this release of gas produces the separation of the part 8 of the cover, leaving free the opening of the neck 13. In any case, the diameter of this cover being greater- at the inside diameter of the neck 13, there is no risk that it falls inside this neck.

It can be seen from the above that the connection of the reservoir 2 with the container, of which the neck 13 can be seen, takes place automatically by breaking the cover, simply by adapting the reservoir cap 1 on the neck 13 of this container. This rupture occurs only when the neck of the container is engaged in the interior of the sleeve 4 of the reservoir cap and the seal between this reservoir and this container is about to become complete. Thus, the mixing takes place away from air and from any contact with the outside.

The tank cap 2 allows a product to be stored in a small volume to be subsequently mixed with another such as water. It ensures precise dosing. In the case where the content of the tank 2 is a self-gasifying product in contact with water, it follows that, under the effect of self-compression, the carbon dioxide originating from the reaction dissolves almost entirely in the water of the container ( the neck of which can be seen in. 13) which is, for example, at approximately 5 ° C. You can reuse the same container (a bottle for example) as often as you want, by simply filling it with water and screwing a new cap.

The device described makes it possible to reduce in a very large proportion, practically by at least 90%, the weight and the volumes that the user must currently transport from the place of purchase to his home for the same quantity of lemonade desired, and be delivered in the same proportions for the elimination of waste from the packaging of the products used.

It is clear that the device described ^" is not limited to the production of lemonade or other drinks, but that it can be used in the food or pharmaceutical fields to mix, in water or in a preparation, liquid or solid extracts which must be stored away from air to avoid oxidizing. This device can also be used for the preparation, by mixing, of paints or household cleaning products requiring that the mixing be done just before use.

The closure of the reservoir 2 by a cover such as 7 ensures not only the sealed closure of this tank, but also its inviolability without destruction of the cover, thus avoiding any possibility of introducing a foreign product into the tank 2 by malice. without this being immediately visible due to damage to the cover. it can be provided that, for each capacity and for each type of product, the reservoir cap 1 only adapts to a given model of corresponding bottle. For this, it suffices to vary the shape or the diameter of the necks or of the threads of the containers intended to receive] _ _es- corks-reservoirs.

The embodiment of the device according to fig. 4 to 6 comprises two parts: a cap 1 forming a reservoir 2 (fig. 4) and a cover 7 which comes in one piece with a cover holder 18 (fig. 5). The reservoir 2 is open at 3 and has a sleeve 4 coaxial with the body of the reservoir 2 and the opening 3. This sleeve 4 is internally cylindrical and smooth, while externally it has a raised crown 19 of helical ramps 20 each ending at its upper end with a recess or notch 21.

The gate 18 has a cylindrical part 22 provided for engaging frictionally in the cylindrical opening 3, as seen in FIG. 6.

The free, lower end 23 of the reservoir body 1 is designed to engage in a circular groove. 24 of the seal holder 18, in order to press a seal 25 placed at the bottom of this groove. Projections 26 are integral with the face of the groove 24 facing towards the inside of this groove. These projections are arranged to cooperate with the ramps 20 and the notches 21, when these two elements 1 and 18 are assembled. By rotating these elements 1 and 18 relative to one another, when the projections 26 are in contact with the ramps 20, these projections are forced to move along the helical ramp, until they arrive opposite the recesses or notches 21, where they fall and thus prevent the separation of the elements 1 and 18 , while ensuring the compression of the seal 25.

The gate holder 18 is internally threaded at 27, to be screwed onto the neck 13 of a container which is not shown. a second seal 28 is placed at the bottom of the threaded portion 27, against a circular bearing 29. When the cover 18 is screwed onto the threaded neck 13, there comes a time when the seal 28 is located compressed between a circular bearing surface 30 of the neck 13 and the circular bearing surface 29. When thus screwing the cover plate 18 fully (and ^• with it the reservoir body 1) on the neck 13 of the container, the terminal part 17 of this neck presses on the oper¬ cule and shears it while pushing it back into the tank 2. From this moment, the contents of the tank 2 mix with that of the container. In the case where during this mixing there is production of gas, the cooperation of the projections such as 26 with the respective notches 19 is opposed to the fact that, under the effect of the pressure thus created in the tank 2, the body 1 is detached from the lid holder 18 and, consequently, from the neck 13 of the container.

The presence of the seals 25 and 28 ensures the seal vis-à-vis the atmosphere.

Provision should be made that the stops 29 and 30 cooperate, via the seal ^'28, just after the shearing of the cap.

The tightening and locking of 1 and 18 is preferably carried out in about a quarter turn. However, the screwing the cap onto the neck must be progressive enough to allow easy rupture of the seal. The embodiment according to fig. 7 to 9 differs from the previous form only in that the means ensuring the non-detachable fixing of the cover holder on the cap are reversed. Indeed, the projection 26a is provided here on the cylindrical inner surface of the sleeve 4 of the reservoir cap, while a corresponding helical notch 20a, with its recess or notch 21a, is formed in the cylindrical exterior of the seal holder 18 Otherwise, the operation is the same.

The embodiment according to fig. 10 to 12 comprises, on the one hand, a cap 1 forming a reservoir 2, the outlet 3 of which is internally threaded as seen in 31, and ,. on the other hand, a cover 7 made in one piece with a cover holder 18a which is threaded internally, at 32, and externally, at 31a.

The gate 18a has a radial flange 33 on which is disposed a sealing washer 34 which is compressed. part 35 of the plug 1 when the part 31 is screwed fully onto the part 31a (fig. 12). It has, at its lower part, a frustoconical surface 36 against which is applied a conical sealing washer 37 which, when the reservoir / seal holder assembly is screwed onto the threaded neck 38 of a container, is compressed between the surface 36 and a corresponding conical surface 39 provided on the neck of the container (fig. 12).

FIG. 12 shows that, in this case too, the free end of the neck of the container shears the cover 7 when the device is fully screwed onto the neck 38 of the container.

In a variant, the seal holder 18a could be heat-sealed or glued to the sleeve 4, or else welded to the microns, to avoid unscrewing the two parts when the cap fixed to the container is loosened. When the body of the plug is made of metal, for example aluminum, the fixing of the seal holder can be carried out by sertis¬ sage.

The embodiment according to fig. 13 to 16 differs from the previous form simply by the fact that the connection between the reservoir 1 and the cover 18b, instead of being provided by the threads 31 and 31a, is produced in the same way as in the following example FIG. 7 to 9.

We see at 26b the projection provided on the cylindrical inner surface of the sleeve 4 of the reservoir cap, while the corresponding helical notch 20b, with its recess 21b, is formed in the cylindrical exterior of the seal carrier 18b.

At 40, there has been indicated a knurling or a toothing allowing the operculum holder to be grasped with pliers or a key in order to rotate it relative to the plug, in order to irreversibly secure these two parts.

The examples described with reference to figs. 4 to 16 have the following advantages: 1. Greater rigidity of the device due to the fact that the cover is integral with the threaded part ensuring the fixing of the reservoir cap on the neck of the container.

^" 2. Malicious and fraudulent acts are made impossible, due to the locking of the seal on the tank cap.

In the embodiments described, it has been accepted that the container of which only the neck 13 is shown, is provided with a plug which is removed before fitting one of the devices described to the container, in order to carry out the mixing the contents of the fuel cap and the container.

The devices according to fig. 1 to 9 make it possible to proceed more satisfactorily, in particular in the case where the container contains a pharmaceutical preparation, where it is important to be sure that the container has not been opened and closed surreptitiously before mixing.

Fig. 17 shows, by way of example, how the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 3 can be used with a container 13 filled in the factory and receiving immediately after a conventional plastic plug 41, the diameter of which corresponds to the inside diameter of the neck 13 and the head 42 of which has a diameter corresponding approximately to the outside diameter of the threading of this neck. In the factory, the tank cap 1 is screwed onto the threaded neck of the neck 13, until the flange 6, provided with the outer collar 10 of the cover 7, abuts against the head 42 of the cap 41. The cap -reservoir 1 is provided with a conventional safety ring 43 ensuring the inviolability of the container and which breaks when the tank cap is unscrewed (which produces the rupture of the safety ring 43) and the cap 41 is removed for the purpose of mixing. Once the plug 41 thus removed, the tank cap 1 is screwed fully onto the threaded neck 13 of the container and the thinned part 15 of the neck shears the cover 7 a little before the flange 6 with the flange 10 comes to meet the stop 16, as has been described in connection with FIGS. 1 to 3. It will be noted that the head 42 of the plug 41 prevents the part 17 of the neck from shearing the cover while the plug 41 is in place. Thus, the conventional safety ring 43 guarantees the content of the reservoir cap 1 and of the container against any malicious act.

Claims

1. Device for preserving a substance intended to be subsequently mixed with the content of a neck container, characterized in that it comprises a cap (1,4) forming a reservoir (2) for said substance, and having

5 means (5) for the adaptation of this plug on the neck

(13) of said container, a lid (7) sealingly sealing this tank (2) and arranged so that when the plug is fitted to the neck (13) of said container, the free end (17) of the neck ( 13) press, shears and

1 ° presses the central part (8) of the cover (7) into the tank (2), thus connecting the cavity (2) of this plug and that of this container in a sealed manner with respect to the atmosphere. , and making it possible to mix the content of the first with that of the second, protected from air and from any external contact.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the cover (7) has a peripheral part (10) fixed in leaktight manner to the plug (1,4) and in that the free end (17) of the shear neck the right seal

² ° before a part (16) of this neck (13) is applied to the peripheral part (10) of the cover fixed to the plug (1).

3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the cap (1) forming a reservoir (2) comprises a reservoir body (2) provided with a sleeve (4) internally threaded

"laughing (5) and designed to be screwed onto the threaded neck

(14) of the neck (13) of the aforementioned container, the tank body (2) having an opening (3) coaxial with the sleeve (4) and an internal flange (6) at the location of this opening against which the flange (6) is fixed so

30 sealed to the peripheral part (10) of the cover (7) to close the communication between the reservoir (2) and the interior of the sleeve (4).

4. Device according to claim 1 or 3, caracté¬ ized in that said sleeve (4) has, in the vicinity of

35 its free end, an outer peripheral groove (12), to fix a capping member closing this end inviolably without damaging this member.

5. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the cover (7) has a circular central part (8), the edge of which is extended by a cylindrical part (9) perpendicular to the central part (8 ), this cylindrical part (9) ending in a radial annular part (10) extending towards the outside and by which the cover (7) is tightly fixed against the abovementioned flange (6) of the plug (1 ).

6. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the cover (7) has, in its circular central part (8), radial stiffening ribs (11).

7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the free end (17) of the neck (13) of the aforesaid container has an outer diameter allowing it to slide freely inside the cylindrical part (9) of the cover (7), and ends in tapering, to facilitate shearing of the circular central part (8) of the cover, an annular stop (16) being provided on this end, between its threaded part (5) and the end part (17) intended to engage in the cylindrical part of the cover, the end part (17) of the neck, beyond this cylindrical stop (16) being long enough to protrude inside of the reservoir (2) when the cap (1) is fully screwed and said abutment (16) is in contact with the flange (6), in order to ensure the shearing of the circular central part (8) of the cover (7) towards the end of the face stroke of the stopper (1) on the neck (13) of the container.

8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the length of the terminal part (15) of the neck (13) located beyond the annular stop (6) is such that the shearing of the circular central part (8) of the cover has surely taken place when this stop (16) presses the above-mentioned radial annular part (10) of the cover (7) against the above-mentioned flange (6) of the plug (1).

9. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the cover (7) came in one piece with a cover holder (18) intended to be fixed in a non-detachable manner to the plug (1) and having means ( 27) for its adaptation to the neck (13) of the container, to ensure the adaptation of the plug (1) on the container, through it.

10. Device according to claim 9, characterized by means (19) with notch (21) for ensuring the fixing in a non-detachable manner of the door-seal (18) to the plug (1), thanks to a limited relative rotation of this door -cap and this plug previously brought into the cooperation position.

11. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that said notch means comprise at least one projection (26) provided on one of said parts to be fixed in a non-detachable manner, and at least one ramp (19) provided on the other of these parts, this ramp (19) ending in a recess (21) forming a notch, for receiving and retaining, at the end of the race, said projection (26).

12. Device according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the seal holder (18a) has an external thread (32) for fixing it to the cap (1) forming a reservoir, and an internal thread (31) for its attachment to the threaded neck (38) of the container.

13. Device according to claim 12, characterized in that the gate holder (18a) has a frustoconical bearing surface (36) intended to be applied in leaktight manner against a corresponding frustoconical surface (39) of the neck (38) of the container.