BR112013028512B1 - Wrap and packaging - Google Patents

Abstract

capsule a capsule comprising: a receptacle (4), which in turn comprises a breakable lower part (40), said receptacle (4) being applicable to a mouthpiece (60) of a container (6), intended to contain a first product; a cutter (5), positioned in front of the breakable bottom (40). the capsule (1 °) having at least a first and a second configuration; in the first configuration, the breakable bottom (40) remains intact and at least the receptacle (4) and the cutter (5) identifying, in combination, a first chamber (2) suitable for containing a second product; in the second configuration, said breakable lower part (40) being opened, so as to allow mixing of the first and the second product. the capsule (1) comprises means for absorbing moisture (7), which, in the first configuration of the capsule (1) is in contact with the inside of the first chamber (2).

Description

WRAP AND PACKAGE

TECHNICAL ASPECTS AND STATUS OF TECHNIQUE

[001] The present invention relates to a package for the maintenance of a first and a second product, separately, before use.

[002] Metering caps are known, of the type described in the patent report US2010 / 0000960.

[003] Unit packs are also known, of the type described in European patent EP0963325, in the name of the present applicant.

[004] These packages include:

- a container, provided with an upper opening and containing a liquid product;

- a receptacle, at least partially inserted internally in the mouth of the container, with opening in the upper part, separated inside the container, provided with a breakable bottom, containing a first powdered product; violating the rupture bottom, the receptacle communicates with the interior of the container;

- a cutting element inserted in the receptacle and provided with a lower end intended, in use, to break the susceptible bottom, allowing the mixing of the powdered product with the liquid product;

- a lid, arranged over the container, in such a way as to cover the receptacle and the cutting element.

[005] The lid is provided with a thread, with which a coupling screw-type element is threaded, whereby the lid is capable of axial downward movement in relation to the container. Due to said axial movement, the cover interacts with the cutting element, in such a way as to break the receptacle.

[006] These packages allow the maintenance of two separate products, mixing them immediately when used.

[007] A disadvantage of these products is related to the fact that the powder product is especially sensitive to moisture, due to its physical nature (the powder product can

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2/10 form lumps) and due to its chemical nature (the powdered product may have its properties altered). This effect may also be due to the fact that, generally, the lower part presents a ruptured pre-incision, which reduces the thickness of the ruptured bottom, facilitating its rupture.

[008] In this context, the technical foundation related to the present invention is to provide a packaging that avoids the above mentioned drawbacks of the state of the art.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[009] In particular, an objective of the present invention is to provide a package that allows the prevention of deterioration of the product packaged inside the package.

[010] The specified technical aspects and the defined objectives are substantially achieved by a package, which comprises the technical characteristics established in one or more of the attached claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[011] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be made clearer by the following description, which is indicative and, therefore, not limiting the preferred, but not exclusive, configuration, of the packaging illustrated in the attached drawings, in which:

figure 1 shows a view of a package, according to the present invention;

figure 2 shows a sectional view according to plane II-II of figure 1;

figure 3 shows the packaging of figures 1 and 2, in a second configuration;

figure 4 shows the packaging of figures 1, 2 and 3 in an additional configuration;

- figure 5 shows an alternative constructive solution to those illustrated in figures 1 to 4.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[012] In the attached figures, reference number 10 indicates a capsule (also known as a wrap). Capsule 10 is part of a package 1, typically

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3/10 a package for pharmaceutical products (including food supplements, dietary products, pro-biotics, etc.). Package 1 is typically for a single dose product. The capsule 10 comprises a receptacle 4, which in turn comprises a breakable bottom part 40. Typically, the breakable bottom part 40 comprises a preincision, which facilitates the opening of the breakable bottom part 40. The receptacle 4 is applicable directly or indirectly in the mouthpiece 60 of a container 6 suitable for containing a first product.

[013] The capsule 10 further comprises a cutter 5, positioned in front of the breakable bottom 40, in order to open (typically break) said said breakable bottom 40. The cutter 5 is, therefore, an element that pushes said breakable bottom 40 and the break. The receptacle 4 is a lid that is intended to close the nozzle 60 of the container 6. This receptacle 6 defines an interior hollow where said cutter 5 is at least partially located.

[014] Capsule 10 assumes at least a first and a second configuration. In the first configuration (see, for example, figure 2), the breakable bottom 40 is intact and at least the receptacle 4 and the cutter 5, in combination define a first chamber 2, suitable for containing a second product. In the second configuration (see, for example, figure 3) the breakable bottom 40 is open to allow mixing of the first and the second product. In the second configuration, the breakable bottom is typically broken (by the action of cutter 5). The cutter 5 advantageously comprises a hollow body 50 (i.e., as for identifying an internal housing). The hollow body 50, in turn, comprises a cutting edge 51. The cutting edge 51, in the first configuration, faces the breakable bottom 40. The cutter 5, on the cutting edge 51, is pointed. In particular, the cutter 5, at the cutting edge 51, is shaped like a flute tip. The cutting edge 51 is the part of the cutter 5 that allows the breakable bottom 40 to be broken. In use, in a downward displacement, cutter 5 breaks the breakable bottom 40 as it moves from the first to the second configuration

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4/10 of capsule 10.

[015] The receptacle 4 comprises a surface 42 to guide the cutter 5. The guide surface 42 directs the movement of the cutter 5 during its displacement, which determines the transition from the first to the second configuration. The cutter 5 is coupled with said guide surface 42 with a slight interference, such as creating a fluid dynamic seal. In the preferred configuration, the cutter 5 can be made of polypropylene and / or the receptacle 4 can be made of polyethylene.

[016] The capsule 10 comprises moisture absorption means 7. The moisture absorption means 7 allows the moisture that penetrates from the outside of the first chamber 2, to the first chamber 2, to be absorbed. The moisture comes from the first product, which is preferably liquid; moisture can, however, seep into the environment and therefore come out of the package 1.

[017] In the first configuration of the capsule 10, the moisture absorption means 7 are in contact with the inside of the first chamber 2.

[018] The absorption means 7 are located internally in said body 50. The hollow body 50 surrounds, at least partially, the absorbent means 7.

[019] The moisture absorbing means 7, at least in part, delimit an internal cavity 8 of the hollow body 50. In the first configuration, the cavity 8 is part of said first chamber 2. The absorption means 7, at least partially cover an inner surface 53 of said hollow body 50. The inner surface 53 of said hollow body 50 is preferably surrounded by an outer surface 54 of the cutter 5. Said outer surface 54 is at least on the first e / or in the second configuration, in contact with the guide surface 42, forming part of the receptacle 4. The positioning of the absorption means 7, internally in the cutter 5, is important. In this way, the cutter 5, by itself, partially protects the absorption means 7 from the moisture entering the first chamber 2, preventing premature saturation of the absorption means 7. Adhere to the inner surface 53 of the hollow body 50 that they cover.

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5/10

[020] In a constructive solution, the absorption means 7 are shaped like a hollow sleeve. They are advantageously shaped like the side surface of a cylinder. In an alternative construction solution, they are in the form of a disk applied to the bottom of the hollow body 50. In another construction solution, they can be shaped like a hollow beaker, covering the surfaces of the hollow body 50 (in which case they cover the bottom inner and inner wall of said hollow body (50). In this case, the beaker would be opened close to the cutting edge 51. The thickness of the absorption means 7 is preferably constant. Its thickness is preferably between 0.5 and 4 mm The absorption means 7 advantageously do not cover the cutting edge 51, so as not to prevent the action of breaking the breakable bottom 6. The internal cavity 8 is in fluid communication, in said cutting edge 51 (for example, means of an opening in the cutter 5), with a portion of the first chamber 2, on the outside of the hollow body 50. In the first configuration of the capsule 10, said second product is advantageously present in the cavity 8. The second product is advantageously dispost o partially also in a portion of the first outer chamber of the hollow body 50. The moisture absorbing means 7 advantageously project along at least two thirds of the length of said hollow body 50 (typically in the solution where the absorption 7, are shaped like a sleeve or beaker). The hollow body 50 comprises a rod and said cutting edge 51 is positioned at one end of the rod. The cavity 8 develops inside the stem. The absorption means 7 advantageously project along at least two thirds of the length of the cavity 8, said length being measured along the main direction of the stem projection.

[021] Advantageously, the moisture absorbing means 7 are non-removably attached to said hollow body 50. In particular absorbent means 7 are mutually shaped with said hollow body 50. In an alternative solution, absorption means 7 are inserted, with interference (generally slight interference), in said hollow body 50. As a non-limiting example, absorption means 7 are made of a material

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6/10 known under the trade name of activ-dri or activ-pak or active polimer, produced by the company CSP Technologies Inc .. In particular, the absorption means 7 are made of a material described in patent document EP0892673 (the totality of which reference is made here).

[022] An object of the present invention is also a package 1, which comprises:

- a capsule 10, which has one or more of the technical characteristics described above;

- a container 6, comprising a nozzle 60 to which said capsule 10 is directly or indirectly applicable. The nozzle 60 comprises a neck of the container 6, which ends in an opening (the opening, if the capsule 10 allows, allows the placement of the second chamber 3, in communication with the outside of the container 6). Container 6 identifies a second chamber 3 suitable for containing the first product.

[023] Package 1 has at least an initial configuration and an operational configuration. In the initial configuration, said capsule 10 is in the first embodiment and the first and second chambers 2 and 3 are separated from each other by the breakable inner part 40 (see, for example, figure 2); in the operating configuration, the capsule 10 is in the second embodiment and the first and second chambers 2 and 3 are in reciprocal fluid communication, to allow mixing of the first and the second product (see, for example, figure 3).

[024] The nozzle 60 is normally located in the upper portion of the container 6. The nozzle 60 is therefore opposite the bottom of the container 6. At least in the initial configuration of the container, the receptacle 4 defines a lid that closes the nozzle 60 of the container 6.

[025] The breakable bottom 40 is advantageously at least partially aligned with said nozzle 60. This means that the breakable bottom 40 is located inside the nozzle 60 or over the extension of the nozzle 60 (or, in other words, words, inside the neck or the extension of the neck of the container 6). As shown in the figures, at least in the initial configuration, the breakable bottom 40 is located inside the nozzle 60.

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7/10

[026] The container 6 has an axial development direction of the nozzle 60. The breakable interior part 40 projects transversely to said axial development direction of the nozzle 60.

[027] At least in the first configuration, the breakable bottom 40 separates the first chamber 2 from the second chamber 3. The receptacle 4 is at least partially inserted in the nozzle 60. As shown in the attached figures, the receptacle 4 extends , at least partially, on the outer part of the nozzle 60. In particular, the receptacle 4 is inserted, with a slight interference, into the nozzle 60. An external wall of the receptacle 4 contacts an internal wall of the nozzle 60 and, this slight interference defines a dynamic fluid seal, which prevents any unwanted leakage of the liquid into container 6, in the second configuration. The second product is a solid product, which is usually a powder or granular product. The first product is typically a liquid. In the mixture obtained from the first and the second product, the second product can therefore be considered as a solute, while the first product can be considered a solvent.

[028] As illustrated in the attached figures, the package 1 comprises a lid 9, which, in the first configuration, is attached to the container 6. The lid 9 comprises a tamper evident strip 90 which must be removed to allow removal of the lid 9. In the initial packaging configuration, cover 9 covers receptacle 4 and cutter 5. In a particular construction solution, not shown, cover 9 and cutter 5 can also be connected in a non-removable manner.

[029] The lid 9, in particular the tamper evident strip 90, comprises an annular relief 95, coupled in recess with the container 6, in order to prevent or limit the axial distancing movement of the lid 9 of the container 6.

[030] In the constructive solution exemplified in figure 1, the tamper evident strip 90 is joined to the remaining parts of the lid 9, by means of an easy break perimeter line 96. This easy break perimeter line 96 breaks, during the unscrewing operation cap

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8/10

9, from container 1.

[031] The receptacle 4 has an upper part 41 located above the upper edge of the nozzle 60 of the container 6. In the initial configuration of the package 1 (see, for example, figure 2), the upper part 41 of the receptacle 4 is susceptible to be elastically deformed inward. The cutter 5 shows a section 52, which is designed to abut the inner surface of the upper part 41 of the receptacle 4, in order to prevent the upper part from deforming inwards (in particular, the section 52 is at least partially complementary , in shape, in relation to the inner surface of the upper part 41 of the receptacle (4) .An annular projection 91, projecting internally from the cap 9, has an internal diameter that is smaller than the internal diameter of the thread 92 of the cap 9. During axial downward movement of cap 9, annular projection 91 is designed to engage, in recess, with an annular recess 94, prepositioned at the top 41 of receptacle 4, in order to make cap 9 and the receptacle 4 solidly linked to each other, in relation to the axial extraction movement upwards of the lid 9 of the container.

[032] In use, the tamper evident strip 90 stands out from the remaining parts of the lid 9, depending on the threading of the lid 9. During threading, the lid 9 interacts in contact with the cutter 5, so that the cutter 5 is pushed down, thus breaking the breakable bottom 40 of the receptacle 4. This allows the second product in the capsule 10 to fall, by gravity, into the container 6. During this stage, the annular upper part 41 of the receptacle 4 is deformed to the inner part, allowing the inner projection 91 of the lid 9 to engage jointly and elastically with the recess 94 in the upper part 41 of the receptacle. This is made possible by the fact that between the annular and elastically deformable upper part 41 of the receptacle 4 and the outer surface 54 of the cutter 5 there is a gap. At the end of threading of cover 9, the gap no longer exists, since the above-mentioned section 52 of cutter 5 is inserted into the annular upper part 41 of the receptacle 4 and radially abuts it. In the next step of

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9/10 unscrewing the lid 9, the receptacle 4, joined with the lid 9, due to the recess between the aforementioned projection 91 and the recess 94, is lifted together with the cutter 5. During this unscrewing stage, the upper section 41 of the receptacle 4 can no longer deform into the interior - as in the threading stage - since the contact between section 52 of the cutter and cover 9 is restricted. The section 52 of the cutter 5, with a larger diameter, then, aims to maintain the link between the receptacle 4 and the lid 9 during the extraction stage of the container 6.

[033] In the packaging process, the liquid is introduced into the container 6, the powder is inserted into the receptacle 4 or into the hollow body 50. The whole set is then inserted into the nozzle 60 of the container 6. Subsequently, the lid 9 is inserted ; this insertion is carried out in such a way that the ring relief 95 joins the ring cavity, in the appropriate recess, on the perimeter of the container 6 (see figure 2). In this first configuration, the lid 9 is firmly anchored in the container 6 and is partially entangled in the container 6; in this first configuration, the lid 9 has a first function, which is to prevent unauthorized access to the packaging 1, and therefore without any tampering with the contents of the receptacle 4 or the container 6. As mentioned above, the strip 90 is broken in use, forcing the lid 9 into the container 6, only through the threaded coupling.

[034] At the end of the execution of the cutter 5 towards the container 6, the lid 9 is firmly anchored, thanks to the projection 91 and the recess 94, in the receptacle 4. It is now possible and extremely easy to open the package 1; in fact, it is sufficient to unscrew the cap 9, which, as it moves in the axial direction away from the container 1, will come into contact with the receptacle 4 and the cutter 5, which are forced to do so (see figure 4). At this point, the mixture of the first and the second product can be administered.

[035] In the configuration illustrated in figure 5, the process of opening package 1 provides the following operations:

- removal of the tamper evident strip;

- removing cover 9;

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10/10

- approaching cutter 5 to container 1; this step involves breaking the breakable bottom 40; the approach of the cutter to the container includes translation (not threading) of cutter 5;

- removal of cutter 5 and receptacle 4 from container 6.

[036] The invention as it is conceived leads to several advantages.

[037] In particular, the physico-chemical properties of at least two products that are kept separate until just before use are preserved. Another advantage is related to the particular positioning of the moisture-absorbing means. This positioning offers better performance of the absorption media. At the same time, the positioning is perfectly compatible with an efficient system, which allows mixing of the active ingredients shortly before use. In addition, the moisture-absorbing means are positioned in an area where any change in the products is obvious.

[038] The invention as it is conceived is susceptible to numerous modifications and variations, all within the scope of the inventive concept that characterizes it. In addition, all items can be replaced with other technically equivalent elements. In practice, all the materials used, as well as their dimensions, can be of any type according to the requirements.

Claims (7)

Claims 1. Wrapper comprising: - a receptacle (4), which in turn comprises a breakable bottom part (40), said receptacle (4), being applicable to a nozzle (60) of a container (6), intended to contain a first product; - a cutter (5), positioned in front of the breakable bottom part (40) to open said breakable bottom part (40); said wrap (10), having at least a first and a second configuration; in the first configuration, the breakable bottom (40) is left intact and at least the receptacle (4) and the cutter (5) identifying, in combination, a first chamber (2), suitable for containing a second product; in the second configuration, said breakable lower part (40) being opened, so as to allow mixing of the first and the second product; - moisture absorption means (7), which, in the first configuration of the wrap (10) are in contact with the interior of the first chamber (2); the cutter (5) comprising a hollow body (50), which in turn comprises a cutting edge (51) and a shank; said cutting edge (51) being positioned at one end of the rod and, in the first configuration, being in front of said breakable lower part (40); said wrap being characterized by the means of absorbing moisture (7), at least partially, delimiting an internal cavity (8) inside the hollow body (50) and the rod, at least partially, covering an internal surface (53) said hollow body; the cavity (8), in the first configuration, being a part of the first chamber (2); said absorbent means (7) are in the form of: - like a hollow glove; or, - as a hollow beaker and covers an inner bottom and an inner wall of the hollow body (50). 2. Wrap, according to claim 1, characterized in that the Petition 870190118873, of 11/18/2019, p. 19/24 2/3 the receptacle (4) comprises a guide surface of the cutter (5), during its displacement, which determines the passage from the first to the second configuration; said internal surface (53) is surrounded by an external surface (54) of the cutter (5), said external surface (54) in contact with said guide surface (42), at least on the first and / or second configuration. Wrapper according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said moisture-absorbing means (7) project at least two-thirds of the length of said hollow body (50). 4. Wrapper according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said moisture-absorbing means (7) are mutually shaped with said hollow body (50). 5. Wrapper according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in the first configuration, in the vicinity of said cutting edge (51), the internal cavity (8) is in fluid communication with a part of the first chamber (2) in the external part of the hollow body (50). 6. Packaging, characterized by comprising: - a wrap (10), as defined in any one of claims 1 to 5; - a container (6) comprising a nozzle (60), through which said wrap (10) is applied, said container (6), containing a second chamber (3), suitable for containing the first product; said packaging (1) having at least an initial configuration and an operational configuration; in the initial configuration, said envelope (10) being in the first configuration and the first and second chamber (2, 3) being separated from dynamic fluid; in the operative configuration, the wrapper (10) being in the second configuration the first and the second chamber (2, 3) in reciprocal fluidic communication, in order to allow the mixing of the first and the second product. 7. Packaging according to claim 6, characterized by Petition 870190118873, of 11/18/2019, p. 20/24 3/3 comprise a lid (9), which, in the initial configuration of the packaging (1), is attached to the container (6) and protects the receptacle (4) from tampering, said lid (9) comprising a tamper-proof strip (90), which must be removed for the cover (9) to be opened.