EP1712486B1 - Bottle or container closure for adding a component to its contents - Google Patents

Abstract

The bottle or container closure has a closure lower part (1) for sealing applying on bottles or container connecting pieces. The closure lower part is lockable against a down open chamber (16), and a sealing foil (17) and which can be glued or be welded on. The closure part has a domed top side (13) which deforms under downward pressure. A central part (14) having ridges (15) is pressable by the sealing foil. The closure lower part beside the chamber has a filling connecting piece (4) and the closure lower part has a cover cap (2) with a hinged end and tiltable on the catch lower part.

Description

This invention relates to a bottle or container closure which, after the first opening, allows the metering of a content component to the contents of the bottle or container. There are liquids to which an additional, separately stored component, for example a liquid, a powder or a granulate is mixed before drinking. This may be, for example, an effervescent powder or any vitamin preparations, which must be kept separately and hermetically sealed before mixing in order not to lose their effect. Synthetic or naturally derived vitamins must be stored separately with light and oxygen until they are taken. However, other active ingredients, for example, adhesives, dyes, pharmaceutically active substances, such as certain antibiotics and the like, can be provided as a two miscible component, which second component must be mixed in a lesser amount of a first before the product is applicable. The closure relates to such applications in which an additional, separately stored component, for example in the form of a liquid, a powder or granules, is mixed. The admixture should in many cases take place immediately before drinking or applying the container or bottle contents. The separately stored component does not necessarily have to be a solid, but it can also be a solid Liquid or to act on any flowable mass. In the case of air-tight and pressure-tight closure, gaseous substances which can then be deliberately mixed with the first component before use are also conceivable for the second component. A generic closure is in WO 03/013962 disclosed.

The object of the present invention is to provide a bottle or container closure, which allows exactly this and therefore allows the addition of a content present in the container closure content component to the bottle or container contents after the first opening, as in practice very often two components of certain Bottle contents or container contents must be stored separately until use, because the components cause a deliberate reaction by mixing and the mixture can thereby develop their targeted effect. Such closures can be used for bottles and containers for liquid foods such as e.g. Beverages, but also for paints, chemicals, adhesives, lubricants, then also for cosmetic and pharmaceutical products such as tinctures, pastes, creams, etc. are used, especially for relatively viscous media, which must be poured out dosed. In this case, the closure should offer a Erstöffnungsgarantie, be easy to operate for the metering of the second component and finally be tightly closed again at any time.

This object is achieved by a bottle or container closure for the dosing of a content component with the features of claim 1.

Figur 1:

Den Verschluss mit aufgeschwenkter Deckelkappe in einer Ansicht von schräg oben, über die Oberseite des Verschlussunterteils hinweg auf die Unterseite der Deckelkappe gesehen dargestellt;

Figur 2:

Den Verschluss mit aufgeschwenkter Deckelkappe wie in Figur 1 dargestellt, jedoch in einem Längsschnitt durch seine Mitte gezeigt;

Figur 3:

Den Verschluss mit aufgeschwenkter Deckelkappe senkrecht von unten her gesehen dargestellt;

Figur 4:

Den Verschluss mit geschlossener Deckelkappe in einer Ansicht von schräg oben, über die Oberseite des Klappendeckels gesehen dargestellt, in einem Längsschnitt durch seine Mitte gezeigt.

In the drawings, an advantageous embodiment of such a closure is shown in different views. Based on these illustrations, the shutter will be described below in detail and its function will be explained.
It shows:

FIG. 1:

The closure with pivoted lid cap in a view obliquely from above, seen across the top of the closure bottom portion on the underside of the lid cap;

FIG. 2:

The closure with pivoted lid cap as in FIG. 1 shown but shown in a longitudinal section through its center;

FIG. 3:

The closure with swung-lid cap shown vertically seen from below;

FIG. 4:

The closure with closed lid cap shown in a view obliquely from above, seen over the top of the flap lid, shown in a longitudinal section through its center.

The FIG. 1 shows the closure of plastic in the open position, so with pivoted lid 2 in a view obliquely from above, screwed onto a bottle 19. The bottle neck of such a bottle 19 or such a container is provided with an external thread on which the plastic closure is screwed, which in turn consists of a closure bottom part 1 and a hinged lid cap 2 attached thereto. The closure lower part 1 has an internal thread and its inside width is closed at the top except for a small, laterally arranged pour spout 4 and forms in the example shown within the cap lid 5 a dome-shaped, domed dome 13. As a special feature, the closure part 1 has a piercing device 6 with a push button 8 for piercing a sealing film welded onto the lower circular edge of the domed dome 13. The structure and function of this lancing device 6 will become clear in the course of the description. First of all, it suffices to mention here that this lancing device 6 forms a dome-like elevation or a dome-like dome 13 with a peripheral wall 29 on the outside visible here, and that this shape is designed or is deformable in such a way that it comes from the position shown here can be depressed down and thereby jumps into the depressed position in which it then projects as a dome-like depression or arch-like shape down. The deformation from the initial state shown here in the depressed state can be irreversible or even, in rubber-elastic design of the dome-shaped vault dome 13, reversible. At the edge of the closure part 1 a Spannbandschamier 3 is arranged, via which the cover cap 2 is integrally formed. The lid cap 2 forms a cap and this is dimensioned in its inner height so that in the state when it is pivoted down to the closure bottom 1, the pouring spout 4 completely absorbs itself and thus the closure bottom part 1 completely closes. In addition, here on the inside of the lid cap 2 on the lid cap bottom 31, a sleeve 10 is formed, which is slipped sealingly over the pouring spout 4 when swiveling the lid cap 2. Instead of such a sleeve 10 may also be provided a pin, which is then pressed in accordance with the pivoting of the cover cap 2 in the interior of the pouring spout 4 and closes it sealingly. In the FIG. 1 These tension bands hold the lid cap 2 in the swung-open state, and at the same time hold it after sweeping over a dead center even in the closed state, the lower lid cap edge 30 of the lid cap 2 exactly on the outer, upper edge 32 of the closure part 1 comes to rest, whereby the cover cap 2 and the lower closure part 1 form a closed unit. The mounted inside the lid cap 2 sleeve 10 has at its end a projecting bead 11, which in the closed lid cap 2 so on the Pouring spout 4 comes to rest with its recess 7 on the inside, that the sleeve 10 is locked on the pour spout 4 and thus this is tightly and firmly closed, whereby leakage of the fluid located in the bottle 19 is prevented.

The FIG. 2 shows the closure with pivoted lid 2 as in FIG. 1 shown but shown in a longitudinal section through its center. It can be seen in this illustration, in particular the shape of the cut elements. First, the dome-like dome 13 is to be mentioned, which forms the upper end of a vault chamber 16 on the lower closure part 1, which is open at the bottom and forms a circular, downwardly projecting edge 27, on which a sealing film 17 can be welded or glued, whereby in this chamber 16 liquid, solid or gaseous substances air and light-tight can be included. It can be seen that the dome 13 defines a subjacent chamber 16, of which one sees here the peripheral wall 29, which forms an annular wall. How to get in FIG. 1 sees, this ring wall dominates the lid of the closure part 1 a little upwards. On the underside of the dome 13 a stinging dome 14 is formed. The dome 13 is pressed by pressing on its uppermost point, the push button 8, down, causing the Kuppelwandung deformed elastically or inelastically. In this case, the integrally formed below the dome tip lancet 14 is moved down and its tip moves so far down that it passes through the plane of the lower edge 27 of the chamber 16 and passes. At stingdom 14 are radially outgoing reinforcing ribs 15, on the one hand stabilize the piercing pin 14 and on the other hand serve to cut the depressing the push button, the sealing film and to produce a correspondingly large enough hole so that the substance located in the chamber 16 through this hole falls or flows in the sealing film into the bottle 19 and thus can mix with the liquid component present therein, whereby the desired mixture of substances is formed. By shaking with the lid cap 2 closed, the mixing of the components can be supported, so that the effect of the newly formed mixture unfolds more quickly. In the FIG. 2 the stabilizing flanks 12 can be seen, which are arranged around the sleeve 10 and on inner bottom 32 of the lid cap 2 are fixed. The stabilizing wings 12 protect the sleeve 10 and serve when closing the lid cap as guide aids, so that the sleeve 10 snaps accurately and accurately on the pour spout 4. In the FIG. 2 is to recognize the internal thread 26 of the closure part 1, by means of which the container closure can be screwed onto a bottle or a container 19 with matching external thread 25.

The FIG. 3 shows the closure shown with pivoted lid cap vertically from below. One recognizes the centrally arranged on the lancing device 6 lancing mandrel 14 with its reinforcing ribs 15 on the underside of the vault-like dome 13 with their spiral stabilizing ribs 21, which together form the lancing device 6. Good to see is also the circular, downwardly projecting edge 27 of the chamber, on which a sealing film after filling the chamber 13 is welded or glued with a corresponding substance. The filling of the chamber 13 is thus advantageously carried out by means of a metering unit from above directly into the chamber, as this in the FIG. 3 is shown, wherein after filling as a further, directly subsequent step, the closure of the chamber with a sealing film 17 takes place. If the filling and sealing takes place in a sterile environment, such a closure can be used not only for use in the food industry but also for pharmaceutical applications. At the outer edge of the lid cap 2 is a small handle 22, which serves to open it easily with one hand when the lid is closed. The tension bands 28 on the hinge 3 help to keep the lid cap 2 either in the closed or swung-open state. The pour spout 4 with its opening 9 is located laterally of the piercing device 6, wherein the lower opening is at the height of the sealing film.

The FIG. 4 shows the closure with the lid cap 2 closed in a view obliquely from above, seen over the top of the flap lid 1, shown in a longitudinal section through its center. Well visible is the central vault chamber 16 with lancing device 6, consisting of push button 8, Stechdom 14 and reinforcing ribs 15, with the chamber perimeter wall 29 and the sealing film 17. The thus formed chamber can be filled with a variety of substances, the available volume is not limited in principle, sondem on the selected geometry of the closure device depends, as the height the peripheral wall 29 of the chamber can be created differently sized as needed. As a result, larger chamber volumes can be realized, depending on the required mixing ratio of the components to be mixed. When pressing the push button 8 down the piercing device 6 moves with dungeon 14 and reinforcing ribs 15 down and penetrates the sealing film 17 by a perforation hole is formed in this film, whereby the substance located in the chamber falls through this hole in the screwed container or flows. The round pour spout 4 is located next to the vault chamber 16 on the outer peripheral wall 29 of the chamber, wherein the upper edge of the neck comes close to the lid cap bottom 32. With the lid cap 2 closed, as here in FIG. 4 shown, the sleeve 10 fixed to the cover cap bottom 32 is fully enclosed by the upper edge of the pouring spout 4, wherein the projecting bead 11 of the sleeve 10 hooks into the inner bead 7 of the pouring spout 4 in such a way that the cover cap 2 is fixed in this closed position is and leakage of the liquid is prevented even with a dropped bottle. The existing at the sleeve 10 on the lid cap bottom 32 stabilizing wings 12 additionally fix in the closed position, the sleeve 10 in the pouring spout, which fits exactly into the gap between the sleeve 10 and the stabilizing wings 12. When the lid cap 2 is closed, the lid cap rim 30 lies flush on the outer, upper edge 31 of the cap lid 5, as a result of which the lid cap 2 is additionally stabilized on the closure bottom part 1. The lid cap 2 can be opened by a simple upward push on the handle 22, wherein by means of the tensioning hinge 3, the lid cap swings open by 180 ° and pivots into the open position.

In the open and tumbled state, the closure is ready to receive a metered addition component in solid or liquid form by moving the dome-like chamber 16, as in FIG FIG. 3 shown from the top with a Dosing filled and sealed with a sealing film, which is glued or welded to the circular edge 27 of the downwardly open chamber 16, air and liquid-tight. The applications of such a closure are manifold. Thus, such fillable closures in the field of "Functional Food" can fulfill an important function by filling the closure with soluble vitamins or minerals, which are then "freshly prepared" by the consumer at the exact desired time. Thus, the problem of durability is massively defused or eliminated, since the durability of the airtight in this closure and sealed if necessary under a protective atmosphere component compared to a normal mixture of components is significantly higher. In the pharmaceutical field, for example, antibiotics must be mixed before use with water in a certain ratio, the resulting mixture is limited shelf life. This cap, filled with appropriate antibiotics, can be supplied to the consumer with a transparent bottle with volume indicators. The customer resp. The patient then only has to fill the bottle with water to the mark and screw the cap back onto the bottle. By opening the lid cap, which is provided with a Erstöffnungsgarantie is pressed by depressing the push button 8, the lancing device down through the sealing film, whereby the drug flows through the resulting hole in the liquid. The patient can reach the final mixture by shaking and take the medicine by pouring spout 4.

This closure may have a pressure membrane at the pouring spout, which releases the release of the solution in the bottle only by pressure. This device is advantageous for tougher liquids such as ketchup, colors, shampoos, creams, yoghurt, honey, gelées, etc., which can be pressed through the membrane by pressure on the flexible, soft container. For example, so salad dressings of always the same quality can be made simply at home or in the restaurant by the container to be screwed first filled with the desired liquid ingredients such as oil, vinegar, milk and then, after unscrewing this closure, filled with various Flavors of spices, the final mixture is achieved by depressing the piercing device 6. The fillable bottle belongs to a whole system and is provided with the corresponding markings for specific volumes and transparent resp. equipped with transparent viewing window. This closure is particularly suitable for high-quality and air-sensitive substances that need to be stored for a long time and then immediately and in exactly balanced amount for a mixture without many handles must be available. The closure is therefore even suitable for the very specific and high requirements of the catering in aerospace, by the simple handling of fresh meals without contamination of the environment can be produced, since such bottles filled with water, equipped with appropriate filled closure, only need to be heated with a heater (for example, in a microwave). After heating, the final mixture can be prepared as described above by depressing the push button, with a pressure diaphragm in the pouring spout also preventing unwanted outflow when the lid cap is open.

This container closure thus has the advantage that the sealing film can be opened with a simple finger pressure on a push button 8 and a mixture can be produced. The closure is very user-friendly and can include an initial opening guarantee device via material bridges, which does not require additional adhesive strips or other seals. The closure is still "instantly" sprayable as a one-piece part and thus hardly more expensive than a conventional Schamierverschluss.

Claims (8)

1. A bottle or container closure for the metered addition of a constituent to the contents, comprising a lower closure part (1) for the sealed attachment to a bottle or container neck, the lower closure part (1) in the inner width thereof having a closable chamber (16) that is open toward the bottom, and the lower closure part (1) disposed next to the chamber (16) having a pouring spout (4), characterized in that the chamber (16) can be closed by a sealing foil (17) which may be welded on or glued on and comprises a dome-shaped upper side (13) having a pin (14) projecting downward in the dome interior and reinforcing ribs (15), wherein this dome (13) may be pressed down to deform, whereby the pin (14) with the reinforcing ribs (15) may be pressed through the welded-on or glued-on sealing foil (17), and a cover cap (2) is integrally molded onto the lower closure part (1) in a hinge-like manner, this cap being pivotable on the lower closure part (1).
2. The bottle or container closure for the metered addition of a constituent to the contents according to claim 1, characterized in that a plug or a sleeve (10) having stabilizing flanks (12) is integrally molded onto the bottom of the cover cap (2), this plug or sleeve being suitable to close the pouring spout (4) in a leak-proof manner when pivoting the cover cap (2) onto the lower closure part (1).
3. A bottle or container closure for the metered addition of a constituent to the contents according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pouring spout (4) is disposed on the periphery of the lower closure part (1) opposite of the hinge (3), and the remaining upper side of the lower closure part (1) forms a cover cap, which has a circular step (32) at the outer edge thereof for the snug accommodation of the cover cap edge (30) when the cover cap (2) is closed.
4. A bottle or container closure for the metered addition of a constituent to the contents according to any one of claims 2 to 3, characterized in that the pouring spout (4) on the inside thereof comprises a recess (7), which snugly and sealingly receives the sleeve (10) with the protruding bead (11) thereof when the cover cap (2) is closed, and the sleeve is reinforced with stabilizing flanks (12), which surround the pouring spout (4) in a leak-proof manner when the cover cap (2) is closed.
5. A bottle or container closure for the metered addition of a constituent to the contents according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the piercing device (6) comprises a curved dome (13) in the cover cap (5), wherein this dome projects outward or upward on the lower closure part (1) in the starting position and by deformation may be pressed into an inwardly or downwardly projecting position, and on the inside thereof comprises a centrally disposed, downwardly projecting piercing pin (14) having reinforcing ribs (15).
6. A bottle or container closure for the metered addition of a constituent to the contents according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, that the piercing pin (14) on the bottom of the curved dome (13) is provided with radially protruding reinforcing ribs (15) in order to keep a hole in the sealing foil (17) open which has been punctured by the piercing pin (14).
7. A bottle or container closure for the metered addition of a constituent to the contents according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the curved dome (13) on the bottom thereof is provided with helically arranged stabilizing ribs (21), which are intended to act as flow aids during injection molding of the curved shape.
8. A bottle or container closure for the metered addition of a constituent to the contents according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pouring spout (4) on the inside thereof comprises a pressure membrane, which hinders the liquid constituent present in the container from leaking out when the cover cap is open and allows the liquid matter to flow through the pouring spout (4) when applying external pressure on the flexible container.

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